passe the yeare turning about at such time when kinges are wont to procede to battels Dauid sent Ioab and his seruantes with him and al Israel and they spoyled the children of Ammon and besieged Rabba but Dauid remayned in Ierusalem †Whiles these thinges were in doing it chanced that Dauid arose from his bed after noone and walked in the toppe of the kinges house and he saw a woman washing her self ouer against the roofe of his house and the woman was very beautiful †The king therefore sent and inquired what woman it was And it was told him that she was Bethsabee the daughter of Eliam the wife of Vrias the Hetheite †Dauid therefore sending messengers tooke her who when she was entered in to him he slept with her and forth with she was sanctified from her vnclennes †and she returned into her house hauing conceiued a childe And sending she told Dauid and sayd I haue conceiued †And Dauid sent to Ioab saying Send me Vrias the Herheite And Ioab sent Vrias to Dauid †And Vrias came to Dauid And Dauid asked how wel Ioab did the people and how the warre was ordered †And Dauid sayd to Vrias Goe into thy house and wash thy feete And Vrias went forth out of the kinges house and the kinges meate folowed him †But Vrias slept before the gate of the kinges house with the other seruantes of his lord and went not downe to his owne house †And it was told Dauid of them that sayd Vrias went not into his house And Dauid sayd to Vrias didst thou not come from thy iourney Why didst thou not goe downe into thy house †And Vrias sayd to Dauid The Arke of God and Israel and Iuda dwel in pauilions my lord Ioab and the seruantes of my lord abide vpon the face of the earth and shal I enter into my house to eate and to drinke and sleepe with my wife by thy health and by the health of thy soule I wil not do this thing †Dauid therefore sayd to Vrias Tarie here also this day and tomorow I wil dismisse thee Vrias taried in Ierusalem that day and the next †and Dauid called him to eate before him and to drinke and he made him drunke who going out at euen slept on his couche with the seruantes of his lord and went not downe into his house †The morning therefore was come and Dauid wrote a letter to Ioab and sent it by the hand of Vrias †writing in the letter Sette ye Vrias in the front of the battel where the fight is strongest and leaue him that being striken he may die †Therefore when Ioab besieged the citie he put Vrias in the place where he knew the strongest men were †And the men issuing out of the citie fought against Ioab and there fel of the people of the seruantes of Dauid and Vrias also the Hetheite died †Ioab therefore sent and told Dauid al the story of the battel †and he commanded the messanger saying When thou hast told al the story of the battel to the king †if thou see him to be angrie and he say Why approched you to the wal to fight Knew you not that manie weapons are throwen from aboue of the wal †Who stroke Abimelec the sonne of Ierobaal did not a woman cast vpon him a peece of a milstone from the wal and slew him in Thebes Why approched you nere the wal Thou shalt say Also thy seruant Vrias the Hetheite is slayne †The messenger therefore departed and came and told Dauid al thinges that Ioab had commanded him †And the messenger sayd to Dauid The men haue preuailed against vs and they issued forth to vs into the field and we violently pursewed them euen to the gate of the citie †And the archers shot arrowes at thy seruantes from of the wal aboue and there died of the kinges seruantes yea and thy seruant Vrias the Hetheite is dead †And Dauid sayd to the messenger Thus shalt thou say to Ioab Let not this thing discomfort thee for the euent of warre is diuerse now this man and now that man the sword consumeth encourage thy warryers against the citie that thou inayst destroy it and exhort them †Also the wife of Vrias heard that Vrias her husband was dead she mourned for him †And the mourning being past Dauid sent and brought her in into his house and she became his wife and she bare him a sonne and this thing which Dauid had done was displeasant before our Lord. CHAP. XII Nathan the prophet by a parable induceth Dauid to condemne him self of great sinne 7. blameth and threatneth him for the same 13. But vpon his confession denounceth remission of his sinne with reseruation of temporal punishment 15. the death of the childe 24 Bethsabee beareth another sonne who is called Salomon 26. The citie of Rabbath is taken and a rich crowne with other praye OVR Lord therfore sent Nathan to Dauid Who when he was come to him he sayd vnto him There were two men in one citie one riche and the other poore †The rich man had sheepe and oxen axceding manie †But the poore man had nothing at al beside one litle ewe which he had bought and nourished and which had growen in his house together with his children eating of his bread and drinking of his cuppe and sleping in his bosome and it was to him as a daughter †And when a certayne stranger was come to the riche man he sparing to take of his owne sheepe and oxen to make a feast for that stranger which was come to him tooke the poore mans ewe and made meates therof for the man that was come to him †And Dauid being excedingly wrath with indignation against that man sayd to Nathan Our Lord liueth the man that hath done this is the childe of death †He shal render the ewe fourefold because he hath done this thing and hath not spared †And Nathan sayd to Dauid Thou art that man Thus sayth our Lord the God of Isaael I annointed thee to be king ouer Israel and I deliuered thee from the hand of Saul †and gaue thee the house of thy lord and the wiues of thy lord in thy bosome and haue geuen thee the house of Isrtel and Iuda and if these thinges be litle I wil adde farre greater thinges vnto thee †Why therefore hast thou contemned the word of the lord that thou wouldest doe euil in my sight Vrias the Hetheite thou hast smitten with the sword his wife thou hast taken to thy wife and hast slayne him with the sword of the children of Ammon †For which thing the sword shal not depart from thy house for euer because thou hast despised me and hast taken the wife of Vrias the Hetheite to be thy wife †Therfore thus sayth our Lord Behold I wil rayse vpon thee euil out of thine owne house and wil take thy
wiues before thine eies and geue them to thy neighbour and he shal slepe with thy wiues in the sight of this Sunne †For thou hast done it secretly but I wil doe this word in the sight of al Israel and in the sight of the Sunne †And Dauid sayd to Nathan I haue sinned to our Lord. And Nathan sayd to Dauid Our Lord also hath taken away thy sinne thou shalt not die †Neuertheles because thou hast made the enemies of our Lord to blaspheme for this thing the sonne that is borne to thee dying shal dye †And Nathan returned into his house Our Lord also stroke the child which the wife of Vrias had borne to Dauid and he was past hope †And Dauid besought our Lord for the child and Dauid fasted a fast and going in aside lay vpon the ground †And the ancientes of his house came being earnest with him that he would rise from the ground who would not neither did he eate meate with them †And it chanced the seuenth day that the infant died and the seruantes of Dauid feared to tel him that the child was dead For they sayd Behold when the child yet liued we spake to him and he heard not our voice how much more if we shal say The child is dead wil he afflict him self †When Dauid therfore sawe his seruantes muttering he vnderstood that the infant was dead and he sayd to his seruantes Is the child dead Who answered him He is dead †Dauid therfore rose from the ground and was washed and annoynted and when he had changed his garment he entered into the house of our Lord and adored and came into his owne house and he called for bread and he did eate †And his seruantes sayd vnto him What thing is this that thou hast done for the infant when he yet liued thou didst fast and weepe but the child being dead thou didst rise vp and hast eaten bread †Who sayd For the infant whiles he yet liued I fasted and wept for I sayd Who knoweth if perhaps our Lord wil geue him to me and the infant may liue †But now because he is dead why do I fast Shal I be able to cal him againe any more I shal go to him rather but he shal not returne to me †And Dauid comforted Bethsabee his wife and going in vnto her slept with her Who bare a sonne and he called his name Salomon and our Lord loued him †And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophete and called his name Amiable to our Lord because our Lord loued loued him †Ioab therfore fought against Rabbath of the children of Ammon and wonne the kinges citie †And Ioab sent messengers to Dauid saying I haue fought against Rabbath and the Citie of waters is to be taken †Now therfore gather the rest of the people and besiege the citie take it lest when the citie shal be wasted of me the victorie be ascribed to my name †Dauid therfore gathered al the people and went forth against Rabbath and when he had fought he tooke it †And he tooke the crowne of their king from his head in weight a talent of gold hauing most pretious stones and it was put vpon Dauids head Yea the praye of the citie he caryed away exceding much †bringing forth also the people therof sawed them and drewe round about ouer them chariotes shod with yron and he diuided them with kniues and drew them through in forme of brikes so did he to al the cities of the children of Ammon and Dauid returned and al the armie into Ierusalem CHAP. XIII Amnon rauisheth Thamar 20. For which Absalom killeth him 37. and flyeth into Gessur AND it came to passe after these thinges that Amnon the sonne of Dauid loued the sister of Absalom the sonne of Dauid being very beautiful called Thamar †and was fond on her excedingly so that for the loue of her he was sicke because wheras she was a virgin it semed vnto him had hard to doe any thing vnhonestly with her †But Amnon a freind named Ionadab the sonne of Semmaa Dauids brother a very wise man †Who sayd to him Why art thou so worne away with leanenes the kinges sonne day by day Why doest thou not tel me And Amnon sayd to him I loue Thamar the sister of my brother Absalom †To whom Ionadab answered Lye vpon thy bed and fayne sickenes and when thy father shal come to visite thee say to him Let my sister Thamar I pray come to me to geue me meate and to make me broth that I may eate of her hand †Amnon therefore lay downe and began as it were to be sicke and when the king came to visite him Amnon sayd to the king Let Thamar my sister come I besech you that she may make in my sight two litle suppinges and I may take meate of her hand †Dauid therfore sent home to Thamar saying Come into the house of Amnon thy brother make him broth †And Thamar came into the house of Amnon her brother and he lay who taking meale tempered it and resoluing it in his sight she made suppinges †And taking that which she had boyled she powred it out and set it before him and he would nor eate and Amnon sayd Put forth al from me And when they had put forth al †Amnon sayd to Thamar Bring in the meate into the parler that I may eate of thy hand Thamar therfore tooke the suppinges which she had made and caryed it in to Amnon her brother in the parler †And when she had offered him the meate he caught her and sayd Come lie with me my sister †Who answered him Doe not so my brother doe not rauish me for this is not lawful in Israel Doe not this folie †For I shal not be able to beare my reproch and thou shalt be as one of the foolish in Israel but rather speake to the king and he wil not denie me to thee †But he would not rest at her petitions but preuayling by force raui hed her and lay with her †And Amnon hated her with exceding great hatred so that the hatred was greater wherewith he hated her then the loue with the which before he loued her And Amnon said to her Arise and goe †Who answered him This euil which now thou doest against me expelling me is greater then that which thou didst before And he would not heare her †but calling the seruant that ministred to him he said Thrust this woman our from me and shut the doore after her †Who was clothed with a garment downe to the foote for the kinges daughters that were virgins vsed such kinde of garmentes His seruant therfore thrust her out and shut the doore after her †Who sprinkling ashes on her head renting her long garment and her handes vpon her head went going on and crying †And Absolon her brother sayd to
he prouoked to wrath our Lord the God of his fathers †But the rest of his wordes al his workes the first and the last are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel †And Achaz slept with his fathers and they buried him in the Citie of Ierusalem for they receiued him not into the sepulchres of the kinges of Israel And Ezechias his sonne reigned for him CHAP. XXIX Ezechias repayreth the Temple and diuine seruiee 5. zelously exhorteth offenders to repentance 12. the Temple is purified in sixtene daies 18. the king and nobles offer hostes which the Priestes immolate 25. with solemne musick ordained by king Dauid and great ioy of al the people THERFORE Ezechias began to reigne when he was fiue and twentie yeares old and he reigned nine and twentie yeares in Ierusalem the name of his mother was Abia the daughter of Zacharias †And he did that which was pleasing in the sight of our Lord according to al thinges that Dauid his father had done †He in the first yeare and moneth of his reigne opened the doores of the house of our Lord and repayred them †And he brought the Priestes and the Leuites and assembled them in the East streate †And he sayd to them Heare me ye Leuites and be sanctified cleanse the house of our Lord the God of your fathers and take away al vncleannes out of the Sanctuarie †Our fathers haue sinned and done euil in the sight of our Lord God forsaking him they haue turned away their faces from the tabernacle of our Lord and geuen the backe †They haue shut the doores that were in the porch and put out the lampes and haue not burnt incense and haue not offered holocaustes in the Sanctuarie of the God of Israel †Therfore was the furie of our Lord stirred vp vpon Iuda and Ierusalem and he hath deliuered them into commotion and into destruction to be hissed at as your selues see with your eyes †Behold our fathers haue fallen by the swordes our sonnes and our daughters and wiues are led captiue for this wickednesse †Now therfore it pleaseth me that we make a couenant with our Lord the God of Israel and he wil turne away the furie of his wrath from vs. †My children be not negligent our Lord hath chosen you to stand before him and to minister to him and to worshipe him and to burne incense to him †The Leuites therfore arose Mahath the sonne of Amasai and Ioel the sonne of Azarias of the children of Caath moreouer the children of Merari Cis the sonne of Abdi and Azarias the sonne of Ialaleel And of the children of Gerson Ioah the sonne of Zemma and Eden the sonne of Ioah †But of the children of Elisaphan Samri and Iahiel Also of the children of Asaph Zacharias and Mathanias †Moreouer also of the children of Heman Iahiel Semei yea and of the children of Idithun Semeias and Oziel †And they gathered together their btethren and were sanctified and went in according to the commandment of the king and the precept of our Lord to purge the house of God †The Priestes also going into the Temple of our Lord to sanctifie it brought out al vncleannes which they sound within the entrance of the house of our Lord which the Leuites tooke and caried to the Torrent cedron without †And they began to clense it the first day of the first moneth and in the eight day of the same moneth they entred into the porche of the temple of our Lord and they purged the temple in eight dayes and in the sixtenth day of the same moneth they accomplished that which they began †They entered in also to Ezechias the king and sayd to him We haue sanctified al the house of our Lord and the altar of holocaust and the vessels therof moreouer also the table of proposition with al the vessels therof †and al the furniture of the temple which king Achaz in his reigne had polluted after that he transgressed and behold al thinges are set forth before the altat of our Lord. †and Ezechias the king rising early assembled al the princes of the citie and went vp into the house of our Lord †and they offered together seuen oxen and seuen rammes seuen lambes and seuen buckgoates for sinne for the kingdom for the sanctuarie for Iuda and he sayd to the Priestes the children of Aaron that they should offer them vpon the altar of our Lord. †They killed therfore the oxen and the Priestes tooke the bloud and powred it vpon the altar they killed also the rammes and their bloud they powred also vpon the altar and they immolated the lambes and powred the bloud vpon the altar †They brought the buckgoates for sinne before the king and the whole multitude and they put their handes vpon them †and the Priestes immolated them and sprinkled their bloud on the altar for an expiation of al Israel for the king had commanded for al Israel that holocaust should be made and for sinne †He appoynted also the Leuites in the house of our Lord with cymbals and psalteries and harpes according to the disposition of Dauid the king and of Gad the Seer and of Nathan the Prophete for it was the precept of our Lord by the hand of his prophetes †And the Leuites stoode holding the instrumentes of Dauid and the Priestes trumpettes †And Ezechias commanded that they should offer holocaustes vpon the altar and when holocaustes were offered they began to sing prayses to our Lord and to sound with trumpettes and on diuerse instrumentes which Dauid the king of Israel had prepared for to sound †And al the multitude adoring the singing men and they that held the trumpettes were in their office whiles the holocaust was accomplished †And when the oblation was ended the king bowed and al that were with him and adored †And Ezechias and the princes commanded the Leuites that they should prayse our Lord in the wordes of Dauid and Asaph the Seer who praysed him with great ioy and bowing the knee adored †But Ezechias added these wordes also You haue filled your handes to our Lord come and offer victimes and prayses in the house of our Lord. Al the multitude therfore offered hostes and prayses and holocaustes with a deuout minde †Moreouer the number of the holocaustes which the multitude offered was thls oxen seuentie rammes an hundred lambes two hundred †And they sanctified to our Lord oxen six hunered sheepe three thousand †But the Priestes were few neither could they suffise to draw of the skinnes of the holocaustes wherfore the Leuites also their brethren holpe them til the worke was accomplished and the Priestes were sanctified for the Leuites are sanctified with an easier rite then the Priestes †There were holocaustes therfore verie many the fatte of pacifiques and the libamentes of the holocaustes and the seruice of the house of
geue ioy and gladnes and the bones humbled shal reioyce †Turne away thy face from my sinnes and wipe away al mine iniquities †Create a cleane hart in me ô God and renew a right spirit in my u bowels †Cast me not away from thy face and thy Holie spirit take not from me †Render vnto me the ioy of thy saluation and confirme me with the principal spirit †I Wil teach the vniust thy waies and the impious shal be conuerted to thee †Deliuer me from bloudes ô God the God of my saluation and my tongue shal exult for thy iustice †Lord thou 〈…〉 lt open my lippes my mouth shal shew forth thy prayse †Because if thou wouldest haue had sacrifice I had verily giuen it with holocaustes thou wilt not be delighted A “ sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit a contrite and humbled hait ô God thou wilt not despise Deale fauorably ô Lord in thy good wil with Sion that the walles of Ierusalem may be built vp Then shalt thou accept sacrifice of iustice oblations k holocaustes l then shal they lay calues vpon thyne altar ANNOTATIONS PSALME L. 2. VVhen Nathan came to Dauid As Nathan denouncing to Dauid that our Lord had vpon his repentance and confession taken away his sinne added neuertheles that because he had made the enimies of God to blaspheme his sonne should dye so Dauid knowing that more was required then only confession for that the bond of satisfaction remained after his sinnes were remitted persisted in penance praying lamenting and beseching God according to his great and mainfold mercies to take away his iniquitie albeit the prophet Nathan had now told him that our Lord had taken away his sinne because there yet remained temporal paine due for the same He prayeth also v. 4. that God wil vvash him more amply from his iniquitie and cleanse him from his sinne For albeit the guilt of mortal sinne be washed and taken away yet besides temporal punishment that is due the soule that was so polluted nedeth to be washed and cleansed from the euil habite or pronnes to fal againe gotten by the former custome or delectation in sinne 7. I VVas conceiued in iniquities An other reason why sinners after remission of al mortal sinnes neede to be washed and cleansed is because being borne in original sinne after remission therof there remaneth concupiscence that â—â—riueth against vertue and inclineth to sinne from which we must pray and labour to be more and more washed and cleansed 19 Sacrifice Holie Scriptures make often comparison betwen two kindes of sacrifices preferring internal before external as more gratful to God And of spiritual sacrifices this of a contrite spirite is first in order and maketh the way to the sacrifice of iustice because iustice presupposeth repentance and finally succedeth sacrifice of praise and thankesgeuing PSALME LI. Holie Dauid inueigheth against wicked Doeg a traitor 7. prophecieth his ruine 10. and his owne exaltation Vnto the end vnderstanding to Dauid †when Doeg the Idumeite came and told Saul Dauid is come into the house of Achimelech 1. Reg. 22. VVHY doest thou glorie in malice which art mightie in iniquitie †Al the day hath thy tongue thought iniustice as a sharp rasor thou hast done guile †Thou hast loued malice more then benignitie iniquitie rather then to speake equitie †Thou hast loued al wordes of precipitation a deceitful tongue †Therfore Wil God destroy thee for euer he wil plucke thee out remoue thee out of thy tabernacle thy roote out of the land of the liuing †The iust shal see and feare and shal laugh at him and they shal say Behold the man that hath not put God for his helper But hath hoped in the multitude of his riches and hath preualed in his vanitie †But I as a fruitful oliue tree in the house of God haue hoped in the mercie of God for euer and for euer and euer †I wil confesse to thee for euer because thou hast done it and I wil expect thy name because it is good in the sight of thy saints PSALME LII As in the thirtenth Psalme Christs Incarnation is prophecied after that sinne abunded in the world so here is foreshewed that after general wickednes 5. Christ wil come to iudge the bad 7. and deliuer the good Vnto the end for Maâ—leth vnderstandings of Dauid THE foole hath said in his hart There is no God †They are corrupte and become abominable in iniquities there is not that doth good †God hath looked forth from heauen vpon the children of men to see if there be that vnderstaÌ„deth or seeketh after God †Al haue declined they are become vnprofitable together there is not that doth good no there is not one Shal they not al know that worke iniquitie that deuoure my people as food of bread God they haue not inuocated there haue they trembled for feare where no feare was Because God hath dissipated the bones of them that please men they are confounded because God hath despised them Who wil geue out of Sion the saluation of Israel when God shal conuert the captiuitie of his people Iacob shal reioyce and Israel shal be glad PSALME LIII Dauid in distresse crieth to God for helpe 6. considently trusting therin 8. and promising sacrifice of thankesgeuing †Vnto the end in songs vnderstanding for Dauid †when the Zipheites were come and said to Saul Is not Dauid hid with vs 1. Reg. 1. 23. 26. O GOD saue me in thy name and in thy strength iudge me †O God heare my prayer with thine eares receiue the words of my mouth †Because straÌ„gers haue risen vp against me the strong haue sought my soule and they haue not set God before their eies †For behold God helpeth me and our Lord is the receiuer of my soule †Turne away the euils to mine enimies and in thy truth destroy them †I wil voluntarily sacrifice to thee and wil confesse to thy name ô Lord because it is good †Because thou hast deliuered me out of al tribulation and mine eie hath looked downe vpon mine enimies PSALME LIIII The prophet as wel in his owne as other iust mens person describeth great calamities suffered 10. prayeth against the wicked 13. lamenting especially that those which professe frendshipe are aduersaries 17. and declareth Gods prouidence in protecting the good and destroying the bad Vnto the end in songes vnderstanding to Dauid HEARE my prayer ô God despise not my petition †Attend to me and heare me †I am made sorowful in my exercise and am trubled at the voice of the enimie
on the sea which should saile into Ophir for gold and they could not goe because they were broken in Asiongaber †Then sayd Ochozias the sonne of Achab to Iosaphat Let my seruantes goe with thy seruantes in the shippes And Iosaphat would not †And Iosaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with them in the Citie of Dauid his father and Ioram his sonne reigned for him †And Ochozias the sonne of Achab began to reigne ouer Israel in Samaria in the seuententh yeare of Iosaphat the king of Iuda and he reigned ouer Israel two yeares †And he did euil in the sight of our Lord and walked in the way of his father and his mother and in the way of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat who made Israel to sinne †He serued also Baal and adored him and prouoked our Lord the God of Israel according to al thinges which his father had done THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF KINGES THIS fourth booke prosecuteth the historie of the two Kingdomes of Iuda and Israel to the seueral captiuities of them both Shewing manie special vertues and heroical actes of good Kinges Prophetes and other godlie persons and diuers crimes of the wicked For in Iuda were some good kinges highly commended some euil whom God spared in this world for Dauids sake So that in both sortes King Dauids seede continued in his throne and royal state first in the twelue tribes afterward in two nere foure hundred fourscore yeares And after the captiuitie as wil appeare in the age ensuing it was conserued in honour and estimation til Christ our Sauiour But in the Kingdome of Israel or tenne tribes which stood about two hundred fiftie yeares was great change by raysing and extirpating royal families Al their kinges were bad yet partly were set vp by God himself partly suffered to reigne and in both Kingdomes were true and false prophetes God vsing the ministerie of al to his owne glorie the good of his Church and punishment of others and sometimes of themselues So this booke may be diuided into two partes In the seuentene former chapters are recorded ioyntly and mixtly the principal thinges donne in both kingdomes til the captiuitie of the tenne tribes The other eight chapters conteine other thinges donne in Iuda vntil their captiuitie in Babylon THE FOVRT BOOKE OF KINGES ACCORDING TO THE HEBREWES THE SECOND OF MALACHIM CHAP. I. Ochozias King of Israel consulting Beelzebub for his sicknes is blamed by Elias and fortold that he shal die 9. Fire from heauen deuoureth two capitaines with ech of them fiftie men 13. The third by his more modestie escapeth the like danger 15. With him Elias cometh to the King 17. The same King dieth and his brother Ioram succedeth AND Moab moued warre agaynst Israel after that â—chab was dead †And Ochozias fel through the â—anchions of his vpper chamber which he had in Samaria and was sicke and he sent messengers saying to them Goe consult Beelzebub the god of Accaron whether I may liue of this my infirmitie †And an Angel of our Lord spake to Elias the Thesbite saying Arise and goe vp to meete the messengers of the king of Samaria and thou shal say to them What is there not a God in Israel that ye goe to consult Beelzebub the god of Accaron †Wherfore thus saith our Lord From the bed on which thou art ascended thou shalt not goe downe but dying thou shalt die And Elias went away †And the messengers returned to Ochozias Who said to them Why are you returned †But they answered him A man mette vs and sayd to vs Goe and returne to the king that sent you and you shal say to him Thus saith our Lord Doest thou therfore send to consult Beelzebub the god of Accaron because there was no God in Israel Therfore from the bed which thou art vpon thou shalt not goe downe but dying thou shalt dye †Who said to them What shape and habite had that man which mette you and spake these wordes †But they said A hearie man and girded about his raines with a girdle of lether Who said It is Elias the Thesbite †And he sent vnto him a captaine of fiftie men and the fiftie that were vnder him Who went vp and sayd to him sitting in the toppe of the mount Man of God the king hath commanded that thou come downe †And Elias answering sayd to the captaine of fiftie men If I be a man of God let fyre come downe from heauen and deuoure thee and thy fiftie Fyre therfore came downe from heauen and deuoured him and the fiftie men that were with him †And he sent againe vnto him an other captaine of fiftie men and his fiftie with him Who spake to him Man of God Thus saith the king Make hast come downe †Elias answering said If I be a man of God let fyre come downe from heauen and deuoure thee and thy fiftie Fyre therfore came downe from heauen and deuoured him and his fiftie †Agayne he sent a third captaine of fiftie men and the fiftie that were with him Who when he was come bowed his knees toward Elias and prayed him and sayd Man of God despise not my life and the liues of thy seruantes that are with me †Behold fyre came downe from heauen and hath deuoured the two first captaynes of fiftie men and the fifties that were with them but now I besech the that thou haue mercie on my life †And an Angel of our Lord spake to Elias saying Goe downe with him feare not He therfore arose and went downe with him to the king †and spake to him Thus saith our Lord Because thou hast sent messengers to consult Beelzebub the god of Accaron as though there were not a God in Israel of whom thou mightest aske the word therfore from the bed which thou art ascended vpon thou shalt not descend but dying thou shalt die †He died therfore according to the word of our Lord which Elias spake Ioram his brother reigned for him in the second yeare of Ioram the sonne of Iosaphat the king of Iuda for he had no sonne †But the rest of the wordes of Ochozias which he wrought are not these written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel CHAP. II. Eliseus wil not part from Elias 7. Fiftie disciples folow them to Iordan 8. The water is diuided by Elias cloke and they two passe the drie chanel 9. Elias is assumpted in a firie chariote and his duble spirite is geuen to Eliseus 13. Who returning by like miraculous meanes ouer Iordan the disciples receiue and honour him as their religious Superiour 16. They seeke Elias but find him not 19. Eliseus amendeth the waters by casting in salt 23. Boyes are torne by bearâ—s for mocking Eliseus AND it came to passe when our Lord would take vp Elias by a hurle winde into heauen Elias and
al the Prophetes and Seers saying Returne from your most wicked wayes and keepe my precepts and ceremonies according to al the law which I commanded your fathers and as I haue sent to you in the hand of my seruantes the Prophetes †Who heard not but hardened their necke according to the necke of their fathers who would not obey our Lord their God †And they cast away his ordinances and the couenant that he made with their fathers and the testifications wherwith he contested them and they folowed vanities and did vaynly and they folowed the Gentiles that were round about them concerning which our Lord had commanded them that they should not doe as they did †And they forsooke al the preceptes of our Lord their God and made to them selues two molten calues and groues and adored al the hoste of heauen and they serued Baal †and consecrated their sonnes and their daughters through fyre and they gaue themselues to deuinations and soothsayings and they deliuered vp themselues to doe euil before our Lord that they might prouoke him †And our Lord was wrath with Israel vehemently and tooke them away from his sight and there remayned but the tribe of Iuda onlie †But neither Iuda it self kept the commandementes of our Lord their God but walked in the errours of Israel which it had wrought †And our Lord reiected al the seede of Israel and afflicted them deliuered them into the hand of the spoylers til he threwe them away from his face †euen now from that time when Israel was rent from the house of Dauid and made Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat their king for Ieroboam seperated Israel from our Lord and made them sinne a great sinne †And the children of Israel walked in al the sinnes of Ieroboam which he had done and they departed not from them †vntil our Lord tooke away Israel from his face as he had spoken in the hand of al his seruantes the Prophetes and Israel was transported out of their land vnto the Assyrians vntil this day †And the king of the Assyrians brought from Babylon and from Cutha and from Auah and from Emath and from Sepharuaim and placed them in the cities of Samaria for the children of Israel who possessed Samaria and dwelt in the cities therof †And when they began to dwel there they feared not our Lord and our Lord sent lions vpon them which killed them †And it was told the king of the Assyrians and sayd The nations which thou hast transferred and made to dwel in the cities of Samaria know not the ordinances of the God of the land and the Lord hath sent lions vpon them and behold they kil them for that they know not the rite of the God of the land †And the king of the Assyrians commanded saying Bring thither one of the priestes which you brought thence captiue and let him goe and dwel with them and let him teach them the ordinances of the God of the land †Therfore when one of those priests which were led captiue from Samaria was come he dwelt in Bethel and taught them how they should worship our Lord. †And euerie Nation framed their owne god and put them in the highe temples which the Samaritanes had made Nation and Nation in their cities where they dwelt †For the men of Babylon made Socoth benoth and the Cutheites made Nergel and the men of Emath made Asima †Moreouer the Heueites made Nebahaz Tharthac And they that were of Sepharuaim burnt their children in fyre to Adramelech and Anamelech the goddes of Sepharuaim †and neuetheles they worshipped our Lord. And they made to themselues of the vilest persones priestes of the excelses and they placed them in the highe temples †And when they worshipped our Lord they serued also their owne goddes according to the custome of the Nations out of the which they were transported to Samaria †vntil this present day they folow the old maner they feare not our Lord neither keepe they his ceremonies and iudgements and law and the commandemet which our Lord commanded the children of Iacob whom he surnamed Israel †and he had made a couenant with them had commanded them saying Feare not strange goddes and adore them not neither worship them and immolate not to them †But the Lord your God which brought you out of the Land of Aegypt in great strength and a stretched out arme him feare ye and him adore and to him doe ye immolate †The ceremonies also and iudgementes and law and the commandment that he wrote you kepe ye that you may doe them alwaies and feare not strange goddes †And the couenant that he made with you forget not neither doe ye worship strange goddes †but feare our Lord your God and he wil deliuer you out of the hand of al your enemies †But they heard not but did according to their old custome †These Nations therfore were fearing of our Lord but neuerthelesse seruing their idols also for both their children and nephewes as their fathers did soe doe they vntil this present day CHAP. XVIII Ezechias destroyeth al places of idolatrie in Iuda breaking also the brasen serpent made by Moyses because the people offered incense to it 9. The captiuitie of the ten tribes is repeted 13. Ezechias not able to resist the Assyrians payeth much money to them 17. They neuertheles send forces against Ierusalem reproch the king blaspheme God and terrifie the people IN the third yeare of Osee the sonne of Ela king of Israel reigned Ezechias the sonne of Achaz king of Iuda †Fiue and twentie yeares old was he when he began to reigne and he reigned nine and twentie yeares in Ierusalem the name of his mother was Abi the daughter of Zacharias †And he did that which was good before our Lord according to al thinges which Dauid his father had done †He destroyed the excelses and brake the statuees in peeces and cut downe the groues and brake the brasen serpent which Moyses had made for vntil that time the children of Israel burnt incense to it and he called the name therof Nohestan †He trusted in our Lord the God of Israel therfore after him there was not the like to him in al the kings of Iuda yea neither among them that were before him †and he cleaued to our Lord and departed not from his steppes and he did his commandmentes which our Lord commanded Moyses †Wherfore our Lord also was with him and in al things to the which he proceded he behaued himselfe wisely He rebelled also agaynst the king of the Assyrians and serued him not †He stroke the Philisthians as farre as Gaza al the borders from the Towre of watchmen vnto the fensed citie †In the fourth yeare of king Ezechias which was the seuenth yeare of Osee the sonne of Ela the king of Israel came vp Salmanasar the king
thinges which his father had vowed and him self he brought into the house of our Lord gold and siluer and of vessels diuers furniture †And there was no warre vnto the fiue and thirteth yeare of the reigne of Asa CHAP. XVI Agaynst the king of Israel king Asa procureth helpe of the Assyrians 7. which a prophet reprouing is put in fetters 11. Asa dieth with disease of his feete and is buried with pompe AND in the six and thirteth yeare of his reigne came vp Baasa the king of Israel into Iuda and with a wall compassed Rama that none could safely goe out and come in of the kingdom of Asa †Asa therfore brought forth siluer and gold out of the treasures house of our Lord and of the kinges treasures and he sent to Benadad the king of Syria who dwelt in Damascus saying †There is league betwen me thee my father also and thy father had concord wherfore I haue sent thee siluer and gold that breaking the league which thou hast with Baasa the king of Israel thou make him retire from me †Which being knowen Benadad sent the princes of his hostes to the cities of Israel who stroke Ahion and Dan and Ablemaim and al the walled cities of Nephthali †which when Baasa had heard he ceased to build Rama and intermitted his worke †Moreouer Asa the king tooke al Iuda and caried away the stones out of Rama and the timber that Baasa had prepared for the building and he built of them Gabaa Maspha †At that time came Hanani the prophete to Asa the king of Iuda and sayd to him Because thou hast had confidence in the king of Syria and not in our Lord thy God therfore hath the armie of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand †Were not the Aethiopians and Libyians manie moe in chariotes and horsemen and a multitude exceding great whom when thou didst beleue in our Lord he deliuered into thy hand †For the eies of our Lord behold al the earth and geue strength to them that with perfect hart beleue in him Thou therfore hast done foolyshly for this cause from this present time shal battels arise agaynst thee †And Asa being angrie agaynst the Seer commanded him to be cast into fetters for he tooke indignation excedingly vpon this thing and he slewe of the people at that time verie manie †But the workes of Asa the first the lasl are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel †Asa also fel sicke in the nine and thirteth yeare of his reigne of a most vehement payne of his feete and neither in his infirmitie did he seeke our Lord but rather trusted in the arte of Phisitians †And he slept with his fathers and he died the one and fouâ—teth yeare of his reigne †And they buried him in his sepulchre which he had digged for himsels in the Citie of Dauid and they layd him vpon his bed ful of spices and odoriâ—erous oyntementes which were made by the arte of apothecaries and they burnt it ouer him with exceding ambition CHAP. XVII Iosaphat succeding in the kingdom preuaileth in battel agaynst the king of Israel 6. destroyeth Idolaters and sendeth Priestes and Leuites to instruct the people 11. The Philistians and Arabians send presentes to king Iosaphat 13. the leaders of the armie and souldiars are numbred AND Iosaphat his sonne reigned for him grew strong agaynst Israel †And he appoynted numbers of souldiars in al the cities of Iuda that were compassed with walles And he placed garrisons in the land of Iuda and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken †And our Lord was with Iosaphat because he walked in the first waies of Dauid his father and he trusted not in Baalim †but in the God of his father and went forward in his preceptes and not according to the sinnes of Israel †And our Lord confirmed the kingdom in his hand and al Iuda gaue giftes to Iosaphat and there grew to him infinite riches and much glorie †And when his hart had taken courage for the waies of our Lord he tooke away also the Excelses and groues out of Iuda †And in the third yeare of his kingdom he sent of his princes Benhail and Abdias and Zacharias and Nathanael and Micheas that they should teach in the cities of Iuda †and with them Leuites Semeias and Nathanias and Zabadias Asael also and Semiramoth and Ionathan and Adonias and Tobias and Thobadonias Leuites and with them Elisama and Ioram Priestes †And they taught the people in Iuda hauing the booke of the law of our Lord and they went about al the cities of Iuda and instructed the people †Therfore the dread of our Lord came vpon al the kingdomes of the landes that were round about Iuda neither durst they make battel agaynst Iosaphat †Yea and the Philistians brought giftes to Iosaphat and tribute of siluer the Arabians also brought cattel of rammes seuen thousand seuen hundred and buckegoates as manie †Iosaphat therfore grewe and was magnified on high and he built in Iuda houses like to toures and walled cities †And he prepared manie workes in the cities of Iuda there were also men of warre and valiant in Ierusalem †of whom this is the number by the houses and families of euerie one In Iuda princes of the armie Ednas duke and with him most valiant men three hundred thousand †After him Iohanan the prince and with him two hundred eightie thousand †After him also Amasias the sonne of Zechri consecrated to our Lord and with him two hundred thousand of valiant men †Him followed Eliada valiant to battels and with him of them that held bow shield two hundred thousand †After this man also Iozabad and with him an hundred eightie thousand readie souldiars †Al these were at the hand of the king beside others whom he had put in walled cities in al Iuda CHAP. XVIII Iosaphat ioyned in affinitiâ— with wicked Achab king of Israel goeth with him against Ramoth Galaad four hundred false prophetes promising victorie 14. Micheas prophecying the contrarie 25. is put in prison 28. Achab notwithstanding he changeth his attire and leaueth Iosaphat in danger 33. is slaine IOSAPHAT therfore was rich and verie glorious and was ioyned in affinitie to Achab. †And he went downe to him after certaine yeares into Samaria at whose coming Achab killed muttons and oxen very manie for him and the people that came with him and he perswaded him to goe vp into Ramoth Galaad †And Achab the king of Israel sayd to Iosaphat the king of Iuda Come with me into Ramoth Galaad To whom he answered As I am thou also as thy people so my people also and we wil be with thee in battel †Iosaphat sayd to the king of Israel Consult I besech thee presently the word of our Lord. †Therfore the king of Israel
of Israel should bring it in into the tabernacle of testimonie †For the most impious Athalia and her children haue destroyed the house of God and of al thinges that had bene sanctified in the temple of our Lord they adorned the temple of Baalim †The king therfore commanded and they made a chest and set it by the gate of our Lord on the out side †And it was proclaymed in Iuda and Ierusalem that euery man should bring the price to our Lord which Moyses the seruant of God appoynted ouer al Israel in the desert †And al the princes reioysed and al the people and going in they contributed into the chest of our Lord and cast in so that it was filled †And when it was time that they should bring the chest before the king by the handes of Leuites for they saw much money the kinges Scribe went in and he whom the high priest had appoynted they powred out the money that was in the chest recaried it to his place and so did they from day to day and there was gathered infinite money †Which the king and Ioiada gaue to them that ouersaw the workes of the house of our Lord but they hired with it hewers of stones and artificers of al workes to repayre the house of our Lord smithes also of yron and brasse that that which began to fal might be vpholden †And they that wrought did industriously and the breach of the walles was closed by their handes and they raysed the house of our Lord into the old state and made it stand firmely †And when they had accomplished al the workes they brought the rest of the money before the king and Ioiada of the which were made vessels of the temple to the ministerie and for holocaustes phials also and other vessels of gold and siluer and holocaustes were offered in the house of our Lord continually al the daies of Ioiada †But Ioiada became old being ful of dayes and died when he was an hundred and thirtie yeares old †And they buried him in the citie of Dauid with the kinges because he had done good with Israel and with his house †And after that Ioiada was dead the princes of Iuda went in and adored the king who being altered by their seruiceablenesse agreed to them †And they forsooke the temple of our Lord the God of their fathers and serued groues and sculptilles and there came wrath agaynst Iuda and Ierusalem for this sinne †And he sent them prophetes that they should returne to our Lord whom protesting they would not heare †The spirit of God therfore inuested Zacharias the sonne of Ioiada the Priest he stood in the sight of the people and sayd to them Thus sayth our Lord God Why transgresse you the precept of our Lord which thing shal not profit you haue forsaken our Lord that he should forsake you †Who being gathered agaynst him they threw stones according to the kinges commandement in the court of the house of our Lord. †And Ioas the king did not remember the mercie that Ioiada his father had done with him but he killed his sonne Who when he died sayd Our Lord see and require it †And when a yeare was come about the armie of Syria came vp against him it came into Iuda Ierusalem slewe al the princes of the people and al the pray they sent to the king into Damascus †And wheras there was come a very smal number of the Syrians our Lord deliuered into their handes an infinit multitude for that they had forsaken our Lord the God of their fathers on Ioas also they exercised ignomious iudgementes †And departing they left him in great diseases and his seruantes rose agaynst him for reuenge of the bloud of the sonne of Ioiada the priest they slewe him in his bed he dyed and they buried him in the Citie of Dauid but not in the kinges sepulchres †And there conspired against him Zabad the sonne of Semmaath an Ammonitesse Iozabad the sonne of Semarith a Moabitesse †Moreouer his children and the summe of money which was gathered vnder him the repayring of the house of God are writen more diligently in the Booke of kinges and Amasias his sonne reigned for him CHAP. XXV Amasias killeth those that slew his father 5. Besides his owne people hyreth souldiars of Israel but by aduise of a Prophete dismisseth them 11. and with his owne owerthroweth the Idumeans whose idols taken in battel 13. the dismissed souldiars in the meane time spoyling his countrie he adoreth 15. Contemning admonition 17. and prouoking the king of Israel to warre 22. is taken in battel and spoyled 27. Fearing treason in Ierusalem fleeth and is slaine in Lachis FIVE and twentie yeares old was Amasias when he began to reigne and he reigned nine and twentie yeares in Ierusalem the name of his mother was Ioaden of Ierusalem †And he did good in the sight of our Lord but yet not in a perfect hart †And when he saw his kingdom strengthned he put to death the seruantes that had slayne the king his father †but their children he slew not as it is writen in the Booke of the law of Moyses where our Lord commanded saying The fathers shal not be slayne for the children nor the children for their fathers but euerie one shal die in his owne sinne †Amasias therfore gathered together Iuda and appoynted them by families and tribunes and centurions in al Iuda and Beniamin and he numbred from twentie yeares vpward and found three hundred thousand of yong men that went forth to battel and held speare and shielde †He hyred also for wages of Israel an hundred thousand strong men for an hundred talentes of siluer †But a man of God came to him and sayd O king let not the host of Israel goe forth with thee for our Lord is not with Israel and al the children of Ephraim †and if thou thinke that battels consist in the force of an armie God wil make thee to be ouercome of the enemies for it perteyneth to God both to helpe and to put to flight †And Amasias sayd to the man of God What shal become then of the hundred talentes which I haue geuen the souldiars of Israel And the man of God answered him Our Lord hath wherby he is able to geue thee much more then this †Amasias therfore seperated the host that came to him out of Ephraim that they should returne into their place but they being wrath excedingly agaynst Iuda returned into their countrie †Moreouer Amasias brought forth his people confidently and went into the Vale of salt pittes and stroke the children of Seir ten thousand †And other ten thousand men did the children of Iuda take and bring to the steepe of a certaine rocke and cast them down headlong from the toppe who burst in sunder euerie one †But
eyes looke vpon the poore he lyeth in wayte in secret as a lyon in his denne †He lyeth in wayte to take the poore man violently violently to take the poore man whiles he draweth him In his snare he wil humble him selfe and shal fal when he shal haue dominion ouer the poore †For he hath sayed in his hart God hath forgotten he hath turned away his face not to see for euer †Arise Lord God let thy hand be axalted forget not the poore †Wherfore hath the impious prouoked God for he hath said in his hart He wil not enquire †Thou seest that thou considerest labour and sorrow that thou mayest deliuer them into thy handes To thee is the poore left to the orphane thou wilt be an helper †Breake the arme of the sinner and malignant his sinne shal be sought and shal not be found †Our Lord shal reigne for euer and for euer and euer ye Gentiles shal perish from his land †Our Lord hath heard the desire of the poore thy eare hath heard the preperation of their hart To iudge for the pupil and the humble that man adde no more to magnifie him selfe vpon the earth ANNOTATIONS PSALME IX 21. After the 21. verse the late Hebrew Doctors diuide this Psalme beginning there the tenth without anie new title but only this word Sela VVhich the Septuagint Theodotion and Symmachus translate Diapsalma that is change of meeter or musike also pause or rest in singing Aquila whom S. Iorom rather approueth translateth semper euer Some English Bibles omitte it others leaue it in the text not translating it into English It semeth to most Interpreters to be added as a note to sturre vp attention And it occureth often not only in the end of Psalmes but also in other places For it is thrise in the third Psalme And therefore maketh no argument that this Psalme should be diuided And those which diuide this into two ioyne two in the 147. Psalme So that al agree in the number of 150. Psalmes in the whole Psalter PSALME X. Dauids freindes aduising him to flee from the persecution of Saul he answereth that his trust is in Gods protection 2. Though the persecutor be very malitious 4. yet God wil ouerthrow him 5. and deliuer the iust Vnto the end the psalme of Dauid I TRVST in our Lord how say ye to my soule Passe ouer vnto the mountayne as a sparrow †For behold sinners haue bent the bow they haue prepared their arrowes in the quiuer that they may shoote in the darke at them that be right of hart †For they haue destroyed the thinges which thou didst perfite but the iust what hath he done †Our Lord is in his holie temple our Lord his seate is in heauen †His eies haue respect vnto the poore his eieliddes examine the sonnes of men †Our Lord examineth the iust and the impious but he that loueth iniquity hateth his owne soule †He shal rayne snares vpon sinners fyre and brimstone and blast of stormes the portion of their cuppe †Because our Lord is iust and hath loued iustice his countenance hath seene equitie PSALME XI The Prophet describeth the paucity of iust men and abundanc of wicked both at Christs first coming in flesh 6. and second in maiestie in the end of the world †Vnto the end for the octaue the Psalme of Dauid SAVE me Lord because the holy hath fayled because verities are diminished from among the children of men †They haue spoken vaine thinges euerie one to his neighbour deiceitful lippes they haue spoken in hart and hart †Our Lord destroy al deceitful lippes the tongue that speaketh great thinges †Which haue said We wil magnifie our tongue our lippes are of vs who is our Lord †For the miserie of the needie and mourning of the poore now wil I arise saith our Lord I wil put in a saluation I wil do confidently in him †Wordes of our Lord be chaist wordes siluer examined by fire tryed from the earth purged seuen fold †Thou Lord wilt preserue vs and keepe vs from this generation for euer †The “ impious walke round about according to thy highnes thou hast multiplied the children of men ANNOTATIONS PSALME XI 9. The impious vvalâ—e round about J S Augustin expoundeth this of worldlie men desiring temporal thinges signified by the seuen dayes wherin this whole life is turned about as in a whele not prouiding for the eight day which is eternitie after the day of Iudgement In an other place he sheweth also that this sentence agreeth aptly to the Platonistes who taught that this world neuer endeth but passeth and returneth round about in a reuolution of manie yeares so that al thinges should happen againe euen as they did before contrarie to this and manie other Scriptures affirming that God vvil preserue the iust and kepe them from this generation for euer VVhereas the reprobate who sette their whole mind on temporal thinges or expect a reuolution of al shal eternally walke without the kingdome of heauen neuer enter in though some may cal with the foolish virgins saith S. Ierom or some other learned author vpon this place Lord Lord open the dore to vs but he vvil ansvver that I knovv you not Mat. 25. PSALME XII A general prayer of the Church in tribulation either temporal or spiritual †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid HOw long â— Lord wilt thou forget me vnto the end How long doest thou turne away thy face from me †How long shal I put counsels in my soule sorrow in my hart by day †How long shal mine enemies be exalted ouer me †Regard and heare me ô Lord my God Illuminate mine eies that I sleepe not in death at any time †lest sometime mine enemie say I haue preuailed against him They that truble me wil reioyce if I be moued †but I haue hoped in thy mercie My hart shal reioyce in thy saluation I wil sing to our Lord which geueth me good thinges and I wil sing to the name of our Lord most high PSALME XIII After general grosse ignorance and impiety in the World 7. Christ shal be incarnate the Redemer of mankind †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid THE foole hath said in his hart There is no God They are corrupt and are become abominable in their studies there is not that doth good “ no not one †Our Lord hath looked forth from heauen vpon the children of men to see if there be that vnderstandeth and seeketh after God Al haue declined they are become vnprofitable together there is not that doth good no not one Their throte is an open sepulchre with their tongues they did deceitfully the poyson of
aspes vnder their lippes Whose mouth is ful of cursing and bitternesse their feete swift to shee l bloud Destruction and infelicitie in their waies and the way of peace they haue not knowen there is no feare of God before their eies Shal not al they know that worke iniquitie that deuoure my people as foode of bread They haue not inuocated our Lard there haue they trembled for feare where no feare was †Because our Lord is in the iust generation you haue confounded the counsel of the poore man because our Lord is his hope Who wil geue from Sion the saluation of Israel when our Lord shal haue turned away the captiuitie of his people Iacob shal reioyce and Israel shal be glad ANNOTATIONS PSALME XIII 1. No not one S. Paul by this place and the like Isaie 59. v. 7. confirmeth his doctrin Rom. 3. that both the Iewes and the Gentils meaning al mankind were in that state that none no not one without the grace of Christ were iust nor could be iustified nor saued by the law of Nature nor of Moyses VVhich proueth the necessitie of faith But neither that only faith iustifieth nor that the iustest are stil wicked as Caluin and Beza falsly expound these Scriptures For the Prophets and S. Paul speake in these places of men before they be iustified teaching that al mankind was once in sinne and none could be iustified but by Christ Neuerthelesse they teach also that men being iustified must and may serue iustice vnto sanctification And that their workes are not then vnprofitable For being made free from sinne saith the same Apostle to the Romanes c. 6. and become seruants to God you haue your fruâ—ct vnto sanctification and the end is life euerlasting VVhich point of doctrin how man is iustified S. Augustin excellently briefly explicateth li. 1. de Spirituet lit c 9. in these wordes The iust are iustified freely by Christ his grace they are not therfore purified by the lavv they are not iustified by their proper wil but iustified freely by Christ his grace Not that it is done without our wil but by the law our wil is shevved weake that grace might cure the wil and the wil being cured might fulfil the law not being vnder the law not needing the law VVherto we may here adde and so saue labour of repeting this in other places an other document of the same Doctor in the same booke de spirit lit c 27. that the iust do not liue without some sinnes and yet remaine in state of saluation the wicked do sometimes certaine good workes ful remaine in state of damnation For euen as saith he venial sinnes without which this life it not ledde do not exclude the iust from eternal life so certaine good workes without which the life of the very worst is hardly found profite nothing the vniust man to eternal saluation but in euerlasting damnation some shal haue more and somelesse torment PSALME XIIII For attayning eternal glorie in heauen it is necessarie to flee from sinnes and do good workes †“ The Psalme of Dauid LORD who shal dwel in thy tabernacle or who shal rest in thy holie hil †He that walketh without spot and worketh iustice †He that speaketh truth in his d hart that hath not done guile in his tongue Nor hath done euil to his neighbour and hath not taken reproch against his neighbour The malignant is brought to nothing in his sight but them that feare our Lord he glorifieth he that sweareth to his neighbour and deceiueth not †that hath not geuen his money to vsurie and hath not taken k giftes vpon the innocent k Likewise doing wrong for bribes He that doeth “ these thinges shal “ not be moued for euer ANNOTATIONS PSALME XIIII 1. The Psalme of Dauid As the appropriating of the general name of Psalme vnto some doth not preiudice but that the rest are also Psalmes though they be called Prayers Canticles Testimonies and the like so the application of Dauids name to certaine Psalmes proueth not other authores of the rest But the name of Psalme sheweth a spiritual songue apt for musical instrument and the name of Dauid by interpretation signifieth that it particularly perteyneth to the beloued 5. He that doth these thinges wheras this or anie other place of holie Scripture attributeth saluation to certaine good workes neither faith nor other workes are therby excluded but presupposed as no lesse necessarie then those which are mentioned Especially faith is alwayes requisite without which it is impossible to please God and other vertues either in practise or in purpose and preparation of mind when and where occasion requireth 5. Shal not be mouâ—d for euer Al states of this world are mutable and only eternal felicitie in heauen shal continew for euer Therfore this Psalme can not be vnderstood of the Tabernacle nor Temple of the old Testament which were but figures of eternal glorie But if so much puritie was then requisite much more al sinceritie and great sanctitie are necessarie for entrance into heauen PSALME XV. Christ by the mouth of Dauid declareth his future victory and triumph ouer the world 9. and death †The inscription of the title to Dauid him self PRESERVE me ô Lord because I haue hoped in thee †I haue said to our Lord Thou art my God because thou needest not my goods †To the sainctes that are in his land he hath made al my willes meruclous in them †Their infirmities were multiplied afterward they made hast I wil not assemble their conuenticles of bloud neither wil I be mindful of their names by my lippes †Our Lord “ the portion of myne inheritance and of my cuppe thou art he that wil restore myne inheritance vnto me †Cordes are fallen to me in goodly places for mine inheritance is goodlie vnto me †I wil blesse our Lord who hath geuen me vnderstanding moreouer also euen til night my veines haue rebuked me I forsaw our Lord in my sight alwaies because he is at my right hand that I be not moued †For this thing my hart hath beene glad and my tongue hath reioyced moreouer also my flesh shal rest in hope †Because thou wilt “ not leaue my soule in hel neither wilt geue thy holie one to see corruption Thou hast made the waies of life knowen to me thou shalt make me ful of ioy with thy countenance delectations on thy right hand euen to the end ANNOTATIONS PSALME XV. 5. Out lord the portion of myn inheritance Christ whom the Iewes expected as an earthlie conquerour that should aduance himself and them temporally in this world was in dede as the
me from them that goe downe into the lake †Sing to our Lord ye his sainctes and confesse to the memorie of his holines †Because wrath is in his indignation and life in his wil. At euening shal weeping abide and in the morning gladnesse †And I said in my abundance I wil not be moued for euer †O Lord in thy wil thou hast geuen strength to my beautie Thou hast turned away thy face from me and I became trubled †To thee ô Lord I wil crie and I wil pray to my God †What profite is in my bloud whiles I descend into corruption Shal dust confesse to thee or declare thy truth †Our Lord hath heard and had mercie on me our Lord is become my helper ††Thou hast turned my mourning into ioy vnto me thou hast cut my sackcloth and hast compassed me with gladnes †That my glorie may sing to thee and I be not compunct Lord my God for euer wil I confesse to thee PSALME XXX A prayer of a iust man excedingly afflicted stil confident in God 11. describing his manie calamities in respect of his enemies vndeserued 18. prayeth for his owne deliuerie and their iust punishment 20. praiseth and thanketh God for his goodnes 24. exhorteth al others to do the same †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid for excesse of minde IN THEE ô Lord haue I hoped let me not be confounded for euer in thy iustice deliuer me †Incline thine eare to me make hast to deliuer me Be vnto me for a God protector and for a house of refuge that thou mayst saue me †Because thou art my strength and my refuge and for thy name thou wilt conduct me and wilt nourish me †Thou wilt bring me out of this snare which they haue hid for me because thou art my protector †Into thy handes I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me ô Lord God of truth †Thou hast hated them that obserue vanities vnprofitably But I haue hoped in our Lord †I shal reioyce and be ioyful in thy mercie Because thou hast respected my humilitie thou hast saued my soule out of necessities †Neither hast thou shut me vp in the handes of the enemie thou hast set me feete in a large place †Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord because I am in tribulation myne eiâ—is trubled for wrath my soule and my bellie †Because my life is decayed for sorrowe and my yeares for gronings My strength is weakened for pouertie and by bones are trubled †Aboue al myne enemies I am made a reproch both to my neighbours excedingly and a feare to my acquantance They that saw me fled forth from me †I am forgotten from the hart as one dead I am made as a vessel destroyed †because I haue heard the reprehension of manie that abide round about In that whiles they assembled together against me they consulted to take my soule †But I haue hoped in thee ô Lord I sayd Thou art my God †my lottes are in thy handes Deliuer me out of the handes of my enemies and from them that persecute me †Illustrate thy face vpon thy seruant saue me in thy mercie †Lord let me not be confounded because I haue inuocated thee Let the impious be ashamed and brought downe into hel †let the deceitful lippes be made mute Which speake iniquitie against the iust in pride and abuse †How great is the multitude of thy sweetnesse ô Lord which thou hast hid for them that feare thee Thou hast perfited it for them that hope in thee in the sight of the children of men †Thou shalt hide them in the secrete of thy face from the disturbance of men Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues †Blessed be our Lord because he hath made his mercie merueilous to me in the fensed citie But I haue said in the excesse of my minde I am cast away from the sight of thine eies Therfore thou hast heard the voice of my praier whiles I cried to thee †Loue our Lord al ye his sainctes because our Lord wil require truth wil repay them abundantly that doe proudly Do ye manfully and let your hart take courage al ye that hope in out Lord. PSALME XXXI Forgeuenes of sinnes is a happie thing 3. wherto manie are brought by affliction geuing them vnderstanding so mouing them to confesse their sinnes 6. pray for remission 10 not despaire but hope in Gods mercie and so reioyce with sincere hart †To Dauid himselfe “ vnderstanding BLESSED are they whose iniquities are forgeuen and “ whose sinnes be couered †Blessed is the man to whom our Lord hath “ not imputed sinne “ neither is there guile in his spirit †Because I held my peace my bones are * inueterated whiles I cried al the day †Because day and night thy hand is made heauie vpon me I am turned in my anguish whiles the thorne is fastened †I haue made my sinne knowen to thee and my iniustice I haue not hid I said I wil confesse against me my iniustice to our Lord and thou hast forgeuen the impietie of my sinne †For this shal euerie holie one pray to thee in time conuenient But yet in the floud of manie waters they shal not approche to him †Thou art my refuge from tribulation which hath compassed me my exultation deliuer me from them that compasse me †I wil geue thee vnderstanding and wil instruct thee in the way that thou shalt goe I wil fasten mine eies vpon thee †Doe not become as horse and mule which haue no vnderstanding In bit and bridle binde fast their cheekes that approch not to thee †Manie are the scourges of a sinner but him that hopeth in our Lord mercie shal compasse †Be ioyful in our Lord and reioyse ye iust and glorie al ye right of hart ANNOTATIONS PSALME XXXI 1. Vnderstanding VVhen Dauid had sinned and somewhile neglected to confesse his fault Gods mercie by affliction made him to vnderstand his owne estate who then repenting confessing and sorowing for his sinnes made this Psalme which is therfore intitled Vnderstanding or Instruction of Dauid It geueth vs also to vnderstand and to know saith S. Augustin that we must neither trust in our owne merites nor presume to escape punishment of sinne Thy first vnderstanding therfore or lesson must be to know thy self to be a sinner The nex is that when with faith thou beginnest to worke wel by loue thou attribute not this to thyn owne streingth but to the grace of God 1. VVhose sinnes are couered 2. not imputed
my bones shal say Lord who is like to thee Deliuering the needie from the hand of them that are stronger then he the needie and poore from them that spoile him Vniust witnesses rysing vp asked me things that I knew not †They repayed me euil things for good sterilitie to my soule †But I when they were trublesome to me did put on cloth of heare I humbled my soule in fasting and my prayer shal be turned into my bosome †As a neighbour as our brother so did I please as mourning and sorowful so was I humbled †And they reioyced against me and came together scourges were gathered together vpon me and I was ignorant †They were dissipated and not compunct they tempted me they scorned me with scorning they gnashed vpon me with their teeth †Lord when wilt thou regard restore thou my soule from their malignitie myne only one from the lions †I wil confesse to thee in the great Church in a graue people I wil prayse thee †Let them not reioyce ouer me that are my aduersaries vniustly that hate me without cause and twinckle with the eies †Because they spake in deede peaceably to me and in the anger of the earth speaking they meant guiles †And they opened their mouth awide vpon me they said Wel wel our eies haue seene †Thou hast sene ô Lord keepe not silence Lord depart not from me †Arise and attend to my iudgement my God and my Lord vnto my cause †Iudge me according to thy iustice ô Lord my God and let them not reioyce ouer me †Let them not say in their hartes Wel wel to our soule neitheir let them say We haue deuoured him †Let them blush and be ashamed together that reioyce at my euils Let them be clothed with confusion and shame that speake great things vpon me †Let them reioyce and be glad that wil my iustice and let them say alwayes Our Lord be magnified that wil the peace of his seruant †And my tongue shal meditate thy iustice thy prayse al the day PSALME XXXV The prophet describeth the wicked malice of obstinate sinners 6. Against which he opposeth Gods infinite goodnes 9. with his prouident mercie towards the worst and iust reward of the good 12. praying to escape the dangerous gulfe of pride †Vnto the end to the seruant of our Lord Dauid him selfe THE vniust hath said within him selfe that he would sinne there is no feare of God before his eies †Because he hath done deceitfully in his sight that his iniquitie may be found vnto hatred †The wordes of his mouth are iniquitie and guile he would not vnderstand that he might doe wel †He hath meditated iniquitie in his bed he hath set himselfe on euery way not good and malice he hath not hated Lord thy mercie is in heauen and thy truth euen to the clowdes †Thy iustice as the hilles of God thy iudgementes are great depth Men beastes thou wilt saue ô Lord †as thou hast multiplied thy mercie ô God But the children of men shal hope in the couert of thy winges †They shal be inebriated with the plentie of thy house and with the torrent of thy pleasure thou shalt make them drinke Because with thee is the fountaine of life and in thy light we shal see light †Extend thy mercie to them that know thee and thy iustice to them that are of a right hart Let not the foote of pride come to me and let not the hand of a sinner moue me †There haue they fallen that worke iniquitie they were expelled neither could they stand PSALME XXXVI An exhortation not to enuie nor imitate the euil who for most part prosper in this world and are damned eternally but to flee euil and doe good duly considering that God diuersly permitteth and punisheth the wicked and likewise comforteth and afflicteth the iust al for their good †A Psalme to Dauid him self HAVE no emulation toward the malignant neither enuie them that doe iniquitie †Because they shal quickely wither as grasse and as the blossomes of herbes they shal soone fal †Hope in our Lord and doe good and inhabite the land and thou shalt be fed in the riches therof †Be delighted in our Lord and he wil geue thee the petitions of thy hart †Reuele thy way to our Lord and hope in him and he wil doe it †And he wil bring forth thy iustice as light and thy iudgement as midday †be subiect to our Lord and pray him Haue no emulation in him that prospereth in his way in a man that doth iniustices †Cease from wrath and leaue furie haue not emulation that thou be malignant †Because they that are malignant shal be cast out but they that expect our Lord the same shal inherite the land †And yet a litle while and the sinner shal not be and thou shalt seeke his place and shal not find it †But the meeke shal inherite the land and shal be delighted in multitude of peace †The sinner shal obserue the iust and shal gnash vpon him with his teeth †But our Lord shal scorne him because he foreseeth that his day shal come †Sinners haue drawen out the sword they haue bent their bowe That they may deceine the poore and needie that they may murder the right of hart †Let their owne swordes enter into their hartes and let their bowe be broken †Better is a litle to the iust aboue much riches of sinners †Because the armes of sinners shal be broken in pieces but our Lord comfirmeth the iust †Our Lord knoweth the daies of the immaculate and their inheritance shal be for euer †They shal not be confounded in the euil time and in the dayes of famine they shal be filled †because the sinners shal perish But the enemies of our Lord forth with as they shal be honoured and exalted vanishing shal vanish as smoke †The sinner shal borrow and not pay but the iust is merciful and wil geue †Because they that blesse him shal inherite the land but they that curse him shal perish †With our Lord the steppe of man shal be directed and he shal like wel of his way When he shal fal he shal not be brused because our Lord putteth his hand vnder †I haue bene yong for I am old and I haue not sene the iust forsaken nor his seede seeking bread †Al the day he is merciful and lendeth and his seede shal be in blessing †Decline from euil and doe good and inhabite for euer and euer †Because our Lord loueth iudgement and he wil not forsake his sainctes they shal be
preserued for euer The vniust shal be punished and the seede of the impious shal perish †But the iust shal inherite the land and shal inhabite for euer and euer vpon it †The mouth of the iust shal meditate wisedome and his tong shal speake iudgement The law of his God in his hart and his steppes shal not be supplanted †The sinner considereth the iust and seeketh to murder him †But our Lord wil not leaue him in his handes neither wil he condemne him when iudgement shal be geuen of him †Expect our Lord and keepe his way and he wil exalt thee that thou mayst inherite the land when the sinners shal perish thou shalt see †I haue seene the impious highly exalted and aduanced as the ceders of Libanus †And I passed by and behold he was not and I sought him and his place was not found †Keepe innocencie and see equitie because there are remaynes for the peaceable man †But the vniust shal perish together the remaines of the impious shal perish †But the saluation of the iust is of our Lord and he is their potector in the time of tribulation †And our Lord wil helpe them and deliuer them and he wil take them away from sinners and saue them because they haue hoped in him PSALME XXXVII King Dauid or anie other penitent earnestly prayeth God to remitte his sinnes and mitigate the paines which he acknowledgeth him selfe to haue deserued 12 lamenting the afflictions which he suffereth by such as sometimes were his freindes 14. whose tentations h◠now resisteth trusting in God resigning himselfe to Gods wil confessing his owne iniquitie and humbly praying for Gods helpe A Psalme of Dauid in recordation of the sabbath LORD rebuke me nor in thy furie nor chastise me in thy wrath Because thy arrowes are fast sticked in me and thou hast fastened thy hand vpon me There is no health in my flesh at the face of thy wrath my bones haue no peace at the face of my sinnes Because mine iniquities are gone ouer my head and as a heauie burden are become heauie vpon me †My scarres are putrified and corrupted because of my folishnes I am become miserable and am made crooked euen to the end I went sorowful al the day Because my loynes are filled with illusions and there is no health in my flesh I am afflicted and am humbled excedingly I rored for the groning of my hart †Lord before thee is al my desire and my groning is not hid from thee †My hart is trubled my strength hath forsaken me and the light of mine eies and the same is not with me †My frendes and my neighbores haue approched stood against me And they that were neere me stood far of †and they did violence which sought my soule And they that sought me euils spake vanities and meditated guiles al the day †But I as one deafe did not heare and as one dumme not opening his mouth †And I became as a man not hearing and not hauing reproofes in his mouth †Because in thee ô Lord haue I hoped thou wilt heare me ô Lord my God †Because I said Lest sometime mine enemies reioyce ouer me and whiles my feete are moued they speake great thinges vpon me †Because I am readie for scourges and my sorow is in my sight alwaies †Because I wil declare my iniquitie and I wil thinke for my sinne †But mine enemies liue and are confirmed ouer me and they are multiplied that hate me vniustly †They that repay euil thinges for good detracted from me because I folowed goodnes †Forsake me not ô Lord my God depart not from me Attend vnto my help ô Lord the God of my saluation PSALME XXXVIII A iust man in remediles persecution resolueth to suffer al with peace and silence 5. praying God to take him from this world confessing the vanitie therof 8. and relying on Gods prouidence 11. who punisheth man for his sinnes prayeth for release †Vnto the end to Idithun him selfe a canticle of Dauid I HAVE said I wil keepe my waies that I offend not in my tongue I haue set a gard to my mouth when the sinner stood against me †I was dumme and humbled and kept silence from good thinges and my sorrow was renewed †My hart waxed hote within me and in my meditation a fyre shal burne †I haue spoken in my tongue Lord make mine end knowne to me And the number of my daies what it is that I may know what is lacking to me Behold thou hast put my daies measurable and my substance is as nothing before thee Doubtles al things are vanitie euerie man liuing †Surely man passeth as an image yea and he is trubled in vayne He gathereth treasure and knoweth not to whom he shal gather them †And now what is my expectation is not our Lord and my substance is with thee †From al mine iniquities deliuer me a reproch to the foolish thou hast geuen me †I was dumme and opened not my mouth because thou didst it †Remoue thy scourges from me †By the strength of thy hand I haue faynted in reprehensions for iniquitie thou hast chastised man And thou hast made his soule pyne away as a spider but vaynly is euerie man trubled †Heare my prayer ô Lord and my petition with thyne eares receiue my teares Keepe not silence because I am a stranger with thee and a pilgrime as my fathers †Forgeue me that I may be refreshed before I depart and shal be no more PSALME XXXIX Christs faithful members after long expectation congratulate his coming in flesh 6. He directing his speach to his Father professeth to performe the Redemption of manking and to denounce the same in the whole world 12. prayeth for his seruantes vndertaking to satisfie for their sinnes †Vnto the end a Psalme to Dauid himselfe †EXPECTING I expected our Lord and he hath attended to me †And he heard my prayers and brought me out of the lake of miserie and from the myre of dregges And hath set my feete vpon a rocke and hath directed my steppes †And he hath put a new canticle into my mouth a song to our God Manie shal see and shal feare and they shal hope in our Lord. †Blessed is the man whose hope is in the name of our Lord and hath not had regard to vanities and false madnes †Thou hast done manie thy meruelous thinges ◠Lord my God in thy cogitations there is none that may be like to thee I haue declared and haue spoken they multiplied aboue number †Sacrifice and oblation thou wouldest not but
in honour did not vnderstand he was compared to beasts without vnderstanding and became like to them †This their way is a scandal to them and afterward in their mouth they shal take pleasure †As sheepe they are put in hel death shal feede vpon them And the iust shal rule ouer them in the morning and their aide shal waxe old in hel from their glorie †Neuerthelesse God wil redeme my soule out of the hand of hel when he shal take me †Feare not when a man shal be made rich and when the glory of his house shal be multiplied †Because when he shal dye he shal not take al thinges neyther shal his glorie goe downe with him †Because his soule in his life shal be blessed he wil confesse to thee when thou shalt do him good †He shal enter in euen to the progenies of his fathers and he shal not see light for euer †Man when he was in honour did not vnderstand he was compared to beasts without vnderstanding and became like to them PSALME XLIX Christ in his first coming calleth al Nations 3. in his second wil iudge the world 7. In the meane time God exhorteth al men to serue him in puritie of vertue which he much preferreth before external sacrifice of the old law 17. reprehending such as professe or teach the right way and liue wickedly †A Psalme to Asaph THE God of goddes our Lord hath spoken and he hath called the earth from the rysing of the sunne euen to the going downe †Out of Syon the beauty of his comelines †God wil come manifestly our God and he wil not kepe silence Fire shal burne forth in his sight and round about him a mighty tempest †He shal cal the heauen from aboue and the earth to discerne his people †Gather ye together his saincts vnto him which ordaine his testament aboue sacrifices †And the heauens shal shew forth his iustice because God is Iudge †Heare ô my people and I wil speake Israel and I wil testifie to thee God thy God am I. †I wil not rebuke thee in thy sacrifices and thy holocaustes are in my sight alwaies †I wil not take calues out of thy house nor buckegoats out of thy flockes †Because al the wilde beasts of the woods be myne the cattle in the mountaines and oxen †I haue knowne al the foules of the ayer and the beauty of the fielde is with me †If I shal be hungrie I wil not tel thee for the round earth is myne and the fulnes therof †Wil I eate the flesh of oxen or wil I drinke the blood of bucke goats †Immolate to God “ the sacrifice of praise and pay thy vowes to the Highest †And inuocate me in the day of tribulation I wil deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me †But to the sinner God hath sayde Why doest thou declare my iustices and takest my testament by thy mouth †But thou hast hated discipline cast my words behind thee †If thou didst see a theefe thou didst rune with him and with adulterers thou didst put thy portion †Thy mouth hath abounded with malice and thy tongue fourged guiles †Sitting thou spakest against thy brother and against thy mothers sonne thou didst put a scandal †these things hast thou done and I haue held my peace †Thou hast thought vniustly that I wil be like thee I wil reproue thee and set it against thy face †Vnderstand these things you that forget God lest sometime he take you violently and there be none to deliuer you †The “ sacrifice of prayse shal glorifie me and there is the way by which I wil shew him the saluation of God ANNOTATIONS PSALME XLIX 14. 23. The sacrifice of praise For better and more due performing of external sacrifice it is requisite that those which offer it or desire to participate do bring with them necessarie internal vertues or disposition as sorow and repentāce for their sinnes which is a kind of improper sacrifice mentioned in the next Psalme the sacrifice of iustice which rendereth ro euerie one that is due Psal 4. and sacrifise of praise or thankes geuing for al Gods benefites receiued or expected which kindes of internal and improper sacrifices do nothing preiudice but rightly prepare men to the fruict of external sacrifice euer vsed in the law of nature the law of Moyses and of Christ This place also hath an other higher and prophetical sense of the Sacrifice of Christs bodie in the Eucharist which is both propitiatorie and Sacrifise of praise and thankes geuing So S. Augustin orat aduersus Iudeos c. 6. teacheth that here certainly is a plaine change of the old sacrifices The same he affirmeth Ep. 120. c. 18. God foreshewing that the old sacrifices should be changed which were offered in shadow of a sacrifice to come I wil not take faith God to Israel calues nor goares at thy hand c. but appointeth that al Israel al nations from the rysing of the sunne to the setting shal immolate the sacrifice of praise the same Christ whom old Simeon knew an infant whom he receiued into his handes Likewise li. contra aduers legis prophet c. 20. The Church offereth to God in the bodie of Christ the sacrifice of praise PSALME L. King Dauid in great sorow for his sinnes of adultrie and murder most seriously prayeth God of his manifold mercies to remitte and purge al his offences and paines due for them 12. to restore vnto him the grace of the Holie Ghost lost by his sinnes 15. that he may teach others as in deede his singular example may teach the whole world true penance 19. contrition of hart worthely to offer sacrifice for the whole Church †Vnto the end a Psalme of Dauid †“ when Nathan the Prophet came to him after that he had sinned with Bethsabee 2. Reg. 12. HAVE mercie on me ô God according to thy great mercie And according to the multitude of thy commiserations take away myne iniquitie †“ Wash me more amply from mine iniquitie cleanse me from my sinne †Because I do know myne iniquitie and my sinne is before me alwaies †To thee onely haue I sinned and haue done euil before thee that thou mayst be iustified in thy words and mayst ouercome when thou art iudged †For behold “ I was conceiued in iniquities my mother conceiued me in sinnes †For behold thou hast loued truth the vncertaine and hidden thinges of thy wisdome thou hast made manifest to me †Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssope and I shal be clensed thou shalt wash me and I shal be made whiter then snow †To my hearing thou shalt
sanctuarie on the earth †Thou hast destroyed al the hedges therof thou hast made the firmament therof feare †Al that passe by the way haue spoiled him he is become a reproch to his neighbours †Thou hast exalted the righthand of them that oppresse him thou hast made al his enimies ioyful †Thou hast turned away the helpe of his sword and hast not holpen him in battel †Thou hast destroied him from emundation and his seat thou hast broken downe to the ground †Thou hast lessened the daies of his time thou hast ouerwhelmed him with consusion †How long ô Lord doest thou turne away for euer shal thy wrath burne as a fire †Remember what my substance is for hast thou made al the children of men in vaine †who is the man that shalliue and shal not see death shal deliuer his soule from the hand of hel †Where are thyne old mercies ô Lord as thou swarest to Dauid in thy truth †Be mindeful ô Lord of the acproch of thy seruantes which I haue held in my bosome of manie nations †Which thine enimies haue reproched ô Lord which they haue reproched the commutation of thy Christ †Blessed be our Lord for euer Be it be it ANNOTIONS PSALME LXXXVIII 34 My mercie I vvil not take avvay from him Although Christians signified by the childreÌ„ or successors of Dauid sinne most grieuously yea suppose they wil sinne with desperation saith S. Augustin and obstinatly persist in sinne that they offend the eyes of their Father deserue to be disenherited c. Yet for these Christ shal not remaine without inheritance the corne shal not also perish for the chafe some fishes shal be geathered out of the nette into vessels notwithstanding the euil fishes are cast away And a litle after the same Doctor discoursing of eternal glorie both in bodie and soule of those that dye in Gods fauour sayth These thinges are promised concerning Christ very certaine very firme very plaine and vndoubted For albeit some thinges are couered in mysteries yet some thinges are so manifest that by them the obscure thinges may most easily be cleared 39. But thou hast repelled c. Againe S. Augustin addeth vpon the next verses folowing God performed not these promises in Dauid that when thou seest they were not fulfilled in Dauid which necessarily must be fulfilled thou maist seke an other in whom it may be shewed that they were fulfilled God promised some thing a kingdom for euer of Dauids seede and Salomon was borne and became of so great wisdom and so great prudence that Gods promise concerning Dauids â—eede seemed to be fulfilled in him But Salomon fell and gaue place of expecting Christ that because God neither can be deceiued nor deceive he put not his promise in him whom he knew would fall but thou shouldest relie vpon God and exact his promise A litle after Thou seekest the kingdom of the lewes it is not thou seekest the altar of the Iewes it is not thou seekest the sacrifice of the Iewes it is not thou seckest the priesthood of the â—evves it is not VVherupon he concludeth Al these defectes came to the â—evves yet vvas not Christ taken from them but differred Some â—evves beleued in him and manie Gentiles As the Psalmist prophecieth from the 47. verse to the end of this Psalme PSALME LXXXIX Under the forme of prayer the psalmist describeth the shortnes of mans life and other calamites 7. Gods strict iudgement 13. but first his comfortable mercie 16. and perpetual regard of his owne worke †A prayer of Moyses the man of God Lord thou art made a refuge for vs from generation vnto generation †Before the mountaines were made or the earth and the world formed from euerlasting euen vnto euerlasting thou art God †Turne not away man into humiliation thou saidst Be conuerted ye children of men †Because a thousand years before thine eies are as yesterday that is past And as a watch in the night †thinges that are counted nothing shal their years be †In the morning as an herbe he shal passe in the morning he shal florish and passe in the euening he shal fal be hardened and withered †Because we haue faynted in thy wrath and in thy furie we are trubled †Thou hast put our iniquities in thy sight our age in the light of thy countinance †Because al our daies haue failed and in thy wrath we haue failed Our yeares shal be considered as a spyder †the daies of our yeares in them are seuentie yeares And if in strong ones eightie years and the more of them labour and sorrow Because mildnes is come vpon vs and we shal be chastised †Who knoweth the powre of thy wrath and for feare †to number thy wrath So make thy righthand knowne and men learned in hart in wisedome †Turne ô Lord how long and be intreated for thy seruants †We are replenished in the morning with thy mercie and we haue reioyced and are delighted al our daies †We haue reioyced for the daies wherin thou hast humbled vs the yeares wherin we haue seene euils †Looke vpon thy seruants and vpon thy workes and direct their children †And let the brightnes of our Lord God be vpon vs and direct thou the workes of our handes ouer vs and the worke of our handes doe thou direct PSALME XC Whosoeuer faithfully and firmly trusteth in Gods prouidence is secure from al dangers of secrete sutle and open enimies 7. his aduersaries shal come to ruine 11. Angels shal defend him 13. no kind of serpent nor beast shal hurt him 14. God himself assureth him of his protection and of eternal saluation Prayse of a Canticle to Dauid HE that dwelleth in the helpe of the Highest shal abide in the protection of the God of heauen †He shal say to our Lord Thou art my protectour and my refuge my God I wil hope in him †Because he hath deliuered me from the snare of the hunters and from the sharpe word †With his shoulders shal he ouershadowe thee and vnder his winges thou shalt hope †With shilde shal his truth compasse thee “ thou shalt not be afrayed of the feare in the night †Of the arrow flying in the day of busines walking in darkenes of inuasion and the midday diuel †A thousand shal fal on thy syde ten thousand on thy righthand but to thee it shal not approch †But thou shalt consider with thine eies and shalt see the retribution of sinners †Because thou ô Lord art my hope thou hast made the Highest thy refuge †There shal no euil come to thee and scourge shal not approch to thy tabernacle †Because he hath
day soeuer I am in tribulation incline thine eare to me In what day soeuer I shal inuocate thee heare me speedely †Because my dayes haue vanished as smoke and my bones are withered as a drie burnt firebrand †I am striken as grasse and my hart is withered because I haue forgotten to eate my bread †For the voyce of my groning my bone hath cleaued to my flesh †I am become like a pellicane of the wildernes I am become as a nightcrow in the house †I haue watched and am become as a sparow solitarie in the housetoppe †Al the day did mine enemies vpbrayde me and they that praysed me sware against me †Because I did eate ashes as bread mingled my drinke with weeping †At the face of thy wrath and indignation because lifting me vp thou hast throwne me downe †My daies haue declined as a shadow and I am withered as grasse †But thou ô Lord endurest for euer and thy memorial in generation and generation †Thou rysing vp shal haue mercie on Sion because it is time to haue mercie on it because the time cometh †Because the stones therof haue pleased thy seruantes and they shal haue pittie on the earth therof †And the Gentiles shal feare thy name ô Lord and al the kinges of the earth thy glorie †Because our Lord hath built Sion and he shal be seene in his glorie †He hath had respect to the prayer of the humble and he hath not despised their petition †Let these thinges be written vnto an other generation and the people that shal be created shal praise our Lord. †Because he hath looked forth from his high holie place our Lord from heauen hath looked vpon the earth †That he might heare the gronings of the fettered that he might loose the children of them that are slayne †That they may shewforth the name of our Lord in Sion and his praise in Ierusalem †In the assembling of the people together in one and kinges to serue our Lord. †He answered him in the way of his strength Shew me the fewnes of my daies †Cal me not backe in the halfe of my daies thy yeares are vnto generation and generation †In the beginning ô Lord thou didst found the earth and the heauens are the workes of thy hands †They shal perish but thou art permanent and they shal al waxe old as a garment And as a vesture thou shalt change them and they shal be changed †but thou art the selfe same and thy yeares shal not faile †The children of thy seruantes shal inhabite and their seede shal be directed for euer PSALME CII Thankes to God for priuate 6. and publike benefites 17. His mercie iustice and other proprieties are immutable 20. Angels and al other creatures are inuited to praise him †To Dauid himself MY soule blesse thou our Lord and al thinges that are within me his holie name †My soule blesse thou our Lord and forget not al his retributions †Who is propitious to al thine iniquities who healeth al thine infirmities †Who redemeth thy life from deadly falling who crowneth thee in mercie and commiserations †Who replenisheth thy desire in good thinges “ thy youth shal be rewed as the eagles †Our Lord doth mercies and iudgement to al that suffer wrong †He made his waies knowne to Moyses his willes to the children of Israel †Our Lord is pitieful and merciful long suffering and very merciful †He wil not be angrie alwayes neither wil he threaten for euer †He hath not done to vs according to our sinnes neither according to our iniquities hath he rewarded vs. †For according to the height of heauen from the earth hath he strengthned his mercie vpon them that feare him †As far as the East is distant from the West hath he made our iniquities far from vs. †As a father hath compassion of his children so hath our †Lord compassion on them that feare him †because he hath knowen our making He remembred that we are dust †man his daies are as grasse as the floure of the filde so shal he florish †Because the spirit shal passe in him and he shal not stand and he shal know his place no more †But the mercie of our Lord from euerlasting and vnto euerlasting vpon them that feare him And his iustice is vpon the childrens children to them that keepe his testament †And are mindful of his commandmentes to doe them †Our Lord hath prepared his seate in heauen and his kindom shal haue dominion ouer al. †Blesse our Lord al ye his Angels mightie in powre doing his word that feare the voice of his wordes †Blesse our Lord al ye his hoastes you his ministers that doe his wil. †Blesse ye our Lord al his workes in euerie place of his dominion my soule blesse thou our Lord. ANNOTATIONS PSALME CII 5 Thy youth shal be renevved as the Eagles Aristotel and Plinie write that an Eagle decayeth not nor euer dieth by old age but the vpper part of her beake st l growing at last hâ—ndereth her from eating and so she dieth of famâ—ne Saadias and other Hebrew Rabbins reporte that an Eagle euerie tenne yeares washeth herselfe â—n the sea as in a baâ—h then flying very hiegh burneth her fethers in the elemental fire new fethers growing she becometh fresh as in her first youth tâ—l at last about an huadred yeares old she is not able to rise from the water and so is drowned S. Augustin more probably affirmeth that in long time her â—eâ—ke growing long and stopping her mouth that she can not eate she breaketh the vpper hooked part therof against a stone and so receiueth meate and recouereth strength as in her youth But whatsoeuer is the natural propert e of this kinglie birde the Royal Prophet here instructeth vs by the sâ—nilitude of her long life or by the renouation of her streingth that iust men Gods seruantes are spiritually renouated in Christ the principal rocke on whoâ— the Church al the faithful are built either by receiuing new streingth by his grace in their soules after they are weakened by sinne as S. Ierom and Eu hymius expound this place or by restauration of their bodies glorified in the resurrection as S. Augustin teacheth or by both as most Catholique Doctors vnderstand it For one sense of holie Scripture excludeth not an other Especially when one is subordinate to the other As here these two senses do very wel concurre seing the state of the bodie after the resurrection dependeth vpon the state of the soule at
thee because thou art terribly magnified thy workes are meruelous my soule knoweth excedingly †My bone is not hid from thee which thou madest in secrete and my substance in the lower pattes of the earth †Mine imperfection thine eies haue sene in thy booke al shal be written daies shal be formed no man in them †But to me thy frendes ô God are become honorable excedingly their principalitie is excedingly strengthned †I wil number them and they shal be multiplied aboue the sand I rose vp and I am yet with thee †If thou shalt kil sinners ô God ye men of blood depart from me †Because you say in thought they shal receiue thy cities in vayne †Did not I hate them that hate thee ô Lord and pyned away because of thine enemies †with perfect hatred did I hate them they are become enemies to me †Proue me ô God and know my hart examine me and know my pathes And see if the way of iniquitie be in me and conduct me in the euerlasting way PSALME CXXXIX The iust diuersly afflicted by the wicked pray to be defended 7. repose their confidence in God 10. who wil adiudge the reprobate to eternal punishment 13. and reward the good with the fruition of himself Vnto the end a Psalme of Dauid DELIVER me ô Lord from the euil man from the vniust man rescue me †Which haue deuised iniquitie in their hart al the day they did appoint battels They haue whet their tongues as that of a serpent †the venome of aspes is vnder their lippes †Kepe me ô Lord from the hand of the sinner and from vniust men deliuer me †Who haue deuised to supplant my steppes †the proude haue hid a snare for me And they haue streched out ropes for a snare they haue layd a stumbling blocke for me nere the way †I sayd to our Lord Thou art my God heare ô Lord the voice of my petition †O Lord Lord the strength of my saluation thou hast ouershadowed my head in the day of battel †Yeld me not ô Lord from my desire to the sinner they haue deuised against me forsake me not lest they perhaps be proude †The head of their compase the labour of their lippes shal couer them †Coales shal fal vpon them thou shalt cast them downe into fyre in miseries they shal not stand vp †A man ful of tongue shal not be directed in the earth euils shal take the vniust man into destruction †I haue knowne that our Lord wil do the iudgement of the needie and the reuenge of the poore †But as for the iust they shal confesse to thy name and the righteous shal dwel with thy countenance PSALME CXL The Church prayeth that her children may auoide sinful wordes 4. not make excuses of sinnes committed not communicate with others in sinne nor to harken to slatterers 6 but to pray that they may amend the Psalmist by the way prophecieth that manie shal be conuerted 8. though sometimes persecution be great the Church faileth not A Psalme of Dauid LORD I haue cried to thee heare me attend to my voice when I shal crie to thee †Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight the eleuation of my handes as euening sacrifice †Set ô Lord a watch to my mouth and a doore round about to my lippes †Decline not my hart into wordes of malice to make excuses in sinnes With men that worke iniquitie and I wil not communicate with the chiefe of them †The iust shal rebuke me in mercie and shal reprehend me but let not the oyle of a sinner fatte my head Because yet also my prayer is in their good pleasures †their iudges are swalowed vp ioyned to the rocke They shal heare my wordes because they haue preuailed †as the grossenes of the earth is broken out vpon the earth Our bones are dissipated nere to hel †for to thee ô Lord Lord are mine eies in thee haue I hoped take not away my soule †Keepe me from the snare which they haue set for me and from the scandals of them that worke iniquitie †Sinners shal fal in his net I am alone vntil I passe PSALME CXLI Holie Dauid being fled into a caue and beseeged round about by Sauls armie explicating his distresse 6. prayeth to be deliuered Of vnderstanding to Dauid when he was in the caue a prayer 1. Reg. 24. VVITH my voice I haue cried to our Lord with my voice I haue prayed to our Lord †I powre out my prayer in his sight and I pronounce my tribulation before him †When my spirit faileth of myself and thou hast knowne my pathes In this way which I walked they hid a snare for me †I looked toward the right hand and saw and there was none that would know me Flight hath failed me and there is none to require my soule †I haue cried to thee ô Lord I haue sayd Thou art my hope my portion in the land of the liuing †Attend to my petition because I am humbled excedingly Deliuer me from them that persecute me because they are made strong ouer me †Bring forth my soule out of prison to confesse vnto thy name the iust expect me til thou reward me Al this happened in figure of Christ of vvhom prophetically S. Augustin S. Hilarie Cassiams Cassiodorus and others expound the vvhole Psalme Amongst others S Beda briefly in these vvordes VVheras in the title Vnderstanding is premised to Prayer therby as signified that Dauid in his distresses and in the denne whither he fled vnderstood vvhat our Lord should suffer of the Ievves and hovv he vvould pray to his Father In the first part our Lord crieth to his Father complaining of the detestable deceiptes of Iudas the persecutor In the second he prayeth to be deliuered from the prison of hel Limbus vvhere he vvas free because the faith of al the Sainctes depended on his Resurrection PSALME CXLII King Dauid or anie other in spiritual or temporal tribulation not trusting in his owne iustice layeth open his calamitie 5. considering Gods benignitie 6. prayeth to be spedely deliuered 11. and confidently assureth himselfe therof A Psalme of Dauid when Absalom his sonne persecuted him LORD heare my prayer with thine eares receiue my petition in thy truth heare me in thy iustice †And enter not into iudgement with thy seruant because no man liuing shal be iustified in thy sight †Because the enemie hath persecuted
my soule he hath humbled my life in the earth He hath set me in obscure places as the dead of the world †and my spirit is in anguish vpon me within me my hart is trubled †I was mindful of old dayes I haue meditated in al thy workes in the factes of thy handes did I meditate †I haue stretched forth my handes to thee my soule is as earth without water vnto thee †Heare me quickly ô Lord my spirite hath faynted Turne not away thy face from me and I shal be like to them that descend into the lake †Make me heare thy mercie in the morning because I haue hoped in thee Make the way knowen to me wherein I may walke because I haue lifted vp my soule to thee †Deliuer me from mine enemies ô Lord to thee I haue fled †teach me to doe thy wil because thou art my God Thy good spirite wil conduct me into the right way †for thy name sake ô Lord thou wilt quicken me in thine equitie Thou wilt bring forth my soule our of tribulation †and in thy mercie thou wilt destroy mine enemies And thou wilt destroy al that afflict my soule because I am thy seruant PSALME CXLIII The royal Prophet thanketh God for al his victories and possession of the kingdom 3. Admiring Gods benignitie towards man 5. prayeth to be stil defended from al enimies 9. promiseth a new songue of prayse 11. describeth the vanitie of worldlie men 15. concluding that true felicitie is in seruing God A Psalme of Dauid against Goliath BLESSED be our Lord my God who teacheth my handes to battel and my fingers to warre †My mercie and my refuge my defender and my deliuerer My protectour and I haue hoped in him who subdeweth my people vnder me †Lord what is man that thou art made knowne to him or the sonne of man that thou estemest him †Man is made like to vanitie his dayes passe as a shadow †Lord incline thy heauens and descend touch the mountaynes and they wil smoke †Lighten lightening and thou shalt disperse them shoote out thine arrowes and thou shalt destroy them †Send forth thy hand from on high take me out and deliuer me from manie waters from the hand of children strangers †Whose mouth hath spoken vanitie and their right hand is the right hand of iniquitie †O God I wil sing to thee a new song in the psalter of ten stringes I wil sing to thee †Who geuest saluation to kinges who hast redemed Dauid thy seruant from the malignant sword †deliuer me And rescue me out of the hand of children strangers whose mouth hath spoken vanitie and their right hand is the right hand of iniquitie †Whose sonnes are as new plantes in their youth Their daughters comly trimmed decked about after the similitude of a temple †Their storehouses ful flowing out of this into that Their ewes ful of yong abunding in their going forth †their oxen are fatte There is no ruine of wal nor passage nor crie in their streates †They haue said that it is a happie people which hath these things blessed is the people whose God is our Lord. PSALME CXLIIII God is and for euer ought to be praised 3. for his immensiue infinite glorious Maiestie meruelous workes merciful benefites for his powre wisdom iustice 19. who wil reward the good and destroy the wicked Praysing to Dauid himselfe I “ Wil exalt thee my God the king and I wil blesse thy name for euer and for euer and euer †Euerie day wil I blesse thee and wil praise thy name for euer and for euer and euer †Great is our Lord and exceding laudable and of his greatnes there is no end †Generation and generation shal praise thy workes and they shal pronounce thy powre †They shal speake the magnificence of the glorie of thy holines and shal tel thy meruelous workes †And they shal tel the force of thy terrible thinges and shal declare thy greatnes †They shal vtter the memorie of the abundance of thy swetnes and in thy iustice they shal reioyce †Our Lord is pitiful and merciful patient and very merciful †Our Lord is sweete to al and his commiserations are ouer al his workes †Let al thy workes ô Lord confesse to thee and let thy sainctes blesse thee †They shal tel the glorie of thy kingdom and shal speake thy might †That they may make thy might knowne to the children of men and the glorie of the magnificence of thy kingdom †Thy kingdom is a kingdom of al worldes and thy dominion in al generation and generation †“ Our Lord is faithful in al his wordes and holie in al his workes †Our Lord lifteth vp al that fal and setteth vp al that are bruised †The eies of al hope in thee ô Lord and thou geuest their meate in time conuenient †Thou openest thy hand and fillest euerie liuing creature with blessing †Our Lord is iust in al his wayes and holie in al his workes †Our Lord is neere to al that inuocate him to al that inuocate him in truth †He wil doe the wil of them that feare him and wil heare their prayer and saue them †Our Lord keepeth al that loue him and he wil destroy al sinners †My mouth shal speake the prayse of our Lord and let al flesh blesse his holie name for euer and for euer and euer ANNOTATIONS PSALME CXLIIII I vvil exalt thee As this Psalme is the first of the seuen vvhich conteyne more particular instruction of perpetually praising God so it is the seuenth of those vvhich are composed in order of the Alphabet tovvitte the 24 33. â—â— 110. 111. 118. and this 144 Of vvhich the three former vvant some letters signifying as Cassiodorus interpreteth such in Gods Church as sing his praises but vvith some imperfections the other foure haue the perfect Alphabet signifying those that sing Gods praises vvith perfect deuotion VVhich only foure S. Ierom calleth Alphabetical Psalmes Epist ad Paulam Vrbiâ—am Proâ—m in Lament Ierem. 1â— Our Lord is faithful This verse is not novv in the ordinarie Hebrevv texâ— and therfore either the same is defectiue or els this Psalme should senâ—e noâ— to be composed vvith a perfect Alphabet in the fountaine tongue For here it vvanteth the letter Nun. But seing S. Ierom counteth this one of the foure Alphabetical Psalmes omitting the other three vvhich consist of vnperfect Alphabets it is very probable that this verse vvas once in the Hebrevv text as it is both in Greke Latin VVherby amongst other places appeareth that there is no certaintie to correct the Greke or Latin Bible by the Hebrâ—â—â— vvhich is novvextant but
sonne of Iephone did stand against the enemie and stayed the nation from sinnes and appeased the murmuring of malice †And they two being appointed were deliuered out of danger from among the number of six hundred thousand footemen to bring them into their inheritance into the land that yeldeth milke and honie †And our Lord gaue strength to Caleb himself and his strength continued euen vntil old age so that he went vp into the high place of the land his seede obteyned inheritance †That al the children of Israel might see that it is good to obey the holie God †And al the iudges by their name whose hart was not corrupted which were not turned away from our Lord †that their memorie might be blessed and their bones spring out of their place †and their name continew for euer the glorie of the holie men remayning vnto their children †The beloued of our Lord his God Samuel the prophet of our Lord renewed the empire and anoynted princes in his nation †By the law of our Lord he iudged the congregation and the God of Iacob saw and in his fidelitie was proued a prophet †And he was knowen faithful in his wordes because he saw the God of light †and inuocated our Lord omnipotent in assaulting the enemies besetting him on euerie side in the oblation of an immaculate lambe †And our Lord thundered from heauen and in great sound he made his voice heard †and he descomfited the princes of the Tyrians and al the dukes of the Philisthiims †and before the time of the end of his life and the world he gaue testimonie before our Lord and his Christ money and what soeuer besides vnto the verie shoes he tooke not of al flesh and no man accused him †And after this he slept and he notified to the king and shewed him the end of his life and he exalted his voice out of the earth in prophecie to take cleane away the impietie of the nation CHAP. XLVII Praises of Nathan 2. Dauid 14. and Salomon in whose progenie 21. notwithstanding his fal 27. the royal scepter remained for Dauids sake though for his and the peoples sinnes tenne tribes were cut of and fel into schisme AFTER these thinges arose Nathan the Prophet in the daies of Dauid †And as the fatte separated from the flesh so was Dauid from the children of Israel †He plaied with lyons as it were with lambes and with beares he did in like maner as with lambes of sheepe in his youth †Did not he kil the giant and tooke away reproch from his nation †In lifting vp his hand with a stone of the sling he ouerthrew the boasting of Goliah for he inuocated our Lord the omnipotent and he gaue in his right hand to take away the man strong in battel and to exalt the horne of his nation †So in ten thousand did he glorifie him and praised him in the blessinges of our Lord in offering to him a crowne of glorie †for he destroyed the enemies on euerie side and rooted out the Philisthijms the aduersaries euen vntil this present day he brake their horne for euer †In euerie worke he gaue confession to the Holie one and to the Highest in the word of glorie †From al his hart he praised our Lord loued God that made him and gaue him might against his enemies †and he made singers to stand before the altar and by their sound he made sweete tunes †And in the solennities he gaue honour and adorned the times euen to the end of his life that they should praise the holie name of our Lord and magnifie the holines of God in the morning †Our Lord purged his sinnes and exalted his horne for euer and he gaue him a testament of the kingdom and the seate of glorie in Israel †After him arose a wise sonne and for him did he ouerthrowe al the might of the enemies †Salomon reigned in dayes of peace to whom God subdewed al his enemies that he might build an house in his name and prepare holines for euer as thou art instructed in thy youth †And thou art replenished as a riuer with wisdom and thy soule discouered the earth †And thou didst multiplie darke sayinges in comparisons thy name was bruited to the ilandes far of and thou wast beloued in thy peace †The landes merueled at the songes and prouerbes and comparisons and interprerations †and at the name of our Lord God whose name is God of Israel †Thou didst gather gold as copper and filledst siluer as lead †and bowdest thy thighes to wemen thou hast had power on thy bodie †thou hast made a blotte in thy glorie and profaned thy seede to bring wrath to thy children and thy follie to be kindled †to make the kingdom diuided and a stubburne kingdom to reigne of Ephraim †But God wil not leaue his mercie and he wil not corrupt noâ— abolish his owne workes neither wil he destroy from the stocke the nephewes of his elect and he wil not corrupt the seede of him that loueth our Lord. †But he gaue a remnant to Iacob and to Dauid of the same stocke †And Salomon had an end with his fathers †And he leaft after him of his seede the follie of the nation †and Roboam hauing litle wisedom who turned away the nation by his counsel †and Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat who made Israel to sinne and made a way of sinning to Ephraim and their sinnes did abound very manie †They remoued them away from their land very far †And he sought al iniquities til there came defense vnto them and he â—id them from al sinnes CHAP. XLVIII Praises of Elias 13. Eliseus 19. Ezechias 23. and Isaias AND there arose Elias the prophet as it were fire and his word burnt as a litle torche †Who brought famine vpon them and they prouoking him in their enuie were made fewe for they could not abide the preceptes of our Lord. †By the word of our Lord he stayed heauen and he brought downe fire from heauen thrise †So was Elias magnified in his meruelous workes And who can so glorie like vnto thee †Who didst rayse vp the dead from hel from the lotte of death in the word of our Lord God †Who didst cast downe kinges to destruction and didst easily breake their might and the glorious from their bed †Who hearest iudgement in Sina and in Horeb iudgementes of defence †Who anoyntest kinges to repentance and makest prophetes successoures after thee †Who wast receiued in a whirlewind of fire in a chariot of fierie horses †“ Who art written in the iudgements of times to appeale the wrath of our Lord to reconcile the hart of the father to the sonne and to restore
the tribes of Iacob †Blessed are they that saw thee and were honored in thy freindshipe †For we liue by life only but after death our name shal not be such †Elias was in dede hid in the whirlewind his spirit was complete in Eliseus in his daies he feared not the prince and no man ouercame him by might †Neither did any word ouercome him and his bodie prophecied being dead †In his life he did wonders and in death he wrought meruelous thinges †In al these thinges the people repented not and they departed not from their sinnes til they were cast out of their land and were dispersed into al the earth †And there was leaft a verie smal nation and a prince in the house of Dauid †Some of them did that which pleased God but others committed manie sinnes †Ezechias fenced his citie and brough in water into the middes thereof and digged a rocke with yron and built a wel for water †In his daies came vp Sennacherib and sent Rabsaces and lifted vp his hand against them and put forth his hand vpon Sion and became proude by his mightines †Then were their harts and hands moued and they were in sorow as trauailing wemen †And they inuocated our merciful Lord and spredding their handes they lifted them vp to heauen and the holie Lord God quickly heard their voice †He was not mindful of their sinnes neither did he geue them to their enemies but purged them by the hand of Isaie the holie prophete †He ouerthrew the campe of the Assirians and the Angel of our Lord destroyed them †For Ezechias did that which pleased God and went strongly in the way of Dauid his father which Isaie commanded him the great prophet and faithful in the sight of God †In his daies the sunne returned backward added life to the king †By a great spirite he saw the last thinges and comforted the mourners in Sion †For euer he shewed the thinges to come secret thinges before they came to passe ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XLVIII 10 VVho art vvritten Amongst other quarels Protestantes except against the authentical auctoritie of this booke because the auctor saith that Enoch and Elias shal come againe to appease the wrath of our Lord to reconcile the father to the sonne and to restore the tribes of Iacob But that this is no iust exception is clere by other holie Scriptures where the same vniforme doctrin of the whole Church is no lesse euident then in this booke For God himself saith the same also by the mouth of his prophet Malachie Behold I wil send you Elias the prophet before the day of our Lord come the great and dreadful Christ also sayth Elias in deede shal come and restore al thinges VVherupon S. Chrysostom after he hath shewed how terrible Antichrist shal be by reason of his temporal powre crueltie and wicked lawes he addeth Feare thou not He shal only haue force in the reprobate that perish For then also Elias shal come to fortifie the faithful Likewise the wordes in the Apocalips I wil geue to my two witnesses they shal prophecie a thousand two hundred and three score dayes were euer inuariably vnderstood by tradition from the first preachers of Christ as the ancient writer Aretas testifieth that Enoch and Elias shal come admonish al not to geue credite to the deceiptful wonders of Antichrist and that they shal trauel in this testimonie the space of three yeares and a half For 1260. dayes come very nere to that space of time CHAP. XLIX Praises of Iosias who like to Dauid and Ezechias tooke away occasions of idolatrie 8. Praises of Ieremie 10. Ezechiel 12. and the twelue Prophetes 13. Also of Zorobabel Iesus the sonne of Iosedech Nehemias Enoch Ioseph Seth Sem and Adam THE memorie of Iosias is according to the confection of perfume made by the worke of an apothecarie †His remembrance shal be sweete as honie in euerie mouth and as musick in banket of wine †He was directed by God into the repentance of the nation and he tooke away the abominations of impietie †And he gouerned his hart toward our Lord and in the daies of sinners he strengthened pietie †Except Dauid and Ezechias and Iosias al committed sinne †For the kinges of Iuda forsooke the law of the Highest and contemned the feare of God †For they gaue their kingdom to others and their glorie to a strange nation †They burnt the chosen citie of holines and made the waies thereof desolate in the hand of Ieremie †For they euil intreated him who was consecrated a prophet from his mothers wombe to ouerthrow and pluck vp and destroy and to build againe and renewe †Ezechiel who saw the sight of glorie which he shewed him in the chariote of Cherubs †For he made mention of the enemies in rayne to doe good vnto them that haue shewed right waies †And the bones of the twelue prophets wel may they spring out of their place for they haue strengthened Iacob and haue redeemed themselues in the fidelitie of power †How may we magnifie Zorobabel for he also was as a signet on the right hand †and so Iesus the sonne of Iosedec who in their daies built the house and erected the holie temple to our Lord prepared to euerlasting glorie †And Nehemias in the memorie of much time who erected vs our walles ouerthrowen and set vp the gates and lockes who built our houses †No man hath bene borne in the earth like to Henoch for he also was taken vp from the earth †Neither as Ioseph who was a man borne prince of his bretheren the stay of the nation the ruler of his bretheren the stay of the people †and his bones were visited and after death they prophecied †Seth and Sem obteyned glorie with men and aboue euerie soule in the beginning Adam CHAP. L. Praises of Simon the High Priest 27. Detestation of certaine persecuting aduersaries 29. With conclusion that the obseruers of this doctrine shal be wise and happie SIMON the sonne of Onias the high priest who in his life held vp the house and in his daies strengthned the temple †The height also of the temple was founded by him the duble building and high walles of the temple †In his daies the welles of waters flowed out and they were filled as the sea aboue measure †Who had care of his nation and deliuered it from perdition †Who preuailed to amplifie the citie who obteyned glorie in conuersing with the nation and amplified the entrance of the house and the court †As the morning starre in the middes of a cloude and as the ful moone he shineth in his dayes †And as the sunne shining so did he shine in the temple of God †As the rainbow that shineth among
againe to loue an aduoutresse 3. whom he maketh long to expect her husband to signifie Gods loue to the Synag gue 4. and the Iewes state in the new testament 5. who at last shal be conuerted to Christ AND our Lord sayd to me Yet againe goe loue a woman beloued of her frend and an aduoutresse as our Lord loueth the children of Israel and they haue respect to strange goddes and loue the kernels of grapes †And I digged her vnto me for fiftene peeces of siluer and for a core of barley and for halfe a core of barley †And I sayd to her Thou shalt expect me manie dayes thou shalt not fornicate thou shalt be no mans but I also wil expect thee †Because manie dayes shal the children of Israel sit without king without prince and without sacrifice and without altar and without ephod and without theraphim †And after this the children of Israel shal returne shal seeke the Lord their God and Dauid their king and they shal dread at the Lord and at his goodnes in the last dayes CHAP. IIII. Diùers great sinnes of both kingdomes 3. are the cause of great punishments threatned 15. yet the sinnes of Iuda are lesse excusable because they haue more meanes to serue God HEARE the word of our Lord ye children of Israel because there is iudgement to our Lord with the inhabitants of the land for there is no truth and there is no mercie and there is no knowlege of God in the land †Cursing and lying and manslaughter and theft and aduoutrie haue ouerflowed and bloud hath touched bloud †For this shal the land moorne and euerie one shal be weakened that dwelleth in it in the beast of the filde and in the foule of the heauen yea and the fishes of the sea shal be gathered together †But yet let not euerie man iudge and let not a man be rebuked for thy people are as those that gaynesay the priest †And thou shalt fal to day and the prophete also shal fal with thee in the night I made thy mother hold her peace †My people haue held their peace because they had not knowlege because thou hast repelled knowlege I wil repel thee that thou doe not the function of priesthood vnto me and thou hast forgotten the law of thy God I also wil forget thy children †According to the multitude of them so haue they sinned to me their glorie I wil change into ignominie †They shal eate the sinnes of my people and at their iniquitie shal lift vp their soules †And as the people so shal the priest be I wil visite their wayes vpon them and their cogitations I wil render to them †And they shal eate and shal not be filled they haue fornicated and haue not ceased because they haue forsaken our Lord in not obseruing †Fornication and wine and drunkenes take away the hart †My people hath asked in their wood and their staffe hath declared vnto them for the spirit of fornications hath deceiued them and they haue fornicated from their God †Vpon the heads of mountaines they did sacrifice and vpon litle hilles they burnt incense vnder the oke and the poplartree and the terebinth because the shadow therof was good therfore shal your daughters fornicate and your spouses shal be aduoutresses †I wil not visite vpon your daughters when they shal fornicate and vpon your spouses when they shal commit aduoutrie because they themselues conuerst with harlots and with the effeminate they did sacrifice and the people not vnderstanding shal be beaten †If thou fornicate ô Israel at the least let not Iuda offend and enter ye not into Galgal and goe not vp into Bethauen neither sweare ye Our Lord liueth †Because Israel hath declined as a wanton cow now wil our Lord feede them as a lambe in latitude †Ephraim is partaker of idols let him alone †Their banket is separated with fornication they haue fornicated the protectours therof loued to bring ignominie †The spirit hath bound him in his winges and they shal be confounded at their sacrifices CHAP. V. The prophet reprehendeth the priestes and princes of both kingdomes for drawing the people to idolatrie 8. denouncing captiuitie for the same HEARE ye this ô priestes and attend ye house of Israel and you the kinges house harken because there is iudgement for you because you are become a snare to speculation and a nette spred vpon Thabor †And victims you haue declined into the depth and I the teacher of them al. †I know Ephraim and Israel is not hid from me because now hath Ephraim fornicated Israel is contaminated †They wil not geue their cogitations to◠returne to their God because the spirit of fornications is in the middes of them and they haue not knowen the Lord. †And the arrogancie of Israel shal answere in his face and Israel and Ephraim shal fal in their iniquitie Iudas also shal fal with them †In their flockes and in their heardes they shal goe to seeke the Lord and shal not finde he is taken away from them †They haue preuaricated against the Lord because they haue begotten strange children now shal a moneth deuoure them with their partes †Sound with the trumpet in Gabaa and with the shaulme in Rama howle ye in Bethauen behind thy backe ô Beniamin †Ephraim shal be in desolation in the day of correction in the tribes of Israel I haue shewed faith †The princes of Iuda are become as they that take the bound I wil power out my wrath as water vpon them †Ephraim is suffering calumnie broken in iudgement because he began to goe after filthines †And I as it were a mothe to Ephraim and as the rotte to the house of Iuda †And Ephraim saw his sicknes and Iuda his band and Ephraim went to Assur and sent to the king reuenger and he shal not be able to heale you neither shal he be able to loose the band from you †Because I as it were a lionesse to Ephraim and as a lions whelpe to the house of Iuda I I wil take and goe I wil take away and there is none that can deliuer †Going I wil returne to my place vntil you fayle and seeke my face CHAP. VI. By afflictions the people wil returne to God and hope in Christ to come 4. both the kingdomes sinning 6. and thincking to be spared for their sacrifices neglecting workes of mercie 7. shal be punished 11. but at last deliuered from captiuitie IN their tribulation early they wil rise vp to me Come and let vs returne to our Lord. †Because he hath wounded and wil heale ys he wil strike and wil cure vs. †He wil reuiue vs after two dayes in the third day he wil raise vs vp and we shal liue in his sight We shal know
haue geuen credite chap. 19. v. 24. :: God suffered Semei being of his owne free wil malicious for punishment of Dauids sinnes to curse him but was not the author of his malice for so Semei had committed no fault therein and then he could not lawfully haue benne punished for it as he was 3. Reg. 2. :: The people doubting lest AbsaloÌ„ might be reconciled to his father were not allured vnto him til they saw such a crime committed as semed to make reconciliatioÌ„ impossible So al rebelles and vsurperâ— of others right seeke by some enormious fact to make their adherentes and folowers sure vnto them but God plagueth them in the end as he did both Achitophel and Absalom :: Bad counsaâ—â— often falleth worst to the counseller :: Dauid moued with compassion towardes his sonne Absalom being in actual rebellion against him presigured Christs coÌ„passion towards his persecuters being his creatures praying for them in his passion S. Ambrose in Psal â—18 v. 108. :: Al his sonnes being â—eaâ— â—â—t he had once three sonnes a daughter chap. 14. v. 〈◊〉 :: Al the eleuen tribes are called by the name oâ— Ioseth being chiefe after Iuda Sâ— Semei not of the proper tribe of Ioseph â—ut of Beniamin pleading for pardon of his former faâ—lt alleageth that he came first of the eleuen tribes to submitte him self and serue the king :: Chiefe or great in â—amilâ—â—itiâ— Iosue â— :: After that Dauid was deliuered from the handes of Saul 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 must dangerously of â— mâ—â—â—â—secutâ—â—â—â—â— and 〈…〉 here specially named and from al his enimies câ—rpâ—ral spiritual when he had good repose of mind his visible enimies being 〈…〉 â—ed and his sinnes remitted acknowledging Gods infinite goodnes by inspiraâ—ion of the Holie Ghost made this Can title of thanks geuing and praise of God It is inserted amongst the Psalmes the 17 in order al one in sense so differing in some wordes that the one explicateth the other :: Though some few Gentiles were subdued by Dauid and some were conuerted to true religion in the old TestameÌ„t yet the fulcon uersion of Gentiles perâ—eineth to the Church of Christ which is here forshewed and described to haue perpetual seede for euer :: King Dauid in this last prophecie plainly distinguisheth betwen the couenant proâ—â—ise made to him touching â—â—s earthlie kingdom and the kingdom of Christ who should be borne of his 〈…〉 In both which 〈…〉 the reward of the good and punishment of 〈…〉 :: The king proposed not this for desire of that water but to trie and exercise his mens fortitude :: Precious thinges are most mete to be offered to God :: This sinne punishment happened before when Dauid had health and streingth of bodie The furie of our Lord that is Satan a â—uâ—â—oâ—s spirite yet Gods creature not our Lord him selfe but by permission only 1. Par. 2. 1. Satan arose against Israel 〈◊〉 Dauid :: Contrition :: Confession :: Satisfaction The Epistle in a votiue Masse in tyme of plague or mortalitie :: Temporal punishment inflicted after the guilt of sinne was remitted :: If subiectes had not proprietie in their goodes but that the right and dominion of al perteyned to the prince then could nothing at al in anie case be geuen gratis by the subiect but only yelded as due to his souereigne The contentes of this booke diuided into three partes The first paâ—â— King Dauides admonitions to his sonne and his death :: For this conspiracie Abiathar was deposed ch â— v. 27. :: Basely estemed or punished as offenders vpon suspition or â—â—loâ—â—â— :: King Dauid did not adâ—â—e his sonne as a subject adoreth his prince â—aâ— adored God geuing thankes for this beneâ—â—â—e of a succedâ—â— as it foloweth in the next verse The second part Oâ— Salomons râ—â—â—ne and actes good and bad :: In al coâ—â—e 〈◊〉 suiresâ—◠〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 to heare his mother :: By special instinct Salomon did this extraordinarie fact as a prophet minister of God executing his sentence geuen before against the house of â—â—l◠〈◊〉 the sinnes of his children â— Reg. 2. â— 31. and for Aâ—â—athars proper fault 〈◊〉 with Adonias against Salomon 3. Reg. 1. :: Salomon was not only a kiÌ„g but also a prophet Moreouer some secular princes do◠〈◊〉 â—â—inate spiritual superiours are in shal them in ther 〈◊〉 yet theiâ— iâ—â—â—sdâ—ction is not depending on the 〈◊〉 but the 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 by them Num 27. v. 21. The Epistle on monday in the 4 weke of Leâ—â— :: So hereâ—â—â—es not being able to proue that their synagogue is the true permanent Church would destroy the Catholique and so haue none at al. :: These bookes are not extant * Narovv vvithout broad vvithin :: 〈…〉 :: Holie of holies or most holie place :: Stones in buildinges and bones in â—â—â—ng bodies represent the state of religious persones who being hidde in their Monisteties and câ—llâ—s so much the more fortifie the Church by how much 〈◊〉 they appeare abrode because their office is not to tâ—â—ch but to mouâ—ne S. Bernard Ser. 64. :: It is a clere 〈◊〉 that al â—ar ued grauen pictures or images were not vnlawful but were religiously made sette in the holie Temple for the more honour of God The end of the fourth age Articles of â—aith other pointes of religion state of the Church more expressed in this fourth age then before Beleefe in one God Diuine lawes Moral Ceremonial Iudicial Mat. 22. Onely God to be 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 q. 154. in Eoxd Mat. 22. 〈…〉 Christ Freewil in Angels and men Obiection of Gods â—or â—novvledge answered Grace necessarie 2. Cor. â— Gods coÌ„mand mentes possible to be kept Good workes Meritorious Dâ—â—ers sertes of Sacrifices Holocaust â—â—â— sinne Pacifique Fire sent from God 〈…〉 charitie Sacraments Alanus de Sacra c. 9. Manie more in the old Testament then in the new li de vera Religiâ—ne c. 17. Christs Sacraments more excellent Most of Christs Sacraments presigured in the old law but not al. S. Aug. in hunc Psal ser de veâ—bis Domini li. 17. ciuit c. 20 li. 1. cont aduers leg c. 18. S. Cyril li. 3. m Ioan. S. Leo ser 8. le passione Some like imâ—â—â—â—ments in â—se of holie Rites Tabernacle Propitiatorie with appertinances The Tabernacle and afterwardes the Temple the onlie place for Sacrifice Qâ—est 56. in Leuit. Yet God some times dispensed therein ibidem Feastes of the old law Fighâ—sortes of feastes besides the dailie sacrifice S. Beda de Embolismo 〈◊〉 1. Prescribed fast from euen to euen Seuenth yeare of rest and Iubiley yeare Oâ—â—â—r ceremonial obseruances 〈…〉 and vncleane No bloud to be eaten nor 〈…〉 Not 〈…〉 â—eedâ— in one field No cloth of dâ—â—ers matter Strict commandment to kepâ—â—l the Law The obseruers blessed and rewarded Transâ—râ—ssâ—â—â—s cursed and punished VVorkâ—â— of supererogation Vowes Nazaritâ—â— Rechabites Three soâ—â—â— of Chri 〈…〉 prefigured Laitie Clergie Mounkes Holie scipâ—â—res expo 〈…〉 mystically S. Bern.
and specially in the cies of Saules seruantes †Moreouer when Dauid returned after he stroke the Philistian the wemen came forth from al the tribes of Israel singing and dancing to Saul the King in timbrels of ioy and in cornettes †And the wemen sang playing and saying Saul stroke a thousand and Dauid ten thousand †And Saul was exceding angrie and this word was displeasant in his eies and he sayd They haue geuen Dauid ten thousand and to me they haue geuen a thousand what remayneth for him but only the kingdom †Therefore Saul did not looke vpon Dauid with right eies from that day and afterward †And a day after the euil spirit of God inuaded Saul and he prophecied in the middes of his house And Dauid played with his hand as euery day And Saul held a speare †and threw it thinking that he could naile Dauid to the wal and Dauid declined from his face the second time †And Saul feared Dauid because our Lord was with him and was departed from himself †Saul therefore remoued him from him and made him a tribune ouer a thousand men and he went out and came in before al the people †Also in al his wayes Dauid delt wisely and our Lord was with him †Saul therefore saw that he was exceding wise and he beganne to beware of him †But al Israel and Iuda loued Dauid for he came in and went out before them †And Saul sayd to Dauid Behold my elder daughter Merob her wil I geue thee to wife only be thou a valyant man and fight the battels of our Lord. And Saul thought saying Be not my hand vpon him but let the handes of the Philistians be vpon him †And Dauid sayd to Saul What am I or what is my life or the kindred of my father in Israel that I should be made the sonne in lawe of the king †And it came to passe at what time Merob the daughter of Saul should haue beene geuen to Dauid she was geuen to Hadriel the Molathite to wife †But Dauid loued Michol the other daughter of Saul And it was told Saul and it pleased him †And Saul sayd I wil geue her to him that she may be a scandal vnto him and that the hand of the Philistians may be vpon him And Saul sayd to Dauid In two thinges thou shalt be my sonne in lawe this day †And Saul commanded his seruantes Speake to Dauid secretly out of my presence saying Behold thou pleasest the King and al his seruantes loue thee Now therefore be thou the kinges sonne in lawe †And the seruantes of Saul spake al these wordes in the eares of Dauid And Dauid sayd Doth it seme vnto you a smal matter to be the sonne in lawe of a King But I am a poore man and of smal ability †And the seruantes of Saul reported saying These maner of wordes hath Dauid spoken †And Saul sayd Speake thus to Dauid The king nedeth no dowrie but only an hundred prepuces of the Philistians that reuenge may be made of the kinges enemies Moreouer Saul thought to deliuet Dauid into the handes of the Philistians †And when his seruantes had reported to Dauid the wordes that Saul had sayd the word was liked in the eies of Dauid to be made the kings sonne in lawe †And after fewe days Dauid rising vp went with the men that were vnder him and he stroke of the Philistijms two hundred men and brought their prepuces and numbered them to the King that he might be his sonne in law Saul therefore gaue him Michol his daughter to wife †And Saul saw and vnderstood that our Lord was with Dauid And Michol the daughter of Saul loued him †And Saul began more to feare Dauid and Saul became enemie to Dauid al daies †And the princes of the Philistians went forth and from the beginning of their going forth Dauid behaued him self more wisely then al the seruantes of Saul and his name was made renowmed excedingly CHAP. XIX Saul intending to kil Dauid is pacified by Ionathas 9. Neuertheles attempteth agayn to kil him and missing his purpose 11. sendeth souldiars to take and bring him backe that he may be slaine but Michol his wife helpeth him away and excuseth her self to her father as if she had done it for feare 18. Dauid and Samuel flee into Naioth 20. Againe Saul sendeth souldiars after them three times and they al doe prophecie 22. then himself pursueth Dauid and also prophecieth AND Saul spake to Ionathas his sonne and to al his seruantes that they should kil Dauid Moreouer Ionathas the sonne of Saul loued Dauid excedingly †And Ionathas told Dauid saying Saul my father seeketh to kil thee wherefore looke to thy self I besech thee in the morning and thou shalt abide secretly and shalt be hid †But I going forth wil stand beside my father in the field wheresoeuer he shal be and I wil speake of thee to my father and whatsoeuer I shal see I wil tel thee †Ionathas therefore spake good wordes of Dauid to Saul his father and sayd to him Sinne not o King against thy seruant Dauid because he hath not sinned toward thee and his workes are very good for thee †And he put his life in his hand and stroke the Philistian and our Lord made great saluation to al Israel Thou hast seene didst reioice why therefore sinnest thou in innocent blood killing Dauid who is without fault †Which when Saul had heard being pacified with the voice of Ionathas he sware Our Lord liueth he shal not be slaine †Ionathas therefore called Dauid and shewed him al these wordes and Ionathas brought in Dauid to Saul and he was before him as he had bene yesterday and the day before †And there was battel raysed againe and Dauid going forth fought against the Philistijms and stroke them with a great slaughter and they fled from his face †And the euil spirit of our Lord came vpon Saul and he sate in his house and held a speare moreouer Dauid played with his hand †And Saul endeuoured to naile Dauid to the wal with his speare And Dauid declined from the face of Saul and the speare without making wound pearced the wal and Dauid fled and was saued that night †Saul therefore sent of his guarde into Dauids house that they should keepe him that he might be killed in the morning Which when Michol his wife had told Dauid saying Vnles thou saue thy self this night to morowe thou shalt die †she let him downe through a windowe moreouer he went and fled away and was saued †And Michol tooke a statua and put it vpon the bed and a hearie skinne of goates she layd at the head thereof and couered it with garmentes †And Saul sent serieantes that should take away Dauid by force and it was answered that he was sicke †And againe Saul sent messengers to see Dauid
saying Bring him to me in the bed that he may be slaine †And when the messengers were come there was found a statua vpon the bed and skinnes of goates at the head thereof †And Saul sayd to Michol Why hast thou mocked me and let goe myn enemie that he might flee And Michol answered Saul Because he sayd to me Let me goe otherwise I wil kil thee †But Dauid fleing was saued and came to Samuel in Ramatha and told him al thinges that Saul had done to him and he Samuel went abode in Naioth †And it was told Saul by some saying Behold Dauid is in Naioth in Ramatha †Saul therefore sent seriantes to take away Dauid who when they had seene a troupe of prophetes prophecying Samuel standing ouer them the spirit of our Lord came also on them and they also began to prophecie †Which when it was told Saul he sent other messengers but they also did prophecie And againe Saul sent the third messengers who also prophecied And Saul being wrath for anger †went also him selfe into Ramatha and came as farre as the great cesterne which is in Socho and asked and said In what place are Samuel and Dauid And it was told him Loe they are in Naioth in Ramatha †And he went into Naioth in Ramatha and the Spirit of our Lord came vpon him and he walked going and he prophecied til he came into Naioth in Ramatha †And he stripped himselfe of his garments and prophecied with the rest before Samuel and sang naked al that day and night Wherupon there went out also a prouerb What is Saul also among the prophetes CHAP. XX. Ionathas comforteth Dauid 3. confirmeth their former league 18. By an appointed signe 24. endeuoring first but in vaine to pacifie his father 35. certifieth Dauid of his fathers malice against him 41. They meete againe secretly and sorowfully part ech from other BVT Dauid also fled from Naioth which is in Ramatha and coming spake before Ionathas What haue I done what is myn iniquitie and what sinne of myn against thy father that he seeketh my life †Who sayd to him God forbid thou shalt not die for neither wil my father doe any thing great or litle vnles he first tel me this word therefore only hath my father concealed from me no this shal not be †And he sware againe to Dauid And Dauid sayd Thy father surely knoweth that I haue found grace in thy sight and wil say Let not Ionathas know this left perhaps he be sad Yea more our Lord liueth and thy soule liueth by one degree only as I may so say I and death are diuided †And Ionathas said to Dauid Whatsoeuer thy soule shal say to me I wil doe for thee †And Dauid sayd to Ionathas Behold the calendes are to morowe I after the maner am wont to sitte beside the king to eate dismisse me therefore that I may be hid in the field vntil the euening of the third day †If thy father looking inquire for me thou shalt answer him Dauid desired me that he might goe quickely into Bethlehem his citie because there be solemne victimes to al of his tribe †If he shal say Wel peace shal be to thy seruant but if he be angrie know that his malice is complete †Doe mercie therefore toward thy seruant because thou hast caused me thy seruant to enter the league of our Lord with thee but if there be any iniquitie in me do thou kil me and bring me not in to thy father †And Ionathas sayd Be this farre from thee for neither can it be that I should not tel thee if I shal certainly know that my fathers malice is complete against thee †And Dauid answered Ionathas Who shal bring me word if thy father answer thee perhaps any thing sharpely of me †And Ionathas sayd to Dauid Come let vs goe forth abroad into the field and when they were both gone forth into the field †Ionathas said to Dauid Lord God of Israel if I shal search out my fathers meaning to morowe or the day after and some good thing be vpon Dauid and I send not immediatly vnto thee and make thee know thereof †these thinges doe our Lord to Ionathas and these thinges adde he But if my fathers malice shal perseuer against thee I wil reuele thyn care and wil dismisse thee that thou mayst goe in peace and our Lord be with thee as he hath beene with my father †And if I liue thou shalt doe me the mercie of our Lord but if I die †thou shalt not take away thy mercie from my house for euer when our Lord shal haue rooted out the enemies of Dauid euerie one out of the land take he away Ionathas from his house and our Lord require it of the handes of Dauides enemies †Ionathas therefore made a league with the house of Dauid and our Lord required it of the handes of Dauids enemies †And Ionathas added to sweare vnto Dauid because he loued him for as his owne soule so he loued him †And Ionathas sayd to him To morowe are the calendes and thou shalt be asked for †for thy sitting wil be inquired of til after to morowe Thou shalt therefore goe downe in hast and shalt come to the place where thou must be hid in the day when it is lawful to worke and thou shalt sit beside the stone which is named Ezel †And I wil shoote three arrowes nere it and wil shoote as it were excersising my self at a marke †I wil send also a boy saying to him Goe and fetch me the arrowes †If I shal say to the boy Loe the arrowes are on this side thee take them vp come thou to me because there is peace to thee and there is no euil our Lord liueth But if I shal speake thus to the boy Loe the arrowes are beyond thee Goe in peace because our Lord hath dimissed thee †And corcerning the word which I and thou haue spoken our Lord be betwen thee and me for euer †Dauid therefore was hidde in the fielde and the calendes came and the king sate downe to eate bread †And when the king was sette vpon his chaire according to the custome which was beside the wal Ionathas arose and Abner sate at the side of Saul and Dauids place appeared voide †And Saul sayd nothing that day for he thought it had chanced perhaps vnto him that he was not cleane nor purified †And when the second day was come after the calendes againe Dauids place appeared emptie And Saul said to Ionathas his sonne Why came not the sonne of Isa◠neither yesterday nor to day to eate †Ionathas answered Saul He desired me instantly that he might goe into Bethlehem †and he said Let me goe because there is a solemne sacrifice in the citie one of my brethren hath sent for me now therefore if I haue found grace in
not in vnto them but they were shut vp vntil the day of their death liuing in widowhood †And the king sayd to Amasa Cal me together al the men of Iuda agaynst the third day and be thou present †Amasa therfore went to cal together Iuda and taryed beyond the time appoynted which the king had assigned him †And Dauid sayd to Abisai Now wil Seba the sonne of Bochri more astlict vs then Absalom take therefore the seruantes of thy Lord and pursew him lest perhaps he finde fensed cities escape vs. †There went forth therfore with him Ioabs men Cerethi also and Phelethi and al the strong men yssued forth of Ierusalem to pursew Seba the sonne of Bochri †And when they were beside the great stone which is in Gabaon Amasa coming mette them Moreouer Ioab was clothed with a strayte cote according to the measure of his stature and vpon it girded with a sword hanging downe to the flanke in a scabbarde which being made for the purpose could with light mouing come sorth and strike †Ioab therfore sayd to Amasa God saue thee my brother And he held with his right hand the chinne of Amasa as it were kissing him †But Amasa marked not the sword which Ioab had who strick him in the side and powred out his bowels on the ground neither added he the second wound and he dyed And Ioab and Abisai his brother pursewed Seba the sonne of Bochri †In the meane time certayne men when they stoode by the carcasse of Amasa Ioabs company sayd Loe he that would haue beene for Ioab the companion of Dauid †And Amasa embrewed with bloud lay in the middes of the way A certayne man saw this that al the people stayed to see him and he remoued Amasa out of the way into the filde and couered him with a garment that they which passed might not stay because of him †He therefore being remoued out of the way euery man passed folowing Ioab to pursew Seba the sonne of Bochri †Moreouer he had passed through al the tribes of Israel vnto Abela and Bethmaaca and al the chosen men were gathered together vnto him †They therfore came and assaulted him in Abela and in Bethmaaca and they compassed the citie with munitions and the citie was besieged and al the multitude that was with Ioab laboured to destroy the walles †And a wise woman cryed out from the citie Heare ye heareye tel Ioab Approche hither and I wil speake with thee †Who when he was come to her she sayd to him Art thou Ioab And he answered I am To whom she spake thus Heare the wordes of thy handmayd Who answered I doe heare †And she agayne sayd A saying was vsed in the old prouerbe They that aske let them aske in Abela and so they prospered †Am not I she that answer truth in Israel and thou seekest to subuert the citie to ouerthrowe a mother citie in Israel Why throwest thou downe hedlong the inheritance of our Lord †And Ioab answering sayd God sorbid God sorbid that I should I do not throw downe nor destroy †The matter is not so but a man of mount Ephraim Seba the sonne of Bochri by name hath lifted vp his hand agaynst king Dauid Deliuer him onlie and we wil depart from the citie And the woman sayd to Ioab Behold his head shal be throwen to thee of the wal †She therfore went to al the people and spake to them wisely who threw the head of Seba the sonne of Bochri being cut of to Ioab And he sounded the trumpet and they departed from the citie euery one into their tabernacles and Ioab returned to Ierusalem vnto the king †Ioab therfore was ouer al the armie of Israel and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada ouer the Cheretheites and Pheletheites †But Aduram ouer the tributes moreouer Iosaphat the sonne of Ahilud was register †And Siua a scribe and Sadoc and Abiathar priestes †And Ira the â—aiâ—ite was the priest of Dauid CHAP. XXI Eâ—mine oppressing Isiael three yeares for the sinne of Saul agaynst the Gabaonites 6. seuen of Saulsrace 7. Miphiboseth saned are crucisied 12. Their bones with Sauls and Ionathas are buried in the Land of Beniamin 15. Dauid hath foure great battels and victories against the Philistians AND there came a famine in the daies of Dauid three yeares continually and Dauid consulted the oracle of our Lord. And our Lord sayd For Saul and his bloudy house because he slewe the Gabaonites †The king therfore calling the Gabaonites sayd to them Moreouer the Gabaonites were not of the children of Israel but the reliques of the Amorrheites For the children of Israel had sworne to them and Saul would strike them of zeale as it were for the children of Israel and Iuda †Dauid therfore sayd to the Gabaonites What shal I do for you And what shal be the expiation for you that you may blesse the inheritance of our Lord †And the Gabaonites sayd to him We haue no question vpon siluer and gold but agaynst Saul and agaynst his house neither wil we that a man be slayne of Israel To whom the king sayd What wil you then that I do for you †Who sayd to the king The man that hath wasted vs and oppressed vs vniustly we must so destroy that there be not so much as one leift of his stocke in al the coastes of Israel †Let there be geuen vs seuen men of his children that we may crucifie them to our Lord in Gabaa of Saul once the chosen of our Lord. And the king sayd I wil geue them †And the king spared Miphiboseth the sonne of Ionathas the sonne of Saul for the oth of our Lord that had beene betwen Dauid and betwen Ionathas the sonne of Saul †The king therfore tooke the two sonnes of Respha the daughter of Aia whom she bare to Saul Armoni and Miphiboseth and the fiue sonnes of Michol the daughter of Saul which she bare to Hadriel the sonne of Berzellai that was of Molathi †and gaue them into the handes of the Gabaonites who crucified them on a hil before our Lord and these seuen dyed together in the first dayes of haruest when the reaping of barley began †And Respha the daughter of Aia taking a heare cloth spred it vnder her vpon the rocke from the beginning of haruest til water dropped vpon them from heauen and she suffered not the birdes to teare them by day nor the beastes by night †And the thinges were told Dauid which Respha had done the daughter of Aia the concubine of Saul †And Dauid went and tooke the bones of Saul and the bones of Ionathas his sonne from the men of Iabes Galaad who had stolen them out of the streate of Bethsan in the which the Philistijms hanged them when they had killed Saul in Gelboe †And he caried thence the bones of Saul and the bones
Gentiles and wil sing to thy name †Magnifying the saluations of his king and doing mercie to his Christ Dauid and to his seede for euer CHAP. XXIII The last wordes of Dauid concerning reward of the good 6. and punishment of the bad 8. A Catalogue of Dauids valiant men AND these are Dauides last wordes Dauid the sonne of Isai sayd The man sayd to whom it was appointed concerning the Christ of the God of Iacob the excellent Psalmist of Israel †The Spirit of our Lord hath spoken by me and his wordes by my tongue †The God of Israel sayd to me the Strong one of Israel hath spoken the Dominatour of men the iust ruler in the feare of God †As the light of the mourning when the sunne ryseth early without cloudes glistereth and as by rayne grasse springeth our of the earth †Neither is my house so great with God that he should enter with me an eternal couenant firme in al thinges assured For al my saluation and al my wil neither is there ought therof that springeth not †And transgressors shal be pluclâ—ed vp as thornes euety one which are not taken with handes †And if a man wil touch them he shal be armed with yron and a lance staffe and kindled with fyre they shal be burnt vnto nothing †These be the names of the valiantes of Dauid Sitting in his chaire the wisest prince amongest three he is as it were the most tender litle worme of the wood which killed eight hundred at one brunt †After him Eleazar the sonne of his vncle the Ahohite among the three valiantes that were with Dauid when they desyed the Philisthijms and were gathered thither into barrel †And when the men of Israel were gone vp he stood and stroke the Philistians til his hand faynted and waxed stiffe with the sword and our Lord made a great victorie that day and the people that was sled returned to take away of the spoyles of them that were slayne †And after him Semma the sonne of Age of Arari And the Philisthijms were gathered togehter in their ward for there was there a filde ful of rice And when the people was fled from the face of the Philisthijms †he stood in the middes of the filde and defended it and stroke the Philisthians and our Lord gaue great saluation †Moreouer also before there went downe three which were princes among thirtie and came to Dauid in the haruest time into the caue of Odollam and the campe of the Philistianes was placed in the Vale of the giantes †And Dauid was in a hold moreouer the ward of the Philisthianes was then in Bethlehem †Dauid therfore desyred sayd O that some man would geue me drinke of the water out of the cesterne that is in Bethlehem beside the gate †Three valiantes therfore brake into the campe of the Philistianes and drew water out of the cesterne of Bethlehem that was beside the gate and brought it to Dauid but he would not drinke but offered it to our Lord †saying Our Lord be merciful to me that I doe not this thing shal I drinke the bloud of these men that went the peril of their liues Therfore he would not drinke These thinges did the three strongest †Abisai also the brother of Ioab the sonne of Saruia was prince of three it is he that lifted vp his speare agaynst three hundred whom he slewe renowmed among three †and the noblest of three and he was the chiefe of them but to the three first he raught not †And Banaias the sonne of Ioiada the most valiant man of great workes of Cabseel he stroke the two lions of Moab and he went downe and stroke the lyon in the middes of the cesterne in the dayes of snow †He also stroke the Aegyptian a man worthie to be a spectacle hauing in his hand a speare therfore when he came downe to him with a rod by force he wrested the speare out of the hand of the Aegyptian and slewe him with his owne speare †These thinges did Banaias the sonne of Ioiada †And he renowmed among the three valiantes which were the nobler among thirtie but vnto the three he raught not and Dauid made him of his secrete counsel †Asael the brother of Ioab among the thirtie Elahanan the sonne of his vncle of Bethlehem †Semma of Harodi Elica of Harori †Heles of Phalti Hira the sonne of Acces of Thecua †Abiezer of Anathoth Mobonnai of Husati †Selmon the Ahohite Maharai the Netophathite †Heled the sonne of Baana he also a Netophathite Ithai the sonne of Ribai of Gabaath of the children of Benjamin †Banaia the Pharathonite Heddai of the Torrent Gaas †Abialbon the Arbathite Azmaueth of Beromi †Eliaba of Salaboni The sonnes of Iassen Ionathan †Semma of Orori Ahiam the sonne of Sarar the Ararite †Eliphelet the sonne of Aasbai the sonne of Machati Eliam the sonne of Achitophel the Gelonite †Hesrai of Carmel Pharai of Arbi †Igaal the sonne of Nathan of Soba Bonni of Gadi †Selec of Ammoni Naharai the Berothite the squyer of Ioab the sonne of Saruia †Ira the Iethrite Gareb he also a â—ethrite †Vrias the Hetheite Al thirtie seuen CHAP. XXIIII For Dauids sinne in numbring the people 11. three sortes of punishments are proposed to his election 14. of which he chooseth the plague and seuentie thousand die in three dayes 16. God sheweth mercie 17. Dauid prayeth 18. buildeth an altar 25. and the plague ceaseth AND the furie of our Lord added to be angrie agaynst Israel and stirred vp Dauid among them saying Goe number Israel and Iuda †And the king sayd to Ioab the General of his armie Walke through al the tribes of Israel from Dan to Bersabee and number ye the people that I may know the number therof †And Ioab sayd to the king Our Lord thy God increase thy people as much more as now it is and agayne multiplie it an hundred fold in the sight of my lord the king but what meaneth my lord the king by this kind of thing †How beit the kinges word more preuailed then the wordes of Ioab and of the chiefe of the armie and Ioab went forth and the captaynes of the souldiars from the face of the king to number the people of Israel †And when they had passed Iordan they came into Aroer to the right hand of the citie which is in the Vale of Gad. †And by Iazer they passed into Galaad and into the lower countrie of Hodsi and they came into the wooddie countrie of Dan. And going about neere Sidon †they passed nigh to the walles of Tyre and al the land of the Heueite and the Chananeite and they came to the south of Iuda into Bersabee †and hauing viewed the whole land after nine monethes and twentie dayes they were come to Ierusalem †Ioab therfore gaue
and fasting for them 2. Reg. 1. Al which were to no purpose if soules departed could not be releiued by such meanes It moreouer appeareth that the same royal prophet beleued diuers places to be in hel when he said Psal 85. Thou hast deliuered my soule from the lower hel signifiyng plainly that there is a lower and a higher hel which higher the Church calleth Purgatorie where soules suffer that paine in satisfaction for their sinnes which remaineth not satisfied before death is due after the guilt of sinne is remitted the law prescribing that besides restitution of damage sacrifice should also be offered Leuit. 5. 6. 16. And Dauid was punished by the death of his child 2. Reg. 12. by the plague sent amongst his people 2. Reg. 24. after his sinnes were remitted He feared also punishment in the other world yea two sortes and therfore prayed to be deliuered from both saying Psal 6. Lord rebuke me not in thy furie nor chastice me in thy wrath That is saith S. Gregorie Strike me not with the reprobate nor aflict me with those that are purged by the punishing flames And most expresly signifieth also a higher place called hel saying Psal 15. in the person of Christ to his Father Thou shalt not leaue my soule in hel From vvhence Christ deliuered the holie Patriarches Prophetes and other perfect soules resting vvithout sensible paine brought them into heauen vvhither before him none could enter VVhich vvas also signified by the cities of refuge whence none might depart to their proper countrie til the death of the high priest Num. 35. by Moyses dying in the desert and not entring into the promised land ouer Iordan Deut. 4. 31. 34. Presupposing the general Resurrection of al men as a truth knovven by former traditions king Dauid shevveth the difference of the vvicked and godlie in that time saying Psal 1. The impious shal not rise againe in iudgement nor sinners in the councel of the iust That is the vvicked shal not rise to ioy glorie as the iust godlie shal doe Of general iudgement is more plainly prophecied 1. Reg. 2. That our Lord shal iudge the endes of the earth not that Dauid nor Salomon but Christ should raigne in his mâ—litant Church euen to the endes of the earth and in fine iudge the vvhole vvorld The same is confirmed Psal 49. God wil come manifestly our God and he wil not kepe silence Fire shal burne forth in his sight Psal 95. He shal iudge the round world in equitie and the peoples in his truth Psal 96. Fire shal goe before him and shal inflame his enemies round about Againe the same royal prophete Psalm 48. describeth the future and eternal state of the damned saying as sheepe creatures vnable to helpe themselues they are put in hel death shal feede vpon them Of the blessed he addeth And the iust shal rule ouer them in the morning that is in the resurrection and Psal 149. The Sainctes shal reioyse in glorie they shal be ioyful in their beddes in eternal rest The exaltations praâ—ses of God in their throate and two edged swordes in their handes to doe reuenge in the nations punishments among the peoples To bind their kinges in fetters and their nobles in yron manicles That they may doe in them the iudgement that is written This glorie is to al his Sainctes And much greater glorie belongeth to Sainctes for this is but accidental vttered according to vulgar capacitie The essential and perfect glorie which no eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor hart can cone iuâ— consisteth in seeing God Among accidental glorious giftes the foure dowries of glorified bodies are especially prefigured Impassibilitie by the wood Setim wherof the Arke was made Exod. 25. Agilitie and Penetrabilitie in some sorte by Dauids quicknes against Gâ—liath and his conuering of him self into Sauls campe and forth againe 1. Reg. 17. and 26. but a more plaine figure of Claritie was in Moyses face Exod. 34. which by his conuersation with God became more glorious then mortal eyes were able to behold glistering and shining as most splendent lâ—ght through christal described as if his skinne had benne a clere horne aâ—â—earing and spreading beamâ— like the sunnâ— proceding from the beautie of his soule so thâ—â— none of al the people could looke directly vpon him except he couered his face Thus much concerning particular pointes of faith and religion And it is no lesse euident that the vniuersal Church and Citie of God stil continued yea was more visible and conspicuous to the whole world then before First by Gods maruelous protection therof in the desert and famous victories and conquestes of the land of Chanaan And by the excellent lawes geuen to this people which al nations admired and none had the like Deut. 4. For in this fourth age besides other lavves and preceptes the spiritual and temporal States were more distinguished and the Ecclesiastical Hierarchie especially disposed in subordination of one supreme head with inferiour gouerners ech in their place and office for edification of the whole bodie For Moyses being chief ruler and conductâ—r of the Israelites out of Aegypt receiued and deliuered to them the written Law Exod. 20. And for obseruation and conseruation therof by Gods expresse appointment Leuit. 8. consecrated Aaron the ordinarie High priest himself remayning stil extraordinarie Superiour also aboue Aaron And after Aaron he consecrated in like maner his sonne Eleazar high priest and successour to his father Num. 20. To whom succeded others in this order 1. Paralip 6. Phinees Abisuë Bocci Ozi Zacharias otherwise 1. Reg. 1. called Heli Meraioth Amarias otherwise Achimelec whom Saul slew 1. Reg. 22. Achitob othervvise Abiathar vvho vvas deposed 3. Reg. 2. and Sadoc in vvhose time the Temple vvas founded To these vvere adioyned other Priestes also consecrated in a praescript forme Leuit. 8. and Leuites ordayned to assist in lower and distinct offices Num. 3. 4. In the first degree the Caathites whose office was to carrie the Sanctuarie and vessel therof vvrapped vp by the priestes but vvere forbid in paine of death to touch them or to see them In the second degree the Gersonites vvho carried the cortines and couers of the Tabernacle and vessel of the Altar In the third degree the Merarites vvho carried the bordes barres and pillers vvith their feete pinnes cordes and other implementes of the tabernacle euerie one according to their office and burdens Num. 4. v. vlt. But in the temporal state and gouernment Iosue of the tribe of Ephraim succeeded to Moyses Num. 27. Deut. 3. 34. And after Iosue were diuers interruptions of succession with gouerners of diuers tribes and change of gouernment from Dukes to Iudges and from Iudges to Kinges For after Iosues death the people being sore afflicted by inuasions of Infidels God raised certaine special men with title of Iudges to
deliuer and saue them First Othoniel of the tribe of Iuda then Aod of Beniamin after him Samgar the Scripture not signifying of what tribe then Barach with Debora of Ephraim Gedeon of Manasses Abimelech his basâ— sonne an vsurper Thola of Issachar Iair and Iephte of Manasses Abesan of Iuda Aialon of Zabulon Abdon of Ephraim Sampson of Dan and Heli who was also high priest of Aarons stocke otherwise called Zaraias 1. Paralip 6. and Samuel also of the tribe of Leut a Prophet In his time the people demanding and vrging to haue a King Saul of the tribe of Beniamin was annointed 1. Reg. 10. But for transgressing Gods commandments especially for exercising spiritual function without warrant 1. Reg. 13. and not destroying idolaters 1. Reg. 15. was deposed and Dauid of the tribe of Iuda was annointed King who after manie great trubles possessed the whole kingdome and died in peace leauing his sonne Salomon inuested and annointed king in his throne The Church being thus established in distinct states and orders albeit there were manie imperfections in al sortes of persons and great sinnes committed yet God so punished offenders and chastised the whole people that he stil conserued the greatest or chiefe part in true faith and religion For whiles they were in the desert they murmured very often against God and his Ministers their Superiours Exod. 17. Num. 11. 14 20. 21. Manie fel to idolatrie Exod. 32. Aaron not free from cooperating in the peoples sinne Nadab and Abiu Aarons sonnes and consecrated priestes offered strange fire Leuit. 10 Core Dathan and Abiron with their complices made a great schisme Num. 16. Manie committed carnal fornication with Infidels and were therby drawen to spiritual Num. 25. Of which and other like â—innes the Psalmist speaketh Psal 94. exhorting his people not to harden their hartes as in the desert their fathers had tempted God Fourtie yeares was I offended sayth God with that generation and sayd They alwayes erre in hart And therfore he sware in his wrath that the same generation should not enter into the promised land of Chanaan but their children entred and possessed it Num. 14. Iesue 3. A 〈…〉 the people falling to idolatrie and other sinnes were afflicted and sore pressâ—d by forraine enemies but repenting were deliuered and saued by certain capitaines called Iudges and Sauiours as appeareth in the booke of iudges They had also tribulations by some of their owne nation for among the Iudge one called Abimelee was a tyrannical vsurper Iudic. 9. Saul their first King falling from God vniustly persecuted Dauid 1. Reg. 18. â— Ambitious Absolom rebelled against the King his father 2. Reg. 15. and Seba of the tribe of Beniamin raised an other rebellion 2. Reg. 20. â—â—â—â—wise Adonias assisted by Abiathar the high priest and by Ioab general of the armie pretended to reigne his father Dauid yet liuing to preuent S 〈…〉 n of the kingdom 3. Reg. 1. So God both shewed his iustice in suffering suâ—â— afflictions to happen for punishment of sinne and his mercie in sauing hiâ— Church from ruine Moreouer for preseruatioÌ„ of the Church there were diuers diuine Ordinances prouided by the law For first al were strictly commanded not to coÌ„municate with Infidels in their idolatrie Ex. 23. nor with Schismatikes in their schisme Nu. 16. but to destroy al Idolaters Num. 33. and shunne al nouelties in religion as a sure marke of idolatrie or false doctrine Deut. 13. Further to conserue vnitie there was but one Tabernacle and one Altar for Sacrifice in the whole people of Israel VVherupon when the two tribes and halfe on the other side Iordan had made a seueral altar al the tribes that dwelt in Chanaan suspecting it was for sacrifice sent presently to admonish them and prepared to make warre against them except they destroyed their new altar but being aduertised that it was only an altar of monument and not for sacrifice were therwith satisfied Iosue 22. Afterwards the tribe of Dan setting vp idolatrie and the other tribes not correcting it they were al punished VVhich happened by occasion of an other enormous sinne committed and not corrected in the tribe of Beniamin For the other eleuen tribes making warre against them for this iust cause yea by Gods direction and warrant yet had the worse susteyning great slaughter of men in two conflictes and in the third Beniamin was almost destroyed Iudic. 20. Finally for decision of al controuersies and ending of strife the High Priest was expresly ordayned supreme Iudge Deut. 17. And al were commanded in paine of death to submitte their opinions and obey his sentence with promise of Gods assistance wherby his definitions were certaine and infallible For in consultations of doubtes and difficult cases God inspired him with doctrine of veritie Exod. 28. 29. Leuit. 8. Num. 3. 7. 9. 1. Reg. 23 30. VVhich iudgement Seate Christ admonished the Iewes to repayre vnto and folow Math. 23. though the Iudges themselues did not the thinges which they taught In so much that Caiphas through this assistance of Gods spirite being otherwise a wicked man yet pronounced the truth That one must die for the people VVhich therfore S. Iohn the Euangelist ascribeth to his Chayre and office because he was High priest that yeare Ioan. 11. Seing then Gods prouidence and continual assistance was so clere and assured in the Church of the old Testament much more is the Church of christ builded vpon a sure rocke assured of his perpetual assistance and always preserued from erring in Faith or in general practise of Religion And that by Gods like assured ordinance of one supreme head and Iudge S. Peter his Successour for vvhom our Sauiour prayed that his faith should not faile Further commanding him that he should confirme his brethren Al vvhich vvse see is performed in the Successours of S. Peter vvheras the successours of the other Apostles are al failed long since The same most assured stabilitie of the Church of Christ is further confirmed by the whole Lavv and Prophetes Namely Deut. 32. and 33. vvhere Moyses fortelleth more povver and grace in the Church to be collected in the Gentiles of al natioÌ„s then euer vvas in that of the Israelites or Iews Likewise 1. Reg. 2. The same vvas both prefigured and prophecied by holie Anna The hungrie those that desire Gods grace and glorie are filled vntil the barren woman the Church of the Gentiles bare verie manie she that had manie children was weakned Shewing that the Church of the Iewes had manie vntil the plenitude of Gentiles much more abounded Wherfore the Psalmist inuiteth al nations to praise God saying Psal 116. Praise our Lord al ye Gentiles praise him al ye peoples Also 2. Reg. 7. God promised Dauid saying Thy Kingdome for euer before thy face and thy throne shal be firme continually which was not verified in Dauids temporal kingdome For it was
passage of Israel forth of Aegypt through the read sea in a Canticle after that he had related the same whole historie more at large in prose that al might sing and so render thankes with melodious voice and musical instruments praising God Likewise in an other Canticle he comprised the whole law a litle before his death So also Barac and Debora and after them Iudith song praises to God for their victories in verse Salomon writte the end of his Prouerbes and a whole booke intituled Canticles the Prophet Ieremie his Lamentations in verse Anna hauing obtained her prayer for a sonne gaue thankes to God with a Canticle The like did king Ezechias for recouerie of health The Prophets Isaias Ezechiel Ionas A bacuc and the three children in the fornace againe in the new Testament the B. virgin mother iust Zacharie deuout Simeon gaue thankes sang praises to God in Canticles Fourthly albeit the holie King was not permitted to build the gorgious Temple for Gods feruice as he greatly desired to haue done yet he prouided both store of muâ—itians foure thousand in number of which 288. were maisters to teach made these Psalmes as godlie dirties for this holie purpose in al solemnities of feastes and daylie sacrifice when the Temple should afterward be built Fiftly he made these Psalmes not only for his owne others priuate deuotion nor yet so especially for the publique Diuine seruice in the Temple and other Synagogues of the Iewes but most principally for the Christian Catholique Church which he knew should be spred in the whole earth Forseing the maruelous great and frequent vse therof in the Christian Clergie and Religious people of both sexes As he prophecieth in diuers Psalmes Al the earth sing to thee sing Psalmes to thy name Againe I vvil sing Psalmes to thee ô God in the Gentiles in al peoples and Nations VVhich him selfe neuer did but his Psalmes are euer since Christ song by Christians conuerted from gentilitie as we see in the Churches Seruice For the whole Psalter is distributed to be song in the ordinarie office of our Breuiarie euerie weke And though extraordinarily for the varietie of times and feastes there is often alteration yet stil the greater part is in Psalmes Certayne also of the same Psalmes are without change or intermission repeted euerie day And such as haue obligation to the Canonical Houres must at least read the whole Office priuatly if they be not present where it is song The Office also of Masse ordinarily beginneth with a Psalme In Litanies and almost al publique Prayers and in administration of other Sacraments and Sacramentals either whole Psalmes or frequent verses are inserted Likewise the greatest part of the Offices of our B. Ladie and for the dead are Psalmes Besides the seuen Poenitential and fiftene Gradual Psalmes at certaine times So that Clergie mens daly office consisteth much in singing or reading Psalmes And therfore al Byshops especially are strictly bond by a particular Conon Dist 38. cap. Omnes psallentes to be skilful in the Psalmes of Dauid and to see that other Clergiè men be wel instructed therin According to the Holie Ghosts admonition by the pen of the same Royal Prophet Psal 46. Psallite sapienter Or intelligenter that is Sing Psalmes vvith knovvlege and vnderstanding them Not that euerie one is bond to know and be able to discusse al difficulties but competently according to their charge vndertaken in Gods Church Otherwise euerie one that is or intendeth to be a Priest may remember what God denounceth to him by the Prophet Osee c. 4. Because thou hast repelled knovvlege I vvil repel thee that thou do not the function of Priesthood vnto me Thus much touching the Author the contentes the poetical stile final cause of this holie Psalter As for the name S. Ierom S. Augustin and other Fathers â—each that wheras amongst innumerable musical instruments six were more specially vsed in Dauids time mentioned by him in the last Psalme Trumpet Psalter Harpe Timbrel Organ and Cimbal This booke hath his name of the instrument called Psalter which hath tenne strings signifying the tenne commandements and is made in forme as S. Ierom and S. Bede suppose of the Greke letter Λ delta because as that instrument rendreth sound from aboue so we should attend to heauenlie vertues which come from aboue Likewise vsing the harpe which signifyeth mortification of the flesh other instruments which signifie and teach other vertues we must finally referre al to Gods glorie reioyce spiritually in hart and render al praise to God Concerning interpretation of holie Scriptures AS Prophecie or other holie Scripture was not at anie time by mans wil but the Prophetes holie men of God spake inspired by the Holie Ghost so no prophecie nor explication of Scripture is made by priuate interpretation 2. Pet. 1. but by the same Spirite wherwith it was written which our Sauiour gaue to the Church to abide for euer the Spirite of truth to teach al truth Ioan. 14. 16. Neither perteyneth it to euerie one to discerne the true spirite but to some 1. Cor. 12. Holie Scriptures consist not in reading but in vnderstanding S. Ierom Dialogo aduers Luciferianos The wordes of holie Scripture are so to be vnderstood as holie men the Sainctes of God haue vnderstood them S. Aug Ser. 18. de verb. Domini Men must lerne of men not expect knowlege immediatly of God nor only by Angels Idem in prologo Doct. Christ There be some thinges mentioned in holie Scripture which God wil haue hidden and those are not to be curiously searched S. Amb. li. 1. c. 7. de vocat Gentium By those thinges which to vs are hidden in holie Scripture our humilitie is proued S. Greg. ho. 17. super Ezech. THE BOOKE OF PSALMES PSALME I. The Royal prophet Dauid placed this Psalme as a Preface to the rest conteyning 1 true happines which consisteth in flying sinnes and seruing God 3. The good doe prosper 5. not the wicked 6. as wil appeare in the end of this world BLESSED is the man that “ hath not gone in the counsel of the impious hath not “ stoode in the way of sinners and hath not “ sitte in the chayre of pestilence †But his “ wil is in the way of our Lord and in his law he wil meditate day and night †And he shal be as a tree that is planted nigh to the streames of waters which shal geue his fruite in his time †And his leafe shal not fal and al thinges whatsoeuer he shal doe shal prosper †The impious not so but as dust which the winde driueth from the face of the earth †Therfore the impious shal not rise againe in iudgement nor sinners in the councel of the iust
and al truthes and so returne vpon him al vanitie and lying wherwith he allureth seduceth Finally to sinne it selfe we owe hate and reuenge because it is the only euil that hurteth vs and due punishment with zele of iustice because it dishonoreth God He that thus offereth sacrifice of iustice may instly as it foloweth in the Psalme hope yet not in him selfe but in our Lord. And lest anie should pretend ignorance saying vvho shevveth or teacheth vs good thinges as though they lacked instruction the Prophete preuenteth this vaine excuse saying The light of thy countenance o Lord the light of reason which is the image of God wherto we are created like is signed vpon vs fixed in our vnderstanding that we may see there is a God that ought to be serued and that he wil revvard his seruants Heb. 11. PSALME V. Iust men in affliction appeale to God the reuenger of iniuries 5. knowing and prosessing that God hateth iniquity 9. therfore remitte their cause to him 11. recite certaine enormious vices of the wicked 13. and expect Gods final iudgement of the good and bad †Vnto the end for her that obtaineth the inheritance The Psalme of Dauid RECEIVE ô Lord my wordes with thine eares vnderstand my crie †Attend to the voice of my prayer my king and my God †Because I wil pray to thee Lord in the morning thou wilt heare my voice †In the morning I wil stand by thee and wil see because thou art “ not a God that wilt iniquitie †Neither shal the malignant dwel neere thee neither shal the vniust abide before thine eies †Thou hatest al that worke iniquitie thou wilt destroy al that speake lie †The bloudie and deceitful man our Lord wil abhorre †But I in the multitude of thy mercy I wil enter into thy house I wil adore toward thy holie temple in thy feare Lord conduct me in thy iustice because of mine enimies direct my way in thy sight †Because there is no truth in their mouth their hart is vayne †Their throte is an open sepulchre they did deceitfully with their tongues iudge them o God †Let them faile of their cogitations according to the multitude of their impieties expel them because they haue prouoked thee ô Lord. †And let al be glad that hope in thee they shal reioyce for euer and thou shalt dwel in them And al that loue thy name shal glorie in thee because thou wilt blesse the iust †Lord as with a shield of thy good wil thou hast crowned vs. ANNOTATIONS PSALME V. 5. Not a God that vvilt iniquitie Seing God vvil not iniquitie as these wordes testifie in plaine termes it foloweth necessarily that he is not author nor cause of anie sinne For God doth nothing contrarie to his owne wil. But he hateth iniquitie and in respect therof hateth al that vvorke iniquities as the authours of iniquity though he loueth them as his creatures and of his part requireth their saluation PSALME VI. Dauids earnest and hartie praier after he had grieuously sinned 5. which being grounded in filial not seruil feare 9. concludeth with assured hope and confidence in Gods mercie †Vnto the end in songs the Psalme of Dauid for the octaue LORD rebuke me not in “ thy furie nor chastise me in “ thy wrath Haue mercie on me Lord because I am weake heale me Lord because al my bones be trubled †And my soule is trubled exceedingly but thou Lord how long †Turne thee o Lord and deliuer my soule saue me for thy mercie †Because there is not in death that is mindful of thee and in hel who shal confesse to thee †I haue labored in my sighing I wil euerie night was he my bed I wil water my couche with my teares †My eye is trubled for furie I haue waxen old among al myne enemies †Depart from me al ye that worke iniquitie because our Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping †Our Lord hath heard my petition our Lord hath receiued my prayer †Let al myne enemies be ashamed very sore trubled let them be conuerted and asha med very quicly ANNOTATIONS PSALME VI. 1. For the octaue Literally it semeth that the Psalmes which haue For the octaue in their titles were to be song on an instrument of eight stringes So the Caldee paraphasis translateth In eitheris octo chordarum in Citherus of eight stringes But prophetically S. Augustin others expound it to perteine to the Resurrection in the end of this world So Dauid and al penitent sinners bewaile their sinnes and do penance in this life for the octaue that is for the world to come 1. In thy fury nor in thy vvrath By furie is signified diuine iustice irreuocably condemning the wicked to eternal damnation by vvrath Gods fatherlie chasticement correcting sinners whom he saueth VVherupon S. Gregorie teacheth that the faithful soule not only feareth furie but also wrath because after the death of the flesh some are deputed to eternal torments some passe to life through the fire of purgation VVhich doctrine the same holy father confirmeth by the iudgement of S Augustin more ancient VVho likewise affirmeth that al those which haue not laide Christ their fundation are rebuked in furie because they are tormented in eternal fire and those which vpon right fundation of true faith in Christ haue built vvood hay stubble are chastised in wrath because they are brought to rest of beatitude but purged by fire Let therfore the faithful soule considering what she hath donne and contemplating what she shal receiue say Lord rebuke me not in thy furie nor chastice me in thy vvrath As if she said more plainly This only with my whole intention of hart I craue this incessantly with al my desires I couete that in the dreadful iudgement thou neither strike me with the reprobate nor afflict me with those that shal be purged in barning flames Thus S. Gregorie in 1. Psalm penitent v. 1. PSALME VII Dauid in confidence of his iust cause and vniust persecution prayeth for Gods helpe 7. and iust reuenge of his enemies 15. describing their malitious intention and ruine The Psalme of Dauid which he song to our Lord for the wordes of Chusi the sonne of Iemini 2. Reg. 16. †O Lord my God I haue hoped in thee saue me from al that persecute me and deliuer me †Lest sometime he as a Lyon violently take my soule whiles there is none to redeme nor to saue O Lord my God if I haue done this if there be iniquitie in my handes If I haue rendred to them that repayd me euils let me worthely fal emptie from myne enemies
desiderable aboue al vvorldlie riches or pleasures So by these and like spiritual motiues the soule freely desiteth accepteth vndertaketh endureth and by continual assistance of grace obserueth Gods lavv and so meriteth the great revvard vvhich is promised for keping it v. 12. 2. Tim. 4. v. 6. PSALME XIX Faithful people ioyne their prayer for their Prince or Prelate 4. with sacrifice offered for his preseruation and prosperous successe †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid OVR Lord heare thee in the day of tribulation the name of the God of Iacob protect thee †Send he ayde to thee from the holie place and from Sion defend he thee †Be he mindeful of al thy sacrifice and be thy holocaust made fatte †Geue he vnto thee according to thy hart and confirme he al thy counsel †We shal reioyce in thy saluation and in the name of our God we shal be magnified †Our Lord accomplish al thy petitions now haue I knowen that our Lord hath saued his CHRIST He shal heare him from his holie heauen the faluation of his righthand is in powers †These in chariotes and these in horses but we wil inuocate in the name of the Lord our God †They are bound and haue fallen but we haue risen and are set vpright †Lord saue the king and heare vs in the day that we shal inuocate thee PSALME XX. Praise to God for Christs exaltation after his passion 9. and depression of his enemies †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid LORD in thy power the king shal be glad and vpon thy saluation he shal reioyce excedingly The desire of his hart thou hast geuen him and of the wil of his lippes thou hast not defrauded him †Because thou hast preuented him in blessinges of sweetnesse thou hast put on his head a crowne of preâ—ious stone †He asked life of thee and thou gauest him length of daies for euer and for euer and euer †Great is his glorie in thy saluation glorie and great beautie thou shalt put vpon him †Because thou shalt geue him to be a blessing for euer and euer thou shalt make him ioyful in gladenesse with thy countenance Because the king hopeth in our Lord and in the mercie of the Highest he shal not be moued †Let thy hand be found of al thy enemies let thy righthand find al that hate thee †Thou shalt put them as an ouen of fyre in the time of thy countenance our Lord in his wrath shal truble them and fyre shal deuoure them Their fruite thou shalt destroy from the land and their seede from the children of men Because they haue turned the euils vpon thee they haue deuised counsels which they could not establish Because thou shalt put them backe in thy remnantes thou â—â— shalt prepare their countenance Be exalted Lord in thy powre we wil chaunte and sing thy powers PSALME XXI Christ prayeth in his Passion 7. describeth the acerbitie therof 20. foresheweth by way of prayer his Resurection 23. more clerly the fundation and propagation of his Church 27. 30. interposing the singular foode of the most blessed Sacrament euen to the endes of the earth in al nations †Vnto the end “ for the morning enterprise the Psalme of Dauid GOD my God haue respect to me why hast thou forsaken me far from my saluation are the wordes of my sinnes My God I shal crie by day and “ thou wilt not heare and by night and not for follie vnto me †But thou dwellest in the holie place the prayse of Israel †In thee our fathers haue hoped they hoped and thou didst deliuer them They cried to thee and were saued they hoped in thee and were not confounded †But I am a worme and no man a reproch of men and outcast of the people †Al that see me haue scorned me they haue spoken with the lippes and wagged the head †He hoped in the Lord let him deliuer him let him saue him because he wil him †Because thou art he that hast drawen me out of the wombe my hope from the brestes of my mother †Vpon thee I haue bene cast from the matrice from my mothers wombe thou art my God †depart not from me Because tribulation is verie nigh because there is not that wil helpe †Manie calues haue compassed me fatte bulles haue besieged me †They haue opened their mouth vpon me as a lion rauening and roaring †As water I am powred out and al my bones are dispersed My hart is made as waxe melting in the middes of my bellie †My strength is withered as a pot-shard and my tongue cleaued to my iawes and thou hast brought me downe into the dust of death †Because manie dogges haue compassed me the counsel of the malignant hath besieged me They “ haue digged my handes and my feete †they haue numbered al my bones But themselues haue considered and beheld me †they haue deuided my garmentes among them and vpon my vesture they haue cast lot †But thou Lord prolong not thy helpe from me looke toward my defense †Deliuer ô God my soule from the sword and myne onlie one from the hand of the dog †Saue me out of the lions mouth and my humilitie from the hornes of vnicornes †“ I wil declare thy name to my bretheren “ in the middes of the Church I wil prayse thee †Ye that feare our Lord praise him al the seede of Iacob glorifie ye him †Let al the seede of Israel feare him because he hath not contemned nor despised the petition of the poore Neither hath he turned away his face from me and when I cried to him he heard me †With thee is my praise in the great Church I wil render my vowes in the sight of them that feare him †“ The poore shal eate and shal be filled and they shal praise our Lord that seeke after him their hartes shal liue for euer and euer †Al the endes of the earth shal remember and be conuerted to our Lord †And al the families of the Gentiles shal adore in his sight †Because the kingdome is our Lords and he shal haue dominion ouer the Gentiles †Al the fatte ones of the earth haue eaten and adored in his sight shal al fal that descend into the earth †And my soule shal liue to him and my seede shal serue him †The generation to come shal be shewed to our Lord and the heauens shal shew forth his iustice to the
Say ye to God How terrible are thy workes ô Lord in the multitude of thy strength thine enimies shal lie to thee †Let al the earth adore thee and sing to thee let it sing a psalme to thy name †Come ye and see the workes of God terrible in counsels ouer the chidren of men †Who turneth the sea into drie land in the riuer they shal passe on foote there we shal reioyce in him †Who ruleth in his strength for euer his eyes looke vpon the gentiles they that exasperate him let them not be exalted in themselues †Ye Gentiles blesse our God and make the voice of his prayse hearde †Who hath put my soule in life and hath not geuen my feete to be moued †Because thou hast proued vs ô God by fire thou hast tried vs as siluer is tried †Thou hast brought vs into a snare thou hast laide tribulations on our backe thou hast set men vpon our heades †We haue passed through fire and water and thou hast brought vs out into refreshing †I wil goe into thy house with holocaustes I wil render thee my vowes †which my lippes haue distinguished And my mouth hath spoken in my tribulation †Holocaustes with marrow wil I offer to thee with incense of rammes I wil offer to thee oxen with bucke goates †Come ye heare and I wil tel al ye that feare God what great things he hath done for my soule †To him haue I cried with my mouth and haue exulted vnder my tongue †If I haue beheld iniquitie in my hart our Lord wil not heare †Therfore hath God heard and hath attended to the voice of my petition †Blessed be God who hath not remoued my prayer and his mercie from me PSALME LXVI The prophet prayeth for and withal foreshoweth the propagation of the Church of Christ Vnto the end in hymes a Psalme of Canticle to Dauid GOd haue mercie vpon vs and blesse vs illuminate his countenance vpon vs and haue mercie on vs. †That we may know thy way vpon earth in al nations thy saluation †Let peoples ô God confesse to thee let al peoples confesse to thee †Let nations be glad reioice because thou iudgest peoples in equitie and the nations in earth thou doest direct †Let peoples ô God confesse to thee let al peoples confesse to thee †the earth hath yelded her fruite God our God blesse vs †God blesse vs and let al the endes of the earth feare him PSALME LXVII Notwithstanding great persecutions the Church prospereth 10. Especially in the new testament by Apostolical function 18. ministerie of Angels Christs Ascension coming of the Holie Ghost 31. confirming the faithful repressing the insolent and conuerting manie 35. For al which the prophet inuiteth al men to praise God Vnto the end a Psalme of Canticle to Dauid himself LEt God arise and let his enimies be dispersed and let them that hate him flee from his face †As smoke vanisheth let them vanish away as waxe melteth at the presence of fire so let sinners perish at the presence of God †And let the iust make merrie and reioyce in the sight of God and let them be delighted in mirth †Sing to God say a Psalme to his name make way to him who mounteth vpon the west Lord is his name Reioyce ye in his syght they shal be trubled at the presence of him †the father of orphanes and iudge of widowes God in his holie place †God that maketh men to inhabite of one manner in a house That bringeth forth them that be bound in strengh likewise them that exasperate that dwel in sepulchers †O God when thou wentest forth in the sight of thy people when thou didst passe through the desert †The earth was moued and the heauens also distilled at the presence of the God of Sina at the face of the God of Israel †Voluntarie rayne shalt thou seperat ô God to thine inheritance and it was weakned but thou hast persited it †Thy liuing creatures shal dwel in it thou hast prepared in thy swetnes for the poore ô God †Our Lord shal geue the word to them that euanglize with great powre †The king of hoastes the beloued of the beloued and to the beautie of the house to diuide the spoyles †If ye sleepe among the middest of the lottes the winges of a doue layde ouer with siluer and the hinder parts of her backe in the palenes of gold †Whiles the heauenlie discerneth kings ouer her with snow they shal be made white in Selmon †“ The mountane of God a fat mountane A mountane crudded as cheese a fatte mountane †“ why suppose you crudded mountanes A mountane in which it hath wel pleased God to dwel therin for in dede our Lord wil dwel euen to the end †The chariote of God is ten thousand folde thousands of them that reioyce our Lord in them in Sina in the holie place †Thou art ascended on hygh thou hast taken captiuitie thou hast receiued gifts in men for euen those that do not beleue our Lord God to inhabite †Blessed be our Lord day by day the God of our saluations wil make vs a prosperous iourney †Our God is the God of sauing and the issues of death are of our Lord our Lord. †But yet God stil breake the heads of his enimies the hearie croune of them that walke in their sinnes Our Lord Said Out of Basan I wil conuert I wil conuert into the depth of the sea †That thy foote may be dipped in bloude the tongue of thy dogges made redde with * the same bloud of the enimies †They haue seene thy entringes in ô God the entrings of my God of my King Who is in the holie place †Princes came before ioyned with them that sang in the middes of young wemen plaing on tymbrels †In churches blesse ye God our Lord of the fountains of Israel †There Beniamin a youngman in excesse of minde The Princes of Iuda their leaders the Princes of Zabulon the Princes of Nephthali †Command thy strength ô God confirme this ô God which thou hast wrought in vs. †From thy temple in Ierusalem kinges shal offer giftes to thee †Rebuke the wilde beasts of the reede the congregation of bulles in the kine of thy peoples that they may exclude them which are tried with siluer Dissipate the nations that wil warres †Legates shal come out of Aegypt Aethiopia shal prevent his handes
†Confesse ye to our Lord because he is good because his mercie is for euer PSALME CXVIII A perpetual recommendation of the singular excellencie absolute necessitie and eternal heauenlie profite of Gods law with frequent aspirations to perfection hatred of sinne loue of vertue and feruent desire to rest in God GENERAL ANNOTATIONS VPON THIS CXVIII PSALME As this Psalme is the longest in the whole Psalter so it semeth to the ancient Fathers most profound in sense And so much the harder to be vnderstood because also the very hardnes therof lieth hidden which in diuers other Psalmes and partes of holie Scripture easily appeareth to the reader But here the wordes being clere and the sense also plaine and easie in some pointes of doctrine yet the more deligence is imployed the more difficultie is found in searching the whole sense and mearning of euerie word and sentence with the maner obserued in composing it and the frequent repetition of the same or like wordes Al which maturely considered caused that great Clerke and light of the Church S Augustin to omite this Psalme when he explicated al the rest And when at last he added also this he wittingly omitted one special difficultie which he doubted not to be conteyned in the maner of composing it not only by order of the Hebrew Alphabet as diuers more Psalmes and some other partes of holie Scripture but more artificially hen anie other the first eight versâ—s al beginning with the first letter Aleph the next eight with the second letter Beth and so to the last of the two and twentie letters Of which omission he yeldeth this only reason because he found nothing as he humbly affirmeth that might properly perteyne the unto Confessing also expresly that whensoeuer he applied his cogitations to expound the text iâ— self i◠〈…〉 exceded his habilitie But finally to satisfie the often and earnest request of his bretheren and freindes trusting as alvvayes in Gods special help he largely expoundeth it in thirtie two distinct Sermons S. Ambrose also moued with like pietie made two and twentie Sermons in exposition of this Psalme Affirming in his Prologue that amongst other Psalmes especially this sheweth how great a master king Dauid was of moral good life For al moral doctrine being of his owne nature swete yet most delighteth the eares and gently toucheth the minde being vttered as here it is with pleasantnes of verse and swetenes of songue Againe whereas this Royal Prophet in manie places of this booke powrethout sentences of moral psalmes or songues as bright starres that shine and glister to al the world here most excellently he produceth a more singular mirrhor as the sunne of ful light burning with meridian heate And for the prosite of al the better to draw our attentions to lerne that we may though we can not attaine to al that we vvould he disposed this Psalme through al the Alphabeth that as children beginning vvith the first letters make entrance to further knovvlege so by the same beginninges vve should lay the first foundation and therupon procede in our spiritual building tovvards perfection in good life the true seruice of God VVhich is yet further insinuated as the same Doctor reacheth by the eight verses continually beginning vvith the same letter and so other eight in order through the vvhole Alphabet to signifie that after seuen dayes trauel in this temporal life vve may come to that vnitie vvhich vve expect in the eight day of resurrection vvhen vve hope to rise reuiued in our Lord Iesus in nevvnes of eternal life Lickevvise S. Basil in the Argument of this Psalme admonisheth that vvheras holie Dauid according to diuers states vvhich he passed vvritte diuers Psalmes as vvhen he fled from his enimies vvhen he lamented his distresses mourned in pensiuenes enioyed peace and comforte ranne a right course of vertue fel from God by sinne againe returning obserued Gods lavves in this one Psalme he comprehendeth al his prayers made to God at sundrie times here proposeth the same as a certaine profitable moral doctrine to al sortes and states of men Neither doth he pretermite doctrinal pointes of faith but interposeth them also with moral documents in such sorte that this one Psalme may suffice to teach the vvel disposed hovv to attaine to perfection in vertue to sturre vp the slouthful vnto diligent care of their soules to recreate the desolate vvith spiritual consolations briefly it admmistereth al kinde of medicine to the diuers passions of mortal men For the like iudgements of other Farhers vve remitte the lerned reader to S. Hilarie Theodoret Prosper Arnobius Cassiodorus Beda Euthymius and others but can not wel omitte a brief instruction of S. Ierom. VVho in his Epistle to Paula Vrbica not only sheweth the interpretation of the two and twentie letters but also explicateth their sense in this place by connecting them into certaine shorte sentences in this maner Aleph Beth Gimel Daleth Doctrina Domus Plenitudo Tabularum Doctrine Of the house Fulnesse Of tables VVhich is the first connexion signifying that the doctrine of the house that is the Church of God is found in the fulnes of diuine bookes The second connexion is He Vau Zain Heth. Ista Et Haec Vita This thing And This Life For what other life can there be without knowlege of Scriptures wherby also Christ is knowen who is the life of them that beleue in him The third connexion is Teth Iod. Bonum Principium Good Beginning Albeit we now could know al thinges which are written yet we know but in part and in part we prophecie for we see now by a glasse in a darke sort but when we shal be worthie to be with Christ and shal be like to Angels theu doctrine of bookes shal cease and then we shal see face to face the Good Beginning euen as he is The fourth connexion is Caph Lamed Manus Disciplinae siue cordis The hande Of discipline or of hart The handes are vnderstood in worke hart and discipline are vnderstood in sense or meaning because we can not rightly doe anie thing vnles vve first knovv vvhat thinges are to be donne The fift connexion is Mem Nun Samech Ex ipsis Sempiternum Adiutorium Of them Euerlasting Helpe This needeth not explication for it is manifest as the light that from Scriputres are eternal helpes The sixt connexion is Ain Phe Sade Fons siue Oculus Oâ—is Iust tiae Fountaine or Eye Of the mouth Of iustice According to that vvhich vve haue expounded in the fourth connexion that dedes and intention must concurre The seuenth connexion vvhich is last in vvhich number of seuen is also mystical vnderstanding Coph Res Shin Teu Vocatio Capitis Dentium Signa Vocation Of the head Of teeth Signes Distinct voice is produced by the teeth in these signes vve come to the Head of al vvhich is Christ by
is time to doe ô Lord they haue dissipated thy law †Therfore haue I loued thy commandementes aboue gold and topazius †Therfore was I directed to al thy commandements al wicked way I haue hated Phe. Mouth †Thy testimonies are meruelous therfore hath my soule searched them †The declaration of thy wordes doth illuminate and geueth vnderstanding to litle ones †I opened my mouth and drew breath because I desired thy commandments †Looke vpon me and haue mercie on me according to the iudgement of them that loue thy name †Direct my steppes according to thy Word and let not anie iniustice haue domination ouer me †Redeme me from the calumnies of men that I may kepe thy commondmentes †Illuminate thy face vpon thy seruant and teach me thy iustifications †Mine eies haue gushed forth issues of waters because they haue not kept thy law Sade Iustice †Thou art iust ô Lord and thy iudgement is right †Thou hast commanded iustice thy testimonies and thy veritie excedingly †My Zele hath made me to pine away because mine enimies haue forgotten thy wordes †Thy word is fired excedingly and thy seruant hath loued it †I am a yongman and contemned I haue not forgotten thy iustifications †Thy iustice is iustice for euer and thy law is veritie †Tribulation and distresse haue found me thy commandments are my meditation †Thy testimonies are equitie for euer geue me vnderstanding and I shal liue Coph Vocation †I haue cried in my whole hart heare me ô Lord I wil seeke after thy iustifications †I haue cried to thee saue me that I may keepe thy commandmentes †I haue preuented in maturitie and haue cried because I hoped much in thy wordes †Minecies haue preuented early vnto thee that I might meditate thy wordes †Heare my voice according to thy mercie ô Lord and according to thy iudgement quicken me †They that persecute me haue approched to iniquitie but from thy law they are made far of †Thou art nigh ô Lord and al thy wayes are truth †From the beginning I knewe of thy testimonies that thou hast founded them for euer †See my humiliation and deliuer me because I haue not forgotten thy law †Iudge my iudgement redeme me for thy word quicken thou me †Saluation is far from sinners because they haue not sought after thy iustifications †Thy mercies are manie ô Lord according to thy iudgement quicken me †There are manie that persecute me and afflict me I haue not declined from thy testimonies †I saw the preuaricatours and I pyned away because they kept not thy wordes †See that I haue loued thy commandmentes ô Lord in thy mercie quicken me The beginning of thy wordes is truth al the iudgementes of thy iustice are for euer Sin Tooth †Princes haue persecuted me without cause and my hart hath bene afrayd of thy wordes †I wil reioyce at thy wordes as he that findeth manie spoyles †I haue hated iniquitie and abhorred it but thy law I haue loued ††There is much peace to them that loue thy law there is no scandal to them †I expected thy saluation ô Lord and haue loued thy commandmentes †My soule hath kept thy testimonies and hath loued them excedindgly †I haue kept thy commandmentes and thy testimonies because al my waies are in thy sight Tau Signe †Let my petition approch in thy sight ô Lord according to thy word giue me vnderstanding †Let my request enter in thy sight according to thy word deliuer me †My lippes shal vtter an hymne when thou shalt teach me thy iustifications †My tongue shal pronounce thy word because al thy commandmentes are equitie †Let thy hand be to saue me because I haue chosen thy commandmentes †I haue coneted thy saluation ô Lord and thy law is my meditation †My soule shal liue and shal prayse thee and thy iudgementes shal helpe me †I haue strayed as a sheepe that is lost seeke thy seruant because I haue not forgotten thy commandmentes A BRIEFE NOTE CONCERNING the Gradual Psalmes Here folow in order fifetene Psalmes intitled Gradual Canticles The Hebrew word Mahaloâ—h signifieth Steppes or Ascensions The reason wherof Aadias and some other Rabbins veld for that they were songue with hieghest eleuated notes that can be â—â— Musike The Talmud saith they are so called because they were songue in the fifetene steppes going vp into the Temple But S Augustin S. Basil and other Christian Fathers expound them according to the historie and immediate prophetical sense of the deliuerie of the Iewes from captiuitie of Babylon ascending into Ierusalem which is so situated on montaines that the way from al partes was by ascending vnto it According to the Mystical sense of ascending spiritually by vertues to perfection and to eternal felicitie For the way tending to vertue saith S. Basil is like to certaine steppes or degrees by litle and litle bringing the mâ—n that loueth wisdome vnto heauen These Canticles therefore are prayers mixed with consolations for the ioyful deliuerie of Gods people from that great captiuitie in Babylon which the Psalmist King Dauid saw in prophetical spiritie and which his posteritie felt and sometime indured VVhich againe as a figure signifieth thâ—â—eturne and ascending of mankind from sinne to grace and from the miserable state of this world into heauen VVherupon S. Augustin interpreteth this prophecie of the ascension or eleuation of the hart from the vaile of teares In the meane time whiles we are in this world these Psalmes aâ—e consolatorâ—e prayers and prophetical assurance that Gods people Catholique Christian shal be deliuered from thraldom and persecution of Paganes Turkes and Heretikes â—s partly we see by the deliuerie from the Romane persecuting Emperors from the Vandals Gothes and Hunnes therfore with assured confidence we hope and expect the like deliuerie from Turkes and al Heretikes of Luthers broode PSALME CXIX The Iewes in captiuitie of Babylon Christians in persecution or other great tribulation pray with confidence to be deliuered from danger and sclander of wicked tongues 5. lamenting their long indurance A gradual Canticle VVHEN I was in tribulation I cried to our Lord and he heard me †O Lord deliuer my soule from vniust lippes and from a deceiptful tongue †What may be geuen thee or what may be added vnto thee to a deceiptful tongue †The sharpe arrowes of the mightie with coales of desolation †Woe is to me that my seiourning is prolonged I haue dwelte with the inhabitantes of Cedar †My soule hath
to obserue the predictions of the most excellent and perfect Sacrifice of the new Testament Malachie 1. v. 11. From the rising of the sunne sayth God by this Prophet euen to the going downe there is sacrificing and there is offered in my name a cleane oblation In the old testament they offered cattel birdes by powring out their bloud about the altar and drawing forth their bowels For purging and clensing wherof there was much washing and labour but now in the Church of Christ is the cleane Sacrifice of our Lords bodie and bloud in formes of bread and wine It is also in itself so pure that it can not be polluted as the old sacricrifices were v. 12. by vnworthie Priestes but is alwayes auaylable to some or other ex opere operato According to that the same Prophet testifieth ch 3. v. 4. The Sacrifice of Iuda and Ierusalem shal please our Lord. which is necessarily vnderstood of the Christian sacrifice for els this place were contrarie to that which God sayd to the Iewish priestes ch 1. v. 10. I haue no wil in you and I wil not receiue gift at your hand Daniel also prophecieth ch 9â— v. 27. that in the half of the weke the hoste and the sacrifice shal fayle Ch. 12. v. 11. The continual sacrifice shal be taken away therby signifying that not only after the figure the Sacrifice prefigured should succede for els there should be no daylie Sacrifice at al in the new Testament which Malachie sâ—yth plainly there shal be not in one or in fewe places but from the rising of the sunne euen to the going downe c. but also that both the old and new sacrifices should be taken away in their seueral times For so our Sauiour Mat. 24. v. 15. applieth the next wordes of this prophecie and abomination of desolation shal be set vp not only as a signe before the destruction of Ierusalem but also of the end of the world Verified in part as in the figure when the temple was destroyed diuers prophanations made in the same place but more especially shal be fulfilled by Antichrist abolishing the holie Sacrifice of Christs bodie and bloud so much as he shal be suffered as S. Hyppolitus writeth lib. de Antichristo in oratione de consummatione mundi Agreable to S. Ireneus li. 4. c. 32. li. 5. in â—ine S. Ierom. in Dan. 12. Theodoretus in eundâ—m locum and S. Chrisostom in opere imperfecto Yea some Hebrew Rabbins acknowlege Transsubstantion in the Eucharist as R. Dauid Kimhi witnesseth vpon these wordes of Osee 1â— v. 8. They shal liue with wheate and shal spring as a vine Manie of our Doctores sayth he expound this that there shal be mutation of nature in wheate in the times of our Redemer Christ This Rabbi Dauid also and the Chaldee Paraphrasis expound Ezechiels prophecie ch 36. v. 25. I wil powre out vpon you cleane water of the remission of sinne though they signifie not by what particular meanes Which Christian Doctors vndoubtedly explicate of the Sacrament of Baptisme And like wise his other prophecie ch 47. v. 1. waters issued forth vnder the threshold of the house towards the East can not be vnderstood of anie other waters then of Baptisme The purifications oblations and other workes of penance practised by the people after their returne from captiuitie written 2. Esd 9. 10. 13. testifie their obseruation of the law in this point by which the Sacrament of penance in the new testament was prefigured In like sorte the continuance of Priesthood and priestlie functions is manifest in the bookes of Esdras and of other Prophetes which prefigured the Sacrament of holie Orders in the Church of Christ In these times also the feastes instituted by the law were obserued with more or lesse solemnitie as time place and other opportunities serued As Esdras testifieth li. 1. c. 3. v. 2. Iosue the highpriest and Zorobabel the duke after their returne from captiuitie built an altar notwithstanding the threates of infidels and offered vpon it holocaust to our Lord morning and euening And they made the solemnitie of tabernacles and other feastes as wel in the Calendes as in al the solemnities of our Lord though the temple was not yet built againe v. 6. And afterwards upon new occasion Iudas Machabeus 1. Mach. 4. 2. Mach. 10. instituted a new feast which our sauiour obserued Ioan. 10. v. 12. The like obseruation was kept of fastes For amongst the feastes which were al duly performed 1. Esd 3. v. 5. one was of Expiation which consisted in fasting from euen to euen Leuit. 23. Num. 29. And besides the ordinarie Esdras appointed a peculiar fast for special purposes 1. Esd 8. v. 21. And I proclamed sayth he a fast beside the riuer Ahaua that we might be afflicted before the Lord our God and might desire of him a right way for vs and our children And v. 23. we fasted and besought our God hereby and it fel our prosperously vnto vs. Againe 2. Esd 9. v. 1. The children of Israel came together in fasting and sackclothes and earth vpon them see more of fasting Iudith 4. 9. Esther 5. 14. Zachar. 8. And of abstinence from certayne meates according to the laâ— Daniel â— 9. Iudith 10. 12.2 Mach. 6. 7. More generally the whole forme of good life is excellently prescribed in the bookes of wisdom and Ecclesiasticus Where vnder the general vertues of wisdom and Iustice al are admonished to seeke diligently to know God and to serue him As much as to say to haue fayth and good workes the two feete and legges on which the godlie walke vnto life euerlasting Let one shorte sentence here serue for example wishing al men to reade more in the bookes themselues Sap. 6. v. 18. 19. 20. is this gradation The beginning of wisdom is the true desire of discipline the care of discipline is loue loue is the keeping of her lawes and the keping of the lawes is the consummation of incorruption incorruption maketh to be next to God These are the steppes from earth to heauen from this vale of miseries to eternal happines first A true and sincere desire of discipline or of Gods true seruice 2. This desire or care of discipline bredeth loue of God 3. loue is the keping of lawes the commandments of God for he that sayth he â—oueth God and kepeth not his commandments is a liar 4. keping the lawes is the consummation of incorruption making the soule perfect in vertues and free from corruption of sinnes 5. and this incorruption maketh to be next to God ioyning man with God which is the perfect beatitude of eternal life And so he concludeth v. 22. Therfore from first to last by degrees desire of wisdom leadeth to the euerlasting kingdom Yet must we vnderstand that neither the first steppe of good
a 970. Otherwise they are iniurious to Gods word b 394. They must crie and not cease b 533. 539. 678. 734. 845. 871. 935. When they haue leasure froÌ„ preaching they must imploy their labours in writing b 428. Patience much commended in the Prouerbes in manie places It kepeth from desperation b 376. and bringeth content b 849. Patriarches in the Law of nature were al Priestes and gouerned the Church a 212. They continued by perpetual succession to the Law of Moyses a 35. 50. 206. Peace is forbidden with Infideles a 2â—6 Peace is a reward of keping Gods law a 315. 856. 1017. b 233. 273. c. Peace and warre both necessarie vpon iust occasions b 321. Peacemakers rewarded b 286. Penaltie of original sinne remaineth in al mankind a 33. Penance necessarie a 32. 47. b 619. 826. 994. with contrition confession and satisfaction a 32. 685. 934. 977. Penitentes must haue humilitie and confidence a 594. 1020. 1042. 1043. People must lerne of their pastors a 215. Peregrination or pilgremage to holy places a 84. 899. Perfection in this life is to tend to perfection a 63. Persecuters loue treason not traytors a 548. b 893. Persecuters doe pretend false causes against the innocent b 618 789. 914. 930. 954. Persecution of foure sortes b 170. Persecution must be borne with patience a 74. 155. 156. 158. 750. 964. It can not hinder the Church b 17. 883. Pharao by abusing Gods benefites hardned his owne hart a 173. 178. 179. 181. 191. 582. Philo a Iew writ the Booke of wisdome before Christ b 343. Phinees killing a malefactor is not to be imitated by priuate men a 374. His zele commended b 196. 439. Pietie is preferred before lerning b 382. Pilgremage a 84. 899. Places sanctified a 140. 160. 232 259. 423. 478. 700. 785. 879. 9â—5 b 2â—3 â—46 760. Also respected by painimes b 956. Politique worldlinges persecute innocents against their conscience b 983. Prayer a 17. 31. 34â— b 715. 965. Sette forme of prayer praises a 880. 921. 935. b 965. 1002. Prayer with fasting almes a 1006. b 825. Prayer sacrifice for the dead 978. 996. It is hitherto obserued by the Iewes b 979. Prayse of Sainctes and good men redoundeth to Gods praise b 937. Preaching a necessarie office of Pastors b 533. 539. 678. 734. 845. 850. 853. 871. 886. 935. Predestination supposeth the meanes of iustification and saluation a 84. 201. Prerogatiues of man in his creation a. 5. Presumption of proper strength depriueth men of Gods assistance b 909. 995. Pryde is the roote of al sinnes b 387. Priesthood a 32. 47. 274. b 994. Priesthood and Law stand and are changed together a 32. 326. Priests proper office is to offer sacrifice a 57. 276. 295. Priestes consult God for others a 486. They are called goddes a 171. High Priest called Prince a 304. and Princes called Priestes a 651. 677. 859. Pagan Priestes much esteemed in their owne nations a 143. No priest at al amongst Protestantes a â—6 Princes of euerie familie in the law of nature were Priestes a 212. Procession made by Priestes people a 479. Prodigalitie dissipateth that which the wise gathereth b 300. Prodigees are signes of Gods wrath b 958. Promises of God are conditional a 415. 496. 905. Prophecie is a principal diuine benifite geuen to few for the good of manie b 449. Prophecies are called visions b 450. and are certaine b 718. 736. Light of Prophecie is more clere then the light of faith b 450. Euerie Prophet perfectly vnderstandeth that he is illuminated b 797. None can prophecy but by Gods illumination b 510. Prophecie vttered conditionally is true though the euent folow not b 620. Prophets visions are limited a 789. Al prophetes most principally speake of Christ b 449. manie Prophetes are hard to be vnderstood b 450. 675. 749. 797. 803. 8â—3 844. Why they are obscure b 451. Manie Prophecies are vttered in factes a 731. b 570. 580. 595. 628. 69â— 815. Foure greater Prophetes and twelue lesse b 809. Propitiatorie of God a 229. 293. 342. Protestantes doctrine concerning hardning of hart a 171. Prouerbes are common briefe pithie sentences b 268. The booke of Prouerbes perteyneth particularly to beginners Ecclesiastes to such as procede and the Canticles to the perfect in pietie b 333. Prouidence of God in mens actions a 136. 166. 176. b 262. c. Prudence requisite in al actions a 137. 1043. b 427. Prudence in disposing souldiars to fight fortifieth the armie b 928. Prudence chooseth the lesse danger or euil in distresse 937. Psalmes and Canticles are more special praises of God b 11. Psalmes 150. al made by Dauid b 3. 4. 19. 174. 176. The whole booke called the Psalter b 13. It is a Summe of al other Scriptures b 5. the Key of al other Scriptures b 6. It selfe hath tenne keyes or principal Articles of Diuine doctrine b 7. 8. It is composed in verse b 9. more ancient then any prophane Poetrie now extant b 10. It was written for manie causes especially for Diuine seruice in the old and new Testament b 11. 12. 109. Manie Psalmes perteine to the new Testament b 21. Seuen last Psalmes instruct more particularly how to praise God b 260. Number of Psalmes mystical b 266. Titles of the Psalmes were added by Esdras and the Septuagint b 19. Bishops are bound to be skilful in Dauids Psalter Other Priestes to haue competent knowlege therin b 13. 93. Punishment for sinne a 15. 23. 33. 69. 656. 685. 1088. 1091. b 101. 376. 383. 705. Purgatorie a 33. 711. b 24. 77. 384. See Prayer for the dead Puâ—illanimitie in a superior is iniustice b 391. In al others a sinne contraâ—ie to iust zele b 417. Pythagoras taught transmigration of soules b 1000. Q Quales were sent miraculously amongst the Israelites a. 207. 347. b 193. Queene of Saba visited Salomon and admired his wisdome a 727. R Rachel a figure of the Catholique Church a 103. She was buried in Bethlehem a 111. Her weeping was prophetical b 603. Rahab deliuered two Israelites from danger a 472. Rainbow was before Noes floud but was afterwards set for a signe of Gods mercie a 38. Razias killing himself is not to be imitated b 984. Rechabites a religious order b 613. 995. Recidiuation aggrauateth sinnes b 611. Redemption by Christ a 12. c. b. 16. c. See Christ Relaxation of the captiuitie foreshewed b. 747. performed b 933. 944. c. Religious orders a 335. 545. b 613. 995. Reliques a 153. 191. 290. b 949. 996. Remission of sinnes a. 294. 577. 926. c. Remission of iniuries with discretion a 1048. Repentance necessarie a. 32. 47. 1074. b. 65. 465. See Penance Restitution a 223. 270. Resurrection a 34. 48. 203. 712. 936. 1083. b 49. 485. 546. 743. 996. Rewardes of good woorkes a 76. 1102. b 199. 393. 395. 448. 543. 579. Rewardes temporal in the old Testament a 157. 190. 451. 682. Rocke of the Church is Christ who also
but by the mightie hand of God :: Manie are held guiltie of sinne and are iustly punished for the fact of one or few either because they coÌ„sented or concealed or neglected to punish the offenders or els they suffer temporal affliction for their warning to abhorre sinne for increase of their merite â— Aug. q. 8. 9. in Iosue :: Hiâ—l fel into this curse for reparing Iericho 3. Reg. 16. v. 34. :: So God tempered his punishment that but few were slaine and afterwards gaue the towne to the Israelites without losse of any of their men :: Prayer wil not auaile til iustice be first donne :: Deceiptes â— stratagemes are lawful in iust warre but not falshood nor breach of promise â— Aug. q. 10. 〈◊〉 Iosue :: These fiue thousaÌ„d were of the thirtie thousand which were first sent v. 3. The other 25000 ioyned with Iosues troupe entered into the citie :: Not one fitte to beare armes was left :: He life his shield vpon a long pike or lance that it might be sene fitte of Deut. 27. :: Al superiors may blesse their subiectes Princes their people and parentes their children :: In such a case they ought to haue consulted God to wirte the high Priest putting on the Ephod Rationale should haue prayed at the dore of the tabernacle where our Lord appointed to speake vnto him Exo. 29 v. 42 It was also ordained Num. 27. v. 21. that Eleazar should coÌ„sult our Lord when anie thing was to be donne by Iosue which omittiÌ„g to do they were deceiued by these Gabaonites :: In these Gabaonites of Chanaans race was fulfilled Noes prophecie Geu 9. that Chanaan should be a seruant to his brethren :: Iosue did thinke if the moone moued the sunne also must necessarily moue so he obtained the stay of both :: Til after the time this booke was written :: God condescending to worke so great a miracle at the instance of his seruant :: God so disposed that they should not coÌ„quer al in one yeare lest the land had benne brought into a vvildernes and beastes increased against them Exod. 23. v. 29 Morally it signifieth that the children of God must be exercised in tribulations and mortification lest vices grow in them Procop. in Exod. :: These warres coÌ„tinued nere seuen yeares as appeareth chap. 14. v. 10. :: For their enormious sinnes God left them in their owne reprobate sense not imposing necessitie of sinning but permitting them to indurate their owne hartes See An not Exod. 7. :: Hence forth they had not general warres but diuers tribes had particular as appeareth chap. 15. c. Num. 21. Deut. 3. :: Moyses slew two kinges Iosue thirtie one The third part PartitioÌ„ of the land among nine tribes a half :: These partes are designed though not yet conquered :: This part the Amorreites had taken and possessed otherwise the Israelits were prohibited to take anie thiÌ„g from the Ammonites Deut 2. :: The Leuites hauing their portions in other maner yet there were twelue tribes to receiue portioÌ„s by reason that Iacob adopted Iosephs two sonnes Gen. 48. :: After the viewing of the land Num. 1â— the Israelites remained in the desert 38. yeares so they were nere seuen yeares in warres :: Gods promise is euer sure on his part but because it is conditional if we serue him sincerly oâ—â— wil being fâ—ee he saith â—f perhaps our lord be vvith me :: Onlie the countrie of Hebron was geuen to Caleb for the citie it self and suburbes belonged to the Priestes chap. 21â— v. 11. c See beâ—ore Chap. 11. v. 23. :: Though it was prohibited that the nephew should marie his â—unt yet the vncle was not expresly forbid to marie his neece by Moyses law Leuit. 18. And albeit there is the same degree of consanguinitie yet not the same incoÌ„uenience by reason the same person remaineth subiect that was inferior before mariage Because ordinarily the south part of the world is more drie and barren then other partes a barren place is called a south land in respect of more settile ground :: The Iebuseites kept a strong castle in Ierusalem til king Dauid tooke it from them 2. Reg. 5. :: Ruben for the sinne of incest losing the priuelegies of birth-right Gen. 49 Priesthood was geuen to Leui the kingdome to Iuda and duble portioÌ„ to Ioseph Paraphr Chald. :: The land or territorie of Taphua fallig to the lotte of Manasses yet Taphua that is the citie it selfe was the childrens of Ephraim :: The Chananeite remained in the Land of Manasses for a time :: Not equal buâ— proportionable partes were assigned for so it was commanded Num. 26. v. 54. To the greater number to geue a greater portion and to the fewer a lesse :: After the portions were appointed by mens industrie discretion God confirmed the same by lotte to take away al occasioÌ„ of discontentment :: Of modestie Iosue would not assigne to him self anie place but the whole people freely granted his request :: At first entering it sufficed to allege in general his innocencie but after he must be tried in particular :: God gaue al the Land in due time but not al at once for the causes expressed Exo. 23. v. 29. Deut. 7. v. 22. The fourth part Two tribes a halfe returne to their possessions Iosues godly admonitions his and Eleazars death :: It perteineth to al magistrates and other superiors to admonish their subiectes of their dutie towardes God before al other thinges :: Al superiorâ— may impert blessing to their subiectes :: So it behoueth al the seruantes of God to see in time that no schisme be made and therfore orderly to inquire of euerie show of euil 1. Thes 5. :: Sinnes past are imputed to such as fal againe as a grauating their new sinnes by reason of more ingratitude :: As before chap. 7. so if these had bene culpable al Israel might feare to be punished except iustice were donne vpon the offenders chap. 7. :: In the law of Moyses was one onlie altar for sacrifice for the whole people of God to auoide schisme and idolatrie Now in the Church being in al nations are manie altares but one onlie Sacrifice prefigured by al the former as S. Augustin teacheth li 17. c. 20 de â—iuit S. â—â—o Se◠◠〈◊〉 Pâ—ssione :: God fought for the Isiachtes three maâ— of wayes sometimes alone they not fighting at al as when the Aegyptians were drowned in the read sea sometimes they doing his coÌ„mandmentes he apparently assisted them as in the siege of Iericho the walles miraculously fel downe c. 6 haile stones killed their enimies chap. 10. but most times inuâ—sibly as wel by geuing them courege as by striking their enimies with terrour And al these wayes God also fighteth for his seruantes in spiritual warres against the diuel the flesh the world :: The Israelites descended also of Nachor by Rebecca his sonnes daughter the wife of Isaac
the people presumed more to do that semed to them selues right or good though it was nought which afterwardes the kinges more restrained and punished The historie of Ruth is regestred in holie Scripture for the genealogie of Dauid and especially of our Sauiour Christ Iudic. 12. :: Noemi perswaded not to idolatre but in sinuated that if Ruth would not returne to her countrie she must also leaue the false goddes And so she answered that she would serue the same true God of Israel :: She had a husband and two sonnes and sufficient prouision but now was bereued of them al. :: The Church vseth this salutation in the holie sacrifice and other diuine office :: Booz doubted not but reward was due to good workes :: Yea a ful reward answeâ—able to Ruâ—h pietie Vvhich must be spiritual and eternal :: The euent shewed that Noemi was inspired by God to geue such direction to Ruth to foretel what Booz would doe :: It was very coÌ„mendable that she loued her first husband and mother in law but more vertue infleing occasion of sinne with young men and seeking to marie according to the law of God with her former husbands kinsman Deut. 25. :: Booz calleth his kinsman brother as Abraham called Lot his brother Gen. 13. being his Nephevv :: See Deut. 25. noting here withal that the penaltie was lesse whch an other kinsman vndertaking the mariage the woman was preueÌ„ted from complayning before the iudge :: Here appeareth the final cause of writting this historie to shew the Genealogie of King Dauid from Iudas the Patriarch of whom Christ should descend so prophecied Gen. 49. and shewed to be performed Mat. 1. qqÌ„ in 1. Reg. c. 1. These histories are also expounded mystically by the ancient Fathers Prologâ— in 1. Reg. li. 17. c. 4. ciuit Ep. ad Paulin. The general contents of al the bookes of Kinges Para lippomenon Samuel writ the first part but vncertaine who writ the rest CoÌ„tents of the first booke diuided into foure partes These bookes are read at Mattins from the feast of the B Trinitie vntil the first sundaie of August The first part Of the gouernments of Heli and Samuel and of changing the state into a kingdome :: This childe being of the tribe of Leui though not of Aarons stock was lawfully vowed to the seruice of the tabernacle by his parentes during his childhood but coming to yeares of discretion he was at his owne electioÌ„ to continew or to depart If he had bene of anie other tribe he must haue bene redemed Leuit. 27. The Canticle at Laudes on wenesday :: Leaue of to praise idoles as ye haue accustomed to doe :: The Church of Gentiles :: The Synagogue of the Iewes S. Aug. li. 17. c. 4. ciniâ— :: Neither Dauid noâ— Salomon much lâ—ssâ— anâ—â— other King possened or â—udged the endes of the taâ—th but â—â—â—â—ts enheritance reacheth to the endes of the earth Psal 2. v. 18. :: Sinnes directly against God and that hinder his seruice are more hardly remitted but none at al aâ—e irremissible before death because during life euerie one may truly repent if he wil and to al true peniteÌ„tes God promisseth remission of sinnes Ezech. 33. :: Gods determination to punish tooke not away their freewil but for their obstinacie he leift them to themselues without his grace and so iustly punished them See S. Aug. li. 5. cont Iulian. c. 3. :: This was fulfilled as in the figure in Samuel not wholly for priesthood stil remained in the line of Aaron as appeareth in Achias Abiathar Sadoc ch 14. 22. 2 Reg. 8. but perfectly in Christ 1. Reg. c. 2. :: Rare thinges are called precious and so the gift of prophecie is here termed which was then granted to few :: This vision happened early in the morning before the time of dressing the lampes when some were put out and others light :: Their confidence of helpe from God by presence of the arke was good and commendable but their sinnes deserued to be punished :: This zele of religion in Heli towards the arke is a great signe that he died in good state though he was temporally punished for not correcting his sonnes :: So sowne as Christs Gospel or Testament came among the Gentiles al false goddes idolatry fel downe S. Beda qq in 1. Reg. c. 3. :: The arke being a holie thing as Reliques are was terrible to their false god the diuel so the Reliques of S. Babilas ouerthrew the false god Apollo as â— Chrysoâ—â— testifieth at large li. cont Gentiles 〈◊〉 5. :: Obstinate sinners doe harden their owne hartes not God but by suffering them so to do â—ee Aâ—not â—â—â—d 7. :: As the arke was terrible to the infideles chap. 5. so also to those that beleued right but vsed it not reuerently :: These men knowing that the presence of the arke was good for them though the Bethsamites had benne punished for their irreuerence towardes it feared not to receiue and kepe it :: That is 〈…〉 say the Phili 〈…〉 who were 〈…〉 oâ— the seuen nations of Chanaan which God commâ—nded his people to destroy 〈…〉 the Amorrheites :: Heli his sonnes gâ—ieuously offending in then office before chap 2. and now Samuels sonnes also peruerting iudgemâ—t gaue occasion to the people to demand a lâ—ng to iudge their temporal causes rightly not declining to wrong for bribes :: Misphat signifieth maner fashion or proceding :: God alwaies heareth those that truly repent for their sinnes but doth not alwayes deliuer them from afflictions which are due for offences or profitable for probation and merite of his children â—â—od 19. Deut. 17. Iudiâ— 2. v. 16. Vvhy the peoples demand to haue a king is disliked Kinges sometimes oppresse their subiectes by Gods sufferance but vniustly â— Cyp. li. 3. ep 9. siue 65. â— Hierâ— in Osee 8. â— Greg. li. 4. c. 2. in 1. Reg. 8. Kinges haue prerogatiues aboue but not contâ—aric to the lawes Euil princes may be deposed by God the Church but not by the people only Concil Lateran c. 3. de heret Pointes obserued in the constitution and deposition of King Saul 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The second part The election annointing gouernement of King Saul :: One that by diuine inspiration foreseeth thinges too come :: Oppression of innocentes crieth to heaven :: â— Gregorie here noteth that such as are placed in height of gouernement are annointed with oyle which signifieth mercie light and cuâ—ing of others :: But the litle vessel foreshewed that Saul not perseuering in grace should be deposed from his kingdom li. 4 c. 5. in 1. Reg. 10. :: Samuel enioynetâ— obedience to Saul to trie his humilitie S. Greg. li. 4 c. 5. in 1 Reg 10. :: God gaue him peculiar grace for executing the office of a king :: By and by also the gift of prophecie :: Then superious :: By lotte the people were assured that the election was of God
answer :: Euil wordes for curteous vsage heret o sore and for late gentil intreating by messengers :: Things tyeâ— in bundels are stronger and more secure then single and loose :: Dauid is resolute and often repeteth that it is not lawful for priuate subiectes to kil their prince no although him selfe was annointed to succede :: Gods prouidence sent this extraordinary sleepe and inspired Dauid to doe this fact for more iustification of his innocencie :: These countries were neither subiect to the Philistijms not to the Israelites and were also of those nations whom God had coÌ„manded to destâ—roy dwelling within the land of Chanaan Deut 25. The fourth part Of the ruine of Saul and exaltation of Dauid :: Not manie but one excellent person an old man come lie in apparel Saul adored not Samuel with diuine honour but with dulia reuerencedue to a blessed soule * â—iadagâ— cognouit Luevv :: In state of the dead in an other world not in the same particular state S. Augustin opinion whether Samuele soule appeared or no. More probable that his verie soule appeared not compelled by the euil spirite but obeying Gods secrete ordinance First proose 2 3 4 â— to â— pag. 210. Soules sometimes appeare after death loco 〈◊〉 tatâ— :: He speaketh by amplification to make his fact seme more reasonable whereas the time of Dauids abode with him was but foute monethes ch 27. v. 7. :: Consuit out Lord for me so Dauid by the priests mediation was instructed what to do :: It is not against Gods coÌ„mandment Deut. 4. 12. to make new lawes so they be conformable not contrarie to Gods former lawes Saul killing himself after that he was wounded 〈◊〉 his enimies signifieth those that being ouercome by tentations desperatly persist wilfully die in their sinne S. Greg. â—â—o 10 :: These men are coÌ„mendable for gratitude towards Saul who had deliuered them ch 11. for a vvorke of mercie in burying the dead for pietie towards their king and princes and for fortitude in atchiuing so heroical an act This booke is wholly of Dauid His succession to the kingdom His vertues Faultes Thankes and Prophecie :: He fained al this thincking to get fauoure for Saul killed himself li. 1. ch 31. but Dauid punished him as such a crime desetued v. 15. :: Exequies of Saul obserued with mourning weeping and fasting :: The Philisthijms were strong cunning archers therefore Dauid commanded that his subiectes should lerne and exercise the same maner of fight :: This second annointing as also the third ch â— was in confirmation and to put him in possession of the first mâ—â—â— long before 1. Reg. 16. :: He reigned two yeares before he beganne much to decline but in al seuen yeares and a half for so long Dauid reigned only in Iuda v. 11. :: Hence perhaps cometh the phraise that one armie playeth vpon an other vvith smal and great arâ—â—lane that is strike and kil their enimies with al sortes of gunnes Iosephus li. 7. c. 1. Antiq. :: Am I coâ—temptible in thy sight and yet head of them that oppose against Dauid I that haue donne so much for thee wil not indure to be reprehended for a smal fault So God suffereth the maintainers of an euiâ— quarel to fal out among them selues wherby the right cause is aduanced :: weake being newly receiued king and not able to punish strong offenders But Ioab others were afterwardes punished 3. Reg. 2. :: They annoint him againe in confirmation of their consent as Iuda had donne chap. 2 acknowledging Gods ordinance 1. Reg. 16. :: King Dauid now atcheued that the tribe of Iuda could not in the time of Iosue Iosue 15. :: Idoles that haue eyes and can not see feete and can not goe shal not enter into the Church of Christ * â—câ—lp â—â—lia :: 〈…〉 there 〈…〉 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 as he 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 S. 〈…〉 S. 〈…〉 :: To dance before the arke is to dance before our Lord. :: The tabernacle made by Moyses was a goodlie thing but being couered with skinnes and in manie respectes insufficient for Gods seruice Dauid desired to build a glorious Temple But was not permitted to do it for mysterie sake to signifie that Christ the true Salomon should build his Church that farre excelleth the Synagogue of the Iewes and old Testament S. Augustin li. 17. c. 8. deciuit a He that supposeth this great promise to be fulfilled in Salomon erreth much sayeth S. Augustin ibidem b S. Paul expoundeth this of Christ Heb. 1. v 5. c This can not be saied of Christ but of Salomon and of anie christian so this place hath manie literal senses d The Sea Apostolique priestly powre in the church of christ is this perpetual kingdom S. Epiphanius Heresi 29. e Here and in manie other places the Hebrew word is of the plural number Elohim Goddes signifying more diuine Persons f The worke of mans Redemption is appropriated to God the Sonne :: For 〈◊〉 â—â—pâ—â—â—â— Dauid compâ—ssing then with cordes as 〈…〉 are eâ—â—iâ—â—â—â—d cast them on the around and by lotte killed some and spared some aliue :: Sette 〈◊〉 an Arch in memorie of triumph * â—rchaâ—â—â—lâ—r :: These were archers and sling throwers of the guard Pharaâ—â—rasis â—hâ—ll :: Or priestes oâ— chief rulers See the annotation Gen 47. v. 22. 1. Paâ—â—l 18. v. 17. :: The partiâ—â—lar inhereâ—â—â—â— that perâ—â—ined to Sauls familie :: Not siâ—â—e 〈◊〉 table with the king but haue his diet of the kinges prouision besides the forsaide inheritance :: This Naas king of Ammon curtously intertained Dauids freindes which escaped from the king of Moab killing most of them that were coÌ„mended to him because Dauid had leift his countrie and was returned into Iuda 1. Reg. 22. Histor Eccles :: Then do sius the Eâ—â—rerour pretenâ—ing to be excused from punishment for his sinnes because king Dauid also was an adulter â— and a manslaver S. Ambrose replied saying Thou that hast solovveding Dauid evving folovv him â—epenting After which admonâ—tion the Emperour most humbly did publique penance inioyned him by the Bishop in vâ—â—a Theodâ—sij :: Now then some of thy seede shal be violently slaine so were slaine three of his owne sonnes Ammon chap. 13. Absalom chap. 18. Adonias 3. Reg. 2. six sonnes of Iosaphat and al Iorams sonnes saue one â— paralip 21. also Ochozias Amasias Iosias 2. Par. 24 25. 35. and the sonnes of Sedechias himselfe hauing his eyes put out and so brought into Babylon 4. Reg. 25. :: Praised and thanked the king :: These children died before him as appeareth cha 18. :: Concubines were lawfully maried but had not al priuilegies as other wiues See 〈◊〉 25. Iudiâ— 19. :: He couered his head that he might not be seene to weepe lest he should discorege the people neuertheles the people also wept and likewise couered their heades :: King Dauid was here abused by false information to which he ought not so easely to
Without a Redemer to do good Rom. 5. d Without faith in Christ none had meritorious workes These three verses being not in the Hebrew nor Greke yet are in the English an 1577. and are three distinct verses in other psalmes 5. 9 â—5 e They are wholly occupied in vexing others Isa 52. â— 8. f The Prophet speaketh this in the person of God g With greedines to hurt the good h Not beleeuing in God they feared Idols that is diuels i who in dede can not hurt Gods seruants k Though innumerable be very wicked yet some are iust l mocked and derided those that trust in God m The Prophet wisheth and withal prophecieth that Christ our Sauiour wilcome who is premised to Israel n Redemed man from the captiuitie of the diuel o those that supplant vice p and contem plate God VVithout Christs grace no man is nor can be iust The law shewed the insufficiencie of mans wil. Grace cureth the wil The wil being cured cooperateth with gâ—â—â—e Venial sinnes exclude not from heauen Good workes done in mortal sinnes auail not to saluation Of eternal Beatitude The 10. key a In heaue as appeareth by the last verse b One requisite thing is to be free or cleansed from sinne c the second is to do good d Sincerely in thought e word and f dede g nor harkened to detraction h Glorie is the reward of good workes i Vsurie excludeth from heauen VVhy this and certaine others are called the Psalmes of Dauid Both faith and good workes necessarie to saluation Heb. 1â— Only the state of glorie is immutable Of Christs victorie The 5. key a Stylographiae signifieth a thing most worthie to be noted towitte Christ crucified b and most worthie of the prophets consideration c Christ as man did often pray as appeareth in the Gospel d Christs passion was not needful nor profitable to God but to man e God speaketh shewing that Christ should make his meruelous charity knowen to his Apostles and other seruantes f Men feeling their infirmities and miseries g make hast in seeking remedies h Sacrifices to idols shal â— cease in Gentiles i Their names shal be changed from heathen to be called Christians k Eternal glorie coÌ„sisteth in seing God l God is the reward of suffering paines for Christ m In diuision of temporal inheritance land is measured by cordes as Iosue 10. so portions in heauen are geuen with large measure n Christ also receiued al nations for his inheritance o Wisdome to make good election of spiritual thinges rather then temporal p Not only by day but also by night q Also my corporal paines geue me instruction r Christ had God continually before his eyes cuerieman ought to thincke frequently of God Å¿ for God stil protecteth the iust Act. e. v. 25. t in limbo patrum v Christs body corrupted not in the graue Act. 2. 13 w death and resurrection is the way to life x Perfect glorie consisteth in seing God y in eternity Christ a King sometimes exercised temporal iurisdiction God the proper inheritaÌ„ce of Christ and Christians Clergie men professe expresly to serue God for God him felfe not for temporal profite psal â—â— v. 11. 2 〈◊〉 a. v. 4. Protestantes denving that Christ deâ—â—ended into limbus translate graue for bâ—â— 1552. 1577. 1603. Gods prouidence protecting the iust The 3. key a in my iust cause heare my petition b seing I pray sincerly not in feaned affection c Thou that 's seest al thinge declare my right against mine aduersaries d my inteÌ„tion e most secret cogitations f by tribulations g Whose conscience is pure from greuous sinne may pray with this confidence otherwise repentance is first necessarie But the whole Church may euer pray in this maner because there be alwayes some iust and holy in respect of whom it is truly called holy h for thy precepts i the narrow way of vertue k none can of them selues walke rightly but by Gods helpe l against thy omnipotent powre m from their cruel and furious countenance n they haue shut out al pittie or commiseration o They intend vtterly to destroy me euen to the ground p Except God preuent maÌ„s industry is not sufficieÌ„t q restraine their powre which they haue by thy permission that they may not persecute so much as they intend r This is a prophecy that the wicked from the elect Å¿ which iudgement beginneth sometimes in this life t the pleasures of this world which God approueth not nor acknowledgeth amongst good thinges v the iust shal be approued w Nothing doth satiate mans mind but the sight of God in eternal glorie This Psalme called a Praier is both a sword buck â—â—r in afflictioÌ„ Dauid singularly protected by God The â— key a Though literally this Psalme perteyned to Dauid yet in figure of Christ and of the Church or eâ—erie iust soule b The Holie Ghost inspired Dauid to render these thankes for his often deliuerie from dangers c Saul is specially named because he was his most potent worldlie enimie d These first wordes as also diuers others are added and many changed in this and other Psalmes by the Septuagint who often leauing the Hebrew text render the sense and so this agreeth in substance with the same Psalme recorded 2. Reg. 22. e by whom I am strong Hâ—b 2. f high firme saluation g This is aptly applied to al mankind after his fal declaring our state in sinne and inducing to penance in the office of Masse on Septuagesima sunday h mortal flesh subiect to death i violent incursions of tentions to sinne k exceding great afflictioÌ„s of mind like to torments of hel which I also feare l secrete tentations haue deceiued me m Earnest prayer is the best remedie in al tribulations n As it is certaine that God heard Dauids prayers so he assuredly heareth al that sincerly flee vnto him o Gods anger against sinne maketh high and loftie thinges to shake euen the most obstinate presumptuous sinners p Diuine wrath is like to smoke of the nosethrles or flaming fire and burning coles q Gods punishment sometimes cometh so swiftly as if the heauens bowed towards the earth r Gods furie is as a darke desolate night or horrible wist r Yet wheÌ„ sinners repeÌ„ God most speedely as fleing with winges of mercie comforteth protecteth them Å¿ God being in him selfe in coÌ„prehensible is also secret in his determinations and couert in his procedinges or actes t Gods spleÌ„dor oppressing maÌ„s sense yet instructeth him by his meruelous vvorkes VVhich mystically signifieth that Christ illuminateth the vvorld by his Apostles and other preachers denouncing his iustice peace and his vvil in al thinges perteyning to man v from tribulations w From Saul AbsoloÌ„ Moabites Ammonites and al temporal and spiritual enemies So in the rest of this Psalme the Prophet speaketh for most part in proper termes vvithout Metaphores or other figures
life we must desire more and more knowledge of true doctrin h from the first vse of reason at which time manie are careles i negligent to lerne how to serue God k As God is sweete in geuing good motions l so he is seuere to them that resist his grace m God mercifully p euenteth with his grace n and iustly rewardeth good workes o Gods law is his couenant with man p and testimon e of his wil. q sinne in respect of auersien from God is great nedeth â—e grace r He that feareth God which is the beginning of wisdome receiueth fiue spiritual commodities here mentioned 1 God iustructeth him by his law 2 bestoweth al necessaries vpon him 3 others shalimitate his good example 4 God wil protect him 5 According to Gods couenant he shal enioy the manifest sight of God for his eternal reward â—mans weaknes without Gods helpe t TribulatioÌ„s can not be aâ—oâ—deâ— but must necessarily be suffered therfore ô God gâ—ue vs grace to passe through them without sinne v myn affliction w take away the cause and affliction wil be mitigated Ioan. 15. x wicked men of â—â—ured do end â—our to draw others into sinne y Those that hope in God shal neuer be confounded z Al The letters of the Alphebet being complete in this Psalme this last verse beginneth with Pere Redeeme praying God to redeme and deliuer Israel that is the whole Church from tribulations Dauids prayer distressed in persecution The 8. key a This Psalme is also a counenient prayer for anie Christian in tribulation b Be thou ô God arbiter of the cause bet 〈…〉 Saul and me thou knowest myn innocencie in this behalfe though I am uniustly charged by Saul and his freindes c Lest perhaps I be not so innocent as I desire and as in respect of Saul I hope that I am do thou O God proue me as thou wilt by tribulations d Dauid in confidence of a good conscience and zele against the wicked alleageth his sincere proceding more then ordinarie men may do God so inspiring him extraordinarily e The rest of this Psalme euerie Priest reciteth in Masse before he offer the holie Sacrifice professing putting him selfe in memorie that he must only communicate with the innocent or of pure conscience f and so approch to the Altar prefigured Leuit. 16. v. 4. g Shutting the eares of my hart from euil and vaine thoughtes I wil attend to godlie inspirations h and so with mental prayer and external voice as the holie order of this sacred office requireth praise thee ô God in thy meruelous workes Epi. â—â—â— c. 11. i I can not but singularly loue the excellencie of this place dedicated to thy seruice where is true faith vnitie and charitie of thy people the guard of holie Angels the administratioÌ„ of sacred mysteries assistance of the Holie Ghost real presence of Christ our Lord al replenished with Diuine maiestie k This representeth vnto me the glorious heauenlie kingdom of God and al Sainctes l Suffer me not therfore to be contaminate by the wicked nor to be deuoured with them m They are stil readie to committe more and more iniquities n themselues being corrupted endeuour by giftes of wordly commodities to corrupt others o Euerie one ought so to purge his conscience that he may be innocent or free from great sinne p deliuer me from this necessitie of dwelling among the wicked q I intend to walke right r I desire â—â— praise thee amongst thy true faithful seruantes A singular great afflictioÌ„ to be hindered from Gods true seruice Christians must abhorre and abstaine from al conuenticles of Heretikes and other Infidels An other confident prayer of Dauid in tribulation The 3. Key a Before his second annointing as is probable 2. Reg. 2. b Against ignorance God illuminateth his seruantes c against infirmitie he geueth streingth d so he nedeth not to feare anic mans malice suteltie nor force Luc. 21. v. 15. e How special a benefite Dauid estemed it to be in the Catholique Church the only true house of God! f Albeit the spiritual or carnal enemie seke to ouerthrow me yet I am secure in the Catholique Church g God either suffereth not the enemie to find his seruant h or not to be able to hurt him spiritually i wheÌ„ a martyr or confessour dieth then he getteth the victorie against the perseâ—ntors k Diligently recounting al thy benefites I render thankes by sacrifice and praise l not only in hart but also singing with loud voice and instrument m In my inward sincere cogitation I desire and seeke that I may see thee n face to face 1. Cor. 13. v. 12. o In the meane time ô Lord grant me thy fauour p leaue me not though thou be angrie with me q He speaketh in the person of orphanes r Though car nal parentes forsake the iust man in tribulation yet God hath then most special care of him Å¿ Establish my hart in thy law t conserue me in the right way which thou hast already taught me and it is the more necessarie because myne enemies labour to peruert me v the willes vv false witnesses accused Dauid others accused Christ Mat. 26. others do stil accuse the iust Mat 5. x the wicked please themselues in lying but the chief hurt finally turneth vpon themselues y The prophet and al iust men are comforted by God and hope of reward in heauen z The iust exhorteth his owne soule to patience a fortitude b and longanimitie Psal 30. An other prayer of Dauid for deliuerie from euils The 8. key a Omitte not to comfort me b Suffer me not to be ouercome for God tempteth none to euil Iac 1. c The iust in zele of iustice pray that sinne may be punished d Ignorance doth not excuse when men may and wil not vnderstand e God saueth not without our cooperation with his grace f being comforted in spirite my bodie is as it were refreshed g freely and gladly h God protecteth and prospereth the kings good endeuoures for his people i As Psal 19. and often elswhere the subiectes pray for their Superior so mutually the superior prayeth for the subiectes The Church of Christ endowed with excellent mysteries The 6. key a 2. Reg. 6. v. 17. 1. Par. 16. v. 1. â—04 105. c Mysteries of the Catholique Church prophecied in this Psalme b Offer sacrifice of thankes for the singular benefites after recounted in this Psalme c Rammes were of the more principal thinges that were offered in the law of Moyses But the sonnes of rammes importe in mystical sense better hostes then rammes d The first thing in sacrifice is to glorifie honour and adore God in sinceritie of spirite e in his holie Catholique Chuâ—h f Here is a greater matter intimated then happened in the bringing of the Arke into a tabernacle prepared in Sion when Dauid danced and offered hostes for sacrifice others ioyning with
him in that solemnitie But this voice of our Lord vpon vvaters is rather verified of our Blessed Sauiours owne preaching with g maiestie h thundering by his Apostles vpon i manie vvaters manie nations k in povvre of miracles l in magnificence preaching as hauing in dede powre not as the Sâ—râ—hes and Pharises Mat. 7. v. 29. m breaking cedars among innumerable others conuerting highest Potentates n of Libanus Emperoures kinges and greatest Princes of the world o as a calfe of Libanas so meekly submitting them selues to Christs yoke and spiritual obedience of his Church p Al which is done by Christ our Lord the beloved of God q as the sonne of vnicornes is most tenderly beloued by the parentes r This voice of our Lord diuiding the flame of fire the Holie Ghost proceding from the Father and the Sonne came vpon the Apostles as in diuided tongues of fire Å¿ wherwith the dâ—â—â—rt the Gentiles of the wide and wild world vvere shaken and moued t the desert of Cades some of the Iewes also compunct in hart with remorse of conscience hearing the voice of S. Peter and other Apostles v The same voice of our Lord preparing hartes inspiring the mindes of men with spede like hyndes and does to ascend the high hilles of free and perfect life in contemplatiue vertues vv So our Sauiour shal discouer the thicke vvoodes reueile the hidden Mysteries of the old Law by preaching Christian doctrine and vse of Christian Religion x in his holie Temple the Catholique Church wherin al true Christians shal glorifie God y making the great abundance of people who are like the sea vvhen it ouerflovveth the land to dwel in the same Church z Christ our Lord sitting ruling king ouer al foreuer a by his grace geuing streingth to his people to passe through the tentations of this life b and blesse the iust vvith eternal peace in heauen 〈…〉 Dauid rendereth thankes for his establishment in his kingdome The 8. key a The general name of Psalme common to this whole booke conteyning in al 150. is more particularelie appropriated to some which more specially were playde vpon musical instruments as on the Psalter Harpe c. Others are called Canticles which were most vsuallie songue with humaine voices So this called a Psalme of Canticle signifieth that voyces begane the musike and instruments were adioyned As contrariwise others are called Canticles of Psalmes where instruments begane and voices folowed b After manie great tribulations King Dauid prospering built an excellent house or palace 2. Reg. 5. v. 11. Paralip 14. v. 1. And at his first dwelling therein made this Psalme beginning himselfe to sing the same with voice other musitians ioyned with him in the praises of God and thankesgeuing for his benefites c Though God in himselfe is most high and neither nedeth nor can be exalted by men yet the royal prophet knew it vvas his dutie to sing thankes and praises to him d for his deliuerie from manie trubles and dangers e not suffering his enemies to be delighted in his ruine f conserued my bodie in health amoÌ„gst innumerable dangers g Preserued my soule from greater daÌ„gers of sinnes and so from hel h Ye that are iust and holie praise God for it from vvhom it cometh and not from your selues i confesse his mere goodnes vvithout your desertes k vvhen he is angrie l yet he meaneth vvel vnto vs. m The state of a iust mans life is often changed from sorovv to comforte and from comforte to sorovv n Though vve suppose our selues firmly established o yet God of his good vvil tovvardes vs sometimes geueth strength and corege p sometimes suffereth vs to our ovvne vveakenes q therfore we must stil crie and pray for Gods helpe r in manner here expressed of the like Å¿ finally in this my good state t I shal alvvayes confesse and praise thee How to pray in affliction The 7. key a Perteyning to the new Testament b especially to the iust trubled and almost distracted in mind in great affliction See v. 23. c How greuously soeuer I am afflicted yet I trust in thee d therfore I pray thus 〈◊〉 70. e I offer and resigne my selfe to thee f The first preceptis to lerne of our elders â—â—â— 23. g not suffered me to be shut vp h al my partes external and internal body and mind are trubled i My freindes dare not conuerse with me lest they incurre displeasure for my sake k Make thy â—â—â—ht so â—hine in my soule that I may vnderstand that is right l and through thy mercie deliuer me from the force of myne aduersaries m 〈…〉 ly â—â—hauing themselues â—â— if they had no superior neither in earth nor in heauen to whom they shal at last render account n and abusing their present powre and authoritie which they haue of God o As yet in this present life the reward of the iust is hidde p but shal be made manifest in sight of al men q In the meane time the iust is in great estimation in the secrete knowledge of God r title of honoure as we speake to a king your maiestie or to a noble man your Lordâ—hippe Å¿ in myn extreme affliction being almost distracted in my mind I said that in reason I would not haue sayd Holie Iob spake some thinges in such state of affliction ch 3. 42. t the prophet or other iust person exhorteth al the seruants of God v to constancie vv long animitie x and final perseuerance to the end The second poeâ—â—tential Psalme The 7. key a This Psalme sheweth how Dauid was brought to vnderstand his sinnes to confesse bewayle and obtaine remission of them b The first blessing of a sinner is the forgeuenes of his sinnes â—om 4. â— Pâ—â— 4. c by charitie which couereth themultitude of sinnes 1. Pet. 4. d Satisfaction beâ—â—g made e VVhen sinners repent sincerly without guile then God forgeueth without which cooperation nonâ— is iustified f because I acknowledged not my greuous sinnes I was stil sore afflicted “ Waxed as if they vvere old g though otherwise I ceased notto pray but without any fruict or good effect h thy diuine prouidence reducing me i by remorse of myn owne conscience which telleth me that I deserue al this affliction k therfore I do no longer disseÌ„ble with men nor am silent to thee but expresly acknowlege my sinnes l As I do now recal my selfe being stricken with Gods heauie hand so must euerie one that wil be purged from his sinnes and sanctified pray to thee when he is afflicted m Though calamities be meruelous great like to a diluge n yet they shal not opresse him that relieth vpon God o God speaketh promising by these tribulations to geue his seruants vnder standing and instruction p with perpetual protection q Be not therfore careles like to brute beastes but consideratiue of your actions r The Prophet or anie iust soul besecheth God to held this
straict hand of discipline ouer sinners for their conuersion Å¿ Sinners deserue much punishment t but repenting and trusting in God shal finde his mercie v The end of true penance is ioyto which therfore the prophet inuiteth al penitents Vexation geueth vnderstanding Sinne must be punished Good workes are of graâ—e in epist ad Ro. c. 4. Protestantes expound this place contrary to many other clere places contrarie to the exposition of ancient fathers God couering or not imputing sinne doth quite take them away The contrarie doctrin is iniurious to God to Christ to holie Scriptures to glorified S inctes Sincere repentance is a necessarie dispotion to remission of 〈…〉 e. After remissioÌ„ it is satisfactorie and meritorious The perfectioÌ„ of Gods workes described The 2. key a not in your selues b praise is not comelie in the mouth of a sinner Eccli 15. c in mortification offering your bodies a liuing hoste Rom. 12. d of this instrument this booke is called the Psalter and it signifieth the obseruation of the tenne commandments without which no praise pleaseth God e praising God for the grace of Christ in the new testament f Gods rules and precepts are most iust and right g he performeth whatsoeuer he promiseth h God euer ioyneth these vertues together i Gods word iâ— omnipotent k vnknowen â—â— riches hid in secrete places As in Babylon he confounded their tongues m his absolute wil is alwayes fulfilled n the people of Israel in the old testament and Christians of al nations in the new o Gods per petual prouidence p Gods wisdom infinite q No powre in earth is of anie force without God r of his master Å¿ or of him selfe t O God which hast al perfection shew thy mercie in protecting and sauing al that trust in thee Gods prouidence The 3. key a His proper name was Achis 1. Reg. 21. but al kinges of Palestina were called Abimelech as pharao in Aegypt Nâ—huchodonosor in Babylon This Psalme is also composed in order of tho Alphabet b I prayse God c both in prosperitie and aduersitie d when I serue our Lord my soule shal be praised in his seruice e Euerie man be he how poore soeuer when he prayeth shal be heard f the proper guardian Angel of euerie one g with filial feare h the rich of this world setting their mind vpon their wealth are poore in spiritual giftes i Euerie one desireth to be happie but he in dede shal be happie that fleeth from euil and doth good k God seing almens actioÌ„s intentions wil render as they deserue l Though the iust some for a time to be forsaken yet God that geueth them internal streingth wil at last reward and crow 〈…〉 them his owne giftes m for their sinne they are suffered to fal into more sinne n contrariwise those that accept of his grace shal finally not offend A secret great misterie in the title of this Psalme Iuc 2. Some become vvorse some better by Christ Sacrifice and Priesthood changed God most high is become lovve He is our sacramental meate Christ leaft the Ievves receiued the Gentiles The real presence of Christ in the Sacrament Catech. Râ— p. 2. â— â— q. â—4 Not only faith but good vvorkes with faith iustifie Christs persecution The 5. key a Dauid signifieth beloued desiderable or strong of hand that is Christ aboue al beloued of God desired of man the strong conquerour of death and hel S. Aug. in hunc locum b By way of imprecation heprophecieth that God wil ouerthrow the persecutors of Christ and of Christians c Offensiue d denfensiue e preoccupate and preuent the malice of the persecutor f Such a punishment and confusion shal fal in the end vpon al the malicious after that the iust shal haue ouercome tribulations g In the time of truble in hope h after deliuerie in eternal saluation i such false witnesses did rise against Christ Mat. 26. k thinges that were not for God himselfe that knoweth althinges knoweth not that which neither was is nor can be l they made priuation of my life verified in Christ not in Dauid for he was killed by his enemies m Al our Sauiours life was penance for others needing none for himselfe n Christ the good Samaritane that releeued the wounded man Luc. 10. o al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion p al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion q al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion r Our Lord knoweth not anie iust cause why the Iewes so persecuted him for they had no iust cause but meere malice Å¿ as Psal 21. and Mat. 27. God why hast thou forsaken me not deliuered me from temporal death nor yelded me such consolation as thou gauest other Sainctes in their agonies t a prophecie of Christs resurrection v Prophecie of the Catholique Church as Psal 21. w This place is applied by our Sauiour to himselfe Ioan. 15. x The Pharises and Herodians said Master we know that thou art a true speaker c. meaning to intrappe him with treason Mat. 22. y The same Pharises and Priestes iudged him woorthy of death and procured the people to â—rie Crucifie him crucifie him z Againe his Resurrection is prophecied a At the day of iudgement the wicked shal receiue sentence of damnation b the blessed of eternal glorie Gods prouidence The 3. key a More specially describing the state of men in the new testament then in the old b instruction for Dauid not as a king or a prophet but as the poore seruant of God c wittingly and resolutely preferring wicked life before vertuous d God so â—ateth sinne committed of meere malice that he commonly reiecteth such sinners and more often offereth new grace to those that sinne of frailitie or ignorance e Some ignorance is inuincible wheÌ„ one hath a good wil to lerne doing his endeuour to knovv the truth in doctrin his dutie in manners but can not get knowlege therof and then he is excused before God though he erre in opinion or in fact others are negligent to lerne and their error is grosse ignorance and is a sinne greater or lesse according to the importance of the thing which they ouhgt to knovv Others are more vvilful desiring to be ignorant that they may sinne vvith the lesse remorse or repining of their ovvne conscience and this is affected ignorance and most hainous and odious sinne For which God often leauing them destitute of ordinarie grace which he geueth to others they fal into reprobate sense and into more horrible sinner f God doth not vtterly shut vp his mercie from the most wilful wicked sinners but geueth them sometimes good motions and sufficient helpe that they may repent be iâ— stified saued if they do not wittingly harden their owne hartes and stil wilfully repel Gods grace g For so God pomiseth vvho
then spiritual cogitations of faith and religion and therfore it is compared to a woman traueling with child who hath moâ—â— careful and greuous paines k In vvhich great confflict of mans spirite God by his grace geueth force to breake through the contrarie assaultes of our enimie to remoue al impediments and to ouercome the difficulties l This consideration that al is now done that was of old prophecied is a meruelous confirmation and consolation to Christians m Grace and mercie is only granted to those that are vvithin or come vnto the Catholique Church n As God is praised for his mercie so also for his iustice which do neuer preiudice the one the other o Consider the fortresses of the Church which are the holie Fathers and Doctors that watch and defend her vvalles p So rest you assured for al matters of faith in this pillar of truth q obserue and marke diligently how manie particular Churches were spedely founded in the world r and declare this to other generations that they may also hold fast the same faith or returne vnto it if they be relapsed or at last embrace it if sowner they haue not Å¿ Christ God incarnate that vvorketh al this is our very God and Sauiour not for a few yeares an hundred six hundred or a thousand but for euer and euer t he shal rule as a king and consequently haue a kingdom his militant Church euermore to the very end of this vvorld As he shal like vvise haue his triumphant Church in eternitie Exhortation â—o flee from sinne for feare of hel The 7. key a In this and diuers other titles both before and ye ensuing is said To the sonnes or for the sonnes of Core a Psalme or Canticle or vnderstanding the like but in no place a Psalme Canticle c. of the sonnes of Core vvhich no way proueth that they vvere the authores of such Psalmes but rather the contrarie b Al ye nations and sortes of people c that dwel vpon the earth lerne this lesson vvhich I wil teach you d Holie Dauid harkened to God inspiring him e and declared to others that vvhich he receiued from God f not only by his penne or tongue but also for better instilling it into their mindes he sounded it vpon the instrument called the Psalter vvhich had tâ—nne stringes signifying the obseruation of the tenne commandments g What especial thing is there in this life vvhy or for vvhich I or anie haue cause to feare â—he dreadful day of iudgement h Marry this we must feare iniquitie by which any supplanteth defraudeth oppresseth or anie vvay wrongeth others for that vvil inuolue the offender in the sentence of eternal damnation i Such be they that trust in their present powre riches or other wordlie thing k A mans owne brother can not helpe a sinner in that day l much lesse anie other man so the Hebrew phraise by zeugma vnderstandeth an other negatiue particle m stil suffer paine n and not dye but liue in eternal torments o Al both wise and foolish do dye temporally but the wise liuing in eternal ioy the foolish liue in eternal paine p those that beleue not anie other life after this q and those that beleuing an other life yet liue badly in this shal perish in eternal damnation r They shal neuer returne from their sepulchers Å¿ to enioy againe their houses and earthlie possessions t which vainely they labour to establish in their posteritie v A most pithie and brief consideration for man to thinke how absurdly he being endewed with reason vnderstanding free wil like vnto Angels and capable of eternal glorie setteth his vvhole studie and care vpon corporal and temporal thinges so making himselfe like vnto brute beastes vv This care of wordlie thinges is the stumbling block and cause of eternal ruine x yet they shal be obstinate and praise their owne desires stil persisting therin y Amongst other creatures a sheepe can least helpe her selfe in miserie euen so the damned in hel are altogether vnable to deliuer themselues from thence or to get any relief z in the general resurrection they shal be most of al in miserie as euer dying and neuer dead the iust vvhom they vvronged shal be their iudges al freindes shal faile them after they haue passed their glorie and pleasure in this vvorld a The confidence of the iust b He shal leaue al worldlie thinges and take nothing with him c temporally d so long as he enioyeth wordlie profites he wil seme gratful to God e but they shal not see the true light of heauen f Remember and consider ô worldlie man that God made thee an excellent creature which thou neglecting makest thyself like to a beast As v. 13. General Iudgement the 9. Key a To be songue or tuned by Asaph a maister of musike b God almightie who is greater then are al falsly supposed goddes or holie persons that patticipating of his goodnes are called goddes as Kinges Priestes Iudges coming into this world in mans nature calleth al men to saluation c The Church of Christ began in Sion d Christ that came in humilitie and more obscurely to suffer and to redeme vs vvil come iâ— maiestie and manifestly to iudge e Immediately before the general iudgement fire shal burne al transitorie thinges f Geue signes in the firmament g and in earth h VVhich know that to keepe Gods commandments in folowing vertues is aboue the oblation of external sacrifice i God instructeth his people k Sacrifices are gratful to God l but in regard that God needeth not these earthly thinges he rather requireth a gratful mind For otherwise man in dede can geue nothing to God seing al that is in the whole world is Gods owne in proprietie m Spiritual sacrifice of prayse n due payment of voluntarie vowes made in honour of God o and praying to him for helpe in tribulation are most grateful p He that wil teach others must especially flee from sinne serue God sincerly q God is honored by mans gratitude and other good workes Sacrifice of praise disposeth men to the fruit of external sacrifice The Sacrifice of the Eu harist prophecied The fourth penitential Psalme The 7. key a Pertayning not only to Dauid but also to al penitentes especially of the new testament b My sinnes being very great nede thy great mercie c Yea manie sortes of thy mercies not only remission of the crimes but also mitigation of the paines due for the same Thy merciful grace to be truly sorie to make some part of satisfaction to beware hereafter not to fal againe to geue better example of penance and of vertuous life and to perseuer to the end d O God thou hast forgeuen me and taken away my sinnes as thy prophet hath told me 2. Reg. 12. v. 13. but my soule so fouly polluted nedeth yet more washing e cleanse also the dregges that remaine and al
powre amongst the dead h Myn enimies haue endeuored not only to beleue me of temporal life wherby I should goe into limbus but also to kil my soule spiritually wherby I should descend into the lower hel of the damned i Thy iust wrath also ô God hath excedingly afflicted me k O God deliuer me whiles I am yet liuing for I may not looke for extraordinarie and miraculous helpe as to be raised againe after death l When I shal be dead buried I can not denounce thy praises as now I can to mortal men m Much lesse shal the damned praise thee in eternal perdition n As wel young o as waxing elder I haue bene stil afflicted p My miserable estate hath alienated al freindes neighboures acquantances from me The Church of Christ neuer faileth the 6. key a Otherwise called Idithun 1. Paral. 25. or rather Ethan who was very wise mentioned with others to whom Salomon is preferred for wisdom 3. Reg. 4. v. 31 and signifieth strong applied here to those that are strong in assured hope of Christs promises notwithstanding it semeth sometimes to the weake that his promises are not performed b In al generations c The heauens shal rather fal then Gods truth faâ—le Mystically in the Apostles and by their preaching the Church of Christ is built for euer d Dauids seede conserued til Christ was borne of his virgin mother and in his spiritual seede his kingdom the Church is for euer conserued Otherwise not verified of Dauids temporal kingdom which decayed in the captiuitie of Babylon and is now wholly destroyed e The Angels f The prophet aludeth to the plagues and miracles in Aegypt and in other enimies g Conuersion of Gentiles h VVhether God punish as with the left hand i or bestow benefites as with the right hand al is to his glorie and according to mercie and truth k They are spiritually happie that do thus consider of Gods meruelous procedings praise the same and reioyce therin l powre and kingdom :: Thus God promised to establish the kingdom of the Iewes in Dauid and his familie 1 Reg. 16. 2. Reg. 5. and other places which was performed aâ— in a figure but more fully in Christ Act. 13. v. 22. * I vvil not lie m Christian iust soules as the sunne n and as the perfect or full moone See the first Tome page 716. S. Augustin also expoundeth this verse in the Anagogical sense of the iust after the Resurrection in glorie where the soule shal be like the sunne and the bodie which now is mutable shal be like the moone not as now alwayes changing but as the ful moone alwayes perfect :: God hauing promised al the aforsaide the prophet in the person of the weake lamenteth that the contrarie shal happen as wel in the temporal kingdom oppressed by the Assirians Babylonians Persians Grecians and Romanes as in the Church impugned by innumerable sortes of Heretikes and other Infidels o Amongst manie pensiue thinges this one word doth comforte vs thy promise remaineth thou hast not denied to send Christ but differred him p From the use of Sacrifice and Sacraments wherby sinners were wount to be cleansed :: The Psalmist prayeth and prophecieth that God wil respect the weaknes of man maintaine his Church in mante natioÌ„s saue manie soules q As though Christivere changed and turned from vs. r So we wish and pray that al may blesse and praise thee Amen Though Christians do sinne yet Christ loseth not his Church Hard places explicated by the cleare Gods Promises to Dauid were not fulfilled in Salomon but in Christ Defectes in the lewes supplied in the Gentiles Man rightly created fel by sinne into miseries the 2. key a Some Expositors thincke Moyses was the author of this Psalme and of the tenne next folowing But others hold that Dauid vvas author of al and that Moyses his name is here put in the title by Esdras because this Psalme is like to the prayer of Moyses vvhen the people prouoked Gods vvrath by their sinnes in the desert And because mans creation fal punishmeÌ„t and Gods mercie to vvards him are here described which Moyles first vvritte as going before the vvritten lavv And that Moyses made not this Pialme is probably gethered by the 10. verse where the ordinarie age of men is described to be in streingth and vigore senentie yeares or of some fourscore and the greater part of the one or the other is in labour and sorovv And it is euident Deut. 34. that Moyses liued in al an hundred and tvventie yeares and his eye was not dimme neither vvere his reeth moued So Aaron Iosue and others commonly liued longer then is here mentioned But Dauid vvas old and impotent at seuentie yeares 3. Reg. 1. S. Hâ—larion liuing neere seuentie yeares in his heremitage S Remigius gouerning the Church of Rhemes seuentie yeares and the like are accounted to haue bene ful of dayes and such as liued longer are reputed extraord narie Agane it is more euidenly proued that Moyses vvas not author of the 94. and 95. Psalmes b Alwayes from the beginning of the world to the end c The Prophet sheweth that the world was created in and with time not eternal d And that only God is eternal e God hath often saide that he vvould not the death of sinners but rather that they be connerted and liue for euer f Though some liued long none for al that did reach to a thousand yeares yet it is nothing before God and in respect of eternitie g The youth of man quickly passeth h old age can not last long vvherof cometh our English prouerb A young man may dye sovvne an old man can not liue long i Sinne the cause of shortnes of mans life * Seculum k Mans life as brickle as a spiders vveb or mans life vvasteth continually as a spider vvasteth her self by spinning and consuming her ovvne substance l These numbers literarly shew the shortnes of the longer sorte of mens liues Mystically seuen signifie the rest after laboures of this vvorld and perteyn to the old testament eight signifie the revvard in the resurrection perteyning to the nevv testament VVhich multiplied by tenne a perfect number make seuentie and eightie VVhich ioyned together make an hundred and fiftie The number of al these Psalmes m These numbers literarly shew the shortnes of the longer sorte of mens liues Mystically seuen signifie the rest after laboures of this vvorld and perteyn to the old testament eight signifie the revvard in the resurrection perteyning to the nevv testament VVhich multiplied by tenne a perfect number make seuentie and eightie VVhich ioyned together make an hundred and fiftie The number of al these Psalmes n It is of Gods milde prouidence that mans life is short for that manie if they vvere sure or had probabilitie to liue long vvould presume to sinne more o Seing God of his iustice punished al mankind for one sinne of our first
parente his vvrath must nedes be very great to euerie sinner for his ovvne proper sinnes p The hope of glorious resurrection turneth our calamities into spiritual ioy q Yea the more we suffer in this life for the truth the greater is our comforth in hope of reward r Not only in that we are thy creatures but also in that we are thy seruants we are thy proper worke therfore in both these respectes ô God looke vpon vs with clemencie ſ lead also our posteritie into the right way and make them thy seruantes t O God illuminate our vnderstanding v make our actions by thy grace profitable to vs. vv and make perfect in vs the worke of charitie In which one worke al good workes are included and to which al other are directed For then workes are right sayth S. Angustin when they are directed to this one end Gods prouidence the 3. key a Praise of Gods prouidence with thankes b Which Dauid songue with voice c He that firmely relieth and resteth vpon Gods prouidence is assuredly protected by him d Al secret and sutle machinations e and from al crueltie of tyrants f Terrors obscurly suggested by euil men or spirites with erronions conceipte that men are not bond in time of temporal dangers to confesse the truth g Open persecution threatning present death except men denie the truth which they know h circumuention of craftie enimies by sutle arguing and drawing men into error and so to decline from Catholique Religion i long torments euen to death except Gods seruants wil relent and denie the truth which they assuredly beleue and know in their conscience that they are bond to professe it k On thy left side in aduersitie manie fal from God l on thy right side in prosperitie manie more forgete and forsake God m In sincerely sayng thou art my hope thou makest God thy refuge n Angels haue protection of men by Gods ordinance o The diuel corruptly alleageth this scripture Mat. 4 omitting the latter part of this verse which sheweth when Angels protect iust men towitte when they walke in a right path obseruing ordinarie course in their actions not in geuing themselues headlong into needles danger as the same diuel proposed to our Sauiour to cast himself downe from the pinnacle of the temple Such falling is not the way of the iust but of Lucifer that fel from heauen So S. Bernard noteth Ser. 15. in hunc Psal p God speaketh the rest that foloweth in this Psalme q In eternal saluation Foure sortes of persecution for the Catholique faith 1. 2. 3 4 God leaueth none but those that first leaue him The vvorkes of God admirable the 2. key a Voices beginning instrumentes prosecute this song b when we rest from worke then especially vve ought to thincke vpon Gods vvorkes praise and thanke him for the same c To geue thankes d In prosperitie e in aduersitie f On euerie instrument of tenne stringes signifying the obseruation of the tenne commandments g namely on the Psalter h also on the harpe which signifieth mortification i Carnal and sensual man k he that thinketh only of present thinges not of future l The iust in confidence of a good conscience expect exaltation of their powre m and great consolation in the end of their life n Then shal the iust see their enimies depressed and themselues florish like the palme and ceder trees as folovveth o Militant Church p triumphant q Publikly professe Gods praeises as in the wordes folowing Perpetuitie of the Church the 6. key a Praise to be songue vvith voice b composed by Dauid c the sixth day of the weeke vvhich is our friday d in vvhich day the Church of Christ vvas founded by his bloud shed on the crosse f gloriously escending in soule into limbus and in bodie to his graue g he then put on al armour of strength strength to reforme the world and to inlarge his kingdom according to his owne prediction where he saide If I be exalted from the earth I wil draw al thinges vnto myselfe Ioan. 12. v. 31. Our Sauiour founding his Church by his death begane then to reigne therin h Not only in Iurie and Samaria but the whole earth i and the same Church shal not be destroyed k Christ being eternal hath an euerlasting Church l Al sortes of persecuters the High priestes who sometimes vvatered the spiritual land like riuers vvith Scribes Pharises and other incredulous Ievves also Paganes Turkes and Heretikes haue oppugned the Church m With more force then anie persecutions in the old Testament n but though al these assaultes be great and meruelous yet Christ in protecting his Church is more meruelous o Articles of faith are not euidently apparent to knovvlege but euident to credibilitie to those that are disposed by Gods grace illuminating their vnderstanding and mouing their free vvil to geue consent of beleefe if they vvil p It behoueth therfore al members of the Church to conuerse piously and religiously in this life seing she hath so excellent a spouse protector and instructor q euen to the end of the vvorld Eternal saluation and damnation the 10. key a The Hebrevv letter Lamed vvhich ordinarily is prefixed to the datiue case or signifieth to being set before proper names is a signe of the genetiue case Yet the Septuagint expresse it by the datiue and so doth the latin ipsi Dauid and consequently our English hath to Dauid himselfe to shevv a difference betvven sacred and profane vvriters For in humane bookes the vvriter and auctor is al one but in diuine the Holie Ghost is the proper auctor and a man is the vvriter To signifie therfore the principal auctor Dauid is sometimes named as the instrumental cause to vvhom the Holie Ghost inspired this and other Psalmes and by vvhom they vvere vvritten And vvhen the titles expresse othervvise A Psalme of Dauid yet it is so to be vnderstood that the Holie Ghost is alvvayes the principal auctor and Dauid the instrumental ministerial or secondarie auctor But vvhen other names are expressed either in the genetiue or datiue case or hovvsoeuer it proueth not that those men vvere the vvriters of the same Psalmes but importeth some other thing as by S. Augustins iudgement vve noted in the proemial Annotations page 3. 4. vvherby is proued that this Psalme vvas not written nor composed by Moyses as Hebrevv Rabbins suppose but by the Royal Psalmist Dauid b Made and ordinarily songue in the sourth day of the vveke our vvenesday in vvhich day Iudas the traitor sold our Sauiour Christ to his enimies The reuenge of vvhich vvickednes and of al other sinnes is here prophecied c God more commonly called the God of mercie vvhich vertue in him is aboue al his vvorkes Psal 144 is also the God of reuenges according to his iustice d He procedeth in iudgement resolutly not depending nor fearing not respecting anie person povvre
for the assured certaintie therof f As wel the worshippers of grauen or painted images of Iupiter Mars Bacchus and the like as the worshippers of the same imagined false goddes shal be confounded g The Catholique Church h And al particular Churches members of the vniuersal i Praise our Lord Christ who is sanctitie it selfe and sanctifieth others The Church in al nations The 6. key a Prefiguring Christ who hath made his saluation knowen in al nations b A new benefite of grace making men new in spirite requireth a new songue of gratitude c Raised vp himselfe from death d Made his grace effectually knowen by raising men from sinne and deliuering them from the powre of the diuel e Some of the Iewes conuerted to Christianitie Rom. 11. f In voice Cantate exultate psallite g In hart h In instruments i Christ directeth and disposeth al thinges rightly in this world k And wil accordingly geue iust sentence in the end Christ our Messias the 5. key a Though manie enimies do rage and impugne Christ b though the whole earth be trubled thervvith yet Christ vvho sitteth Lord ouer the highest Angels Cherubins and Seraphins obteyneth the victorie reigneth and doth his vvil in al the earth c Requireth discretion d in fauour of thyn elect people e Hebrevv Doctors expound this of the Arke in the old testament but the Doctors of the Church vnderstand Christs humanitie in the holie Eucharist f Here it is euident and S. Augustin sayth this place taketh avvay al doubt that Moyses vvas a Priest against those that for maintaining the heresie of Laiheadshippe denie it â— 23. in Leuit. g By example of their praying and obtaining the Psalmist confirmeth his prophecie that Priestes of the new Testament shal pray and obtaine mercie of Christ for the Church h God reuenged the machinations made against them punishing the rebellion of chore Dathan and Abyron Num. 16. Christs humanitie is his footestoole adored in the Eucharist S. Ambrose S. Augustin The receiuers of the B. Sacrament do sinne if they do not adore it One Creator of al thinges The 1. key a of praise b Not only Iewes but also al Gentiles c God eueryvvhere present yet more peculiarly heareth his suppliants praying in the temple or place dedicated to his seruice d He only whom we serue as our Lord is the only God and there is no other e Peculiar dedicated place as v. 2. f As God is alwayes merciful in geuing and promising g so he is euer faithful in performing Instruction to gouerne the 7. key a These tvvo capital diuine vertues are euer ioyned in al Gods vvorkes for both vvhich experienced tovvards him selfe the Psalmist rendereth thankes and praises b I wil do myn endeuoure to knovv the immaculate vvay c vvhich I can not do but by thy grace coming vnto me For by helpe therof I did as folovveth d That is al and euerie one thus wickedly disposed I abhorred e I kept such vnder as a seruant or slaue f Prospered not gotte no benefite by me g Speedely and without delay I cutte of al disordered people h that others might not be corrupted by them The fift penitential Psalme the 7. key a Euerie petition is a prayer b and that which procedeth from more feruent affection is called a crie though it burst not out into clamoure nor perhaps into anie voice at al. For God saide to Moyses praying in mere silence but vvith vehemencie of spirite Exod. 14 VVhy criest thou to me c Though sinne prouoke Gods wrath because we by sinning turne from him and not he first from vs yet we pray God not so to leaue vs but to geue vs new grace that by humilitie and penance we may returne to him and not dye in sinne d Mans dayes and al his workes are nothing worth but vanish like smoke so long as he is in mortal sinne e yea his best workes as if he geue almose fast pray and dye for the truth yet al those auaile nothing 1. Cor. 13. but are f like dryed stickes or chippes fitte to kindle the fire g My soule separated by sinne from God withereth as grasse that is cutte from the roote h because I haue lost al sauour and appetite to spiritual meate i In this miserable state k I am as bones and flesh cleauing together without moysture or radical humour l I fled from conuersation of men for sorow and shame of my sinnes m as a crow that only flieth by night or as an owle or batte n Also as a sparow hauing lost her mate remaineth mourning and solitarie in the accustomed nest ornere vnto it o Those that were wont to praise or flatter me now are as sworne enimies against me p Bread sauoured to me no better then ashes q and drinke gaue me no comfort but stil I wept r I am most especially aflicted because thou art angrie Å¿ In that thou didst sometime aduance me in prosperitie t my fall is so much greater and more grieuous v As a shadow declineth to nothing and al becometh darknes when the sunne and other light departeth euen so I that am but a shadow decline to mere darknes when thy fauoure parteth from me w and I lose my beautie as grasse cutte from the ground withereth x But I am meruelously comforted considering that thou our Messias the Sonne of God art immutable for euer y and thy memorable promise of redeeming mankind wil haue effect in al generations z Thou rising to helpe who semedst to haue forgote wilt protect the Church and euerie faithful soule a because thou hast differred long b and because the time by thee designed semeth to approch c Men that shal heare thyn Apostles preach shal proue good and fitte matter for the building of thy Church d and the simplest poore people as it were the earth or dust e shal participate of this mercie f Besides those Iewes that shal beleue in Christ much more the Gentiles shal feare and serue him g His glorie is so euident that al kinges know it though al be not conuerted h Of holie Patriarches Priestes Prophetes and of al true penitents i That shal be made a new creature in Christ k The faithful people of the Church according to their habilitie endeuour to serue Christ l Grant me time and meanes to be mature in vertue in this life m Be changed in qualitie Heb. 1. n The Church of Christ perpetual Gratitude for Gods benefits The 7. key a Inspired to Dauid and written by him b Shew forth praises and thankes c al my cogitations affections senses and powres d The first benefite of grace is remission of sinnes e the second is curing euil habites or dispositions f The third to conserue from falling againe g the fourth to geue victorie and reward in abundant measure h The fifth to grant al lawful petitions temporal and spiritual which are good for the soule i
other reliques of Martyrs p casting them into the vilest planes they can willing if they could to throw them into hel q but the Church and al her members repose confidence in God * life r Therfore she prayeth that her children be not entrapped by guilful deceiptes Å¿ nor ouerthrowne by anie stumbling blocke cast in their way t In the end al persecuters and other wicked shal be caught in their ovvne nette of perdition v the Church is singularly protected euen to the end Dauids prayer in extreme distresse the 8. key a This Psalme in fotme of a prayer shevveth vvhat cogitations Dauid had in extreme danger b Not with exterior voice for so he should haue detected himselfe but with feruoure of spirite c VVhen by reason of extremitie I vvas not able to thinke hovv to helpe my selfe d thou ô God knovving my actions and demaneur didst deliuer me e I looked for helpe f and diligently looked about me g but none vvould seme to knovv me vvhen I required their helpe h Endeuoring to saue my self by flight I found no secure place for being in a caue or hole of a montaine the vvhole armie beseeged me al seeke to take avvay my life none to saue it i Thus leift desolate of al mans helpe and destitute of al vvorldlie shift I cried to thee ô Lord k my only hopeful refuge l neither do I desire to liue for anie vvorldlie respect but hauing chosen thee ô God for my portion and inheritance m I desire to be out of this desert place and to be in the land vvhere is right vse of religious diuine seruice n afflicted o Dauids desire of libertie was especially to this end that he might haue conuenient place and other meanes to serue and praise God p the good and vvel disposed people of Israel can not now serue thee as they desire but expect me q whom thou ô Lord vvilt aduance to the kingdom that then vve may serue thee more freely and more commodiously The prophetical sense of this Psalme The seuenth penitential Psalme the 7. key 2. Reg â—7 a God hauing so promised is bond by his truth b and his iustice to heare penitents praying for remission of sinnes c Deale not vvith me in rigour of iustice d for no mortal man is able of himselfe to be iustified abstracting from Gods mercie e sought my life f and brought it into great danger Spiritually the diuel as a roâ—ing lion stil seeking vvhom he may deuour hath tempted me vehemently g I am pressed with great calamities temporal or spiritual h In this case I consider how God hath hertofore shewed his goodnes towards me and others i Stretching forth handes a ceremonie in prayer wherby the supplicant is made more attentiue and also indureth some paine for part of satisfaction k mans mind vvithout Gods illumination is drie and barren l In great tentations Gods grace and helpe is more presently nedeful to preuent our weaknes lest vve yeld consent m If God leaue man vvithout special and continual grace he vvil fal n into sunne as into a deepe lake from vvhence vvithout helpe he can not rise vp againe o In the first assault of tentation p Seing by thy grace I haue begunne to pray vnto thee q The penitent thus humbling himselfe and praying may assuredly trust that God doth remitte his sinnes by the holie Sacraments and iustifieth him protecteth him and wil bring him out of al dangers of spiritual or temporal enemies King Dauid praiseth God for his victories the 8 key a Because this vvas Dauids first and a very notable victorie the Septuagint Interpreters make mention of Goliath in this title b God made Dauid a warier and victorer against Goliath without anie former training in armes c Made him afterwards king of a great people d Al mankind was vnvvorthie before Christ e that God should be reueled vnto them f especially that he should haue care of the progenie of men after their sinne g In dede man in himself in his ovvne nature and frailtie is but a vaine and transitorie creature passing from life to death as a shadovv that can not consist of it selfe neither can man vvithout God h By a poetical description he prayeth for Gods helpe as if God should make the heauens to bovv and so descend or make the montaines smoke as vvhen Moyses receiued the lavv or declare himself by Meteors as folovveth i Tribulations or tentations k Children of the Church l but of euil life m They speake in vanitie that promise to kepe Gods law and performe it not n In that principal instrument apt for a new songue and for extra ordinarie benefites o Both Ievves Christians that liue not vvel are as strangers that frame to themselues such a false felicite as is here described making riches or vvorldlie pleasures their God * transmigration p True happines consisteth not in vvorldlie thinges q But in preferring God before al. Gods Maiestie excelleth al thinges the 1. key a By this title Esdras signifieth that the Holie Ghost vvho indited al the Psalmes to Gods praise more specially in these seuen last suggested to Dauid and by him to al Gods seruants that al their other seruice must tend and be directed to the praise of God and that therin vve must continevv and finally rest as in the sabbath of the seuenth day signified as S. Beda supposeth by these seuen last Psalmes of praise eternally praising our Lord God For vvhich principal end both Angels and Men yea and al other creatures vvere made b King is the proper epitheton of Christ the Sonne of God to whom in his humanitie God the Father promised the Church of al nations for his kingdom Psal 2. in vvhom also the vvhole Blessed Trinitie is praised c Al the time of this vvorld they praise God d after in eternitie e Of vvonderful and miraculous thinges vvhich strike terrour into mens mindes f The effectes of Gods mercie in redeming and recallidg sinners are eminent aboue al other workes g Therfore the sanctified haue special cause to praise God h Christs kingdom the militant Church is magnifical but much more the triumphant vvhich is eternal i God is readie of his part to lift vp al. k He geueth necessarie thinges to al liuing creatures euen to brute beastes The seuen last Psalmes perteyne more specially to prayses This Psalme and other six are composed in order of the Alphabet It is probable that the Hebrevv text novv vvanteth a verse in this Psalme And therfore is not more certaâ—ne then the Greke or Latin Al are exhorred to praise God and trust in his assured prouidence they key a The Septuagint added â—he names of these tuo Prophetes for the like reason as they added Ieromie Psal 136. because Aggaeus and Zacharias prophecying in the reduction of the people from captiuitie exhorted them as here the Psalmist doth to trust in Gods prouidence and preferre
esteme that which their elders teach :: though the same doth not seme reasonable in their owne opinion Mat 5. v. 28. :: It is not lawful to reueale that which we iustly promise to conceale Leuit 19. Deu. 1 16 Prou. 24. Iacob â— :: There is lesse danger in conuersing familiarly with a wicked man then with a freindlie woman In which conuersarion much prudence is required as is before admonished chap. â— :: The excellencie of God which can not be sene with mortal eye Exo. 33. is proposed to our meditation in his workes The like in Iob. 38. 39. 40. 41. and in manie places of holie Scripture :: Of al sensles creatures yea of sensible also that haue not reason the sunne is most excellent Of which al corporal â—reatures receiue their light by whose influence al generation of creatures procedeth wherof is this Maxime in Philosophie that the sunne and man begette a man And Aristotel calleth the sunne the father of men and of goddes li. 2. de anima But the faithful know it is a creature inferior to man in respect of his reasonable soule and in them both in al other creatures acknowlege superexcellent infinite Maiestic in God VVhich also appeareth euen in the least creatures whose natural substances qualities with other accidents the more anie man considereth the more he shal admire God the onlie Creator of al. The 2. part Examples and praises of holie men with praise thankes to God :: Vertuous men are rightly called Lordes and Princes so the children of Heth sayde to Abraham My Lord theâ—â— art a prince of God among vâ— Gen. 23. :: Enoch shal preach penance in the time of Antichrist Gen 5. Gen. 6. :: Noe was perfect Gen. 9. Gen. 12. :: Abraham father of al the beleuers in Christ Gen. 22. Heb. 11. :: Isaac and Iacob were blessed in Abraham Exo. 3. Num. 12. :: Moyses saw Gods workes more clerely then other Prophets yet saw not his substances as is noted Exo. 33. :: Aarons priesthood continued so long as Moyses law that was til Christ And now the priesthood according to the order of Melchisedech continueth to the end of the world Exo. 28. Leuit. 8. Num. 16. :: The tribe of Leui had not a portion of inheritance separate from the iest but had tithes first fruites and oblations for their temporal prouision Num. 25. :: King Dauid gaue special assistance to the Priestes and greatly aduanced Gods seruice 1. Paral 23. â—â—â— :: Iosue succeded in the temporal gouernment for the spiritual perteyned to the successors of Aaron Num. 27. Iosu 10. Only Iosue and Caleb remained of those which came out of Aegypt al the rest dyed in the desert and their children entered into Chanaan Num. 14â— Iosu 14. :: Though some of the Iudges were sometimes great sinners yet they were finally iust for their good actes much renowmed 1. Reg 17 :: Samuel annointed Saul and Dauid kinges 1. Reg 7. â— Reg. 12 :: If Samuel himself had not appeared but some other spitite it could not haue bene noted in his praises See 1. Reg. 28. 1 Reg. 28 2. Reg 11 1. Reg. 17 Ibidem 1. Reg 18 :: Amongst al the renoumed actes of Dauid his pure and sincere hart most pleased God 1. Par. 25 2. Reg 12 :: For Dauids sake God gaue wisdom to Salomon and peace in his kingdom 3. Reg. 3. :: By Apostrophe the auctor turneth his speach to Salomon 3. Reg 4. 3. Reg. 10 :: Salomons sinnes were punished but Gods mercie continued in conseruing his posteritie Psal 88. 3 Reg. 11 Psal 88. v. 34. 3 Reg. 1â— 3. Reg 17 :: Elias procured fire from heauen to burne his sacrifice 3. Reg. 18 and â—wâ—e more to burne an hundred men which persecuted him 4. Reg. 1. 3. Reg. 19 4. Reg. 2. :: The miracle wrought by his dead bodie shewed that he was an holie prophet 4. Reg. 13. See the miracles of Elias and Eliseus To. 1. pag. 940. 4 Reg 13 4. Reg. 20 4. Reg. 18 :: Prayer preuailed when forces were not sufficient Sec 4. Reg. 19. 4 Reg. 19 Isa 37. 4. Reg 2â— Isa 38. Not only this booke but also other holie scriptures witnes that Elias shal returne and preach before the end of the world S. Chrysostom Aretas and other Doctors testifie the same See Annot. Gen. 5. Mal. 4. Mat. 17. In 2. Thes 2. Apoc. 11. 4. Reg. 22 2. Par 34 4. Reg. 23 :: Manie other kinges of Iuda refrained alwayes from committing idolatrie but these three destroyed al places of idolatrie in their kingdom which the others did not 4. Reg. 25 Iere. 1. Ezech. 1. Agge 2. 1. Esd 3. 3. Esd 5. Zach. 3. 2. Esd 2. Gen. 5. Gen. 39. 40. c. :: See the Annotation ch 38 v. 10. :: Ioseph prophecying that the people should depart from Aegypt willed them to carie his bones with them Gen. 50. So by carying his bones they professed that he had truly prophecied :: This Simon called Iustus and Priscus was high priest when this booke was written in the time of Ptolomie the first king of Aegypt a very holie man and dead before it was translated into Greke about the time of Ptolomie the third called Euergetes nere 300. yeares before Christ Iosephus li. 12. Antiqui * Libationâ— Three nations the Idumeans Philistijmes and Samaritanes did most persecute the Isralites the Samaritanes were not one pure nation but mixt of Assirians and Iewes and so here called no nation Num. 6. v. 23. :: They are also called a foolish people because they knowing true religion mixed idolatrie therwith according to diuers sectes as appeareth 4. Reg. 17. v. 29. :: VVhere we are not able to render recompence to benefactors especially to God we are the more bond to acknowlege his manie great benefites altogether vndeserued by vs. :: VVhen senses are most ripe and the soule most free from great sinnes is the aptest time to serue God to get al vertues and true knowlege Eccle. 12. :: In stead of riches labour to get wisdom for it is much better then al gold siluer :: Merite is in this life and reward in the next Gods special benefite of sending Prophetes to the people The function of Prophetes to exhorte to repentance with hope of Gods mercie by Christ Foure greatter Prophetes and welue lesseâ— were auctors of the prophetical bookes folowing Baruchs booke being inserted in Ieremies Prophecies are called visions for their certaintie Light of prophecie is next to the light of glorie and more clere then the light of faith Prophecies are hard to be vnderstood for diuers causes 2. Pet. 1 Suddaine transition from one thing to an other S. Ierom. iâ—c 2. 3 Nahum That which is spoken of certaine persons is ment of others S. Chrys â—o 8. iâ—â—â—ath 2. S. Aug. dâ—catech â—â—â—ibus c. 3. Prophecies are often vttered in figuratiue speaches Some consist in thinges done others are mixt with histories and temporal thinges with
but in al perfection a man :: God promised the Iewes multiplication of men :: And of catle which were a principal riches as appeareth by the word pecunia deriued of pecus Isa 54 Ioa. 6. :: The seede of Israel remaineth foreuer not in the incredulous Iewes saith S. Ierom but in those which with the Apostles by the Apostles beleue in Christ :: VVhen the citie was besie ged and Ieremie in prison prophecied that it should be taken and subdued by the enimies yet he bought landes to signifie that in time they should be deliuered from captiuitie :: Sedecias was brought to the king of Babylon in Reblatha where they put out his eyes thence caried him blind to Babylon 4. Reg. 25. and so coming to that citie he could not see it Ezech. 12. v. 13. Exo 3â— :: By the force of the sword famine pestilence as Psa 59. v. 6. that they flee from the face of the bovv :: VVhen they were in the vvildernes newly deliuered from Aegypt they committed manie hainous crimes in murmuring schisme idolatrie and other carnal spiritual sinnes Psal 35. 1. Reg. 21. :: Lest anie should thinke that by Gods iust and seuere punishment or by anie reuolting from his seruice the Church might be vtterly destroyed he stil promiseth mercie towards the reliques of his people that they shal neuer al fayle but continew til the Redemer of mankind Christ shal come And much lesse shal Christs Church euer faile after his coming :: Besides manie other reuelations this prophet had two visions in prison in confirmation that God would conserue his people and Church for euer notwithstanding their manifold great sinnes great affliction and destruction of manie for the same :: An euident prophecie and promise of Christ Iere. 23. v. 5. :: Borne of the seede of Dauid :: Dauids progenie shal continew vnto Christ whose kingdom vvhich is his Church shal haue no end Luc. 1. v. 33 Psal 88. v. 30. :: S Hypolitus and al ancient Fathers teach that the holie Eucharist is the coÌ„plement of al sacrifices of the old Testament :: Gods most special prouidence blessed the families of Dauid and Aaron aboue al other kinreds :: See ch 32. v. 4. 4. Reg. 25. v. 7. :: Recidiuation into sinnes after remission offendeth God more then the former sinnes as ouâ— Sauiour teacheth by a parable Ma. 18. Exo. 21. Deut. 15. :: God was not the cause of the Babylonians crueltie but permitted and directed the same to punish the Iewes :: Here againe it appeareth that the prophet obserueth not the order of time in vvriting his visions For the thing here recorded happened before the prophecies mentioned in the former chapters :: This Ionadab vvas a man of powre estimation very familiar vvith Iehu king of Israel 4. Reg. 10. v. 15 :: The Rechabites descended not of Israel but of Iethro a Madianite Moyses father in lavv as both Hebrevv Lâ— in Do 〈…〉 by 〈…〉 on :: In case of necessitie they entered into the city otherwise remained in tentes :: Seing these religious Rechabites obserued obediently the rule of their father founder in vvorkes of supererogation othervvise not commanded much more al are bound to kepe Gods commandments Iere. 18. v. 11. 25. v. 5. Religious Orders in the old Testament The rule of Rechabites differed from the Nazareites children of the Propheces They were figures of more perfect orders in the Church of Christ Mat. 19. v. 12. 21. Diuers kindes of Religious Orders Luc 18. v. 22. Varieties of Religious Orders make no difference in Catholique Religion But do much adorne the whole Church Psal 44. v. 11. 1â— :: Besides preaching which the euil disposed did either not duly regard or quickly forget God commanded that his wil should also be written for a perpetual admonition if they would read it or heare it redde and for a testimonie against them and a warning to others :: He was not now in prison for v. 19. certaine noble men of the court aduised both Baruch and him to hide themselues but kept himself close in some secret place as most Priestes do now in England that they may better exercise their function then if they were in the persecutors handes :: The secretarie cut out the leaues and burnt them by the kings commandment as appeareth v. 25. c. :: God did not translate them to an other place but they hyding themselues by Gods direction the searchers could not finde them :: His sonne Iechonias reigned but three monethes which is counted as no reigne Theodoret. Ch. 22. v. 19. Nor anie of his issue in wordlie glorie as their predecessors had reigned S. Tho. p. 3. q. 3â— a. 2. ad 3. 4 Reg. 24. 2 Para. 36. â— Esd 1. :: As Herod dealt afterwards with S. Iohn Baptist so this king estemed reuerenced and feared Ieremie and yet persecuted him :: It is an old deuise of persecuters to pretend false causes against the innocent so Iulian the Apostata charged Cristian Catholiques with treason and sedition Hist. tripart li. 6. c. 27. so did also the Arrians Vandals other heretikes against Catholiques as Raffinus and Victor testifie Iere 2â— â— 9. :: The Hebrew phrase life shal beliuing and liuing he shal liue signifieth that he shal liue most securely Mystically this saftie in voluntarie banishment signifieth that voluntarie temporal penance saueth from eternal damnation :: God euer moueth some to pittie the innocent afflicted til at last he geueth them acrowne of glorie for their constant patience :: Prophecies are not only certaine when a thing is absolutly affirmed but also when they are conditional as this was and the euent should haue bene accordingly if the king had folowed the prophets aduise though by not going the contrarie captiuitie and much miserie happened to the king and people 4. Reg. 25 â— Reg. 25. Iere 52. :: Possession of one gate gaue sufficient entrance to the whole armie whereupon the king and his chiefe nobles fled by a posterne gate :: He expostulated iustly reproued Sedecias for rebelling breaking his othe shewing ingratitude for so much as Nabu chodonosor had made him king reposed coÌ„fidence in him The fifth part Ieremie prophecieth the destruction of the Iewes going into Aegypt and of sundrie nations for their idolattie and crueltie :: This heathen prince seing the Iewes afflicted for their sinnes confesseth the iustice of God not sparing to punish his owne elected people 4. Reg. 25. :: Being chiefe gouernour he promiseth according to his place to defend the people to answer for them and to be their agent and procurator in whatsoeuer the Chaldees should command or require of them * This thing 4. Reg. 25. :: Such cruel tragedies are commonly atchiued by falshood treacherie pretending freindshipe intending mischief :: Not sincerely weping but hypocritically feaâ—ing to lament the destruction of the Temple Citie :: Auarice tameth crueltie when nothing els can :: It semeth
Ieremie prophecied ch 24. v. 9. I vvil geue them into reproch to be a parable and a prouerb c. :: Iewes by their sinnes prouoking God to punish them with captiuitie gaue occasion that other nations said God could not defend his people blaspheming against his powre when he exercised iustice :: Rabbi Dauid the Chaldee Paraphrasis expound this place of remission of sinne And al Christian Doctors vnderstand it of Baptisme which in dede is in water clensing sinnes Ephes 5. v. 26. â—it 3. v 5. :: An euident text that by Gods grace some men do kepe the commandments :: A duble prophecie of two great benefits the reduction of the Iewes from captiuitie and of the Gentiles from idolatrie to Christ wherein also is included the mysterie of resurrection a One cause of distrust that the people of Israel should not be restored from captiuitie was because they were like to drie bones b Secondly they had al generally lost their hope of restitution c Thirdly they semed like to trees or plantes cut of at the very root d Yet God by his powre and goodnes restored them e Before Christ ioyned the Gentils to his Church he first vnited the two kingdoms of Iuda Israel signifying that Catholiques which labour for conuersion of heretikes as now in England must first agree amongst themselues then shal their endeuoures be more effectual For so al shal sooner be made one fold vnder one shepheard :: Fulfilled by Christ the good Pastor who bringeth al nations into one folde vnder one pastor Ioan. 10. v. 16. :: Gog signifying hid or couered was the common surname of the Scithian kinges :: Mâ—gog out of the hid were the people and adherents of Gog persecuting the faithful :: Alluding to those that endeuoured to spoyle and oppresse the Iewes after their relaxation from captiuitie he prophecieth of Antichrist and al heretikes that seeke to peruert or to suppresse Catholique Christians who are deliuered rom the bondage of the diuel by Baptisme and other Sacraments of Christ :: Antichrist signified by Gog shal persecute the Church nere the end of the vvorld :: In euerie part of the vniuersal Church God wil at last destroy Antichrists powre confounding him and al his adherentes Gog and Magog the king and kingdom of Scithia Gâ—â— 10. Signifying al persecuters of the Church especially Antichrist Psal â— Isa 11. Dan. 1â— VVho shal be destroyed :: Antichrist persecuting the Church in al partes of the world shal be resisted by some in euerie place and at last vanquished :: Not vvith material fire but with zele and â—eruour Catholiques shal resist him and finally ouercome him :: Gods people vvere not made captiues by the povvre of their enimies as if God could not defend them but by his permission for punishment of their sinnes Foure expositions of this vision 1. Of the temple and citie reedified after the captiuitie 2. That Messias shal build a material temple and citie 3. That this prophetical vision was conditional ch 18 v. 23. ch 33. v. â—1 4. That it cannot al be expounded according to the historie but only mystically The fift part Restauration of the temple vvith thinges perteyning therto more especially the glorie of the Church militant triumphant :: Into the destroyed citie of Ierusalem :: Mount Sion :: called exceding heigh mystically in that it signifieth the Church of Christ for historically Sion vvas not so exceding hiegh :: In the Hebrevv text in the Chaldee Paraphrasis in the 70. Interpreters it is thus of six cubites in a cubite and a palme to signifie that these cubites vsed in measuring sacred thinges conteyned six palmes vvheras the ordinarie cubite conteineth but fiue palmes See ch 43. v. 13. :: Larger within then without to spread the light within the place to auoide the danger of hurt from abrode as the windowes of Salomons temple 3. Reg. 6. as also in casties and towres is commonly vsed In explicating this vision by reason of the obscuritie is great varietie amongst the expositors but al agree that God here reueled to the prophet that he vvil reward the good tevvitte in the old Testament temporally in the nevv spiritually first vvith grace in this life and with eternal glorie in life euerlasting :: To the gates of the vtter vval vvas ascent of seuen steppes but of the inner vval v. 32. of eight steppes to signifie that mâ—â—e perfection is required in the new Testament then was in the old for vvhich more grace is geuen and better revvard S. Greg. :: For that the pillers are not measured it semeth they were of the same height and bignes as the former vvere built by Salomon 3. Reg. 7. v. 1â— :: This description of the temple order of priesthood vvith the partition and fertilitie of the land is much more excellent then was in Salomons time the new temple reedified by Zorobabel was much meaner then Salomons and therfore this prophecie as likevvise the prophecies of Aggeus Zacharias cannot be vnderstood of the temple in Ierusalem but of the Church of Christ S. Ierom in ch 40 Ezec. S. Aug. li 18. c. 45. ciuit :: In the vval of the temple vvere interchangeably painted a Cherub signifying knovvlege a palmetree signifying victorie representing to men that they must be instructed in diuine knowlege â—o sight for victorie :: Signifying our Sauiour vvho in his humanitie suffered miseries but as a lion ouercame al enimies S. Ierom finding the Hebrevv text and the 70. interpreters and others to differ not only in vvordes but also in the sense explicating as semed to him most probable auoucheth vvithal that saying of Socrates Sciâ— quodnescio I knovv that I do not â—novv anie thing perfectly For it is a part of knovvlege saith he to â—novv that thou art ignorant :: Al the world is lightned by the preaching of Christs Apostles and their successors and the triumphant Church shal perfectly shine vvhen that vvhich is so vvne iâ— corruption â—hal â—â—â—e in incorruption â—â— c. 1. Cor. 1â— S. Ierom. S. Thomas also exponndeth this place of the â— virgin conceiuing the Sonne of God p 3. q 27. a 3. ch 9. ch 1. :: God hath left the house of the Ievves desolate â—aâ— 23. v. 38 but remaineth vvith the Church of Christ al dayes to the end of the vvorld Mat 28 v. 2â— And the perfect impolluted Church vvithout spoâ— or vvâ—â—ncle Eph 5 v. 27. is only the 〈…〉 hant Church :: The sacred cubite or cubite vsed in sacred thinges was longer then the common cubite by one palme :: The altar is called Ariel the lion of God because fire sometimes descending from God vpon the altar consumed the sacrifice as a lion consumeth his praye S. Ierom. S. Ierom expoundeth this of the hardnes of scripture which no man vnderstaÌ„ndeth fully but the sonne of God Mat. 11. v. 27. Likevvise of of our B. Ladie a perpeâ—ual virgin also