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A57377 Clavis Bibliorum The key of the Bible, unlocking the richest treasury of the Holy Scriptures : whereby the 1 order, 2 names, 3 times, 4 penmen, 5 occasion, 6 scope, and 7 principall parts, containing the subject-matter of every book of Old and New Testament, are familiarly and briefly opened : for the help of the weakest capacity in the understanding of the whole Bible / by Francis Roberts ... Roberts, Francis, 1609-1675.; Calamy, Edmund, 1600-1666. 1648 (1648) Wing R1583; ESTC R20707 139,238 403

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the heaven and earth Exodus Israel's departure out of Egypt c. 2 Some of them declare the instrumentall Authors or Penmen of them as the Titles of Prophets Books Isaiah c. who being extraordinary men of God guided by the Spirit their books are of divine Authority 3 Some denote the Churches or particular persons for whose sakes immediately some parts of Scripture were penned which affords light to divers passages therein 3. The Times of the Books set forth Partly the length or space of time in which things related were done as in Historicall Books which serve to disclose the connection and continuance of the History and Chronology Partly the time or season when the bookes were written which serves to cleare the understanding of divers particular passages which otherwise would be very difficult both in the Prophets and in the Apostles See therefore those two Tables for the Timeing of the Prophets and Epistles p. 104. to 107. and p. 177. to 186. Distinguish well betwixt times and times you dissolve many knots 4. Penmen being holy men of God extraordinarily inspired intimate to us the divine Authority of their writings This incites faith love and awfull Reverence to their books 5. The Occasion upon which the books were written together with 6. The Scope drift or End of the book being well considered give great light to the whole Book the whole frame disposition and chiefe Arguments handled in the book having a singular tendency to the Scope therefore as the Archer fixeth his eye steadily on the mark when he would shoot accurately so still fix your thought upon the Occasion and Scope of every book when you would peruse them understandingly 7. The Principall parts of the Book here Analytically laid down exhibit clearly to your view both the chiefe Subject or matters insisted upon in every Book as also the methodicall and orderly coherence of all the parts of the book with one another Books lookt upon confusedly are but darkly and confusedly apprehended But considered distinctly as in these distinct Analyses or Resolutions into their Principall parts must needs be distinctly and much more clearly discerned This the chiefe Purpose and Aime of this Book By these particulars to familiarize the Scriptures unto Christians that delight to converse with God in his owne book To whom I earnestly commend this direction for the more profitable use of this Book viz. That 1 Before they read any Book of Scripture they would first read what is in this Key said of that Book 2 In reading they would still remember the Occasion and Scope of the book and now and then compare the Principall Parts here with the Text And 3 After the Perusall of the Book they would read againe what this Key speaks of it Hereby the understaning will be cleared the Memory confirmed VII Rule Heedfully and judiciously observe the accurate Concord and Harmony of the Holy Scriptures though written by severall persons at severall times in severall places yet one and the same spirit inditing all is still like himselfe consonant to himselfe in all The Discord is in our mindes rather then in Gods word Hence Augustine let us be at concord in our own heart and the Scripture will have no discord in it There are Principally five notable respects in which Scriptures sometimes seem most contrary repugnant and opposite one to another when yet they are not dissonant but consonant and sweetly concording one with another As 1 When the Word or Phrase is used in severall Places not in the same but in severall senses and Acceptations 2 When they treat not of the same but of severall subjects 3 When they speak not of the same but severall parts of a thing 4 When they speak not in severall places according to the same but severall respects 5 When they intend not the same but severall times These things well considered will lay a notable foundation for reconciling all places of Scripture that seem to be any way opposite one to another Take the illustrations of thē severally 1. Scriptures seem opposite but are not when the same word or phrase in severall places is used not in the same but in severall senses and acceptations for the same words have oft times severall significations In such case distinguish the severall Acceptations and the Scriptures agree As Paul saith Work out your own salvation with feare and trembling But Iohn saith There is no feare in love but perfect love casteth out fear c. These places are not opposite because the word Fear in Iohn signifies a base servile stavish fear in Paul a filial childlike religious fear In this sense it is said of the Samaritās they feared the Lord again they feared not the Lord i. e. they feared the Lord servilly and hypocritically for his Lyons but they feared him not religiously ●ilially sincerely Not to feare God aright is not to feare him at all Again Christ saith If a man keep my saying he shall never see death But Paul saith It is appointed to all men once to dye yet here 's no opposition for Christ speaks of death spiritual and eternall Paul of death temporal or corporall Further Ieremiah saith Cursed be the man that trusteth in man Christ saith except yee eat● the flesh of the Son of man yee have no life in you by eating understand believing v. 47. yet here 's no opposition Man signifies either meer man who is vaine deceitful c. Of him Ieremiah speaks Or man subsisting in the second person of God of him Christ speaks Moses saith God rested on the seventh day from all his work But Christ saith My father worketh hitherto and I worke yet here 's no opposition For the works of God are either Works of Creation whereby new kinds of Creatures are made so Moses intended that God rested from his work or Works of Conservation and Providence sustaining and governing his works created so Christ meant the father and he wrought still Adde hereunto Christ saith If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my disciple But Paul saith Husbands love your wives No man ever yet hated his own flesh yet no opposition for Hatred is taken either Properly and absolutely so understand Paul or comparatively a lesse love being counted hatred of that understand Christ. Moreover Paul saith Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law But Iames saith yee see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith onely yet no reall opposition For Iustification in Pauls sense signifyes an instrumentall Application of Gods righteousnesse viz. Jesus Christ to our selves and so Faith alone justifies before God but Iustification in Iame's sense signifies a Declarative Manifestation of the Truth of that Faith whereby we
are justified by the fruits and workes of it Paul speakes of our justification before God James of our justification be●ore men Paul of the justification of our persons by Faith Iames of the justification of our Faith it self by works 2. Holy Scriptures seeme opposite but are not when they treat not of the same but of severall subjects or severall matters As Christ promised the Apostles When the Spirit of Truth should come he should guide them into all truth But Paul testifieth that Peter erred and was to be blamed here are severall Subjects viz. Doctrine and Practise As to Doctrine the Apostles erred not therein because they had it immediately from God But as to matter of Practise Peter there erred dissembling fellowship with the Gentiles for feare of the Jewes Nor were any of the Apostles exempted from sinne and errour in Practise Again It is said in one place That Elijah went up by a whirlewind into heaven And in another Behold I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadfull day of the Lord. Yet these places oppose not one another because here are severall Subjects spoken of the former being Elijah the Tishbite the latter Iohn the Baptist the New-Testament Elijah so called because he came in the Spirit and power of Elijah Furthermore Iohn the Baptist being asked if he were Elias Answered I am not And yet Christ saith Iohn Baptist was that Elias which was for to come viz. Not personally but virtually so here 's no opposition 3. Scriptures seeme opposite but are not when though they speak of the same matter or subject yet they intend not the same but severall parts therof As Paul saith In me dwels no good thing And yet he saith I delight in the Law of God which doubtlesse is good Yet these oppose not because in the former Paul speakes of his carnall unregenerate part in me that is my flesh dwels no good thing in the latter of his spirituall regenerate part I delight in the Law of God after the inner man Again Christ saith My father is greater then I. But Paul saith Christ Iesus being in the forme of God thought it no robbery to be equall with God Yet no opposition for in Christs person are two Natures viz. of God and man Now as Christ is God so he is equall to the Father as Paul meant As Christ is man so the Father is greater then he as himselfe said 4. Scriptures seeme opposite and contrary but are not when they speak of things not in the same but in severall respects notions or considerations For the severall respect removes all contradiction or opposition As Christ saith If I beare witnesse of my selfe my witnesse is not true But elsewhere he saith Though I beare record of my selfe yet my Record is true Yet here 's no opposition indeed because Christ speaks of bearing witnesse of himselfe in severall respects In the former place of bearing witnesse to himselfe disjunctly and solely without the Father so his witnesse were not true In the latter of bearing witnesse of himselfe conjunctly or jointly with the Father so his witnesse of himselfe is true Againe Iohn saith He that is borne of God committeth not sinne nor can sinne And yet elsewhere If we say that we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us If we say that we have not sinned we make him a lyar c. Yet here 's no reall opposition for in some respects they that are born of God may be said to sin in some respects they sin not They have sinne originall in them and actuall sin through infirmity c. is done by them while they are in this world But they sin not as unregenerate men sin viz. 1 Not against the Gospel-Remedy Jesus Christ. 2 Not as under the Reign of Sinne 3 Not with a full will 4 Not presumptuously 5 Not habitually 6 Not with allowance of themselves in any bosome corruption 7 Not totally and Finally Furthermore God saith I am the Lord I change not And elsewhere saith I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them And I will repent of the good wherewith I said I would benefit them Yet no reall contradiction for in some sense God cannot repent viz. Affectively in respect of his essence no nor in respect of his eternall Decree In some sense after the manner of men he is said to repent viz. Effectively in respect of his works which he effecteth when he doth something crosse to what he had formerly done as when he drowned the world which he had made dethroned Saul whom he had annointed King c. Adde to these it is said of Christs Kingdom It shall have no end but be established for ever But Paul saith Christ at the end shall deliver up the Kingdome to God even the Father Yet no reall opposition For Christs Kingdome may be considered in divers respects viz. 1 As it is Essentiall belonging to Christ as God So he he shall never deliver up his Kingdome 2 As Oeconomicall Dispensatory or Mediatory The Mediatory Kingdome of Christ is considerable in respect of The substance of it so Christ our Mediatour shall be head of his Church and mysticall body for ever The Circumstance of it or manner of administration of it by Word Sacraments Effusion of the Spirit c. And thus at last Christ shall deliver up the Kingdome to the Father for then God in Christ face to face shall be an endlesse Sabbath Sermon Sacrament all in all 5 Finally Scriptures may seeme but are not really opposite when they intend not the same but severall times Or at least when they speake of the same times in severall respects Distinguish wisely the times and respects and the opposition ceaseth As Iotham the sonne of Vzziah is said to Reigne sixteen yeeres in Ierusalem And yet mention is made of the twentieth yeer of Jotham son of Uzziah Notwithstanding here 's no reall opposition in this computation For Iotham reigned alone onely 16. yeers but he reigned with his Father Vzziah who could not mannage-the affaires of the Kingdome being smitten with leprosie 4. yeers before in al 20 years Again Matthew saith After six dayes Iesus taketh Peter James and John his brother and bringeth them up into an high mountaine apart But Luke saith About an eight dayes after these sayings he took Peter and John and James and went up into a mountaine yet no opposition For 1 either it may be said Luke's expression of about an eight dayes after hath a latitude and may beare a day under and Matthew's expression hath a latitude After six dayes and may beare a day or two over 2 Or Matthew numbers the dayes exclusively Luke inclusively Furthermore the time of the Government by Judges in the Book of Iudges is computed to be about two
his way Thus Christ saith I thanke thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent but hast revealed them unto Babes whence Becanus notes that such as are proud and attribute to their own wisedome attaine not to the true sense of Scripture Be therefore clothed with humility in use of Scripture that true Scripture-knowledge may increase IV. Rule Familiarize the Scripture to thy selfe by constant and methodicall exercise therein Method and order as it is the mother of memory so it is a singular friend to a clear understanding The generality of the Scripture have such a contexture and coherence one part with another that small insight into it will be gained by reading it confusedly disorderly therefore read the whole in Order Divers have published Directions how to read over the whole Scripture methodica●ly once a yeare c. consult them But be constant in perusall and studying of the Scriptures hereby Scripture phrase and sense will become familiar and facile How hard at first to write to play on an instrument c. but by multiplying Acts men get habits and write play c. with facility and dexterity Use not Scripture only by fits and starts in some good pangs or moods c. but habitually converse with Scripture trade in them meditate therein night and day Let the word of Christ not only lodge or sojourne in you but even dwell in you Hence those commands of God to his people of old This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth but thou shalt meditate therein day and night These words shall be in thine heart and thou shalt whet them diligently upon thy children and shalt talke of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou lyest down and when thou risest up And thou shalt bind them for a signe upon thine hand c. V. Rule Vnderstand Scripture according to the Theologicall Analogy or Certaine rule of faith and love Anomaly i. e. Irregularity is some deviation from the rule or exception against the rule To this here Analogy is opposed By this Analogy understand A certaine Epitome of Scriptures or briefe Abridgement of Christian Religion collected out of the plaine places of Scripture according to which other darke and figurative expressions in Scripture are to be explained This Analogy of faith and love Paul charges Timothy to hold fast saying Hold fast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. That Delineation Draught Platforme Patterne or forme of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus Where seems to be intimated a Systeme or forme of doctrine communicated from Paul to Timothy according to which Timothy was to steer as by a Compasse This forme of doctrine is described here 1 By the generall nature of it A forme of sound words A draught or model of wholesome doctrine 2. By the principall parts of it into which it is branched viz. 1 Faith 2 Love Faith compriseth credenda All things to be believed as in the Creed taken out of Scripture Love containes facienda All things to be done as in the Decalogue Lords prayer and Sacramental Institutions which are Scripture into these two the whole Body of divinity is usually distributed 3. By the primary foundation upon which this forme of sound words is built viz. Christ Iesus compare herewith 1 Cor. 3.11 Eph. 2.20 So that if in any place of Scripture the word or letter of the text be repugnant to the Analogy of faith and love it is not to be understood properly and literally but improperly and figuratively As for instance This is my body This is my blood c. This cannot be understood properly that the bread and wine are Christs body and bloud for that is contrary to the Analogy or rule of faith w ch tels us that Christs human nature is ascended into heaven whom the heavens must containe till the restitution of all thing● therefore it is to be understood figuratively and in a ●acramentall sense The signe being put for the thing signified by a Met●●ymie So we are commanded To eate Christs flesh To pluck out our right eye cut off our right hand if they offend us We cannot read any of these literaelly and properly for that were against the Analogy or rule of love Thou shalt not kill therefore we must seek for a spirituall and improper sense viz. Eating Christs flesh not carnally with our teeth but spiritually by faith i. e. beleeving in Christ crucified c. As also denying all corruptions corrupt affections inclinations or occasions though as dea● and usefull as right hand or right eye unto us Thus this rule faithfully followed will cleare many hard and intricate passages in Scripture It is therefore of singular consequence to every one that desires solidly to understand the Scriptures to be well grounded in the fundamentals Principles of Christian Religion without which like a ship without ballast a man shall be carried away with every winde of vaine doctrine perverting or mistaking the Scriptures VI. Rule Be well acquainted with the 1 Order 2 Titles 3 Times 4 Penmen 5 Occasion 6 Scope and 7 Principall parts of the books both of the Old and N. Testament These will much promote the solid judicious understanding of the whole Bible in a short space For 1 Hereby you shall have the very Idea or character of every book lively describing the nature and Contents of it before your eyes as in a Map before you begin to peruse them 2 Hereby you shall have a Clew to conduct you a Compasse to saile and steere by in the perusall of any book 3 Hereby also you shall have a summary Recapitulation or Recollection of the chief Aime and subject matters of every book much tending both to help judgement and strengthen memory after the Perusall of any book of old or New Testament And therefore this course must needs be as an usefull Key to unlock the rich Cabinet of the Holy Scriptures and to discover the precious Treasures thereof unto you Now this is the Intent and Scope of this Manuall this small Treatise viz. so familiarly to open and unfold The 1 Order 2 Titles 3 Times 4 Penmen 5 Occasion 6 Scope and 7 Principall Parts of the Books of Old and New Testament That the whole Tenour of the Bible might be spread open in a Generall view to the meanest capacity For 1. The Order of the Books especially of the Historicall Books observed all along and compendiously represented in the two Tables before the Old and New Testament more evidently help to discover the Order of Histories and matters handled therein and the Order of Gods governing his Church in severall conditions 2. The Titles 1 Some of them summarily signify to us the chief matter of the Book as Genesis The Generations of
Mediatour and the salvation of sinners by him is the very substance marrow soule and Scope of the whole Scriptures As many passages not obscurely intimate unto us What are the whole Scriptures but as it were the spirituall swadling-cloathes of the Holy child Iesus 1 Christ is the truth and substance of all the types and shadows 2 Christ is the matter and substance of the Covenant of Grace under all administrations therof under the Old-Testament Christ is veyled under the New Covenant Revealed 3 Christ is the Center and meeting place of all the Promises for in him all the promises of God are yea and they are Amen 4 Christ is the thing signified sealed and exhibited in all the Sacraments of Old or New Testament whether ordinary or extraordinary 5 Scripture Genealogies are to lead us on to the true Line of Christ. 6 Scripture Chronologies are to discover to us the times and seasons of Christ. 7 Scripture lawes are our Schoole-Master to bring us unto Christ the Morall by correcting the Ceremoniall by Directing and 8 Scripture Gospel is Christs light whereby we know him Christs voice whereby we heare and follow him Christs cords of love whereby we are drawn into sweet union and Communion with him yea it is the power of God unto Salvation unto all them that believe in Christ Iesus Keep therefore still Jesus Christ in your eye in the perusall of the Scripture as the end Scope and substance thereof For as the Sunne gives light to all the heavenly bodies so Jesus Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse gives light to all the holy Scriptures 2. Still remember how Iesus Christ is revealed in Scripture gradually in Promises and Covenants till the noon day of the Gospell shined most clearly Especially in these more remarkeable Periods of time 1 To Adam immediately upon his fall most obscurely and imperfectly 2. To Noah more clearly then to Adam 3. To Abraham Isaac and Iacob more clearly then to Noah 4. To Moses and Israel at Mount Sinai more clearly then to Abraham 5. To David and his seed more clearly then to Moses 6. To Israel after the Babylonish captivity more clearly then to David 7. To the Church under the N. Testament the N. Covenant is laid open more clearly then to all others For 1 God is a God of order and he makes knowne his gracious contrivances orderly 2 Christ and salvation by him are treasures too high and precious to be disclosed all at once to the Church 3 The state of the Church is various she hath her infancy her youth and all the degrees of her minority as also her riper age and therfore God revealed Christ not according to his own ability of revealing but according to his Churches capacity of receiving 4 This gradual revealing of Christ suits well with our condition in this world which is not perfect but growing on to perfectiō fully attainable in Heaven only Now this gradual unveiling of the Covenant and promises in Christ is to be much considered throughout the whole Scripture that we may see the wisedome of Gods Dispensations the Imperfection of the Churches Condition here especially in her minority and the usefulnesse of comparing the more dark and imperfect with the more clear and compleat manifestations of the mysteries of Gods grace in Christ. 3. Well compare the texts you would understand with the Context and note the coherence For though some Scriptures are laid downe in certain independing Aphorismes like an heap of gold rings or distinct Jewels as most part of the Proverbs yet the generality of the Scriptures is concatenated or linked together part with part like a golden chaine intwisted or woven together like a curious silken web one thing so depending upon another as that they mutually help to the interpreting of one another Consider therefore still the coherence and dependance otherwise you will runne into a thousand misunderstandings As where it is said If the righteous scarcely be saved where c. A weak Christian perhaps is discouraged hereby thinks he shall scarce ever come to heaven now the context clears it for the Apostle speaks that judgement or affliction must begin at the house of God Gods people and thence argues to the certainty of wicked mens greater punishments so that here scarcely be saved is to be understood not of spirituall and eternal salvation from hell but of temporall salvation from temporall afflictions and persecutions from which the righteous shall not be free 4. Compare dark places with clearer what is in one place veyled is in another oft-times unveyled As with Parables conferre the exposition with visions the Interpretation with laws the explication thereof c. For as Augustine hath observed In those things that are plainly laid downe in Scripture are found all things containing faith and manners and places obscure are to be illustrated by those that are manifest 5. Explaine those places wherein any matter or subject of Divinity is touched only occasionally or accidentally with sundry other places wherein it is handled and insisted upon purposely and professedly which are the very seate and chief fountain of the Argument As if you would understand Iames c 2. touching justification by works as well as faith where justification is spoken of more accidentally compare it with the Epistle to the Romans c. 2 3 4 c. wherein justification is purposely and fully handled So if you would truly understand any texts about the matter of Creation consult with places where the Creation is professedly handled as in Gen. c. 1. and c. 2. and Psal. 104. 6. Parallel Types with Anti-Types or things typified The Types more familiarly lead us to the understanding and apprehending of things typified and consequently more firmly fix them in our memories The Anti-types more evidently unfold and unveyle the Types unto us As the Type of the brazen Serpent paralleld with Christ the truth The Type of Mannah and water out of the Rock with the Anti-type Christ whose body and bloud are meat and drinke indeed c. 7. Carefully ponder what Prophecyes and Promises are already actually fulfilled and what remain further to be fulfilled in their season For so farre as any Scripture clearly testifies the fulfilling of any of them so farre we have a clear and undoubted Commentary upon them As Isa. 7.14 fulfilled and so cleared Matth. 1.22 23. So Exod. 12.46 fulfilled and cleared Iohn 19.26 So Isa 61.1 2. fulfilled and cleared Luk. 4.18 19.21 with many such like And where Prophecyes or Promises are found to be yet unfulfilled we shall thereby be incited to study them and the intended time of their Accomplishment exercising faith and prayer thereupon 8. Finally Parallel heedfully the Old and New Testament together and specially all those places in the Old Testament which are in any respect alledged in the New Testament whether 1 the phrase and words only or 2 the sense and matter