〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 enchanters R. Levi taketh them to be those which by naturall meanes seeme to doe strange things while their craft is not perceived as here they seeme to make serpents of rods R. Saadias would derive it of chor and atam which signifieth an hole and secret because they did hide in secret holes and places as in graves those whom they consulted with and which gave answer unto them but this seemeth to be curious The fourth word is lahate of lahat which signifieth fire or the blade of a sword as Gen. 3.24 because Magicians use not onely words to enchant with but other instruments Aben Ezra But their enchantments are rather so called because they deceive men making them to take one thing for another as the fight is easily deceived in shaking of a bright sword Borrh. QUEST VIII Of the divers kindes of magick BEsides these here named there were other kindes of Magick as Plinie rehearseth divers as how they divined by water by the aire by the starres by basons shadowes talke with the dead lib. 30. c. 11.2 Augustine out of Proclus and Porphyrius sheweth that they made two kindes of Magick the one was thourgia which by certaine sacrifices and a fained purity of the body and by other rites did invocate as they thought the good spirits the other was called goetia because they used mourning in invocating of spirits and Necromantia because they consulted with the dead 3. Suidas maketh three sorts Mâ—gia art Magicke which was by invocating of the spirits for the effecting of some good worke as they were made to beleeve Goetia which by mourning called upon the spirits of the dead Pharmacia when they used or applied any venomous or poysoned thing Ex Perer. 4. But to know the divers devilish devices which Magicians used we can have no better direction than from the Scripture it selfe Deut. 18.10 Where beside these two kindes before rehearsed of jidgeni the wisard and casheph the Jugler or deceiver there are six more magicall practices set downe The first is Kasam the diviner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septuagint such as tooke upon them to tell of things which were lost and to declare hid matters and things to come such as divined by visions as Micah 3.6 The next is meghonen an observer of times Planetarius a Planetary such as by the aspect of the starres moving of the cloudes and by such like tooke upon them to prognosticate not of naturall things but of civill and humane affaires so is the word used Isai. 2.6 They are Southsayers as the Philistims and what the Philistims were we may read 1. Sam. 6. who by the going of the cart and by the way it tooke did take upon them to finde out the author of the plagues that were sent upon them the Septuagint reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as observe words and use spels The third is nachash an Augur or Conjecturer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such as by the flying of birds or such like doe make conjectures as they that count the crossing of a hare the way ominous and such like The fourth is casheph the plurall whereof is cashphim deceivers touched before The fift is chober chaber the Inchanter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septuagint that useth inchantment as it is expounded by another word Psal. 58.6 lachash which signifieth to mutter or whisper such as take upon them to charme Serpents and adjure Devils and to doe great cures by hanging inchanted things about the necke or such like the word chabar signifieth to joyne because such have a league and conjunction with evill spirits The sixt is shoel obh that asketh of familiars 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ventriloquus Septuagint that give answers as though a spirit or familiar spake within them for obh signifieth a bottle or the belly swelling and puffed up and ready to brast as Iob. 22.20 The seventh is jâ—dgoni the Wisard spoken of before The eight is doresh el hamethim 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that inquireth of the dead such as make men beleeve they can raise up the dead to consult with them whereas it is the Devill in their likenesse as the witch of Endor brought up the Devill in likenesse of Samuel 1. Sam. 28. QUEST IX Of the first author and inventor of art Magick Vers. 11. THese Charmers of Egypt Though Egypt was much given to this devilish invention of Magicke yet neither were they the first founders nor the onely professors of it 1. Most Writers doe make Zoroastres of Persia the author of it as Plinie and Diogenes Laertius Iustinus Plinie writeth of him that hee only of all men that ever were laughed the same day hee was borne and his braine so moved up and downe that it would remove or put off the hand laid upon it which they say was a signe of his great and mysticall knowledge the author of the Scholasticall history saith that this Zoroastres was Ninus who wrote this art Magicke and the seven liberall Arts in fourteene pillars seven of brasse and seven of bricke to preserve them from the destruction of the world one by water the other by fire 2. Concerning the antiquity of Zoroastres hee was neither so ancient as some write that hee was 600. yeeres elder than Plato or five thousand yeeres before the battell of Troy as Hermippus as Laertius citeth him nor yet was he so late as Xantus Lydius maketh him to be but six hundred yeeres before Xerxes expedition into Greece For Zoroastres was in the time of Ninus when Abraham lived from whose birth to the first Olympiad are counted 1268. yeeres and the battell of Troy was 407. yeeres before the beginning of the Olympiades But Xerxes passage into Greece followeth in the 75. Olympiade and Plato his death in the 108 Olympiade by this it is evident that Zoroastres was neither so many yeeres before the first nor so few as the rest imagine 3. But Cassianus deriveth the first invention of Magicke from before the floud for whereas Adam having the knowledge of the celestiall bodies and elements taught the same unto Seth which kinde of knowledge continued uncorrupt in the righteous seed till they joyned in marriage with the posterity of Cain then they abused and prophaned the same to the finding out of superstitious and Magicall devices which wicked inventions they say were preserved by Cain and by him graven in certaine plates of mettall sic Cassianus collat 8. cap. 21. So these devilish practises continued along and were dispersed in the world they were rice in Canaan in Moses time as may appeare by the Lawes made against such in divers places but especially Deut. 18.10 And afterward about the time of the Trojane warre these Magicall studies were much followed as Homers fable of Circes sheweth Orpheus among the Thessalians and Osthanes that accompanied Xerxes in his warre against Greece were famous in this kind Pythagoras and after him Empedocles Democritus Plato seemed to make great account of
the naturall burning of certaine mountaines as of Aetna in Cicilia Vesuvius in Campania It is found by experience that certaine things putrifie not as the flesh of a Peacoke as Augustine saith and coales upon the which for the same cause Chersiphron founded the temple of Diana lime boyleth with water and is quenched with oile the adamant is so hard that it cannot bee broken upon a smithes anvill the Agrigentine salt melteth in the fire and sparkleth in the water there is said to bee a fountaine among the Garamants that boileth in the night and freezeth in the day the stone Asbestus burneth continually being once set on fire and is never extinct the wood of a certaine figge tree in Egypt sinketh in the water in the Isle Tilo the trees cast no leaves in the Temple of Venus there was a lampe that no tempest could put out and Lodovicus Vives there reporteth that a certaine lampe was found in a grave that had burned above 1050. yeeres At Alexandria in the Temple of Serapis a certaine image of iron did hang in the top by reason of a certaine loadstone which was inclosed in the roofe These and other such like strange things in nature Augustine remembreth Some wee have knowledge of but many secrets of nature are hid from us but knowne unto the spirits who by this meanes doe worke wonders only producing extraordinarie effects of nature 4. Augustine further in another place sheweth the reason thereof in this manner Sunt occulta quaedam semina arborum plantarum c. in elementis c. There are certaine hid seeds of trees plants in the elements for as there are visible seeds so there are hid seeds which give unto the other their vertue like as then the husbandman doth not create corne but bringeth it out by his labour so the evill Angels doe not create things but only doe draw forth those seeds which are unknowne to us but well knowne to them As Iacob did not create that variety of colour in the sheep but by applying of particoloured rods brought it forth sicut ergo matres gravidae sunt foetibus itâ— mundus gravidus est causis seminibus nascentium Then as mothers that are great with child so the world is full of such seeds and causes of the beginning of things which causes they better knowing then we doe worke wonders yea wee see that men by the pounding of certaine herbes and by such like meanes can cause wormes and other like small creatures to come forth To this purpose Augustine QUEST XVI What workes in naturall things are forbidden unto spirits to doe IT followeth now to shew as wee have seene what things are possible to bee done by spirits so what things are out of their reach and beyond their power 1. Touching the immediate action of spirits which is by locall motion the Devill cannot destroy the world or any principall part thereof nor subvert the order and course of nature he cannot change the course of the heavens or put the starres out of their place neither although he may work some alteration in some part of the earth the whole he cannot remove these and such great workes he cannot doe Perer. ex Aquinat the reason is this because this were to crosse the Creator who by his providence as by his power hee created the world and all that is therein so he preserveth the same in that order which he hath appointed as the Psalmist saith The earth is the Lords and all that therein is hee hath founded it upon the sea and established it upon the flouds Psalm 24.1 2. Secondly concerning the other mediate action of spirits by the instrument and mediation of the creatures these things are denied unto spirits 1. They cannot create any thing of nothing for that argueth an infinite power and is peculiar unto God 2. The Devill being himselfe spirituall and without a bodily substance cannot immediatly change or transforme any materiall or corporall substance without some other naturall cause comming betweene 3. Neither can these spirits change any naturall thing into an other naturall thing immediatly without that subordination of nature and preparation and disposition of the matter which is observed in the generation of things therefore hee cannot bring forth a beast without seed nor a perfect beast all at once because naturally both the generation of such things is by seed and they receive their increase and growth not all at once but by degrees and in time therefore when by the operation of Satan lions and beares and such like creatures have beene made to appeare either they were but phantasies and no such things indeed or were transported from some other place and by this reason he cannot restore dead bodies to life because the body being void of naturall heat and spirits is not fit to entertaine the soule 4. Neither can Satan hinder the operation of naturall things if nothing be wanting which is necessâ—ry for their working And generally whatsoever alteration may be made by naturall causes as wormes and frogs and such like may come of pâ—â—refaction these things may be atchieved and compassed by spirits but such changes and transmutations as cannot be done by naturall meanes as to turne a man into a beast are not within the limits of Devils power But when such things seeme to be done they are in shew rather than truth which may be done two wayes either by so binding and blinding the inward phantasie and sense as that may seeme to be which is not or by fashioning some such shape and forme outwardly and objecting it to the sense Perer. Ex Aquinat QUEST XVII Whether Satan can raise the spirits and soules of the dead AMong other things which exceed the power of spirits it is affirmed before that they cannot raise the soules of men departed as Necromancers doe take upon them to talke with the dead 1. Let us see the vaine opinion of the heathen of this devilish Necromancy Porphyrius writeth that the soules of wicked men are turned into Devils and doe appeare in divers shapes and the soules of them that want buriall doe wander about their bodies and sometimes are compelled to resume their bodies Likewise Hosthanes did professe and promise to raise what dead soever and to bring them to talke with the living as Plinie writeth lib. 30. cap. 2. who in the same place reporteth a farre more strange or rather fabulous thing that Appion the Grammarian should tell of a certaine herb called Cynocephalia and of the Egyptians Osirites which hath power to raise the dead and that thereby he called Homers ghost to inquire of him touching his countrie and parents There were among the Gentiles certaine places famous for Necromancie where they received oracles from the dead as they were made to beleeve such was the Cymmerian oracle at the lake Avernam in Campania such was Ericthone the Thessalian that raised up the dead to declare to Sextus Pompeius the successe
of plants in growing and increasing of beasts in sense and moving of God and Angels in understanding 2. As God can doe all things by his power so man by wit reason and are doth compasse many difficult things 3. As God is the principall end of all things so man is the secondary end for whose use all things were created and he for the glory of God I will also set downe more at large the divers conceits of Augustine of this creating of man according to Gods image 1. He thinketh this image and similitude chiefly to consist in the soule and secondarily in the bodie because it was made to bee obedient to the soule and of an upright forme to behold the heavens lib. 83. quest 51. 2 Hee placeth Gods image in man in this that as all things are of God so all men had their beginning from Adam qu. 45. ex vet test 3. Hee thinketh this image to consist in mans dominion over the creatures de Genes cont Manich. c. 22. 4. The soule is like unto God because it is whole in the whole body and in every part thereof it neither increaseth nor decreaseth with the body 5. The soule expresseth the image of the Trinity in the understanding will memory which are three faculties yet make but one soule 6. The soule liveth by it selfe and doth also quicken the body as God quickneth all things 7. The soule beareth the image of God in reason the similitude of likenesse of God in charity lib. de spirit anim c. 39. Thus Augustine varieth placing this image sometime in one thing sometime in another But to put all out of doubt the Apostle sheweth how we are to understand the image of God in man Eph. 4.24 Which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Coloss. 4.10 Put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him This image then consisteth not so much in the substance of the soule or in the naturall faculties thereof as of understanding free will memory but in the knowledge and illumination holinesse and justice of the soule which are now wrought in man by grace and then were given by creation Our reasons are these 1. If this similitude and image were in the spirituall essence and substance of the soule both wicked spirits and wicked men should have the image of God for the substance of spirit and soule remaineth in them 2. Ambrose thus reasoâ—eth Deus non damnat imaginem suam c. God doth not damne his owne image or send it into hell fire c. but the soules of the wicked are damned ergo the image is not in the substance of the soule imago illa c. that image wherein thou wast made after the likenesse of God is not condemned but crowned Serm. 10. in Ps. 119. but the righteousnesse and holinesse of the soule only is crowned 3 That image after which men are naturally begotten is not the image of God for it were absurd if not impious to say that Gods image may naturally be propagated but men by nature receive the image of â—he â—â—asonable soule as Adam begat Seth in his owne likenesse after his image Gen. 5.3 that is like unto him both in soule and bodie wherefore the image of God consisteth not in the substance of the reasonable soule 4 That image of God after the which Adam was created is by his fall utterly lost and extinguished for otherwise this image need not to bee renewed and revived in us as it is by Christ as the Apostle sheweth Ephes 4.24 Coloss. 3.10 the fore-cited places but the substance of the reasonable soule with the naturall faculties and powers thereof are not lost therefore therein is not expressed this image To this purpose Augustine that the whole man both in his inward and outward part inveteravit is waxen old and decayed by sinne the inward man is renewed now by grace the outward man shall bee restored in the resurrection lib. 24. contr Faustum Epiphanius therefore had no reason to note this as an heresie in Origen for saying that Adam had lost by his transgression the image of his creation epist. ad Ioann Hierosol He might as well charge the Apostle with heresie who saith the newe man is renewed after the image of him that created him but there need no renewing where is not first a decaying nor a restoring of that which is not lost QVEST. XXIX Why it is added God created them male and female Vers. 27. THâ—â— God created man in his image c. 1. To take away all ambiguitie lest man might be thought to have beene created according to his owne image it is added in the image of God created he him 2. Thrice in the same verse Moses maketh mention of the creation of man left any might imagine with the Philosophers that man had no beginning but was eternall 3. Mention also is made of male and female that both man and woman should be knowne to be made according to Gods image though man first and as the more principall Iun. 4. And Moses saith he created them male and female not created him contrary to the conceit of Plato and some Hebrewes which thinke that Adam was at the first created both a man and woman and afterward divided in twaine Mercer QVEST. XXX Of mans rule and dominion over the creatures Vers. 28. RVle over the fish of the sea the foule of heaven and over every beast Theodoret thinketh that the great Whales were exempted from the dominion of man q. 20. in Gen. but his conceit is contrary to the text which giveth man rule overall the fish and Basil reporteth that he had seene great whirlpooles of the sea taken and subdued by the will and industrie of man hom 10. in Genes This rule and dominion of man was absolute before his fall for then both man should have beene of more excellent government by reason of his excellent wisdome to keepe the creatures in subjection and the beasts also by Gods providence should have had a naturall inclination to obedience a president whereof we have Gen. 2. when all the creatures presented themselves before Adam to receive their names of him Since Adams fall this preeminence and dominion of man over the beasts is greatly diminished and impaired that as he first disobeied his Creator so they also have cast off mans yoake yet not withstanding though now men have not so absolute a command over the creatures his Lordship and authority remaineth still which he exerciseth over the creatures by these foure wayes and meanes First there remaineth yet a naturall instinct of obedience in those creatures which are for mans use as in the oxe asse horse wherein Gods mercy appeareth that though man by his sinne be deprived of his authority over the wilde and great beasts as lyons beares yet the more necessary and serviceable creatures are kept in subjection still such a naturall
vanish howsoever some in their heat and intemperance are not afraid to call them Sabbatorum errores yea hereticall assertions a new Jubile Saint Sabbath more than either Jewish or Popish institution God grant it bee not laid to their charge that so speake or write and God give them a better mind 2. Doct. The soule is not part of Gods substance SEcondly where it is said God breathed into the face of Adam the breath of life we are not thereby to gather that the soule of man is part of the divine substance to the which opinion Lactantius seemeth to have inclined lib. 2. divinar institution for as the breath is no part of his substance that doth breath so neither is the soule of Gods essence that gave it for then the soule of man if it were of the divine nature it should be immutable and without beginning from all eternity as God is 3. Doct. There is but one soule in a man THirdly from hence it may be concluded that there is but one soule in man and that all the other faculties of sense and powers of nature are but handmaids to the soule waiting upon it and departing with it therefore God is said to have breathed into man the spirit of lâ—â—e that is the reasonable soule because the body no longer doth breath or live than the soule is present We doe therefore refuse Origens conceit upon these words Mat. 24.51 The Lord will divide or cut him off that is the spirit of the wicked shall returne to God and their soule shall goe to hell hee maketh A difference betweene the spirit and soule contrary to the Apostle who saying be ye renewed in the spirit of your soules and minds Eph. 4.24 sheweth 〈◊〉 the spirit belongeth to the mind or soule as the purer part thereof 4. Doct. Paradise was a place not altogether unknowne FOurthly whereas Paradise is described by the countrey of Eden where it was situate and by the knowne rivers of Tigris and Euphrates we inferre that Paradise then was not a place secret and unknowne as Bellarmine supposeth lib. de grat prim hom c. 12. for if it had beene unknowne in those dayes the Lord needed not to set the Cherubims to keepe it with A sword shaken And if it be objected that Paradise was never found out by any the answer is easily made 1. because it was kept by the Angels with great terrour that none durst approach 2. The Infidels and incredulous persons regarded it not 3. The faithfull looked for a much better Paradise in heaven and therefore sought not after it And herein we have the judgement of Pererius against Bellarmine one Jesuit against another lib. 3. in genes qu. 5. de paradis 5. Doct. The terrestriall Paradise is not now extant FIfthly whereas Bellarmine affirmeth that the terrestriall Paradise is yet remaining and that Henoch and Elias are there kept it appeareth by the description of Paradise to bee a meere fable 1. Paradise was planted where the knowne rivers Tigris and Euphrates ran together which is either in Armenia or Mesopotamia or some of those knowne countries then if Paradise were now extant in the world it is like that in all this time it should have beene found out by the inhabitants of those places 2. The floud over-flowed the highest hils 15. cubits Gen. 7.20 then Paradise also was covered with the water where if Henoch then was he must have also perished in the waters being out of Noahs Arke 3. The scripture maketh mention now of no other Paradise but heaven 2 Cor. 12 13. S. Paul calleth it the third heaven Paradise 4. Pererius sheweth Ruperius and Gregory to have beene of this mind that Henoch was not translated to the terrestriall Paradise to the which he subscribeth against Bellarmine 6. Doct. Marriage is not to be prohibited to any SIxthly whereas the Lord saith vers 18. It is not good for man to bee alone wee enforce this text against the popish forced virginity for whereas God saw it was not good neither for Adam then present not for his posterity which should have more need of the remedy to bee alone they contrariwise constraine their Priests and votaries to live alone depriving them of that mutuall helpe and society which God hath appointed for their comfort and to be a remedy against sinne and that this place is understood not of the marriage of Adam only but of all the faithfull Bellarmine confesseth lib. de Matrim cap. 2. 7. Doct. Polygamie condemned SEventhly vers 24. They shall be one flesh and as this place is alleaged Matthew 19. 5. They two shall bee one flesh This place sheweth the corruption of polygamie which is the having of many wives for if God had seene it good for one man to be joyned to two or divers women he would have made at the first to one man more helpes than one 5. Places of confutation 1. Confut. Experimentall knowledge of evill not to be desired 1. THe Maniches objected why did God forbid man to eate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evill would he have him like unto bruit beasts that cannot distinguish betweene good and evill Augustine answereth this experimentall knowledge of evill which Adam got by transgression was not the wisdome of an happie but the experience of a miserable man for Christ knew no sinne by his experience though he knew it by his saplence or wisdome 2. Confut. Why God gave a commandement that man would not keepe 2. WHy did God give a commandement that man should not keepe and why did he not make him so that man should not have fallen Ans. 1. God gave man this precept that hee might shewe his obedience and though he foresawe he would sinne yet he also provided a remedie and redeemer for his sinne 2. Though hee be in a better state that cannot sinne at all yet his state is good and not to be complained of that if he will cannot sinne lib. cont adversar leg c. 14. 3. Confut. against Celsus 3. CElsus derideth this storie of the making of the woman and counteth it a fable Origen answereth if you will not beleeve Moses why doe you credit Hesiod your Poet who hath the like narration how Vulcan made a woman out of clay whom all the gods adored Venus gave her beautie Pallace comelinesse of bodie Mercurius wit whereupon she was called Pandora which opening the lidde or cover of the tunne divided care and griefe unto men that lived without before Origen lib. 4. cont Câ—lsum 4 Confut. Paradise planted in a knowne place 4. THe Papists object thus Bellarmine would proove that Paradise was an unknowne place because it is said the river that went out of Eden did divide it selfe into 4. heads But there is no such river in Mesapotamia Bellar. lib. 1. de grat prim homin c. 12. For further answer to this objection I referre the reader to q. 13. before these 4. streames might be known in former
was the fittest instrument that would soone winde himselfe in and out and creepe away that he should not be seene of Adam 3. In that Moses maketh no mention of the Devill but of the serpent only it was both in regard of the weaknesse and rudenesse of the people who could not well conceive any other but the visible creatures and for that Moses writing a story reporteth things as they appeared as the story of Samuels apparition to Saul calleth it Samuel whereas it was Satan in Samuels shape because it so appeared 4. The Hebrewes here are not to be approved that say the serpent coveted to have company with the woman for that is against the nature of beasts QVEST. IX Of the manner how the woman was tempted of Satan COncerning the tentation of Satan and seduction of the woman 1. he beginneth subtilly hath God indeed said yee shall not eat of every tree whereas God onely forbad them one tree as though God had dealt hardly with them in abridging them of their liberty 2. The woman reporteth not the words of the prohibition truly some thinke that shee added of her owne yee shall not touch it as Ambrose some that she changed the words as Rupertus for the tree of knowledge of good and evill saying the tree in the midst of the garden but certaine it is that she taketh somewhat from Gods words pronouncing doubtfully lest ye die which God had denounced most certainly ye shall dye the death that is surely dye 3. Satan in his reply v. 4 5. heapeth up many lies together 1. that they shall not dye 2. that God did envy their happinesse 3. that knowledge might be had in eating of fruit 4. that they should thereby bee made like unto God Beside Rupertus conceit is here excellent that the Devill in every one of these points speaketh doubtfully as he gave the Oracles of Apollo that every word which he spake might have a double meaning ye shall not die that is not presently the death of the body though presently made subject to morrality your eyes shall bee opened so they were to their confusion knowing good and evill not by a more excellent knowledge but by miserable experience after their transgression ye shall bee as gods either as Angels or like unto us sinfull and wicked spirits 4. The woman seeth the tree to be good for meat there is her voluptuous desire pleasant to the eyes there is her curiosity and to be desired for knowledge there is the vanity of her minde Thus as the Apostle saith whatsoever is in the world is the concupiscence of the flesh the concupiscence of the eye the pride of life 1 Ioh. 2. QVEST. X. Adam tempted and deceived as well as the woman though not in the same degree THe order then and manner of the tentation was this 1. It is evident that neither Adam nor Eva had committed any sin before this congresse with Satan for the Scripture saith that til then they were both naked and were not ashamed Gen. 2.25 So that herein both Rupertus and Ferus are deceived 2. Satan first assaileth the woman both being as the weaker more easie to be seduced as a fit instrument also to entice Adam 3. Adam did not only incline unto her amicabili quadam benevolentia of a loving mind and thereby enticed as Sampson was by Dalilah and Salomon by his wives but it is like he was seduced by the same flattering and false perswasions whereby the woman was first beguiled being carried away with an ambitious desire in knowledge not to be equalized but made like unto God this may appeare out of the 22. verse Behold man is become like unto us to know good and evill where the Lord reproveth also mans affected and curious desire to attaine to a greater perfection Neither doth that place of the Apostle contradict this opinion Adam was not deceived but the woman was deceived and was in the transgression 1 Tim. 2.14 for whether we expound it with Epiphanius and Calvin that the Apostles meaning is the woman was first deceived not the man or with Mercerus that the man was not deceived but entised by the womā or with Hierome that Adam was not deceived by the serpent but by the woman or that Eva did not wittingly deceive Adam as the serpent beguiled Eva whereof the two first expositions being one in effect are most agreeable to the Apostles minde by this text Adam is not wholly exempted from being deceived but only in that manner as Eva was perverted and seduced QVEST. XI Whether Adams sinne was the greatest of all sinnes NOw as touching the greatnesse of Adams sin simply it was not the greatest sin of all committed in the world neither in respect of the kind of the sinne as adultery is greater than fornication for so we hold blasphemy and Idolatry to be greater sins than Adams was neither in respect of the affection of the offender for many are with a more ungodly violent and sinfull desire given over then Adam in this tentation neither was it the greatest in respect of the quality of the sin for it was pardonable in Adam whereas sinne against the holy Ghost is impardonable But yet it may truly bee said to bee the greatest 1. in regard of the fruits and sequele of that sin the contagion and infection of all mankind 2. in respect of Adams person who in his excellent gifts considered might have more easily resisted 3. in regard of the facility of the commandement which required no hard or difficult thing 4. the place also it selfe being considereth namely in Paradise where there was no provocation or allurement unto sinne QVEST. XII Whether Adams or Eves sinne were the greater NOw if Adams sinne be compared with the womans in some things it will be found equall in some things superiour in some inferiour to it 1. Both Adam and Eva sinned in their infidelity in not beleeving the word of God but giving credit to Satans faire promises that they should not dye 2. in their concupiscence in coveting the forbidden fruit 3. in their ambition in desiring a further state of perfection Secondly in respect of Adams person who was appointed to be the womans head and of his gifts of knowledge and wisdome the man was more faulty than the woman Thirdly yet simply the womans sinne was greater because beside other sinnes common unto them this was proper unto her in seducing her husband so that as Augustine well noteth de Genes 11.42 the man sinned onely against God and himselfe the woman against God her selfe and her neighbour beside the woman was first deceived and became the author and beginner of transgression Therefore the opinion of them is not here to bee allowed who doe either aggravate Adams sinne or extenuate the womans of the first sort is the author of the questions upon the old Testament under Augustines name who ascribeth idolatry to Adam quest 83. whereas hee desired not to
But it seemeth that this great defection was about the seventh age for then Lamech of Cains race tooke unto him two wives then the Lord tooke away righteous Henoch that he should bee no longer grieved with the wickednesse of the world Then the world being replenished with great multitudes which are ring-leaders for the most part unto evill as it is written thou shalt not follow a multitude to doe evill began to give themselves to all kinde of wickednesse adultery oppression cruelty multiplicity of wives unlawfull lust even against nature and to fill the earth with uncleannesse 3. And although in this seventh age iniquity was come to the full height yet it began long before even in the dayes of Enos when as the righteous abhorring the great wickednesse of Cains posterity separated themselves and a part beganne to call upon the name of God Iun. 4. The Hebrewes note that at the beginning women were not so multiplied as afterward by whom they tooke occasion to sinne and therefore it is added there were daughters borne unto them c. vers 1. but this clause sheweth not a more speciall multiplying of that kinde but that when the world began to be stored both with men and women then they gave themselves to wantonnesse QVEST. III. The particular sin of the old world here noted Vers. 2. THey saw the daughters of men that they were faire c. 1. Their fault was not onely in that they of the righteous seed matched into Cains stocke Calvin 2. Or that they respected onely beauty having no regard to their piety and vertue Marlorat 3. But they by violence tooke unto them not to their wives but women for so with Mercerus and Iunius I rather interpret the word nashim from all men whatsoever as Iunius readeth both virgines and wives they cared not whom 4. Some Hebrewes here understand also the filthy sinne of buggery that they tooke all they liked even from among the bruit beasts but Moses speaketh onely of the daughters of men QVEST. IV. Who were these sonnes of God Vers. THen the sonnes of God 1. These sonnes of God were not the Angels which some have supposed to have fallen for their intemperancie with women and to have begotten of them spirits as Ioseph Philo Iustine Clemens Alexandrinus Tertullian conjectured who so expoundeth that place of S. Paul that women should be covered because of the Angels lest they should bee tempted with their beauty This opinion is easily confuted 1. Because the world was punished and God was angry not for the sinne of Angels but of men vers 3. My spirit shall not alway strive with man 2. Chrysostome urgeth that place Matth. 22. in the resurrection they neither marry nor are married but are the Angels Ergo Angels are not subject to carnall affections as men are 3. If Angels fell first for the love of women then they sinned not for 1000. yeares after the creation whereas the Scripture sheweth that the Devill was a murtherer and a liar from the beginning Ioh. 8.44 QVEST. V. Devils not corporall nor mortall IT is also absurd and improbable that these were devils which did company with women and of them came Gyants as thinketh Franciscus Georgius who affirmeth devils to have bodies and a generative faculty and to company with women Of the like opinion is Psellus that the devils have bodies and they are nourished by sucking and attraction as spunges and that they are males and females at their pleasures some are of a fiery some ayrie some a watery some of a terrene nature But these are fables and fictions fit rather to be laughed at than worthy to be confuted 1. The Devils are of a spirituall not corporall nature it appeareth by that story Luk. 8. where we reade that in one man there was a legion that is six thousand Devils how could so many spirits if they were corporall be included in one body 2. If they were of a fierie watery or earthly so of an elementall nature they should bee subject to corruption mutability and mortality and so some have imagined also as Plutarch writeth of the death of the great Pan a famous Devill among the Pagans and Cardane reporteth that he heard his Father say who was above thirty years familiar with the Devils that he learned of them that they doe die decay revive againe but this fancie is contrary to the Scripture which testifieth that the Devill hath beene a murtherer from the beginning of the world Ioh. 8 44 Ergo he hath continued from the beginning of the world and how should the soule of man be immortall if these spirits which are of a more subtill nature were mortall 3. Though it were granted that Devills have a kinde of airie bodies yet could they not ingender for the power of generation agreeth onely to perfect bodies which have their materiall and distinct parts and receive nourishment 4. And they being as they say male and female should ingender among themselves in their owne kinde 5. Or if they did company with women they could not beget men but multiply their owne kinde or at the least a mixt kinde as the mule is engendred of an horse and an asse and so some likewise have conceited that the Faunes and Satyres were the off-spring of such generation As Hierom in the life of Antonie reporteth that such an one appeared unto him in the wildernesse with goats feet long crooked nailes and hornes upon his head and spake unto Antonie but either this may be held to be a fable foisted under Hieromes name or if there were any such thing it might be some monster of the wildernesse which the Devill used as his trunke to speake out of QVEST. VI. Spirits doe not generate BUt much more absurd is the opinion of Paulus Burgensis that thinketh these which companied with the daughters of men were spirits called Incubi which doe assume bodies of the aire for a time representing the shape sometime of men sometime of women in the act of generation and then they are called Succubi and thus saith he were the Giants engendred and Tostatus approoving this conceit of Incubi and Succubi seemeth to give credit to that report of Merlin that he was begotten by a spirit In these assertions and uncertaine conjectures of men some what is true some part false 1. True it is that the Devill may appeare in the shape of man or woman and dissemble and counterfeit the act proper to both not that the spirits have any delight in such carnall acts having no true but assumed and counterfeit bodies but they doe it more strongly to delude men and women and entice them to that abominable sinne of the flesh which they know hath corrupted the hearts of many excellent men as of David Salomon 2. Though spirits can take upon them the shape of bodies yet they are but so to the eye they are not true bodies being easily
discerned by the feeling and therefore our Saviour saith feele and see a spirit hath not flesh and bones as yee see mee to have And some have reported that they have felt such bodies assumed by spirits as colde as yce and of a divers substance from humane flesh as Alexander ab Alexandro so writeth of another to whom a spirit appeared and Cardanus of himselfe If any man object that Abraham washed the Angels feet and yet discerned them not I will not answer with Pererius whose judgement I refuse not in the rest that Abrahams intent upon other things regarded it not But I note a difference betweene the operation of good and bad Angels that these never appeared with true bodies and therefore were called Phantasmata visions fansies Marke 6.49 But unto the other God gave the use of true bodies for a time during that ministerie or service as appeareth in that they did eat and drinke were lodged had their feet washed c. 3. But howsoever spirits may assume bodies they are not such as can be instruments of generation by conveying of humane seed as some have imagined because the scripture saith children are the inheritance of the Lord Psal. 127.3 And Evah confesseth when Cain was borne that she had obtained a son of God Gen. 4.1 and if that were true which is fabled of Merlin such kind of birth should be oftner seene in the world Wherefore by the sonnes of God in this place 1. Neither doe wee understand Angels good or bad 2. Neither men of tall and great stature as such things as are excellent in their kind are so called as high and tall trees are said to be the trees of God Psal. 104.16.3 Nor yet the sonnes of Princes and great men as the Chalde readeth to whom Mercerus subscribeth which are called Gods in scripture Psal. 82.6 I said ye are Gods c 4. Neither yet are they so called because they came of Seeth who as Suidas thinketh was in respect of his religion and great knowledge saluted as a God in earth 5. But they are here named the sonnes of God that were of the righteous seed and worshippers of the true God as the wicked are called the sonnes of the Devil and he their father Iohn 8.44 ye are of your father the Devill who although they were not indeed the sonnes of God in his eternall election yet were they so in respect of their externall calling QVEST. VII The meaning of these words My spirit shall not alwaies strive c. 4. Vers. 3. MY spirit shall not alwaies strive c. 1. Not as the latine text is My spirit shall not alwaies remaine which some expound of Gods wrath some of his providence some of the holy Ghost some of the soule and spirit of man inspired of God and then the sense to bee that Gods wrath shall not alwaies continue but he will punish them at once or he will no more protect them or take care for them neither his spirit shall be with them or he will take away their life and spirit from them For this variety of interpretation ariseth of the mistaking of the word which signifieth to contend or judge not to remaine 2 Neither is Pagmines interpretation so apt my spirit shall not alwaies bee sheathed as a sword in a scabbard and so hee would derive the word jadon of neden which signifieth a sheath 3. The meaning then of these words my spirit shall not alwaies judge or contend is neither as Hierom expoundeth non eos ad â—ternos servabo cruciatus I will not punish them for ever but render unto them here that which they deserve For S. Peter sheweth that their soules are now in the prison of hell and so everlastingly punished 1 Peter 3.19 Neither as Cajetane that God would no more punish them spiritually as hee had done by taking his grace and spirit from them but now he would inflict a corporall punishment upon them for God had not yet punished them giving them the space of 120. yeares to repent But either wee may understand these words with Oleaster that God would no longer strive with them in reprooving and admonishing them which they regarded not or with Iunius God would no longer consult or dispute the matter as it were with himselfe what to doe with them but if they amended not within that space set he would certainly destroy them QVEST. VIII What these Giants were 5. Vers. 4. THese were Giants c. Some thinke that these were called Giants not for their greatnesse of stature but their cruell and beastly conditions so thinke Philo Ioseph Damas. Cyril with others so also Iunius 2. But beside their fierce and cruell nature it is most probable that they were of huge and great stature Mercer for such there were also after the floud as the sonnes of Anak in comparison of whom the Israelites seemed as grashoppers Num. 13.34 such were the Emmims and Zaâ—zummims Deut. 2.10 17. and Og the King of Basan whose bed was of iron being nine cubits in length and foure in breadth Deut. 3.11 and of this judgement are Ambrose Augustine Theodoret. 3. And these Giants huge in stature men of great strength as is shewed after in this verse did most abound before the floud and such also was the off-spring of this unlawfull copulation betweene the sonnes of God and daughters of men 4. And they were men of renowne that is famous over all the world because they did tyrannize over their neighbours and brought them in subjection of whom Berosius writeth that they had a City called Enos about the mountaine Libanus which ruled over all the world they did eat mans flesh and had unlawfull company with their mothers daughters with mules and bruit beasts 5. Some as Rasi doe referre this generation of Giants to the times of Enos further affirming that the Lord sent the Ocean Sea which destroyed the generation of these Giants and the third part of the world but the Giants which succeeded them were as wicked as they But of this inundation of the Ocean no mention is made in Scripture neither is it like that the generation of Giants began so soone in the world neither with Aben Ezra doe we understand this of the generation of Giants after the floud of whom came Og and the rest as though any of the Giants had escaped the floud to beget Giants afterward and that Noe and his sonnes were Giants it is not to be thought Mercer Neither were these Giants onely in Noahs time but when this violent rage of lust beganne to reigne in the world then this off-spring of Giants came in which continued till the time of Noah 6. Neither were these Giants onely of Seths race as some thinke nor yet onely of Cain as R. Sel. but in both families there were Giants after they thus coupled together with out the feare of God Mercer Calvin 7. So that the Nephilim here spoken of so named of Naphal which
but trusting to Gods long suffering hoped that it should not be so for it is evident Genes 6. that beside this speciall point of incredulity the old world was in many other sinnes outragious the earth was filled with cruelty vers 11. and in that they gave no credit to Noah Gods Prophet therein they were incredulous against God as our Saviour saith of his Apostles he that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me Luk. 10.16 4. Their opinion also is to be refused which thinke that though the wicked of the old world were condemned to hell yet they might be redeemed from thence by the descension of Christ who is said by S. Peter to have preached to the spirits in prison which sometime were disobedient at which time also some have fabled that Plato at the preaching of Christ in hell beleeved and that divers others have been delivered from hell as the soule of Falconilla by the prayer of S. Tacla and of Trajanus the Emperour at the intercession of Gregory But these imaginations are contrary to the Scriptures for out of hell is no redemption as Abraham said to the rich man They which would goe from hence to you cannot neither can they come from thence to us Luk. 16.26 And hell is thus described Where their worme dieth not and the fire never goeth out Mark 9.46 the worme of the conscience in everlasting fire shall torment the wicked that oration which goeth under the name of Damascene is confessed by Bellarmine to be none of his and that place of S. Peter hath no such meaning as even now shall appeare 5. Neither is their conceit any thing worth who thinke that some of them which perished in the floud did repent them before they died and so went not to hell but to purgatory from whence they were delivered by Christs descending thither according to that saying of Peter but was quickned in the spirit by the which he went and preached to the spirits in prison which were in time passed disobedient c. But this place in Augustines opinion cannot be understood of the descending of Christs soule into hell 1. Augustine objecteth that Christ cannot be said to be quickned or made alive in his spirit that is his soule because it was not subject to death And therefore by the spirit he truly understandeth the divine power of Christ whereby hee preached in Noah 2. If there be preaching in hell then it will follow that there is a Church there and repentance and conversion of soules 3. The Apostle speaketh onely of such as were disobedient but they were not delivered by Christ. 4. It cannot be shewed in all the Scripture where the receptacle of the soules of the faithfull and beleevers is called a prison 6. Wherefore our opinion is that all those which were disobedient and incredulous in the dayes of Noah were first destroyed in their bodies in the floud and after in their soules perished everlastingly but from this number both infants must be excepted such as were of the sonnes of God who are not capable of faith and obedience and therefore were neither unfaithfull nor disobedient and such also as were ignorant of the preaching of Noah and framing of the Arke Of these God might have mercy The rest continuing still in unbeleefe everlastingly perished For it is not like that they which by the space of an hundred and twenty yeares would not repent but remained obstinate would relent in the instant of the floud Herein therefore we refuse not the judgement and reason of Rupertus Primo ulâ—imo judicio soli reprobi condemnantur soli electi servantur isto medio nec soli elects conservantur nec soli reprobi suffocantur In the first judgement when the Angels fell and the last onely the reprobates shall be censâ—red the elect saved but in this judgement comming betweene neither the Elect onely were prâ—served in the Arke for there was Cham accursed of his father nor the reprobate onely suffocated in the waters And hereunto agreeth S. Peters comparison that resembleth baptisme to the Arke 1 Pet. 3.21 but all dying without baptisme are not damned neither is it to be supposed they were all reprobates which died without the Arke QVEST. XVI Of what manner the Arke was made Vers. 14. MAke an Arke of Pine trees 1. Some thinke that no certaine kinde of wood is expressed but generally the matter whereof the whole Arke should be made which was not one kinde of wood but divers Perer. 2. But some take it for squared wood as the 70. 3. Some for wood pitched pro lignis bituminatis Hierom. tradit in Genes 4. Some for the Pine or Pitch tree because from the word gopher here used seemeth to be derived gaphrith taken for brimstone Gen. 19. sic Oleaster for gaphrith brimstone is digged out of the earth pitch which commeth from the tree hath another name it is called copher 5. Some thinke the Arke was made of the Firre tree which is the highest and straitest of all other or the Cypresse tree because of the continuance 6. But it is most like to be the Cedar as the Thargum readeth which is commended in Scripture for the height and therefore is called the Cedars of God Psal. 104.16 and beside it is most durable Plinie maketh mention of Cedar beames in the Temple of Apollo at Utica which continued from the first foundation untill his time almost 1200. yeares 7. Neither need it be doubted where Noah should have timber of sufficient length to serve for the breadth of the Arke for Plinie reporteth of a beame of the Larix tree in Tiberius reigne seene at Rome an 120. foot long and of a Cyprus tree 120. foot long He maketh mention also of the Indian trees to be so high that unneath an arrow cannot be shot over them Ex Perer. QVEST. XVII Of the measure of the Arke Vers. 15. THis length of the Arke shall be 300. cubits The Arke was six times so long as broad and ten times so long as high after the proportion of mans body as Augustine well writeth for the length of mans body from the crowne to the foot is six times the breadth from one side to another and ten times the thicknesse from the backe to the chest But many have doubted that the Arke being described to be no larger was not sufficient to containe all the beasts with their severall food and Apelles the disciple of wicked Marcion tooke occasion hereby to cavill at the whole story But this doubt may easily be removed 1. Yet we are neither forced with Origen to make of one cubit six which he calleth a Geometricall cubit for neither is there any such cubit in use which in length containeth six ordinary cubits neither doth the Scripture in other places reckon according to such cubits for whereas the Altar is prescribed to be made five cubits long three cubits high Exod. 27.
aâ—tributed to the second ranke of gods who provided for all things betweene the Moone and the earth the third they yeelded to the spirits who governed the actions of men But the Scripture teacheth us that all things in heaven and earth are ruled by Gods providence in so much that a sparrow cannot fall upon the ground without the will of God Matth. 10.29 as the Prophet David also saith Who is like unto the Lord our God that hath his dwelling on high who abaseth himselfe to behold things in the heaven and the earth Psal. 113.5 6. 3. Confut. Iacobs ladder doth not signifie the monasticall profession PErerius interpreteth this ladder out of a counterfeit peece of Bernard to be the discipline of Monasticall life and namely the way and rule of Benets order whereby the founder of that order S. Benedict went to heaven numer 34. Contra. 1. First then it is requisite if this ladder signifieth Monasticall discipline that he which first saw it should have beene a professed Monke but I thinke they will not say that Iacob was a Monke the most speciall part of which profession consisteth in the vow of single life 2. Christ himselfe standeth upon the top of this ladder to whom the way and ladder is directed he then that climbeth this ladder must ascend by faith in Christ but the Monks thinke to climbe up to heaven by their merits 3. Iacob was a figure of Christ upon whom the Angels of God should ascend and descend Ioh. 1.51 it is great presumption then to put Benet in Christs place that Iacob should bee a figure of him 4. This ladder sheweth the way that every true Israelite of Iacob should ascend by but every true Israelite and Christian is not a Monke 4. Confut. Philo confuted concerning the ascending and descending of soules PHilo understandeth the ayre to be this ladder Basis terra coelum caput The earth is the foot of this ladder the heaven is the head or top the Angels are the soules Quas aer habet stellis pares which the ayre is filled with equall to the starres in number some of these descend into the bodies some ascend Alia ad corpora recurrunt Some returne to the bodies againe thus Philo Platonizeth Lib. de somniis In this device of Philo three notable errours are discovered 1. The ayre is not the seat or region of soules but the spirits of the just are in heaven where Jesus Christ is and the holy Angels Heb. 12.22 23 24. 2. The soules had no being before their bodies that they should descend into them as from another place God formeth the spirit of man within him Zachar. 12.1 3. Neither doe the soules once separated from the bodies returne any more to cohabit in earthly and mortall bodies The spirit returneth to God that gave it Eccles 12.7 5. Confut. Against the Helvidians Vers. 15. I Will not forsake thee till I have performed c. The Helvidians because it is said that Ioseph knew not Mary â—â—ll she had brought forth her first-borne sonne Matth. 1.25 would gather thereupon that he knew her afterward they may as well conclude here that after God had performed to Iacob that which he promised that he did forsake him then Muscul. 6. Confut. Temples have no inherent holinesse but in regard of the use Vers. 17. THis is no other but Gods house c. This proveth not that Temples and Churches are more holy places in themselves which is the opinion of the Romanists 1. Their Temples being polluted with idolatry are prophane and unholy 2. Though before Christs comming the Lord chose his speciall place where he would have sacrifices offered and not in any place beside and so some places were privileged with a legall kinde of sanctity more than others yet now since that Christ hath every where opened heaven to the prayers of the faithfull that distinction remaineth not 3. Even Bethel retained not an inherent holinesse but in respect of the religious use for after that it was by Ieroboam defiled with Idolatry it was no more Bethel the house of God but Bethaven the house of iniquity 7. Confut. Against the anointing of Altars Vers. 18. HE powred oyle upon the top of it c. Hence Rabanus groundeth that superstitious use of anointing the Altar with oyle Altare post aspersionem aquae Chrysmate ungitur ad imitationem Patâ—iarcha Iacob The Altar after the sprinkling of water is anointed with Chrysme after the imitation of the Patriarke Iacob Lib. de institut Clericor cap. 45. Contra. 1. The ceremonies of the law which were figures and shadowes of things to come are not meet ornaments for the Gospell such were their washings anointings sacrifices and other rites they were shadowes of things to come but the body is Christ Coloss. 2.17 The body then being come what need the shadow 2. The same ointment that Christ was anointed with his members also receive but that was a spirituall unction Luk. 4.18 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me Of this anointing the Apostle speaketh You have an oyntment from him that is holy and ye have knowne all things 1 Ioh. 2.20 3. But if Iacobs anointing must be a patterne why doe they also sprinkle water which he did not Iacob also used profane and common oyle such as he carried for his journey but their oyle must be hallowed first and consecrated Iacob here maketh no Altar but setteth up a pillar for a monument why doe not they by the same example powre oyle upon their Crosses and Pillars in the high-way 8. Confut. Bethel become Bethaven and Rome Babel Vers. 19. HE called the name of that place Bethel Yet afterward when it was prophaned by idolatry it was called by the Prophets Bethaven the house of iniquity we need not therefore marvell if that Rome sometime the Church of God bee now become Babel the fountaine of corrupt doctrine the place and seat of Antichrist they cannot shew such warrant for the consecration of Rome as the Scripture speaketh for Bethel which of the house of God was made an habitation of filthy Idols and so is Rome Muscul. 6. Places of morall observation 1. Observ. We must not amend one errour by another Vers. 9. THen went Esau to Ishmael c. Esau in stead of correcting his former errour in taking him wives from the daughters of Canaan committeth another in matching into the stocke of Ismael that was also a stranger from the covenant he thought he should please his father though he did not thorowly reforme himselfe if he came a little nearer such is the reformation of hypocrites they thinke they have done well if they can dawbe over their sinnes and set some colour upon them by a pretended reformation as Herod did Who seemed to reverence Iohn and when he heard him hee did many things and heaâ—d him gladly Mark 6.30 Mercer Calvin 2. Observ. Patience and labour to be endured for vertue Vers. 11. HE tooke of the stones
cattell Calvin 2. That they might dwell apart from the Egyptians and so not be corrupted with their idolatry and supestition Mercer Muscul. 3. Lest that being dispersed among the Egyptians they might have beene distracted and so one divided from another Iosephus 4. Because the Egyptians abhorred keepers of sheep it would have beene an occasion of envy and hatred if they had lived among the Egyptians 5. lastly the land of Goshen stood more commodious for the Israelites returne and passage out of Egypt being situate in the utmost bounds toward Canaan whereas if the Israelites had beene seated in the inward or remote parts of the Countrey they could not afterward so conveniently have escaped Pererius QUEST XVII Why keepers of sheepe were an abomination to the Egyptians Vers. 34. FOr every sheepe-keeper is an abomination to the Egyptians c. These are the words of Moses rather than of Ioseph as the like reason is inserted by Moses Gen. 43.34 why the Hebrewes and Egyptians might not eat together the Egyptians then abhorred shepherds and keepers of sheepe 1. Not onely because they were a proud people and despised shepherds as base and servile men as Rupertus for they were an abomination unto them which is more than to contemne and despise them 2. Neither did they abhorre shepherds as though there were none of that condition among the Egyptians for they had their flocks of sheepe Genes 47.17 3. Neither yet is it like that the Egyptians did altogether abstaine from all eating of flesh Aben Ezra reporteth of the Indians that they kill no flesh neither doe so much as eat of the milke that commeth of cattell and that for this cause the Egyptians abhorred the Hebrewes 4. Therefore I thinke rather that the Egyptians especially detested keepers of sheepe rather than of other cattell because they superstitiously adored that kinde and so abstained altogether from slaying of sheepe and eating the flesh thereof keeping them for their milke and wooll whereas the Hebrew shepherds did without any scruple eat of their flocks other kinds of cattell it is like they did eat of as Mercerus reporteth the opinion of some writers that it was lawfull for the Egyptians to kill and eat foure kinds of creatures Oxen Calves Swine and Geese 4. Places of Doctrine 1. Doct. Not to depend upon meanes or put any confidence in Princes Vers. 4. I Will goe downe with thee into Egypt Although Ioseph were Lord of Egypt and a man of great power able to provide for Iacob and protect him from danger yet the Lord would not have Iacob to depend upon the meanes but to trust to his providence Muscul. Whereby also wee are taught not to put our confidence in men but to wait upon God as it is in the Psalme It is better to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in man it is betteâ— to trust in the Lord than to put any confidence in Princes Psal. 118.9 2. Doct. The Lord will never forsake his elect Vers. 4. I Will also bring thee up againe c. The Lord promiseth his presence and gracious assistance to Iacob both going downe into Egypt and returning the Lord then will never forsake his elect Whom he once loveth he loveth to the end Ioh. 13.1 and as he said to Iosua I will not leave thee nor forsake thee Iosu. 15. so the same promise belongeth unto all the faithfull servants of God as the Apostle â—pplieth it Heb. 13.5 3. Doct. A man is not bound to reveale all his counsell so he speake the truth and lie not Vers. 34. THen ye shall say thy servants are men occupied about cattell This also was true which Ioseph taught his brethren to answer that they might dwell in the land of Goshen but there was another reason which Ioseph would have them to conceale because it was the most fruitfull and fertile soyle of all Egypt We see then that a man is not bound to utter all his minde but speaking the truth in the rest he may conceale that which he thinketh will bee prejudiciall to his suit and businesse Calvin and in such affaires that precept of our Saviour taketh place To be wise as serpents but innocent as doves Matth. 10.16 5. Places of Confutation 1. Confut. No Sacraments without the spirit and life of the word Vers. 2. GOd spake unto Iacob in a vision The Lord doth not onely appeare and shew a vision to Iacob but hee also speaketh unto him to the vision he adjoyneth a voyce of this nature and kinde are all Gods signes and ceremonies they are not dead or dumbe but the word of God putteth life unto them Wherefore it is presumption in the Church of Rome to impose signes and Sacraments upon the Church which receive not their life from the Word Calvin as our Saviour saith It is the spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing Ioh. 6.63 so the fleshie and terrene part in signes and sacraments profiteth not without the spirit and life which they receive from the Word 2. Confut. Antiquity no good argument of the truth Vers. 3. I Am the God of thy father He saith not of thy fathers as of thy great Grandfather for Terah was an idolater Iosu. 24.4 Iacob could not goe beyond Abraham for divers hundred yeares to fetch his faith though the most ancient Patriarks Noe Seâ— Heber were of the same faith and religion Wee see then that antiquity is no good argument to prove true religion by unlesse wee run unto the first beginning for so truth is more ancient than errour In like manner wee deny not but that of late yeares wee cannot derive the profession of the Gospell from our fathers and ancestors past the third degree because all the world was blinded with superstition and ignorance for divers hundred yeares but leaving the meane generations which were corrupted we are able to fetch and derive our faith from the Apostles of Christ this the Romanists doe call in derision a probation of our faith persalium by leaping But Iacob could prove his faith no otherwise he must leape from Abraham to Heber and Sem So Steven would not prove his faith from the immediate descent of his father for of them he saith ye have alwayes resisted the holy Ghost as your fathers did so doe you Act. 7. he ascendeth up to Abraham and Moses and the prophets times and in such manner doe we prove and justifie our faith and profession 3. Confut. Against Perer that holdeth the Septuagint in their number of 75. not to 〈◊〉 error Vers. 27. ALL the soules of the house of Iacob c. are 70. yet the Septuagint reade 75. notwithstanding Pererius justifieth the Septuagint and freeth them from errour although they set downe five more of Iosephs race than Moses hath which were born in Egypt afterward If this saith he be an error in them then was it in Moses for he also numbreth among the rest the sonnes of Phares and Benjamin which were borne afterward in Egypt and
delivered to the Egyptians the grounds of these artes who yet is more likely to have beene the inventor of husbandrie and other such profitable trades than of the mysticall arts and sciences 4. Therefore the more probable opinion is that by whomsoever the first seeds of this mysticall profession were sowne among the Egyptians it is not to be doubted but that by Iacobs comming downe but especially Iosephs long time of government their knowledge was much increased the scripture bearing witnesse hereunto Psalm 105.21 He made him Lord over his house to teach his Senators wisdome and by the cohabiting of the Hebrewes 215. yeeres in Egypt the Egyptians might profit more in the profession of wisdome which that superstitious people might with their gentilismes and superstitions intermingled change and alter And for the truth hereof that the Egyptians learned many things of the Hebrewes this may serve as an evidence that in Herodotus Diodorus Siculus and other waiting of the ancient Egyptians many things are found having some conformity with the doctrine law and usages of the Hebrewes ex Pererio QUEST XVI Why it pleased God that Moses should be instructed in the Egyptian learning NOw it pleased God that Moses should be thus trained up in the wisdome of the Egyptians and have a courtly bringing up that by this meanes he might bee instructed in the government of the Common-wealth and be prepared for that publike function which he should afterward be called unto So David was taken from the flocke and brought up in Saules court to learne the discipline of the Kingdome Though it pleased God to use the ordinary meanes for Moses instruction yet he alwayes doth not so and especially in the new Testament the Apostles were extraordinarily inspired being in humane learning altogether unexpert for there was more abundance of spirit and grace in the new Testament under Christ than in the old under the Law Simler 2. Beside Moses by this meanes became famous and got himselfe great authoritie among the Egyptians that there might be greater respect had unto his message afterward and being fully instructed in the knowledge of the Egyptians he was the better able to discerne the errors and superstitions both to convince the Egyptians and to containe the Israelites in the obedience and profession of the truth ex Perer. QUEST XVII Why Moses had this name given him Vers. 10. SHe called his name Moses 1. Concerning the imposition of the name of Moses neither is the opinion of Philo and Clemens Alexandrinus probable that it is an Egyptian name derived of Mos which signifieth water and Iosephus will have it compounded of Mos water and Ises saved for the etymon of the name is not from the water but because he was drawne and taken out as the reason is here expressed 2. Neither yet is it like that Moses was in the Egyptian language called Mueves as Iun. out of Diodâ—r Siculus or Movion as Pererius out of Aben Ezra being of the same signification which Moses is in Hebrew that is drawne out for then it is like the Egyptian name would have beene expressed as Iosephs is Gen. 41.45 and Daniels Chalde name Dan. 4.5 3. Nor yet is it probable that Pharaohs daughter having learned the Hebrew tongue of her maids did give an Hebrew name unto Moses as Eugubinus Lippom. Thostatus for seeing the Hebrewes were an abomination to the Egyptianâ— it may be thought also that they abhorred their names 4. Therefore I rather incline to thinke with Simlerus and Osiander that this word whereof Moses is derived is Massah to draw out as it is taken Psal. 18.17 Thou hast drawne me out of the waters might be common both to the Hebrewes and to the Egyptians as some words are common to divers languages both alike in sound and signification or it might be translated or transposed out of the Egyptian tongue into the Hebrew 5. But as for other names that Moses should be called by as at his circumcision Ioachim which signifieth established and afterward Melchi my King as Clemens Alexandrinus writeth wee reject them as having no ground in Scripture seeing hee is perpetually called by the name of Moses which name was by Gods providence imposed wherein is set forth the principall part of his calling to draw the Israelites out of the waters and troubles of Egypt and to lead them through the red sea and so indeed historically to draw them out of the waters QUEST XVIII Of Moses visiting his brethren Vers. 11. ANd in those daies when Moses was growne hee went forth to his brethren 1. Very little mention is made of Moses time spent in the court till he was fortie yeere old for then as S. Stephâ—n sheweth Act. 7. he began to visit his brethren like as little is expressed of the doings of Christ while he lived privately till he was thirtie yeere old Pellican 2. Iosephus writeth how in this time he warred against the Ethiopians and while he besieged Saba the King of Ethiopia his daughter fell in love with him and was married to him whom the author of historia scholast saith was Zipporah But the Scripture sheweth that she was the daughter of the Prince of Midian Perer. 3. He was now growne not onely in stature of body but in the grace and gifts of the spirit Pellican And as it seemeth having neglected and forgotten his brethren hitherto being now especially stirred up called of God he goeth to visit his brethren he did it not onely of a naturall instinct as Hilary seemeth to write 4. And this the Apostle sheweth to have beene an excellent worke of faith For 1. he refuseth to be called Pharaohs daughters sonne He renounceth his courtly life and he pleasures of Egypt 3. He preferreth the afflictions of Gods people before the pleasures of Egypt 4. He looketh unto the reward Heb. 11. Ferus But if it be asked why Ioseph did not so likewise to leave the court as Moses did I answere first that some thinke that Ioseph did in his old age leave Pharaohs court and went and dwelt with his brethren in the land of Goshen beside the case betweene Ioseph and Moses is farre divers for in Iosephs time Pharaoh was a friend to Israel now an enemy then the people were in happy case now the state is miserable Iosephs calling was to be a feeder of Israel in Egypt Moses to bring them out of Egypt Simler QUEST XIX Whether it were lawfull for Moses to kill the Egyptian Vers. 12. WHen he saw no man hee slew the Egyptian Concerning the fact of Moses in killing the Egyptian we are farre off from accusing or blaming the same which was at the first the opinion of Augustine who thus writeth against Faustus Consulta aeterna lege reperio non debuisse hominem à Mose qui nullam ordinariam potestatem habebat quamvis improbium ocâ—idi I finde in the eternall law that Moses having no ordinary power ought not to have killed no not a wicked man
of the Pharsaliam battell Tertullian writeth that the Nasomannae and Celtae used to consult with the dead at the tumbes of their parents and of warlike men lib. de anima Such was the vaine opinion which the heathen had of this magicall art which Plinie himselfe derideth as vaine and foolish because Nero that wicked and bestiall Emperour who was given over to all lewdnesse yet could not be induced by Tyridaetes whom he greatly advanced and gave him a Kingdome solliciting him thereunto and bringing Magitians unto him to give any credite unto Necromancie Plin. lib 30. cap. 2. 2. Now this vaine or rather prophane profession of summoning of the dead and consulting with them may evidently be convinced to be nothing else but the Devils sophistry and forgery for first the soule being separated from the body hath no power to move or exercise any body but that which it did give life unto being the forme thereof which being now dead is an unapt organ or instrument for the soule and therefore such soule being once departed from the body can neither assume it nor any other body Secondly the soules that are departed are either in heaven at rest and over the soules of the holy and righteous which are in the hands of God the Devill hath no command or they are in hell and from thence there is no returning againe as is manifest in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus where it was denied unto the rich man that any could goe from thence to be a messenger to the living 3. True it is that the Lord by his power hath called againe into the bodies and caused to appeare some that were departed of the which we finde three sorts some were restored to life and their soules joyned againe to their bodies as the daughter of Iairus the widdow of Nains sonne and Lazarus others appeared in their true bodies and came out of the graves yet not to converse among the living but to bee witnesses of the resurrection of Christ Matth. 27.53 And yet wee reade of a more strange apparition of Moses and Helias in mount Tabor where our blessed Saviour was transfigured who appeared not out of their graves but from heaven in their glorious persons We deny not but that God hath and can at his pleasure cause the Saints departed to appeare unto men but not out of purgatory as Pererius imagineth or to the end to bee patrons and helpers to his Church for wee have alwayes the presence of Christ and of his Angels neither yet can we beleeve that so many Martyrs have appeared at their Tombes as some Ecclesiasticall histories make mention for as Christ is gone out of the world not to returne till the day of judgement so because he saith where I am there shall my minister bee Ioh. 12.26 so wee cannot but thinke that the Saints departed attending upon Christ are not now to bee seene in the world This then being granted that the Lord hath power over the soules of men departed to command them to their bodies for a time for some speciall service and to send them into the world at his pleasure yet this is no warrant at all to thinke that Satan or his ministers can doe the like for seeing this is as great a miracle for the spirits of the dead to appeare as to raise the dead to cause the borne blinde to see or to doe any such great worke and God being the only worker of miracles this cannot fall under Satans jurisdiction Such visions then and apparitions when dead men appeare in their bodily shape though not with true bodies and in their wonted apparell counterfeiting their voice and behaviour while they lived are to bee held meere illusions of Satan that can transforme himselfe into an Angell of light so I conclude this point with that saying of Tertullian Et si quosdam revocavit Dei virtus in documentum juris sui non id circo communicabitur fidei audaeciae Magorum falaciae somniorum licentiae Poetarum c. Although the power of God hath called some againe to shew his dominion yet this power is not communicated to the confidence and boldnesse of Magicians to the deceitfulnesse of dreames or to the libertie of Poets QUEST XVIII Why Satan doth counterfeit the spirits of the dead THe Devils then doe counterfeit the spirits and soules of the dead as Chrysostome sheweth Homil. 29. in Matth. and August lib. 10. de civit Dei cap. 12. for these causes 1. By this meanes the Devill more strongly deceiveth seeing men are ready to heare their parents and friends departed 2. By this subtilty the Devill perswadeth men that hell is not so fearfull a place nor so enclosed but that there may bee a respite and going forth 3. Thus that opinion is nourished of the passing of soules from one body to another as Pythagoras taught 4. And it commeth also to passe that the living are afraid of the dead whom they imagine doe appeare unto them and so to please and reconcile them they superstitiously worship them and offer unto them Ex Perer. 5. Tertullian addeth further that these apparitions bred a conceit that all wicked men goe not to hell but their spirits wander up and downe 6. Et judicii resurrectionis fidem turbant And they doe hinder the faith of the last judgement and of the resurrection if they could assume their bodies being dead which the Christian faith holdeth to sleepe in the grave untill the resurrection QUEST XIX Of the divers kindes of miracles NOw to proceed and draw neere to the principall question in hand concerning these wonders wrought by the Egyptian Magicians two things in generall are briefly to be touched first concerning the divers kindes of miracles then of the difference betweene true miracles and false Concerning the first A miracle is taken three wayes first simply and absolutely in respect of any nature whatsoever so there is no miracle for unto God the author and framer of nature to whom all things are possible there is nothing strange or miraculous that is called a miracle which either excelleth ones power or understanding but God both knoweth all things and can doe all things 2. A miracle is called in respect of men those things which are unusuall and whose causes they are ignorant of men use to wonder at and in this sense not only spirits and their ministers the Sorcerers but wise and cunning men may doe miraculous and strange workes 3. But properly that is a miracle which exceedeth the nature and power of things created and is beside the ordinary course of naturall things And this kinde of miracle last spoken of is effected three wayes 1. The miracle is either in the thing that is made or done which nature can by no meanes bring forth as for the body of man to bee made immortall and to remaine in the heavens and this is the highest degree of miracles 2. Or else the
necessary that Pharaoh should not hearken unto Moses because the Lord had foretold so much who cannot be deceived But Pharaoh was not forced or compelled thereunto there is then an absolute or violent necessity which forceth and compelleth there is a conditionall and hypotheticall necessity when a thing is said to be necessary another thing presupposed so Pharaohs disobedience and obstinacy was the second way necessary upon the presupposall of Gods prescience but the first way it was not necessary the first necessity is coactive but the second is voluntary the other neither justifieth a man if he doe well being forced noâ— condemneth him if hee doe evill but the second hath place in both both the righteous have praise whose obedience in respect of Gods ordinance is necessary and infallible and the wicked are justly condemned who sinne willingly though Gods prescience considered in some sort also necessarily Borrh. 5. Places of controversie and confutation 1. Confut. Against those that impugne the deity of Christ. Vers. 1. I Have made thee Pharaohs God Hence certaine Heretikes as Nestorius that did separate the humanity of Christ from his divine nature would confirme their heresie that the man Christ was God no otherwise than Moses is called God as Eliphandus a Bishop of Spaine who held that the man Christ was onely the Sonne of God by adoption Contra. 1. The name of God in Scripture is given unto men as Psal. 80. I said ye are Gods but that title is given them in respect of their office but it agreeth unto Christ by nature for here the Lord is said to have appointed Moses God not to have begotten him as Hilarie well noteth neither is he simply called God as Christ is but with an addition Pharaohs God 2. Not onely the name of Elohim God is given unto Christ but Iehovah which is a name not communicable unto any creature but peculiar unto God and if Christ were no otherwise God than Moses was it were Idolatry to worship him Simler 3. Hilarie also sheweth that Christ is said to be five wayes very God which agree unto none but him 1. in name he is simply called God as Iohn 1. The word was God and 1. Epist. Ioh. 5.20 speaking of Jesus Christ he saith the same is very God 2. By his nativity and generation and so he is called the Sonne of God 3. By nature hee is one with God I and the father are one 4. In power all power is given me in heaven and in earth Matth. 20. 5. By his owne profession he professed himselfe to be the Sonne of God and therefore the Jewes went about to kill him because he said that God was his Father Iohn 5.18 Hilar. lib. 7. de trinitat 2. Confut. Against transubstantiation Vers. 13. AArons rod devoured their rods The Papists would establish their transubstantiation by this place for as Aarons rod being turned into a serpent is still called a rod not because it was so now but for that it had beene so so the bread in the Eucharist after it is converted into the body of Christ is called bread still because it was so before Contra. 1. If they could shew Scripture to warrant the conversion of the bread into Christs body as here is an evident text for the turning of the rod into a serpent they should say somewhat but untill they can doe that their error can have no colour from hence 2. Beside Aarons rod is so called not only because it had beene a rod before but it was to returne to be a rod againe but they will not have the body of Christ returne againe to be bread Simler In the questions before handled the 27. and 28. concerning the power of Satan in counterfeiting the spirits of the dead one question of purpose there handled by Pererius touching the apparition of Samuel raised by the Pythonisse 1. Sam. 28. I of purpose there omitted reserving it for this place of confutation 3. Confut. That Samuel himselfe appeared not to Saul but the Devill in his likenesse 1. THe most of that side are of opinion that it was the very soule of Samuel not raised up by the witches enchantments but God interposing himselfe did prevent her superstitious invocations and sent Samuel to declare his judgements to Saul sic Thostatus Cajetanus Pererius and their reasons are these First because the Scripture saith it was Samuel 2. Hee saith as the Lord spake by my hand vers 17. which was true of Samuel not of the Devill in the likenesse of Samuel 3. Hee foretelleth what should happen unto Saul the next day which the Devill could not doe 4. In Ecclesiasticus it is written that Samuel after his sleepe told of the Kings death chap 46.20 Ferer Contr. 1. The Scripture speaketh according as the thing appeared not as it was as Pharaoh in his dreame is said to have seene kine come out of the river Gen. 4.1 2. which were but representations of kine 2. As the Devill tooke upon him Samuels person so he also counterfeiteth his speech it was not true out of the Devils mouth no more was it true Samuel such counterfeit speech became a counterfeit Samuel 3. The Devill might either by certaine conjectures perceiving in what distresse Saul was and that God had forsaken him gesse what the successe of the battell should be or rather God herein might force him to speake the truth as did the false Prophet Balaam Borrh. 4. The authority of the booke of Ecclesiasticus doth not presse us and Augustine doubteth also thereof affirming that it was not in Canone Hebraeorum The Hebrewes received it not into the Canon of Scripture lib. de cura pro mortuis chap. 18. 5. Neither is there the like reason of Gods preventing the witches enchantments and Balaams divinations for that God did to his further glorie to shew his power in making the false Prophet to be an instrument of the trueth but this had beene contrary to Gods owne law who forbiddeth that any should aske counsell of the dead Deut. 18. Borrh. 2. Some doe goe further and thinke that the Devill might have power also to bring up Samuels body as Satan transported Christs body to the top of the pinacle Contra. 1. There is not the like reason betweene the transporting of the bodies of the living and of the dead which are asleepe and at rest 2. Satan had no power over Christs body but hee yeelded himselfe to Satans temptation that hee might overcome him in his owne weapon and this was permitted unto Satan to doe for the glorie of God the comfort of his members the confusion and victory over Satan but if Satan should be suffered to take up the bodies of the Saints neither God should receive honour by it nor the Church profit and beside Satan thereby would strengthen his Kingdome of darkenesse Borrh. 3. Wherefore the sounder judgement is that it was not the spirit of Samuel but of Satan that appeared to Saul who can transforme himselfe into an Angel
could punish them by so small a creature they might thinke that if God armed the greater creatures against them they should not endure it Simler QUEST XIV Why the Lord by the stretching out of Aarons rod brought forth lice Vers. 17. AAron stretched out his hand with his rod. It was not Aarons rod or hand that of it selfe could doe any such thing God needed not any of these meanes but thus it pleased him that this plague should bee wrought 1. To shew his great power that is able to doe great things by weake and small meanes 2. And that not only he hath power in himselfe to doe whatsoever it pleaseth him but that hee can give power unto his creatures to execute his vengeance so the Lord is able by himselfe and by others to bring forth his judgements 3. This hee did also to shew how much hee setteth by his elect to whom hee giveth such great power and to countenance the ministry and calling of these his servants Ferus QUEST XV. Why the Sorcerers could not bring forth lice Vers. 17. NOw the Enchanters assayed likewise with their enchantments to bring forth lice c. 1. The Sorcerers could not bring forth lice not as the Hebrewes imagine as Lyranus and Thostatus report of them because they cannot bring forth any creature lesse than a barly corne for if they could produce to the sight greater creatures they might more easily have compassed the lesse whose generation is not so perfect but commeth out of corruption Indeed in artificiall workes it is harder to worke upon a small substance and therefore Pliniâ— commendeth the curious devices of certaine workemen for their smalnesse as Cicero telleth of the Iliades of Homer written so small that they might bee put into a small nutshell Callicrates made antes of Ivory so little that the partes thereof could not be perceived Mirâ—ecides made a ship that a Bee might cover it with her wings But in naturall workes the reason is contrary the lesse workes are more easily perfected for the force of nature worketh from within but the artifices applieth his instruments without and cannot therefore worke upon every small substance 2. Rupertus hath this conceit that the Sorcerers did indeed bring forth lice as they did frogs before but because they did not sting and bite as the true lice which Aaron caused their fraude was discovered but this is contrarie to the text which saith they endevoured or wrought to bring forth lice but could not 3. Cajetanus thinketh that the Sorcerers did erre in their worke and did not applie their enchantments aright and so failed But it proceeded not from any vertue of their enchantments that they did counterfeit the three signes before but of the will and power of Satan who is not tied to these enchantments which are but a signe and ceremonie of their covenant and league with the devill therefore though they had failed in some circumstance the devill would not have forsaken them seeing they wrought under him and for him if it had been in their power 4. Augustine maketh this the reason why the Magicians were confounded in this third plague but it was the fourth signe counting the turning of the rods into serpents for the first to signifie that the heathen Philosophers some of them had knowledge of the Father and Sonne but erred concerning the holy Ghost But beside that some of the philosophers did see as in a cloud the mysterie of the Trinitie as both Cyrillus Eusebius Theodoret witnesse Plato in his writings maketh mention of God the Father the Word and the Minde this is rather a mysticall than historicall reason And if to seeke the cause thereof we neede flie unto mysteries it rather signifieth thus much that many of the philosophers did know divers things concerning God and his creatures but they were ignorant altogether of the Trinitie Perer. 5. The sorcerers then were hindred by the power of God who suffered them hitherto to deceive by their Satanicall illusions but now by a superiour commaunding power he controlleth the power of darkenes Simler Pererius Pellican Cajetan Ferus And Satan is hindred in his working two waâ—es either altogether that he cannot do what he would as in this place or when he is permitted to doe any thing yet the Lord so disposeth as that he cannot atchieve that end which he intendeth as appeareth in the temptation of Iob Borrh. And the Lord confoundeth them in this small and base creature for their greater confusion when their mysticall working by the operation of Satan is there restrained where they thought most easily to have prevailed Ferus QUEST XVI What the sorcerers understand by the finger of God Vers. 19. THis is the finger of God 1. Some by finger understand the plague it selfe as the Chalde Paraphrast as though in effect the sorcerers should confesse thus much that this plague was of God and they could not resist it so Iob saith the hand of God hath touched me cap 19.21 2. Augustine by the finger of God understandeth the spirit of God whereras Saint Luke saith that Christ cast out devils by the finger of God cap. 11. Saint Matthew saith by the spirit of God and fitly is the spirit compared to the fingers that as the fingers proceed from the hand and arme the arme from the bodie so the spirit proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne and as there are ten fingers upon both the hands so there are divers gifts of the spirit and here are tenne plagues answering to the number of the fingers So also Ierom saith that the arme and strength of God is the Sonne and the Spirit is the fingers and with this finger did the Lord write the tenne Commandements in the Tables of stone But this collection seemeth to be somewhat curious neither is it like that the Sorcerers had any such knowledge of the mysterie of the Trinitie 3. Therefore Rupertus thinketh that the sorcerers did onely meane by this phrase the power of God but that unwittingly also by a divine instinct they doe give an evident testimony of the holy spirit the third person of the Trinitie as Caiphas did ignorantly prophesie of Christ. But it seemeth that these sorcerers being professed servants of Satan and possessed with his spirit were not fit vessels to receive any such divine instinct 4. Pererius thinketh that by the finger of God they understand a great invincible power as the Scripture saith the Cedars of God a man of God for the tall cedars and for an excellent man But in this sense they could not denie but that the other works were also excellent more admirable than this 5. Liranus will have them by the finger of God to understand the power of some superiour devill that staied the working of the inferiors But this is an insolent speech by the name of God to understand the devill and by this meanes Satan should strive against Satan and the kingdome of
evill but wait upon the Lord and he shall save thee Prov. 20.12 3. Observ. Surfetting by eâ—cesse forbidden FUrther by this precept they are condemned qui luxu se occidunt c. which kill themselves with surfetting and drunkennesse riot and excesse Basting whereupon often ensueth also quarrelling and wounds as the Wise-man sheweth To whom is woe to whom is strife c. to whom are wounds without cause to whom is rednesse of the eyes to them that tarrie long at wine Prov. 23.29 30. The seventh Commandement 1. Questions discussed QUEST I. Of the order and negative propounding of this Commandement THou shalt not commit adulterie 1. This Commandement very fitly followeth after the other Thou shalt not kill Quia post injuriam quae infertur personae nulla est major quà m illa quae infertur conjunctae Because next after the injurie done to the person there is none greater than that which is offred unto the joynt person for they two shall be one flesh Thom. in opuscul So also Lyranus 2. This Commandement is propounded negatively rather than affirmatively because the negative is more generall than the affirmative Tum quoad tempâ—ra quà m personas both in respect of the time and persons for at all times and in all places it is unlawfull to kill to commit adulterie c. but at all times and in all places wee must not honour our parents and for the persons wee must not offer violence or wrong unto any but for the affirmative it is impossible to doe good to all Thom. in Epist. ad Roman cap. 13. See before quest 1. upon the sixth Commandement QUEST II. Whether the uncleane desire of the heart be forbidden in this precept IN this Commandement not onely the impuritie of the bodie but of the soule also is forbidden and chastitie commanded in both Gregories opinion is that God Per hoc praeceptum non peccata cogitationis sed operis resecuit c. Doth not by this precept cut off the sinfull thoughts but the sinfull act and that Christ afterward in the law Cogitationes hominum religavit Did bind also the thoughts of men In Ezech. homil 13. Augustine also is of opinion that in this precept Ipsum opus notatum est The worke of uncleannesse it selfe is noted but in the other Thou shalt not covet Ipsa concupiscentia the very concupiscence because saith he sometimes it may fall out that a man may commit adulterie cùm non concupiscat illam when he doth not covet her but upon some other cause doth companie with her Aliquando eam concupiscat nec ei misceatur poenam timens Sometime he may covet her and not company with her fearing the punishment in quaest 71. in Exod. Contra. 1. Our Saviour Christ doth not adde any thing to the law of Moses or bringeth in any new interpretation but doth free and cleare the law from the grosse and corrupt gloses of the Scribes and Pharisies delivering the true sense and meaning thereof as it was first given unto the people And therefore Chrysostome well saith Vt per concordiam mandatorum ipse inveniatúr author legis fuisse gratia That by the agreement of the Commandements in the old and new Testament the same may be found to bee the author of the law and of grace in Matth. hom 11. And that even the inward concupiscence and desire was forbidden in the old Testament it is evident by Iobs practice in whose heart the morall law was written I have made a covenant with mine eyes why then should I thinke on a maid chap. 31.1 2. Concerning Augustines opinion the concupiscence which is joyned with a full purpose onely wanting opportunitie and being restrained by feare from the externall act is a breach of this Commandement and not of the last as our blessed Saviour expoundeth Matth. 5.28 What kinde of concupiscence is prohibited in the last precept and how it differeth herein ftom this shall bee shewed afterward when wee come to that place 2. And that commixtion which hath no concupiscence nor consent of will being violent and forced as in them which are ravished it is no adulterie at all which alwayes proceedeth out of the heart 3. But that the inward sanctimonie and puritie of the minde is here commanded and the contrarie forbidden it is thus proved 1. By the definition of puritie and chastitie which is to be holy both in bodie and spirit as S. Paul describeth a true Virgin 1 Cor. 7.34 So the same Apostle 1 Thess. 5.23 That your whole spirit soule and bodie may be kept blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. 2. Both the soules and bodies of the faithfull are the Temples of the Spirit and therefore ought to be kept holy 1 Cor. 3.16 Know yee not that yee are the Temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you if any destroy the Temple of God him shall God destroy Basting 3. Chrysostome urgeth these foure reasons first from the interpretation of our blessed Saviour who sheweth that this Commandement is broken in the very inward lust and concupiscence Matth. 5.28 4. Secondly from the analogie and correspondencie which it hath with other Commandements that Irasci proximis sine causa to be angrie with our neighbours without cause is a breach of the precedent Commandement Thou shalt not kill So Concupiscere mulierem alienam c. to desire a strange woman though the act of concupiscence follow not is against this precept 5. Thirdly in respect of God Qui non tantum opus hominis aspicit quantum cor Who doth not so much looke unto the worke of man as to his heart 6. Fourthly because concupiscence is the cause of adulterie Omne adulterium ex concupiscentia All adulterie proceedeth from concupiscence as our blessed Saviour sheweth Mark 7.21 Even from the heart of man proceed evill thoughts adulteries fornications c. Quomodo ergo tolletur adulterium nisi pracisa fuerit concupiscentia c. How then shall adulterie be taken away unlesse concupiscence be first cut off Homil. 12. in Matth. Seeing then that the effect that is adultery and outward uncleannesse is forbidden in this precept it followeth also that the very cause thereof which is concupiscence should be restrained QUEST III. Other acts of uncleannesse beside adulterie here forbidden COncerning the externall act of uncleannesse which is in the very letter of this precept prohibited the Hebrewes are of opinion that onely concubitus adulterinus the adulterous act is here forbidden But this opinion is easily convinced 1. Tostatus urgeth this reason Qui prohibet minus malum à fortiori prohibet majus c. He that forbiddeth the lesse evill doth much more prohibit the greater evill for there are more unlawfull acts of uncleannesse than adulterie as those unnaturall sinnes committed either with another kinde as with brute beasts which is monstrous or with the same kinde and with the same sex as Sodomitrie and abusing of the male or with the
Yet here it is further to be considered that there were two sorts of high places for some were consecrated to idolatry as those which Salomon had built about Jerusalem for Ashteroth Chemosh and Milchom which places Iosias defiled 1 King 23.14 There were other high places where the Priests of the Lord offered sacrifice to the Lord whom Iosias also put downe not suffring them to come up to the Altar of the Lord but onely to eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren 1 King 23.9 who if they had beene idolatrous Priests could not have beene permitted to eat of the unleavened bread Tostat. quast 44. QUEST XXVI How God is said to come and goe and how he is said to be in the world Vers. 24. I Will come unto thee c. 1. God neither commeth nor goeth by moving from place to place for that which is infinite and in every place cannot move or change the place for where any moving is there one place is left to goe unto another but God being of an infinite essence is in all places alike 2. Yet though God be in every place yer he occupieth no place Nihil magis indivisibile minùs occupans quà m Deus Nothing is more indivisible and lesse occupying a place than God is An Angell cannot enter into a mans soule Deus tamen illabitur ei totus intus manet c. Yet God doth enter into a mans soule and wholly remaine within it 3. There is some similitude herein betweene God who is an infinite Spirit and the other finite spirits as namely the soule of man which is said to be tota in toto corpore tota in qualibet parte whole and all in the whole body and whole and all in every part which is to be understood not after one and the same manner There is a threefold union betweene the soule and the body unitur ei ut finis it is united unto it as the end for the body is ordained to this end to be perfected by the soule secondly it is united unto the body as the forme thereof for by the joyning of the soule to the body as the forme a man is distinguished in his kinde from all other creatures and in this sense the soule as the forme is whole in the whole body Thirdly the soule is united to the body tanquam motor as an agent and mover so it giveth power to the eye to see to the eare to heare and to every other part a severall faculty and power and thus also the soule is said to be whole and all in every part Now then as the soule is in the whole body and yet in no one part more than in another so is God in the world comprehending all and himselfe not being comprehended 4. Further thus it may be shewed that God is not in any place neither moveth from place to place for other finite spirits because they are compositi ex actu potentia they consist of an act and a power or possibility they being in one place have a power or possibility to be in another therefore God because he is purus act us a pure act must of necessity be every where for otherwise he should not be altogether in act if being in one place hee had not a power or possibility to be in another for then he should not be actually there but in power and possibility only 5. As a finite spirit is said to be in that place in quo applicat virtutem suum where it doth exercise and apply the power as the soule is in the body because it only exerciseth the vertue and power in the body so God because hee exerciseth his power in and over all the world must needs bee in every place of the world 6. God therefore is said two wayes to be in the world secundùm potentiam virtutem according to his power and vertue and secundùm essentiam according to his essence And yet God is so in the world as yet he is not included and limited in the world and he is so without the world as yet not excluded out of the world as Augustine saith Deus est in mundo non inclusus extra mundum non exclusus supra mundum non elatus infra mundum non depressus God is in the world but not included without the world but not excluded above the world yet not elevated or lifted up and under the world yet not depressed or put under c. which must be understood according to Gods essentiall presence for according to his power and working he is only in the world because he worketh in the world 7. And although the power of God be infinite so that if there were other worlds beside this thither Gods infinite power would extend it selfe yet the action or exercising of that power in the world is finite quia actio non potest esse major quà m id quod sit the action cannot be greater than that which is wrought or made therefore because the world is finite the action or exercising of the divine power in the world is finite and determinate likewise yet the divine power in it selfe remaineth infinite 8. Now then God is said to goe from place to place not in respect of his essence but of his power and vertue and of this power of God there is a double action one generall whereby God governeth the world and worketh in every place and so God cannot be said to goe from place to place because this generall power worketh in all places and at all times there is a speciall action or operation of the divine power as when he worketh miracles and wonders and sheweth manifest signes of his power and presence more in one place than in another And according to this speciall operation the Lord is understood to goe and come thorowout the Scripture Tostat. qu. 46.47 And so in this place he saith I will come and blesse thee Veniam occulta inspiratione benedicam corporali spirituali benedictione I will come by secret inspiration I will blesse thee both with corporall and spirituall blessings Gloss. interlinear QUEST XXVII Whether it were not lawfull to goe up by steps to the Altar Vers. 26. THou shalt not goe up by steps unto mine Altar 1. All kinde of ascending unto the Altar is 〈◊〉 forbidden for the Altar being three cubits high chap. 27. the Priests could not minister without some ascent and rising up to the Altar there was therefore Quidam ascensus sin◠gradibu◠punlatim ascendendo A certaine ascent or going up without steps rising by little and little as ◠Salomon thinketh Lyran. Ascensus erat continuns de terra the going up was continued by the rising of the earth Tostat. 2. Therefore all steppings up being forbidden for the reason after alleaged lest their nakednesse should be seene magis vetantur gradus scalae ligneae the steps or scales of woodden ladders are more forbidden for by such climing
by externall objects useth to tempt men thereby stirring and provoking their natural lust as David was inflamed at the sight of faire Bathsheba but here needeth no other sorcerie or inchantment than the corrupt inclination of a mans owne affection the devill doth but offer the occasion and shew the object hee draweth not the affection but the corruption of the heart of it selfe is ready to apprehend and lay hold of the object set before it Another way there is whereby the affection is stirred as when the evill spirit entereth and possesseth any with madnesse and phrensie for the time not changing the understanding or will but troubling the vitall spirits and inflaming the blood and so incensing unto lust The third way is when Satan entreth not to disquiet the bodie and trouble the spirits but externally offereth violence transporting and carrying by Gods permission bodies from place to place which is no hard thing for Satan to doe and so hee may bring one to the place where their lover is Tostat. qu. 13.3 But here two things are to be considered 1. That Satan directly cannot worke upon the heart of any in the immediate change or alteration of their affections but hee doth it by meanes either externall in moving by objects or by internall provocation and stirring of carnall lust 2. That he hath not the like power over the servants of God which he exerciseth over carnal men which are his owne vassals he ruleth in the children of disobedience as he listeth as the Apostle saith They are taken of him at his will 2 Tim. 2.26 But the faithfull doe resist him by faith 1 Pet. 5.9 So that his tentations cannot fasten upon them to intangle them further than God shall see it good for the triall of their faith This is made evident by that storie of Iustina the Virgin whom Cyprian then a dissolute young man and given to Art Magicke but afterward a most holy and constant Martyr loved exceedingly and when he was not able to prevaile with her by any allurements hee called for the Devils helpe to bring her unto him who by faith chased the evill spirit away Ex Tostat. qu. 13. QUEST XXXII Whether witches can indeed effect anything and whether they are worthie to bee punished by death NOw further by this sentence of the law which adjudgeth witches worthie of death they are found to be in error which thinke that witchcraft is nothing but nudum phantasma a verie phantasie that sillie women imagine they doe things which indeed they doe not but in their owne conceit and imagination First I will examine the objections which are made in the defence or at the least the excuse of these wicked women and in favour of them for the mitigation of their punishment 1. They say that this law is made de veneficis of such as kill and destroy by secret poisons and noysome herbes it concerneth not witches Answ. 1. Indeed the Septuagint reade 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Latine translateth maleficos workers of mischiefe but they are both in error for the Hebrew word mecashephah is put in the feminine whereas they both interpret it by the masculine And the word mecashphim is applied to those which worke by evill spirits and have confederacie with them as Exod. 7.10 it is given to the Egyptian Sorcerers and Magicians 2. The practice of poisoning belongeth to the sixth Commandement Thou shalt not kill whereas witchcraft here forbidden is a breach of the first Table Simler 2. These sillie women can effect nothing they imagine they doe many things but it is only in their owne conceit Answ. 1. True it is that they cannot effect what they would for the Lord restraineth the power of the devill by whom they worke as he did when the Sorcerers attempted to bring forth lice and could not Exo. 8. 2. Yet it cannot bee denied but that they effect many strange things by the operation of the devill as the Magicians of Egypt could turne their rods into the similitude of Serpents and water into the likenesse of blood and the witch at Endor could cause the likenesse of Samuel to appeare which was not in deed Samuel but the devill taking upon him his shape So it is no strange thing by the operation of Satan when they take a mans garments and beat them to cause the bodie of the man to feele the smart Simler 3. And if they did no hurt and could effect nothing why was this law ordained against them God gave no superfluous or unnecessarie lawes to his people nor without great reason 4. Though they should effect nothing yet their wicked desire and endevour thereunto is worthie to bee punished 3. Witches many times doe good and heale men of their infirmities and diseases therefore they deserve no such punishment Answ. 1. Indeed in the Civill law such a decree is extant made by Constantine Qui per incantationes intemperiem aeris grandinis evertit puniendus non est c. Hee which by inchantment turneth away the intemperate season of the aire and weather is not to bee punished But it is no marvell that such things were tolerated then when they came newly from Gentilisme wherein such things were not only suffered but honored and rewarded 2. We have a more perfect rule out of the Scriptures that no such unlawfull meanes are to bee used no not to a good end as to procure health or such like for this cause the Prophet reproved the King of Israel having received hurt by a fall because he sent to the god of Ekron for helpe And to this purpose Augustine saith well as he is cited in the Decrees Si aliquando sanare videntur languidos id Deipermissu sit ut homines probentur c. If they seeme sometime to heale the diseased it is done by Gods permission that men might bee thereby proved c. And againe hee saith Laque◠sunt adversarii mederi non possunt They are the deviles snares they cannot heale 4. Object But the meanes which they use are wholesome and medicinable as herbs and oyntments and therefore herein they are not to bee found fault with Answ. 1. For the most part they use such meanes whereof no naturall or apparent reason can be given as to burne the thatch of the house to cut off some part of the beast bewitched and burne it and such like Concerning such things Augustine giveth a good rule Remedia ligaturae qu◠medicorum disciplina condemnat non adhibenda c. Such remedies and ligatures which the skill of Physicke condemneth are not to be used 2. He saith further Ex traditione malorum angelorum sunt Such remedies had their beginning from the tradition of evill angels therefore hee concludeth that Phylacteria sunt animarum vincula Such Phylacteries things applied to or hung about the necke or other parts are but the snares of the soule 3. If they doe use herbs and oyntments and such other
conceit hath but a slender ground because it is said tegasâ—h â—iet the candlesticke shall be made for before it is put in the active vegasitha And thou shalt make 2. And in the same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tegaseh they have another observation as slender curious because the letter jod is superfluous for ordinarily it should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tiggaseh with dagâ—sh without jod they thinke jod which signifieth ten to be added to signifie that afterward Salomon should make ten candlestickes as he did 1 King 7. But it is an usuall thing with the Hebrewes for this letter sometime to be defective sometime to be superfluous without any mystery Yet Tostatus is here deceived that saith they ground this their conceit here quia deficit litera jod because the letter jod was wanting for in the foresaid word jod is not wanting but superfluous QUEST XLVI Of the instruments belonging to the candlesticke Vers. 38. THe snuffers and snuf-dishes 1. There were two kind of instruments which belonged unto the golden candlesticke the snuffers wherewith the lampe was purged the word malecâ—chaim is taken also for tongs wherewith coales are taken out of the fire Isay 6. and because snuffers are as it were little tongs to the like purpose they are called by the same name Oleaster The other instrument Iunius thinketh served to cleanse the dropping of the lampes Lyran. So also Tostatus thinketh they were certaine vessels containing water to quench the snuffe in that it should not smell 3. There were also certaine pipes to every lampe wherein the oyle was put to run into the nosle or boule of the candlesticke where the lampe burned as may appeare by Zacharies description chap. 4.2 where the Prophet alluding unto the fashion of the golden candlesticke in the Temple for otherwise if he had made any new description the Jewes would not have given any credit unto him maketh mention of seven lampes and a boule that is to every one a boule to receive the oyle and of seven golden pipe Now all these are here in Moses comprehended under the name of lampes which had both their severall pannes and receptacles of the oyle and certaine little pipes and conveyances beside to powre in the oyle by Tostat. qu. 30. QUEST XLVII How much a talent was Vers. 39. OF a talent of gold 1. The scholasticall historie maketh mention of three kinde of talents the Merchants talent which was fiftie pound the Citizens talent which was 70. pound and the talent of the Tabernacle which was 120. pound Tostat. qu. 33. 2. There was also the common talent which contained 60. pound and the great talent which was 80. pound Ribera 3. Oleaster thinketh that the word here used cicar signifieth not a talent but portionem frustum a peece or portion who herein dissenteth from all Interpreters in this place and if no certaine quantitie of gold had beene named it had beene a very imperfect description to say Of a peece of gold 4. Iosephus esteemeth this talent at 100. pound Epiphanius at 125. pound but the right valuation as Rab. Salomon thinketh was 120. pound double to the common talent So also Rupertus Tostatus Ribera Lippoman And every pound contained 60. common sicles Ribera As may be gathered by comparing these places together 1 King 10.17 and 2 Chron. 9.16 For in the first place it is said Three pound of gold went 〈◊〉 a shield and in the latter Three hundred shekels went to a shield A talent of gold then by this account weighed 7200. shekels counting the talent at 120. pound and every pound at 60. shekels And a pound of gold in value is esteemed at 100. crownes and the talent at 12000. crownes Iun. Montanus then is deceived which maketh the weight of a talent to be but a thousand and eight hundred sicles therein following Camhius and Levi Getson in 1 Sam. cap. 17. 5. Now the reasons why the summe of gold is named whereof the candlesticke should be made and so not in the rest may be yeelded to bee these two both because the candlesticke was all of gold so were not the other neither the Arke nor the table and for that their measure is seâ— downe both the length and breadth and so they might ghesse how much gold might goe to the making of them by the measure but here because there is no proportion set downe of the candlesticke the gold is summed that went to the making of it Tostat. qu. 33. QUEST XLVIII Of the mysticall application of the candlesticke COncerning the application of this ceremoniall part of the Tabernacle 1. Iosephus by the seven lampes understandeth the seven Planets and the greatest in the middest sheweth the Sunne the greatest and the middlemost of the Planets 2. Tostatus by the candlesticke would have set forth the life of man and by the seven branches the seven dayes of the weeke which being multiplied doe measure out the time of mans life q. 33. 3. So Rupertus by the six branches would have insinuated the six dayes of the creation and by the shaft in the middest which made the seventh the seventh day wherein God rested 4. Beda by the three branches one way and three another thinketh to be understood the Doctors of the Church which in the old Testament did fidem sanctae Trinitatis designare c. hold the faith of the holy Trinitie But these applications are somewhat curious and against the Apostles rule Which are shadowes of things to come but the bodie is in Christ Coloss. 2.17 These types therefore and figures are shadowes of things to come not past or then present and they must be referred to Christ the bodie of them 5. Wherefore 1. this candlesticke some understand to be the Church of God as Apocal. chap. 1.2 3. the Churches are compared to candlesticks Ribera Piscator But they are single candlesticks not the candlesticke with seven lampes 2. It better therefore signifieth Christ who is the true light that inlighteneth his Church as Gregorie Quis in candelabro nisi redemptor humani generis designatur Who is expressed in the candlesticke but the redeemer of mankinde So also Beda Hastile candelabri ipse qui est caput Ecclesia debet intelligi By the shaft of the candlesticke must the head of the Church be understood Ferus also to the same purpose Candelabrum Christus qui veri luminis est sustentaculum Christ is the candlesticke who is the upholder of the true light 3. The six branches doe betoken the Apostles and Pastors of the Church which are as branches which come from Christ who is the vine as these doe issue out of the shaft or bodie of the candlesticke Marb 4. The seven lampes doe signifie the manifold gifts of the Spirit Pelargus 5. The knops and flowers the divers graces and ornaments which the Lord endueth the faithfull with Simler 6. As the candlesticke gave light unto the Tabernacle so we are in darknesse unlesse the Lord Sursum
Because the seventh day is determined wherein he rested then consequently they were six daies wherein he was making the world 2. Mention is made of the evening and morning therefore the day and night one succeeded another 3. And seeing light was created the first day and light and darknesse could not be at once in the same hemisphere the one therefore must needs successively follow the other 2. But yet although God made the world successively in respect of the daies which one succeeded another and all was not made in one day Yet Tostatus opinion is not to be received that in some of the works of the creation God did agere persuccessionem worke by succession and in time and did not produce the creatures in instanti in an instant The first second and fourth daies worke he granteth were done in an instant but the third daies worke was done successively the winde helping to drie it which is said to have moved upon the waters And the plants and trees were brought out of the earth in time God giving such great strength and force to the earth to bring them forth As he giveth instance of some herbs as 〈◊〉 parsely that will grow out of the ground in the space of two houres Likewise in the creation of man hee thinketh it is probable that the Angels made his bodie of the slime of the earth and the Lord breathed in the breath of life Contra. 1. That God created 〈…〉 Psal. 33.9 he spake and 〈…〉 2. That was not the winde which moved upon the 〈…〉 as in the same Psalme vers â— the Spirit is called the breath of Gods mouth By 〈…〉 Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth 3. Neither did God use the helpe of the Angels in the framing of mans bodie he did it himselfe for when he said Let us make man in our image he consulted not with the Angels but with the blessed Trinitie for he was created in the image of God Genes 1.27 nor in the image of Angels for then Christ when he was made man should have taken upon him the nature of Angels which the Apostle denieth Hebr. 2.16 And it is directly said that God Iehovah made the man of the dust of the earth Genes 2 7. but Iehovah is not given unto any Angell it is a name peculiar unto God QUEST XIX How the Lord is said to have rested and from what Vers. 17. IN the seventh day he ceased and breathed 1. Which is a metaphor taken from those which when they have sore laboured doe breath and take aire Oleaster Not that God was wearied with the works of the creation but he onely left creating all things being finished which he intended to make and he did it for our instruction that we by his example might keep an holy rest 2. God then ceased from creating of another world Osiand or from creating any new workes for then the creation had not been perfect if any thing had been wanting neither could it have been said God saw all that hee had made and loe it was verie good Gen. 1.31 3. But he ceased not both from preserving that which hee had made which is no new worke but that was continued during all the six daies and is exercised still Tostat. For God is not like to a builder of an house or carpenter of a ship which having finished his worke so leaveth it but Gods providence still watcheth over that which he hath made Gallas Likewise the Lord ceaseth not from making particular works daily for he doth wonderous things and miraculous thorow the world sed non creat novas species he doth not create now any new kind Marbach 4. Then here appeareth the error of certaine Hebrewes which thinke that the Sabbath which is called Saturns day was appointed first to bee kept because that is an unluckie planet and unfortunate and therefore it was not fit to undertake any businesse upon that day for the reason appeareth to be this because God rested upon the seventh day and they will not say that God was afraid to doe any thing upon Saturns day Tostatus quest 11. 5. Againe hence is gathered a firme reason for the continuance and perpetuitie of the Sabbath because God did not create the heaven and earth only for the sonnes of Iacob but for all men Quibus ex aquâ— Creator est nemiâ—em ergo ab isto Sabbatisâ—â— excludi c. To whom he is a Creator alike and therefore no man is to be exempted from the keeping of the Sabbath Lippoman QUEST XX. What workes are to be rested from upon the Lords day what not ANd as God rested not from all kind of workes upon the seventh day so neither are all kind of workes unlawfull now to be done upon the Lords day of rest The workes that men attend are of two sorts either naturall or voluntarie 1. Naturall workes are not forbidden to be done as to eat drinke sleepe so they be done in order and measure 2. Voluntarie works are either good or evill evill workes are at all times unlawfall much more upon the sabbath 3. Good workes are either sacred or civill and politicall the sacred are either immediatly belonging to the worship of God as the duties of the first Table which principally are to be done upon the Lords day 4. Or they are such workes as are mediatly referred unto God as the workes of mercie the duties of the second Table which also if occasion so require are to bee done upon this day as to visite the sicke to helpe those that are in danger 5 The politike workes follow as the workes of mens vocation merchandise making of warre all which must be intermitted upon the Lords day and therefore that commandement beginneth with Remember that men aforehand should thinke of the Lords day and not deferre any of their busines till then but vrgent necessitie constraining such things may be done then as the Macchabees did fight upon the Sabbath and the Disciples of Christ being hungrie pulled the eares of corne Marbach QUEST XXI Whether Moses received the directions concerning the Tabernacle in the first or second fortie daies Vers. 18. THus when the Lord had made an end of communing with Moses c. 1. R. Salâ—m whom Lyranus followeth understandeth this communing or speech of God with Moses only of the former charge concerning the Sabbath not of all the declaration before going which concerned the making of the Tabernacle which hee thinketh was done in Moses second going up to the Lord after the people had made the golden calfe and so he thinketh the historie to be transposed 2. Contra. 1. First as sometime in Scripture the order of time is changed and the historie transposed when there is any apparant cause to meet with some inconvenience which otherwise might follow so to imagine any such transposing where there is no such necessitie were to bring in such an uncertaintie into the sacred storie as
the people are in great hazard by the long absence of the governour Lippom. Let idle Pastors and secure Non-residents remember this how that the wolfe will spoile the flocke when the Pastor is gone therefore Saint Paul exhorteth the Elders of Ephesus to take heed of themselves and the flocke because he knew that after his departure grievous wolves would enter not sparing the flocke Act. 20.29 2. Observ. Men are then unthankfull when their good is intended and procured FUrther herein is noted their great ingratitude that while Moses was occupied in receiving lawes for them for their good they go about to make an idoll so as Chrysostom noteth The Jewes the same night sought to take Christ when he instituted his last Supper for their comfort The people here renounce Moses even when he was most carefull for their good Oleaster 3. Observ. Excesse in eating and drinking maketh men forget God Vers. 6. THey sate them downe to eat and drinke and rose up to play Which sheweth that gluttonie and drunkennesse is the mother of play and wantonnesse as Gregorie noteth Cum corpus in refectionis delectatione resolvitur cor ad inane gaudium relaxatur While the bodie is too much delighted in outward refection the heart is let loose to vaine rejoycing Pelarg. So the Apostle saith Be not drunke with wine wherein is excesse but be filled with the Spirit the filling with wine maketh us emptie of Gods Spirit 4. Observ. Against prodigall expenses in superstition and vanitie Vers. 3. THey plucked from them their golden earings Here appeareth the right guise of superstitions men that are very sparing in setting forth the true service of God but are most lavish in decking their idols as many adulterers doe suffer their wives and children to want being most prodigall in maintaining their harlots Simler They also are here noted which upon their vanities can bestow whatsoever as in playing at dice and cards and such like but are verie sparing in workes of charitie as giving to the poore Oleaster 5. Observ. The force of the Saints praiers Vers. 10. LEt me alone Wee see what force is in the prayers of the Saints whereby the Lords hands are as it were tied and bound from smiting Dei potentiam servi praeces impediebant The servants prayers hindred the Lords power Hierom. Ligatum habent sancti Dominum ut non puniat nisi permiserint ipsi The Saints have the Lord bound that he cannot punish unlesse they will Bernard So the Apostle saith The prayer of the righteous availeth much if it be fervent Iam. 5.16 6. Observ. Not to be rash in anger OLeaster further doth thus collect here that as God without Moses consent would not exeicise his fierce wrath upon the people so men in their anger should consult with their friends not as Rehoboam who refused the aduice of his prudent counsellers 7. Observ. Of the commendation of fasting Vers. 19. HE brake them in peeces c. Ambrose hereupon thus noteth Tabulas legis quas accepit abstinentia conteri fecit ebrietas The tables of the law which abstinence and fasting received drunkennesse caused to bee broken that is as soone as Moses saw the riot and excesse of the people through anger he brake them Sterilitatem matris Sampson vini abstinentia faecundavit Annam non manducantum exandivit Deus Abstinence from wine made Sampsons mother fruitfull and God heard Anna absteining from meat c. And our blessed Saviour saith This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting 8. Observ. No respect of persons to be had in regard of Gods glorie Vers. 21. ANd Moses said to Aaron Calvine here giveth this good note that Moses the question being of Gods worship non minus fratri suo germano parcere c. doth no more spare his owne brother then if he had been a very stranger there must bee no respect had of friendship kinred acquaintance when Gods glorie commeth in question as the Levites afterwards sheathed their swords even in their owne sonnes and brethren So the Apostle saith Have not the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus in respect of persons Iam. 2.1 9. Observ. Not to put off the fault to another whereof our selves are guiltie Vers. 22. THou knowest this people Aaron putteth off the fault from himselfe and laieth it upon the people Hic est pernitiosus iam inde ab Adam in nobis inveteratus mos c. This pernicious error even from Adam is growne into a custome to transferre the fault upon another Lippoman for so did Adam turne it to Eve 10. Observ. Mercie and justice to be tempred together Vers. 27. SLay every man his brother Videmus in Mose duo contraria c. We see two contrarie things in Moses mercie and judgement mercie in his praying for the people and justice in commanding the idolaters to be slaine Ferus which two being joyned together in Governours Civill and Ecclesiasticall doe make a pleasant and sweet harmonie as the Prophet David saith Psal. 101. I will sing mercie and judgement unto thee O Lord I will sing 11. Observ. We must go on in our calling though we see others punished before us Vers. 24. GOe now therefore bring the people c. Though the Lord did respite the peoples further punishment yet he would not have Moses be negligent in that charge which was committed unto him Etsi vult populum punire tamen nobis pergendum est in nostromunere Although God intend to punish his people we must goe on in our dutie Simler So when the plague was begun in the host Moses bid Aaron take his censer and so hee censed betweene the dead and the living and the plague staied Numb 16. CHAP. XXXIII 1. The Method and Argument IN this Chapter is set forth the reconciliation of God with his people wherein first the preparation to this reconciliation goeth before to vers 12. then the manner of the reconciliation followeth to the end of the Chapter 1. In the preparation 1. There is shewed on Gods behalfe how first he telleth Moses that although he would bring them into the land of Canaan yet hee will not goe with them himselfe vers 1 2 3. and the effect that followed the sorrow of the people vers 4. Secondly the Lord chargeth them to lay aside their good raiment vers 5. and the people obeyed vers 6. 2. On Moses behalfe he to shew that the Lord was departed from them the more to humble them pitched his tent without the host vers 7. 3. On the peoples part is described their humilitie in looking toward Moses and worshipping toward the Tabernacle with the cause that moved them Gods presence there in the cloud and his talking with Moses to vers 12. 2. The manner of the reconciliation followeth 1. The reconciliation it selfe is set down 1. With Moses reasons taken from Gods favour toward him vers 12. from his covenant with the people vers 13. from the contrarie inconvenience vers 14. from
thinke diversum aliquid hic notari that some divers thing is here noted than before for in the same sense the Lord is said to goe before them and to goe with them in the middest of them But in that the Lord saith againe vers 17. I will doe this thing also which thou hast said it is evident that Moses added somewhat to his former request and begged somewhat which was not yet granted though Calvin thinketh it is but the repetition of the same thing tollenda dubitationis causa to take from Moses all doubting So also Oleaster 2. Some doe thinke that Moses here asketh a divers thing from that which the Lord granted where there are divers opinions 1. Lyranus taketh it that whereas God promised to goe before Moses he further entreateth that hee would totum populum praecedere goe before not him only but all the people c. But the Lords promise was generall that his presence should goe before not expressing whom and Moses request which the Lord yeeldeth unto wherein hee maketh mention of the people vers 13. sheweth that the Lord so meant that hee would be a guide to all the people 2. Cajetan saith because the Lord had promised only in generall My face shall goe not expressing whether antâ— eos cum eis post eos before them with them or behinde them now he entreateth that hee would goe with him But Moses repeating Gods words doth put to no such limitation only hee saith If thy presence goe not carrie us not hence by which repeating of Gods words Moses knew well enough that God promised to goe before them 3. Rupertus therefore and Tostatus follow this sense that because the Lord by his presence might understand some Angell he presseth God yet further that he would goe himselfe with them But this answer is granted upon the oversight of the Latine translation which readeth here If thou wilt not goe before whereas in the originall it is being well translated If thy presence goe not So that Moses by Gods presence understandeth God himselfe as hee expoundeth vers 16. shall it not bee when thou goest with us 4. Wherefore in this reply Moses partly confirmeth the Lords answer by shewing the inconvenience that would follow that it were better for them to remaine there still than without Gods presence to goe on and offer themselves to infinite danger partly hee intreateth that God would not onely goe before them as he did before others of the Heathen whom he used in his service as he raised and stirred up Cyrus whom he conducted as the Lord saith by his Prophet Thus saith the Lord to Cyrus his anointed whose right hand I have holden to subdue nations before him c. I will goe before thee and make the crooked strait c. But that the Lord would also dwell among them in his Tabernacle as he purposed And therefore the Lord herein condescending to Moses saith afterward vers 17. I will doe this also which thou hast said that is Non solum praibo sed vobiscum ero I will not only go before you but with you also Gallas So Moses also in saying that the people may have preheminence entreateth ut non cesset Deus facere signa coram gentibus that the Lord would not cease still to doe signes and wonders for his people before the nations that they may know that God is among them Ferus Simlerus Osiander For the faithfull are not satisfied nisi Deum totum habeant unlesse they have God wholly and all Ferus QUEST XXXII Why Moses addeth Carrie us not hence seeing even in that place also they had need of Gods protection Vers. 15. CArrie us not hence 1. Calvin so understandeth Moses here as though hee should meane that it were better perire in deserto to perish in the desart than to goe forward without Gods presence But Moses by no meanes would have wished the perishing of the people for whose preservation he intreated so earnestly before wishing himselfe rather to be raced out of Gods booke than them to perish 2. Rupertus draweth it to a mysticall sense Carrie us not hence c. Quid attinet nos vivere c. To what end should we live and beget children unlesse thou come which onely canst regenerate unto life those which are borne to death c. He applyeth it to the comming of the Messiah but the phrase here used Carrie us not hence sheweth that Moses here speaketh of going into the land of Canaan for otherwise the Messiah might have beene given unto them as well in this place as in Canaan 3. His meaning therefore is melius esse iter non ingredi that it were better for them not to goe thence at all unlesse God would be their guide Simler not to stirre one foot from thence 4. Which Moses speaketh not as though they needed not Gods protection and preservation there but because they were subject to many more dangers in walking forward still for they were to passe by the countries of divers nations who would suspect them as having a purpose to invade their land whereas now remaining still they should not be molested of any Tostat. qu. 16. QUEST XXXIII Why it is added People upon the earth Vers. 16. ALL the people that are upon the earth 1. This is not added by way of distinction as though there were any people under the earth they which are gone out of the world are called people as Abraham is said to be gathered unto his people but not properly because they are spirits and not men in hell there can be no people because there is no order nor communitie as where a people is there is a mutuall communitie and they are governed by Law nor yet in heaven is there said to bee a people properly their bodies being laid aside their spirits only there living in bliffe 2. Neither are those which are called Antipodes which dwell on the other side of the earth under but upon the earth as we are 3. Sed positum est ex superabundantia This is added of abundance for more plaine evidence and demonstration Tostat. qu. 16. QUEST XXXIV Whether Moses desired to see the verie divine nature and essence of God Vers. 18. I Beseech thee shew me thy glorie 1. Ferus thinketh that Moses only asked of God to shew him certaine signes and evidences of his glorie quibus omnes homines te agnoscant credant whereby all men may acknowledge thee and beleeve in thee But this had beene a lawfull request and the Lord would not have denied it 2. Some thinke that Moses desired ostendi sibi aspectabilem formam divinae majestatis that there might be shewed unto him some visible forme of the divine Majestie not for his owne satisfaction but to content the rude people that he might make some description thereof unto them who desired to be instructed by some visible demonstration which was the cause why they caused in Moses absence a Calfe
word is chaâ—â—n which signifieth to give to bestow to shew grace the other is racham that betokeneth to be inwardly moved with pitie and compassion Oleaster The first then signifieth that favour which is seene in bestowing of gifts the other in remitting of sinnes and delivering from evill QUEST XLII Of the divers kindes of mercie which the Lord sheweth I Will shew mercie There is mercie of divers sorts 1. First there is a generall mercie which the Lord extendeth toward all both good and bad as in granting the Sunne and raine indifferently to all 2. There is a peculiar mercie toward his owne children which also is shewed in divers manner 1. As in the remission of great sinnes as David prayeth as Psal. 51.1 Have mercie upon mee according to thy loving kindnesse c. 2. There is mercie also seene in forgiving sinnes of ignorance as S. Paul saith I was received to mercie because I did it ignorantly 1 Tim. 1.13 3. There is a mercie which they taste of that are in Gods favour and doe love him which is seene not only in the remission of sinnes but in the heaping of blessings upon them as the Lord sheweth mercie unto thousands upon them that love him 4. And mercie is also exercised toward them which being unable to performe any thing of themselves are thereunto assisted and aided by grace as the Apostle saith It is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercie Rom. 9.16 This mercie here mentioned is of that kinde which is peculiar to Gods chosen Procopius QUEST XLIII Of the divers kindes of visions and sights of God Vers. 20. THou canst not see my fate That wee may arise by degrees to come to the handling of Moses Sinai sight first is to be premised the consideration of the divers wayes and kindes of the vision or sight of God We are said to see either with the eyes of our bodies or with the eyes of our minde and each of these hath a threefold distinction or difference for there is of each an ordinarie or extraordinarie sight in this life but the same imperfect and in the next a perfect sight so there are six kindes of visions in all three of the body and three of the minde First concerning the ordinarie sight of the body 1. It is that whereby wee see and behold sensible things which are object to the eye which discerneth nothing but that which is of a finite and circumscriptible nature 2. The extraordinarie when God in vision sheweth him in some externall forme and shape which is of two sorts either in corporali speciâ— in some corporall shew Quod voluntas elegit non quod natura formavit Which it pleased God to chuse not of natures forming Augustine The other is in humani corporis veritate in the assumption of a true humane body so Christ was seene in humane flesh 3. Then in the next world when our bodies shall be glorified wee shall see more perfectly as Iob saith I shall see God in my flesh Secondly the sight of the soule also is divers 1. There is an ordinarie sight which is of two sorts either common which is the sight and knowledge of God that commeth by the creatures Rom. 1.20 or peculiar to the children of God which is the sight of him by faith whereby the heart is purified Acts 25.9 and the eyes of the minde cleared 2. There is an extraordinarie sight and illumination by the minde as when God did manifest himselfe unto the Prophets by inward visions and revelations As when Peter fell into a trance and saw that foure cornerd sheet Acts 10. 3. And in the next life our inward sight of God shall be perfected as Saint Paul saith Now wee see thorow a glasse darkly but then face to face now wee know in part but then shall wee know even as wee are knowne Now in order it shall be discussed by which of these kindes of vision God may be seene and apprehended of man QUEST XLIV Whether God may be seene with the eyes of the body in this life FIrst it is not possible to see God in this life with the eyes of the body 1. For it must needs follow that God should be of a corporall and materiall substance if he might be seene with carnall eyes for nothing by the eyes of flesh can bee discerned but that which is visible finite and circumscriptible but the Lord is infinite Anthropomorphites and Audiâ—â— Heretikes did hold indeed that God himselfe had an humane and visible shape and that man according to his body is the image of God which heresie is contrarie to the Scripture which saith that God is a Spirit therefore of no bodily shape 2. And God being of a spirituall nature cannot be seene by the eyes of the body for that which is of a spirituall nature non cadit sub sensus corporis doth not come under the sense of the body Simler 3. It is said that God is love which sheweth his substance noâ— a qualitie as our love is then as faith hope and love in us cannot be seene much lesse can God 4. The image of God in man which is the inward renovation of the minde cannot bee seene much lesse God himselfe whose image we beare 5. The minde also of man is invisible mulâ—o magis simplicissima illa infinita mens much more that most pure and infinite minde Simler 6. Chrysostome giveth this reason Deus simplex omni concoctione abjunctuâ— nulla forma aut figura effigiatus God is of a simple nature without any composition he hath no forme or figure c. But nothing is perceived of the sense but that which is of a mixt and compound nature that hath forme and fashion 7. Gregorio Nyssene Est interminabilis divina natura interminabile comprehendi non potest The divine nature is infinite and not to be confined or limited and that which is not to be limited cannot be comprehended c. And that God cannot be confined or determined he thus sheweth Quod continet majus est contento That which containeth is greater than that which is contained and it is also heterogeneâ— natura of another nature as the fish is confined in the water and the bird in the aire But nothing is greater than God and he being perfectly good that which should confine him being of a divers kinde must be perfectly evill So it would follow Deum vinci à malo that God should bee overcome of evill 8. Cyrill useth this argument God is said to have beene seene of divers of the Saints but none of them did thinke that they saw the verie nature of God Aliter alius vidit aliter Esaias aliter Ezechiel c. Therefore everie one saw God after a divers sort otherwise Esaias after another manner Ezechiel saw him c. If they had seene the verie substance of God then God must be of a divers nature and
substance for he was diversly seene 9. And that it is impossible Oculis corporis substantiam Dei aspicere with the eyes of the body to see the substance of God it is evident by our blessed Saviours answer unto Philip who desired Christ to shew them the Father He that hath seene me hath seene the Father insinuating thereby that God cannot otherwise be seene of us than in Christ his Son who is the verie engraved forme of his person And if Christ would not grant any such carnall vision of God unto his Disciples who were conversant with him in the flesh who can in this life expect it 10. Whereas then the Prophet Isaiah saith I saw the Lord sitting upon an high throne and he is said to have beene seene of other of the Saints wee must not thinke that they saw Gods substance with their carnall eyes sed juxta possibilitatem humanam non ut est sed ut voluit se videre but as mans nature could see him not as hee is but as it pleased him Hierom who in the same place reproveth the Jewes who affirme that Isaias was slaine of their fathers because he writeth he saw God with his eyes whereas Moses saw only Gods back-parts for seeing Moses also writeth that God talked with him face to face interficite Mosen cum Esaia yee might as well have killed Moses as Isaias QUEST XLV Whether we shall see the divine nature with the eyes of our bodies in the next life BUt it is a greater question whether the Saints shall not in the next life see the Divine Essence with their bodily eyes which some doe affirme upon these reasons 1. Iob saith he shall see God in his flesh Iob 19. that is in the resurrection 2. S. Paul also saith that then we shall see face to face 1 Cor. 13.13 3. We shall then be like unto the Angels which doe behold the face of God 4. Our bodies shall then be spirituall and therefore wee shall even with our bodily eyes see and discerne Spirits 5. Otherwise if our eyes should not behold God what use should there be of our sight Contr. 1. The Hebrew Interpreters expound that place of Iob of his sight of God in this life but taking it rather to be spoken of his state and condition in the resurrection as most of our writers doe interpret we deny not but then the Redeemer who is cloathed with our flesh shall be seene of us even with these our eyes as Iob there saith But it is one thing to see the person of the Mediatour another to see the divine essence and nature 2. Saint Paul speaketh not of the â—ight of the bodily eyes but of the sight of the minde as hee expoundeth himselfe Now I know in part but then shall I know even as I am knowne 3. The likenesse similitude which we shall have with the Angels holdeth not in everie thing as that we shall have the like nature or knowledge but in that wherein the resemblance is made as that we shall neither marrie nor be married nor need meat and drinke but in that respect shall be as the Angels and yet neither doe the Angels fully comprehend the divine nature as afterward shall be shewed 4. Our bodies are said to be spirituall not as opposite to the nature of our bodies now which shall remaine but as set against the corruptible and earthly qualities thereof our bodies shall be bodies still but not earthly naturall corruptible bodies as they are now therefore the argument followeth not 5. And this shall be the use of our heavenly sight wee shall see God in his workes but after a more cleere manner than now we shall see the elect we shall behold Christ himselfe Upon these reasons Simlerus concludeth In futura vita nos oculis corporis corpora tantum visurâ—s In the next life we with our bodily eyes shall see onely bodies and not the essence of God Thomas Aquine also thus interpreteth Iobs words I shall see God in my flesh I consisting of body and soule shewing Quod suâ— modo visionis illius erit particeps corpus That the body also after a sort shall be partaker of that vision not that the eyes of the body shall see the Divine Essence Sed quia oculi corporis videbunt Deum hominem factum But because the eyes of the body shall see God which was made man Videbunt etiam gloriam Dâ—i in creatura refulgâ—â—tem They shall also see the glorie of God shining in the creatures But this further must bee added that though the divine essence of God shall not bee seene of our bodily eyes then because God is of an infinite and incomprehensible nature yet the blessed Spirits the Angels and Ministers of God shall bee seene of the elect Angelorum beatorum omnium consortio conspectu colloquio fruemur We shall enjoy the fellowship fight and conference of the Angels and of all the blessed Buâ—an For if the eyes of the young man were so opened at the prayer of the Prophet that he saw the Lords heavenly host which appeared in the likenesse of fierie horse and charriots much more shall our eyes then be so cleared as that we shall see the Angels themselves though not in their very spirituall nature yet in such sensible manner as that we shall both converse have conference with them QUEST XLVI Whether the Divine Essence can be seene and comprehended by the minde of man in this life NOw it followeth to be considered seeing Gods essence cannot be seene by our bodily eyes either in this life or the next whether that in our minde and understanding here in this life wee may attaine to the fight and knowledge of God where that position of Thomas Aquine is to be held Impossibile est animae hominis secundum hanc vitam viventis essentiam Dei videre It is impossible for the soule of man in this life to see the essence of God the reasons whereof are these 1. Because the soule being in the body naturally knoweth not any thing nisi quâ— habent formâ—â— in materia but such things as have their forme in some matter or may be knowne by such things but the essence of God per naturas rerum materialium c. by the nature of materiall things cannot be knowne Thomas 2. Almost all our knowledge initium habet à sensibus taketh the beginning from the sense but God cannot be perceived by sense Simler 3. Ambrose likewise saith Anima carnis hujus maculis coâ—â—â—vionibus obumbratae faciem Dei sâ—ncere videre non possunt The soules being shadowed and obscured with the spots and blemishes of the flesh cannot cleerely here see the face of God c. And he further giveth this reason Qui faciem Dei videt esse â—ine peccato He that seeth the face of God must be without sin as our Saviour saith Blessed are the pure in heart for