the time of harvest Vnlesse one should say that these speeches were spoken the yeare following in some season which is not specified Look on by spirituall contemplation The fields namely the whole world sowne al over with the elect who are upon the point of being called and converted V. 36. Hee that reapeth though it should seeme that the Prophers have bin like the labourers and sowers enduring the hardest labour in respect of you Apostles who come to the harvest which is ready to be reaped which is the more easie and pleasant work yet there is a great reward layd up for you as well as for them in the heavenly happinesse common to the Prophets the Apostles and all Gods true servants Unto life of which labour the recompence is eternall life V. 37. That saying it might bee some ordinary proverb spoken of such men as doe reape the fruits of other mens labours V. 42. And know by the inward perswasion of the spirit which went a long with Christs word V. 43. Into Galilee namely to Cana v. 46. and not into Nazareth his own Citie out of which hee was driven Luk. 4 29. nor to Capernaum the place of his ordinary abode Mat. 4. 13. and 9. 1. Ver. 46. Noble man the Italian Royall officer namely one of Herod the Tetrarchs officers who yet usurped the title of King though hee were put by it by Augustus See upon Matth. 14 1. V. 48. Except yee see a reproofe made to the Galileans because of their incredulity V. 50. Liveth that is to say he is safe and sound Ver. 51. Going downe that is to say was pretty well on ward in his way going homeward V. 53. Beleeved that is to say made open profession of his beliefe in Christ. V. 54. The second the meaning is after hee was already returned into Cana where he had wrought his first miracle Iohn 2. 7 11. hee wrought this second miracle there also CHAP. V. VER 1. AFeast if Saint Iohn hath exactly followed the order of times this feast might bee Pentecost which immediately followed the Passeover Iohn 2. 13. Ver. 2. Sheep market the Italian Sheepe gate it was one of the gates of Ierusalem which stood neere the Temple and it is likely was called so because that thorow that gate cattel were brought into the Cuie See Nehemiah 3. 1. 32. and 12. 39. Others the sheepe-market but it is all one for this market was close by the Gate A poole a great place to keepe water in as there were many of them in Ierusalem into which the water of Gihon came by pipes under ground for to bathe themselves to wash or water their Cattel in or the like uses Nehemiah 2. 14. and 3. 16. Isaiah 7. 3. and 22. 9. 11. and â—6 2. Iohn 9. 7. Bethesda that is to say a house or place of pietie so called by reason of the miraculous healing which was there Others doe expound this name otherwise but this seemes to be the likelier sence Verse 4. An Angell by GODS will and power V. 10. It is not true it is that carrying of burthens was one of the bodily actions which were forbidden to be done on the Sabbath day Neh. 13. 19. Ier. 17. 21. but Christ being the Soveraigne Lord might exempt them from it and besides this act was not contrary to the meaning of the Law because it was not a labour but a publike signe of the deliverence to the glory of God and for the instruction of men V. 14. Sinne no nore turne from those thy sins which had moved Gods justice to so long a punishment Matth. 9. 2. Or seeing thou hast receaved this favour at Gods hands yeeld him a perpetual acknowledgement therefore in obedience and service V. 17. My Father as God is not subject to the Lawes of the Sabbath but operates incessantly though not to create a new world or any new species so I his everlasting son do operate at all times without any law or limitation as well in workes which are purely divine as in those which I doe in the qualitie of Mediatour V. 19. Can doe not by reason of any impotency but by reason of the unitie of the essence and the perfect union of will and operation which is betweene me and the father who is the spring and as it were the first pattern of al the aforesaid actions What he seeth a figurative term to shew the unspeakeable communion of wil wisedom and power between the Son and the Father in the internall order of the most holy Trinitie or the perfect dependencie and conformitie of the will of Christ as Mediatour to that of God his Father And his Fathers perpetuall conduct towards him Isa. 11. 3. Or the office of fulfilling all Gods secret councel Isai. 11. Or the office of fulfilling and performing Gods secret councell which was as it were the model of al Christs actions see the same orderof operation in the holy Ghost John 16. 13. V. 22. Judgeth no hee doth not governe the world nor his Church immediately as by the operation of his owne person but doth doe it in and by his Son to whom he hath given all power and by him doth operate and manifest all his power Phil. 2. 10. Col. 1. 18. Heb. 1. 2 3. V. 23. As they honour he means that religious reverence which is engraven naturallv in all men towards the God-head and which God by his word commandeth to bee yeelded to his Sonne who is his living subsistent and perfect Image Philippians 2 10 11. Verse 25. The dead namely those which are spiritually dead in sinne Ephesians 2. 1. Col. 2. 13. That heare with a lively faith in the Gospell Hebrewes 4. 2 Shall live in a spirituall life consisting in the participating of the grace and Spirit of GOD in CHRIST Rom. 6. 4 Ephes. z. 4. Col 3. 4. V. 26. Hath life Namely hee is the beginning and spring of all the naturall subsistency and life of every thing To the Sonne as hee is mediatour and head of the Church To have Namely to bee the Author and beginner of a spirituall and everlasting life to all his beleevers Ioh. 6. 56. V. 27. To execute judgement namely to rule and governe ver 22. Because he is not onely as hee is true everlosting God but also as hee is Mediatour having taken humane flesh upon him Acts 17. 31. 1 Cor. 25. 28. in which nature also he is his fathers deputy Dan. 7. 13. V. 28. Marvaile not Christ proves his power to work this spirituall resurrection by the resurrection of bodies which is an effect of the same power but more sensible V. 30. I can See upon ver 19. Mine own will not that indeed the Son of God as he was God had a will severall from his Fathers will but because it seemed so to men to whom he did speake See Ioh. 6. 38. and 7. 16. and 8. 50. Vnsesse this be understood of the will of his humane nature which though it were not
indeterminable eternity of the Sonne of God equall with the Father in essence and glory vers 4. V. 9. Patience the Italian sufferance which he commands and brings forth in those who are his by his Spirit to his own likenesse see 2 Cor. 15. Others in the patient expecting of Christ. Patmos an Iland in the Archipelagâ— in these dayes by some called Palmosa into which Saint John was conâ—ined by Domitian the Emperour for the Gospel and the preaching thereof V. 10. In the Spirit that is to say In an extasie and rapture of minde in which all the senses were suspended and bound up by a supernaturall power and the understanding fixed and raised up to the contemplation of divine objects represented in the vision see Ezech. 11. 24. On the Lords day the Italian that is to say The day of the Lord So was the first day of the week called even from the Apostles time because that day the Lord was risen whereupon it was consecrated to exercises of piety in stead of the Sabbath see Acts 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 2. V. 12. I turned namely in vision The voyce namely him from whom it proceeded V. 13. Unto the Sonne the Italian unto a Sonne that is to say unto a man Dan. 7. 13. and 10. 1â— Revel 14. 14. and was Christ himself Revel 2. 18. who in vision shewed to Saint Iohn a likenesse of his humanity which is resident in Heaven V. 15. His feet see the explication of this upon Cant. 5. 15. Ezech. 1. 7. Dan. 10. 6. Fine brasse the Italian Calcolibano that is to say a kinde of most fine and bright brasse see Ezech. 1. 4. V. 16. Sword a figure of the most effectuall and penetrant power of Gods word in the destroying of his enemies and overcomming the world V. 18. Amen that is to say This is an everlasting truth which every one ought to acknowledge and worship The keyes namely the absolute power over these things to condemn unto them and to free from them at my pleasure V. 20. Are that is to say do signifie and represent The Angels that is to say the Bishops or the chiefe ministers honoured sometimes in Scripture with this title by reason of the resemblance of theirs and the Angels office concerning beleevers salvations see Eccles. 5. 6. Mal. 3. 1. The seven by which are meant the particular Churches because the Lord hath set in them the gift of his Spirit which is in stead of oil and faith which is in stead of fire to carry and hold up before all men the lamp of truth and knowledge of God and make it to shine before the eyes of the world by works see Zech. 4. 〈◊〉 Matth. 5. 15. Philip. 2. 15. CHAP. II. Vers. 1. THe Angel that is to say The Pastor or Bishop under whose person ought to be understood the whole Church That holdeth who is the soveraign Lord and master of all the Pastors who have no authority but from him who onely doth establish them and likewise can depose them according to their works Who walketh that is alwayes present and working in his Church in the power of his Spirit to preserve the light of his power and the oil of his grace in it as anciently the Priestâ— had the charge of the great Candlestick to make it clean and keep the lamps lighted in it all the night see Exod. 27. 20. and 30. 8. Levit. 24. 3. V. 3. Hast born the Italian hast born the burden namely those sufferings and that yoke which I have laid upon thee V. 5. Will reâ—â—â—ve that is to say I will deprive thee of every qualitie title and property of a Church transporting my grace and truth elsewhere Matth. 21. 21 41 43. V. 6. Nicolaitans most ancient hereticks who permitted the community of women and eating of idols sacrifices it is thought the name came from Nicolas a Deacon Actâ— 6. 5. and that the heresie was grounded upon an act and saying of his misunderstood if Histories be true V. 7. That overcommeth that is to say that perseveres unto the end against all assaules and temptations by a lively faith in me Will I give that is to say I will cause them to enjoy the everlasting goods of my glory Figurative termes taken from the earthly Paradiâ—e Gen. 2. 8 9. see Revel 22. 2 14. Paradice see Luke 23. 43. V. 9. Rich namely in spirituall goods see Luke 12. 21. James 2. 5. The blasphemie or sâ—anders and calumâ—ies And are not are not the true people of God in Spirit and faith John 8. 39. 44. Rom. 2. 28. and 9. 6. V. 10. Dayes some take these dayes for yeers as Dan. 9. 24. V. 11. Second death which is the everlasting and totall separation of the whole man from God and from his life to be abyssed into everlasting torments after the corporall death V. 13. Where Sataâ—s namely where he reigns powerfully be it by false religion or by wickednesse of life or by persecution of the Gospell My name namely the pure profession of my Gospel in which I have fully manifested my self V. 15. Nicolaitans who by such decâ—its did lead Christians astray 2 Pet. 2. 18. V. 16. Will fight that is to say I will destroy them by my judgements pronounced by my mouth and executed by my power and withall imprinting the feeling of their condemnation in their hearts by my word V. 17. Will I give that is to say I will cause him to enjoy the everlasting goods of my heavenly kingdom teaâ—ms taken from the Manna which was kept in the Sanctuary Exod. 16. 32 33. Psal. 65. 4. see Iohn 6. 31 35 48 51. A white stone the sigure of the new heart puâ—iâ—ied and made sound by faith which God bestoweth upon those who are his and whereon by his Spirit he engraves and seals the testimonie of their adoption by which they obtain the new name and right of the children of God Iohn 1. 12. Revel 3. 12. the certain judgement and knowledge whereof lieth in the closet of the beleevers conscience and is not manifested but onely by the effects Rom. 8. 16. V. 19. Service the Italian ministerie namely in alms assistances and other duties of charitie V. 20. Iezâ—â—â—â— whether this were that womans proper name or that for the resemblance of the old Iâ—zebel an impious dishonest and wicked Queene of Israel here be meant some false Prophetesâ—e of the Nicolaitans or some such like heretiâ—ke sects V. 21. Fornication namely bodily fornication and likewise the spirituall of idolatry V. 22. That commit adultery this may likewise bee understood spiritually of the communicating with that womans false doctrine V. 24. Aâ— have not as have no way assented to that devillish doctrine which those hereticks did qualifie with the name of great and deep mysteries of Gods Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 10. though indeed it was nothing but a gulph of abominations and hollow illusions of the divell Burthen or calamities or threatnings V. 26. My workes the faith and
received the gift of regeneration Which is the plainer because that the most part of these statutes were confessions remedies and expiations of sin CHAP VII VERS 7. MOre in number As in worldly Kingdomes dominion over a great and powerfull nation is more esteemed than the dominion over a little and feeble one seeing greater glory profit and service is to be expected from it And according to this quality may be valued and rated all other qualities which amongst men may incite others to love or desire any thing V. 10 To their face As an enemy withstanding him face to face or openly as they do who by reason of their great powers do work their revenges openly not privately and by wiles Or thus shaming them by the reproach of their impiety V. 16 A snare A meanes and occasion of ruine and perdition V. 22 By little and little He will not employ his omnipotency therein to work against them in an instant without meanes but he will do according to the quality of humane meanes which he will make use of herein which is to worke by succession of time and by the order and pursuite of the issues V. 25. Snared therein Subtilly and unawares brought into some idolatry and so brought within the compasse of punishment V. 26 Lest thou be Lest thou be irremissibly condemned to utter destruction as the idols and all their substance are to be rooted out CHAP. VIII VERS 2. TO know A humane kinde of speaking for God hath no need of triall to know by signes or effects that which he seeth in the springs affections and motions of the heart But it is to shew that God discovering the secrets of the heart openeth the way for the works of his providence either in justice or in mercy V. 3 By every word Namely by any thing to which God shall bee pleased to grant the power of nourishing Or by the onely issuing forth of his power called in the Scripture word without using of any externall meanes in which sense this passage is alleaged Mat. 4. 4. V. 4 Waxed not old This happened by miracle as also the preservation of their bodies in full health and vigour Deuteronomy 34. 7. Josh. 14. 11. Psal. 105. 37. V. 7 Depths Great and deep springs V. 8 Oyle olive Olives wherewith oyle is made differing from your wilde olive trees which are barren V. 9 Whose stones Which aboundeth in metall mines V. 16 Humble thee This ought not to be referred to the next words of water and Manna but to the words which went before of the voyage in the wildernesse V. 18 To get wealth The Italian To carry thy selfe valiantly Or for to get wealth CHAP. IX VERS 3. VVHich goeth over In the tokens of his presence in the Arke of the Covenant and all the appurtenances thereof like a Generall see upon Num. 1. 53. Jos. 3. 6. V. 10 Of the Assembly The generall Assembly of the people to receive the Law Exod. 19. 17. V. 18 As at the first Namely the first time that I was upon the mount Exodus 32. 11. So it is likely that he was three times upon the mount within the time of fourty dayes The first when he received the Law Exodus â—4 18. The second when he made intercession for the people Exodus 32. 30 31. And the third when he received the new Tables Exodus 34. 28. V. 21 Your sin The matter the object and the instrument of your idolatry which is the greatest of all sins see Hos. 10. 10. CHAP. X. VERS 1. AN Arke Some take it to be some little chest or coffer to lay these tables in for a time untill the Arke of the Covenant was made where they were to be kept alwayes Exod. 25. 16. 21. and 31. 7. Others take it to be the very Arke of the Covenant as if Moses did set down the thing thus generally without observing the order of times and with this seemeth to agree that which is spoken v. 5. V. 6 Mosera This is not Moserot Num. 33. 30. and it is not mentioned in any other place and by the circumstance of Aarons death it is likely that it was some place neere to the mount Hor and that Moses having generally touched the distance from Beeroth to Mosera he doth now divide it into some severall stages v. 7. V. 7 From thence Not from Mosera but from Beeroth Gudgodab Otherwise called Horhagidgad Num. 33. 32. V. 8 At that time After he was appeased with the people concerning the golden calfe V. 14 Behold the heaven The Italian hath it The heavens Aswell this first and neerest heaven which is the aire that encompasseth the earth as the aethereall heaven which encompasseth the aire 1 Kings 8. 27. V. 16 Circumcise Let the spirituall meaning of the bodily signe of Circumcision be set a work cutting off your vitious naturall affections putting off and mortifying the old man and endlessely applying your selves to your sanctification Deut. 30. 6. Jer. 4. 4. Rom. 2. 29. Col. 2. 11. see Lev. 26. 41. Jer. 9. 25. V. 17 Is God The highest true God and Lord of whose God head and dominion those which are called Gods have some likenesse a false one if it be through abuse and a true one if it be by a lawfull and approved representation Joh. 10. 35. 1 Cor. 8. 5. V. 21 He is thy praise He that alwayes gives sufficient cause and matter to praise him for Or he who maketh thee alwayes glorious and worthy to be esteemed Psa. 22. 4. and 109. 1. Jer. 17. 14. CHAP XI VERS 2. FOr I speak It belongeth to you who have been eye witnesses of Gods great benefits to make an acknowledgement of them and not put off the care of it to your posterity who having but onely heard of them cannot be so lively touched therewith as you are by the sight of them Which have not Being unborne or very young when the deliverance out of Egypt was for Moses here speaks to them who in the time of the said deliverance were under twenty yeares of age see Num. 14. 29. The chastisement His punishments upon the Egyptians or his severe corrections upon his people aswell during their captivity in Egypt as indiverse corrections in the desert V. 4 Overflow Having unbound the miraculous heape which he had made to give his people way to passe Exo. 14. 42. 27. Unto this day The memory effects whereof do last unto this day by the weakning of the power of Egypt V. 6 Their housholds The Italian Their houses that is to say their families V. 10 For the Land The meaning or sense is not to preferre the Land of Canaan for fruitfulnesse to the Land of Egypt which was very equall to it Gen. 13. 10. But to shew that the fruitfulnesse of the Land of Canaan did not depend upon humane art as that of Egypt did for the most part but only upon Gods blessing through raines dewes and other blessings from heaven to induce the people
unlesse he be an idolatrous and vicious man but if he become a proselite receive him into the communion of the Church or if they have by thy meanes any issue which persevereth in the true religion incorporate it wholly into thy commonwealth Thy brother that is to say a people come out of Edom your father Jacobs brother V. 8. The children Namely if their great grandfathers have embraced the true religion V. 9. Wicked thing Abominable uncleane vicious and unlawfull V. 10. That chaâ—ceth him See Lev. 15. 16. V. 15. Deliver It should seem that this was spoken to the Magistrates who were to judge whether the servant were unlawfully persecuted by his Master or no For in case that the servant were guilty it was not likely that the Lord would have yeelded him any assistance or freedom especially the question being concerning his totall departure from his masters house The servant it appeareth by the following verse that this ought to be understood of the servants of strange Nations who being evill entreated by their masters did fly for protection to Gods people V. 17. Whore Namely common whore for some such there were amongst Gods people but ordinarily they were strangers Or if they were Israelites they were excommunicated and held as strangers See Prov. 2. 16. and 6. 24. and 7. 5. V. 18. A dog It should seem that male is by a kind of detestation thus called who endureth that abominable kind of lust V. 19. That is lent For there are some things lent out of which one may reape benefit without usury as for horse hire houses goods c. which by common use and sense are not contained within this prohibition V. 20. A stranger See Deut. 15. 3. CHAP. XXIV VERS 1. VNcleannesse Some displeasant and noisome defect either in the body or in the behaviour besides fornication or adultery for which there were other laws Send her Let it be lawfull for him to send her away A judiciall Law which doth regulate the licence of divorces by policy yet doth not approve of them in conscience Mal. 2. 16. Matth. 19. 5. V. 4. Defiled By cohabiting with another during the life of her first and only lawfull husband So he declareth that these divorces were unlawfull with God though he tolerated them by reason of the hardnesse of the peoples heart who could not submit themselves to the rigor of the first order Abomination For so it appeared that there was but a small cause for a divorce Seeing that the husband having already tryed her was willing to take her again Now this toleration of God did detest and abhorre to have these inconstancies and confusions cloaked with the sacred name of matrimony Mal. 2. 16. and the divorce followed or seconded by the marriage of another was in a manner the death of one in regard of the other Thou shalt not These misdeeds ought not to bee suffered nor tolerated for feare of drawing of Gods Iudgement upon the whole countrey V. 5. Businesse Nor personall and publicke office which may draw him away from the joyfull society and company which he ought to keepe with his wife V. 6. The nether The Italian hath it Grinding stones of your hand-mils under which name are contained all manner of implements necessary for living Exo. 22. 26. Life Namely an instrument needfull for the maintenance of it V. 8. In the plague For to keep all the orders for the judging of it the separations and purifications appointed Lev. 13. 14. V. 9. Remember To consider by the example of Miriam that leprosie is an expresse punishment of God and that it requireth a separation without any respect or exception of condition or dignity see 2 Chr. 26. 19 21. V. 10. To fetch At thy choice or pleasure or by violence but thou must be content to take that pawn as he shall be willing to give thee so it be sufficient to satisfie thee V. 12. Pledge Which cannot chuse he being poore but bee a thing needfull for his sustâ—nance V. 13. It shall be God in his fatherly love shall approve of this act as of a good and godly work and as such a one he will reward it See Psalme 106. verse 31. V. 15. At his day The same day that he hath done his labour or at the certaine and appointed day as by the weeke or otherwise His heart all his helpe and reliefe in time of necessity consists in his dayly labour V. 18. A â—oâ—d man In a wretched estate and depending upon other mens wages which ought to induce thee likewise to have compassion upon others who are wretched CHAP. XXV VERS 1. COntroversie This sheweth that here is chiefly treated of criminall causes Justifie Absolve him and pronounce him guiltlesse and also to adjudge and give unto him that which the Law appointeth V. 3. Fourty By the 2 Cor. 11. 24. you may see that the Jews used to give but nine and thirthy stripes having made the number lesse by one for to containe themselves so much the better within the number which was set down Seeme vile that is to say too unworthily handled without respect of humanity which should not suffer him to be used like a beast and to fellowship of religion which requireth mercy as towards a child of Gods houshold and a brother on the same side V. 5. Dwell Are not yet divided into severall housholds having not married each one a wife and living together under the head of the family namely the father or the elder brother This thing was in use before Moses time by custome Gen. 38. 8. but here it is established by law Her husbands brother the next in degree of birth to him that is dead or for want of such a one another brother or the nearest kinsman so that he be not a married man see Ruth 4. 5. Now God in this case restraineth by his supreame power the Law of Lev. 18. 16. V. 6. Shall succeed The Italian Shall be borne that is to say shall come into the world bâ—aring the name of him that is dead and having right to represent his person as his own child V. 7. To raise To cause his memory to revive by a child begotten in his name that his memory may not be extinguished V. 8. Stand to it And persist in his saying V. 9. Loose his shoe In signe that she doth strip him of all the right which he might pretend in the goods of the deceased which she will transfer upon another kinsman that will marry her and beget upon her a successor to him whose name he must beare And spit in token that as he scorneth to take her to wife so she renounceth him for ever Build A Scripture phrase which signifieth the begeâ—ting of issue and by that meanes the establishment and preservation of a family see 1 King 11. 38. 1 Chr. 17. 25. V. 13. A great To buy with and a small to sel by V. 14. Measures The Italian hath Epha's a measure for dry things V.
was even from that time acknowledged for a Judge and did execute his office for the most part in that place v. 16. V. 7. Were gathered This gathering together threatning some revolt of the people from the Philistims government or some motion of war V. 9. A suckling lambe The ordinary law of Sacrifices appointed those Lambes which were offered should be a yeare old but here there was some speciall reason as peradventure to shew that the people presented themselves there before the Lord as purposing to be renewed in piety and holinesse Offered it Samuel being no Priest had not the ordinary power of offering Sacrifices but here he proceedeth as a Prophet by some divine motion or command or else he did employ some Priest for to do it as 1 Kings Chapter 18 verse 32 V. 10. Thundred See Joshua chapter 10. verse 10. Judges Chapter 4. verse 15. and chapter 5. verse 20. V. 12. A stone To set up for a remembrance of this miracle Shen the Italian The point of the rock which might be fast by Eben-Ezer that is the stone of helpe V. 13. Into the coast With an army to make incursions or to give battell for they had yet some garrisons left in the Countrey 1 Samuel Chapter 10. verse 5. and 13. 3. V. 14. Peace That is to say cessation of armes and of all acts of hostility V. 16. Judged Kept a publick court of Justice heard pleas and controversies and did exercise a jurisdiction V. 17. His return His ordinary abode An Altar Either for a plaine monument of piety as Joshua chapter 22. verse 10. Judges chapter 6. verse 24. or for extraordinary Sacrifices Exodus chapter 20. verse 25. Deuteronomy chapter 27. verse 6. Joshua Chapter 8. verse 30. Judges Chapâ—er 21. verse 4. 1 Kings Chapter 8. verse 64. but howsoever by a propheticke motion and Divine inspiration CHAP. VIII VERS 〈◊〉 HE made With Gods pâ—â—missioâ— and consent V. 2. Beer-Sheba It sheweth that Samuel reserved to himselfe the government of Rama being towards the North and for his own ease he assigned his children for the compasse of their Jurisdiction from Beer-sheba which was the Southern border to Ramâ— for otherwise Beer-sheba beeing on the outside of the countrey had been an unfitting place for the generall seat of justice V. 4. The Elders The heads and magistrates of all the commonalties V. 5. Like all the nations This is the error in the request condemned 1 Sam. 12. 17. namely that they will have an absolute constant powerfull and pompous King in contempt of the sweet and fatherly government of Judges in whose person God reigned in regard of the immediate Vocation and gifts of his Spirit and the cooperation of his grace and power ver 7. through a distrust in God and an ambition to have their nation enjoy the glory of being a Monarchy with all the honors dignities offices belonging to it V. 6. Displeased Not but that he knew that God had promised his people Kings Gen. 17. 6. and 49. 10. and that he had given them way to make them Kings upon certain conditions Deut. 17. 14. but because he saw the evill motions of their hearts and their rashnesse in going on before they knew the will of God See 1 Kin. 1â— 31. and 12 20. Prayed that he might know his will V. 7. Hearken unto Though there be an errour in their request yet I will grant it them and if in this their desire they discover any ingratitude towards thee the same redounds to me who in thee and by thee have raigned over them in manner most befitting my goodnes the only end wherof was their safety whereas ordinarily earthly Kings do raigne by force aiming at their own profit and pleasure little regarding the good of their subjects but only so farr as it concerneth their own good too V. 9. The manner Namely that which is now grown to a common custome by the consent of nations and Gods toleration who prescribeth the subjects the law of patience and obedience and is now as it were a right in absolute Kingdomes which as the people desired theirs should be which power encreaseth dayly more and more being such a prince is no way subject to punishment for otherwise Gods expresse command doth moderate him in another way D. ut 17. 16 20. V. 11. Appoint them To be souldiers V. 15. Officers Or courtiers the Heb. is Eunuches See Gen. 37. 36. V. 20. Go out To the wars as our Generall V. 22. Goye And expect untill the Lord declare his will concerning the manner he will have used in this new creation of a King CHAP. IX VERSE 1. A Mighty man Of his person in armes or generally in vertue or mighty in wealth and estate V. 7. What shall we bring According to the custome which was to bring the Prophet some honorable presents or some things for his â—ood and sustenance for a token of an acknowledgment in a kind of moderate liberality 1 Kings 14. 3. 2 King 4. 4â— and 8. 8. V. 9. A Seer That is to say he that by divine vision hath the knowledge of Gods secrets which other men again know by hearing them from him See 2 Samuel chapter 24. verse 11. 2 Kings chapter 17. verse 13. V 12. A sacrifice It is plaine by the sacred history that prophets inspired by God sacrificed in other places besides Moses Altar which was within the tabernacle 1 Sam. 7. 9. and 16 5. especially your sacrifices of thankesgiving of whose flesh the holy feasts were made see 1 Sam. 16. 2. In the high place So are all other places called where any divine service was performed besides the settled place which was appointed by God by reason that they made choyce of eminent places as cliffes and hils c. Afterwards the word was taken in a sinister sense for places where they committed idolatry by superstitious worship V. 13. As soon as ye We know he is not yet come out of his house to go to the feast and if you do but continue your pace you will be there before he goeth For the people it behoveth you to make haste that ye may 〈…〉 nd him at home for it will not be long ere he come forth and then hee will bee busie at prayers blessing and giving those thankes that are required in this solemnity and then you will hardly come to the speech of him V. 15. Had told This sheweth that this revelation was the occasion of the sacrifice and of the feast V. 19. All that is That which thou desirest to aske and know of me by a prophetick answer V. 20. On whom The people desire a King and God hath appointed thou shouldest be the man therfore their longing desires are after thee alone not by their own wils and meaning but by Gods secret disposing V. 23. The portion According to the custome of those feasts in those times 1 Sam. 1. 4 5. V. 24. And that which was upon it Namely the loyne
to the dwelling house there was a great Court which had porches or galleries round about like unto that same 〈◊〉 see 2 Kings 20. 4. V. 9. Costly stones see 1 Kings 5. 17. according to the measures all the courâ—es of stones that were in these buildings were of one bignesse as well the rough stones below as the fine and costly stones above From the foundation meaning from the bottome of the wall which lyeth levell with the ground unto the coping this is the first girt of the cornices under which thâ—se fabricks were all of rough stone and above that of poliâ—hed stone on the out side not only that out-side of these buildings which fronted towards the publick way or place but that also which looked into the great Court which was between the King or Queens Palace and the house of Lebanon which stood in the middle V. 10. Foundation that which lay within and underground V. 11. Above from above the ground to the aforesaid giâ—t cedars for the roofe V. 12. The great Court those great fore mentioned Courts were encompassed with porticoes three stories high whereof the first below was made with arches the other were with a wall divided on the out-side with pilasters and the second story had its roofe made of cedar as the porticoes of the Temple Courts see 1 Kings 6. 3 36. V. 14. Of the tribe 2 Chron. 2. 14. it is said that this Hirams mother was of the tribe of Dan which may be reconciled to this place by this meanes Namely that she was a Danite but was married to a Nephthalite of which marriage was born this Hiram who was brought up in Tire by one Hiram who taught him his art and adopted him for his sonne 2 Chron. 4. 16. V. 15. A line the foot of each columne above the Basis which is the thick est place of it was six cubits in circumference whereby the diameter came to be of two cubits V. 16. Five cubits 2 Kings 25. 17. there is mention made but only of three cubits which sheweth that this word capitoll must be diversly understood either for the upper part of the columne which is properly called capitoll which had but two cubits in heigth or for the architrave and freeze which are called the trabeations and were of three cubits more or for all those parts together which would be all of five cubits V. 17. Chapiters the cornice above the trabeation was enriched with its gutter made with long squares grated with foure square lossanges called rombi the two diagonall being cut by seven transversall lines â—ere called wreathes because of their shape and for this reason the whole square is called Nets V. 18. Two rowes which did hang downwards from the cornice one of them was at one of the heads of the gutter inwards towards the body or trunk of the columne the other was outward in equall distance between the Modiglions to cover to make as it were a crown or wreath with those figures about the capitolls with their architraves and freezes V. 19. The Chapiters being the upper part of each columne adorned with leaves flowers vine-works and volutes c. In the Porch which stood in the front of the Basilisk of the Temple 1 Kings 6. 3. in which portico the said columnes were set verse 21. Lilly work the edges of the leafes being turned outwards which are called volutes Foure cubits the sense seemeth to be that at the foure corners of the square abaâ—o there was a great leafe which came out of the capitoll and that each one of those leafes was a cubit high namely halfe the heigth of the whole capitoll which is the ordinary proportion of the Corinthian order V. 20. Chapiters the Italian hath it crownes these were the cornices which were above the freeze the belly it seemeth he meanes the space under the gutter where the cornice jetted out two hundred there were upon each aspect of the columne foure of these checquer or net-works with foure and twenty pomegranates upon each one which make the number of ninty six Ier. 52. 23. and with the great pomegranates which were between checquer and checquer being foure upon every aspect makes up the hundred of 2 Chron. 3. 16. Ier. 52. 23. and the two aspects with the same number make the two hundred which are here named and these two hundred on each columne make the foure hundred in the two columns 2 Chron. 4. 13. upon the other this is the cornice which is as a crown to the whole trabeation as the capitoll is to the columne and therefore is called the first crowne V. 21. In the porch whereof see 1 Kings 6. 3. Iachin Boaz the first name signifieth he shall establish the other in it is strength which are mysticall names signifying the firme safeguard which the grace presence and power of God yeeld unto his Church figured here by the Temple V. 22. The work namely the capitoll so called properly V. 23. Sea it was a brazen vessell of very great capacity like unto that which Moses made Exod. 30. 18. which was to hold the water wherewith the Priests washed their feet and hands 2 Chron. 4. 6. drawing as it is likely the water out of cocks from the one that is to say in diameter heigth was five which sheweth that it was of a halfe sphericall figure a line as verse 15. meaning that it was perfectly round the compasse being of three diameters V. 24. Knopps the Italian raised figures according to some they were Colochinte but by 2 Chro. 4. 3. it appeareth that instead of Ovoli or Knops there were Oxe heads ten and consequently in the whole compasse which was of thirty Cubites there were three hundred of these figures two rowes the one beneath the other at some competent distance V. 26. Flowers daintily turned and wreathed up like the lilly leases two thousand 2 Chro. 4. 5. it is said that it held three thousand and therefore some hold that therewere two sorts of this measure whereof the biggest was as much as an ordinary bath and a halfe Others hold that under this Sea there was a laâ—er which held a thousand bathes which laver received the water that fell from the great Sea above it and that in this lower one the Priests did use to wash their feet V. 27. Bases they were certaine square and hollow bodies which bore up the lavers in which the sacrifices were washed 2 Chron. 4. 6. and it seemes that they were cast in one piece divided into two plates above and below and foure little Pilasters at the foure corners between which were the foure side plates in manner of timbrils divided by certain borders compassed about with lists V. 29. Vpon the upon the uppermost plate which lay upon the side plates where those borders of lists were there was the forme of the foot of a vessell hollow at the top to receive the convex of the laver and that foot was cast together with
Italian upon a Pillar wherof see 2 Kin. 11. 14. stood to the consented to it did openly protest that they would stand to it without varying V. 4. Of the second order these were two Priests which were in the next degree to the high Priest who were also his deputies see 2 Sam. 8. 17 2 Kin. 2. 518. â—ethelâ— where Iereboam had setup one of the Calves 1 Kin. 12. 29. Now Iosias caused this dust to be carried â—hither as an abominable uncleanness to profane the place take away all opinion of holiness from it V. 5. The Idolatrous Priests the Italian Camaries they were certain ministers of Idolatry different from the Priests which belonged to the Idols Zeph. 1. 4. The Iewes believe that it was a kinde of Monks so called either by reason that they lived cloistered up or because they used to wear smokie clothing of a darke colour Planets or the 12. signs of Zodiack V. 6. And cast the sign of detestation of Idols and Idolaters for these graves were the graves of them which had worshipped Idols 2 Chron. 34 4. of the children of the basâ—st and lowest degree amongst the people who being most sensuall are likely most enclined to Idolatrie and superstition V. 7. The houses they were little booths which served for brothell houses where they committed the abominable sin of lust against nature Idolatry being alwaies followed with these abominations fruits of the unclean spirit of lying Ro. 1. 23. 24. 27. see 1 Kin. 14. 24. 15 12. 22. 46. hangings the Italian hath it houses they might be some tents which were set up in that grove wherein those wickednesses were committed V. 8. All the Priests which worshipped the true God yet they do it in the high places and not in Ierusalem which was the only place approved by God defiled hee did by authority proclaim them to be unclean took away all signs of holinesse from them and brought them to â—ordid uses and defiled them with unclean things according to Law as with dead bodies bones and the like v. 4. 14 16. 20. from Geba which weâ—e the two bounds of the Land of Iudah in length of the gate set up near to the gates of the City according to the ancient custome of Idolaters for to have some Tutelar and Guarding God-head of Ioshua neither the man nor the gate are mentioned any where else it might be some Captain of that city or of some part of it who dwelling neare one of these gates had built some Chappel or place of devotion there V. 9. The Priests though they were of the Priestly race yet were they deposed from their Office but were notwithstanding suffered to feed upon the holy meaâ—s as of meat offerings wherein all manner of leaven was forbidden Lev. 2. 4. 5. 11. V. 10. Topleth it was a place on the East side of Jerusalem in the pleasant Valley of the children of Hinnon so called from Toâ— that is to say a Drum either by reason of the musick dances and other pastimes which were used there or by reason of the noise of drummes which was used there in the abominable Sacrifices of their children to deaffen the eares and dull the sences of the Spoctators see Ier. 7. 31. 19. 6. 11. V. 11. The horses they â—ere certain statues of horses chariots dedicated to the Sun as he was accustomed to be figured by the heathen mounted upoÌ„ a charet drawn with foure horses at the entring in it is thought to be either one or more gates of the first precinct of the Temple on the west side through which they went in to the court of the Gentiles in the suburbs the Italian hath it Pariâ—â—rim it seemeth to be the same place as is called Parbar 1 Chron. 26. 18. it is uncertain what place it was why it was so called the Hebrewes hold they were certain suburbs belonging to the temple towards the west see Ize 45. 2 V. 12. That were on see of this custome of those that worshipped the Stars Zeph. 1. 5. V. 13. Of corruption it is thought it was the mount of Olives or some other near unto it on the east side of Ierusalem that it is so called by allusion or equivocation of two Hebrew words whereof one signifieth annointing by reason of the Olives the other spoile or corruption by reason of these abominations V 15. The high place that is to say the Temple which was built there V. 16. Turned himselfe namely when hee was in Bethel which place though it was no part of the Kingdom of Iudah he did these things either as by right as being lawful Lord as he was Davidsâ—ighfull â—ighfull successor or in meer zeale in an abandoned country which in a manner had no Lord at all 2 Chro. 34. 6 V. 18. No man move the Italian preserve and doe not burn them as you have done the rest V. 21 In this book which was found in the Temple 2 Kings 22. 8. V. 22. Surely there was not this Passeover is here made mention of because it was celebrated with more concourse of people and greater purity then over it was since the time of the Iudges 2 Chro. 35. 18 V. 24. And the Idols the Hebrew word signifieth porperly little domessicall or houshold Idols Gen. 31. 19. V. 26. Turned not because that the people followed not the example of their King in converting themselves sincerely to the Lord as it appeared presently after the death of Iosias see Ier. 3. 10. V. 29. Of Assyria by this name seemeth to be understood Nabopolassar King of Babylon who had taken Assyria from the Meades who had subdued the Assyrians so oftentimes by the name of Assyrians by reason of the noblenesse of the Title are understood the Caldeans and afterwards the Persians who had conquered Assyria against him the cause might be to hinder him from going to provoke the King of Babylon for fear left his countrey which lay between the countrey of these Monarchs should be left to the Conquerors mercy and should be the place or field for their war â—â—ew him that is to say wounded him mortally for it seemeth he died in Jerusalem 2 Chron. 35 24. when he had at the first encounter V. 30. And the people some believe that this Ieâ—â—â—â—az was installed by popular faction and not according to birth-right seeing that he was but three and twenty years of age when he began to reign and reigned but three months whereas his brother Ie 〈…〉 im who succeeded him was five and twenty years of age when he began to reign v. 36. unlesse there were some vacancy or interregnum Iehoaâ—az called also Shallum Ier. 22. 11. V. 34. Turned for to shew his soveraignty there according to Ieremiah his prophecy Ier. 22. 11. CHAP. XXIIII VERS I. NEbuchadnezzar the sonne of Nabopolassar who raised up the old Empire of Babylon annexing Assyria unto it which he had conquered Gen. 10. 10. 2 Kings 23. 29. being yet
he For all this it is not lawfull for man to contend with God But he ought with all humility to desire of him the assistance of his Spirit and grace V. 11. Seeing there be many things that the Italian When there is abundance of things they This sâ—â—ue of covetousnesse is not beaten downe nor put out through the abundance of goods no more then fire iâ— quenched with the abundance of wood but waxeth greater and greater therefore true content cannot consist in that abundance V. 12. For who knoweth The chiefe cause of this error nemely of gathering together without any endâ— is mans ignorance which will not suffer him to limit his desires within the bounds of the shortnesse of his life but causeth his thoughts to range after the infinitenesse of time to come which he having no knowledge of it is a folly in him to seek to provide 〈…〉 it As a shadow which hath no substance and van 〈…〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 leaving no signe where it hath been CHAP. VII VERS 1. A Good Now he sheweth that besides wordly goods the fruition of which he hath commended there are other goods which the faithfull man ought to look after namely eternall to which one must passe by death the meditation of which serves to direct the living to that happy end Name the Italian Fame Namely the true and sound naâ—e of faith and holinesse which confirmed by his death doth last afterwards Of death Namely of him that is a beleever and a childe of God and dieth in his favour V. 2. That is namely death which is the cause of that mourning the consideration of which causeth living men to think upon making themselves fit for it V. 3. Is better This meditation of death though it be sorrowfull is better for the salvation of man then all his mâ—â—th seeing he doth by that mortifie his flesh and rendeth his heart from the world and lifteth it up to eternall goods Of the countenance of man in his naturall estate which is called the outward man 2 Cor. 4. 16. The heart That is to say the soule and the inward man Is made better spiritually V. 4. Of the wise Which looke after the end of things and think upon eternity whereas fooles are onely guided by sense and thinke no further thâ—â— things present V. 5. It is better This meditation of death is indeed harsh to the flesh being a rough curbe to the vanities of the world but even as the severe reproofes of wise men are to be preferred before fooles tricks and jests So an humbling and correcting sorrow is more to be desired then alluring and be witching pleasure V. 6. For as the That is to say even as the fire which consumes the thornes causeth them to crackle for a small time so the spirit of this world which leads men to perdition transports them into an excesse of a false and short joy and by that meanes hindreth them from thinking upon repentance and a due preparation for death V. 7. Surely Now follow some particular precepts belonging to that wisdome which he hath spoken of before and first he sets downe some vicious passions which darken the lustre of it Oppression Namely the inclination and evill habit of doing wrong to other men in matters of justice whether it be through corruption or his owne proper passion of otherwise V. 8. Better The wise man looketh after the end of things according as he foreseeth it by the light of Gods Spirit and according to it he regulates himselfe and all his actions and will not be blinded with the false appearance of the time present See Deut. 32. 29. The proud That through a certaine pride and disdaine is moved at every small offence And he makes mention of this other passion of wrath as contrary to the peace and quietnesse of minde and to the moderation of true wisdome V. 10. Say not Be not so foolish as to say that the times of themselves are better or worse to impute the vices and calamities of the world unto the age But doe thou say that the times are such as the men are and that to amend the times the men ought for to amend themselves 11. Wisdome There are three things of singular value life an inheritance that is to say all things to maintaine life and wisdome for to governe it Meaning that the wise man should take a lawfull care for either according to his vocation V. 12. A defence the Italian A Shadow Riches indeed have this community with wisdome that they doe save a man out of many dangers and disasters yet the principall subsistency and true happinesse of mans life consists in wisedome V. 13 Consider Be wise in discerning the various wayes of Gods providence for to second them with thine affections of joy or sorrow See Ecclesiast 3. 1. 11. For who Since Gods will cannot be withstood nor the effects thereof bee altered wisedome would have a man submit himselfe quietly unto it V. 14. Consider For to have such a feeling as God calleth thee unto by his visitation Hath set he hath in this life mixed good with evill so that the one is a remedy and a curbe for the other To the end To direct man by thâ—se different meanes of mildnesse and severity unto a happie death for after that there are no more vicissitudes nor varieties all things are perpetuall neither is there any place for repentance or amendment Nothing Like to what befalleth him in this world After him Namely after his death V. 15. All things The Italian All this This may be referred as well to the precedent as to the subsequent things Of my Namely of my fraile and transitory life That perisheth Runnes into diverse mortall dangers and inconveniences In his Righteousnesse The Italian For his justice either being persecuted by Tyrants or misconstrued and calumniated or too indiscreetly and hatefully used The wise mans meaning is to shew that wisdome ought to bee joyned with uprightnesse in the guiding of mans life Wickednesse covered over with art and cunning or used with politicke craft V. 16. Righteous overmuch That is to say a too severe reprover of every petty error or too much bent upon a thing which of it selfe or in thine opinion is just without yeelding any way either in charitie or wise innocenccie to the opinion of others to the necessitie of times to common custome or to humane frailty Destroy thy selfe Making thy selfe as it were the very marke of publicke hatred V. 17. Be not Have also a greater care of loosening the raines too much to wickednesse which provoketh Gods suddain judgment Before thy The Italian Out of thy Before the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 all course and out of it by some violent and 〈◊〉 end which may carrie with it the tokens and signes of Gods expresse vengeance See Job 15. 32. and 22. 16. Psalm 55. 15. Prov. 10. 27. V. 18. That thou shouldest take hold That thou shouldest follow the middle way between Gods
Church which are to them certaine pledges of the increase and accomplishment of them Of her youth See Jer. 2. 2. Ezek. 16. 60. V. 16. Baal the Italian My Baal Baal indeed signifieth husband also But because this name had beene prophaned by being applyed to Idols the Lord his meaning is That all contagion and mixture of Idolatry should be cut off from his service V. 18 A Covenant A figurative description of the Churches spirituall peace under the Gospel V. 19. Betroth thee I will re-establish my covenant of grace with thee not onely to observe that faith which is required in all covenents but also to forgive thee thy sinnes and not regard thine unworthinesse V. 20. In faithfulnesse the Italian In truth With an invariable faith and constancy to maintaine and keepe my Covenant of grace with mine elect notwithstanding all their defects Zech. 8. 8. Rom. 3. 3 7. V. 21. I will heare the Italian I will answer I will cause my blessing to glide along according to the order which I set in the creatures which I will re-establish for the salvation of my Church V. 22. Jesreel namely My people which Hos. 1. 4. had been called Jesreel by way of threatning and of curse but here it is changed into a sense of grace and promise for Jesreel may also signifie Him whom God soweth or shall sowe V. 23. Sow her I will people the world with the spirituall progeny of mine elect and believers Jer. 31. 27. Zek. 10. 9. Upon her tha the Italian Vpon Lo-ruhamab that is to say My people meant by these names Hos. 1. 8 10. CHAP. III. Vers. 1. GOe get For a signe that God had oftentimes renewed his Covenant with his people forgiving them their sinnes which were past as especially under Jehu his raigue 2 Kings 9. 10. Love This must also be understood the same way and in the same sense as Hos. 1. 2. Flaggons of â—â—ne He intimates their dissolute manner of living which is the ordinary companion of Idolatry see Exod. 32. 6 1. Cor. 10. 7. even as corporall fornication drawes gluttony and drunkennesse along with it V. 2. I bought the Italian I got me He hath a relation to the ancient custome by which husbands did give dowries for their wives Gen. 29. 18. 27. and 34. 12. 1 Sam. 18. 25. For fifteene This so small price seemes to signifie that although God did in some manner hold on his Covenant with the ten tribes yet he communicated but some small parcels of his graces unto them bestowing the whole plenty upon Judah V. 3. And I said namely after she had gone astray Thou shalt abide that is to say I will separate thee from mee for some time keeping thee as it were shut up to hinder thine unstaâ—dnesse untill such time as I take thee to me againe as I intend to doe not putting thee away from mee for ever V. 4. For the By this figure I will have thee to set forth the state of thy people which for their Idolatries shall be seperated from the grace and communion of their God without any Kingdome or forme of common wealth and without any exercise of true Religion or yet of Idolatry untill the time of their conversion to Gods grace by the Gospel Ephod The name of a Priestly garment Exod. 28. 4. under which is comprehended all the service of the Church V. 5. David namely The Messias the Son of David according to the flesh see Jer. 30. 9. Ezek. 34. 3 24. This is opposite and contrary to the sep ration of the ten tribes from the Kingdome of Judah CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. THey breake out Others they commit thefts And blood every thing is full of murthers V. 3. Shall the land A description of an extreme and universall desolation as Jer. 4. 25. and 12. 4. V. 4. Yet let no man Notwithstanding these great and publique sinnes in which the false Prophets doe flatter and sooth up the people Let not the true Prophets prophane my Word by speaking it to these obstinate and hardened rebels I will contend with them by effects and punishments and no more by words and reproofes So this agreeth well with what was spoken v. 1. Th tâ—st ive That undertake to withstand Gods right whilest the high Priest declares unto them Deut. 17. 12 and is the last degree of boldnesse see Rom 2. 8. and 10. 21. V. 5. Shalt thou fall He directs his speech to each particular person among the people In the day These words in the day and in the night doe seeme to intimate a continuance of ruine Others translate it to day that is to say within a short time The Prophet namely all the false Prophets Thy mother All the whole body of the Kingdome and Nation V. 6. For lacke For of themselves have no lively light of my Word and they will fully put out that which I present unto them and doe refuse all manner of instruction Isa 5. 13. Thou hast This seemes to be specially directed to the Priests and other Ecclesiasticall persons whose chiese duty is to teach and instruct See Deut. 33. 10. Mal. 2. 7. V. 7. Increased namely In dignity and authority for this is also referred to the Porters V. 8. They eate They fatten themselves with the sacrifices which my people offer for their sins and are greedy after Them and take no care of their conversion V. 9. There shall be They shall be also taken in the generall desolation without any difference or respect borne to their office V. 12. Aske councell In steed of seeking after Gods Oracle to have counsell given them in difficult cases Their stocks namely Their Idols made of wood Their staffe Some thinkes he hath a relation to an antient manner of divining by staves and rods Others doe hold that here are meant the South-sayers and Magicians rods as Exod 7. 12. The spirit namely The inclination and affection to Idolatry kindled in the heart of man by the evill spirit see Isa. 44. 30. V. 13. Your daughters I will punish your Idolatry by abandoning your daughters and your spouses to an infamous and unbridled lust which shall not be repressed by the Lawes or Magistrates punishments nor amended by mine see Amos 7. 17. V. 14. Are separated From me cutting themselves off from my covenant and communion by joyning themselves to Harlots which were excommunicate from amongst Gods people Prov. 2. 16. and 6. 24. See of this separation Prov. 18. 1. Ezek. 14. 7. Hos. 9. 10. Jude 19. V. 15. Unto Gilgal In this place whereof see Jos. 5. 9. and 12. 12. Amos 4. 4. Beth-aven It is the same as Bethel but because Bethel signifieth House of God Gen. 28. 17. And that this place had been prophaned by the Idolatrie of the Calves 1 King 12. 29. The Prophets do often call it Beth-aven that is to say The house of an Idoll or the house of vanity Hos. 5. 8. and 10. 5. being that neer unto Bethel there was another high
in the order of nature V. 17. Why callest the sence wherein thou qualifiest me to be good is not that in which I ought to bee acknowledged and honoured humane and morall goodnesse cannot make mee a Law-giver to mens soules as you desire me to do and according to that degree wherein you place your Doctors To attribute that title unto me in that sence as you should do you ought to acknowledge me to be true God If thou wilt not to remit him againe to his own workes by which no man can be justified nor saved Rom. 3. 20. Ephes. 2. 8 9. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Tit. 3. 5. but to draw him to the service of God from those traditions in which the Pharisees reposed most of their righteousnesse and Pietie and to beate downe his presumption whereby he thought the Law was easie for him to accomplish And to bring his conscience to a severe examination according to the spirituall sence of the Law by which man comes to have knowledge of his sinne Romans 3. 20. to learne thereby to seeke his salvation in Gods favour thorow Christ Rom. 10. 4. V. 20. All these words of a lying arrogant hypocrite and one that was ignorant of the true spirituall sence of the Law which requireth of man not only the externall discipline of manners and actions but puritie and righteousnesse in all his thoughts internall motions and affections of the heart V. 21. If thou an answer sitted to his vaine boast The meaning is if what thou sayest of perfectly observing each commandement be true shew it in thine obedience to the summary of the Law which is to love God above all things and thy neighbour as thy selfe Performe the first in following of me who am the true God as he had signified ver 17. And the second in giving thy goods to the poore And if thou wilt doe neither thou shewest thy selfe to bee an Hypocrite in all the rest V. 24. For a rich man for it is very hard for such a man not to put his trust and settle his heart and affection upon his wealth V. 26. This is without Gods speciall grace no man can be saved and much lesse rich men as being full of worldly cares not feeling the necessity of Gods grace and assistance enemies to the Crosse proud insolent and made drunke with their temporall happinesse and Idolaters to their goods c. V. 27. We have that is to say we have done that which this young man would not doe an ordinary defect in the Apostles to have a respect to worldly rewards V. 28. In the regeneration that is to say in the life to come when there shall bee new heavens and a new earth 2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 1. thereby correcting his Apostles for their coveting of worldly greatnesse Judging according to your measure and under mee you shall be made partakers of the glory of my Kingdome and raised up in glory above the common of my Church signified by the Twelve Tribes Daniell 12. 3. Luke 22. 28 29. 1 Cor. 6. 2. Rev. 2. 26. V. 29. An hundred fold in spirituall goods far more excellent then temporall ones in true and full contentment of spirit as it were in ful plenty and also in the charitable communion of beleevers in the Church V. 30. But many do not trust to that you have been the first that followed mee and that you have begun well you must persevere unto the end otherwise you shall fall from your prerogatives Gal. 3. 4. Rev. 3. 11. CHAP. XX. VER 1. THe Kingdome Gods calling and the distributing of his grace in the spirituall state of the Church is such that God oftentimes makes equall and preferres in giving rewards those that were called last to the first called Whetner it bee out of his absolute free-will or for some other reason which is unknowne to men And also regardeth not so much the beginning as the ending and the accomplishment whereby all worldly glory and all contradiction against God is beaten down and all are tyed to persevere Ver. 2. A penny which was worth a Drachme weighing the eghth part of an ounce V. 15. Evill that is to say envious Deut. 15. 9. Prov. 23. 6. V. 16. For many besides that first reason that every reward dependeth upon Gods free-will there is this reason also that is not the externall calling and profession of the Gospel which causeth one to be preferred before the other but â—ods internall election ratified by true saith and Repentance 1 Cor. 4. 7. V. 21. Mayesâ— let them have the first degrees of honour in thy temporall Kingdome which they apprehended and conceaved See Mat. 18. 1. V. 22. Arâ—yceable for to arrive to the glory of my Kingdome you must passe thorow many lets and troubles following mine example Therefore before you desire the reward you should examine your selves how you are disposed towards that combate To drinke an ordinary terme in Scripture to signifie afflictions and calamities distributed to each one as it were for their portions Baptized this kinde of figure is taken from the ancient manner of Christ ning plundging the whole body in water above the head So Christ hath beene wholly plunged in an guish and torments Psalme 69. 2. And it should seeme that Christ had a relation to the two Sacraments of the Christian Church which are signes and tokens of grace on Gods side and on mans side bindeth him to imitate Christ 1 Cor. 12. 13. We are an ignorant and presumptuous answer Verse 23. Yee shall drinke Not by your owne strength and power as you presume at this present but by the help and speciall grace of my spirit Is not mine in the quality of mediator in which I do converse here in the world I have no charge to give degrees of the glory to come but only to gaine my Churches salvation V. 26. Whosoever Christ speakes to his Apostles as to his Ministers telling them that their chiefe dignitie and honour consisted not in commanding as it is in worldly Lordships but in humbly and faithfully serving for the profit and salvation of men though not to their wills and deures V. 28. To be ministred unto As a King or Prince in this world during his abode there For many namely for all Gods Elect Matth. 26. 28. Rom. 5. 15. 19. V. 31. Rebuked them disdaining their condition or in regard of Christ to whom they imagined them to bee troublesome or being offended at the glorious name which they gave him V. 34. Followed him they became his followeâ—â— and Disciples CHAP. XXI VER 1. BEthphage A Castle neere to Ierusalem Of Olives a little hill on the East side of Ierusalem planted with Olive Trees See Zech. 14. 4. V. 2. Straight way at the first comming into the Castle without going or seeking farre V. 3. The Lord namely I the Soveraigne Lord of all things whereof I will imprint the knowledge in the master of the Asse Now he foretelleth these things which were so
nameth because tâ—at Christs life was knowne by all men but not his Resurrection V. 24. Which knowest that knowest what every man is inwâ—rdly either by his owne nature or by the working of the Spirit in gifâ—â— and qualities proper for any vocation Chosen not onely destinated by thy will in thy Councell but also marked and endowed with proportionable and necessary gifts whatsoever which are the foundation of a lawfull calling V. 25. To his owne place Namely of eternall damnation V. 26. They gave forth inspired thereunto by God Himselfe that the vocation might come from him that governeth the lots Prov. 16. 33. for the immediate vocation from God was one of the qualities required in the Apostleship Gal. 1. 1. Was numbred Not to be made an Apostle but onely to be acknowledged for such a one CHAP. II. V. 1. PEntecost a greek name which signifieth the fiftieth day Namely after the Passe 〈…〉 For as fiftie dayes after the first Passeover celebrated in Aegypt God gave his Law for a certaine form of his service and to governe the people whom he had gotten Exodus 12. 6. and 19. 1 11. So fifty dayes after the slaying of Christ the true Lambe of God the Holy Ghost was sent to bring in the spirituall service and to governe the Church after bee had redeemed it by the spirit of grace and liberty disannulling the predanticalnesse of the Law with its figures and in its bondage Gal. 4. 6. Were all it seemes this should be restrained to the Apostles â—â—ly called to the service of the Gospell and the use of tongues therein Verse 2. There came to move them to coâ—â—der of the comming of the HOLY GHOST as a divine and miraculous worke and dispose thâ—â— to receave it in humilitie and reverence and to shâ—â— them the force of it in their owne ministerie Iohn 3. 8. with some conformitie to that which happened in mount Sina when the Law was given Exod. 19. 16. V. 3. Cloven tongues a figure of the office and Talent of preaching the Gospell in diverse 〈…〉 ges miraculously infused into the Apostles and 〈◊〉 in one language as anciently under the Law Aâ—â— that for a remedy to the curse of the division of lâ—â—guages Genesis 11. 7. by which a great part of the world was separated from the communion of God and of the Church and all in the purenesse and power of the Holy Ghost represented by the 〈◊〉 See Isa. 6. 6 7. Ier. 5 14. V. 4. With the Holy Ghost Namely with the gifts and graces of it Gave them not only 〈…〉 ing in them the sounds of strange words but giving them also the understanding of the meaning 1 Cor. 14. 4. and it should seeme that it was not an habituall and perpetuall qualitie imprinted in them as in thâ—se languages that are learned by studie and practice but an actuall gift which shewed it selfe when the motion of the H. Ghost came upon them seconding their sanctified desire Verse 5. Were dwelling there were come thither and staid there for the feast Or were come thither to dwell thorow devotion Acts 6. ver 9. and 9. 29. Every Nation Namely out of every Countrie the IEWES being dispersed into diverse provinces though they were all of the very same Nation V. 6. Noised abroad the Italian That sound Namely the sound mentioned verse 2. which questionlesse was heard about the Citie Other the report thereof being noised abroad Were confounded that is to say they wondred and were sore amazed Verse 7. Galileans Of birth and ordinarie remaining there and therefore hold to be simple and grosse people Ioh. 1. 46. Verse 9. Elamites people of Persia. V. 10. Strangers dwelling in Rome though Iewes by Nation Jewes it should seeme they did thus divide all the soresaid Nations into these two generall kindes namely into native Iewes and proselyte Iewes which were Iewes by profession Mat. 23. 15. V. 11. The wonderfull workes the high mysteries of Gods doctrine See Hos. 8. 12. Verse 14. Hearken to The Italian Receave that is to say give mee audience and conceave well what I speake V. 15. The third houre Namely before noone an houre not very convenient for drunkennesse See Eccl. 10. 16. Isa. 5. 11. V. 24. Having loosed that is to say having delivered him from the dolorous estate of death in which hee was held as in bonds For calamities are called bonds or prisons Iob 13. 27. and 42. 10. Psal. 69. 33. and therefore in the Hebrew there is great affinitie betweene the word paines and bonds Because it was not Seeing his perfect righteousnesse accomplished in his voluntary death and his God head Whereof the first is the meriting cause and the second the efficient cause of his life and Resurrection V. 27. My soule namely my person considered in its mortall part which is the body In Hell the Italian In subterraneall places by this word is often meant the grave and the state of the dead To see to suffer that totall destruction of a putrified body reduced to dust by death Verse 28. With thy that is to say fully discovering unto mee and communicating unto mee the fruition of the glory of thy Kingdome Which is called seeing the face of God Psal. 17. 15. 1 Cor. 13. 12. V. 29. Patriarch that is to say a head of a Nation So were the chiefe amongst the ancient Fathers called Acts 7. 8 9. Heb. 7. 4. Dead therefore those so pregnant termes of the 16. Psalm can not belong to him in their proper and naturall sence Ver. 30. According to the in his humane nature whereby wee ought to inferre that in Christ there is another nature which is his divine nature V. 33. By the right hand that is to say by his infinite power this may bee referred either to the full possession of the gifts of the Holy Ghost in his humane nature glorified Iohn 3. 34. Or to the power which hee hath obtained in his whole person after he went up into heaven to be the giver out or distributer of Gods Spirit This which those gifts and that vertue of the H. Ghost by which we speake and operate Ver. 34. Is not bodily nor to bee established head of the Church raigning from Heaven over it V. 37. They were pricked convinced with griefe and with remorse of Conscience V. 38. In the Name not only for a signe of the profession of Christians but also to participate of his spirituall vertue in the washing away of your sins with which he accompanieth and ratifieth the externall Ceremonie of those who are his The gift that is to say those first motions of the spirit of regeneration shall bee followed by a great increase of light and vertue and also by miraculous gifts which God communicated in those primitive dayes to those which receaved Baptisme Acts 4. 3â— and 8. 15. and 10. 44. and 19. 6. Ephes. 1. 13. V. 39. The promise Seeing that as you are Abrahams children you are within Gods covenant You ought to