then spiritual cogitations of faith and religion and therfore it is compared to a woman traueling with child who hath moâ—â— careful and greuous paines k In vvhich great confflict of mans spirite God by his grace geueth force to breake through the contrarie assaultes of our enimie to remoue al impediments and to ouercome the difficulties l This consideration that al is now done that was of old prophecied is a meruelous confirmation and consolation to Christians m Grace and mercie is only granted to those that are vvithin or come vnto the Catholique Church n As God is praised for his mercie so also for his iustice which do neuer preiudice the one the other o Consider the fortresses of the Church which are the holie Fathers and Doctors that watch and defend her vvalles p So rest you assured for al matters of faith in this pillar of truth q obserue and marke diligently how manie particular Churches were spedely founded in the world r and declare this to other generations that they may also hold fast the same faith or returne vnto it if they be relapsed or at last embrace it if sowner they haue not Å¿ Christ God incarnate that vvorketh al this is our very God and Sauiour not for a few yeares an hundred six hundred or a thousand but for euer and euer t he shal rule as a king and consequently haue a kingdom his militant Church euermore to the very end of this vvorld As he shal like vvise haue his triumphant Church in eternitie Exhortation â—o flee from sinne for feare of hel The 7. key a In this and diuers other titles both before and ye ensuing is said To the sonnes or for the sonnes of Core a Psalme or Canticle or vnderstanding the like but in no place a Psalme Canticle c. of the sonnes of Core vvhich no way proueth that they vvere the authores of such Psalmes but rather the contrarie b Al ye nations and sortes of people c that dwel vpon the earth lerne this lesson vvhich I wil teach you d Holie Dauid harkened to God inspiring him e and declared to others that vvhich he receiued from God f not only by his penne or tongue but also for better instilling it into their mindes he sounded it vpon the instrument called the Psalter vvhich had tâ—nne stringes signifying the obseruation of the tenne commandments g What especial thing is there in this life vvhy or for vvhich I or anie haue cause to feare â—he dreadful day of iudgement h Marry this we must feare iniquitie by which any supplanteth defraudeth oppresseth or anie vvay wrongeth others for that vvil inuolue the offender in the sentence of eternal damnation i Such be they that trust in their present powre riches or other wordlie thing k A mans owne brother can not helpe a sinner in that day l much lesse anie other man so the Hebrew phraise by zeugma vnderstandeth an other negatiue particle m stil suffer paine n and not dye but liue in eternal torments o Al both wise and foolish do dye temporally but the wise liuing in eternal ioy the foolish liue in eternal paine p those that beleue not anie other life after this q and those that beleuing an other life yet liue badly in this shal perish in eternal damnation r They shal neuer returne from their sepulchers Å¿ to enioy againe their houses and earthlie possessions t which vainely they labour to establish in their posteritie v A most pithie and brief consideration for man to thinke how absurdly he being endewed with reason vnderstanding free wil like vnto Angels and capable of eternal glorie setteth his vvhole studie and care vpon corporal and temporal thinges so making himselfe like vnto brute beastes vv This care of wordlie thinges is the stumbling block and cause of eternal ruine x yet they shal be obstinate and praise their owne desires stil persisting therin y Amongst other creatures a sheepe can least helpe her selfe in miserie euen so the damned in hel are altogether vnable to deliuer themselues from thence or to get any relief z in the general resurrection they shal be most of al in miserie as euer dying and neuer dead the iust vvhom they vvronged shal be their iudges al freindes shal faile them after they haue passed their glorie and pleasure in this vvorld a The confidence of the iust b He shal leaue al worldlie thinges and take nothing with him c temporally d so long as he enioyeth wordlie profites he wil seme gratful to God e but they shal not see the true light of heauen f Remember and consider ô worldlie man that God made thee an excellent creature which thou neglecting makest thyself like to a beast As v. 13. General Iudgement the 9. Key a To be songue or tuned by Asaph a maister of musike b God almightie who is greater then are al falsly supposed goddes or holie persons that patticipating of his goodnes are called goddes as Kinges Priestes Iudges coming into this world in mans nature calleth al men to saluation c The Church of Christ began in Sion d Christ that came in humilitie and more obscurely to suffer and to redeme vs vvil come iâ— maiestie and manifestly to iudge e Immediately before the general iudgement fire shal burne al transitorie thinges f Geue signes in the firmament g and in earth h VVhich know that to keepe Gods commandments in folowing vertues is aboue the oblation of external sacrifice i God instructeth his people k Sacrifices are gratful to God l but in regard that God needeth not these earthly thinges he rather requireth a gratful mind For otherwise man in dede can geue nothing to God seing al that is in the whole world is Gods owne in proprietie m Spiritual sacrifice of prayse n due payment of voluntarie vowes made in honour of God o and praying to him for helpe in tribulation are most grateful p He that wil teach others must especially flee from sinne serue God sincerly q God is honored by mans gratitude and other good workes Sacrifice of praise disposeth men to the fruit of external sacrifice The Sacrifice of the Eu harist prophecied The fourth penitential Psalme The 7. key a Pertayning not only to Dauid but also to al penitentes especially of the new testament b My sinnes being very great nede thy great mercie c Yea manie sortes of thy mercies not only remission of the crimes but also mitigation of the paines due for the same Thy merciful grace to be truly sorie to make some part of satisfaction to beware hereafter not to fal againe to geue better example of penance and of vertuous life and to perseuer to the end d O God thou hast forgeuen me and taken away my sinnes as thy prophet hath told me 2. Reg. 12. v. 13. but my soule so fouly polluted nedeth yet more washing e cleanse also the dregges that remaine and al
earthlie things depended much vpon diuine wil and powre But bauing forsaken God Almightie the onlie maker and conseruer of al they begane to imagine and serue false goddes both famous dead men which had prospered in this world and diuers other things by which they receiued commoditie or feared damage Hence therfore rose the third principal Sect called Grecisme beginning also in this second age as the same S. Epiphanius writeth For Ninus the first king of the Assirian great Monarchie brought to passe that his father Belus Iupiter was estemed and worshipped for the onlie great God by the Assirians To him the Babylonians erected first Temples Altares and Statuas Nemrod also by the name of Saturnus as the progenitor of Belus and first great King or Tyrant of Babylon was accounted a god and the father of goddes About this time likwise begane the Dinastae among the Aegyptians and not sowner as they vainly brag to haue benne before the floud yea much longer then in deede the world hath benne Moreouer the Chaldees worshipped the fire Others the sunne the moone and innumerable other feaned goddes Against al which and likwise against al heresies are two special arguments First that they were not from the beginning as the true God and al truthes are knowne and receiued by continual Tradition but brought in afterwards by men and comonly by il men Secondly they are not accepted and esteemed for goddes or truthes in al places but with great diuersitie and disâ—ention one sort allowing that others despice as holie Athanasius notably writeth in his oration against Idols in these wordes Quot sunt gentes totidem deorum genera confinguntur c. How manie nations saith he so manie kindes of goddes are feaned Also the same countrie the same citie dissenteth within it selfe in superstition of Idols The Phenicians certes acknowledge not the Egiptians goddes neither doe the Egiptians adore the same Idols with the Phenicians Nor the Scithians receiue the goddes of the Persians nor the Persians of the Scithians The Pelasgies refuse the Thrasian goddes the Thrasians know not the Thebians The Indians are against the Arabians the Arabians against the Aethiophians and in like sorte the Aethiopians differ in their religious affaires from the Arabians The Syrians worship not the goddes of the Cilicians and the nations of Capadocia besides al these haue goddes of other names The Bithinians also feaâ—ed diuers goddes the Armenians againe diuers from them What nede we manie wordes Those that are in the continent honour other goddes from the Iland-people In briefe ech citie and eech village not knowing the goddes of their neighboures setteth forth their owne estemeth them only in place of goddes Thus farre S. Athanasius Name we like countries prouinces cities and townes in these partes of Europe where Luthers scholars haue set their feete consider the forme of Religion and opinions which they hold and we shal see as vnorderlie beginnings and as horrible dissentions in heresies which S. Hierom calleth the Idols of the New Testament as the ancient fathers haue discryed in Paganisme For Lutherans or Protestants hauing no lawful generation but proceding of bastards race vpstartes of vnknowne progenie are no lesse at discordes among them selues only al agreing against Catholiques like syncretisantes against their coÌ„mon enimies or Herod Pilate the Iewes against Christ And in England alone are diuers Sectes without possible meanes to agree in one For albeit the ciuil state endeuoreth prudently and seriously to bring al to vniformitie at least in publique shew yet they are but like manie faces vnder one hood euerie sorte keping their owne opinions yea almost euerie preacher and meane scholar to say nothing of artificers and common ministers arrogating to be his owne Iudge contemneth to stand to Luther or Caluin to Geneua or Parlament to Conuocation or Synod of their owne but to his owne only vnderstanding and interpretation of holie Scripture Nor yet to that alwayes for when he is pressed with that he once said he wil forgete it or eate his owne word if he haue not written it or that you haue readie witnes against him so hard it is to make a deceiued Protestant or Puritan confesse that he is conuinced except by very pregnant meanes you can first cast out of him or bind fast the spirite of presumption dissention and contention wheras the simpliest Catholique in the world hath the selfe same faith in al points with the whole Church in which he remaineth and vpon whose iudgement he dependeth To returne therfore from whence we are not vnnecessarily digressed we conclude with S. Augustin VVhen Moyses had shewed the beginning and progresse of Nemrods earthlie citie leauing it in Babylon that is confusion as needles to prosecute it futher he returneth to declare the pertual succession of the Citie of God the Church as before the floud from Adam to Noe by the line of Seth so after the floud from the same Noe by the line of Sem Arphaxad Sale Heber Phaleg Reu Sarug Nachor Thare and Abraham The rest of Sems children and al the progenies of lapheth and Cham as not pertaining to this purpose omitted so connecting those in order of generations by whom the succession is directly brought to Abraham Prince of the elected people a most special Patriarch to whom new and great promisses are made of multiplication of his seede and possession of the land of Chanaan but especially of Christ our Redemer and the same manie waies confirmed as wil appeare in the next age CHAP. XII Abram commanded by God to leaue his countrie with promise to be blessed in his Seede 5. taking his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot 6. wandreth in the land of Chanaan 7. erecteth an Altar in Sichem 8. an other in Bethel 10. Thence by occasion of famine passeth into Aegipt 14. where his wife called his sister is taken into the kings house 19. but vntouched is restored to him AND our Lord said to Abram Goe forth of thy countrie and out of thy kinred and out of thy fathers house and come into a land which I wil shew thee †And I wil make thee into a great nation and I wil blesse thee and magnifie thy name and thou shalt be blessed †I wil blesse them and blesse thee and cursse them that cursse thee and IN THEE shal al the kindreds of the earth be blessed †Abram therfore went out as our Lord had commanded him and with him went Lot seauentie fiue yeares old was Abram when he went forth out of Haran †And he tooke Sarai his wife and Lot his brothers sonne and al the substance which they had possessed and the soules which they had gotten in Haran and went forth to goe into the land of Chanaan And when they were come into it †Abram passed through the countrie vnto the place Sichem as farre as the noble vale and
true faith and religion Especially Christian Princes of whom Esai propheciced chap. 49. that Kinges should be softer fathers and Queenes the nources of the Church Conformably wherto S Augustin teacheth li. 3 c. 51. cont Crescon that Kinges in that they are Kinges serue God by commanding good thinges and forbidding euel not only perteining to humaine societie but also belonging to Gods religion To this effect Constantin the great did manie religious actes yea euen those thinges which our aduersaries wrest to their owne sense shew euidently his due submission to his spiritual pastors As when vrged by the Donatistes peruerse importunitie and being desirous as S. Augustin testifieth Epist 166. to bridle so great impudencie he heard and iudged Bishop Cecilians cause after other Bishops sentence for him against the heretikes where he both gaue iudgement agreable to the Bishops and yet pleading parden excused himself for this fact VVhich had not neded if he had bene the ordinarie or competent iudge Optatus also writeth li. 1. cont Parmen that the same Emperour Constantin exclamed against the appellantes in these wordes O raâ—ida furoris audacia sicut in causis Gentilium sâ—â—ri solet appellationem interposuerunt O outragious boldnes of furie like as in causes of Gentiles is wont they haue interposed an appeal The like good offices did Iustinian and Charles the great and manie other Christian Emperours and Kinges for which they are much renowmed in the whole Church and some haue benne honoured for their religious zele with glorious titles geuen to them and their successors To the Kinges of Spaine from the time of Alâ—onsus King of Castil aboue eight hundred yeares agone for expelling the Arians was geuen the title of Cathoque as Michael Ritins a Neapolitâ—n writeth To the French Kinges the title of most Christian from the time of Philip the Emperour about 400. yeares since for expelling the Albigenses as recordeth Nicholaus Gillius To our King Henrie the eight of England for his booke of the Sacramentes against Luther Pope Leo the tenth gaue the title Defender of the saith CHAP. IIII. In memorie of their miraculous passage twelue chief men of the twelue tribes â—uke so manie great stones from the middes of Iordan 9. and put other twelue where the priestes stood with the arke 18. The waters returne to their former course And the twelue stones are erected for a monument VVHo being passed ouer our Lord said to Iosue †Choose twelue men one in euerie tribe †and command them that they take vp out of the middes of the chanel of IordaÌ„ where the feete of the priestes stoode twelue most hard stones which you shal put in the place of the campe where you shal pitch tentes this night †And Iosue called twelue men whom he had chosen out of the children of Israel one of euerie tribe †and he said to them Goe before the arke of our Lord your God to the middes of Iordan and carrie from thence euerie man a stone on your shoulders according to the number of the children of Israel †that it may be a signe among you and when your children shal aske you to morrow saying What meane these stones †You shal answer them The waters of Iordan decayed before the arke of the couenant of our Lord when it passed ouer the same therfore were these stones sette for a monument of the children of Israel for euer †The children of Israel therfore did as Iosue commanded them carying out of the chanel of Iordan twelue stones as our Lord had commanded him according to the number of the children of Israel vnto the place wherein they camped and there they sette them †Other twelue stones also Iosue put in the middes of the chanel of Iordan where the priestes stoode that caried the arke of the couenant and they be there vntil this present day †But the priestes that caried the arke stoode in the middes of Iordan til al thinges were accomplished which our Lord had commanded Iosue to speake to the people and Moyses had said to him And the people made hast and passed ouer †And when they had al passed ouer the arke also of our Lord passed ouer the priestes also went before the people †The children of Ruben also and Gad and the half tribe of Manasses went armed before the children of Israel as Moyses had commanded them †and fourtie thousand fighting men by troupes and bandes marched through the plaine and champion countrie of the citie of Iericho †In that day our Lord magnified Iosue before al Israel that they should feare him as they had feared Moyses whiles he yet liued †And he said to him †Command the priestes that carie the arke of the couenant that they comme vp out of Iordan †Who commanded them saying Come ye vp out of Iordan †And when they that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord were come vp and began to treade on the drie ground the waters returned into their chanel and ranne as they were wont before †And the people came vp out of Iordan the tenth day of the first moneth and camped in Galgal against the East side of the citie of Iericho †the twelue stones also which they had taken out of the chanel of Iordan Iosue sette in Galgal †and said to the children of Israel When your children shal aske their fathers to morrow and shal say to them What meane these stones †You shal teach them and say By the drie chanel did Israel passe ouer this Iordan †your Lord God drying the waters therof in your sight vntil you passed ouer †as he had done before in the readsea which he dried til we passed throuh †that al the people of the earth may learne the most strong hand of our Lord that you also may feare our Lord your God CHAP. V. The kinges of Chanaan are sore frighted with the newes of Israels passage ouer Iordan 2. Circumcision is againe commanded and obserued which had bene ommitted in the desert fourtie yeares 10 They make their Pasch 12. Manna ceaseth 13. And an Angel appeareth to Iosue THERFORE after that al the kinges of the Ammorrheites which dwelt beyond Iordan at the west side and al the kinges of Chanaan which possessed the places nigh to the great sea had heard that our Lord had dried the streames of Iordan before the children of Israel til they passed ouer their hart failed and there remained no spirit in them fearing the entring of the children of Israel †At that time our Lord said to Iosue Make thee kniues of stone and circumcise the second time the children of Israel †He did that which our Lord had commanded and he circumcised the children of Israel in the hil of the prepuces †And this is the cause of the second circumcision Al the people that came out of Aegypt of the malekinde al the fighting men died in the desert by
the burden of two mules for thy seruant wil no more make holocaust or victimes to strange goddes but to the Lord. †But this onlie is it for which thou shalt besech the Lord for thy seruant when my maister shal goe into the temple of Remmon to adore and he leaning vpon my hand if I shal adore in the temple of Remmon he adoring in the same place that the Lord pardon me thy seruant for this thing †Who sayd to him “ Goe in peace He therfore went from him in the spring time of the earth †And Giezi the seruant of the man of God sayd My maister hath spared Naaman this Syrian that he tooke not of him the things which he brought Our Lord liueth I wil runne after him and wil take some thing of him †And Giezi folowed at the backe of Naaman whom when he saw running toward him he lept downe from his chariote to mete him and said Are al thinges wel †And he said Wel. my maister hath sent me to thee saying Euen now there are come to me two yong men from mount Ephraim of the children of the prophetes geue them a talent of siluer and two change of rayment †And Naaman sayd It is better that thou take two talentes And he forced him bound the two talentes of siluer in two bagges and the duble rayment layd it vpon two of his seruantes who also caried it before him †And when he was come now in the euening he tooke it out of their hand layd it vp in the house dismissed the men and they departed †And himself going in stood before his maister And Eliseus said From whence comest thou Giezi Who answered Thy seruant hath not gone any whither †But he sayd Was not my hart present when the man returned out of his chariote to meete thee Now therfore thou hast receiued siluer and taken rayment to bye oliuetes and vineyardes and sheepe and oxen and seruantes and handmaides †But the leprosie also of Naaman shal cleaue to thee and to thy seede for euer And he went out from him a leper as it were snow ANNOTATIONS CHAP. V. 19 Goe in peace Shcismatiques as they are commonly but improperly now called in England which being in mind and iudgement Catholiques goe sometimes to Protestantes common prayers or â—â—â—mons draw an excuse of their fact from this warrant of the Prophet permitting a Nobleman of Syria to goe and serue his king in the temple when he adored an Idol But whosoeuer wil duly consider this example shal find great difference in respect of the times places persons and of the very doubtes proposed betwen this mans case and ours For before Christs Gospel was promulgate neither al Articles of faith were so expresly taught nor the external profession therof so strictly commanded as now they are in time of more grace which geueth more ayde to mans weaknes wherin also more perfection is required and therfore our Sauiour exacteth of al to confesse him and his Religion before men els he vvil denie them before his Father Likewise in the place where this Nobleman dwelt his presence in the temple and seruice to the king could not be accounted a reuolt from true religion which was neuer professed there nor be scandalous to anie man being al Infidels but in a christian countrie where al beare the name of Christians especially where men are at controuersie about the true Christian religion al that frequent or repaire to the same assemblies for publique seruice of God are reputed to be of the same religion or els dissemblers as it were to haue no care of religion knowing God and not glorifying him as God and reuolting from the truth which they had lerned The difference also of persons is great For this Nobleman hauing before his conuersion serued his king in the office of sustayning him when he bowed to the Idol if he should haue refused to do the same it would rather haue bene supposed that he disdained his Maister or shewed disloyaltie then thought that he refrayned for religion wheras in our case verie few do such temporal seruice about the king in the church and such as doe carrie the sword scepter or the like are accounted of that religion which is there practised except they manifest the contrarie as this man did and our men commonly do not Yea if anie do say they are Catholiques and yet goe to the Protestantes church they are counted of that rank S. Paul speaketh of which confesse they knovv God but denie him in their deedes And those which refuse such an office can not be iudged disloyal because it is sufficiently knowne that Catholiques refuse of mere conscience An other most especial difference is in the thinges demanded This Syrian promising expresly before the Prophet and his owne great trayne that he would neuer againe serue false goddes and that he would serue the onlie true God and for that purpose caried earth with him to make an Altar for Sacrifice and returning home preached the miracle wrought in himself desired not to doe anie thing wherby he might seme to serue an Idol but that when the king leaning vpon him should adore Remmon he might bow with his maister not adoring the Idol for he resolued and promised the contrarie but adoring God Almightie in whom now he beleued And this the Prophet approued in that time place and person to be lawful But those that now in England goe to Protestants seruice or sermons do neither publikly renounce al heresies not professe to frequent Masse the true Sacrifice of the Christian Church nor auouch the erecting of an Altar but goe to church to shew them selues obedient to the Parlament law which abandoned the true Diuine Seruice and in place therof appointed commanded al to be present at a new forme of common prayer thereby making it a distinctiue signe of conformitie and participation in that religion which these dissemblers in their consciences know to be false This example therfore doth in no sorte warrant their going to the heretical church but contrariwise admonisheth al to take resolution in our case as Naaman did in his of our Eliseus or spiritual Superior and if he should say Goe in peace then might they pleade an excuse but he sayth None can goe without incurring greuous sinne and eternal damnation The case being so much different from Naamans It is in deede more like to that of Eleazatus and other Machabees who were commanded by eating svvines flesh to depart from the lavv of God and their fathers VVhich by no meanes was lawful to doe nor to make shew of doing it but rather to dye as they did most gloriously CHAP. VI. Eliseus maketh iron to swimme vpon the water 8. leadeth the king of Syria his men sent to apprehend him blindly into Samaria 20. vvhere their eyes being opened they are curtously intertained and freely dismissed
Whom Nabuzardan the General of the armie taking brought them to the king of Babylon into Reblatha †And the king of Babylon stroke them and â—lew them in Reblatha in the land of Emath and Iuda was transported out of their land †And he made Godolias the sonne of Ahicam the sonne of Saphan Gouernour ouer the people that was leift in the land of Iuda which Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had leift †Which when al the captaynes of the souldiars had heard they and the men that were with them to witte that the king of Babylon had appoynted Godolias there came to Godolias into Masp a 〈◊〉 the sonne of Mathanias and Iohanan the sonne of Câ—ée and the Saraia the sonne of Thanehumeth a Netophathiâ—e and Iezonias the sonne of Maachathi they and their felowes †And Godolias sware to them and to their companions saying Be not afrayd to serue the Caldees tarie in the countrie and serue the king of Babylon and it shal be wel with you †But it came to passe in the seuenth moneth there came Ismahel the sonne of Nathanias the sonne of Elisama of the kinges seede and ten men with him and stroke Godolias who also died yea the Iewes also the Chaldees that were with him in Maspha †And al the people rysing vp from litle to great the captaynes of the souldiars came into Aegypt fearing the Caldees †But it came to passe in the seuen and thirteth yeare of the Transmigration of Ioachin the king of Iuda in the twelfth moneth the seuen and twenteth day of the moneth Euilmerodach the king of Babylon in the yeare that he began to reigne lifted vp the head of Ioachin the king of Iuda out of prison †And he spake vnto him courteously and he sette his throne aboue the throne of the kinges that were with him in Babylon †And he changed his garmentes which he had in the prison and he did eate bread alwayes in his sight al the dayes of his life †A certayne prouision also he appointed for him without intermission which was also geuen him of the king day by day al the daies of his life THE ARGVMENT OF PARALIPOMENON PARALIPOMENON that is A supplement of thinges ommitted called by the Hebrewes Dibre haiamim The wordes of the dayes or Chronicle is an Abridgement briefly shewing besides diuers other genealogies from the beginning of the world the faith and religion both of the progenitors and ofspiring of the Patriarch Iacob whose progenie God chose and made his peculiar people and in that nation more particularly recounting the Actes of king Dauid and other kinges of his line til they were led captiue into Babylon A booke of such and so great importance sayeth S. Hierom. as whosoeuer without it arrogateth the knowledge of Scriptures may mocke himselfe The author is vncertaine but probably it semeth to be gathered by Esdras out of other bookes and traditions for the perfecting of the old Testament and is vndoubtedly canonical Scripture In hebrew it is al one booke but being large is with the Greekes and Latines parted into two And the first booke may be diuided into three principal partes The first nine chapters conteyne diuers genealogies first by the only right line from Adam to Noe then by diuers lines of Noes progenie but most specially of Iacobs twelue sonnes In the tenth chapter the reiection and death of king Saul is repeted The other ninetene chapters are al of Dauid to wit of his election to be king and inunction his vertues his faultes also and his special actes concerning Gods seruice gouernment of the people and prouision made for building Gods Temple THE FIRST BOOKE OF PARALIPOMENON IN HEBREW DIBRE HAIAMIM CHAP. I. The genealogie of Adam in the right line to Noe and his three sonnes Sem Cham and Iaphet 5. The generations of Iaphet 8. of Cham 17. and of Sem. 24. The right line of Sem to Abraham 26. Abrahams generations by the line of Ismael 32. by the sonnes of Cetura 34. and by the line of Isaac and his sonne Esau 43. with their kinges 51. and dukes ADAM Seth Enos †Cainan Malaleel lared †Henoch Mathusale Lamech †Noe Sem Cham and Iapheth †The sonnes of Iapheth Gomer and Magog Madai and Iauan Thubal Mosoch Thrias †Moreouer the sonnes of Gomer Ascenez and Riphath and Thogorma †And the sonnes of Iauan Elisa and Tharsis Cethim and Dodanim †The sonnes of Cham Chus and Mesraim and Phut Chanaan †And the sonnes of Chus Saba and Heuila Sabatha Regma and Sabathaca Moreouer the sonnes of Regma Saba and Dadan †And Chus begat Nemrod this begane to be mightie in the earth †But Mesraim begat Ludim and Anamim and Laabim Nephtuim †Phetrusim also and Casluim from whom came Philisthijm Caphthorim †But Chanaan begat Sidon his first-borne the Hetheite also †and the Iebuseite and the Amorrheite the Gergeseite †the Heueite and the Araceite and the Sineite †The Aradium also and the Samareite and the Hamatheite †The sonnes of Sem Aelam and Assur and Arphaxad Lud and Aram and Hus and Hul and Gether and Mosoch †And Arphaxad begat Sale who also begat Heber †Moreouer to Heber were borne two sonnes the name of one was Phaleg because in his daies the earth was diuided and the name of his brother Iectan †And Iectan begat Elmodad and Saleph Asarmoth and Iare †Adoram also and Vsal and Decla †Hebal also and Abimael and Saba moreouer †also Ophir and Heuila and Iobab Al these are the sonnes of Iactan †Sem Arphaxad Sale †Heber Phaleg Ragau †Serug Nachor Thare †Abram this is Abraham †And the sonnes of Abraham Isaac Ismael †And these are the generations of them The firstbegoten of Ismael Nabaioth and Cedar and Adbeel and Mabsam †and Masma and Duma Massa Hadad and Thema †Ietur Naphis Cedma. these are the sonnes of Ismahel †And the sonnes of Cetura Abrahams concubine which she bare Zamran Iecsan Madan Madian Iesboc and Sue Moreouer the sonnes of Iecsan Saba and Dadan And the sonnes of Dadan Assurim and Latussim and Laomim †And the sonnes of Madian Epha and Epher and Henoch and Abida and Eldaa Al these the sonnes of Cetura †And Abraham begat Isaac whose sonnes were Esau Israel †The sonnes of Esau Eliphaz Rahuel Iehus Ihelom and Core †The sonnes of Eliphaz Theman Omar Sephi Gathan Cenez Thamna Amalec †The sonnes of Rahuel Nahath Zara Samma Meza †The sonnes of Seir Lotan Sobal Sebeon Ana Dison Eser Disan †The sonnes of Lotan Hori Homam And the sister of Lotan was Thamna †The sonnes of Sobal Alian and Manahath and Ebal Sephi Onam The sonnes of Sebeon Ais Ana. The sonnes of Ana Dison †The sonnes of Dison Hamram and Eseban and Iethran and Charan †The sonnes of Eser Balaan
our Lord and put them in his temple †But the rest of the wordes of Ioakim and of his abominations which he wrought and the thinges that were found in him are contayned in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel And Ioachin his sonne reigned for him †Eight yeares old was Ioachin when he began to reigne and he reigned three monethes and ten dayes in Ierusalem and he did euil in the sight of our Lord. †And when the compasse of a yeare was come about Nabuchodonosor the king sent some that brought him in to Babylon the most precious vessels of the house of our Lord being caried away withal But he made Sedecias his vncle king ouer Iuda and Ierusalem †One twentie yeares old was Sedecias when he began to reigne he reigned eleuen yeares in Ierusalem †And he did euil in the eies of our Lord his God neither did he reuerence the face of Ieremie the prophet speaking to him from the mouth of our Lord †He reuolted also from king Nabuchodonosor who had adiured him by God he hardened his necke his hart that he would not returne to our Lord the God of Israel †Yea al the chiefe of the Priestes and the people transgresled vnlawfully according to al the abominations of the Gentiles and they polluted the house of our Lord which he had sanctified to him in Ierusalem †And our Lord the God of their fathers sent to them by the hand of his messengers rysing by night and daily admonishing them for that he spared his people and his habitation †But they mocked the messengers of God and litle estemed his wordes and scorned the prophetes vntil the furie of our Lord ascended vpon his people and there was no amendment †For he brought vpon them the king of the Chaldees and slewe their yong men with the sword in the house of his sanctuarie he pitied not yong man and virgin and old man no neither him that stouped for age but he deliuered al into his handes †And al the vessels of the house of our Lord as wel greater as lesser and the treasures of the temple and of the king and the princes he transported into Babylon †The enemies set fyre on the house of God and destroyed the wal of Ierusalem al the towres they burnt and what soeuer was pretious they destroyed †If anie man escaped the sword being led into Babylon he serued the king and his sonnes til the king of the Persians reigned †That the word of our Lord by the mouth of Ieremie might be accomplished and the land might celebrate their Sabbathes for al the daies of the desolation she kept a Sabbath til the seuentie yeares were expyred †But in the first yeare of Cyrus king of Persians to fulfil the word of our Lord which he had spoken by the mouth of Ieremie our Lord raysed vp the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians who commanded to be proclaymed in al his kingdom yea by writing saying †Thus sayth Cyrus king of the Persians Al kingdomes of the earth hath the Lord the God of heauen geuen me and he hath commanded me that I should build him a house in Ierusalem which is in Iewrie who of you is there in al his people The Lord his God be with him and let him goe vp THE CONTINVANCE OF THE CHVRCH AND RELIGION IN THE FIFTH AGE From the fundation of the Temple to the captiuitie in Babylon The space of 430. yeares ALBEIT there were greater Schismes Heresies and more reuoltes from Gods law and seruice in this fifth age then in the former Yet the true Church and Religion continued stil and were no lesse conspicuous then before VVhich being clere and euident touching manie principal Articles we wil here only remitte the reader to some special places for confirmation therof neither wil we be prolixe in declaring other pointes denied or called into controuersie at this time by the impugners of Catholique Religion Beleefe in one God appeareth plainly in building adorning dedicating the Temple with so great solemnitie of the Priestes Leuites and al the Tribes and particularly by king Salomons prayer 3. Reg. 7. 8. 2. Paral. 2. c. Also Prouerb 8. Eccle. 12. Isaie 41. 44. 45. The Mysterie of the B. Trinitie Prouer. 12. Isaiae 6. 48. 49. Ose 11. Ioel. 2. Of Christ our Redemer Isaie 7. 8. 9. 11. 28. 53. Ierem. 23. 30. 33. Ezech. 17. 34. 37. Dan. 7. 9. Osee 6. 11. 14. Ioel. 2. Sophon 2. Aggoei 2. Zachar. 2. c. Sacrifices Sacramentes other Rites the same as before But more frequent Prophecies that they should be changed into better and perfecter by Christ Prou. 9. Isai 12. 52. 55. 61. In the meane time for more signification of the singular vertue of Christs Sacramentes the effect of penitential workes is often recorded For example wicked Achab by hairecloth fasting and other humiliation escaped part of his deserued punishment 3. Reg. 21. Manasses recouered Gods fauoure and his temporal kingdom 2. Par. 33. VVho yet was punished in his posteritie 4. Reg. 23. And the Niniuites by such penance auoided destruction Ione 3. Yea nothing is more frequent in the Prophetes then preaching of penance Isa 1. 2. 3. 30. Iere. 3. 18. c. and others al ascribing the cause of plagues and afflictions to the want of repentance And false Prophetes condemned of errour and false doctrine for promising the people peace and securitie in their sinnes Ierem. 14. Lamen 2. Besides abstinence from diuers sortes of meates counted vncleane Isaiae 66. and ordinarie fastes according to the law other fastes were appointed sometimes vpon occasions requiring not only to subdue and mortifie the flesh but also to obtaine mercie at Gods handes in special distresses 2. Par. 20. Ioel. 1. 2. Ione 3. Elias fasting fourtie dayes 3. Reg. 19. prefigured Christs fast VVhich the Church imitateth in Lent of fourtie daies according to humane habilitie for the fastes of Christ Elias and Moyses were miraculous To the Feastes instituted before was added the Dedication of the Temple 3. Reg. 7. 2 Par. 3. Which was built in Mount Moria 2. Par. 3. the special place designed long before for this purpose when Abraham was directed thither by God was there readie to sacrifice his sonne Isaac Gen. 22. where Dauid also offered sacrifice 2. Reg. 24. 1. Par. 21. This being the onlie ordinarie place for Sacrifice there were for other vses of daylie prayer reading preaching and hearing the word of God other Synagogues built as it were Parish churches in great number in Ierusalem it self foure hundred and foure score and manie more in the whole kingdom as the Hebrew Traditions testifie Of al which places especially of the Temple there was venerable respect had For which cause when Ioiada the High Priest gaue order to kil Athalia he suffered it not to be donne in
heauen to burne his sacrifice thereby confounding foure hundred and fifty false prophets of Baal 6. By prayer procured rayne 3. Reg. 18. 7. Fasted vvithout eating or drincking fourtie daies and nightes together 3. Reg. 19. 8. Procured fire from heauen which deuoured two insolent captaines and their hundred men 4. Reg. 1. 9. Diuided the riuer of Iordan vvith his cloke that himselfe and Elisens passed ouer the drie chanel 10. VV as assumpted in a firie chariote into some place vvhere he yet liueth And parting a vvay Obtained of God the like duble spirit of prophecie and miracles to Eliseus In like maner Eliseus 1. diuided Iordan againe by Elias cloke and so returned to his disciples 2. Amended the bitternes of certaine waters by casting in salte 3. Boies being cursed by him for deriding him were forth vvith torne by beares 4. Reg. 2. 4. He procured water without rayne for three kinges in the campe 4. Reg. 3. 5. Multiplied a poore vvidovves Oile 6. By his prayers barren woman became frutefull 7. He raised her sonne from death 8. Made the bitter broth of his disciples sweete 9. Fedde maine with few loaues 4. Reg. 4. 10. Cured Naaman of leprosie 11. Stroke Giezi with the same 4. Reg. 5. 12. Naaman of leprosie 11. Stroke Giezi with the same 4. Reg. 5. 12. Made yron to swimme 13. Knewe the secret counsels of the Syrian king 14. Made one see horsemen and firie chariotes which to others were inuisible 15. Made the Syrianes blinde that vvere sent to apprehend him and so ledde them into samaria 16. For shewed vnexpected plentie of corne the next day VVith the death of a great man that would not beleue it 4. Reg. 7. 17. And after his death an other mans dead bodie touching his bones reuiued 4. Reg. 13. Other Prophets vvrought also miracles but these for example may suffice to she vve that God preserued religion also in the kingdome of Israel VVhich himselfe further testified euen in most desolate times vvhen Elias lamented that he vvas leift alone 3. Reg. 19. For God ansvvered that seuen thousand meaning therby a great multitude had not bowed their knees to Baal not so much as in out vvard she vve conformed themselues to infidelitie or idolatrie Iehu in his time destroyed all the worshippers of Baal 4. Reg. 10. But none at anie time could wholy destroy true Israelites For God would not suffer it 4. Reg. 14. v. 27. Yea not vvithstanding diuers notorious heresies vvere preached folovved in that kingdome of the Tenne tribes yet ab did not fall nor embrace them Iecoboam not onlie made and set vp golden calues but also taught that they vvere Gods saying Behold thy goddes O Israel which brought thee out of the land of Aegypt 3. Reg. 12. making temples altars and imaginarie priestes which were not of the children of Leui. Also a feast the fiftenth day of the moneth after the similitude of the solemnitie that was celebrated in Iuda Al which the holie Scripture saith He fourged of his owne hart The very propertie of Archeretickes But the true Priestes Leuites and manic others that had geuen their hart to seke our Lord went into Ierusalem to immolate theire victimes before our Lord the God of their fathers 2 Par. 11. Yea Naaman a stranger of Syria and a Neophite in religion taught by his example that none may yeld conformitie nor otherwise communicate with Infideles then Gods Priests or Prophetes approue for lawful 4. Reg. 5. Vnto this heresie of leroboam Achab by Iezabels perswasion added the worshipping of Baal as God 3. Reg. 16. making both temple and altar to him in Samaria Ieroboams priests seruing fitly this purpose Though al the former heretikes no more agreed to this new heresie then Iutherans now admitte of Caluinisme For Iehua Ieroboamite destroyed al Iezabilits that he could by a stratageme gette together 4. Reg. 10. v. 28. 29. Muchlesse did al Israel serue Baal Againe after that Salmanazar king of Assyria had taken Samaria and placed there a new people 4. Reg. 17. they learning the rites of the Israelits religion mixed their Paganisme there with and made a new heresie or rather manie new heresies For being diuers nations they had in seueral conuentieles their particular goddes and so manie diuers Sects The Babylonians Cutheites Emathites Heueites and Sapharuaimites 4. Reg. 17. But as the Priestes which taught them rites of true religion allowed not of this mixture so doubtles some people harkened to their admonitions and kept religion simply and sincerely And at this very time of the Tenne tribes captiuitie holie Tobias who was carried captiue with the rest neither before nor after the captiuitie leift the law of God But went to Ierusalem when others serued leroboams golden calues to the Temple of our Lord and there adored the Lord God of Israel And in captiuitie bestowed himselfe in workes of mercie towardes the liuing and dead of his nation Tob. 1. As for the kingdom of Iuda it was more free from heresies For very few or none of those kinges that fell to other grosse enormities yea to manifest idolatrie became heretikes as is probablie collected by that Isaias the Prophet being sent to Achaz admonished him conuersed and dealt with him as with one that beleued wholly and solely true religion assuring him that God would protect Ierusalem bidding him not to feare the two smoking firebrandes in the wrath of Rasin king of Syria and of Phacce king of Israel Isa 7. Further bidding him aske a singe of God he answered though frovvardliâ— yet not as an infidel I wil not aske and I wil not tempt our Lord. Yea though Vrias the High Priest by commandment of the same king 4 Reg. 16. made a new altar in place of Gods Altar yet he erred not in faith nor in doctrine as teaching in Moyses chayre but in fact onclie and of frailtie for feare of the king aâ— the king offended in his externall act to slatter the king of Syria And in this case God sent Isaiâ—â— to admonish the king which Vrias neglected or durst not do Likwise Ioram 4. Reg. 8 2. Par. 21. Ochozias 2. Par. 22. Ioas in the latter part of his life 2. Par. 24. Manasses in the former part of his reigne 4. Reg. 2. 2. Par 33. and sowe other kinges of Iuda committing idolatrie and making others to fall with them either were not wholie peruerted or at least drew not al with them For not onlie Prophets in whose hand or ministerie God spake and reproued these sinnes but manie others kept their Zele of true religion as appeared in their promptnes to serue God when by good kinges Asa Iosaphat Ezechias Iosias and others they were exhorted or admitted so to do 4. Reg. 18. 23. 2. Par. 15. 17. 29. 30. 31. 33. 34. c. Finally wheras diuers good princes disposed thinges belonging to Diuine seruice in the temple correcting faultes and
punishing oftenders in that behalfe 3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 18. 23. they did the same without preiudice of the High Priestes supremâ—cie in spirituall causes and their godlie actes make nothing for the English Paradox of Laiheadshippe For superior authoritie and ordinarie povvre is not proued by factes good or euil but rather by Gods ordinance and institution For as the factes of vsurpers make no lawfull prescription so neither the factes of good men do change Gods general ordinance and law But are done either by waie of execution or sometimes by dispensation Often also by commission and special inspiration of God As king Dauid by dispensation did eate the holie bread which was ordained for Priests onlie 1. Reg 21. He disposed of Priestes and Leuites offices about the Arke of God Par. 15. 19. by way of execution according to the law And of the like offices in the Temple when it should be built 1. Par. 23. 24. 25. 26. by diuine inspiration And Salomon by commission from God deposed Abiathar the High Priest from his office and put Sadoc in his place 3. Reg. 2. VVherefore albeit good kinges did excellentlie well in calling together the Priestes and disposing them in their offices for execution of Gods seruice yea in commanding what they should do 4. Reg. 18. 19. 22. and in punishing Priestes 4. Reg. 23. yet they did such thinges as Gods Commissioners not as ordinarie Superiors in spiritual causes and still the ordinarie subordination made by the law Deut. 17. Num. 27. stood firme and inuiolable the High Priest supreme Iudge of all doubtes in faith causes and quarels in religion when other subordinate inferior Iudges varied in their iudgmentes Of which offices Malachias the Propher cap. 2. admonished Priestes in his time that whereas they were negligent not performing their dutie their sinne was the greater for that their authoritie stil remained and the perpetual Rule of the lavv that the lippes of the Priest shal kepe knowlege and they other men generally shal require the law of his mouth because he is the Angel of the Lord of hostes And al Princes others were to receiue the law at the priestes haÌ„d of the Leuitical Tribe This vvas the vvarrant of stabilitie in truth of the Synagogue in the old Testament Much more the Church and Spouse of Christ vvhose excellencie and singular priuileges Salomon describeth in his canticle of canticles hath such vvarrant Of this spouse al the Prophets write that more plaâ—nlie then of Christ himselfe forseing more aduersaries bending their forces against her as S. Augustine obserueth then against Christ her head And the same holie father in manie places teacheth that she neither perisheth nor loseth her beutie for the mixture of euil members in respect of whom she is blacke but fayre in respect of the good Cantiâ— 1. Notwithstanding therfore sinners remaining within the Church schismatikes and heretickes breaking from the Church stil she remaineth the pillar and firmament of truth the virgin daughter of Sion THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKES OF ESDRAS ESDRAS a holie Priest and Scribe of the stocke of Aaron by the line of Eleazar vvriteth the historie of Gods people in and presently after their captiuitie in Babilon vvhich Nehemias an other godlie Priest prosecuteth vvhose booke is also called the second of Esdras because in the Hebrevv and Greke they are but one booke relating the acts of them both The other two books called the third and fourth of Esdras touching the same matter are not in the Hebrew nor receiued into the Canon of holie Scripture though the Greke Church hold the third booke as Canonicall and plaâ—eth it first because it conteyneth thinges donne before the other In the two here folowing vvhich are vndoubtedly holie Scripture S. Ierom sayth that Esdras and Nehemias to witte the Helper and Comforter from God restored the Temple and built the walles of the citie adding that al the troope of the people returning into their countrie also the description of Priestes Leuites Israelites Proselites and the workes of walles and to wres diuided by seueral families aliud in cortice praeferunt aliud in medulla retinent shew one thing in the barke kepe an other thing in the marrow signifying that this historie hath both a literal and a mystical sense According to the letter this first booke shevveth the reduction of Gods people from Babylon In the first six chapters In the other soure their instruction by Esdras after their returne THE FIRST BOOKE OF ESDRAS CHAP. I. Cyrus king of Persia moued by divine inspiration releaseth Gods people from captiuitie with license to returne and build the Temple in Ierusalem 7. restoring the holie vessel which Nabuchodonesor had taken from thence IN THE first yeare of Cyrus king of the Persians that the word of our Lord by the mouth of Ieremie might be accomplishd our Lord raysed vp the spirit of Cyrus king of Persians and he made proclamation in al his kingdom yea by wryting saying †Thus sayth Cyrus king of the Persians Al the kingdomes of the earth hath the Lord the God of heauen geuen me he hath commanded me that I should build him a house in Ierusalem which is in Iewrie †Who is there among you of al his people His God be with him Let him goe vp into Ierusalem which is in Iewrie and build the house of the Lord the God of Israel he is the God that is in Ierusalem †And let al the rest in al places whersoeuer they dwel let euery man of his place helpe him with siluer and gold and substance and cattel besides that which they offer voluntarily to the temple of God which is in Ierusalem †And there rose vp the princes of the fathers of Iuda and Beniamin the Priestes and Leuites and euerie one whose spirit God raysed vp to goe vp to build the temple of our Lord which was in Ierusalem †And al that were round about did helpe their handes in vessels of siluer and of gold in substance and beastes in furniture besides those thinges which they had offered voluntarily †King Cyrus also brought forth the vessels of the temple of our Lord which Nabuchodonosor had taken of Ierusalem and had put them in the temple of his God †But Cyrus the king of Persians brought them forth by the hand of Mithridates the sonne of Gazabar numbred them to Sassabasar the prince of Iuda †And this is the number of them Phials of gold thirtie phials of siluer a thousand kniues twentie nine goblettes of gold thirtie †goblettes of siluer of the second order foure hundred tenne other vessels a thousand †Al the vessels of gold and siluer fiue thousand foure hundred Sassabasar tooke al with them that went vp from the transmigration of Babylon into Ierusalem CHAP. II. The names and number of special men which returned vnder the conduct of Zorobabel into lerusalem 66.
second day after he was warme with wine What is thy petition Esther that it may be geuen thee and what wilt thou haue done although thou shalt aske the half part of my kingdome thou shalt obteyne †To whom she answered If I haue found grace in thyne eies ô king and if it please thee geue me my life for the which I make request and my people for the which I besech †For we are deliuered I and my people to be destroyed murdered and to perish And would God we were sold for bondmen and bondwemen it were a tolerable euil and mourning I would hold my peace but now it is our enemie whose crueltie redoundeth vpon the king †And king Assuetus answering said Who is this and of what might that he dare doe these things †And Esther said It is this Aman out aduersarie and most wicked enemie Which he hearing forthwith was astonished not enduring to beare the countenance of the king and of the queene †But the king being wrath rose vp and from the place of the banket went into the garden set with trees Aman also rose vp to intreate Esther the queene for his life for he vnderstood that there was euil prepared him of the king †Who when he was returned out of the garden set with trees and had entered into the place of the banket he found Aman to haue fallen vpon the bed wherin Esther lay and he said The queene also he wil force in my presence in my house Neither was the word yet passed from the kings mouth and immediatly they couered his face †And Harbona one of the eunuches which stood wayting on the king sayd Behold the gibbet which he had prepared for Mardocheus that spake for the king standeth in Amans house hauing in height fiftie cubites To whom the king said Hang him vpon it †Aman therfore was hanged on the gibbet which he had prepared for Mardocheus and the kings wrath ceased CHAP. VIII Esther informeth the king that Mardocheus is her vncle he is aduanced in authoritie 3. and contrarie letters are sent that the Iewes be saued 11. and their enemies slayne 15. Mardocheus is in high honour and his whole nation is estemed and feared by other people THAT day king Assuerus gaue vnto Esther the queene the house of Aman the Iewes aduersarie and Mardocheus went in before the kings presence For Esther confessed to him that he was her vncle †And the king tooke the ring which he had commanded to be taken agayne from Aman and deliuered it to Mardocheus And Esther appointed Mardocheus also ouer her house †Neither content with these things she fel downe at the kings feete and she wept and speaking to him prayed him that he would command that the malice of Aman the Agagite and his most wicked deuises which he had inuented agaynst the Iewes should be of none effect †But he after the maner put forth the golden scepter with his hand by the which the signe of clemencie was shewed and she rysing vp stood before him †and said If it please the king and if I haue found grace in his eies and my request seme not contrarie to him I besech thee that the old letters of Aman the traytour and enemie of the Iewes wherein he commanded that in al the kings prouinces they should perish may by new letters be corrected †For how can I abide the murder and slaughter of my people †And king Assuerus answered Esther the queene and Mardocheus the Iewe Amans house I haue geuen to Esther and him self I haue commanded to be hanged on the gallowes because he durst lay handes on the Iewes †Write ye therfore to the Iewes as pleaseth you in the kings name signing the letters with my ring For this was the custome that no man durst speake against the lettes which were sent in the kings name and were signed with his ring †And the kings scribes and secretaries being cald for and it was the time of the third moneth which is called Siban the three and twenteth day therof letters were written as Mardocheus would to the Iewes and to the princes and the lieuftenantes and iudges which were rulers ouer the hundred and seuen and twentie prouinces from India euen to Aethiopia to prouince and prouince to people and people according to their languages and characters and to the Iewes according as they could read and heare †And the said letters which were sent in the kings name were signed with his ring and sent by ryding postes which running through al the prouinces should preuent the old letters with the new messages †To whom the king gaue commandment that they should speake to the Iewes in euerie citie and should command them to be gathered together in one that they might stand for their liues and might kil and destroy al their enemies with their wiues and children and al their houses and to take the spoyle of them †And there was appointed through al the prouinces one day of reuenge that is the thirtenth of the twelfth moneth Adar †And this was the content of the letter that in al landes and peoples which were subiect to the empire of king Assuerus it should be notified ' the Iewes to be readie to be reuenged of their enemies †And there went forth swift postes cariyng the massages and the kinges edict hong in Susan †But Mardocheus going forth out of the palace and from the kinges presence shining in royal garmentes to wit hyathinthine and skie colour bearing a golden crowne on his head and clothed with a silke and purple cloke And the citie reioysed and was glad †But to the Iewes there semed a new light to rise ioye honour and dauncing †With al peoples cities and prouinces whither soeuer the kinges commandmentes came meruelous reioysing feastes and banketes and holie day in so much that manie of the other nation and sect were ioyned to their religion and ceremonies For great terrour of the name of the Iewes had inuaded them al. CHAP. IX The Iewes kil their enemies which would haue killed them 6. namely the tenne sonns of Aman are hanged on gallowes 13. more slaine the next day 17. the day folowing is made holie and so to be kept euerie yeare THERFORE in the thirtenth day of the twelth moneth which we haue said now before to be called Adar when slaughter was prepared for al the Iewes and their enemies gaped after their bloud “ the case being changed to the contrarie the Iewes began to be superiours and to reuenge them selues of their aduersaries †And they were gathered together in euerie citie and towne and place to extend their hand against their enemies and their persecutors And none durst resist because the feare of their greatnes did penetrate al peoples †For both the iudges of the prouinces and captaynes and lieutenantes and euerie dignitie that was chiefe ouer euerie place and worke
“ 60 nor personally be present with them in the exercise of their false pretended religions PSALME XXVI Dauid being in great distresse through persecution and hauing assured confidence in God describeth the great securitie of Gods protection 7. sheweth the same experienced in him self 12. prayeth for continuance therof 13. and incorageth his owne soule in hope of life euerlasting to perseuer in vertue †The Psalme of Dauid before he was annoynted OVR Lord is my illumination and my saluation whom shal I feare Our Lord is the protectour of my life of whom shal I be afrayd †Whiles the harmeful approch vpon me to eate my flesh Mine enemies that truble me them selues are weakened and are fallen †If campes stand together against me my hart shal not feare If battel rise vp against me in this wil I hope †One thing I haue asked of our Lord this wil I seeke for that I may dwel in the house of our Lord al the dayes of my life That I may see the pleasentnes of our Lord and visite his temple †Because he hath hid me in his tabernacle in the day of euils he hath protected me â—in the secrete of his tabernacle †In a rocke he hath exalted me and now he hath exalted my head ouer mine enemies I haue gone round about and haue immolated in his tabernacle an host of iubilation I wil sing and say a Psalme to our Lord. †Heare ô Lord my voice wherwith I haue cried to thee haue mercie on me and heare me †My hart hath sayd to thee my face hath sought thee out thy face ô Lord I wil seeke †Turne not away thy face from me decline not in wrath from thy seruant Be thou my helper forsake me not neither despise me ô God my Sauiour Because my father and my mother haue forsaken me but our Lord hath taken me †Geue me a law ô Lord in thy way and direct me in the right path because of mine enemies †Deliuer me not into the soules of them that truble me because vniust witnesses haue risen vp against me and iniquity hath lyed to it selfe †I beleue to see the good things of our Lord in the land of the liuing †Expect our Lord doe manfully and let thy hart take courage and expect thou our Lord. PSALME XXVII Dauid prayeth to be defended from the eternal destruction of the wicked which by way of imprecation or conformitie to Gods iustice he prophecieth 6. Feeling by inspiration that his prayer is heard rendereth thankes to God 9. and prayeth for al the people A Psalme to Dauid him selfe TO THEE ô Lord wil crie my God keepe not silence from me lest at any time thou hold thy peace from me and I shal be like to them that goe downe into the lake †Heare ô Lord the voice of my petition whiles I pray to thee whiles I lift vp my handes to thy holie temple †Draw me not together with sinners and with them that worke iniquitie destroy me not Which speake peace with their neighbour but euils in their hartes †Geue them according to their workes and according to the wickednesse of their inuentions According to the workes of their handes geue vnto them render them their retribution †Because they haue not vnderstood the workes of our Lord and in the workes of his handes thou shalt destroy them and not build them vp †Blessed be our Lord because he hath heard the voice of my petition †Our Lord is my helper and my protectour in him my hart hath hoped and I was holpen And my flesh florished againe and with my wil I wil confesse to him †Our Lord is the strength of his people and he is the protector of the saluations of his annoynted †Saue thy people ô Lord and blesse thine inheritance and rule them and extol them for euer PSALME XXVIII The royal prophet seing in spirite the most sacred Mysteries brought by Christ into this world inuiteth al to offer their best thinges euen themselues wholly as sacrifice of thankes for so excellent benefites preached with magnificence 5. VVherby innumerable are gethered into his Church here replenished with grace and in heauen with glorie †The Psalme of Dauid “ in the consummation of the tabernacle ANNOTATIONS 1. In consummation of the tabernacle The seuentie Interpreters testifie by adding this title that king Dauid made this Psalme as he did also some others when the Arke of God was brought into the tabernacle which he had pitched for it in Sion 2 Reg. 6. 1. Paral. 16. VVherin he saw by prophetical spirite and here vttereth other farre greater mysteries more excellent benefites brought into the world by Christ and preached by him and his Apostles then agreed to the Arke or the time of the old Testament but are verified in the admirable fruite of innumerable people of al nations and of manie great Potentates conuerted to Christianitie BRING to our Lord ye children of God bring to our Lord the sonnes of rammes †Bring to our Lord glorie and honour bring to our Lord glorie vnto his name adore ye our Lord in his holie court The voice of our Lord vpon waters the God of maiestie hath thundered Our Lord vpon manie waters †The voice of our Lord in powre the voice of our Lord in magnificence †The voice of our Lord breaking ceders and our Lord shal breake the ceders of Libanus †And he shal breake them in peeces as a calfe of Libanus and the heloued as the sonne of vnicornes The voice of our Lord diuiding the flame of fire †The voice of our Lord shaking the desert and our Lord shal moue t the desert of Cades The voice of our Lord v preparing hartes and he shal discouer thicke woodes and in x in his temple al shal say glorie †Our Lord maketh y to inhabite the floud and our Lord z shal sit king for euer Our Lord a wil geue strength to his people our Lord b wil blesse his people in peace PSALME XXIX King Dauid by voice and instrument rendereth thankes to God for his peaceable state in the kingdom 5. inuiteth others to reioyce in Gods benefites teaching by his owne example that God sometimes geueth more conforth sometimes sheweth his wrath but al for our good †A Psalme of Canticle in the dedication of Dauids house I WIL exalt thee ô Lord because thou hast receiued me neither hast e delighted myne enemies ouer me †O Lord my God I haue cried to thee and thou hast healed me †Lord thou hast brought forth my soule out of hel thou hast saued
geuen his Angels charge of thee that they keepe thee in al thy waies †In their handes they shal beare thee lest perhaps thou knocke thy foote against a stone †Vpon the aspe and the basiliscus thou shalt walke thou shalt tread vpon the lion and the dragon †Because he hath hoped in me I wil deliuer him I wil protect him because he hath knowne my name †He shal crie to me and I wil heare him with him I am in tribulation I wil deliuer him and wil glorifie him †With length of daies I wil replenish him and I wil shew him my saluation ANNOTATIONS PSALME XC 5. Thou shalt not be afraid S. Augustin here obserueth foure maners of tempting the faithful to fal from true Religion Sometimes with tentation that is but light and obscure which the Prophet here calleth feare in the night when ignorant men are tempted by suggestion or apprehension of temporal afflictions not knowing that they fal into eternal damnation by fleing from worldlie or bodilie calamities Sometimes the tentation threatneth present death to them that are wel instructed in the truth and knovv that they must confesse it euen to death which the Prophet calleth an arrovv flying in the day vvhen the faithful clerly seeth vvhat danger hangeth ouer him tovvit present death if he stand constant and damnation if he denie his faith Sometimes the tentation is n ore vchement but yet obscure which he calleth busines vvalking in darknes vvhen by sutle endeuoures framing arguments in excuse of sinne men are persvvaded that they may lavvfully take some oath or do some other thing vvhich in dede is not lavvful and so by earnest and sutle persvvasions they ignorantly decline from Catholique Religion or committe other greuous sinnes But the greatest and manifest tentation is called inuasion midday diuel when persecuters seing neither more easie persvvasions can deceiue Gods seruants nor present death force them to denie the truth they then assault them more vehemently and more dangerously vvith long and continual afflictions not remitting their crueltie til the afflicted either yeld to their vvil or dye in long torments And by these tvvo latter kindes of persecution manie are ouerthrovvne vvhich vvere constant in the former For vvhiles tyrants proposed dangers to simple people and deceiued some yet threatning present death to others that were better instructed and confirmed in Religion innumerable perseuered gloriously died in confession of Christian Catholique faith But by sutle arguing of hard pointes of christian doctrin or practise and by long torments manie haue bene seduced blindly falling into errors and manie wittingly haue denied the truth which they clerly beleued in their hartes to auoide this midday diuel the extremitie of long manifest and greuous afflictions Neuertheles in al these tentations God protecteth them that firmly trust in him Those saith this holie Father haue failed which presumed of themselues which dwelt not in the helpe of the Highest and in protection of the God of heauen which said not to our Lord Thou art my Protector and my refuge which trusted not vnder the shadow of his winges but relied or attributed much to their owne streingth PSALME XCI God is by al maner of voices and instruments to be praised his admirable workes 7. which the foolish not doing are punished 11. and the wise are rewarded †A Psalme of Canticle in the sabbath day IT is good to confesse to our Lord and to sing to thy name ô Highest †To shewforth thy mercie in the morning and thy truth in the night †In the instrument of tenstrings in Psalter with Canticle on the Harpe †Because thou hast delighted me ô Lord in thy workemanship and in the workes of thy handes I wil reioyce †How are thy workes magnified ô Lord thy cogitations are made very profounde †The vnwise man wil not know and the foule wil not vnderstand these thinges †When sinners shal spring vp as grasse and al that worke iniquitie shal appeare That they may perish for euer †but thou the Highest foreuer ô Lord. †Because loe thine enimies ô Lord because loe thine enimies shal perish and al that worke iniquitie shal be dispersed †And my horne shal be exalted as the vnicorns and my old age in plentiful mercie †And mine eie hath looked vpon mine enimies and the malignant rysing vp against me mine ears shal heare †The iust shal florish as a palme tree as the ceder of Libanus shal he be multiplied †They that are planted in the house of our Lord shal florish in the courtes of the house of our God †As yet shal they be multiplied in plentiful old age and they shal be wel affected †that they may shewforth That the Lord our God is righteous and there is no iniquitie in him PSALME XCII Christ reigneth for euer in his Church 3. notwith standing manie and great persecution against the faithful Prayse of Canticle to Dauid himselfe in the day before the sabbath when the earth was founded OVR Lord e hath reigned he hath put on beutie our Lord hath put on strength and hath girded him selfe For he hath established the round world which shal not be moued †Thy seat is prepared from that time thou art from euerlasting †The riuers ô Lord haue lifted vp the riuers haue lifted vp their voice The riuers haue lifted vp their waues †aboue the voices of manie waters The surges of the sea are meruelous meruelous is our Lord on high †Thy testimonies are made credible exceedingly holines becometh thy house ô Lord for length of daies PSALME XCIII The faithful seruant of God assuredly professeth that al the pride 5. crueltie 7. foolish imaginations and secret thoughts of the wicked are manifest to God 12. acknowlegeth himself happie that he is better instructed of God wheras he had otherwise bene damned 20. sharply reprehendeth those that consider not of Gods iudgements concluding that the iust shal be glorified and the wicked damned To Dauid himselfe in the fourth of the sabbath OVR Lord God of reuenges the God of reuenges hath done freely †Be exalted thou that iudgest the earth render retribution to the ptoude †How long shal sinners ô Lord how long shal sinners glorie †Shal they vtter and speake iniquitie shal al they speake that worke iniustice †Thy people ô Lord they haue humbled and thine inheritance they haue vexed †The widow and the stranger they haue slaine and the pupilles they haue killed †And they haue saide The Lord shal not see neither shal the God of Iacob vnderstand †Vnderstand ye foolish in the people and ye fooles be wise at sometime †He that
the ruines of them †Nurter thy sonne and he shal refresh thee and shal geue delightes to thy soule †When prophecie shal fayle the people shal be dissipated but he that keepeth the Law is blessed †A seruant can not be taught by wordes because he vnderstandeth that which thou sayst and contemneth to answer †Hast thou seene a man swifte to speake follie is rather to be hoped then his amendement †He that nourisheth his seruant delicatly from his childhood afterward shal feele him stubburne †An angrie man prouoketh brawles and he that is easie to indign 〈…〉 shal he more prone to sinne †Humiliation foloweth the proude and glorie shal receiue the humble of spirite †He that is partaker with a theefe hateth his owne soule he heareth one adiuring and telleth not †He that feareth man shal soone fal he that trusteth in our Lord shal be lifted vp †Manie seeke after the face of the prince the iudgement of euerie one commeth forth from our Lord. †The iust abhorre an impious man the impious abhorre them that are in the right way The sonne that keepeth the word shal be out of perdition CHAP. XXX Aright wiseman thinketh humbly of himself 4. knowing that Gods workes are inscrutable and perfect 8. desireth truth in al thinges mediocritie in riches 11. Abhorreth certaine sortes of men 1. 5. certaine execrable thinges 18. noteth certaine thinges hard to be knowen 21. other thinges intolerable 24. others admirable 32. the tongue dangerous THE wordes of the Gatherer the sonne of Vomiter The vision that the man spake with whom God is and who being strengthened by God abiding with him sayd †I am most foolish of men the wisedom of men is not with me †I haue not learned wisedom and haue not knowen the science of saints †Who hath ascended into heauen and descended who hath conteyned the spirit in his handes who hath bound the waters together as in a garment who hath raysed vp al the borders of the earth what is his name and what is the name of his sonne if thou know †Enerie word of God tryed by fyre is a buckler to them that hope in him †Adde not any thing to his wordes and so thou be reproued and found a lyer †Two thinges I haue asked thee denie them not to me before I dye †Vanitie and lying wordes make far from me Beggerie and riches geue me not geue only things necessarie for my sustenance †lest perhaps being filled I be allured to denie and may say Who is the Lord or being compelled by pouertie I may steale and forsweare the name of my God †Accuse not a seruant to his master lest perhaps he curse thee and thou fal †There is a generation that curseth their father and that blesseth not their mother †A generation that semeth to itself cleane yet is not washed from their filthines †A generation whose eies are loftie and the eielids therof set vp on high †A generation that for teeth hath swordes and chaweth with theyr grinding teeth that they may eate the needie out of the earth and the poore from among men †The horseleach hath two daughters that say Bring bring Three things are vnsatiable the fourth neuer sayth it sufficeth †Hel and the mouth of the matrice the earth which is not satisfied with water but the fyre neuer sayth it sufficeth †The eie that scorneth his father that despiseth the trauail of his mother in bearing him let the rauens of the torrents pick it out and the young of the eagle eate it †Three thinges are hard to me and of the fourth I am vtterly ignorant †The way of an eagle in the ayre the way of a serpent vpon a rocke the way of a shippe in the middes of 〈…〉 and the way of a man in youth †Such is also the way of an adulterous woman which eateth and wyping her mouth sayth I haue done no euil †By three thinges the earth is moued and the fourth it can not susteyne †By a seruant when he shal reigne by a foole when he shal be filled with meate †by an odious woman when she shal be taken in matrimonie by “ a bondwoman when she shal be heyre to her mistresse †There are foure the least thinges of the earth and they are wiser then the wise †The antes a weake people which prepareth in the haruest meate for themselues †The leueret a people not strong which placeth his bed in the rocke †The locust hath no king and they go our al by their troopes †The stellion stayeth on his handes 〈…〉 in kings houses †There are three thinges which 〈…〉 l and the fourth that goeth happely †The lyon the strongest of beastes shal feare at the meeting of none †the cocke gyrded about the loines and the ramme also the king against whom none can resist †There is that hath appeared a foole after that he was listed vp on high for if he had vnderstood he would haue layd his hand vpon his mouth †And he that strongly presseth the pappes to wring out milke strayneth out butter and he that violently cleanceth his nose wringeth out bloud he that prouoketh angers bringeth forth discordes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXX 1. The vvordes of the Gatherer Some Interpreters take these foure Hebrew wordes Agur Iache Ithiel and Vcal conteined in this first verse to be proper names of men supposing that a certaine wiseman named Agur the sonne of Iache spake the sentences folowing in this chapter to his sonnes or scholars called Ithiel Vcal And so this supposed Agur not Salomon should be the auctor of this chapter But the old Interpreter whom S. Ierom approueth and foloweth translated the same wordes as noones appellatiues Neither doth anie ancient Father account this Agur amongst the writers of holie Scriptures And if there were a peculiar auctor of this chapter it is like the same should haue bene placed last and not before that which now foloweth and is by al men confessed to be Salomons And therfore we thinke it more probable with S. Beda and the common opinion that there vvas no other auctor of anie part of this booke besides King Salomon VVho is here called CONGREGANS the Gatherer because he gathered these excellent Parables and Prouerbes as the sonne of the Holie Ghost signified by the word IACHE povvring forth diuine sentences for instruction of ITHIEL VCAL that is of al those vvith vvhom God is by his grace and vvho are streingthened by God abiding vvith them 23. A bond vvoman vvhen she shal be heyre Of al thinges in this world it semeth most absurde that heresie doth dominiere ouer Catholique religion vvhich God some times and in some places suffereth for the greater merite of his elect CHAP. XXXI
and consist of al Nations the Prophet here forsheweth that Christian Eunuches liuing virgins or continent should not be ignoble or inglorious but more glorious and haue a better name then Gods other seruants sonnes and daughters an euerlasting name vvhich shal not perish because keping Gods precepts such as vvas the Sabbath they also of their free election choose this state of life to kepe perpetual chastitie more then is commanded Against vvhich plaine sense of the text Protestants oppose their ovvne glosses Peter Martyr li de calibatu votis Monasticis saith God preferreth not Eunuches before others that kepe the lavv but only before them that transgresse the lavv VVhich commentarie is faultie in tvvo respectes For God here calleth them not transgressors but his sonnes and daughters before vvhom he preferreth holie Eunuches neither speaketh of such as shal be excluded from good place or good name but of such as shal enioy both and sayth these Eunuches shal haue a better place better name that is more renovvme and greater revvard Other Protestants expound this better name to signifie that such Eunuches shal be called after or according to Gods people and be of the same religion vvhich importeth no excellencie at al in place or name as the text expresseth nay scarse equalitie with other seruantes of God Lastly they adde lest perhaps this former sense satisfie not the reader yea vnder Christ say they the dignitie of the faithful shal be greater then the Ievves vvere at that time As though the comparison made in this place vvere to signifie the general difference betvven Gods seruants before and since Christ and not particularly betvven Eunuches and such as haue children Hovv much more meete therfore is it to see and embrace the explications of the ancient holie Fathers VVho vniformely vnderstand expound this prophecie of such as vovv perpetual chastitie in the Church of Christ preferring that state before Mariage S. Basil li. de virginitate amongst other reasons and testimonies bringeth this place in proofe of the excellencie of virginitie that the revvard therof shal be that for a humane name God wil geue to virgins the name of immortal Angels vvhich shal not faile that they shal possesse a special place in heauen not only the glorie of Angels but an excellent dignitie amongst Angels S. Cyril of Alexandria in his commentaries vpon Isaie shevveth by this doctrine that the revvardes of continencie are eximia excellent and exceeding great so that such as be continent in bodie do also kepe al Gods commandments S. Ierom in his commentaries proueth that virginitie or perpetual chastitie is a singular good vvorke of supererogation not of precept but of Euangelical counsel by the vvord elegerit shal choose the thinges vvhich God vvould rather then vvhich he condescending to mans vveakenes allovveth Such an Eunuch saith he elegit quae Dominus voluit vt plus offerat quam praeceptum est hath chosen the thinges vvhich our Lord vvould to offer more then is commanded And such an Eunuch keping also Gods commandments shal haue locum optimum a chief good place in Gods house vvhere be manie mansions he shal be made a tovvre of our Lord be placed in Sacerdotali gradu Priestlie degree in stead of carnal chrildren shal haue manie spiritual children Thus S. Ierom. The like vve might cite of S. Ambrose in exhort ad Virg. S. Augustini lâ—de sancta virginitate c. 24. 25. S. Gregorie 3. p. Pastorali c. 29. c. others so expounding this prophecie CHAP. LVII The prophet lamenteth that men regard not when the iust dye 3. reprehendeth those that scorne the godlie 5. and committe horrible idolatrie 11. for getting God 14. who vseth al benignitie to recal them 20. but they contemne him THE iust perisheth and there is none that considereth in his hart men of mercie are gathered away because there is none that vnderstandeth for at the face of malice is the iust gathered away †Let peace come let him rest in his bed that hath walked in his direction †But come you hither ye children of the witch the seede of the aduouterer and of the harlot †Vpon whom haue you iested vpon whom haue you opened your mouth awide and thrust out the tongue Are not you wicked children a lying seede †Which take comforte in the goddes vnder euerie thicke greenetree immolating your litle ones in the torrents vnder the high rockes †In the partes of the torrent is thy part this is thy lot and thou hast powred out libament to them thou hast offered sacrifice shal I not take indignation of these thinges †Vpon an high and loftie mountaine thou hast layd thy bed and hast gone vp thither to immolate hostes †And behind the doore and behind the post thou hast ser thy memorial because thou hast discouered thyself neere me and hast receiued an aduouterer thou hast enlarged thy bed and made a couenant with them thou hast loued their couche with open hand †And thou hast adorned thyself with royal oyntment and hast multiplied the gay payntings Thou didst send thy legates far of wast humbled euen to hel †In the multitude of thy way thou hast laboured thou saydst not I wil rest thou hast found life of thine owne hand therfore thou hast not asked †For whom with careful reuerence hast thou feared wheras thou hast lied hast not bene mindful of me nor thought on me in thy hart because I am holding my peace and as it were not seing and thou hast forgotten me †I wil declare thy iustice and thy workes shal not profite thee †When thou shalt crie let thy gathered together deliuer thee and the winde shal take them al away a soft blast shal beare them away But he that hath confidence in me shal inherite the land and shal possesse my holie mount †And I wil say Make a way geue passage turne out of the path take away stumbling blockes out of the way of my people †Because thus saith the High eminent that inhabiteth eternitie and his name is holie dwelling in the high and holie place and with a contrite humble spirit that he may reuiue the spirit of the humble and reuine the hart of the contrite †For I wil not contend for euer neither wil I be wrath vnto the end because the spitit shal proceede from my face and breathinges I wil make †For the iniquitie of his auarice I was angrie and haue striken him I haue hid my face from thee and haue taken indignation and he hath gone wandering in the way of his owne hart †I saw his wayes and haue healed him and reduced him and haue restored consolations vnto him and to them that mourne for him †I haue created the fruite of the lippes peace peace to him that is far of and that is nere said our Lord and I haue healed him
†But the impious are as it were the raging sea which can not be quiet and the waues therof ouerflowe vnto conculcation and myre †There is no peace to the impious sayth our Lord God CHAP. LVIII God commandeth the Prophet to crie vnto the sinful people vehemently and incessantly to kepe the law not only in shew and pretence but sincerely leauing their owne wils and seeking Gods wil 9. so they shal receiue their good desires and reward of wel doing CRIE cease not as a trumpet exalt thy voice and tel my people their wicked doinges and the house of Iacob their sinnes †For me in deede they seeke from day to day and they wil know my waies as a nation that hath done iustice and hath not sorsaken the iudgement of their God they aske of me the iudgements of iustice they wil approch to God †Why haue we fasted and thou hast not regarded haue we humbled our soules and thou hast not knowen Behold in the day of your fast your owne wil is found and you exact of al your detters †Behold you fast to debates and contentions and strike with the fist impiously Doe not fast as vntil this day that your crie may be heard on high †“ Is this such a fast as I haue chosen for a man by the day to afflict his soule Is this it to winde his head about like a circle and to spread sackcloth and ashes wilt thou cal this a fast and a day acceptable to the Lord †Is not this rather the fast that I haue chosen Dissolue the bands of impietie loose the bundels that ouerlode dismisse them free that are broken and breake in sunder euerie burden †Breake thy bread to the hungrie and the needie and herberles bring in into thy house when thou shalt see the naked couer him and despise not thy flesh †Then shal thy light breake forth as the morning and thy health shal sooner arise thy iustice shal goe before thy face and the glorie of our Lord shal embrace thee †Then shalt thou inuocate and our Lord wil heare thou shalt crie and he wil say Loe here I am If thou wilt take away the cheine out of the middes of thee and cease to stretch out the finger and to speake that which profiteth not †When thou shalt powre out thy soule to the hungrie and shalt fil the afflicted soule thy light shal arise vp in darkenes and thy darkenes shal be as the noone day †And our Lord wil geue thee rest alwayes and wil fil thy soule with brightnes and deliuer thy bones and thou shalt be as a watered garden and as a fountaine of waters whose waters shal not fayle †And the deserts of the worlds shal be builded in thee thou shalt rayse vp the fundations of generation and generation and thou shalt be called the builder of the hedges turning the pathes into rest †If thou turne away thy foote from the Sabbath from doing thy wil in my holie day and cal the Sabbath delicate and the holie of our Lord glorious and glorifie him whiles thou doest not thine owne wayes and thy wil be not found to speake a word †Then shalt thou be delighted vpon the Lord I wil lift thee vp aboue the heightes of the earth wil feede thee with the inheritance of Iacob thy father For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken ANNOTATIONS CHAP. LVIII 5. Is this such a fast as I haue chosen Fasting is so often clerly commended in holie Scriptures that Protestantes though not greatly affected therto confesse it to be a good thing of it self but in diuers respectes detract much from it denying it to be an act of religion but only of bodily mortification neither do al generally allow of prescript times nor of abstinence from flesh those dayes vvhich they thinke good to fast and those vvhich do abstaine from flesh say they do it not for religion but for the ordinance of ciuil policie For vvhich opinion they allege out of this and other places Iere. 14. v. 12. Zacha. 7. v 5. that such affliction is not the fast which God hath chosen But if they vvould consider the coherence of the text they should finde the contrarie For albeit fasting alone vvithout amendment of euil maners and vvithout other good vvorkes doth not appeaze Gods vvrath noâ— is agreable to Gods vvil yet being ioyned vvith contrition of hart and sincere pietie doth then greatly please him And therfore our Lord God here sayth S. Ierom lest he might seme to reproue fasting vvhich himself had commanded teacheth hovv it behoueth to fast Non enim querit Deus afflictionem solam humiliationem animae per iniuriam corporis vt inslar circulitorqueat corpus colla submiâ—tat ac tristis incedat c Sed vt cum istis haec saciat quae sequuntar For God seeketh not onlie affliction and humiliation of the â—oule by iniurie of the bodie that one should vvrith his bodie about like a circle hold dovvne his neck and goe pensiue c. But that vvith these thinges he do those vvhich folovv to witte Dissolue the bandes of impietie and the rest as in the text VVherupon this Doctor discourseth at large shevving that it profiteth not to carie an emptie bellie and do those thinges that displease God But fasting from meate so that fasting from sinne by declining from euil and doing good deedes be ioyned vvithal then saith he thy fasting vvil be acceptable For then shal thy light breake forth as the morning and thy health shal sooner arise and thy iustice shal goe before thy face and the glorie of our Lord shal embrace thee Further declaring the great profite therof by examples that by fasting Daniel the man of desires knew thinges to come the Nâ—niuites pacified the vvrath of God Elias and Moyses by fourtie dayes hunger were filled with the familiaritie of God And our Lord him self fasted so manie dayes in the vvildernes vt nobis sollennes ieiuniorum dies relinqueret to leaue vnto vs the solemne dayes of fastes CHAP. LIX Sinnes do separate men from God 3. as manslaughter theift and lying with contempt of iudgement and iustice 12. Men are otherwise iudged iust or vniust in the world then in dede they are before God 16. who seeth and iudgeth al rightly BEHOLD the hand of our Lord is not abridged that he can not saue neither is his eare made heauie that it can not heare †But your iniquities haue deuided betwen you and your God and your sinnes haue hid his face from you that he would not heare †For your handes are polluted with bloud and your fingeres with iniquitie your lippes haue spoken lie and your tongue speaketh iniquitie †There is none that doth inuocate iustice neither is there any that iudgeth truly but they trust in thinges of nothing and speake vanities they haue
†For there was a certaine pensiuenes powred about the man and horrour of the bodie wherby the sorow of his hart was made manifest to them that beheld him †Others also came flocking together out of their houses praying with publicke supplication for that the place was to come into contempt †And the wemen hauing their breast girded with heareclothes came together through the stretes Yea and the virgins that were shut vp came forth to Onias and some to the walles but some looked through the windowes †and al stretching forth their handes vnto heauen prayed †For the expectation of the confuse multitude and of the grand priest being in an agonie was miserable †And these certes inuocated almightie God that the thinges committed to them might be performed with al integritie for them that had committed the same of trust †But Heliodorus exercised that which he had decreed in the same place himself present with his gard about the treasurie †But the spirit of almightie God made great euidence of his appearing so that al which had presumed to obey him falling by the vertue of God were turned into dissolution and feare †For there appeared to them a certaine horse hauing a terrible rider adorned with very rich harnesse and he with feircenes stroke Heliodorus with his forefoote and he that sate vpon him seemed to haue armour of gold †There appeared also two other yong men comely for strength excellent of glorie and beautiful in attyre which stood about him and on both sides whipped him beating him with manie stripes without intermission †And Heliodorus sodenly fel on the ground they tooke him being couered round about with much darkenes and being set in a seate portatiue they thrust him forth †And he that with manie currers and men of his garde entered into the foresayde treasurie was caried no man geuing him succourse the manifest powre of God being knowne †And he in deede by the powre of God lay dumbe and depriued of al hope and health †But they blessed our Lord because he magnified his place and the temple that a little before was ful of feare and tumult almightie God appearing was filled with ioy and gladnes †And then certaine of the freindes of Heliodorus forth with desired Onias that he would inuocate the highest to geue him life who was at the very last gaspe †And the high priest considering least perhaps the king might suspect some malice on the Iewes part downe aboute Heliodorus offered for the health of the man an healthful host †And when the high priest by prayer obteyned the selfe same yong men clothed with the same garments standing by Heliodorus sayd Geue thankes to Onias the priest for him hath our Lord geuen thee life †But thou being scourged of God declare vnto al men the great workes and the powre of God And these thinges being sayd they appeared no more †And Heliodorus hauing offered an host to God and hauing promised great vowes to him that granted him to liue and geuing thankes to Onias taking his armie againe returned to the king †And he testified to al men those workes of the great God which he had seene before his owne eyes †And when the king had asked Heliodorus who was meete to be sent yet once more to Ierusalem he sayd †If thou haue anie enemie or traytour to thy kingdome send him thither and thou shalt receiue him againe scourged if yet he escape because there is vndoubtedly in the place a certaine powre of God †For he that hath his dwelling in the heauens is the visiter and helper of that place them that come to doe euil he striketh and destroyeth †Therefore concerning Heliodorus and the keping of the treasurie so the matter standeth CHAP. IIII. Onias defamed molested by Simon repayreth to the king to procure peace 7. Seleucus dying Antiochus reigning lason by promising money to the king getteth the office of highpriest from his brother Onias 10. and peruerteth religion 12. setteth vp a wicked schoole wherby manie are corrupted 8. sendeth money for sacrifice to be offered to Hercules which is imployed in making gallees 21. Antiochus is receiued with great pompe into Ierusalem 23. Menelaus by promise of more money getteth the high priesthood from Iason 29. He also is deposed and his brother Lisimachus put in the place 32. Andronicus trayterously murdereth Onias 36. and for the same is slaine by the kings commandment 39. and Lysimachus by the people 43. Menelaus iustly accused escapeth by bribing and the innocent are slaine BVR Simon the foresayde betrayer of the money and of his countrie spake il of Onias as though he had stirred vp Heliodorus to these thinges and had bene the mouer of the euils †and the prouider for the citie and defender of his nation and the emulatour of the law of God he presumed to cala secret betrayer of the kingdom †But when the emnities proceeded so far that murders also were committed by certaine of Simons familiars †Onias considering the peril of the contention and that Appollonius being gouernour of Caelesyria and Phaenicia was outragious which encreased the malice of Simon went to the king †not as an accuser of the citizens but considering with himself the common profite of the whole multitude †For he saw that without the kings prouidence it was vnpossible that peace should be made in those matters that Simon would not cease from his follie †But after Seleucus departure out of life when Antiochus that was called the Noble had taken the kingdom vpon him Iason the brother of Onias ambiciously sought the highpricsthood †going to the king promising him three hundred three score talents of siluer and of other reuenewes foure score talents †aboue this he promised also an hundred fiftie more if leaue might be granted him to make a schole and a place for youth and to intitle them that were at Ierusalem Antiochians †Which when the king had granted and he had obteyned the princedom forth with he began to transport his countrie men to the heathen rite †And these thinges being taken away which of fauoure had bene decreed by kinges vnto the Iewes and through Iohn the father of the Eupolemus who was embassadour with the Romans concerning amitie and societie he disanulling the lawful rites of the citizens made wicked ordinances †For he presumed vnder the verie castle to set vp a schoole and to put al the goodliest youthes in brothel houses †And this was not the beginning but a certaine increase and going forward of the heathen and strange conuersation through the abhominable neuer heard before of Iason the impious and not a priest †So that the priestes were not now occupied about the offices of the altar but the temple being contemned the sacrifices neglected they hastened to be pertakers of the gamme of wrastling and of the
theâ— dedicated most solemnly with exceding deuotion of the king and al the people with abuÌ„dance of sacrifices And afterwardes the same king Salomon writte three sapiential bookes The Prouerbes Ecclesiastes the CaÌ„â—icle of Canticles But in his old age fel from God and it is vncertaine whether he dyed penitent or no. He reigned fourtie yeares 3. Reg. 11. Ieroboam the first king of the tenne tribes made a wicked schisme setting vp two golden calues in Bethâ—l and Dan which most of the people serued as their goddes  h 3000. Achimaas Roboam h King Roboam leauing the aduise of ancientes and folowing young counselers â—ffended the people and â—s seruant Ieroboam was made king of tenne tribes only Iuda Benâ—amin remayning to him He reigned seuentene yeares 3. Reg. 14. v. 21. He reâ—â—ned 22. yeares 3. Reg. 12 After him were these kinges of diuerse families of the same tenne tribes The Prouerbes Ecclesiâ—st s. Canticle of Canticles i 3017.  Abias i His sonne Abias reigned wickedly three yeares 3. Reg. 15. v. 2. Nadab sonne of Ieroboam reigned two yeares 3. Reg. 14. Basa of the tribe of Issachar reigned 24 yeares 3. Reg. 15. Ela two yeares 3. Reg. 16.  k 3020. Azarias Asa k Asa a good king destroyed idolatrie and reigned 41. yeares 3. Reg. 15. v. 10. Zambri but seuen dayes 3. Reg. 16. v. 15. Amri 12. yeares wherof The bni reigned in ciuil warre against him three yeares v. 22. Achab maried Iezabel a Sidonian and serued Baal reigning 21. yeares 3. Reg. 10. c.  l 3061.  Iosaphat l Iosaphat gouerned the kingdom wel 25. yeares 3. Reg. 22. v. 42. 43. sauing that he ioyned affinitie with Achab king of Israel and with Iezabel 2. Paral. 18. v. 1.    Iohanam     m 3086.  Ioram m Ioram reigned wickedly eight yeares 4. Reg. 8. v. 17. 18. 2. Paral. 21. v. 5. 6. The three next are omitted by S. Mathew Ochozias reigned two yeares 3. Reg. 22. v 52. Elias Elizeus and diuers other Prophetes preached did manie miracles in the kingodm of Iuda and Israel not writing any particular bookes n 3094. Ioiada * Ochozias n By the euil counsel of his mother Athalia Ochozias gouerned wickedly one yeare was slaine by Iehu together with Ioram king of Israel 4. Reg. 8. v. 27. ch 9. v. 27. 2. Paral. 22. v 3. 9. Ioram twelue yeares 4. Reg. 3. Iehu killed Ioram and Iezabel destroying the whole house of Achab reigned 8. yeares 4. Reg. 9. 10.  o 3095.   o Quene Athalia murthering the children of her owne sonne the late king vsurped the kingdom six yeares 4. Reg. 11. v. 1. Ioachaz reigned 17. yeares 4. Reg. 13.  p 3101.  * Ioas. p The youngest sonne of Ochozias called Ioas being saued from the slaughter was made king by meanes of Ioiada Highpriest and Athalia slaine 4. Reg. 11. v. 4. Ioas reigned sixtene yeares 4. Reg. 13. v. 10. Ieroboam 41. yeares 4. Reg. 14. v. 23.   Zacharias  He gouerned wel during the life of Ioiada But afterwards fel to idolatrie caused Zacharias the High-priest and sonne of Ioiada to be slaine 2. Paral. 24. v. Zacharias reigned but six monethes 4. Reg. 15. v. 8.   Sadoc or Ioathan  22. And shortly after the sameking was trecherously slaine when he had reigned 41. yeares 4. Reg. 12. v. 20. 2. Paral. 24. v. 25. Sellum but one moneth 4. Reg. 15. v. 15.  q 3142. Sellum * Amasias q Amasias beginning wel did some good thinges 4. Manahem reigned 10. yeares 4. Reg. 15. v. 17. Phaceia two yeares 4. Reg. 15. v. 23.  Helcias  Reg. 14. v. 3. But after the spoile of the Idumeans he worshipped their idols 2. Paral. 25. v. 14. And reigned 29. yeares ibidem Phacee reigned 20. yeares 4. Reg. 15. v. 27.  r 3171.  Ozias or Asarias r Ozias sometime reigned wel 4. Reg. 15. v. 3. but afterwards presuming to offer incense on the altar was repelled by the Highpriest presently strooken with leprosie and cast out of the temple and citie He liued after that he was king 52. yeares 2. Par. 26. v. 16. Osee reigned nine yeares 4. Reg. 17.   Azarias  s Ioathan a godlie king gouerned a great part of his fathers time and after his death sixtene yeares 4. Reg. 15. 2. Par. 27. The kingdom of Israel hauing stood aboue two hundred and fifetie yeares was subdued by the Assitians much people caried captiue into Assyria 4. Reg. 17. v. 6. In the dayes of king Ozias was Isaias the Prophet Likewise Osee Ioel Amos Abdias and Ionas s 3223.  Ioathan t Achaz a wicked king after manie benefits receiued from God fel to idolatrie reigning sixtene yeares destroyed holie thinges shut vp the temple and peruerted manie of the people 4. Reg. 16. 2. Paral. 28. The Grecians euerie fourth yeare set forth enter Iudes in honour of Iuppiter Olimpius wherof begane the count of Olimpias about the yeare of the world 3247. Micheas prophecied in the reigne of Ioathan the former prophetes yet liuing  Vrias  v Ezechias a most godlie king aduanced true religioÌ„ which was much decayed He recouered health being mortally sicke which was confirmed by miracle in the sunne returning backe and made a Canticle of praise with thankes to God and reigned 29. yeares 4. Reg. 18. 2. Paral. 29. 30. 31. 32. And after six Olimpiades that is 24. yeares Rome was built  t 3239.  Achaz  New inhabitantes being sent from Assiria into Iurie mixed their paganisme with the Israelites religion made manie wicked and detestable Sectes 4. Reg. 17. v. 29. Nahum and Habacuc prophecied after the captiuitie of the tenne tribes v 3255.  Ezechias    w 3284.  Manasses w Manasses for his great sinnes was caried captiue into Babylon where he repented and was restored to his kingdom he reigned liued in captiuirie 55. yeares 4. Reg. 21. â— Par. 33.  About this time happened the historie of To bie who liued in al 102. yeares Tob. 14. v. 2. x 3339.  Amon. x Amon reigned euil two yeares 4. Reg. 21. 2. Par. â—3  Sophonias prophecied in the reigne of Iosias king of Iuda y 3341.  Iosias y Iosias a very good king purged the Church of idolatrie repayred the temple celebrated a most solemne Pasch was slaine in battel by the king of Aegypt which al the people much lamented especially Ieremie the prophet when he had reigned 31. yeares 4. Reg. 22. 23. 2. Par. 34 35. In the time of Numa the second king of the Romanes Pithagoras taught transmigratioÌ„ of soules from one bodie to an other Ieremie also begane to prophecie beiÌ„g a child in the dayes of Iosias continued in the captiuity of the two tribes Baruch was his Scribe and also a Prophet z â—372  Ioachaz or Iechonias z Ioachaz otherwise
pretender built an other schismatical temple in Aegypt   Eleazarus  x Philo the elder writte the booke of wisdom in Greke S. Icrom in pref In the time of Onias the second his brother Iason obtayned for money to be high-priest  w 3720.     Ecclesiasticus conteyneth manie moral precepts and is a storehouse of vertues and holie mysteries  Manasses an Apostata Eliud    w 3750. Onias    The booke of wisdom is also replenished with much doctrine of vertue and of diuine mysteries  Simon     x 3810. Onias Eleazar    y 3825.   y Antiochus Epiphanes persecuted the Church most cruelly like as Antichrist wil doe nere the end of the world 1. Mach. 1. v. 11. 2. Mach. 5. 6 7. Antiochus set vp the abomination of desolation wherof Daniel prophecied ch 9.   Mathathias  z In defence of the Church Mathathias and his sonnes with others made warres killed and oueâ— threw al their enemies aduanced religion clensed the teÌ„ple deliuered the people from persecution 1. Mach. 2. c. 2. Mach. 8. seq  The bookes of Machabees conteine the historie of the Iewes from Alexander the great to the time of Ioannes Hyrcanus high-priest aboue two huÌ„dred yeares z 3846.  Mathan d After the warres the Iewes in Ierusalem writte to the Iewes in Aegypt exhorting them to kepe the feastes and other rites as they were obserued in Iurie 2. Mach. 1. 2. After Iason folowed more vsurpers of the Highpriesthood  a 3847. Iudas Machabeus  e Pompeius the great taking Ierusalem subdued the Iewes to the Romanes He entered into the holy place called Sancta Sanctorum there prophaned holie thinges caried away Aristobulus who had bene Highpriest prisoner confirmed Hyrcanus in his place After whom Cassius also spovled the temple S. Aug. li. 18. c. 4â— de ciuil Menelaus  b 3853. Ionathas  f S. Iohn Baptist was borne of Elizabeth who had bene long barren Lisimachus  c 3869. Simon   Alcimus  d 3878. IoaÌ„nes Hyrcanus Iacob     Aristobulus     e 3847.       Alexander       Ioseph the husband of the most B Virgin     Hyrcanus Marie    f 4000.       IESVS CHRIST  And six monethes after Christ our SAVIOVR was borne of the B. Virgin Marie in Bethleem circumcised adored by the Sages and presented in the Temple When king Herod reigned in Iudea Herodians held opinion that Herod was Christ the Messias whom the Iewes had long expected   Antigonus  g Ioseph fled with the child his mother into Aegypt and Herod murthered the innocent infantes But Christ the Sonne of God coming into this world cut of al these other old sectes And from time to time cutteth of al haresies that rise against his Church   Anaelus  h Returning from Aegypt they dwelt in Nazareth   g4001 Aristobulus  i Christ at the age of twelue yeares remayning in Ierusalem vnknowen to his parentes was found the third day in the temple amongst the Doctors   h4006 Iosue Simon Mathias  k S. Iohn Baptist preached and baptized in Iordan Of whom Christ amongst others was baptized and fasted in the desert fourtie dayes   i 4012. Iosephus Iozarus Eleazar Iosue  l Christ crucified redemed mankind arose from death ascended to heauen sending the Holie Ghost planted his perpetual visible Church   k 4030. Annas Ismael Eleazar Simon     l 4034. Caiphas    The first holie Scripture of the new Testament was S. Mathewes Gospel written about the yeare of Christ 41. And the last was S. Iohns Gospel the yeare 99. The end of the sixth age and of the old Testament A PARTICVLAR TABLE OF THE MOST PRINCIPAL THINGES CONteyned as wel in the holie text as in the Annotations of both the Tomes of the old Testament In vvhich the letter A. directeth to the former volume B. to the latter and the numbers to the pages AARON of the tribe of Leui designed to assist his brother Moyses a 163. called the prophet of Moyses a 169. He yelded to make an idol a 243. was consecrated Highpriest a 275. In him his seede the Priesthood of the written law was established a 206. 275. 278. b. 438. 610. He once murmured against Moyses a 348. He Moyses offended in doubting of Gods wil a 365. b. 196. He died in mount Hor a 366. And is particularly praised b 438. Abel offered sacrifice sincerely a 13. 15. 31. and was slaine by his brother ibidem Abdias prophecied the captiuitie and relaxation of the Iewes and the Incarnation of Christ the Redemer of mankind b 840. Abiathar the Highpriest was deposed a 692. Abimelech killed his brethren and vsurped gouernment a 534. Abram left his country Chaldea for religion a 45. 51. a principal Patriarch a 50. He and his seede were strangers in diuers countries foure hundred and thirtie yeares a 60. 187. His name changed to Abraham a. 63. 65. His faith and singular obedience a 75. His many vertues a 200. 203. He was neuer an idolater a 203. 515. He died at the age of 175. yeares a 83. His praises b 438. Absalom ambicious and sedicious a 663. He perished in rebellioÌ„ a 670. Abstinence a 9. 39. 47. 280. 545. 934. b 613. 772. 994. see Fasting Accaronites durst not keepe the Arke of God a 582. Accidents remaine without subiect in the holie Eucharist a 4. Achans secret sinne punished in the multitude a 481. Achitophel a wicked counseler a 667. hanged himselfe a 669. Adam created in grace and knowlege a 5. transgressing lost the same a 10. repented and is saued b 356. Adonai one of the names of God is also read in place of Tetragramaton the name of foure letters which the Iewes pronounce not a 168. Adoration ciuil due to men a 77. 133. 144. 152. 868. adoration religious of holy persons and other thinges a. Ssssss 746. 746 763. but diuine adoration is only due to God a. 218. 219. see Idolatrie Aegypt was diuersly plagued a 170. 177. cc Affinitie spiritual and carnal in certaine degrees hinder mariage a. 298. c. Agar lawfully maried to Abraham a 62. Aggeus prophecied after the relaxation from captiuitie exhorting to build the temple b. 865. 999. Ahias prophecied the diuision of Salomons kingdome a. 731. and afterwards the vtter ruine of Ieroâ—oams house a. 738. Alcimus an Apostata deceiued the Assidians b 915. did much wickednes and died miserably b 922. Alleluia a voice of praise to God a. 1009. b. 191. 217. Alexander the great brought the monarchie to the Grecians b. 8â—2 999. He honored Iaddus the high priest a. 2â—8 b. 999. His Empyre diuided into foure kingdomes b. 793. 〈…〉 s
Elias had before a 763. His particular miracles a 940. Enchanters are sometimes suffered to doe meruelous thinges but not true miracles nor al they desire a 176. 177. 180. They sometimes confesse the power of God 178. 371. Enoch yet liueth a 19. b 437. Epicures beleue not eternal punishment nor reward b 346. Equiuocation is sometimes lawful a 52. 71. 89. 91. 777. 1026. b 964. Esther most humble and prudent a 10â—7 b 998 a figure of our B. Ladie and of the Church a 1051. The whole booke of Esther is Canonical Scripture a 1035. 1036. 1052. Eucharist a Sacrament and Sacrifice a 190. b 885. Prefigured by bloud a 228. by the loaues of proposition a 229. by al old sacrifices a 239. 264. 288. b 609. Christs real presence in the Eucharist a 150. 188. 210. b 50. 69. 181. See Paschal lambe and Manna Transubstantiation coÌ„fessed by Hebrew Rabbins b 993. Euangelistes signified by foure liuing creatures and by foure wheles b 676. 690. Eue was not borne but built of Adams ribbe a 7. She was a figure of the B. virgin a 11. Example in gouerners is of great importance b 387. 848. Examples ought to moue b 628. 818. Excommunication prefigured a 332. Exequies for the dead a 77. 202. 637. 711. 931. 936. b 978. Ezechias mortally sicke recouered miraculously a 805. b 504. Ezechiel a Priest a Prophet and a Martyr b 674. He prophecied in Chaldea b 998. the beginning and end of his prophecie is very hard 674. 711. He is often called the sonne of man b 677. His last vision perteyneth in some part to the Iewes but more principally to the Church of Christ b 749. 763. It can not be expouÌ„ded of the Iewes and their Temple b 753. 765. 767. F. Faith is aboue reason a 775. without faith none can be saued b 289. 348. Faith is the grouÌ„d of al true vertues a 60. b 411. there is no true faith but the Catholique faith of the whole Church b 536. Faith alone doth not iustifie a 61. 900. b. 70. Faith and good workes gaine heauen a 393. 410. b 34. 338. Fastes instituted and obserued a 382. 706. 899. 934. 957. 1006. 1029. 1045. b 534. 615. 795. 825. 827. 874. 895. 994 It is an act of religion b 514 great effectes therof ibidem Fathers and the holie Doctors doe build adorne the Church b 537. Faultes must be reueled or concealed with discretion b 400. 402. Feare of God is the first degree of wisdom b 269. It is the seede of al other vertues and of eternal glorie b 375. Feare of Superiors because they are Gods ministers is necessarie a 594. b 412. Feare not men commanding contraie to God b 313. Feare of God with the obseruation of his commandments is the summe of al godlie doctrine b 333. Feastes instituted and obserued a 7. 225. 307. 380. 430. 707. 934. 1050. 1059. b 153. 947. 972. 994. Fire sent miraculously a 15. 279. 528. 748. 761. 855. b 948. Fire perpetually kept in the tabernacle a 271. 279. Fire shal burne the world immediatly before the general iudgement b 97. 545. Foure miracles in the fire which Ieremie hidde b 948. 949. FirmameÌ„t signifieth the space from the highest starres to the earth a 1. Flaterie is ful of guile b 401. Fortitude consisteth more in suffering patiently then in repelling forces a 88. Fortitude contemneth imagined feare b 301. Fortitude required in Iudges b 383. Free consent is required in euerie couenant a 214. and in mans iustification b 323. Freewil is in man a 13. 15. 33. 191. 200. 207. 458. 459. 596. 703. 978. b 177. 217. 271. 323. 349. 418. 466. 526. 543. 567. 821. No sinne can be coÌ„mitted without consent of freewil a 11. 32. Luther abhorred the name of freewil Caluin disliked it a 16. Freindshipe is a strong band a 609. b 405 426 False freindshipe fayleth in aduersitie a 1046. G Gard of the outward senses a 972. Gedeon was confirmed by miracles a 528. encoraged by a dreame a 530. By a stratageme with a few he ouerthrew manie a 531. Genealogies are recited from Adam to Noe. a 18. 818. From Noe to Abraham a 44. 50. 819. From Abraham by Isaac and Iacob to Dauid a 821. From Dauid to Iosias a 823. and to his sonnes a 939. Also from his sonne Iechonias to Christ b 1004. Genealogies of Leui to Aaron and Moyses a 168. 828. 939. b 1004. Gentiles shal be conuerted to Christ a 51. 85. 146. 453. 463. 529. 681. 716. b 16. 119. 425. 484. 498. 521. 543. 544. 558. 636. 702. 743. 812. 813. 839. 872. Giantes before Noes floud a 22. 1033. 1090. others after the floud a 402. Gloria Patri c. added after euerie Psalme by Eclesiastical tradition b 266. Glorie eternal a 35. 712. b 34. 83. 156. 492. God is one in substance a 30. 47. 160. 196. 702. 934. b 41. 182. 362. 988. Knowne by his workes a 162. 178. 464. 1105. b 435. 436. 508. Onlie God knoweth al thinges a 1103 b 251. God calleth the whole world his Beautie and his peculiar people his Corde b 879. He would haue al to be saued b 706. 714. 735. 816. 822. 835. 847. His threates are conditional b 579. 844. He rewardeth al that kepe his law and punisheth the transgressors a 216. 401. 451. 1101. b 21. 22. 830. 831. Gods especial protection in distresses a 804. 924. 1019. 1044. 1051. 1090. 1107. b 27. 30. 37. 51. 56. 57. 61. 67. 255. 262. 487. 512. God figheth for his seruantes three wayes a 512. God tempteth not to euil a 76. He is neuer the cause of sinne a 153. 535. 666. 684. 758. 1024. 1061. b 23. 192. 541. 612. 822. His permission is sometimes called his fact b 653. 654. He made man right a 5. b 327. 550. He is ielous a 216. 1018. b 726. He speaketh by his Priestes Prophetes and Preachers a 194. b 861. God vseth his creatures to supernatural effectes a 163. 764. 998. 1005. And suspendeth their natural operation at his wil. b 781. Gods foreknowlege what wil happen or may happen doth not preiudice mans freewil b 349. Gog and Magog signifie Antichrist and his adherentes b 746. Goliath prouoking the Israelites was slaine by Dauid a 605. 608. Gospel is kowen by the Church a 989. Grace is necessarie otherwise none can merite a 245. b 65. 217. 293. 405. 512. 513. 520. 549. 667. 995. It requireth mans cooperation a 401. 422. 463. 603. 704. 892. b 33. 43. 217. 323. 394. 408. 528. 536. 603. 811. 869. 995. Grace is also necessarie to perseuere a 422. b 129. 293. 679. Grace sufficient is geuen to euery one effectual of Gods especial mercie to some b 678. Al grace is from the fulnes of Christ b 538. 881. It enableth man to kepe the commandments a 458. 704. b 584. 742. 865. Gradual Psalmes are prayers and prophecies b 234. Gratitude acknowlegeth benefites receiued b 447. H Habacuc prophecied before the captiuitie of Iuda b 857. An other Habacuc
4. :: The life of the iust hath fulnes of dayes though it be otherwise short the daies of the wicked are void of fruict be they manie or few S. Ambrose li. de Abraham :: S. Augustin â—q 72. in Gen disputeth but could not decide whether Rebecca went to some Priest or Prophet or Altar or whither els or only retyred to priuate prayer :: Holie Scripture premonisheth Iacobs sinceritie lest in the Mysteries folowing he might be suspected of false dealing S. Aug. li. 16. c. 37. ciuit VVhy Agar Cetura being lawful wines are called coÌ„cubines Their childreÌ„ signified Pagaines Heretikes Gods predestination and for seing include not exclude the meanes by which his wil is done The couenant made to Abraham pertaned only to Isaac and Iacob not to the rest of his issue li. 16. c. 35. ciuit 2. Reg. 8. Psal 59. Gods mere mercie in electing anie his iustice to the reprobate Rom. 9. Iacob lawfully bought but Esau sinned in selling the first-birth-right :: God by Abrahams exaÌ„plar life inuited the Aegyptians to true religion now commandeth Isaac to stay in Gerara to the like end S. Theod. q. 76. in Gen. :: See pag 52. :: Adulterie a great sinne also among Painims * The chanel where sometimes a vehement streame ruÌ„neth sometimes none at al. * VVrangling :: So nations of the world first enuyed the Church of Christ but after made peace with it :: Esau by marying against his parents wil made breach from them External ceremonies in the law of nature Christian for titude preuaileth more by suffering then by forcible resisting The Epistle on Saturday the second weke in Lent :: Iacob secure in conscience that the right of first-birth belonged to him yet feared to geue occasioÌ„ of offence to his father :: It was truly Gods wil but not in that sâ—â— as Isaac vnderstood it :: Isaac now knowing it to be Gods wil ratified that he had done :: worldlings blessing consisteth in transitorie welth :: The Idumeans being subdued by king Dauid 2 Reg. 8. reuolted from king Ioram and had a king of their owne 4. Reg. 8. they were againe subdued by Hircanus teste Iosepho li. 13. Antiq but againe Herod an Idumean raigned in Iewrie Math. 2. Luc. 1. Iacob did not lie nor sinne in saying he was Esau c. He is proued innocent by the text 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The Fathers proue his innocencie in this fact Euerie lie is a sinne Some deceipt good Ho. 6. ad Col. Hier. 20. Epist. 125. It was good that Isaac knew not Iacob when he blessed him Good in respect of Esau More to Gods glorie and Iacobs commendation Ho. 53. q. 79. in Gen. :: Isaac againe coÌ„firmeth the blessings of Abraham to Iacob and his sede omitting Esau yea and God repeteth the same v. 13. The Epistle in a votiue Masse for trauelers Sap. 10. * House of God :: To whom ynough is not ynough to him nothing is ynough Aulus Gell. VVhy Iacob traueled in poore state A notable example of Gods comforth to the afflicted Al nations beleuing in Christ are blessed in him Erecting and annointing of Altares is a religious office being done to Gods honour The Church lerneth not rites of Idolaters but they of the Church Difference in religious supersticious ciuil honour consisteth in the persons intentions Two sortes of holie oyle Vowes are properly of things which are not otherwise commanded Gen. 14. :: S. Augustin q. 87. in Gen coÌ„mendeth familiar kissing of kinsfolke and frendes as a laudable custome in some countries It is no where more ciuil modest then in England * VVithout â—â—â—ges :: Laban greeously offended neither could Lia be excused but Iacob was innocent in this fact :: After seuen daies he had Rachel who was his first spouse S. Hierom Tradit Heb. S. Aug. q. 89. in Gen. :: Not properly 〈◊〉 but griefe â—â—â—â—ul 〈◊〉 S. Aug. li 22 c 5â— cont Faust :: Of pluralitie of wiâ—â—s see pag. 62. :: Holie Scripture saith S. Augustin would neuer hâ—â—e mentioned such womanlie deâ—ires but to admonish vs to â—â—ke great misteries therin li. 22 c. 56. â—oâ—t â—austum :: Iacob did iustly vse this meanes to recouer thâ—â— which Laban withheld sâ—oÌ„ him being duâ— for the dowrie of his wiues and recompence for his seruice Rupert li. 7. c 39. in Gen. :: Annointing of Altarâ— and free vowes are gratful 〈…〉 es to God See chap. 28. Ter 〈…〉 :: 〈…〉 sinned 〈…〉 Psal 4. Images of false goddes are idols Some images are neither religious nor supersticious Some are religious 1. Reg. 19. 〈…〉 3. Rachel tooke away her fathers Idols for hâ—â— good She kept them in recompeÌ„ce of wrongs :: The changing of his name here promised is performed chap. 35. S. Hieron Tradit Heb. Iacobs feare was iust and without fault 1. Ioan 4. q. 102. 〈◊〉 Gen. The causes of his feare The humble conceipt of him selfe Eccle. â— Esaus inclination meanes to reuenge Iacobs prayer qualified with Humilitie Gratitude Confidence Meeknes Iacobwrestled with an Angel corporally spiritually Osee 12. :: Iacob seing Gods hand in this change of his brothers mind not of flaterie but sincerly acknowledged his benignitie as Gods countenance towards him O Dina saith S. Bernard what nedewas there to see wemen of a strange countrie Tract de gradib humilitatis :: They offended by falsly pretending religion and by excesse in reuenge therfore are reproued by their father v 30. chap. 49 v 5. Otherwise their zeale was iust to punish so foule a fault Iudith 9. * An execrable tree :: God when it pleaseth him maketh the weake stronger then the mightie and few more terrible then â—â—nie S. Châ—isost ho. 59. S. Aug. q. 112. in Gen. :: The name of supplanter not sufficiently expressing his valure he is also called Israel See the Annotation Math. 2. :: For this fact Ruben was excluded from the chiefe dignitie among his bretheren Gen. 49. Clensing from sinne is the first office of the seruants of God The name ISRAEL signifieth special prerogatiues in the Patriarch Iacob Al his twelue sonnes in their posteritie were heires of the promised land :: The separation of Esau from Iacob :: By the common opinon of Latin and Greke fathers this was holie Iob. as we shal discusse when we come to his booke against the hebrew doctors who say Iob was of Nachors race chap. 4. 10 22. 25. By comparison of interrupted companies the coÌ„tinual succession of the Church is more glorious One place of Scripture feemeth contrarie to an other but is not Holie Scriptures not easie to be vnderstood Esaus last parting from Iacob The seuenth part of this booke How Ioseph was sold into Aegypt and there aduanced :: These things folowing hapned to Iacob in his generations that is in his childreÌ„ See S. Chrisost ho. 23. in Gen. :: That for il life they were infamous the hebrew word dâ—â—â—a signifieth infamie :: The Epistle on friday
from the prerogatiues of the first borne The zeale of Simeon Leui was coÌ„mendable but their maner of reuenge was manie wayes faultie Iudith â— The Priests Scribes furie obstinacie hard harts against Christ Mat. 20. Ioan. 11. Ioan. 18. Taking away of the regal scepter from the Iewes a signe of Christs coming Our Lords real presence in the B. Sacrament prophecied li. 2. Ep. 3. Ancient Fathers suppose that Antichrist shal be of the tribe of Dan. Ioan. 5. Ioseph in manie things prefigured Christ :: Iacob digged a sepulcher for himselfe though it be not hertofore mentioned when he did it S. Aug. q. 170. in Geâ— :: This word adoring often in holie Scripture signifieth ciuil honour as here it can haue no other sense Mans wil not God the cause of sinne Ioseph for his brethreÌ„s sake differred his desired burial in Chanaan The continuation of this booke with Genesis The increase of the Israelites was enuyed feared and their religion hated Gen. 50. Exod. 1. Their persecution Their greater multiplicatioÌ„ Exod. 2. Num. â— Exod. 2. The persecutor admonished and punished Gods people mightely deliuered 3. 5. 7. 12. 14. Miraculously sustained in the desert 16. 17. 20. Instructed with Lawes Moral Ceremonial and Iudicial 26. 27. 30. seq The first part of this booke Of the Israelites seruile affliction in Aegypt and their deliuerie from thence :: Enuie vaine feare v. 10. hatred of true religioÌ„ v. 13. are the causes why Infidels persecute the faithful :: The first persecution was in temporal losses and bodilie paines by pressing them with workes :: The second was secrete murther :: The third was open murther God must be feared before Princes commanding contrarie things Mat 10. Luc. 12. Act. 4. 5. Princes must be obeyed in lawful things 1. Pet 2. Ro. 13. Allies are sinnes and vnlawful Psal 11â— v. 142. Venial sinnes Feare of God meritorious Temporal rewardes promised in the old TestameÌ„t eternal in the new kind of 〈…〉 lâ—vv so 〈…〉 lled :: Mos in the Aegyptian tongue signifieth vvater and Ises saued Ioseph li. 2. Antiq Clemens Alexan. li. 1. Stromat :: The guiltie persoÌ„ reiected Moyses for lack of knoweÌ„ authoritie but God coÌ„firmed his coÌ„mission Act. 7. So the Iewes reiected Christ Iudge of the world :: He feared to tempt God by staying but not the siercâ—â—es of the king Heb. 11. :: Oppression of innocents crieth to heauen for reuenge Moyses pareÌ„ts did prudently expose him to some danger to auoide greater Reuelations and Gods determinations do not exclude but include mans endeuour Though Moyses iustly killed the Aegyptian yet others may not imitate his example li. 2. Antiq. li. 16. c. 19. deâ—iuit Act. 7. The three first lessons on the 4. sunday in Lent See what maner of reuerence and deuotion is prescribed to goe bare fooâ—e to holie places :: Of holie places and of christian deuotion in going to them S. Hierom writeth largely â—pist 17. 18. 27. :: This is the most proper name but the most common is GOD deriued in manie languages of Good Mat. 19. v. 17. :: Al that anie man possessetâ— in this world is but lent by God And therfore he iustly taketh away and lendeth to others disposing of al as pleaseth him Act. 7. Al appatitionâ— to the Patriarches and Prophetes were made by Angels though sometimes attributed to God Proued by holie Scriptures and Fathers Heb. 2. Exod. 19. 20. Examples Psal 77. Exo. 3. God executeth his wil by Angels The most proper name of God is 〈◊〉 WHICH IS :: God designed a rodde for an instrument to work miracles :: See the Annotations cha 7. v. 3. :: Sephora cast the prepuce at Moyses feete and said I had lost thee my spouse except I had redeemed thee with the bloud of my child And the Angel let Moyses goe S. Aug. q. 11. in Exod. iuxta 70. :: Miracles a motiue to true beleefe Miracles necessarie and sufficient to proue extraordinary vocation of new preachers Ioan. 10. Ioan. 15. Mat. 9. Mat. 16. :: VVordlie men thinke Gods people encrease most by rest but indede they multiplie more when they are oppressed S. Cyprian de exhort Mart. c. 10. :: The craftie diuel knowiÌ„g that weake men afflicted are easely moued to murmur sturred this people against their owne leaders S. Greg. li. 29. c. 14. Moral :: Gods prouideÌ„ce suffereth his children to be most afflicted when relife is nere at hand Theod. q. 13 in Exod. :: Adonai is not the name here vttered to Moyses but is redde in place of the vnknowen name :: Ioseph died first of the twelue bretheren Gen. 50. Leui liued loÌ„gest and so the yeares of their liues are recorded in holie Scriptures not of the rest Chronolog 〈◊〉 :: See Num. 26. v. 59. * patrâ—â—â— lem prâ— patrua quae latinâ— non d 〈…〉 r. :: It perteined not to Moyses present purpose to prosecute the genealogies of Iacobs other sonnes being come to the origin of the Priestlie tribe in Leui the third soÌ„ne â— Aug. q. 15. in Exod. In place of the name of God counted ineffable is commonly redde Adonai Mat. 4. v. 7 10. Rom. 15. v. 11. Iehouah is not the right name of God S. Dionyse S. Hierom. Theodoret Damasâ—â—â— :: Aaron also was the prophet of God but subordinate vnder Moyses and ouer Pharao S. Aug. q. 17. in Exod. :: Iannes and Mambres 2. Tim. 3. knowen by tradition :: Induration of hart saith S. Bernard is neither cut with remorse nor softened with pittie nor moued with prayers nor yeldeth to threates yea is more hardned by punishments li. 1. de consid ad Eugen. :: The first plague in water in which the AegyptiaÌ„s drowned the Hebrewes infants Theodoret q. 19. in exod the like Ap. 16 Because the wicked spil the bloud of Gods Saintes he wil geue them bloud to drinke The name of God attributed to men Iudges called goddes Moyses the God of Pharao Priests called goddes Other titleâ— of God geuen to men Moyses a Holie Prophete Priest and Prince * Psal 98. v. 6. Protestants hold God to be the cause that men do sinne yet not the cause of sinne Zuinglius doctrine Caluins doctrine Bezas doctrin By their doctrin it necessarily foloweth that God should he author of sinne The state of the controuersie S. Augustins doctrin ser 88 de temp God forsaketh not til he be forsaken Ezech 〈◊〉 Prâ— 18. God by not punishing permitted Pharao to indurate him self And that for his former sinnes Heb 12. Apoc. 3. Prou. 8. In absence of grace sinne obdurateth Gods grace in the obstinate like the heate of the sunne in cold water As a father for not punishing is saied to spoile so God to indurate Al the wicked may iustly be damâ—â—d but some are iustified and saued Deut. 32. Psal 5. Rom. 9. God neuer willeth but only suffereth sine Pharao abusing Gods benefites hardned his owâ—e start And â—â—â—fully perished Other places of S. Augustin â—â—â—â— 1. Gods iustice â—â—de
wherupon they begaÌ„ne to detest Abimelec and so hatred grew betwen him them which is a most euil spirite but their former sinne not God was the cause therof S. Aug. q. 45. in Iudic. :: For more reuenge he sowed the citie with salte which maketh ground barren Theod. q. 17. in lib. Iudie :: Euels shal betide the vniust man to destruction Psal 139. Vngtatful people render iniuries for benefites Infidels promote wicked men to authoritie Abimelech a figure of Antichrist 2. Thess 2. :: Not euerie one that sayeth Lord Lord but he thaâ— doth the wil of God c. Mat. 7. :: The hebrew word Zâ—nah signifieth also â—n â—n keeper :: If they had not concurred to his expulsion it might haue sufficed to haue sent for him but in this case the ancientes iudged it meete to goe in person and to in treat him So Christ was reiected by the Iewes and returneth not to them til in the end of the world they shal seeke vnto him â— Aug. q. 49. in Iudic. postâ—eâ—iuÌ„ Num. 20 :: In the opinion of infidels it semed that they possessâ—d countries by the helpe of false goddes and so they thought them selues to haue iust title Much more iust is the title when God almighty geueth victorie of conquest S. Aug. q. 48. in Iudie :: He argueth vpon prescription of 300. yeares being nere so much for there wanted scarce thirtie being from the conquest made by Moyses Num. 21. til the time of Iephte about 270. yeares :: This vow was vnlawful for the law forbiddeth to offer man or woman in sacrifice Exo. 34. v. 20. Deut. 12. v. 31. :: In the old testament mariage was ordinarily preferred before single life but in the new it is better to kepe virginity 1. Cor. â— â— 38. Iephte offended in vowing vndiscretly But not in performing his vow as ancient fathers thinke more probable S. Augustin S. Ambrose S. Hierom. S. Chrysostom S. Gregorie Nazianzen Theodoret. Bible â—603 Protestants censure :: That is exposeâ— my self to danger trusting to Gods helpe â—â—yâ— owne handes when others would not assist me :: Iephte being of Manasses tribe the Ephraites enuied his glorie and calumniously obiected that he and his followers were fugitiues so raised a tumulte to their owne â—â—â—â—e :: Abstinence not only from thinges vncleane by the law but also from wine and sider was a preparation to the childe who should abstaine from them al his life :: Other Nazerites obserued a prescripte rule of abstinence for a time only Num. 6. but Samson al his life as a more perfect figure of Christ :: Manue taking the Angel for a holie prophete iustly thought he would not admitte not coÌ„mand anie thing but that was lawful And so did as the Angel appointed him though he was no priest nor the place proper to sacrifice but by extraordinarie dispensation :: Though Manue saw not God in his owne person yet seing him in his messenger feared death S. Aug. q. 54. in Iudiâ— Protestantes either contradict themselues or teach Arrianisme Bible 1603. :: It was prohibited Deut. 7. v. 3. to make mariage with the Gentiles but God some times dispensed as here it appeareth he did v. 4. :: By threates they made heâ— betray her husband and neuertheles destroyed both her and her father cha â—5 v. 6. so persecuters of the Church deale with such as trayterously or of frailtie serue their turne :: Being Iudge of the people he had helpe of others to â—ake so manie foxes with â—â—â—â—es or otherwise being great store in that countrie :: A notorious miracle to kil so manie with so meane a weapon without other helpe of man And by common reason as vncredible as the great mysteries of Catholique Religion :: It was a greater miracle to draw water out of a drie bone then out of the earth or stones but al things are possible to God which he pleaseth to do * or an Inâ—eâ—per :: For such admirable streingth the heth â—iâ—h people thought Samson to be Hercules S. Aug. li. 18. c. 19. ciuit But he was indeede farre stronger then they feaned of Hercules who they said was not able to fight against two whereas Samson alone killed a thousand with the iaw bone of an asse c. 15. v. 15. :: Supernatural streingth or grace departeth when any leaue the rule of their profession :: He desired to be reuenged not of rancour of mind but of zele of iustice And so al the elect glorified Sainctes desire reueÌ„ge Luc. 18. v. 8. Apoc. 6. v. 10. Samson excused in killing himselfe wiÌ„th his enemies Samson a figure of Christ The third part Of certaine accidentes which happened in the time of the Iudges :: In hebrew pesel vmassecah in Latin sculptile constatile a grauen molten thing an image or forme made in mettle for a god and so called v. 5. was in dede an idol of Gentilitie and nothing at al against sacred Images of Christ and his Sainctes in the Catholique Church wherof more is noted Gen. 31. Exo. 20. :: Annointed his haÌ„des with oyle as was prescribed Exo. 29. Leu. 8 But such an apish imitation was of no value where was neither true vocation in the annointed for he descended not of Aâ—ton but of Moyses chap. 18. v. 30. nor authoritie in him that vsed this ceremony b An Apostata Leuite was accounted more sufficient then an idolatrical priest to serue an idol so he that is a Priest of a Deacon once catholikly consecrated is a sufficient yea too sufficient a minister with protestantes c Their whole portioÌ„ was assigned Ios 19 but through their owne â—â—outh they possessed litle of it so that hitherto the greatest part was not receiued d They ment the false god which the apostata Leuite serued e The diuel answered as his maner is obscurly sometimes truly sometimes falsly :: Pesel eidolon sculptile the grauen thing falsly called god c. 17. v. 5. :: She was his lawful wife and so called v. â— â— 9. et also is called concubine because she had no dawrie nor as yet enioyed the priuiledges of a mistris in her husbands house :: Omission contempâ— to punish hainous â—â—imes is a 〈…〉 cause to make wâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 :: One of the tribe of Iuda :: Being farre more in number hauing the iust cause yet had the worse because they trusted in their owne streingth :: God also punished al Israel by this ciuil warre for suffering idolattie in the tribe of Dan. cha 18. v. 30. which they ought to haue punished Deut. 13. v. 12. :: By this it appeareth that this historie happened not long after the death of Eleazarus Ios 24. v. 33. to whom hissonne Phinees succeded in the spiritual Supremacie of the Church :: Lest either iustice be ouer sharpe or mercie too relaxe with great art of discretion gouernours must obserue mercie iustly aduising and discipline piously châ—sticings S. Greg. li 1. Epist 24. :: In the time of the Iudges
the people presumed more to do that semed to them selues right or good though it was nought which afterwardes the kinges more restrained and punished The historie of Ruth is regestred in holie Scripture for the genealogie of Dauid and especially of our Sauiour Christ Iudic. 12. :: Noemi perswaded not to idolatre but in sinuated that if Ruth would not returne to her countrie she must also leaue the false goddes And so she answered that she would serue the same true God of Israel :: She had a husband and two sonnes and sufficient prouision but now was bereued of them al. :: The Church vseth this salutation in the holie sacrifice and other diuine office :: Booz doubted not but reward was due to good workes :: Yea a ful reward answeâ—able to Ruâ—h pietie Vvhich must be spiritual and eternal :: The euent shewed that Noemi was inspired by God to geue such direction to Ruth to foretel what Booz would doe :: It was very coÌ„mendable that she loued her first husband and mother in law but more vertue infleing occasion of sinne with young men and seeking to marie according to the law of God with her former husbands kinsman Deut. 25. :: Booz calleth his kinsman brother as Abraham called Lot his brother Gen. 13. being his Nephevv :: See Deut. 25. noting here withal that the penaltie was lesse whch an other kinsman vndertaking the mariage the woman was preueÌ„ted from complayning before the iudge :: Here appeareth the final cause of writting this historie to shew the Genealogie of King Dauid from Iudas the Patriarch of whom Christ should descend so prophecied Gen. 49. and shewed to be performed Mat. 1. qqÌ„ in 1. Reg. c. 1. These histories are also expounded mystically by the ancient Fathers Prologâ— in 1. Reg. li. 17. c. 4. ciuit Ep. ad Paulin. The general contents of al the bookes of Kinges Para lippomenon Samuel writ the first part but vncertaine who writ the rest CoÌ„tents of the first booke diuided into foure partes These bookes are read at Mattins from the feast of the B Trinitie vntil the first sundaie of August The first part Of the gouernments of Heli and Samuel and of changing the state into a kingdome :: This childe being of the tribe of Leui though not of Aarons stock was lawfully vowed to the seruice of the tabernacle by his parentes during his childhood but coming to yeares of discretion he was at his owne electioÌ„ to continew or to depart If he had bene of anie other tribe he must haue bene redemed Leuit. 27. The Canticle at Laudes on wenesday :: Leaue of to praise idoles as ye haue accustomed to doe :: The Church of Gentiles :: The Synagogue of the Iewes S. Aug. li. 17. c. 4. ciniâ— :: Neither Dauid noâ— Salomon much lâ—ssâ— anâ—â— other King possened or â—udged the endes of the taâ—th but â—â—â—â—ts enheritance reacheth to the endes of the earth Psal 2. v. 18. :: Sinnes directly against God and that hinder his seruice are more hardly remitted but none at al aâ—e irremissible before death because during life euerie one may truly repent if he wil and to al true peniteÌ„tes God promisseth remission of sinnes Ezech. 33. :: Gods determination to punish tooke not away their freewil but for their obstinacie he leift them to themselues without his grace and so iustly punished them See S. Aug. li. 5. cont Iulian. c. 3. :: This was fulfilled as in the figure in Samuel not wholly for priesthood stil remained in the line of Aaron as appeareth in Achias Abiathar Sadoc ch 14. 22. 2 Reg. 8. but perfectly in Christ 1. Reg. c. 2. :: Rare thinges are called precious and so the gift of prophecie is here termed which was then granted to few :: This vision happened early in the morning before the time of dressing the lampes when some were put out and others light :: Their confidence of helpe from God by presence of the arke was good and commendable but their sinnes deserued to be punished :: This zele of religion in Heli towards the arke is a great signe that he died in good state though he was temporally punished for not correcting his sonnes :: So sowne as Christs Gospel or Testament came among the Gentiles al false goddes idolatry fel downe S. Beda qq in 1. Reg. c. 3. :: The arke being a holie thing as Reliques are was terrible to their false god the diuel so the Reliques of S. Babilas ouerthrew the false god Apollo as â— Chrysoâ—â— testifieth at large li. cont Gentiles 〈◊〉 5. :: Obstinate sinners doe harden their owne hartes not God but by suffering them so to do â—ee Aâ—not â—â—â—d 7. :: As the arke was terrible to the infideles chap. 5. so also to those that beleued right but vsed it not reuerently :: These men knowing that the presence of the arke was good for them though the Bethsamites had benne punished for their irreuerence towardes it feared not to receiue and kepe it :: That is 〈…〉 say the Phili 〈…〉 who were 〈…〉 oâ— the seuen nations of Chanaan which God commâ—nded his people to destroy 〈…〉 the Amorrheites :: Heli his sonnes gâ—ieuously offending in then office before chap 2. and now Samuels sonnes also peruerting iudgemâ—t gaue occasion to the people to demand a lâ—ng to iudge their temporal causes rightly not declining to wrong for bribes :: Misphat signifieth maner fashion or proceding :: God alwaies heareth those that truly repent for their sinnes but doth not alwayes deliuer them from afflictions which are due for offences or profitable for probation and merite of his children â—â—od 19. Deut. 17. Iudiâ— 2. v. 16. Vvhy the peoples demand to haue a king is disliked Kinges sometimes oppresse their subiectes by Gods sufferance but vniustly â— Cyp. li. 3. ep 9. siue 65. â— Hierâ— in Osee 8. â— Greg. li. 4. c. 2. in 1. Reg. 8. Kinges haue prerogatiues aboue but not contâ—aric to the lawes Euil princes may be deposed by God the Church but not by the people only Concil Lateran c. 3. de heret Pointes obserued in the constitution and deposition of King Saul 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The second part The election annointing gouernement of King Saul :: One that by diuine inspiration foreseeth thinges too come :: Oppression of innocentes crieth to heaven :: â— Gregorie here noteth that such as are placed in height of gouernement are annointed with oyle which signifieth mercie light and cuâ—ing of others :: But the litle vessel foreshewed that Saul not perseuering in grace should be deposed from his kingdom li. 4 c. 5. in 1. Reg. 10. :: Samuel enioynetâ— obedience to Saul to trie his humilitie S. Greg. li. 4 c. 5. in 1 Reg 10. :: God gaue him peculiar grace for executing the office of a king :: By and by also the gift of prophecie :: Then superious :: By lotte the people were assured that the election was of God
Ser 1. de S. Andrea S. Beda 〈◊〉 4. S. Aug. cont Faust S. Greg. in li. 1. Reg. et in Iob. Inuocation of Patriarches S. Hiere Ep. 12. ad Gauden Obiections answered by holie Scriptuâ—es Iob. 4â— How Sainctes knâ—w mens prayers Titles geuen to men in office and to Sainctes lib. de mortalitate Angels adâ—â—ed Reliqués Images Exequies fâ—â— the dead Purgatorie To. 2. in sept Psal paeuitent Limbus pattâ— No entrance into heauen before Christ Resurrection Iudgement Eternal paine of the damned and glorie of the blessed 1. Co◠◠〈◊〉 dowries of glorified bodies presigured 1 Cor. 〈◊〉 Cathâ— câ—â—s Rom p. 1. c 12. q 9. The Church more knowen to other nations then before The Ecclesiastical and temporal states more distinguished Succession of High Priestes Distinction of offices in Priestes Leuites Succession of temporal princes interrupted Dukes Iudges Kinges M 〈…〉 Church Murmure Idolatrie 〈…〉 e. 〈…〉 〈…〉 * Iudic. 3. Ordinarie meanes of conseruing the Church No participation with infiâ—els No 〈…〉 But one Tabernacle One Altar 〈◊〉 〈…〉 8. Chris orat 1. aduers Iudeos One supreme Iudge of controuersies Al bound to obey him His sentence infallible The Church of Christ preserued from â—â—â—ing in Religion Math. 16. 28. Luc. 22. Ioan 14. 16. Eph. 4. â— Tâ—m 3. Not anie temporal but Christs kingdom is in al nations and perpetual S. Aug. li. 17. â—â— de â—â—uit S. â—â—pipâ—â— here 's 2â— The Church of Christ vniuersal Act. 4. in hunc Psalm The Iewes wil not see Christ 2. Cor. 3. And Heretikes wil not see the Church which yet is alwayes visible S. Aug. in Psal 30. câ—nâ— 2. Collat. Carthag at cont Donatist Ibidem The beginning of the fifth age * Firmnes * in strength :: A vessel so 〈…〉 for the 〈…〉 being 〈…〉 :: â—atus contayned 〈…〉 :: Had designed and dedicated to holie vses :: There was no more with in the arke Deut. 10. but on the outside was the rodde of Aaron Nu. 17. Heb. 9. the golden potte with Manna Exod 16 Heb 9. and the booke of the law repeted by Moyses Deut. 31. :: Prices blesse their people parentes their children :: Salomon knew wel Gods conditional promise but perseuered not in keping his coÌ„mandments and therfore a great part of the kingdom was takeÌ„ from his children yet the right of the kingdom of Iuda remayned to his seede euen to Christ our Sauiour :: Reward of good workes :: External workes of penance except they proceede from the hart suffice not for remission of sinne :: External worship is not acceptable to God except it procede from internal sinceritie and dâ—â—odon VVherfore S. Augustin sayth God is worshipped in faith hope and charitie Enchirid c. â— :: Salomon did not â—el these cities for he could not alienate them but let the king of Tyre haue the vse and reuenewes in payment for timber for the gold which he sent * dirtie or disples sing :: a monument :: Part of Arabia is called Saba nere to Iurie but this Saba is beyond Arabia as S. Hierom testifieth in Esaiae 60 li. 17 it semeth to be in Aethiopia for our Sauiour saith Mat. 12. The quene of the South came froÌ„ the endes of the earth to heare the vvisdom of Salomon :: As this quene had no spirite when she saw Salomons wisdom so the Church gathered of gentiles knowing Christs grace finding the masters of Euangelical doctrin casting away the spirite of pride and laying of al hautinesse of mind lerned to distrust in her self and to trust in the great mercie of her king S. Greg in Psal 7. paâ—â—ten to 2. * A wonderful thing that a Quene vpon fame of a mans wisdom traueled so farre to heare him speake and to see his gouernment but it was Gods inspiration to signifie by this figure that the Church of Christ should be gathered of the Gentiles in al nations Kiges Quenes noâ— potent Princes also submitting themselues to Christ Isaae c. 49. :: Though pluralitie of wiues was then alowed yet it was forbid to multiplie manie Deut. :: The tribe of Iuda :: By Ierusalem is vnderstood the tribe of Beniamin wherin it stood so there remained two tribes to Salomons heyres 2. Reg. â— â—â— Reg. 10. :: From the time that Salomon fel to idolatrie he was more impugned by three perpetual aduersaries Adad Razon and Hieroboam mystically signifying the flesh the world and the diuel :: This fact coÌ„firmed his wordes that he spoke seriously fained not :: VVhether he repented and was saued or no is vncertaine The third part The diuision of the Kingdom Seueral reigues of certaine kinges and preaching of special prophetes :: This pharaise noteth the sequel not the final cause As chap. 14. â— â— :: A diuelish policie to make a religion conformable to the temperal state :: For such a religion such priestes were fittest :: Places on hilles where they sacrificed calues and other thinges to the images of calues :: This foreshewing long before the name of a childe that should be borne importeth that he should do great thinges See 4. Reg. 2â— :: This man of Bethel was indeede a prophet of God but in this lied wickedly and so deceiuing the other prophet made him to breake Gods commandment for which he was slaine VVhervpon Hieroboam swhom the wiked prophet sought to please was lesse afeard to procede in idolatrie :: Not only the deceiuer but also he that is deceiued is guiltie and punishable for breakiÌ„g Gods coÌ„mandment :: By this it appeareth to be Gods worke and punishment :: Ieroboam did not wittingly and of purpose set vp false goddes to the end he might prouoke God to anger for his intention only was to kepe the people froÌ„ going to Ierusalem left by that occasion they should returne to Roboam their Lord king of Iuda ch 12. v. 27. But by settiÌ„g vp idols he did prouoke God consequently to anger So here and in other places this phrase that he might prouoke that it might be fulfilled and the like signifieth not the final cause but the sequele of other factes without direct intention :: Dauids postetitie conserued for his sake :: Those altares which Salomon had made for his wiues that were idolaters Asa destroved not but al which RoboaÌ„ and Abias had made or suffered to be made for their owne people he pulled downe Iosias afterward destroyed also those which Salomon had made 2. â—â—â—â—l 34. :: The aâ—â—â—ouâ— of schisme punished in his posteritie :: Al those that were in the campe chose their general to be their king and preuailed therin though an other half of Israel chose and folowed an other for a time :: Thebni being then dead he reigned peaceably for he began his reigne the 27. yeare of Asa â— 15. 16. and reigned in al 12. yeares :: VVhen Hiel began to build Iericho his eldest sonne died so the rest successiuely that the last died when he finished the building because God by the mouth of
v. â— * ch 3. v. 3. E :: Great hurt to a king that is ruled much by one counseler Salomon teacheth that VVhere are manie counsellers cogitations are confirmed â—ron 15. v. 22. * F ch 3. v. 14. ch 4. v. 17. * Excepâ— the 72. G The Epistle on wenesday in the 1. weke of â—â—nâ— And in a votiue Masse against Paganes :: Idoles are nothing in the vvorld 1. Cor. 8. but baâ—e imaginations of men :: The Church vseth this prayer in the offertorie the 22. sunday after Pentecost as a parcel of holie Scripture Of herselfe nor for wordlie glorie she desired not to marie a heathen king but for the coÌ„mon good she maried him God dispensing with the law in this behalf See ch 2. G * H ch 13. v. 8. :: Vesâ—imâ—nta oratus not ornâ—â—â—s her playing wâ—ede :: A notable example for Noble wemen how to kepe their state remaine neuer theles humble in hart :: By this comparison of angels she ment that the king excelled al or most part of men * K ch 5. v. â— L :: At last this king saw his owne errour in beleuing one false counseller ouer much ch 1â— v. ◠〈◊〉 1â— v. 6. :: As Mardocheus suggested thâ— king confirmed the obseruation of a feast in memorie of Gods benefice and so both Iewes and Genâ—â—les kept it * M chap. 9. v. â— â— 18. c. 47. ciuit conc 2. de Lazar Rom. 9. Praesat 〈◊〉 Iob. Iob of the race of Esau VVhy God suffered him to be so afflicted The contentes according to the historie Iob an especial figure of Christ Prafâ—â— Moral documentes in this booke True logike Philosophie Hard and eaâ—ic thinges to be vnderstood are both profitable VVritten by Iob himself most part in verse Diuided into three partes This booke is read the two fâ—râ—â— wekes of September The first paâ—â— The change of Iobs prosperous sâ—aâ—â— into affliction 〈…〉 :: Diuels appeare not in Gods sight but sometime in presence of Angels which represent God S. Athan q. 8. ad Antiâ—câ—â—â— :: God doth not directly send euils bâ—t permitteth them to happen to his seruantes :: By this holie example ancient fathers condeme the senâ—â—es Stoikes who are neuer moued S. Aug. li. 1. c. 9. ciuit S. Paul also reproueth men vvithout affection Rom. 1. v. 31. Aswal Iob as other prophetes writ their owne actes and prayses Good workes are both Gods workes and mens workes Praefâ—â— in Iob. Iobs patience inuincible in â—l sortes of â—â—â—liction English Catholiques lose their goodes and children and are afflicted in bodie Great commendation to be good amongst the bad Philip. 2. Apoc. 2. â—â—ntie Sacrifice being of infinite vertue yet the valure in application is limited :: A man of plâ—ine 〈◊〉 true dealing mixed with meekâ—â—â— with out al guile is called a simple right man S. Greg. li. 1. Moral â— 2 â—â—â— :: His wife perswading him to desperation and blasphemie signified carnal cogitions which corrupt the soule inwardly as afflictions do affault the flesh outwardly S. Greg. li. 3. c. 24. :: Seuen dayes together euerie day and night some good part These visiters of Iob were in dede his freindes and professed true religion They erred in Iobs particular case li. 3. â— 24. And prefigured heretikes li. 5. â— 18. :: After so long â—â—leâ—ce at last â—â—b expresseth hiâ—â—Spandâ—â— so 〈…〉 des 〈…〉 great 〈…〉 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 〈…〉 ly 〈…〉 〈…〉 ud 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 〈◊〉 by God bu 〈…〉 to m 〈…〉 bein 〈…〉 〈…〉 nne euen from his conception and 〈◊〉 wishing that whatsoeuer concurred to his longer afflictions in this life and hâ—â—dâ—râ—â— his more spedie deliuerie from dangers and calamities had not bene for so he had benne sowner at â—est as Gods goodnes should dispose of him Al which was a lawful desire and no sinne at al. See 1. Pineda in c. 2. Iob. The second part Diuers discourses and disputes about the cause of Iobs afflictions The first constrct betwen Eliphaz and Iob. :: No innocent euer perished eternally but innocent Abel was slaine temporaly and innumerable others suffer calamities for their greater merite :: Heretikes pretend such obscure visions more to gette credite then to edifie others S. Greg. li. 5. c. 18. :: Iob easely granteth that man may not compare not contend with God ch 9. v. 1. Yet men may be innocent free from greuous sinnes :: This disputer hauing pretended an imaginarie vision from God 〈◊〉 Iob now he supposeth that neither God noâ— Angel noâ— other holie person wil patrâ—â—age his cause nor iudge of his case as he doth but that al wil condemne him of impatience follie enuie and other sinnes :: This proueth unporteth that a man must not thincke to passe his life without trauel but must get his bread vvith svveat of his brovves or suffer other calamities :: Gods goodnes deliuereth his seruantes the space of this laborious life :: And most especially in the houre of death S. Org. li. 6. c. 18. â—nuocation of Sainctes especially Angels in Iobs time li. 5. c. 30. :: A man of sincere conscience confesseth the sinnes wherof he is guiltie yet acknowledgeth not al wherwith others may vniustly charge him :: Sâ—ndâ—e wayes without water :: Iobs aduersaâ—ies preâ—â—med to teach him but because they erred in their applying of true assertions in his case which himself vnderstood and not they he acconted not their discourses for good doctrin The vse of Hyperbole in holie Scripture Treasure of satisfactorie workes in the Church Pardons do applie the suffering of some for the satisfaction of others :: A souldiar must be alwayes readie to indure trauel to be promptly obedient content to be beaten by his superior with out al resistance vpon paine of his life he is alwayes subiect to cares and to danger of death and therfore must euer be readie to dye * Seol :: Iust Iob supposing he was at the point of death prayed God to spare or cease to punish him more and to accept of that affliction which he had already suffered So the Church in behalf of soules departed in state of grace prayeth God to spare and cease from further punishing them and to geue them eternal rest :: The second confflict This second disputer charged Iob to be obâ—â—â—â—ate who in dedâ— was constant 〈◊〉 a true setled iudgement :: Euen thus heretikes imagine Catholikes to the ignorant and therfore fil their mouthes and bookes with thinges that are not denied and yet inserre much falshood sophistically applying one truth against an other being them selues ignoraÌ„t how to reconcile difficulties :: Iob here granteth that which was truly said by his aduersarie sheweth how he did wrong apliâ—â—rue doctrin against him and so stil defendeth his owne in nocencie and iust quarel :: Angeles moue the spheres of heauen :: Euen so S. Paul though he was not guiltie in conscience of anie crime yet he would not therin iustifie himself 1. Cor. 4. :: This is an assured true assertion that God afflicteth
him in that solemnitie But this voice of our Lord vpon vvaters is rather verified of our Blessed Sauiours owne preaching with g maiestie h thundering by his Apostles vpon i manie vvaters manie nations k in povvre of miracles l in magnificence preaching as hauing in dede powre not as the Sâ—râ—hes and Pharises Mat. 7. v. 29. m breaking cedars among innumerable others conuerting highest Potentates n of Libanus Emperoures kinges and greatest Princes of the world o as a calfe of Libanas so meekly submitting them selues to Christs yoke and spiritual obedience of his Church p Al which is done by Christ our Lord the beloved of God q as the sonne of vnicornes is most tenderly beloued by the parentes r This voice of our Lord diuiding the flame of fire the Holie Ghost proceding from the Father and the Sonne came vpon the Apostles as in diuided tongues of fire Å¿ wherwith the dâ—â—â—rt the Gentiles of the wide and wild world vvere shaken and moued t the desert of Cades some of the Iewes also compunct in hart with remorse of conscience hearing the voice of S. Peter and other Apostles v The same voice of our Lord preparing hartes inspiring the mindes of men with spede like hyndes and does to ascend the high hilles of free and perfect life in contemplatiue vertues vv So our Sauiour shal discouer the thicke vvoodes reueile the hidden Mysteries of the old Law by preaching Christian doctrine and vse of Christian Religion x in his holie Temple the Catholique Church wherin al true Christians shal glorifie God y making the great abundance of people who are like the sea vvhen it ouerflovveth the land to dwel in the same Church z Christ our Lord sitting ruling king ouer al foreuer a by his grace geuing streingth to his people to passe through the tentations of this life b and blesse the iust vvith eternal peace in heauen 〈…〉 Dauid rendereth thankes for his establishment in his kingdome The 8. key a The general name of Psalme common to this whole booke conteyning in al 150. is more particularelie appropriated to some which more specially were playde vpon musical instruments as on the Psalter Harpe c. Others are called Canticles which were most vsuallie songue with humaine voices So this called a Psalme of Canticle signifieth that voyces begane the musike and instruments were adioyned As contrariwise others are called Canticles of Psalmes where instruments begane and voices folowed b After manie great tribulations King Dauid prospering built an excellent house or palace 2. Reg. 5. v. 11. Paralip 14. v. 1. And at his first dwelling therein made this Psalme beginning himselfe to sing the same with voice other musitians ioyned with him in the praises of God and thankesgeuing for his benefites c Though God in himselfe is most high and neither nedeth nor can be exalted by men yet the royal prophet knew it vvas his dutie to sing thankes and praises to him d for his deliuerie from manie trubles and dangers e not suffering his enemies to be delighted in his ruine f conserued my bodie in health amoÌ„gst innumerable dangers g Preserued my soule from greater daÌ„gers of sinnes and so from hel h Ye that are iust and holie praise God for it from vvhom it cometh and not from your selues i confesse his mere goodnes vvithout your desertes k vvhen he is angrie l yet he meaneth vvel vnto vs. m The state of a iust mans life is often changed from sorovv to comforte and from comforte to sorovv n Though vve suppose our selues firmly established o yet God of his good vvil tovvardes vs sometimes geueth strength and corege p sometimes suffereth vs to our ovvne vveakenes q therfore we must stil crie and pray for Gods helpe r in manner here expressed of the like Å¿ finally in this my good state t I shal alvvayes confesse and praise thee How to pray in affliction The 7. key a Perteyning to the new Testament b especially to the iust trubled and almost distracted in mind in great affliction See v. 23. c How greuously soeuer I am afflicted yet I trust in thee d therfore I pray thus 〈◊〉 70. e I offer and resigne my selfe to thee f The first preceptis to lerne of our elders â—â—â— 23. g not suffered me to be shut vp h al my partes external and internal body and mind are trubled i My freindes dare not conuerse with me lest they incurre displeasure for my sake k Make thy â—â—â—ht so â—hine in my soule that I may vnderstand that is right l and through thy mercie deliuer me from the force of myne aduersaries m 〈…〉 ly â—â—hauing themselues â—â— if they had no superior neither in earth nor in heauen to whom they shal at last render account n and abusing their present powre and authoritie which they haue of God o As yet in this present life the reward of the iust is hidde p but shal be made manifest in sight of al men q In the meane time the iust is in great estimation in the secrete knowledge of God r title of honoure as we speake to a king your maiestie or to a noble man your Lordâ—hippe Å¿ in myn extreme affliction being almost distracted in my mind I said that in reason I would not haue sayd Holie Iob spake some thinges in such state of affliction ch 3. 42. t the prophet or other iust person exhorteth al the seruants of God v to constancie vv long animitie x and final perseuerance to the end The second poeâ—â—tential Psalme The 7. key a This Psalme sheweth how Dauid was brought to vnderstand his sinnes to confesse bewayle and obtaine remission of them b The first blessing of a sinner is the forgeuenes of his sinnes â—om 4. â— Pâ—â— 4. c by charitie which couereth themultitude of sinnes 1. Pet. 4. d Satisfaction beâ—â—g made e VVhen sinners repent sincerly without guile then God forgeueth without which cooperation nonâ— is iustified f because I acknowledged not my greuous sinnes I was stil sore afflicted “ Waxed as if they vvere old g though otherwise I ceased notto pray but without any fruict or good effect h thy diuine prouidence reducing me i by remorse of myn owne conscience which telleth me that I deserue al this affliction k therfore I do no longer disseÌ„ble with men nor am silent to thee but expresly acknowlege my sinnes l As I do now recal my selfe being stricken with Gods heauie hand so must euerie one that wil be purged from his sinnes and sanctified pray to thee when he is afflicted m Though calamities be meruelous great like to a diluge n yet they shal not opresse him that relieth vpon God o God speaketh promising by these tribulations to geue his seruants vnder standing and instruction p with perpetual protection q Be not therfore careles like to brute beastes but consideratiue of your actions r The Prophet or anie iust soul besecheth God to held this
suffer him vvholly to omitte manifest profession of faith and true religion f seing by thy former grace I haue already reposed my trust in thy promises made to them that are resolued to kepe thy lavv g For I do firmly purpose euer and alwayes to kepe thy law h In this I haue had great ioy and comforte of mind i because I did in dede seeke after thy commandements vvhich is specially vttered as also the three next verses in the person of those that are in trial of persecution for their faith k VVho boldly in time of persecution euen before persecuting Kinges and Emperors professe Christs true Religion Veryfied in innumerable glorious Martyrs yea also of the fraile sexe in S. Catharin S. Cecilie S. Lucie S. Margaret S. VVenefrede S. Vrsula and her felovves and manie more most constantly ansvvering al vvordes of reproch obiected as if it vvere a base or contemtible thing to be Christians to be Catholiques to be Papistes No al these and the like are honorable and glorious titles importing the true seruice of Christ in vnitie of the Catholique Church and spiritual participation vvith the visible head therof Christs Vicar in earth l Such confessors as yet mortal reioyce in that they haue meditated in Gods commandments vvhich they haue feruently loued m Also shevved the same in external vvorke not dissembling by silence by vvord nor fact n euerie way exercising Gods lavv vvhich maketh the obieâ—uers iust a That vvhich God hath decreed and promised being in itselfe most certaine and assured yet includeth the meanes vvherby it shal be put in execution and therfore the iust his elect do pray for the performance of his vvil b Expectation of thy promise hath geuen me corege * eloâ—â—â—â— c Provvde contemners of Gods lavv haue euerie vvay molested me by detracting deriding calumniating and violently persecuting me d Al vvhich I haue borne patiently and not declined from thy lavv e I remembred and considered thy iust punishments inflicted vpon the impious f euen from the beginning of the vvorld both vpon the diuels and vvicked men and that thou vvilt exercise the like hereafter g vvhich consideration of thy iustice comforted me h Otherwise if I had not sene thy iustice my zele against contemners of thy law would haue killed me i In this place of my perigrination from heauen I am comforted by remembring celebrating and singing thy iust commandments and lavves vvhich make thy seruants iust k In persecution and in al tribulation I kept thy law because I would not dishonour thy name l And my tribulation especially fel vpon me because I sought to be iustified by keping thy law a The Propheâ— procedeth speaking in the person of the iust tending to perfection and saying This is my happie choise that I desire no other enheritance nor possession but to kepe Gods Lavv. b And seeing this excedeth my proper streingth I prayed God of his mercie to make me able to kepe it * â—loquiuÌ„ c Pondering my former actions I turned my pathes to obserue more perfectly the Law which God hath testified to be the right way d With prompnes of mind and without hesitation I resolued to kepe the commandments e The wicked laide cordes nettes or snares to intrappe and hinder me f but I kept thy law fresh in memorie g That this is not vnderstood only mystically in time of affliction but also literally and prophetically that some special seruantes of God should obserue a godlie profession of praying at midnight the vvord I rose maketh it probable S. Paul Silas either of a holie custome or at least vpon special occasion and such occasions vvere to them and others frequent Act. 16. prayed and praised God at midnight And novv in the Church of Christ some religions men pray and praise God continually at midnight besides other houres mentioned more distinctly v. 164. h A great benefite and a singular consolation that al true liuing members of Christ are partakers of al the prayers good workes and merites of the whole Church militant and triumphant VVhich in our Crede is called The Communion of Sainctes i So great is the mercie of God extended communicated and multiplied in the whole earth k Instruct me and direct me therfore ó God that I may lerne and obserue thy law and so be iustified and made participant of so great mercie a Dealt very bountifully b as thou didst promise c He that hath bountifully receiued grace at Gods hand prayeth for more grace that he may be beneficial to others in releuing the needie d in instructing the ignorant e in perswading to kepe the law of God f because he hath lerned and beleueth the commandments by which he is bond to loue and haue care of his neighbour g Before I was afflicted I often fel into sinne h but vexation gaue me vnderstanding therfore now I kepe thy law * eloquiuÌ„ i Contemners of thy law haue endeuored to intangle me k but I persist in keping thy commandments As before v. 51. 61. l Though the wicked combine themselues together against me m yet I consider that it is necessarie to perseuer in thy law n A clere comparison that it is better to kepe Gods law which bringeth life euerlasting then to haue al the riches kingdoms of this world a God being our Creator we may with confidence pray him to illuminate our mindes that we may lerne what is his pleasure and so endeuour to fulfil it b Others that loue God wil be gladde to see me also serue him c The iust being afflicted and not seing the particular cause therof yet knoweth and confesseth that God doth it for most iust cause d And therfore with patience prayeth for comforth as foloweth * eloquiuÌ„ e who am almost dead in tribulation f The iust also prayeth that the wicked may be ashamed and conuerted for so the hebrew word here signifieth though it is also lawful to desire the iust punishment of obstinate sinners g He prayeth againe for conuersion of the wicked and to haue peace with them a Manie iust of the old testament most feruently desired the coming of Christ our Sauiour as our Lord himselfe testifieth Mat. 13 v. 17. And now the iust desire his coming in glorie 2. Tim. 4. v. 8 * eloquiuÌ„ b Delaved hope afflicteth c As a leather bottel made of a beasts skinne congeled with the frost and after partched in smoke so is the bodie of the iust mortified by diuers sortes of afflictions made a new bottel fitte to receiue new wine that is perfect doctrin of Christian life as of fasting and other austeritie wherof our Sauiour speaketh Mat. 9. v. 17. d Such is mans infirmitie yea of the iust that he apprehendeth tribulations to be very long and therfore desireth consummation and that without sinne so he stil submitte his wil to Gods wil. e Friuolous idle tailes which are not according to Gods law f I
praised her she returneth al the praise to him d Praying him to come and stil remaine vvith her e Acknovvleging him to be the only Sauiour of both old and nevv testament a The Synagogue prosecuteth her prayer desiring Christs Incarnation b Christ admonisheth vvordlie men not to molest those that serue him in contemplation other spiritual vertues c Angels and other Sainctes of the triumphant Church admire the beautie of the Câ—nâ—les conuerted which is also vnderstood of euerie holie soule ascending from this world into heauen And more singularly of the most glorious virgin mother of God f The Church of Gentiles reioyceth in the strong defence vvhervvith her Sauiour hath established her g Keepers of this vinyard vvere the Prophetes and Apostles and their Successors are stil the kepers therof h Christ shevveth that together vvith the pastors himself especially hath care of his Church alvvayes assisting the visible gouerners therof vvith his inuisible grace i The vvhole Church militant vvel contented yea desiring Christs Ascension into heauen for the good of al that here serue him prayeth him from thence to send abundance of his grace that vve may ascend the high mountaines of perfect charitie and zele of Gods honour that he vvil make our soules such hilles the garden of al vertues so voutsafe to dwel therin Amen d The Synagogue of the Iewes was corrupt vnder the tree of Christs Crosse when they cried Crucifie him Crucifie him And againe His bloud be vpon vs and vpon our children Againe VVe haue no King but Caesar c. e Christ againe sheweth his affection towards his Church of the Gentiles calling her his owne sister and the Synagogs sister promising and bestowing on her manie excellent benefites Both the auctor auctoritie of this booke were sometimes doubtful The same doubt is of Ecclesiasticus It is most probable that Philo a Iew writte this booke collecting manie sentences of Salomons Argum. lib. Reg. Fiue Sapiential bookes of the old testament Chap. 7. 8. 9. The Iewes denie these bookes to be Canonical Mat. 22. Exo. 3. They are iudged by very manie ancient fathers and afterwards defined by the Church to be Canonical Scriptures Et li. 17. c. 20. â—â—â—â— The contents Diuided into three patts The 1. part An admonition to loue and practise iustice 3. Reg. 3. Isa 56. 2. Par. 1â— :: Mortal sinnes are not only committed in dedes vvordes but also in though tes :: He that maliciously curseth sâ—uâ—sed of God â—al 5. v. 22. :: Be not cause of your owne eternal death by euil life :: Desperate death deliuereth not the wicked from calamities :: Neither are anâ—e damned vvhile they are in thâ—â— life :: But sinners not repenting being etâ—â—nal 〈…〉 them 〈…〉 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 be after death fal to these prophane thoughts and speaches of infidelitie :: Of infidelitie touching paine or reward after death procedeth the Epicures life :: Infidels are not content to liue in riote but doe also enuie and persecute the iust vvhose good examples vexe their mindes sturred therto by the diuel :: An euident prophecie of the Iewes malice persecuting our Sauiour Fulfilled by the chief Priestes Scribes and Ancientes recorded dy the Euangelists Mat. 27. v. 41. Mar 14. v. 53. Mat. 27. v. 43. :: vvant of beleuing diuine Mysteries namely the reward of the iust punishmeÌ„t of the wic ked is cause of dissolute life and of hatred against the good :: Temporal death of the iust is the way to eternal life vvhere damnation called here the tormeÌ„t of death shal not touch them :: For albelt Martyrs seme in the eyes of the vnwise to dye or to be extinguished they passe in dede into eternal and vnspeakeable glorie Chap. 5. v. 4 Mat. 13. v. 43. :: Al the iust shal approue Gods iudgmeÌ„t condemning the wicked :: Literally is vnderstood that the wiues of adulterers often become adultresses their children wicked Morally their sensualitie al their vvorkes are wholly corrupted * See S. Ierom. in Isa 56. v. 4. :: Chastitie of the bodie is a singular great vertue spiritual chastitie of true faith and religion is greatter and more generally commended as the roote and fundation of al vertues For vvithout faith it is vnpossible to please God :: VVhen soeuer the iust dieth it is profitable for him dying yong his immaculate life is more commendable then old age in the wicked v. 16. :: The damned shal be vvithout al excuse vtterly confounded in their owne consciences Gods prescience dâ—â—th not preiudice mans free wil. â—tl 17. â— 30. ciuit :: VVicked men in their false conceipt iudge the trauels of the iust to be vaine fructles :: Repentance of the damned is only for the losse paine whereinto they are fallen not of loue towards God or vertue nor of hate towards sinne therfore is fructles bringing no comforte nor helpe at al but euerlasting torment and anguish of mind Chap. 3. v. 2. Pro. â—0 v. 19. :: For the certaintie of thinges that shal be Prophetes do very often speake in the pretertence of thinges to come as if they vvere already past :: As the ioy of the blessed so contrariwise the miserie of the damned is meruelous great for euer vnchangeable Eccle. 9. v. 18. :: Al powre is from God therfore to be respected though the magistrates sometimes abuse their auctoritie Rom. 1â— v. 1. :: As euerie ones charge is more or lesse so his account is easier or har der and the punishment if he offend smaller or greater S. Gre. ho. 9. in Euang. :: VVisdom is attained by this gradation and so from first to last a resolute desire ioyneth faithful soules to God v. 21. The second part VVisdom procedeth from God and is procured by prayer :: The perfectest children are borne in the beginning of the tenth moneth :: Children in the mothers wombe are as in slepe :: Salomon whose sayinges are here recited praied for wisdom obtained it 3. Reg. 3. 3. Reg â— v. 9. :: God first gaue him grace to desire wisdom before al other thinges as he explicateth plainly cap. 8. v. 21. :: Salomon was a most excellent Philosopher :: Proper Epithetons of the spirite of wisdom :: See the Annotation Prouerb 1. v. 2. Heb. 1. v. 3. :: God the increated wisdom is infinite and wisdom created is also most excellent amongst Gods giftes 3. Reg. 3. Prou. â— :: This is also the speach of Salomon recited by the writer of this booke :: Of Salomons wisdom riches glorie renowmed fame not only the bookes of Kinges Paralipomenon but also our Sauiour doth witnes Mat. 6. 12. :: It is not certaine that Salomon hath immortal glorie but rather by immortalitie is here vnderstood that his glorious fame remaineth to the end of this world :: Neuertheles wisdom of her part geueth life and glorie euerlasting to al that perseuere to the end of this life :: It is
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
spiritual Et cont Mend. c. 1â— â—â—â—ym in Pâ—al 1â—7 VVhy God would haue them obscure Isai of noble lineage and a marâ—iâ— prophecied a long time Presat ad Paul Lusto Is called the Euangelical Prophet Hewritte in a high stile S. Ieâ—o Epist ad Paâ—â—â—â— Et in com Isaâ— S. Aug. â—â— 18. c. 27. â—uâ—t lib 9 c. â— conâ—â—â—â— Heb. 1. Liued in the kingdom of Iuda The contents diuided into two general partes and into eight particular 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The first part The kingdom of Iuda shal be captiue in Babylon for their ingratitude towards Gods and other sinnes :: Not Aâ—â—s the third of the lesse prophetes for this name is written in other letters in Hebrew but one of the royal bloud as S. Ierom. testifieth :: Prince Priest and people are al sicke of ingratitude against God other iniquities :: Ierusalem defaced and destroyed :: God continually preserueth some holie seede that his Church neuer faileth Rom. 9. :: Much wickednes reigned in Ierusalem before their captiuitie in Babylon but much more at Christs passion when they persecuted him euen to the Crosse and his disciples and al christians til their citie was taken by the Romanes and the whole nation dispersed :: The Rabbins vnderstand those Iudges and Priestes that gouerned the people after their deliuerie from captiuitie but S. Ierom expoundeth this and the like places of the Apostles and their successâ—â—s :: It is not only certaine but also euident that the prophet speaketh here and in innumerable other places of the Church of Christ which is the citie set vpon a mountaine Mat 5. vnto which al nations are gathered aâ—d al the time of the new Testament is called the last houre 1. Ioan. 2. because no time shal folow after this but al eternitie :: The Iewes were reiected after Christs death before which they were stil conserued though often seuerely punished And so now the Church of Christ shal neuer be reiected noâ— :: It is most absurde and contrarie to this and other Scriptures that Protestants seyne of great idolatrie in the Christian world for a thousand or more yeares together professing Christs name Religion and yet continually committing as these new masters imagine grosse idolatrie :: This was fulfilled first in the captiuitie of Babylon and more notoriously after Christs passion in the destruction of Ierusalem and dispersion of the Iewes euen to this day and yet forward til nere the end of this world :: An Ecclesiastical preacher must not flatter the people He must moue teares sayth S. Ierom not laughter Apoc. 1. :: By the metaphor of wemen S. Ierom vnderstandeth the cities of Iurie of which Ierusalem was the head and Sion the chiefe place there of al which were defaced by the Babylonians but more fully destroyed by Titus and Vespatian fourtie yeares after Christs Passion :: After the reduction of heathnish or heretical people to catholique religion there wil be great want of spiritual pastors :: Not al the Iewes that escaped temporal death in the destruction of Ierusalem but those only shal be eternally saued that beleuing shal be baptized and liue wel :: Isaie of the tribe of Iuda here prophecieth the doleful songue which Christ vttered weeping ouer Ierusalem fore seeing foretelling their destruction Luc. 19. v. 41. Mat. 21. :: Al this sheweth that God only subtracting his protection no man nor people is able to stand of whose ruine God is not the auctor but only permitteth that they fal into sinnes and so into other miseries :: An admonition to celebrate festiual dayes with â—oly religious exercises and not to folow drunkennes nor other wicked or vaine thinges Rom. 12. :: Greuous sinnes must be greuously punished Such as was the sinne of the Ievves persecuting Christ 4. Reg. 15 2. Par. 26 :: Neither Isaie nor Moyses nor anie other mortal man did euer see God in himselfe but only shadowed Yet the wicked calumniously accused condemned and put Isaie to cruel death vpon pretence of blasphemie for saying that he saw God VVhich he otherwise said not but couered by the vvinges of the Seraphimes Origen in hunc locum S. Ierom. Tradi Hebraicis in Paral. Apoc. 4. Rom. 1â— :: Isaie was not only an Euangelical but also an Apostolical prophet with whom God here treateth and procedeth as with an Apostle saying VVhom shal I send and the prophet answering Send me God sent him saying Goe c. S. Ierom in Proâ—mio Isais Mat. 23. :: Before this the kinges of Syria and of Israel had taken king Achaz in battel and caried avvay great spoyles 2. Paral. 28. But presuming to do the like againe God suffered them not to preuaile My stically this signified that heretikes of diuers sectes conspire together to impugne the Catho like Church VVhich they do much afflict and terrifie but can neuer ouerthrow iâ— S. Ierom in hunc loâ—â—â— 4. Reg. 16 :: Though Achaz vvas very vvicked and committed idolatrie 4. Reg. 16. 2. Par. 28. yet he beleued in God Almightie knovving that he ought not to tempt him :: Vpon occasion of Gods mercie promised vvithout mans desert which king Achaz hardly beleued to confirme the same with a farre greatter example God inspired the Prophet also to forshevv the greater mysterie of Christs Incarnation his conception birth of a virgin for the redemption of â—l mankind Luc. 1. 4. Reg. 19. :: The mysterie here prophocied is of so great importance as would require a very great booke for ful explication therof :: Christ the Sonne of God and virgins child quickly taketh the pray from the diuel who before possessed almost al the world :: The prophet speaketh of the tenne tribes vvhich ioyned forces with the king of Syria against Ierusalem but them selues vvere first brought into captiuity by the Assyrians God protecting Ierusalem for that time and long after Luc. 2. Rom. 9. 1. Pet. 2. :: VVheter they seke to God in their extreme distresse not sincerely but â—â—acted :: or seke worldlie helpe they shal not escape miserie :: S. Mathew expoundeth this prophecie of Christ first preaching in Galilee VVhere his disciples beleued in him folowed him Mat. 4. :: But after his passion few Iewes beleued in him in comparison of the Gentiles Iudic. 7. :: He that is great yea omnipotent God is borne a litle one in this vvorld and vvithout violence conquereth ruleth al the vvorld Luc. 2. :: God punishing sinners and they not repenting his iust furie stil increaseth punishing eternally al those that neuer repent :: VVhere is no repentance there can be no remission As v. 12. 17. ch 10. v. 4. c. :: VVheras good lawes are the stabilitie of the coÌ„mon wealth wicked are the ruine therof Such as Ieroboam made forbidding to goe to Ierusalem and setting vp golden calues in Bethel and Dan causing the people to serue them as the goddes of Israel 3. Reg. 12. v. 16. Such also as the Scribes and
Ierusalem according to Salomons prayer 3. Reg. 8. v. 47. 48. he obserued the same custome stil and vvas not senne publiquely of manie but his enimies searching curiously v. 11. found him praying accused him of breaking the kings Edict :: To this miracle wrought by the powre of God in defence and for the merites of this holie prophet S. Paul alludeth Heb. 11. v. 33. :: The law of like-punishment is so agreable to the law of nature that this Pagane king punished Daniels accusers when it appeared to him that Daniel had not committed treason but only vsed his religion and deuotion The 2. part Prophetical visions of Christ and of Antichrist a In order of time these two visions vvere before the histories written in the two precedent chapters b Foure winds may signifie the great tumultes which happen in the beginning of monarchies by vvarres and bloudshed of much people c Foure beastes do signifie the foure Monarchies of the Chaldees Medes and Persians the Grecians and the Romanes as was also signified before in Nabuchodonosors dreame ch 2. d A lionesses crueltie and the pride of an eagle do resemble the Chaldees monarchie e A beare of rude shape vveake sight content vvith litle and base meate represented the Medes Persians f The leopard vvith vvinges and foure heades signified the speedie victories of the Grecians vnder Alexander in foure quarters of the vvorld after his death diuided into foure kingdomes g By the fourth beast without name is vnderstood the incomparable povvre of the Romanes gouerning first by kinglie auctoritie aftervvards by Consuls then ioyning to them Tribunes sometimes Dictators finally Emperial h The litle horne becoming so great and strong as to ouercome al the other signifieth Antichrist whose outragious furie shal continevv but a shorte time v. 25. n. ch 12. v. 7. 11. 12. Apoc. 11. v. 2. 3. Apoc. 12. v. 6. 14. Apoc. 13. v. 5. â— God the Father is called the Ancient of dayes not as though one Person of the Blessed Trinitie vvere more ancient then an other for euerie Person is eternal and al are one eternal God But in order of proceding one from an other the Father is the beginning of vvhom the Sonne is begotten and from vvhom as also from the Sonne the Holie Ghost procedeth k By multiplication of these cardinal numbers is signified the innumerable multitude of Angels vvho doe excede al corporal creatures in number as the celestial spheres excede terrestrial bodies in greatnes l And the hieghest Hierarchie vvho are Assitants do farre excede the other Hierarchies in multitude S. Dionys c. 14. Hierar caelest S. Tho p. 1. q. 112. a. 4 m Our Sauiour Christ is here clearly prophecied by vvhose povvre Antichrist shal be vtterly destroyed a He insinuateth that this vision vvas in explication of some part of the former vvhich he had tvvo yeares before ch 7. where foure monarchies are mentioned so here is foretold the great conflict betvven the Persians Greciaus about 220. yeares after or riuer b The ramme represeÌ„ted the king of Persians Medes c The goat signified Alexander the great d breaking the tvvo hornes that is conquering the tvvo nations of Persians Medes e King Alexander died when he vvas very yong strong not fully 33. yeares of age f Foure of his solovvers possessed euerie one a kingdome of his Monarchie g Antiochus Epiphanes persecuting the people of God destroyed the sacrifice polluted the temple setting vp the image of Iupiter Olimpius i 2300. euenings and mornings that is 2300. dayes vvhich make six years and vvel nere foure monethes the whole time from the beginning of Antiochus persecution vnto his death for he begane to persecute in the yeare 143. 1 Mâ—â— 1. v 21. he died an 149. 1. Mac 6. v 16. vvithin which time an 148 the temple was purged 1. Mac. 4. v 52. l Ezechiel is very often called by the name of sonne of man here also Daniel is so called by an Angel as vvel to distinguish Angelical and humane nature as in honour of mankind vvhich Christ would assume therfore calleth himself by the very same rule in the Gospel b One Angel demanded of an other to knovv a thing to come l Historically Antiochus mystically Antichrist as ch 12. Mat. 24. * obscure speaches m So much as perteyned to the prophanation of the temple was fulfilled aboue 300. yeares after this prophecie as the same is also a figure of Antichrist it shal happen towards the end of this world S Greg. li. 30. c. 12. Moral a Assuerus or achasuerus not a proper name signifieth a great prince or head of people b Darius had reigned in Persia before this time but this vvas the first yeare of his reigne ouer the Chaldees also the last neither did he reigne a ful yeare for Cyrus reigned some part of the seuentith yeare of the Ievves captiuitie in Babylon in vvhich also Baltassar vvas slaine Ier. 25. v. 12. Ier. 29. v. 10. 2 Par. 36. v. 22. c Daniel seing the seuentith yeare of captiuitie vvas comen in vvhich God promised to deliuer his people Ier. 29. v. 10 prayed vvith great zele confidence for their release Iere. 29. v. 10. Deut 17. v. 14. d This singular deuotion with austere works of penance zele of his countrie merited this commendable title to be called the man of desires e And vvheras the prayed particularly for the release of the Ievves from captiuitie of Babylon a farre greater thing is promised and reueled to him that within seuentie vvekes of yeares that is â—â— yeares the Messias Christ vvil come and redeme mankinde from captiuitie of finne and the diuel f These foure thinges v. 24 Forgeuenes of sinnes Infusion of iustice Fulfilling of prophecies Annoiated Holie of holies agree only to Christ g Hebdâ—mas or Septenarius signifying seuen vnderstood of dayes importeth a weeke of yeares as Leui. 25 seuen yeares so seuentie vveekes 490. yeares S Bed li. de rat temp c. 6. 7. 8. truble some 〈◊〉 â—â—at 24. a Pharao had a vision in slepe Gen. 41. Baltassar vvaking savv a hand writing in the vval Dan. 5. but neither of them vnderstood their visions therfore vvere not prophets Ioseph vnderstood the former Daniel this other and so they vvere prophets For as this text teacheth vnderstanding is required that a vision be prophetical â— â—â—o 2. 2. q 175 a. 2 4. b The Angel iepereth this honorable nevv title to encorege him being sore frighted prayers c The Angel guardian of Persia S. Ierom S. Theodoret. S. Gregorie d This Angel for his office sake not yet knowing Gods vvil in this particular prayed that the Iewes might remain among the Persians for their edification and spiritual good e Daniels proper Angel ioyned his prayers vvith him for the deliuerie of the Ievves from captiuitie f S. Michael the guardian Angel of the whole Church also prayed for the same purpose a
caried captiue into Assiria the two tribes into Babylon both vvhich are northward not into the east nor vveast And therfore this prophecie is of al nations Iewes Gentils to be called to Christ fromal partes Ephes 4. v. 25. :: Not only the fast of the fift and seuenth monethes vvherof the question vvas proposed ch 7. v. 3. but also of the fourth tenth were to be leaft of in the times of ioy and festinitie a Preaching of true doctrine is at first vngratful to some hearers and stil to the incredulous but this burden becometh light to the faithful * acitie of Syria Isa 62. Mat 21. v. 5. Ioan. 1. v. 15. b Christ came often into IerusaleÌ„ but this last coming excelled al the rest vvhen he came to dye for redemption of mankinde c S. Ierom S. Cyril other fathers vnderstand this lake to be Limbus patrum from whence Christ deliuered the Sainctes of the old testaments d Christ is the grane of vvheat vvhich dying bringeth much fruite Ioan. 12. And of this vvheat that bread is made that came from heauen Ioan. 6. â— Ierom in hunc locum a Latevvard time is vvhen fruite vvaxeth ripe and so is here taken for the time of grace vvhich S. Paul calleth the acceptable time therfore this prophet exhorteth to aske this grace and al spiritual benefites of God b Not only the tvvo tribes c but also the tenne shal be conuerted at last to Christ d Christians are svvetely dravvne by internal inspiration vvithout clamorus and violent persvvasion of vvordes S. Cyril Isa 11. e VVhen the faithful are multiplied confirmed in religion their enimies can not hurt them a Ierusalem is called Libanus Isa 10. v. 34. in other places for the great beautie therof likewise the temple because it vvas built of the trees of Libanus as S. Ierom here Ezech. 17. expoundeth And so by this metaphore the destruction of the citie and temple by Titus is here prophecied The ceders also signifie the principal men of the Iewes b God the cretor and gouernor of al men calleth his general gouernmeÌ„t beautie because it is most semelie that al be vnder his rod. And his peculiar gouernment of the Ievves he calleth a Cord because it is limited to one people Iere. 15. v. 2. d Christ bought and sold for 30. pence Mat. 2â— e The Ievves are reiected * vnapâ— instruments f Antichrist a destroyer g shal be destroyed a VVhen the Church of Christ beganne in Ierusalem proceeding to al Iurie and Samaria and to other nations the other Ievves most earnestly persecuted Christians Act. 4. 5. c. b Iuda besieged Ierusalem when Ievves remayning in Iudaisme persecuted other Ievves beleuing in Christ for then brother deliuered brother to death the father the sonne c. Mat. 10. v 21. Ioan. 19. v. 3. c A towne nere to Iezrahel in the countrie of Mageddon vvhere Iosas vvas slaine 2. Baral 35. and great lamentation vvas made for him vvhich vvas a figure of the miserable calamitie of the obstinate in the day of iudgement S. Ieroâ— 2. Par. 35. a In the time of the new testament Christ is made an open fountaine of grace by his Incarnation Ioa. 4. v. 13. S. Greg hâ— 20. in Ezec li. 6. epist 186. Ezec. 3â— b False doctrine as idolatrie and heresie are punishable by death in the law of Christ c By svvord is vnderstood al sortes of persecution that fel vpon our Sauiour Mat. 26. Mar. 14. d The Apostles fleiÌ„g God recalled them and streingthned them with fortitude e Neither Ievves nor Gentiles remayning in their proper professions can be saued but Christian Catholikes liuing iustly which are Gods proper people distinct from the rest by his grace a In the armie of the Romaines were souldiars of manie nations at the last destructioÌ„ of Ierusalem Eâ—â— 14. b Amos. ch 1. maketh also mention of this earthquake and Iosephus li. 9. c. 11 Antiq. though it be not in the bookes of the Kinges nor Paralipomenon Amos. â— v. 1. c Christian doctrine of the Catholique Church vniuersal in al d places and e al times f It partly appeared already as S. Ierom noteth in the persecuting Emperors since in other examples but specially these calamities vvil fal vpon the vvicked nere the day of Iudgement as Luc. 21 v. 26. g In the meane time such as before persecuted the Church shal be conuerted vvith great deuotion vvil celebrate the festiuities and exercise religious rites to Gods honour and shal merite great revvardes h And the obstinate incredulous shal remaine barren vvithout grace and voide of eternal glorie In ca. 2. v. 7. â— 3. v. 7. Much is conteyned in this briefe Prophecie a Gods peculiar loue was first shewed to the Israelits in preferriÌ„g their progenitor Iacob and them his issue befor Esau his of spring though in them there vvas no difference at al the one neither deseruing more nor lesse then the other but of his mere mercie electing the one and iustly reiecting the other vvherof see the Annot. Rom. 9. Rom. 9. v. 1â— b Againe lastly the same special vndeserued loue vvas shevved in that the Idumeans subdued by the Chaldees remained in captiuitie but the Israelites were novv reduced into their countrie c Those that offer baâ—â— and contemptible thinges to God shew that they esteme litle of God and so by their â—ct dispise and contemne him d If you dare not offer your worse thinges to your temporal prince hovv dare you offer them to God Psal 11â— e Tvvo defectes vvere in their sacrifices they offered that vvhich they gotte by robberie or extorsion f and not the best but vvorse part therof Reiection of the Ievves and vocation of the Gentils Al old sacrifices abolished and the sacrifice of Christs bodie bloud prophecied Gal. 4 v. 9. Proued by the fathers And reasons deduced from the scriptures Deut. 16. a Priestes coueting scraping riches do greatly dishonour God diminish the estimation of holie Sacraments other rites as though they were â—em â—â—ral to be â—ought sold for money so do scandalize the weake Leui. 2â— Deut. 28. b Such are happie if God by suffering them to be spoyled recal them to repentance For otherwise they wil be depriued of eternal revvard as being payed their vvages already in this vvorld These our Sauiour calleth Hyrelinges not true pastors Ioa. 10. c The proper office of priests besides the administration of Sacraments is also to teach the people true doctrine d as being the Angel that is to say the messenger from God e VVhich holie functions priests not performing are made contemptible in this world and miserable in eternal torments Ip. â—ud v. 11. Mat. 2â— v. 9. Eph. 4. v. 5. Amos 5. v. 22. Ephes 4. v. 39. a S. Iohn Baptist is called an Angel or messenger because he vvas to be sent vvith special commission from â—od and for his puritie in Angelical life
high priest but an vsurper nor that he liued after Iudas vvho vvas slaine a yeare before this time v. 3 18. VVherby and by manie other such errors vve see that Iosephus is rather to be corrected by this booke then to disalovv this booke because it differeth from Iosephus or other like auctors :: Euil counsel hovv soeuer it happeneth to them that folovv it is euer hurtful to them that geue it :: He falsely auovvched that he vvas the sonne of Antiochus Epiphanes for he was in dede of very meane birth Iustinus li. 35. :: It vvas not in the kinges povvre to make Ionathaâ— high priest but he being so before the â—ing from this time did so account him :: This king Demetrius to gette his desired purpose sticked not to vvrite a plainelye for he had heard that the Ievves had refused him and made league vvith his enimie Alexander v 22 23. :: Notwithstanding the great offers of euil disposed men Ionathas and al prudent men considering their former vvicked dedes do not geue credite to glorious vvordes ch 7. v. 11. :: This Ptolomeus Philometor decided a controuersie that the Iewes had the true temple in Ierusalem and that the Samaritanes temple in Garizim vvas schismatical vvhich he iudged because albeit both pleaded antiquitie yet only the Iewes proued by continual succession of high priestes from Aaron and shewed that the other departed from them first in the time of Ieroboam and aftervvardes built that temple in Garizim vvhen some were returned from captiuitie vvherof Iosephus vvriteth li. 13. c. 6. Antiquit Our Sauiour also iudged that the cause of the Ievves vvas better Ioan. 4. v. 22. :: VVhen caluminators see that the innocent is iustified and honored they faile in their hart to procede against him :: Ionathas set his armie in that maner as on euerie side his men stood in front readie to resist the force of the enemie coming towards them al their backes so turned vvithin their ovvne squadron that the enemie could no vvay enter without present resistance and so those of the embushment could only cast dartes but could not breake the aray of Ionathas campe not make anie entrance with out their owne present death :: By this hyperbolical description very frequent in holie scripture is signified that Ptolomeus armie vvas exceding great yea greater then can be easily conceiued therfore is described by excessiue termes :: VVhen pastors endeuour to extirpate siâ—ne out of the mindes of the people those that hate godlines suggest to temporal princes that such spiritual preaching is dangerous to their state :: But zelous men cease not from so necessarie a worke because Gods vvord is not â—yed 2. Tim. 2. :: And vvise kinges vvil most esteme of such men knovving that their fidelitie tovvards God is an assurance that they vvil also be faithful to princes :: The king had before adioyned principal places to Iudea vvhich were called â—opaâ—chiâ— that is places of principalitie or principal gouernments novv he granted also immunities to them as to al Iudea and Samaria :: Three thousand faithful encoâ—â—â—â—ing vvith an hundred twentie thousand infidels killed of them in one day an hundred thousand :: As to vveare purple and to bare a crowne so to drinke in gold cuppes and to vveare a gold cheyne vvas proper to kinges and to vvhom they gaue license :: It is an ancient ceremonie in al uations often mentioned in these bookes to confirme peace by geuing ech other the right hand :: Only tvvo captaines remained and vvith them some souldiars as Iosephus vvriteth about 50 for it is not to be thought that Ionathas vvould haue returned to battel v 72. being but three men in al to beginne a new assault :: Sparta the chief citie of Lacedemonia called also Lacedemon and Theramne :: Spartians otherwise called Lacedemonians by Iosephus and other vvriters descended from Abraham v. 21. and vvere in great league vvith the Ievves :: The Spartianes had written this epistle before Onias vvritte to theÌ„ though it be here placed after :: There remained vvith the Spartiates old vvrites of genealogies as Iosephus supposeth li. 12. c. 5. li. 13. c. 9. :: Morally in Tryphon is noted the practise of the diuel vvho intending to ouerthrovv a king or a kingdom first seeketh to deceiue the pastores and to destroy them especially by error or other sinne For as S. Gregorie teacheth ho. 38. if the pastors life be corrupted his doctrine vvil be contemned :: Simon the fourth general captaine of the Machabees high-priest excelled his bretheren in vvisdome by the restimonie of his father c. 2. v 65. :: He vndertooke by al his endeuour to defend and deliuer his nation from danger and to restore their former libertie :: Simon being vvise choise the lesse euil and lesse danger For if he had not sent that vvas demanded it was very like and almost cettaine that Ionathas should be slaine and it vvould haue bene imputed to Simon that he had not taken iust care of his brothers life vvherby the people vvould haue bene alienated from him and perhaps haue reuolted from him and also from religion S. Tho. in hunc locum :: This vvas not vaine glory but true glorie to kepe memorie of so great vertue therby to stur vp others to imitation He that loueth honour saith S. Augustin li. cont Secundin c. 17. imitateth God But humble soules desire houour in God proud men vvil be honoured more then God or vvithout God O hovv manie Epitaphes are of vvicked men nothing els but perpetual monuments of their ambition vanitie iniustice crucltie other vices but those that are of true vertues are to Gods more honour the auctor of al vertues * a precious chaine :: By hovv much more that mercie is admixed vvith iustice so that iustice be not destroyed and that religion be aduanced the better it pleaseth God and edifieth the vvel disposed :: This Iohn Hyreanus defended the countrie against inuaders ch 16. :: Simon had novv gouerned the people two yeares beginning with great difficulties but hence forth enioyed peace til Antiochus Sedetes brake the league inuaded Iurie ch 15. v. 27. 39. :: He reduced manie Ievves from captiuitie :: Sparta being the chief citie of Lacedemonia had manie cities subiect depending as vpon their Metropolitane :: Vvhen peace was estabished in al Iurie and friendshippe confirmed vvith the Romanes Lacedemonians the vvhole nation of the Ievves in gratitude tovvards Simon vvho onlie novv remained of Mathathias sonnes confirmed him in the office of high-priest perpetually or for euer v. 41 that is during his life to his progenie v. 49 :: The hieghpriesthood continevved in this familie of the Machabees vntil Herod tooke it from them selling it for money and then shortly came Christ the faith ful Prophet :: This Antiochus Sedetes sonne of Demetrius Soter vvas brother to Demetrius the second who was now captiue in Per â—â—a ch 14.
spirite the perfections which he wisheth in Christ in maner of congratulating describeth his fortitude fighting against the diuel for the Church n purposing o prosecuting p and perfecting the conquest and so establishing thy spiritual kingdome q Not vvith warlike armour of this world but by assaulting the aduersarie with truth r defending thyseâ—fe and thy souldiers with the shield of mildnes Å¿ and striking the enemie with the sword of iustice VVhich right force of spiritual fight hath meruelous good successe t Preaching of Christs Gospel his grace mouing the hartes of the hearers is liuelie and forcible more pearcing then anie two edged sword v The example of people conuerted shal moue the hartes of the aduersaries to come also vnto the truth w Christs kingdom shal haue no end Luc 1. v. 33. x Thou defendest and rewardest the good finally forsakest and punishest the wicked y more peculiarly the God of Christ by hypostatical vnion z Diuers kinges as Dauid him selfe Iosaphat Ezechias and Iosias were as godlie as Salomon and perseuered good to the end which is doubted Salomon did not but Christ incomparably was annointed indued with al graces aboue al kinges a Mortification which conserueth from putrifying b humilitie aswaging pride c being smal in the first spring grovveth great d humanitie assumpted and sanctified persons in vvhom Christ dwelleth as in cleane shining odoriferous houses e sincere faithful soules more deare to their spouse Christ then daughters of temporal kinges f The Catholique Church in faith purified as gold g vvith varietie of states as Clergie Laity and diuers sortes of religious Orders and other professions al vnited in the same faith hope and charitie h carifully al that Christ thy spouse speaketh to thee by his Spirite i diligently put the same in practise k vvith al obedience and readines and returne not to former infidelitie noâ— to corrupt life l Christ loueth the Church adoined with his giftes m and mutually his true children loue and serue him n Manie of al nations submitle themselues and al that they haue to Christ o Internal vertues are most especial ornaments p exterior are required to edifie others in diuers sortes of vertues q By this meanes manie more are conuerted to christianitie r and one countrie inuiteth and draweth another Å¿ As Apostles came in place of Patriarches and Prophetes so stil Bishops and Priestes succede in the Church pastors and gouernours therof t These pastores shal stil teach the true Christian doctrin v and stil there shal be Christian people that wil folow and professe the same Caluin expoundeth this Psalme contratie to S. â—aul No saluation out of the Church Perpetual succession of Byshops in place of the Apostles The Church prospereth also in persecution The 6. key a Belonging to the Church of Christ b As wel the cause vvhy God suffereth his Church to be persecuted at his assured protection in difficulties are hidden secretes to the world c Al refuge is not secure for one man is not able alwayes to defend an other but God is a sure and strong refuge d euer able and in conuenient time vvilling to helpe e This whole vvorld is ful of tribulations but the Church suffered the greatest in the first persecutions shal suffer as great in the time of Antichrist English Catholiques suffer most of al nations in this age and can not be suppressed but stil increase in number and fortitude f Therfore al Catholiques may assuredly know that the whole Church can not faile g though very manie as now in England h and very eminent persons as some noblemen and some Priestes haue reuolted yet al vvil not i Such bad examples make the good to recollect themselues more diligently and to reiâ—ycâ— in Gods grace by which they stand fast k before the heate of persecution shal inuade al for the elect the dayes of tribulation are shortned l Sometimes one nation or kingdome rebelleth against the Church but can not destroy it m by the spirite of Christ Antichrist and al his members shal be destroyed n The Church sometimes hath great peace and tranquilitie o God himselfe restrayneth the wicked suddainly abating their furie or cutting of their forces Vocation of Gentiles The 6. key a For Christians that leaue the sinnes of their fathers and reioyce in Christ crucified See Annotation Psal 41. b True ioy of the hart sheweth it selâ—e both in voice of exultation and also in gesture of body by clapping of handes dancing as king Dauid did before the Arke 2 Reg â— likevvise vvith instruments c To al the wicked d not only of one or few kingdoms but of al the earth e VVhen kinges and countries become Christians they are made subiectes to the Church that vvas before not heades and rulers therfore f Christ God man after his Passion rose from death and ascended g not leauing his Church desolate but making her ioyful by an other comforter the Holie Ghost h The same Christ is our God by his Diuinitie i and our king by his Humanitie k Doe your endeuour to vnderstand vvhat you sing read or heare in Gods word At least to know the principal Mysteries and pointes of Christian doctrin euerie one according to their capacitie and state or profession l The faithful of the old and nevv Testament are vnited in the seruice of one and the same eternal God m In respect of the Blessed Trinitie holie Scripture here and in manie places vseth names of the plural number as Eloim Goddes not diuiding Gods substance vvhich is one but insinuating distinction of Diuine Persons The Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghost VVhich Mysterie is more expresly mentioned in Baptisme and professed by Christian gentils then it was by the people of the Ievves The Church founded and protected by God The 6. key a Voices beginning the musike instruments prosecuted b especially for the second day of the weke the day after the sabbath which is our Sunday called Dominica our Lords day c Ierusalem and mount Sion were most obliged to praise God for greatest benefites receiued so the Catholique Church therby prefigured and hauing receiued farre greatter is most of al bonden to be gratful d This can not be affirmed of Sion or Ierusalem but is only verified of the Catholique Christian Church e whose coastes do extend to the North and to al quarters of the round earth f The same one God one Christ one Faith and one Religion in al particular Churches of the vvhole militant Church g And this Vniuersalitie and Vnitie shal be after that Christ taking mans nature shal be ascended and shal send the Holie Ghost to found beginne this Church h For the assured certaintie of that is foreshewed the Prophet speaketh in the preteâ—â—ence as if it vvere already done in his time which he then savv in spirite i Nothing more moueth he hart affecteth al the bodie and soule