obedience and praie for God's Spirit to bee poured upon them Ver. 7. And Moses brought Aaron They did not intrude themselvs See the Note on Heb. 5.4 Ver. 8. Hee put in the brest-plate the Vrim c. Hence it may bee God appointed the brest-plate to bee made double that the Urim and Thummim might bee put within and lie hid on everie side This Urim and Thummim signified saith one that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledg Col. 2.3 and that hee hath all secret things most perfectly known and numbred out before him which hee revealeth continually to his Church and chosen as need requireth by such means as himself hath sanctified Psal 25.14 John 14.21 26. 17.14 17 26. CHAP. IX Ver. 1. On the eighth daie THe verie next daie after the Priest's consecration that no time might bee lost I made haste and delaied not c. Psalm 119.16 Then said I lo I com in the volume of the book it is written of mee c. Psalm 40.7 Live live live saith one quickly much long let no water go by no daie bee lost c. Preach preach bee instant quick at work c. Praecipitat tempus mors atra impendet agenti Ver. 2. Take thee alyoung calf In remembrance and sor the remission of Aaron's sin about the golden calf as som Hebrews are of opinion Ver. 3. Take yee a kid of the goats for a Sin-offering Quia gravis odor peccati The smell of sin is grievous it offendeth all God's senses yea his verie soul Isa 1.12 13. c. Ver. 4. For to daie the Lord will appear unto you And hee may not sinde you emptie-handed unprepared See the Notes on Fxod 19.10 Ver. 6. And the glorie of the Lord shall appear unto you so shall it one daie to us yea wee shall bee like him and appear with him in glorie and must therefore purifie our selvs as God is pure 1 John 3.2 3. Ver. 7. Make attonement for thy self See Heb. 5.3 7.27 28. with the Notes there Ver. 8. Went unto the Altar i. e. The brasen Altar for hee had not yet access to the Altar of Incens Wee must staie our corruptions before wee present our supplications wash our hearts from wickedness and then compass God's Altar Ver. 22. Lift up his hands Hee put the blessing upon them A type of Christ Luke 24.50 with Acts 3.26 Ephes 1.3 Ver. 24. They shouted and fell on their faces The consideration of God's gracious acceptation of us in Christ should make us to lift manie an humble joiful and thankful heart to God CHAP. X. Ver. 1. And Nadab and Abihu THese jollie young Priests over-joied haply of their new emploiment and over-warmed with wine as som gather out of Vers 9. over-shoot themselvs the verie daie of their service Vers 19. and are suddenly surprised by a doleful death So was that inconsiderate Priest oâ— Naples Anno Dom. 1457. of whom Wolphius report's Wolph Mcmorab Lect. Câ—â—â— 15. that when the hill Vesuvius had sent huge flames and don great spoil hee to make proof of his pietie read a Mass and would need 's go up the hill to finde out the caus of such a calamitie But for a reward of his fool-hardiness hee perished in the flames and was never heard of anie more Ver. 2. And there went out fire By fire they sinned and by fire they perished Per quod quis peccat per idem punitur ipse Nestorii lingua vermibus exesa est Evag. lib 1. So Archbishop Arundel's tongue rotted in his head The Archbishop of Tours in France made suit for the erection of a Court called Chambre Ardent wherein to condemn the Protestants to the fire Hee was afterwards stricken with a diseas called the fire of God Act. and Mon. fol. 1911. which began at his feet and so asscended upward that hee caussed one member after another to be cut off and so hee died miserably Ver. 3. This is that the Lord spake Where and when Lev. 8.35 Exod. 19.22 Or perhaps no where written but at som other time spoken by God Moses might but set down the short Notes of his discourses as the Prophets used to do I will bee sanctified Either actively or passively Aut à nobis aut in nos either in us or upon us sure it is that hee will bee no loser by us Sanctified hee will bee either in the sinceritie of men's conversation or els in the severitie of their condemnation Singular things are exspected of all that draw nigh to God in anie dutie but especially in the office of the Ministerie Those that stand in the presence of Princes must bee exact in their carriages God appointed both the weights and measures of the Sanctuarie to bee twice as large as those of the Common-wealth to shew that hee exspect's much more of those that serv him there then hee doth of others The souls of Priests must bee purer then the sun-beams saith Chrysostom D. Hakw on Psalm 101. And Aaron held his peace Hee bridled his passions and submitted to the divine Justice The like did David Psalm 39.9 which words were taken up by Du-plessis in the loss of his onely son Ver. 5. In their coats These were not burnt as neither were their bodies the fire Tostat beeing of a celestial and subtile nature might pierce their inward parts not touching their outward as the lightning kill 's by piercing not by burning Ver. 6. And Moses said unto Aaron Philo reporteth that the High-priest of the Jews to keep alwaies his soul pure never saw anie mournful object Tiberius counterfeiting grief at the funeral of Drusus had a veil laid betwixt the dead and him that hee might not see the bodie becaus hee was as the rest of the Emperors also were Pontifex Maximus or the High-priest and therefore a sacred person Mourning in Aaron might have seemed murmuring hee is therefore forbidden it and accordingly hee forbear's Manlii Loc. com p. 215. So did Luther when hee buried his daughter hee was not seen to shed a tear No more did reverend Mr. William Whatelie late Pastor of Banburie when after hee had preached his own childe 's Funeral upon this Text The will of the Lord bee don hee and his wise laid the childe in the grave with their own hands Bewail the burning It 's fit enough ordinarily that the bodie when sown in corruption bee watered by the tears of those that plant it in the earth Ver. 7. For the annointing oil of the Lord is upon you This is everie true Christian's case who should therefore carrie himself accordingly There is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a seemlie carriage belong's to everie calling You have an unction c. 1 John 2. Ver. 9. Do not drink wine nor strong drink As som are of opinion Nadab and Abihu had don Ex malis moribus honae leges which miscarriage of theirs occasioned this precept The perpetual equitie
time about cap and surpliss They could never agree till they met in prison and then misery bred unity then they could heartily bewaile their former dissentions about matters of no more moment Epist 36. ad Reg. Elizabeth Peter Martyr commends it to the care of Queen Elizabeth that Church-governours indeavour not to carry the Gospell into England upon the cart of needless ceremonies By his advice among others in King Edward the sixths dayâ—s some people contending for one image some for another the King took down all those Balâ—ams-blocks And the very self-same day and hour wherein the reformation enjoyned by Parliment was pat in execution at London by burning of idolatrous images the English put to slight their enemies Act. Mon. 〈◊〉 in Muscleborough field is Mr. Fox hath well observed We had Images and other like popâ—sh paltrement pressing in upon us again and amain not long since till God stirred up the spirit of our religious Nehemi ths to step between and stop the torrent whom therefore God I doubt not will crown with conquest over all their and his Churches enemies Vers 20. And he set Ephraim before God many times sets the yonger before the elder makes the last to be first and the first last to shew the freedom of his grace and that he seeth not as man seeth 1 Sam. 16 7. The maids were first purified and perfumed before Ahashuerosh chose one But Christ first loves and then parifies his Church Eph. 5.25 26. and loves because he loves Deut. 7.7 8. And hath mercy on whom he will have mercy Rom. 9.18 Vers 21. Behold I dye This was a speech of faith uttered without the least fear consternation or dismayment As it was no more betwixt God and Moses but goe up and dye so betwixt God and Iacob but behold I dye Death he knew to him should neither be totall but of the body only nor perpetuall of the body but for a season only See both these set forth by the Apostle Rom. 8.10 11. Vers 22. I have given thee one portion Ioseph had the double portion as Iudah the dignity from Reuben who had forfeited both by his incest And here it appeareth that the right of the first-born to a double portion was in force and in use before that law Deut. 21.17 as was also the Sabbath circumcision and the raising up seed to a deceased brother With my sword and with my bow That is with the warlike weapons of my sons Simeon and Levi whose victory he ascribeth to himself not as it was wickedly got by his sons for so he disavows and detests it Chap. 49. but as by a miracle from heaven the Canaanites were held in from revenging that slaughter and made to fear his force and valour The Chaldee Paraphrast expounds it metaphorically I took it with my sword and my bow hoc est oratione deprecatione mea saith He by my prayer and supplication Prayers indeed are bombardae instrumenta bellic a Christianorum saith Luther a Christians best Arms and Ammunition The Jesuites pretend and protest that they have no other weapons or wayes to work but preces lachrymas Whereas it is too well known that they are the greatest Incendiaries and boutefeau's of Christendome and their faction a most agile sharp sword whose blade is sheathed at pleasure in the bowels of every Common-wealth but the handle reacheth to Rome and Spain CHAP. XLIX Vers 1. Gather your selves together THis is Jacobs swan-like song his last bequeath Sic ubi fata vâ—cant uâ—is abjectus in herbis Ad vada Maeandri conciuit albus olor Ovid. Epist his farewell to the world and it is a most heavenly one The wine of Gods Spirit is usually strongest and best at last in the hearts of his people his Motions quickest when natural motions are slowest most sensible when the body begins to be senseless most lively when holy men are adying Look how the Sun shines most amiably toward the descent and Rivers the nearer they draw to the sea the sooner they are met by the tide so is it with the Saints when nigh to death when grace is changing into glory they deliver themselves usually to the standers by most sweetly So besides Jacob did Moses Joshuah Paul and He in whose one example is a globe of precepts Our Lord Jesus Christ in that last heavenly Sermon and Prayer of his Ioh. 14.15.16.17 Whereunto let me add that faithful Martyr John Diazius who was cruelly butchered by his own brother Alphonsus Diazius and that meerly for his religion See the Notes on Chap. 4. ver 8. I remember saith Senarclaeus his friend and bed-fellow who wrote the history of his death when he and I were at Newburg the very night before he was murthered he prayed before he went to bed more ardently then ordinary and for a longer time together After which he spent a good part of the night in discoursing of the great works of God and exhorting me to the practice of true piety Ego verò illius oratione sic incoudebar ut cum eum â—issâ—â— entem audirem â—piritus ancti verba me audire exâ—stimarem Ibid. Quest Answ And truly I felt my self so inflamed and quickned by his words that when I heard him discoursing methoughts I heard the Spirit of God speaking unto me This and much more Senarclaeus writes to Bucer who at that time had employed Diazâ—us to over-look the right printing of a book of his that was then in the Press That I may tell you that which shall befall you But how knew Moses this last speech of Jacob being born so long after Partly by Revelation and partly also by Tradition For the words of dying men are living Oracles and their last speeches are long remembred And the accomplishment of all these Prophecies in their due time as the following Scriptures shew adds much to the authority of Moses's writings and confirms them to be faithful and true as He saith Joh. 21.24 Vers 2. Hear ye sons of Jcaob and hearken Draw up the ears of your souls to the ears of your bodies that one sound may pierce both at once Let him â—hat hath an ear to hear hear not only with that outward gristle that grows upon his head but with his utmost intention of mind attention of body and retention of memory and of pracâ—câ— also He that hears the Word of God must hear as if he did for so he doth hear for life and death he must as Jacob bids his sons hear and hearken Vers 3. Virgil. My might and beginning of my strength Nate meae vires The word here used signifieth the straining of the body forcibly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to effect a thing much desired such as was that of S. Paul Phil. 3.13 and that of Eliah 1 King 18.42 when he prayed and prayed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jam. 5.17 as St. Iames hath it that is with utmost intention of affection
their evil courses Ezek. 23.8 20.5 7 8. Ios 24.14 It is written as a heavie curs of God Levit. 26.17 If yee still trespass against mee I will set Princes over you that shall hate you Mischeivous odious Princes odious to God malignant to the people Vers 20. And they met Moses How readie are wee to mistake the grounds of our afflictions and to cast them upon fals causes 1 King 17.18 The Sareptan told the Prophet that hee had killed her son Vers 21. The Lord look upon you Thus wee have seen dogs in a chafe bark at their best friends Vers 22. And Moses returned unto the Lord Hee turned aside as it were to speak with a friend and to disburthen himself into God's bosom This is the Saints privilege See the Note on Matâ—h 11.25 Vers 23. Neither hast thou delivered Here Moses himself was too short-spirited Hee considered not belike that God's promises do manie times bear a long date neither is it fit to set him a time or to awaken him whom our soul loveth untill hee pleas Do but wait saith the Lord. Habac. 2.3 You shall bee delivered you shall bee delivered you shall bee delivered you shall you shall So much that text in effect soundeth and assureth CHAP VI. Vers 1. Then the Lord said unto Moses PArdoning the faults of his praier God grant's him a gracious answer so hee dealt with David Psal 31.22 For I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eies Nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplication when I cried unto thee Vers 2. Scalig. de Subtiâ—t I am Jehovah 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scaliger's word that do Peress Gregorie's word that have beeing of my self give beeing to all things elf and in special to my promises to perform with my hand whâ—t I have spoken with my mouth 1 King 8.15 onely God exspect's that men put his promises in suit by their prayers as here and burthen him with them as that Martyr said Vers 3. By the name of God Almightie See the Note on Gen. 17.1 The sens is this saith Cameron Quantum illis sufficiebat tantum indulsit Camer de Eccles non indulsit quod erat summum Hee gave them enough but not the main But by my name Jehovah That is by the import of this his name the full performance of his promises God was known to the Patriarchs by this name Jehovah quoad esse Dei but not quoad esse rei Vers 4. To give them the land of Canaan And a better thing with it the Kingdom of Heaven Heb. 11.10.16 Vers 5. I have heard the groanings Hee heareth the young ravens that crie unto him but by implication onely Psal 147.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and with a hoars voice unfit to move pitie whence also they have their name in the Hebrew how much more his own covenanters Vers 6. And I will bring you out A great deliverance but nothing to that which Christ hath wrought for us from the tyrannie of sin and terror of hell Vers 7. And I will bee to you a God This is the top of anie man's happineâ—s to have God for his God What can such a man want Psalm 23.1 As hee in Plutarch said of the Egyptians that though they had no musick nor vines amongst them Plut. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet they had Gods Vers 8. And I will bring you See vers 4. Vers 9. But they hearkned not The ear which taste's words as the mouth doth meat was so filled with choller that they could relish no comfort It is ill sowing in a storm giving physick in a feaver-fit The easiest medicines or waters are troublesom to sore cies So here Quicquid recipitur recipitur ad modum recipientis Vers 11. Go in speak unto Pharaoh Whether hee will hear or whether hee will forbear Ezek. 2.5 Speak when God bid's us though it may seem to little purpose Wee have lost manie a wors labor The man of God must bee patient tolerant to all yea to those that oppose proving if at anie time God will give them repentance 2 Tim. 2.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Vers 12. Of uncircumcised lips Or of an heavie speech word bound Thick-lipped A thin lip is a sign of eloquence Job 12.20 Pitho sits in such lips Vers 13. And the Lord spake unto Moses Notwithstanding his former tergiversation and the peoples peevishness Mens wickedness cannot interrupt the cours of God's goodness Vers 14. These bee the heads This is a digression to shew the descent of Moses and Aaron Digressions in divine discourses are not alwaies and absolutely unlawful God's Spirit somtimes draws aside the doctrine to satisfie som soul which the Preacher know's not and sparingly used it quickeneth attention Vers 15. The son of a Canaanitess whom it was not lawful for him to marrie but hee was a head long and head-strong bold and fierce fellow Gen. 34.25 and 49.7 bound by Joseph Gen. 42.24 As one that had been most forward to sell him to the Midianitish Merchants Simeon also is left out in Moses his blessing Deut. 33. Vers 16. Of the sons of Levi Upon this family hee insist's and therefore hasten's to it Speak ever to the purpose Vers 20. Jochebed his father's sister See Chap. 2.1 Vers 21. Thuc. hist â—ib 124. Korah That ringleader of Rebels Num. 16.1 Vers 23. Elishaba Or Elisabeth a prince's sister Num. 2.3 Our English Elisabeth was by a French Dutchess said to bee the most glorious and most happie woman that ever swayed Scepter Vers 30. Of uncircumcised See the Note on vers 12. CHAP. VII Ver. 1. And the Lord said unto Moses IN answer to his last exception which yet hee had answered before chap. 4. ver 16. God bear 's with our infirmities A God to Pharaoh Armed with mine autoritie a Vice-God Shall bee thy Prophet i. e. Thy spokesman and interpreter Vers 2. Thou shalt speak Gods word must bee spoken however it bee taken Vers 3. And I will harden See the Note on chap. 4.21 The Dutch have a proverb Quem Deus excaecaturus est huic primum oculos claudit When God will blinde a man hee first closeth up his eies Vers 4. And Pharaoh shall not hearken This judgment God layeth upon manie of our hearers at this daie of whom after much paines taking wee may well complain as the herdsman did in the Poet. Heu mihi quà m pingui macer est mibi â—â—urus in aruo Vers 5. And the Egyptians shall know To their cost when the Lord's hand that is lifted up in threatning shal fall down in punishing Lord saith the Prophet when thy hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see c. Isai 26.11 God will unseal their heavie eies with scorching plagues and rous them with horror enough Vers 6. Did as the Lord commanded them Mallem obediâ—e quà m miracula facere faith Luther Their obedience yielded them more comfort
ordinarie office whereof is to purge the air Ver. 14. And the locusts went up As a formidable armie see a graphical description of a like plague threatned Joel 2.4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Ver. 16. I have sinned against the Lord A fair confession but forced and extorted Thus the toad if beaten on the bellie will vomit up his venom and the malefactor on the rack will utter all But as water heated if taken off the sire Aristot Meteor 1.12 will soon return to its natural coldness yea becom colder after heating then before so hypocrites heats are not kindely from the Spirit but violent from the outward fire of God's judgments therefore when that is out these are gone Ver. 17. Now therefore forgive Moses must forgive his sin God is not in all his thoughts David crie's peccavi Pharnob perii David Against Thee Thee onely have I sinned Pharaoh crie's to Moses to pardon his sin Man may forgive the trespass but God onely the transgression Ver. 18. And hee went out The wisdom from above is gencle easie to bee intreated readie to everie good work The Divels are called Shegnirim rough and rugged Ver. 19. A mightie strong West-winde Rupertus call's the windes mundi scopas the beesoms wherewith God sweep's his great hous of this world Like as his spiritual house the hearts of his people hee sweep's off all foul lusts those hellish locusts with that rushing mightie winde spoken of Act. 2.2 Ver. 20. But the Lord hardned See the Note on ver 1. Ver. 21. Stretch out thy band Here was no warning See Exod. 8.16 as good the more unexspected is the more welcom so evil the more sudden the more terrible Ver. 23. They saw not one another That they might know the worth of light by the want of it One being asked whither light was pleasant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 answered That 's a blinde man's question Little do wee prize this excellent creature Ver. 24. Called unto Moses viz. when the darkness was over though som think that even during the darkness Pharaoh such was his madness raged against God and menaced Moses Ver. 25. Thou must give us also sacrifices God gave Noah of everie clean beast seven for sacrifice likely but of everie unclean two onely Gen. 7.2 Ver. 26. Not an boof God's Law must bee kept as the apple of our cie Prov. 7.2 A dispensatorie conscience is an evil conscience Repentance make's clean work as the Flood drown'd all even Noab's friends also Ver. 28. Get thee from mee Evermore when God's messengers are abandoned destruction is at next door by I know that the Lord hath a purpose to destrole thee See 2 Chron. 36.16 Ver. 29. Thou hast spoken well q.d. When I see thee next do thy pleasure by mee This was an act of faith in him whereby hee feared not the wrath of the King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 11.27 So when Valens the Arrian Emperor threatned Basil with bonds and banishment Pueris illa terriculamenta proponat said hee Let them threaten boies with those fray-bugs The Emperor may take away my life but not my faith my head but not my crown CHAP. XI Ver. 1. One plague more upon Pharaoh WHo after the hardness of his impenitent heart treasured up to himself wrath Rom. 2.5 God strike's still upon the thick bosses of his bâ—ckler Job 15.26 When men are no whit better by afflictions and wors with admonitions God finde's it time to strike home Ver. 2. Borrow of his neighbor This was an extraordinarie command and may not bee made a president but in the same case and upon the same warrant The Law-giver onely can dispens with his own Law Ordinarily it is the wicked that borroweth and paieth not again Psal 37.21 Ver. 3. Was verie great in the Land of Egypt Great hee was both in gift and autoritie so that for his sake the Israëlites might have what they would of the Egyptians It was not here as once at Rome Calamitas nostra Magnus est Sic Mimus olim de Pompeio plaudente populo Romano tam eleganti soloecismo Ver. 4. And Moses said sâ—il before hee went out of Pharaoh's presence for afterwards hee saw his face no more chap. 10. ver 29. Ver. 5. That sitteth upon his throne As co-partner in the Kingdom Our Henrie the second crowned his eldest son Henrie while hee was yet alive But this young King through discontent fell into a fever whereof hee died before his father who cast him away first by his indulgence and after by his rigor not suffering him to bee what himself had made him That it behinde the Mil The hand-mil which they drove before them Judg. 16.21 Isa 47.2 Mat. 24.41 Ver. 6. Agreat crie Becaus in everie hous there shal bee a dead corps and so a Conclamatum est They had made Israël crie and God usually retaliate's spoil to spoil Exek 39.10 number to number Isa 65.11 12. choice to choice Isa 66.3 4. crie to crie Jam. 5.1 4. c. Ver. 7. Shall not a dog move his tongue And yet how many dead dogs do now adaies bark and snarl at the Israël of God Canina sacundia which nevertheless is not without God 2 Sam. 16.9 10. who will one daie make iniquitie to stop her mouth Job 5.16 Why should this dead dog curs said Abishal Ver. 8. In a great anger Heb. In heat of anger wherewith in the caus of God hee was blessedly blown up Meekness here had been but mopishness Ver. 9. That my wonders See the note on Rom. 9.17 Ver. 10. Did all these wonders But all was wors then spilt upon him he was even set in sin and resolved never to remove God had a hand in it CHAP. XII Ver. 1. And the Lord spake BEfore the slaughter of the first-born yea before that plague was threatned See Mr Torshel his design for harmonizing the BIBLE Ver. 2. This moneth Called Abib Exod. 13.4 with us called March or April when the daie lengthning and the Sun asseending each thing begin's to revive To shew saith one that by the true passover Christ JESUS not onely is our time and all other things sanctified but also that wee should in recent remembrance of that benefit of our Redemption all our daies and years bee thankful to our gracious Redeemer and that by his death true life and reviving unto mankinde It shall bee the first moneth viz. in respect of sacred not civil affairs as Junius here prooveth out of Josephus Antiq. lib. 1. cap. 4. The Jubiâ—â—es began in September Lev. 25.8 Exod. 23.16 9 10. The Creätion of the world began then as som will have it but Luther and others think it was in the Spring rather Ver. 3. In the tenth daie The Paschal-Lamb was taken up the tenth daie but not sacrificed till the fourteenth that they might so kill the passover as first to sanctisie themselvs and prepare their brethren Hospin de crig. â—est cap. 5. 2 Chron. 35.6
service pleasing to God so they bee made and used freely as exercises of Pietie and as helps thereunto The same may bee said of things devoted 16. Novals were the fruits of trees which for the three first years beeing accounted as uncircumcised were in the fourth year offered up to the Lord to teach us that all our food is uncircumcised unto us by reason of sin but is circumcised by Faith in Christ beeing received with Praying and Thanksgiving 17. The holie Perfume figured the grace of the Holy Ghost wherewith the services of the Saints are sanctified 17. The holie water of Attonement was a figure of that blessed fountain of Christâ—s blood ever running for the washing away of the filth of sin 19. The burning of the Sacrifices signified Christ burnt in the fire of his Father's wrath for our sins but the burning of the garbage and excrements shadowed out the crucifying of the old man Lastly those things that were not to bee burnt noted the victorie of Christ and of our faith 20. The two Trumpets of silver were used by the Priest for causses Ecclesiastical and Civil As to the former they blew to call an Assemblie and to rejoice spiritually and this they did without an alarm As to the later they sounded to go forward or to go forth to battle and this was don with an alarm By all which was signified the glorious instancie and efficacie of God's faithful Ministers in reproving of sin in preaching the glad tiding of salvation and in stirring men up to the spiritual warfare SECT VI. Of Holie Persons HOlie Persons are considered either in general or more particular That which is to bee taken notice of in the general is that God would not approve of anie work but what was don by a sacred person To teach us that good works pleas not God unless the man that doth them bee first justified More particularly Holie Persons were either those that served at the Altar or other holie Ones Those that served at the Altar were the High-priest the rest of the Priests and the Levites Those other holie Ones were the Nazarites and clean persons â—et us view them severally 1. The office of the Priest was to offer Sacrifice and to praie for the people hereby was signified the Merit and Intercession of Jesus Christ 2. The Consecration of the Priests and their freedom from all bodily blemish signified the holiness of Christ both habitual and actual 3. The holie Garments and their stately braverie signified the beautie and braverie of Christ and his Church Psalm 45. 4. The Annointing of the High-priest signified the annointing and appointing of Christ to his office of Mediator 5. The holie Abstinence of the Priests signified the actual holiness of Christ 6. The High-priest was a lively type of Jesus Christ as the Apostle excellently set's forth in his Epistle to the Hebrews The other Priests represented our dignitie in Christ and our dutie toward him 1 Pet. 2. Apoc. 1.5 6. The High-priest shadowed out both the Person and the Office of Christ His Person as hee was a man like unto other men and yet superior to them in Office and Ornaments which Ornaments did thus represent the three-fold Office of Christ The bells and pomegranates hanging at the hem of his garment signified the Prophetical Office of Christ The Plate of Gold whereupon was engraven HOLINES TO THE LORD signified his Priestlie Office The Bonnet Mytre upon the High-priest's head typified his Kinglie Office Other ornaments common to the High-priest with the rest of the Priests signified partly the gifts of Grace and partly the Christian Armor which the Apostle describeth Ephes 6. as consisting in the girdle of truth the brest-plate of righteousness c. 7. Those twelv pretious stones in the Breast-plate were a type of the old and new Church that consisting of twelv Tribes and this collected by twelv Apostles Those two pretious stones in the shoulder-piece figured likewise those two Churches as they have the two Testaments Those two pretious stones in the Breast-plate of Judgment the Vrim and Thummim were a type of Christ who is our onely Light and Perfection 8. There was but One High-priest there is but One Mediator betwixt God and man the Man Christ Jesus 9. The Priests onely did partake of the Sacrifices so Christians onely have communion with Christ 10. Aaron bore the Names of the Children of Israel before the Lord So doth Christ his Church and all the members thereof for whom hee continually appear's in heaven 11. The binding of woven work strengthened the robe that it might not rent This signified the righteousness and strength of Christ for the salvation of his people and subversion of his enemies 12. When Aaron entered into the holie Places his bells gave a sound Hereby was signified Christ's Intercession for us the Spirits making request in us and the dutie and propertie of all faithful Pastors 13. The High-priest might not marrie anie but a virgin from among his own people This figured that the Church was to bee presented unto Christ as a pure virgin 14. The High-priest was forbidden to lament or to rent his garments So Christ after his Resurrection obteined Glorie and Joie without anie mixture of grief or ignominie 15. The Priests and Levites that served at the Tabernacle figured the Ecclesiastical Hierarchie as it admit's of divers Orders and Degrees 16. The Nazarite's Vow was to separate himself unto the Lord by a special holiness Hereby was signified the puritie of Christ and withal his countrie of Nazareth by an allusion of name 17. Those that were Legally unclean either by meats or carcasses of men or leprosie were first separated and then cleansed In like sort all our sins of what size soever do separate us from God and som of them from his Church also beeing all expiated in and by Christ alone 17. The uncleanness of childe-bearing-women set forth the filth of natural corruption 19. The casting of Lepers out of the Camp was a figure of Excommunication 20. The hous and all the goods of Lepers were unclean and therefore either burned or destroied To teach us to abolish all instruments of Idolatrie 21. Lepers after they were cleansed shewed themselvs to the Priest who was to pronounce them clean This was a type of Church-Absolution 22. The Leper beeing cleansed was to offer two little Birds whereof the one was killed the other was let go free Hereby was figured the death of Christ and the power of his Godhead in his Resurrection and Asscension 23. Unclean meats were a part of the Jewish Pedagogie and signified that there is a mixture of clean and unclean persons in the Church It further figured that distinction of Jews from Gentiles which distinction is now taken away by Christ Acts 10. And hitherto Alstedius Now let us proceed and go on where wee left in explaining the Text. Ver. 18. They removed c. viz. From the hill-foot where they stood and trembled Deut. 4.11
the Covenant the Seals Ministers c. But alas are not these blessings amongst us as the Ark was amongst the Philistims rather as prisoners then as privileges rather in testimonium ruinam quà m in salutem Rather for our ruine then reformation Ver. 28. Fortie daies and fortie nights Moses Elias and Christ those three great Fathers met glorious in Mount Tahor Abstinence merit 's not but prepare's the best for good duties Hee wrote That is Weems Exer. God wrote as som will have it Ver. 29. The skin of his face shone God hereby assuring the people that hee had inwardly inlightned him for their better instruction Ver. 30. And they were afraid This was another manner of Brightness and Majestie then that which sate in the eies of Augustus and of Tamerlan whose eies so shone as that a man could hardly endure to behold them without closing of his own and manie in talking with them and often beholding of them became dumb which caussed them oft-times with a comlie modestie to abstein from looking too earnestly upon such as spake unto them Turk histâ— fol. 236. or discoursed with them Ver. 33. Hee put a veil on his face And had more glorie by his veil then by his face How far are those spirits from this Christian modestie which care onely to bee seen and wish onely to dazle others eies with admiration not caring for unknown riches This veil signified the Laws obscuritie and our infidelitie Ver. 34. But when Moses went in Hypocrites on the contrarie shew their best to men their worst to God God see 's both their veil and their face and I know not whether hee hate's more their veil of dissimulation or face of wickedness CHAP. XXXV Ver. 1. And said unto them These c. HEE often go's over the same things as the knife doth the whetstone Good things must bee repeted sicut in acuendo 'T is Moses his own metaphor Deut. 6.7 Ver. Six daies shall work bee don This dutie is so oft inculcated to shew the necessitie excellencie difficultie of well doing it Ver. Yee shall kindle no fire sc For the furtherance of the work of the Tabernacle or at least that is not of absolute necessitie It might also signifie that in the kingdom of heaven wee shall bee set free from all the fire and scorching heat of affliction Ver. 22. And brought bracelets Glad they had anie thing of price to dedicate to God and to seal up their thankfulness for this re-admittance into his love and favor See the Note on Matth. 9.10 Nazianzen put this price upon his Athenian learning wherein hee was verie famous that hee had somthing of value to part with for Christ Ver. 32. And to devise curious works This also cometh forth from the Lord of Hosts Lib. 23. who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working Isa 28.29 Plinie make's mention of som famous Painters whose rare pieces were Oppidorum opibus venditae Sold for so manie Towns-wealth A certain artificer set a watch-clock upon a ring that Charls the Fifth wore upon his finger Sphinx philos pag. 90. King Ferdinand sent to Solyman the Turk for a present a wonderful globe of silver of most rare and curious device daily expressing the hourly passing of the Time the motions of the Planets Turk Hist fol. 713. the change and full of the Moon lively exepressing the wonderful conversions of the Celestial frame To which I may well add that admirable invention of Printing a special blessing of God to mankinde CHAP. XXXVI XXXVII c. Ver. 2. And Moses called Bezaleel GOd qualified them Mâ—ses called them Ministers also must have an outward calling too See Acts 13.1 2 3. Heb. 5.4 and bee sent ere they preach Rom. 10.15 And whereas 1 Cor. 14.31 It is said Yee may all prophecie the meaning is All yee that are Prophets may But are all Prophets 1 Cor. 12.29 Ver. 7. And too much Thus in outward ordinances of service and for the making of a worldlie sanctuarie Heb. 9.1 they could do and over-do So John 6.28 They said unto him What shall wee do that wee may work the works of God Men would fain have heaven as a purchase I would swim through a sea of brimstone said one that I might com to heaven at last But what said our Saviour to those questionists John 6 This is the work of God that yee believ on him whom hee hath sent And what said Luther Walk in the Heaven of the Promiss but in the Earth of the Law that in respect of Believing this of Working Manie poor souls can think of nothing but working themselvs to life Do wee must all righteousness but rest in none but Christ's Ver. 8. And everie wise-hearted man Let no man look upon this and the following Chapter as an idle repetition nor saie as one said once Did wee not know that all Scripture was divinely inspired wee should bee readie to saâ—e Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus But know that here is see forth a Table Index or Inventorie of what Moses and the workmen did in obedience to God's command for everie particular about the Sanctuarie This Inventorie was taken by Ithamar at the commandement of Moses Et sic in archivum Ecclesiae relatum and so laid up in the charter-hous of the Church for the use of posteritie See the Notes on Exod. 26. and consider that saying of an antient Prosper Epist ad Augustin Necessarium utile est etiam quae scripta sunt scribere nè leve existimetur quod non frequenter arguitur CHAP. XL. Ver. 36. The Children of Israël went THe Jews conceiv that this Cloud that led Israël through the wilderness levelled mountains raised vallies and laid all aflat that it burnt up bushes and smoothed rocks and made all plain c. See Luke 3.5 Isa 4.5 A COMMENTARIE OR EXPOSITION UPON THE Third BOOK of Moses called LEVITICVS CHAP. I. Vers 1 And the Lord called A Continuation of the former Historie from the rearing of the Tabernacle to the numbering of the people beeing the historie of one moneth onely Ver. 2. Bring an offering Whereby they were led to Christ as the Apostle sheweth in that excellent Epistle to the Hebrews which is a just Commentarie upon this Book Ver 3. Burnt sacrifice A whole-burnt-offâ—ring Heb 10.6 purporting whole Chriâ—â— uffering for us Isa 53 12 and our sacrificing our whole selvs to him â—s a reasonable service Rom. 12.1 Ver. 4. And hee shall put his hand As acknowledging his own guilt and transferring the same upon Christ resting upon him with full assurance of faith handfasting us unto him Ver. 5. And bee shall kill the bullock The Priest shall kill it for it was death for anie man to offer his own sacrifice so it is still for anie to com to God otherwise then in and by Christ Ver. 6. And hee shall flaie the burnt-offering To shew the grievousness of our Saviour's sufferings the
say It was a merry world before there was so much preaching and teaching In terris manducant quod apud inferos digerant Aug. And ye shall eat Flesh with a vengeance which ye shall eat on earth but disgest in hell Vers 20. But even a whole moneth Deus saepè dat iratus quod negat propitius Patientia Dei quo diuturnior eò minacior Poena venit gravior quò magis sera venit Gods forbearance is no quittance fatted beasts are but fitted for the slaughter wicked men are killed with kindnesses Ease slayeth the foolish Prov. 1.32 Vers 21. Six hundred thousand foot-men In the conquest of Canaan there is no mention of horsemen The adversaries both Egyptians and Canaanites had horses and chariots not so this people of Israel See Psal 33.17 Vers 22. Or shall all the fish of the Sea Moses forgat belike the fowls of the ayr but God sent them such a drift of quailes as Moses dream't not of he fed them with meat of Kings bread of Angels Vers 23. And the Lord said unto Moses God bears with Moses here which afterwards he did not Num. 20.12 because then he shewed his distrust before the people God will not pass by the scandalous practices of his own people without a sensible check Vers 24. And set them round about the Tabernacle That the fear of the Lord might be upon them c. 2 Chron. 19.6 7. and that they might carry themselves worthy of God who had set them in place of Judicature To the company of the Areopagites Judges in Athens none were admitted but wise wealthy and noble men famous for good life and innocency Nay men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose behaviour was intolerable after they were chosen into the Colledg of the Areopagites abhorring and blushing at their former disposition changed their natures and embraced vertue Vers 25. Took of the spirit See the Note on vers 17. They prophesied Nec praedicendo nec praedicando but by uttering grave and wise sentences Apophthegmes or counsels as Moses did concerning the publike affairs of Israel by politicall and prudential speaking of things appertaining to government Vers 26. But there remained two of the men Being stayed by some lawful occasion as 1 Sam. 20.26 Jer. 36.5 or haply out of sense of their own insufficiency as 1 Sam. 10.22 Howsoever hereby it appeared to all the people that these seventy Seniours were set apart by God for the service Vers 27. And there ran a young man Three manner of persons said Mr. Latimer can make no credible information 1. Adversaries and enemies 2. Ignorant persons and without judgment 3. Whisperers and blowers in mens ears that will utter in hugger-mugger more then they dare avow openly Vers 18. My Lord Moses forbid Thus the spirit that is in us lusteth to envy Jam. 4.5 Nero omnium erat aemulus qui quoquo modo animum vulgi moverint Nero envyed every man that excelled Vers 29. That all the Lords people This is not meant of a salvificall teaching others but a political discoursing unto others See the Note on ver 25. Vers 32. And they spread them They fed without fear Jude 12. though foretold they should pay dear for these murthering morsels ver 20. that which they eat being saweed and that which they drank being spiced with the bitter wrath of God Job 20.23 Vers 34. They buried the people Who by a hasty testament bequeathed this new name to the place they lay buried in CHAP. XII Vers 1. ANd Miriam and Aaron spake She is set first because chief in the transgression Her discontent might arise from this that being a Prophetess she was not one of those seventy that were chosen to be helps in government Chap. 11. According to her name Miriam would be exalted Ambition rides without reins Because of the Ethiopian woman Zipporah the Midianitesse see Habac. 3.7 to whom he had been married many years before but they were resolved to pick a hole in Moses's coat An ungodly man diggeth up evil Prov. 16.27 but for Moses to be thus used by his own brother and sister was some triall of his patience To be derided by Egyptians is threatned as a misery Hos 7.16 but to be reproached by professors is very grievous Zedekiah feared more to be mocked by the Jews then by the Chaldees Jer. 38.19 For he had married an Ethiopian That was an old fault if any and should have been buried in oblivion Luther married a wife unseasonably when all Germany was now embroyled and embrewed in the blood of the Bores and when all Saxony was in heaviness for the death of their good Prince Elector Frederick This his best friends disliked and bewailed Mel. Epist ad Camerar As for Melancthon Quoniam vero inquit ipsum Lutherum quâ—dammodò tristiorem esse cerno perturbatum ob vitae mutationem omni studio benevolentia consolari eum conor Because I see him somewhat cast down saith He at the late change of his condition I strive all I can to comfort him Vers 2. Hath the Lord spoken only by Moses Every man would be something at home and many care not to raise themselves upon other mens ruines Self-love teacheth such to turn the glass to see themselves bigger others lesser then they are That man hath true light that can be content to be a candle before the Sun of others And the Lord heard it Without any delation of Moses But while Moses is dumb God speaks while he is deaf God hears and stirres The more silent the patient is the more shrill his wrong will be Vers 3. Now the man Moses was very meek So free from passions if Josephus may be believed that he knew no such thing in his own soul he only knew the names of such things and saw them in others rather then in himself Of Beza it is said quòd sine felle vixerit that he was without gall or guile and he lived to a great age as Moses did and as Mr. Dod did their meekness preserved them Above all the men And yet Moses could be angry enough when there was cause Exod. 11.8 16.20 Levit. 1â— 16 Numb 16.15 c. Yea how blessedly blown up was he with a zeal for God Exod. 32.19 and what a stomack shews he in that case Nazianzen saith of Athanasius that he was Magnes Adamas a Load-stone in his sweet gentle drawing nature and yet an Adamant in his resolute stout carriage against those that were evil Vers 4. And the Lord spake suddenly God takes his part ever that fights not for himself Christ that said I seek not mine own glory adds But there is one that seeks is and judgeth Here he appears as a swift witness Mal. 3.5 c. a sharp revenger of his servants injuries The rule is Injuria illata legato redundat in legantem Wrong done to a messenger reflects on him that sent him Vers 7. My servant Moses is not so God had never so