makes it more glorious and seâ—â— it in greater esteeme amongst men Sinners that is to say guilty and câ—lpable having not as yet receâ—ved he gift of absolution and pardon and being yet under the kingâ—â—me of siâ— V. 〈◊〉 By 〈◊〉 namely by vertue of thâ—t satisfaâ—â—ionâ— which he hath made to God by his death 〈◊〉 wrath namely from eternall damnation and punishment Matth 3. 7. Rom. 2. 5. The meaning is that as it is more easie to keep a man from execution that is freed and absolved by the judg then for to get a guilty man absolved and freed by the iudge so after we have received pardon which is the greater we ought much now to be perswaded that we shal be freed from the punishment which is the lesser and that we shall have all good things Rom. 8. 32. V. 10. By his life namely by him living and raigning and communicating his life to all his members Iohn 6. 5. 7 and 14. 19. 2. Cor. 4. 10. 11. V. 11. And not onely besides that we gloriously triumph over all afflictions thorow a certain confidence of the everlasting crowne Wee have also whereof to boast our selves to bee happy in the whole course of our lives by the present feeling of Gods grace V. 12. Wherefore a generall conclusion of the presedent treatie of justification by faith in which the Apostle breifely running over those things which he had said doth withall set doune the ground of them which is that God hath of his owne good will established Christ to be the head of grace and the spring of righteousnesse and life to all his elect thorow the impution of whose righteousnesse they are restored into Gods favour and concequentlie sanctified and glorified as Adam was made the naturall head and root of all mankind whereupon by his sinne imputed to al his Seed it was all under Gods curse deprived of originall righteousnesse corruption its whole naturall and subiect to death V. 13. For untill this originall corruption is verified by the effects of all mens actuall Sinnes in al ages even before the law of Moises which sheweth that there was before that another generall law namely that of nature the reliques of which doe yet remaine in man Rom. 2. 14. 15. against which Adam having actually sinned hath enfolded all his posteritie in the same fault and hath propagated originall sinne in it is not imputed that is to say is not reputed to be truely sinne which is nothing but a transgression of the law Rom 4. 15. 1. Iohn 3. 4. nor man is not called to account upon it to be therefore condemned to death V. 14. Neverthelesse he doeth moreover shew that there was an universall defect in all mankind against the said law which was imputed unto him to condemnation seeing they are all dead and that death is the reward of sinne Rom. 6 23. over them namely over little children who weare not come to the age of iudgment and consequently could not bee guilty of an actual deliberate and voluntarie sinne such a one as Adams was and yet for all that they are dead wherefore wee must conclude that there was in them some other sinne which is the originall sinne of him namely of Christ the second Adam the head of the spirituall off spring of this elect as Adam was the natural head of all men Now the conformitie of them both consisteth in this that either of them by the order of God justification hath communicated his estate to all his V. 15. But not though these two Adam the head of sinne and death and Christ the head of righteousnesse and life doe agree in this prosperity of communicating their conditions to those who are theirs yet there is great deale of difference between them First in that in Christ the power is all divine and therefore infinitely more active and effectuall and then also in the excellencie and abundance of gifts and good things which he communicates to his above all that which man had lost in Adam manie bee namely all men the children of Adam v. 12. The grace namely Gods mercie and good will which is the Soveraigne cause the gift namely the application and free imputation of Christs righteousnesse which is the meritorious cause by grace for love and by vertue of that perfect righteousnesse and obedience which Christ yeelded his father in his humane nature by which he hath merited and possesseth all his grace and love Matth. 3. 17. Iohn 1. 16. Ephes. 1. 6. Vnto many namely to all believers Gods spirituall children in Christ whereof he had spoken before V. 16. And not there is likewise another difference namely that Adam did indeed by his offence make all his posterity guilty but they have aggravated their iudgement by their owne proper and voluntary sins But Christ iustifieth not onely from the sin which proceeded from Adam but likewise from all other personall sins The judgment namely God proceeding as a iust iudge hath imputed this one offence of Adams to all his posteritie and hath condemned it to lose the state of originall righteousnesse and consequently life The free gift the Italian The grace the same God proceeding in his grace hath absolved all his elect from al their sinnes for to behold them just and innocent V. 17. For if this ought not to seeme strange for God hath infinitely more beene appeased in Christ then hee was offended and provoked by Adam Of righteousnesse namely Christs righteousnesse which is given that is to say imputed out of meere grace to all believers V. 18. By the righteousnesse of one by Christs perfect obedience God hath poured out his free mercy upon all men to absolue them from sinne and give them right to eternall life vpon all to all manner of persons indifferently though not to all universallie Or he means all those which belong to Christ. v. 15. 17. V. 19. Mary see v. 15 were made that is to weare reputed for such and doe as such appeare before Gods judgement Shall manie henceforward Christ having ben manifested and his righteousnesse fulfilled and preached to the world by the Gospell all those who shall receive it shall be reputed righteous before God in him V. 20. The law because he had said v. 13. that before the law of Moses sinne had raigned against the law of nature he doth now obviate an objection wherefore then was Moses his Law added Hee answeareth because the Law of nature might be restored to its naturall light and vigor and repaired in the breaches which ignorance forget fullnesse evil manners and erroneous opinions of men had made in it And that by this light of Gods law renewed in man and yet with stood by him with a greater malice then before his wickednesse should appeare to be growen up to the height whereby he might have no other way of restauration but onely to 〈◊〉 to Gods grace in Christ whose power overcomes all the power of sinne V. 21. Unto death shewing its
16. 34. The simple that is to say every man in generall naturally blinde and ignorant in divine things and more particularly him who doth not oppose the presumption of carnall wisedome to this pure light of the word of God but in humility and simplicity submits himselfe to believe and obey all that which hath been revealed unto him see Pro. 1. 4. and 8. 5. Mat. 11. 25. 1 Cor. 3. 18. V. 9. The feare that is to say the rule of his feare and of all true religion contained in his word Enduring that is say it is invariable and incorruptible and produceth the effect of eternall life in them that observe it The judgements that is to say the statutes and lawes according to which he judgeth man V. 11. There is great in the first covenant made with Adam God did indeed promise eternall life to the perfect observer of his Law but this condition being become impossible by reason of sinne Rom. 8. 3. the Gospel which is the covenant of grace promiseth man the same life by vertue of the merit of Christs perfect obedience so that he follow the way and direction to holinesse and sincere and true obedience though unperfect in this life V. 12. Who can understand that is to say this externall revelation by his works and by his word is not sufficient of it selfe to salvation unlesse the operation of Gods internall grace and spirit bee added to it to remit man his sinnes whose greatnesse and weight exceeds all humane sence and power and to regenerate him in newnesse of life V. 13. Keepe back by thy spirit represse the motions and affections of my flesh which doe yet dwell end combat in those who are regenerate that they may not get the victory over me and command me and come to the heigth of untamed and presumptuous rebellion called pride which is incompatible with the spirit of regeneration Lev. 26. 21. Num. 15. 30. Iob 15. 25. and is opposite to the infirmity ignorance and inconsideracie of Gods children see Deut. 3â— 5. Heb. 5. 2. V. 14. My strength the Italian my rock see Deut. 32. 4. PSAL. XX. VER 1. THe name the true God who hath revealed himselfe unto his people by his name by which he is worâ—hipped and known Others his famous power Defend thee the Itaâ—ian raise thee on high in safety as it were on a high and inaccessible place out of all danger V. 2. From the Sanctuary which upon earth was the ordinary place of Gods presence in grace and power and the figure of heaven V. 3. Accept the Italian turne to ashes let him shew that it is acceptable to him for God in extraordinary Sacrifices did often give a signe of his approbation by sending fire from heaven to consume the offering Levit. 9. 24. Iudg. 6. 21. 1 Kings 18. 38. 1 Chron. 21. 26. 2 Chron. 7. 1. Or give thee grace to desire his convenient aide for thine offerings so that thou mayst feele the effects thereof V. 5. Banners that is to say tokens of victory set up to the honour of God V. 6. Know I words of faith and of a prophetick spirit of the whole Church represented by the Priest offering prayers and sacrifices His holy heaven the Italian the heaven of his holinesse the throne of his most sacred majesty With the with miracles and glorious effects of his omnipotencie V. 7. Will remember wee will call upon him and and will have all our hearts and intentions fixed upon him of whom we have such exccellent proofes through the remembrance of which wee will take courage V. 8. Stand upright we have stoutly withstood all their assaults and have obtained a full and firme victory V. 9. Heare us the Italian answer us make our King who is the figure of Christ a ready and assured instrument of our deliverances every time that we shall be in danger and necessity PSAL. XXI VER 3. PReventest him thou hast prevented him with thy graces and benefits which thou hast bestowed upon him of thine owne free will V. 4. Length this is to be referred to eternall life which David had assurance of by Gods spirit besides temporall blessings Mat. 19. 29. 1 Tim. 4. 8 see Ephes. 3. 20. Or else to the continuance of his Kingdome in his posterity untill the comming of Christ who should change it into an everlasting Kingdome 2 Sam. 7. 19. V. 6. Most blessed the Italian thou hast set him in blessings that is to say to bee every way blessed to be an instrument of blessing to thy people and a formulary and solemne example of blessing see Gen. 12. 2. With thy see Psal. 16. 11. V. 9. Thou shalt thou shalt consume them with the fire of thy wrath like wood put into a furnace V. 11. They intended the Italian they have warped the Hebrew have bent or stretched a similitude taken from Weavers who warpe their yarne before they weave or from archers who when they have bent their bow and put in their arrow doe take their ayme V. 12. Shalt thou make them turne their back the Italian set them as a but see the like similitude Job 7. 20. 16. 12. Lam. 3. 12. PSAL. XXII THE title Aijeleth Shahar that is to say a hinde or strength of the morning according to some it was the beginning of a song to the tune of which this Psalme was to be sung according to others it was a full singing or the great morning quier because that every morning and and evening there was musick in the temple 1 Chro. 9. 33. 23. 30. V. 1. My God in respect of David they are words of faith fighting against some great terror when hee did not feele the present effects of Gods grace But in respect of Christ shadowed by David they are expressions of his humanity on the one side fully assured of Gods love and on the other side brought into extream agonies to give his wrath satisfaction for the sinnes of the world to which end the God-head did not onely for a time suspend the influence of its power so farre as it was fitting to let him suffer the incomprehensible paines even in an exteame manner though it never forsooke him insomuch as was necessary to vanâ—uish and overcome them Isa. 42. 1. Iohn 16. 32. but did also make him feele the horror of Gods wrath against sinne for which hee had undertaken see Matth. 26. 38. 39. Luke 22. 44. Gal. 3. 13. V. 3. O thou that inhabitest the Italian the constant that is to say immutable in thine essence councels and promises Psal. 102. 12. 27. and therefore thou canst not vary in thy grace towards mee But in respect of Christ these words doe meane that the truth of Gods promises and the confidence of all the ancient Fathers being grounded upon his victory in this combat he desired his fathers power with confidence that hee should bee heard the prayses the subject of the thanks and blessings which thy people yeeld unto thee Or
over to his posterity by teachings and traditions from Father to Sonne yet questionlesse Moses had thereof a new full and most certaine knowledge by the inspiration of the holy Ghost which likewise guided him in the histori all relation of the beginning and continuance of the Church to hinder the forgetfulnesse ignorame and falsification of those things wheâ—ein are contained the grounds of her being and the rules and drections of her continuance in all ages He declarcth therefore how the world was by God created of nothing and by him was distinguished into its parts and by him appointed to his uses adorned enriched and filled with creatures very great in number and variety in a most admirable order And all this for man who was especially created for the service and glory of God according to his image and likenesse in innocency wisdom and justice and by him established as his deputy on earth for the governement of his creatures joyned with a holy and free use of them with the enjoyment of a most happy contented equall and immortall life after the course of which he should have been without old age paines sicknesses drooping or death transported into the celestiall and eternall And all this if he persevered in his obedience to God whereof he had asufficient grant in the originall justice wherein he was created if he would have practised it But be having transgressed the commandement of triall which had been given him is fallen into death and condemnation and hath lost his spirituall gifts totally and a great part of his naturall ones and hath been deprived of the lawfull right he had over Gods creatures and dispossessed of the quiet and sweet possession of them and hath lost the Sacraments of life and happinesse which were the inhabiting of earthly Paradice and the free use of the fruit which grew upon the tree of life Againâ— Moses declareth Gods infinite mercy in restoring man into a new state of grace and hope of life by the promise of a Saviour which promise with all its signes stamps and dependencies of sacrifices and other Religious acts being made unto Adam did notwithstanding not indifferently belong to all his progenie as sin and the sentence of condemnation was generally passed against them all but it was Gods pleasure to appropriate it only to part of his race So that after the said promise there came two branches from Adam the one by Cain and the other by Abel and afterwards by Seth. The first of the sonnes of men accursed abandoned in his sin and condemnation having the Divell for his head The other of the sons of God blessed holy adopted by the heavenly Father reconciled unto him through his sonne and sanctified by his spirit Whose chief head is and hath alwayes been Christ Iesus even at that time promised and embraced through a lively Faith by all believers These two bodies have even from the beginning continued in enmitie trained up in much cruelty and fiercenesse of the evill against the good one the first alwayes strengthening himself and increasing in power and number and exceeding in wickednesse and unrighteousnesse The second contrary wise being oppressed by the other and to its greater losse corrupted by his enticements and conversation whereby it hath decayed and even quite degenerated Which provoked Gods Iustice to drown the first world by an universall deluge which being spared only for Gods elect whose number was so decreased that as it appeareth it was included in Noahs Family which God only saved out of the universall destruction not so much to preserve mankind or beasts and plants as for the preservation of the seed of his Children But soone after the deluge there sprung out of Noahs race againe two generations with the same contrarieties as the former For the accursed one quickly grew mighty and powerfull in the world by setting up great and tyrannicall empires and was corrupted by idolatries pride violences and other vices So that amongst all those Nations which Noahs posterity was divided into the knowledge and pure service of God was almost utterly extinguished Untill it pleased God to cause the holy stock to sprout out againe in Abraham severed from the rest of the world by an especiall calling new promises of grace and a most peculiar covenant sealed with the Sacrament of Circumcision a token of the regeneration of Gods Children in the spirit and of their separation from the world This blessing was continued in Isaac though somewhat interrupted in its beginnings by the buds of the accursed race which sprouted out of the Godly one namely Ismael and Esau. But the blessed one began to take body and being in â—acob and his numerous familâ—â— under the new name of Israel none of his Children being rejectéd as some of the others were Yet was the Church his posterity alwayes a wanderer and a stranger in the world full of defects and infirmities within and many oppositions and molestations without having none of her side but only her God who pardoning and correcting its sius hath continually comforted it guided it provided for it defended it and increased it giving it a promise also of a firmâ— and happy dwelling in the World in the Land of Canaan And from time to time visiting it by visible apparitions of the sonne of God its head in proper person under shape of an Angell under whose conduct it was at last all brought into Aegypt where it was kept untill the death of Ioseph with which this book endeth ANNOTATIONS VPON GENESIS CHAP. I. VERS 1. IN the beginning God giving the world its first being began with the creation of the two generall parts of it and then went to the particulars The Heaven that is the highest and aethereall part under which it is very likely the Angels are comprehended Gen. 2. 1. The Earth The lower and elementall part of the Universe here indifferently called earth waters and abysse because it was a consused masse of all the Elements V. 2. Without forme Without any particular or distinct creature without order forme or ornament The Spirit that is the 3d person of the most holy Trinity immediatly and through its proper operation which is to preserve and maintaine all things in their being which they have received by the supreame will of the Father and the productive action of the Son see Psal 104. 2. 29. 30. Moved the Hebrew terme signifieth the moving or beating of the wings which a bird useth over her young ones to signifie the action of the holy Ghost in maintaining and cherishing of that shapelesse masse to prepare it for the subsequent productions V. 3. Let there be It is likely that the light was at first imprinted in some part of the heaven whose turning made the first three dayes and the fourth it was restrained into the body of the Sun or of all the other Stars but in a different degree V. 4. God saw he liked and approved of his work and took delight in it
but also to impose a necessitie upon him of covering his nakednesse and to teach him that it belongeth only to God to cover sin with the clothing of righteousnesse and the Redeemers satisfaction 〈◊〉 V. 22. Behold a biâ—ter mock of mans boldnesse Of us see above Gen. 1. 26. And now lest since that through sin he is fallen from the life of the soule he hath no more part in the immortalitie of the body nor the tree of life which is the meanes to it and ought not to profane the Sacrament of eternall life which no more belongeth to him for the aforesaid reason and it is fitting for him to seek his life and the causes thereof in his Redeemer who is therefore called the tree of life Rev. 2. 7. and 22. 14. 〈◊〉 V. 24. And he placed as it were to watch Cherubins a name of Angels appearing in a bodily shape and particularly in the shape of an oxe Ezek. 10. 14. according to the proper signification of the Hebrew word though it do often extend it self to any other shape And a it was a corporall vision to affright Adam that he might not come neere to the earthly Paradice whereby is figured the wickeds exclusion out of the heavenly Paradice CHAP. IV. VERS 1. CAin that is gotten or getting from the Lord by his favour and power V. 3. Brought God even at that time had ordained this manner of service in token that man oweth unto God a fee out of the goods he hath bestowed on him and to figure and represent continually before ones eyes Christs sacrifice the ground of all true Religion and of all his actions V. 4. Of the firstlings which questionlesse God had reserved to himself by expresse command which was afterwards renewed by Moses Exod. 13. 2. Num. 3. 13. even then intending as it is very likely to figure out the sacrifice of Christ the great first borne Had respect by some visible signe as by fire sent from heaven Lev. 9. 24. 1. Kings 18. 38. 1. Chron. 21. 26. he shâ—wed that Abels person was acceptable unto him because of his lively â—aith in the promised Redeemer and the sacrifice because of his person Heb. 11. 4. Now it seemeth that this sacrifice was an act for thâ— election and consecration of one of the two brethren whom God did chuse for his servant and for head of the blessed race See Gen 4. 7 25. 26. And thereupon grâ—w Cains anger to see his younger brother preferred to this dignitie which he thought to belong to him by right of eldership see Num. 16. 7. V. 5. Fell through sorrow and confusion V. 7. Shalt thou not that is to say thou mayst hope to be restored into thy degree of eldership if thou beest converted from thy wickednesse and malice see â—pon Gen 49. 3. others have it shall there not be acceptance that is shall not God accept of thy services others shall there be noâ— pardon Sin that is as much as if he said Besides the being deprived of this dignitie the punishment of thy malice is also ready and hangeth over thee His that is Abels as if he said My preferring him before thee in this belonging to my service doth not take away the civill honour which he oweth thee and doth willingly yeeld unto thee as his elder and thou being sensuall and worldly shouldest content thy self therewith see Gen. 3. 16. V. 12. When that is to say I will withdraw that remnant of blessing from thy Land which I have left unto it since sin and will increase the curse Under these corporall punishments are comprehended the spirituall to be deprived of the grace of God and to be banished out of his Church in this world and from his glory in heaven Strength that is her fruit which is the effect of that power and blessing which I have given it Joel 2. 22. Vagabond an outcast of my Church disquieted in thy minde tossed up and down in thy body V. 13. My words of despaire in the acknowledgement of his extreame sin V. 14. From Giving mee no place of secure rest From thy that is from thy Church where thy name is called upon and where thou dost manifest thy selfe by spirituall Revelations and corporall apparitions It shall come to passe Cain being all carnal feareth nothing but bodily dangers V. 15. Therefore since thou fearest this onely I will deliver thee from it to reserve thee for my judgment and will not suffer thy solitary and roming life to give any one occasion to hurt thee since the fact is knowne to me alone I onely can and will be judge of it Seven-sold the Italian addeth more than Cain though he slew innocent Abel The straightlier to represse all man-slaughters done without lawfull order and power a marke the forme of which is unknowne Yet it is to be believed that there was some impression of Gods Majesty added unto it V. 16. Nod This same signifieth flight or exile and was given this Land in remembrance of Cains curse V. 19. Took unto him The abuse of Poligamy contrary to the first institution of marriage Mal. 2. 15. is shewne by this that it was brought in by the accursed Generation out of the Church V. 20. Father That is inventer of the art As dwel that have no firme habitation but follow the pastures with their cattell as now a dayes the Arabians and other people doe V. 21. Of all That is to say of all Musicians V. 23. I have Very darke words neither is there any certainty in any thing that is written thereof It may be they are onely a vaunt of a cruell and violent man who thinketh himselfe to have liberty to commit murthers unpunished and it seemeth hee was one of those Giants of the primitive world that could kill a man with the least blow of his hand V. 25. Again That is many years after the death of Abel Gen. 5. 3. God being willing thereby to try Adams patience by his long expectation between his children in which and by which the blessed Generation was to be continued as hee did also afterwards with Abraham eth That is put in dead Abels place in the Priest-hood and to bee head of the holy Generation or branch of man-kind V. 26. Then Cains progeny running more and more into wickednes vices was parted by som expresse order of God from Seths into which the Church was restrayned this bearing the glorious title and possessing the right of the Children of God and the other having no other name or quality but of Children of men Gen. 6. 2. CHAP. V. VERS 1. THE Book Of the blessed Generation continued by Sâ—th from Adam unto Noah V. 3. In his owne As well in nature as in the corruption of it through sinne and this seemeth to be expressed to shew that all the oddes the holy progeny had proceeded from Gods pure grace and not by vertue of their nature which was corrupt as well as all others V. 22. Walked That is
enemies V. 5. For every he gives a reason why he hath likened the Churches deliverances to the peoples deliverance from the Midianites tyranny namely because that by the preaching and light of the Gospel like unto Gideons lights and trumpets Judges 7. 20. the enemies shall be put to flight and terrified and the world shall be filled with blood and wars and at last shall be consumed with fire at the day of judgement V. 6. A childe namely that childe which was spoken of Isa. 7. 14. which is Jesus Christ the everlasting Sonne of God who hath taken humane flesh by being born of the Virgin and defends the Churches right against all her enemies in quality of Mediatour and head of the same The government God the Father hath made him Head and King of the universe and especially of his Church being his generall Deputy in the quality of Mediatour Upon his hee seems to have a relation to those who were in eminent places and great Offices about Kings who for a badge of their office carried a key upon their shouldes Isa. 22. 22. Rev. 3. 7. And his name he shall be such a one in effect as these names demonstrate him to be Wonderfull in his divine glorious adorable person and in his wonderfull and incomprehensible works Judg. 13. 18. Counsellour he that is the fathers everlasting wisdom and by reason of the unitie of essence is partaker of all his counsells see Prov. 8. 14 27. Everlasting Father the Italian Father of eternity the head and as it were the stocke of the spirituall and everlasting life of all beleevers who have that life from him by the communication of his justice life and spirit as all men have their naturall and animall life from Adam The ancient did translate it Father of the age that is to say the head and author of the renewed state of the world in grace and justice Hebr. 2. 5. and 6. 5. opposite to the evill world Gal. 1. 4. of sinne and death of which the devill is prince The prince that is to say the onely and supream King of the Church who hath made peace between God and it and giveth true peace to the conscience and reigneth thereby to life and salvation over it Col 3. 15. and by his Kingdom establisheth the said peace amongst beleevers Isa. 60. 17. V. 7. Of David namely of Christ figured by David and descended from him according to the flesh who shall change Davids temporall Kingdom into an everlasting and spirituall one Luke 1. 32. The zeale that is to say God shall give his Sonne for a Saviour to the world for to maintaine his glory against the attempts of the Devill and for to accomplish the salvation of those who are his V. 8. The Lord the Prophet now returnes to the predictions of Israels calamities V. 9. Shall know that is to say Shall feele it and finde the effects of it V. 10. The bricks proverbiall kinds of speeches the meaning whereof is True it is that our State hath suffered many great overthrowes and ruines but wee will raise it up againe in greater splendour and glory then ever it was A vain hope conceived upon the happy reigne of Jeroboam the sonne of Joas 2 King 14. 16. V. 11. Shall set up namely shall give the Assyrians victorie over the Syrians and Rezin their King 2 King 16. 9. V. 12. The Syrians their invasions are not any where made mention of in Scripture V. 14. The head a kinde of speech taken from beasts and plants meaning he shall cut off all from the greatest to the least see Isa. 19. 15. V. 15. He is the taile he seems to meane that in the Church vices and vertues and not titles and dignities make a difference of degrees see Matth. 5. 19. V. 16. Cause them to erre the Italian shall be seducers in the triall shall be knowne and found to be such V. 17. No joy for to spare them in these universall judgements V. 18. Wickednesse that is to say the sinnes being common both to great ones and little ones shall cause them likewise all to perish indifferently as in an universall burning V. 19. No man shall that is to say The land shall be full of seditions discords and civill wars see 2 Kings 15. 14 16 25 30. V. 20. The flesh of that is to say those that are neerest and most allied unto him V. 21. And they the Italian though they the ten tribes shall not agree together but onely in warring against Judah and in other things they shall continually bee divided into severall factions amongst themselves CHAP. X. Vers. 1. THat write namely those that by violence cause unjust sentences to be given in courts of Justice according to their owne private passions V. 2. From judgement namely from the means of obtaining their just demands and pretences by the way of justice V. 3. Where will you leave for to keep it safe and out of danger Your glory your power titles and wealth V. 4. Bow downe that is to say they shall be prisoners great companies of them bound together thrusting and crouding one another V. 5. The staffe that is to say they are armed with my wrath and have no other power over my people but what I through my just judgement do grant them V. 7. He meaneth not that is to say the Assyrians end which he proposeth to himselfe shall not be to obey me in punishing of my people nor hee shall not acknowledge that whatsoever he can doe or undertake doth depend upon my will V. 8. Are not my princes that is to say am not I King of Kings Ezech. 26. 7. Dan. 2. 37. who have for mine officers Barons and Captains Kings that are my vassals V. 9. Is not have I not subdued all these nations and provinces as well one as the other see of the destruction of Calno and Hamath Amos 6. 2. V. 11. Jerusalem and her words of an idolater who knowes not the true God V. 12. His whole work namely of punishing and visiting of his people The fruit namely his proud deeds and blasphemous words see Isa. 36. and 37. V. 14. All the earth bringing the greatest part of the world under my command Moved the wing to withstand me or so much as to complain V. 15. Boast it selfe a scoffe at the Assyrians vain boasting who were but instruments of Gods hand from whom they had all their power and motion V. 16. Send that is to say he shall destroy all the flower of the nation 2 King 19. 35. see of this kinde of speech Judg. 3. 29. Psal. 78. 31. V. 17. The light that is to say God who is a devouring fire but doth not worke with his Church in that quality but is to it as a lively light as it was figured Exod. 3. 2. but shall cause his enemies to feele the other effect by being a consuming fire to them as Exod. 14. 24. His thornes by which and by great trees vers 18. the
commit fornication the Scripture useth this terme onely to shew the concourse and mixture of strange Nations upon occasion onely of prophane commerce and of gain obtained by cunning and deceit see Ezek. 16. 17. Revel 17. 2. and 18. 3. Upon the namely with great pride and ostentation V. 18. And her the Italian but in the end her that is to say God by the Gospell shaâ—â— call the Tyrians also unto him Psal. 87 4. Acts 21. 3. and then their tâ—ading which before was defiled with avarice shall be sanctified by charâ—tie towards those which are of the houshold of faith see Zech. 14. 20. CHAP. XXIIII Vers 1. THe eaâ—th the Italian the coâ—ntrey namely Iudea V. 2. The priest that is to say as well the politick as the Ecclesiasticall order in which consists the order of the state shall be overthrown or all shall be dealt with alike great and little V. 5. Is defiled with blood murthers rapes and other cruelties and outrages of war and hath not beene kept with that respect as is due to a Country consecrated to God V. 6. The curse namely the curse of God or the punishment of their perjurie for violating the oath which they had made to God see Deut. 29. 20. Are burned are consumed by the combustion of warre or dried up like a river through an extream drought V. 11. For wine the Italian for want of wine because all occasions and meanes of mirth have been taken away The mirth since the peoples captivity all manner of mirth and pleasure hath ceased in the countrey V. 13. When thus that is to say that small remnant of people that shall escape the wars shall be all gathered together and carried away captive to Babylon or shall voluntarily exile it selfe into Egypt and so the land shall remain empty V. 14. They shall sing at the time of their deliverance For the majestie the Italian for the height namely for his glorious power shewed for their deliverance From the sea namely from those far Countries whither they were carried V. 16. Have we heard a description of the confession of their sins which the Jews should make in Babylon and of Gods Justice in visiting them see Dan. 9. 5. Isaid namely I Isaiah even at this time doe lament their grievous transgressions before the punishment fall upon them as they themselves shall afterwards confesse V. 18. He who slecth that is to say Hee that escapeth from one danger shall fall into a greater Amos 5. 19. The windows that is to say Gods Judgements shall come pouring downe upon the earth like a deluge Gen. 7. 11. Psal. 42. 7. and therefore there will be no way to avoid them V. 20. The transgression it shall be so overburthened with grievous punishments for our sinnes that the Lord shall even overthâ—ow it Not rise it shall not be able to stay the ruine nor know how to get out of it as it did in the former calamities though at last it shall please God to restore it wiâ—h his almighty hand V. 21. The bost namely the Church likened to the Stars of the firmament for the dignity of her heavenly vocation Dan. 8. 10. see Isa. 34. 4 5. Lam. 2. 1. The Kings namely of the world and all their might V. 22. Bee visued with Gods grace by Christs comming upon the earth who shall be the Sunne of righteousnesse and the day spring from above who with his soveraigne divine brightnesse shall darken all other inferiour and worldly lights as a great light dims a lesser see Luke 1. 78. V. 23. Shall reign in the person of his Sonne manifested to the world and raised up in glory Before his ancients gloriously the Italian there shall be glory before his ancients that is to say God in the glorious power of his Spirit shall bee present in his Church signified by the ancients or heads of the ancient people see Exodus 24. 9 10. Revelation 4. 4. CHAP. XXV Vers. 2. ACitie namely of the enemies of thy Church A palace the Italian Castles into strong places kept by forraign souldiers V. 3. Therefore in the time of the Messias thou shalt make these ruines of States and Nations serve for their conversion when they shall see thy Church though poore and weake subsist in the world against all oppositions V. 5. The noise namely the furious commotions and enterprises of thine enemies As the heat even as the greatest heat in the driest desert is abated by some cloud that shadoweth the air or is resolved into rain V. 6. Make unto ali he shall distribute unto all Nations gathered together in his Church his spirituall gifts and graces see Psal. 22. 26 29. Pro. 9. 2. Matth. 22. 2. Wines on the lees the Italian excellent wines the Hebrew word properly signifieth Wine that hath not been racked but is yet upon the lees see Jer. 48. 11. V. 7. The face of the namely the vail of blindnesse and want of knowledge of God and of his mysteries which naturally is in all men 2 Cor. 3. 15. V. 8. Swallow up or destroy that is to say Christ the true everlasting God shall by his death destroy the prince of death and death it selfe especially in the blessed resurrection so that it shall never more have any power over his members 1 Cor. 15. 26 54. 2 Tim. 1. 1â— Heb. 2. 14. Rev. 20. 14. and 21. 4. V. 10. The hand that is to say his power shall be for ever present and effectuall in his Church Moab by the name of this Nation is meant all other Nations that are deadly enemies to the Church by reason of the extream fiercenesse of that Nation see Isa. 16. 6. V. 11. Shall spread forth hee shall execute and worke his will at his owne pleasure without any opposition CHAP. XXVI Vers. 1. IN the land namely in the true Church under the Gospel We have that is to say the Church wherein we are is safe against all dangers for the eternall salvation which God hath given us through Christ is the cause and ground of our deliverance from all our enemies and from all evils V. 2. Open ye let all beleevers who are justied and sanctified by God have free entrance and abode therein indifferently without any distinction of Nations V. 5. Them that dwell namely all the powerfull enemies of the Church 2 Cor. 10. 〈◊〉 V. 6. The foot that is to say the beleevers though poor and weake according to the world shall tread upon all contrary powers which are overthrown by the power of God Rom. 16. 20. Rom. 2. 26. V. 7. The way thou guidest and directest him happily in all his affairs see Psal. 143. 10. Prov. 21. 8. V. 8. Have we namely we beleevers have alwayes had our hope and confidence in thee even then when thou hast wrought against us in the rigour of thy punishments To the remembrance of thee namely to all the signes gages and testimonials which thou hast given us of thy grace by thy Word
great ignominie before the world Isa. 53. 2. 3. Phil. 2. 7. shall be exalted to soveraign glory Heb. 2. 9. V. 15. So shall he as thou O my people hast received abundance of graces after thy miserie even so shall Christ receive the fulnesse of the Spirit from the Father which he shall shed over all the world Acts 2. 33. and by this meanes shall make himselfe known Shall shut submitting to him in silence and humilitie For that which namely the mysterie of the Gospell and of the Sonne of Gods Kingdom which was unknowne in former ages Rom. 15. 21. CHAP. LIII Vers. 1. WHo hath whereas other nations have yeelded themselves to the obedience of faith the Jewish nation shall resuse Christ foretold by us Prophets and preached by the Apostles To whom how few of the Jewes shall open their eyes and hearts to the Gospell which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleeveth Rom. 1. 16. Or in whom God shall work by his powerfull and superabundant grace to bow their hardned hearts V. 2. For he shall that is to say Christs beginnings in respect of his humane nature and of his Kingdom shall be very small and weak like unto a young plant growing in dry ground see Isa. 11. 1 Before him namely before God the Father under whose protection and providence the Kingdom of Christ is grown up Or before the people who seeing Christs weaknesse in the flesh did contemn and despise him Shall see him he speakes as if he were a carnall Jew who judged of Christ according to his outward appearance Joh. 7. 24. V. 3. Acquainted to whom all manner of evils and sufferances have been familiar and ordinary V. 4. He hath born in the quality of a pledge for his Church he hath given satisfaction for her sins bearing all the punishments due for them in torments and extreame griefes both of body and soul and by feeling the wrath of God and death c. Yet we namely the Jewish nation Stricken namely for his own proper sins V. 5. The chastisement that is to say Gods just judgements for sin have been fully executed against him in stead of all his Elect for their benefit and absolution whereby his wrath hath been appeased and they reconciled with him V. 6. All we all men through sinne were alienated from God and were gone astray out of the way of everlasting life and every one followed his own lusts and particular sins Laid on him by his Sons one and onely righteousnesse he hath expiated all those severall sins Rom. 5. 16 18 19. The iniquity not the transgression nor the fault but the bond by which we were liable to Gods justice and the punishment of it Christ being our surety Of us all namely of all beleevers who in Christ have a true spirituall communion amongst themselves V. 8. Was taken into celestiall glory From judgement namely from the punishment of judiciall death which hee suffered for men as their pledge His generation the Italian his age namely the lastingnesse and eternity of his Kingdome into the possession of which he entred after his resurrection V. 9. His grave according to the custome of malefactors condemned to death he was to be buried ignominiously But Joseph a rich and honourable man laid the body in his grave by a secret providence of God to shew that with Christs death all the punishments and shame due to sinne were ended V. 10. He shall see hee shall gaine an infinite number of beleevers regenerate according to his own image through his Spirit and the incorruptible seed of his word Psal. 110. 3. Hebr. 2. 13. Prolong he shall reigne and live eternally The pleasure namely Gods eternall decree concerning the salvation of the Elect shall be powerfully and fully executed by Christ who by his word and Spirit shall communicate unto them the fruit of his death to everlasting life and salvation V. 11. He shall see he shall receive a full reward for his sufferings when after he hath accomplished the work of redemption he shall be raised up in glory and shall gather unto him all his Elect by the preaching of the Gospell My righteous servant who hath and possesseth that perfect righteousnesse as can alone satisfic Gods judgement for his Elect. Dan. 9. 14. Zech. 9. 9. Rom. 5. 18 19. 1 John 2. 1. Justifie that is to say he shall cause them to be absolved as righteous before God by his righteousnesse which through faith shall bee imputed to them Rom. 4. 5 6. By his knowledge by the lively light and impression of faith which embraceth Christ and his righteousnesse to salvation and doth mystically unite the beleever to him Gal. 2. 20. He shall beare to redeem them from condemnation by his suffering to make intercession for their defects by presenting himselfe continually before God and to mend their defaults by his Spirit V. 12. Will I divide him that is to say I the Father will cause my Son after he hath overcome the devill and death to gain unto himselfe a great many men whom the devill held in slavery and shall upon them establish his Kingdome amongst the other Kingdoms of the world Ephes 4. 8. Of many not generally of the whole world but of the decreed number of the Elect John 17. 9. Rom. 5. 15 19. CHAP. LIIII Vers. 1. O Barren namely O thou Church which before Christs comming wert like a barren woman or like a woman forsaken of her husband bringing forth no more spirituall children Rejoyce in the Messias his time because that by the renewing of the covenant of grace and by the sending of the Spirit thou shall become a most fruitfull mother farre more fruitfull then ever the ancient Jewish Church was whilest it continued in Gods Covenant V. 2. Enlarge a representation of the wonderfull increase of beleevers under the Gospel by the figure of a tent that should grow too little for them that live in it V. 3. And thy seed that is to say The beleevers which thou shalt bring forth to the Lord shall spiritually become Lords of the world planting his faith and Kingdome in it and peopling with a new and sanctified kinde of people the whole world which before was void of the knowledge and grace of God V. 4. Shalt forget that is to say the greatnesse of thy glory under the Gospel shall blot out and cancell in thee all feeling and remembrance of thy former state which was infamous for sins and idolatries and wretched for punishments by meanes of which I was in a manner divorced from thee Isa. 50. 1. V. 5. Thy maker namely God who as by his grace he gave thee thy first being to make thee his Church can also restore it to thee again when he pleaseth Of the whole and not onely of the Jewish Nation V. 6. Hath called thee hath re-united thee to himselfe by the Covenant of grace V. 9. This is namely this salvation and deliverance from the deluge
making any set meale Ver. 34. This is God shall deliver you from this Sea danger But you must take heed that you do not dye or weaken your selves with hunger seeing God gives you the meanes to prevent it that you may on your part endeavour as much as in you lyeth to escape expecting the rest from God Fall from a proverbiall terme as 1 Kings 1. 52. Matth. 10. 30. Luke 21. 18. V. 35. Gave thankes See upon Matth. 15. 36. 1 Tim 4. 4. Ver. 40. Rudder which were two great Oares hanging on each side of the poope And it is likely that when they let downe their sailes and let the ship drive at Sea they tooke away and made fast the rudders which now being willing to runne the Ship on shoare they untie to keepe it upright V. 41. A place some shelfe which was separate from firme land The Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Romans Argument AS under the Old Testament the H. Ghost moved his Prophets to set down in writing the summaries of their Sermons to endure for ever in the Church not onely for instruction but also for a certaine and immoveable rule of heavenly truth So did he the like in the New inspiring his Apostles to write the same doctrine as they had in speech uttered in their life time And Gods most wise and free providence hath to this end chosen the formes of Epistles as most befitting the simplicitie of the manner of teaching which Christ used and most apt to joyne the doctrine to the uses of practice in all the parts of a Christian life And the said Epistles written or subscribed with the Apostles hands and well verified were with great reverence reserved and kept in the Churhes to which they were written and were from time to time read and expounded in publike assemblies and were also communicated to other Churches for the generall edification of them all And Saint John who out lived all the other Apostles gathered them together and added them to the body of the New Testament setting upon them the Seale of Apostolicall authoritie as Esdra s had done to the bookes of the Old Testament Now although these Epistles were written upon particular occasions yet the divine providence directed the Apostles to comprehend in them the necessary explication of all the chiefe heads of Christian doctrine And Saint Paul who had in speaking laboured more than any one else hath likewise written more and more largely and highly unfolded all the mysteries of salvation the duties of Gods spirituall service and the rules of lawfull governement and discipline of the Church Intermixing also excellent Revelations of things to come which God had manifested unto him Amongst other Epistles of this great vessell of election that to the Romans holds the first degree in all kindes being he doth in a most exquisite order lay open therein each severall part of Christs benefit and the duties of enterchangeable acknowledgement and service to which all beleevers are bound The Romans to whom he writes were such beleevers amongst the Gentiles as were assembled in Rome where the Gospell had bin carried even before the Apostles comming thither And as the Apostleship of the Gentiles was fallen to his lot so did he performe this great duty towards it after he had for a long time caused it to shine with incomparable gifts of Gods grace to instruct and dificit with this divine Epistle which may very well be called the great sea of Christian doctrine And in it after he had in the beginning set downe his vocation and desire to contribute to the advancement of the faith of those who beleeved in Rome he sheweth that the Gospell receaved by faith is the only an most powerfull meanes to obtaine true righteousnesse before God and by the meanes of it life Seeing that all men by sin are subject to Gods wrath and curse the Gentiles being condemned by the Law of nature imprinted in their hearts and the Jewes much more by Moses his Law which yeeldeth no man any prerogative to righteousnesse but doth rather aggravate their judgments who having the knowledge of it are not correspondent thereunto by an entire obedience And therefore he concludes that all men to sirun their condemnation are bound to seeke without themselves that righteousnesse which is wanting in them and have a recourse to Christ in whom this treasure is laid up to the remission of sins and full justification of sinners And that as God presents this righteousnesse out of his meere grace and to all Nations indifferently so the onely meanes to receave it is lively faith without any necessitie or use of Circumcision or other ceremonies of the Law or any intercâ—ssion of mans owne works as he shâ—weth it by the example of Abraham the Father of all beleevers and generall patterne of faith Then he goeth on to declare the effects of faith and of Gods fatâ—erly love in Christ which are peace and quiet of conscience towards God securenes Ioy and spirituall reioycing in tribulations and assured hope of everlasting glory And concludes this part by shewing the foundation and ground of this communication of Christ to his beleevers which is Gods order who hath established Christ to be the head and stocke of his Church that from him may derive into her the vertâ—e of his righteousnesse and justification everlasting life and happinesse as Adam was the naturall head of all men whereby he inclosed and infolded them all in his sin and consequently into his death and condemnation Then he commeth to the subsequent and inseperable blessing of sanctification brought forth in beleevers by the holy Ghost to the resemblance of Christ their head by vertue of which the beleever doth not any more fight against the law of God and againe the law iâ—not an instigation to sinne for him to incense a d 〈…〉 rden him therein but a loving and friendly guide and rule of holinesse to which he willingly and peaceably doth frame and co-order his will and actions though still with much weakenes and repugnancy of flesh which God leaveth in those that are his for a continuall exercise and spurr to their sides to cause them to sigh aftâ—r their perfect deliverance and freedome in the heavenly life And therefore he comforteth them by telling them that these first fruits of the holy Ghost and his motions and strivings are unto them a sure earnest of Gods love and of their adoption justification and future glory which they at the present doe taste but onely in faith and hope but yet is infallible being grounded upon Gods everlasting decree and immutable election Whereupon also there groweth in them a firme confidence against all the assaults of the Devill and the World either internall or externall And afterwards because that the grace of the Gospell had beene promised to the â—ewes Eldest sonnes of the Family and naturall heires of the covenant and promises and yet they for the greatest part did reject it
hee wipes of this scandall shewing how that Gods promises were neverthelesse firme towards them to whom they were destined by him at the first in his secret counsell namely to all true Israelites in spirit created and framed by him to bee his true people Aud that therein appeared Gods Soveraigne power to be adored with all humilitie in chusing from everlasting and saving in his due time those which were acceptable unto him from amongst the whole masse of humane generation which was corrupted and lost in Adam Leaving the rest to the rigour of his justice against their sinne brought up to a fulnesse in many by a voluntary and obstinate refusall of the remedy of his grace Whereby the one have no reason to complaine of Gods justice nor the others to extoll themselves thorow pride Seeing that lying in the same perdition they are delivered out of it thorow meere mercy And therefore hee exhorteth the Gentiles who are called in stead of the Iewes to a deepe humilitie perseverance and holy use of Gods grace And on the other side he comforteth the Iewes because that even from that time God verified his promises towards many of them called and converted to the faith and would at his appointed time restore and bring againe the whole body of the Nation together with the Gentiles into the possession of his covenant Then he goeth on to exhort to Christian duties as well towards God as in themselves and towards other men brethren or enemies Princes and Magistrates weake members of the Church in knowledge and faith especially concerning the use of Mosaicall ceremonies concerning which there were great contentions and scandalls in the Church in those dayes And in conclusion he recommends them to the grace of God and himselfe to their prayers CHAP. I. VERSE 3. WHich was made namely in his humane nature which is a meere creature and was assumed by the sonne of God in unity of person see Joh 1. 14. Gal. 4. 4. V. 4. declared as by asolemne and soveraigne sentence Psalm 2. 7. to be the true sonne of God against all false judgments calumnies contradictions and doubts of the world Luke 1. 35. 1 Tim. 3. 16. According to namely according to his divine nature called Spirit 1. Tim. 3. 16. Heb. 9. 14. 1 Pet. 3. 18. which was before covered under the infirmity of the flesh but in his resurrection and after it manifested and shewed in power of divine glorie by effects which we are in altogither to bee admired V. 5. Grace namely this singular gift of beeing his Apostle Or the guifts necessarie for so eminent an office for obedience to cause the Gentiles to Submite unto and receive the Gospell by faith thorow which Gospell Christ raigneth over men all nations namely the heathen ones whose Apostle especially Saint Paul was acts 9. 15. Gal. 1. 16. 1. Tim. 2. 7. 2. Tim. 1. 11. for his name the Italian by his name to cause him to be acknowledged Or by him in his name by his authoriie and comimssion V. 6. Called manifest ye are paraâ—rkers of his covenant and members of his Church by his word directed to us and made effectuall by his spirit V. 8 Through Jesus Christ who is the means of this great good for which I give thankes and in whose name all prayers ought to be presented to God if we intened to have them heard and all our thanks-giving if wee mean they shall be acceptable to him the whole amongst the church Scattered overall the world V. 9. With my spirit the Italian in my spirit namely in my soul which is as it were the spirituall truth in which God is served by beleevers Or with my spirit that is to say with mine heart and intimate affection V. 13. That I might have that I might cause my ministerie to bring forth fruit amongst you to the advancement of Christs glorie and the salvation of his Church V. 14. Debâ—our namely bound by mine office of Apostle to procure the salvation of all men and to communicate unto them the talent which for that purpose I have received of God to the uttermost of my power without any destinction of nations or conditions V. 16. The power namely the only most effectuall means to save man so he have faith in Christ who is therein proposed whereas man in his owne nature was not sufficient thereunto Rom. 5. 6. and the law of God it self was weak through the flesh Rom. 8. 3. to the Jew to which nation the Gospell was first to be preached See acts 13. 46. to the Greek under this name are comprehended all the Gentiles whereof the greatest part and nearest and best knowne to the Iews were native Greekes and spake the Greek tongue V. 17. For therein is the he proves that by the Gospell man obtaines life and salvation namly because it presents unto 〈◊〉 the onely meanes and cause of life namely the true righteousnesse which is Christ imputed to man through grace and imbraced by him by a lively faith whereunto Habakuks saying hath a relation who attributing the meanes of obtaining and professing a spirituall life unto faith doth consequently also attribute unto it the meanes of obuining righteousnesse which is the onely cause of the said life Gal. 3. 26. So that faith vivifieth in so much as it justifieth Now this righteousnesse is called Gods righteousnesse because he is the supreame Author of it having appointed his sonne who was true God for to fulfill and acquire it and that hee out of his meere grace bestoweth it upon his elect and accepts of it for their absolution and that it alone can subsist before his judgement Dan. 9. 24. and finally because it is the accomplishment of all his promises Gods righteousnesse being oftentimes taken for his loyalty and mercy Rom. 3. 26. From saith that is to say more and more according as the faith increaseth and groweth strong so it doth more and more enjoy the benefit of this righteousnesse Or the revolution of his righteousnesse is receaved by a continuall act of faith which never ought to cease unall it be come to its fulnesse and accomplishment in the life everlasting V. 18. For the he proves that men have need of this imputed righteousnesse for to bee ssved because that of themselves they are all unrighteous as it appeareth by Gods evident judgements upon all mankinde From Heaven as from the throne of his justice Seeing the effects thereof can no way have a relation to inferior causes or evidently as comming down from heaven Ungodlines and unrighteousnesse these are the two kinds of sin wherof the 〈◊〉 is against the first Table of the Law and the other gainst the second Who hold as being in bondage to their owne perversitie and malice by which they binder the truth from having dominion over their actions The truth namely all that light knowledge of God and of his nature judgment and will as hath remained in them after sinne ver 25. See Rom. 2.
which is to have the heart governed and directed by the understanding See Rom. 12. 2. Ephes. 4. 23. Bringing me causeth me to bee inevitably driven into sinne whose rootes and seeds are in my nature and in all parts and faculties of it V. 24. O wretched man an exclamation out of the feeling of this miserie namely of being yet under the bondage of sinne and of a desire to be freed from it Who shall O that I were but out of this animall and terrestriall life during which sinne doth yet dwell in me and throw it I am yet under the necessitie of dying and that I were transported into the liberty of the glory of Gods children in the life of happinesse Rom. 8. 12 Phil. 1. 23. V. 25. I Thank God this is a certaine correction of the former fervent desire the time whereof was not yet come The meaning is though I doe desire to depart this life yet I submit my selfe to Gods will and with humble thanksgiving I content my selfe with his grace in Christ who doth not impute this corruption and imperfection unto mee to condemnation and shall fulfill my salvation in his appointed time See 2. Cor. 29. CHAP. VIII VER 1. THere is therefore a conclusion drawne from all hath beene spoken hitherto namely that man is justified by grace and that those who are so justified are freed from the domination of the law and are incorporated into Christ in whom they subsist and live by the communication of his spirit and therefore cannot be judged in themselves Rom. 7. 4. Gal. 2. 20. Which are namely that do shew the truth of this union with Christ by a holy 〈…〉 ion according to the inspirations of 〈◊〉 holy Ghost and not according to the motions of 〈◊〉 See Gal 5. 16 25. V. 2. For he gives a reason why the true members of Christ doe walk according to the spirit namely 〈◊〉 that being under 〈◊〉 most holy government they are freed from the deadly tyranny of sinne The law See Rom. 7. 22. 1. Cor. 9. 21. Gal. 2. 19. In. 1. 25. Of liâ—t that is to say living and quickening being 〈…〉 cause and author of spirituall life in believers See 1 Cor. 15. 4â— 2. Cor. 3. 6. Hath 〈◊〉 me 〈◊〉 S. Paul propounds himself for an example of every regenerate man as Rom. 7. 15. 16. V. 〈◊〉 For what hee proves this foresaid making free because that God being reconciled by Christs death hee hath taken away from sinne that power which he had granted it over man for a punishment of his first transgression In that it was because that seeing it could not be kept by a corrupted man it had no power to reconcile him to God whereupon it followed that the aforesaid punishment of the kingdom of sinne remained in its vigour Sending that is to say having appointed that his Son should take upon 〈◊〉 â—â—mane nature altogether like unto that of sin 〈…〉 then sin onely accepted Heb. 2. 17 and 4. 15. For 〈◊〉 to bee a propitiatorie sacrifice for it 2. Cor. 5. 〈◊〉 Condemned he hath as it were by his soveraigne 〈…〉 e taken away all command over believers from 〈◊〉 hath crucified and mortified it in them whilest they live in this animall and corporall life Ver. 4. The righteousnesse all which the said law commands being just and right Might bee fulfilled that it to say that it may not be commanded in vain not without effect as it is in respect of all unbelievers but may be observed though unperfectly in this world See the like meaning of this word Rom. 2. 27 Gal. 6. 2. V. 5. For they he gives a reason why the law is â—ept only by those who are regenerate namely because the holy Ghost who possesseth them hath made them spirituall euen as the law is whereas a carnall man can not agree with it Rom. 7. 14. That are namely that are of the carnall traine that is to say unregenerate Or that have no other being but their 〈…〉 all corrupt being Doe minde the greeke word may be referred to all the faculties and functions of the soule as wel of the understanding as of the heart and of the affections V. 6. For to bee it appeares by the effect which all thoughts bring forth and the motions of the one and the other what the causes of them are for seeing that from the unregenerate mens there proceeds nothing but death without any helpe or direction to everlasting life that is a signe there is nothing but sinne and corruption called flesh in the former verse And conâ—â—â—â— wise seeing that regenerate mens thoughts doe direct to life it is a signe that there is the blossome of the spirit who is the only author thereof Peace namely all manner of blessing and happinesse the first fruits whereof in this world consist in the sacred rest of conscience V. 7. Because hee gives a reason why the flesh is the cause of death namely because it fighteth against God who is the onely author of life and is incapable not onely thorough weaknesse but also thorough naturall repugnancie to submit it selfe to his will V. 9. Dwelling in you the presence of God and of his spirit is where he operates his dwelling where he operates continually and inseparably or by a certaine appropriation of the organ as the soule dwelleth in the body Of Christ namely that spirit which Christ as he is head communicates to all his members V. 10. Be in you by the presence life and power of his spirit The bodies it is true that you believers are as yet subiect to corporall death by reason of the reliques of sinne that are in all regenerate men and shall not bee quite brought to nought but onely by death But yet in the gift and presence of the sâ—irit you have a beginning of spirituall life which consists in the coniunction with God into which Christ hath reestablished you by his most perfect righteousnesse and withall an assurance of everlasting life and happy resurrection V. 11. Of him namely of God The meaning is if you be partakers of Gods spirit the fulnesse of which is in Christ as this spirit produced in Christ who is your head the effect of resurrection by his omnipotent power and his personall property to bee the neerest cause of life in all things and in vertue of his holinesse wherewith hee had replenished his humane nature and so taken from it all proper cause of death which is sinne Psal. 16. 10. Acts 2. 24. So hee shall likewise produce the same effect in you by his power and by the meanes of your sanctification which is the resurrection of the soule which shall be followed by that of the body that hath participated of the same holinesse hath borne the sacred signes and produced the effects thereof in this life V. 12. Debters that is to say bound by the condition of our spirituall state by contract of covenant and by benefits received V. 13. After the flesh following
bee altogether rejected Or by singular miracle having not beene framed noâ— prepared before by the LORD as the other Apostles were but in an instant advanced to mine office V. 9 The least namelie concerning that which is in me and mine owne Though he elsewhere protest himselfe to be no way inferior to others in gifts or vocation 2. Cor. 11. 15. Gal. 2. 6. V. 10. His grace namelie his gift and calling In vaine that is to say vnprofitable to the Church and not imployed by me to the uttermost oâ— my power But the grace not onely the gift it selfe but also the will and power the occasions and means to make use of it all comes from Godsgrace See Matth. 10. 20. 2 Cor. 3. 5. Phil. 2. â—3 V. 12. There is no it is likely that it was the same error which is noted 2. Tim. 2. 18. as if by resurrection so cleerly taught in the whole scâ—ipture nothing should be meant but the renewing of the world by the Gospell and the spirituall regeneration of soules by Gods spirit V. 12. If there be if that be absolutly denied it must also be denied in Christ also if it be denied in the faithfull Chrisâ—s also is disannulled taking away the vertue principall and inseparable effect of it which is to raise his faithfull to his owne likenesse Iohn 11. 25 and 14. 19. Rom 4. 25. 2. Cor. 5. 15. 1. â—hâ—sse 4. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 3. V. 14 Vaine false and unprofitable seeing the ground of it is Christ risen Now his meanning is that seeing it is impossible that you should have such an opinion of our preaching having undoubted proofes to the contrary râ—ject likewise any thing as may induce you thereunto by a necessary consequence also vaâ—ne which you will not agree unto seeing you yet persevere â—â—d glory in the profâ—ssion o 〈…〉 V. 15. 〈…〉 d we which likewise was most abâ—urd and impossible to â—erswade the châ—â—ches unto who werefully assured of the trueth of the Apostles doctrine V. 17. Ye are yet theyare not yet purged since the payment is not fully made nor God appeased if Christ doe yet remaine dead seeing he cannot deliver others from death if he himself remaine overcome by it V. 18. A â—â—llen a sleep namly those beleevers who are dead in Christs faith of whose salvation it was as unjust as inhumane to doubt V. 19. If in this lâ—fe by this false doctrine we make our selves utterly wretched for seeing it takes away from us eternall happinesse and that our condition iâ— this world is alwayes mostwiâ—tâ—hed we shall find our selves deprived of all manner of good both present and eternall Now the ground of this is that the immortality of the soul and the perfect happinesse of it is by Gods order insepable from the resurrection of the bodyes so that hee which donieth the one annihilates the other See upon Mâ—tch 22. 32. V. 20. The first fruits not onely the first in order of the resurrection which is in beleevers as it wâ—eâ—a wakning from death but also in the quality of chief the cause and pledg of it in all his members inseparable vnited to him by communion of spirit Rom 8. 11 even as under the law in the first fruites offered to God the people had an assurance of Gods blessing upon all their harvest See upon Rom. 11. 16. V. 21. For siâ—ce he proves that by Christs resurrection that of his members necessarily followth for in the order of grace Christ hath bin by God appointed head of all the elect as Adam had bin of all men in the order of nature seeing then that Adam hath communicated his sinne and his death to all those who are his Christ likewise communicates his righteousnesse and his life to his belevers See Rom. 5. 14. 15. 17. by mâ—n the Italian by no man by one who beeing true God is likewise true man in which regard he is the meritorious cause of resurrection by this perfect obedience and likewise gives his beleevers assurance thereof by the community of human nature joyned to the communion of the spirit V. 22. All die all men that are by nature the sonnes of Adam and are enfolded in his condemnation shall all namly all beleevers whose father is Christ by grace and in spirit by vertue whereof being engrafted in his body they are also partakers of his life and resurrection V. 24. The end namly of the world and of temporall things and withall the accomplishment of all Gods promises of Christs kingdome and the sâ—ivation of his elect when he shall namely when the sonne oâ— God who in quality of Mediator hath bin established king or the whole world â—â—d especially of his church like his fathers great deputy togather together governe and bring unto himselfe all his elect and to destroy his enemyes shall have brought his work to an end and the father with the sonne and the holy Ghost in vnitie of essence shall begin to raigne immediatly over his church in a manner altogether new namely by himself without any outward meanes wiâ—hout the work of angels or men or Ecclesiallicall or politick orders as it is in this world and likewise without adversaries or opposition filling all his with his light love life and glory which indeed will not a whit disannull Christs kingdom but only ch 〈…〉 g the meaner forâ—e thereof into a more subline and perfect one See Dan. 2. 44 and 7. 14. 27 Luke 1. 33. Rev. 11. 15. 17. and 12. 10. V. 25. Must reigne namely the sonne of God must execise his empire in this manner and inferior dispensation by his word by the established orders in perpetuall oppositions etc. V. 26. death whose power shall be quite annihiliated in Christ member by the resurrection V. 27. When he saith we must not thinke that the father by bestowing the office of king upon his sonne hath dispossessed himself of his soveraigne empire but after the sonne shall have accomplished his worke the father shall manifest and exercise his kingdome of glory and essencein all eternity V. 28. Also himself not in his divine nature wherein hee is alreadie equalâ—e to the father Philiphans 2. 6. but in this humane nature and as coucerning his church which is his body and the forme of his government which then shall give way to the forme which is above described that God may of himself immediately and absolutly worke fully in his elect perfectly united unto him and may possesse and rule them for ever V. 29. Which are from this manner of speech it appeares that the Apostle means not an ordinary â—ite of the church but a particular custome of some whereof antiquity makes mention and it should seeme that the beginning thereof was if not altogether good and laudable yet at the least to terrable Which was that when anyone died in Christs faith before he was christened some of his kindred or friends comming to be Christened would be baptized both in his own name also in the
divine revelations inspired in the Prophets of thâ—se times by which God signified unto his Church the calling of such and such persons to his ministery as Acts 13. 1 2. 1 Tim. 4. 14. By them being by God and them assured of thy calling and that his grace and blessing will accompany thee Warre that is to say That like a souldier mustered under Christs banners thou mayest carry thy self faithfully and valiantly in thine office and set upon and destroy the devils kingdom and advance Christs V. 19. Faith namely sufficient knowledge full assurance and sincere profession of the truth of the Gospell Which some because they had a wicked will and heart God hath punished them taking away the Spirit of light from them that in the midst of the coâ—â—se of their vocation they might lose their faith and be drowned in errour and heresie V. 20. Delivered unto see upon 1. Cor. 5. 5 CHAP. II. Vers. 1. THerefore following the exhortation of chap. 〈…〉 of fighting the good spirituall warfare wherein the chiefest action and w 〈…〉 pons are prayer see Col. 4. 12. Supplications publike ones in the Church For all men without distinction of nation estate or condition V. 2. For Kings this seemes to be specified by reason of the 〈◊〉 opinion of some men namely that all civill order was prophane and that Kings were as so many enemies to God 2 Pet. 2. 10. Jude 〈◊〉 V. 4. Who will by as much as appears to us by his will revealed in the Gospell seeing he hath not by name excluded any nation or condition Matth. 28. â—9 though his secret will do make a distinction of his elect Matth. 29. 30. Acts 〈◊〉 48. Rom. 9. 11. and 11. 7. 1 John 2. 19. All men all manner of men of all nations and qualities V. 5. For there is the meaning is not That the cause of this indifferency under the Gospell is the unity of God the creator and preserver of all things and the unity of the Mediatour for the same cause might likewise have been under the Law for that depends upon Gods absolute will But the meaning is plainly That the time is now come wherein as all men do participate of the title of being Gods creatures and of the communion with Christs humane nature so God will have them particpate of his grace and of Christs benefit without any distinction of Nation or any outward qualities V. 6. Testified namely as he hath revealed this his Councell by the Gospell which he will have preached and testified by his servants In due time the Italian reserved by the proper termes that is to say which hath not been revealed in former times but onely now according to Gods decree V. 7. Whereunto namely to witnesse which In faith namely in the preaching of the doctrine of the Gospell and teaching the way to apprehend it which is faith or loyall and true V. 8. I will I do appoint it to be so by Apostolicall authority That men he means only males whom he onely permits to speak in holy Assemblies as well in publike prayers as other actions Every where and no more in the Temple of Jerusalem only as they did formerly Holy hands praying with that Ceremonie as was used of holding up the hands joyned with purity of conscience and works Without wrath see Matth. 5. 23. And doubting the Greek word may be understood either of contentions between men or of doubts and irresolutions of the soule for want of faith whereof the first hinders the exercise of prayer 1 Pet. 3. 7. the other the effect Jam. 1. 6. V. 10. Which becommeth the Italian as becommeth Others but with good works as becommeth men who professe piety V. 11. Learn in Ecclesiasticall assemblies V. 12. Authority no publike charge of Pastour or Doctor Over the man for it might have hapned that the husband might have been of the wives audience if she had spoken in the Church with censures severe admonitions and other acts of the holy ministery V. 13. For Adam the first man was not created for the first woman nor by her but contrariwise and therefore Gods first order must be observed in the Church where God re-establisheth that which hath been confounded and brought out of order by sinne V. 14. Deceived namely immediately by the Devill neither doth the story say that he was deceived by Eve but onely that he received the forbidden fruit from her and did eat of it see Gen. 3. 6. Was in the the Italian was the cause of that is to say Induced Adam to sin whereby for a punishment she was made the more subject to her husband Gen. 3. 16. V. 15. She shall though in the bringing forth of children and in the subjection to the husband God have imprinted the markes of the punishment imposed upon the woman whereby it might seem that amongst women there were no salvation but onely for them that are married yet by Christ all condemnation is taken away and these corporall evils do no way hinder the work of grace If they continue namely women in generall Sobriety the Italian honesty or modestie or temperance CHAP. III. Vers. 1. DEsire namely if he be moved by a holy and sincere affection to consecrate himself to God in the service of the Church and therein imploy those gifts which he hath received from him V. 2. Blamelesse that is to say Not infamous for any publike or offensive blame or vice nor stained with any equall qualitie incompatible with that holy office The husband that is Not married to two wives at once according to the inveterate abuse amongst the Jews nor hath not a concabine and a lawfull wife according to the licenciousnesse of the Gentiles nor hath not married a second woman after he hath put away the first without any lawfull cause V. 3. Not greedy of or not desirous to make any dishonest gain V. 4. Gravity in the father or reverence in the children V. 6. A novice namely one newly come into the Church and not yet sufficiently instructed and confirmed in the Christian faith He fall into he make not himself guilty of that sinne for which the Devill hath been condemned and rejected of God namely of pride for having a sacred office and divine dignity see 2 Pet. 2. 4. Jude 6. V. 7. He must have that those who are not members of the Church may have cause to speak well of him being witnesses of his holy and laudable conversation The snare namely in some occasion of infamy to his own person of prejudice to his ministery and of blemish to the profession of the Gospell through the deceits of the Devill V. 8. Double tongued speaking sometimes one thing and sometimes another or meaning one thing and speaking another a vice contrary to the simplicity required in good Deacons Rom. 12. 8. in whom there ought alwayes to bee a perpetuall agreement of words and of acts of true charity V. 9. The mystery namely the sacred Doctrine of the Gospell