the beginning and the Father of lyes Satan fals from heaven when he is cast out of our hearts by sound doctrine and loseth his light that is his authority by the preachiny of Gods Word here as it were by a Thunderbolt from heaven that is from the Kingdome of God in the heart of man is he cast down and trod under foot but he was a murderer and lyar from the beginning that he fell not from that he was created 681. Luk. 10. 22. No man knoweth who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son Joh. 15. 26. The Spirit of Truth he shall testifie of me Christ excludes not the Persons of the Deity but the creatures and the false gods for the Father by the Son from eternity infinitely Joh. 16 13. communicating his infinite wisdome revealed it to the holy Ghost and therefore Christ saith the Spirit shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall hee speak 682. Luk. 10. 24. Many Prophets and Kings have desired to see those things that you see Joh. 8. 56. Abraham saw my day There are different manners of the Visions 1 Cor. 13. 12. of Christ and of God We see now in a glasse darkly but then that is in the next life we shall see face to face Abraham and the faithful in the Old Testament saw Christ promised that he should come the Apostles saw him manifested in the flesh The Prophets saw him of old in shadows and figures the Apostles and the Christians now see him clearly and manifestly 683. Luk. 10. 28. Doe this and live Rom. 4. 5. But to him that worketh not but believeth his faith is counted for righteousnesse The parts of Gods Word are the Law and the Gospel the Law promiseth life eternal to them that doe it the Gospel to them that believe Christ by the words Doe this doth not shew that the Lawyer was able to fulfil the law but only admonisheth him so that he might grow sensible of his own weaknesse 684. Luk. 10. 41. Martha Martha Thou art careful and troubled about many things 1 Tim. 5. 14. I will that the younger women marry guide the house Christ reprehends not Marthas care of her house but for presumption and false opinion because she preferred the care of her house before the Word of God 685. Luk. 11. 41. Give Alms and all things are clean unto you 1 Cor. 13. 3. If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor it profiteth me nothing Christ speaks of alms proceeding from faith and charity the Apostle speaks of hypocritical alms without Christian Charity 686. Luk. 12. 33. Sell what you have and give alms 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own especially those of his own houshold he hath denyed the faith Christ would not have us forsake our neighbour in his wants and necessities but rather to help him we should sell our possessions to declare our conpassion so far as we are able without doing injury to our family 687. Luk. 14. 23. Compell them to come in 1 Pet. 5. 3. Not as being Lords over Gods heritage There is used an internal compulsion spiritually when men are drawn to the knowledge of their sins by the law of God explained to them and are urged in thier consciences to fly to the mediation of Christ so from the dayes of John the Baptist untill now the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take Mat. 11. 12. it by force an external compulsion is when men not sufficiently instructed and forced by carnal weapons to religion against their conscience such are made rather hypocrites then good Christians therefore the Apostle warns us well that no man should affect to Lord it over Gods people that is the Church and to use a tyrannical power over their consciences 688. Luk. 14. 24. None of those men which were bidden shall tast of my Supper 2 Pet. 3. 9. God is long suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish The Gospel since it is the power of God to salvation to all that believe they that hear it being invited by God and receive it not dying in their sins without repentance they are the cause of their own ruine and not God 689. Luk. 14. 26. He that hateth not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my Disciple Ephes 6. 2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that it may be well with thee c. 5. 25. Husbands love your Wives 1 Joh. 3. 15. He that hateth his brother is a Murderer Christ is to be beloved above all creatures and rather our Parents brothers and sisters and our own life should be lost then we should deny the Gospel He that loveth his Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me saith Christ otherwise we must honour our Parents and love our children 690. Luk. 16. 9. Make you friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnesse 1 Tim. 4. 4. Every creature of God is good Riches are good in themselves as they are a creature but because they are after got unjustly and many abuse them to injustice pride tyranny luxury gluttony c. therefore Christ cals them the Mammon of unrighteousnesse thorns Mat. 13. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 9. the Apostle cals them the snare of the Devil and will have us so to dispose of our wealth that we may reap fruit of them in another world 691. Luk. 15. 7. The righteous need no repentance c. 3. 8. Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance Repentance of those that stand which is spoken of in the first place must be distinguished from repentance of those that are fallen which is meant by the latter place and we are admonished to it and to bring forth the fruits of it 692. Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all those things which you are commanded say We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to doe 2 Cor. 11. 12. Paul glorieth and reckons up his good works and divine Revelations In the former place Christ saith that no man can deserve any thing at the hand of God since we are all bound to obey God in all things unto the end so that we cannot boast before God In the latter Paul mentioneth his labours not of vain glory boasting but being compelled to it for the defence of his Ministry against all back-biters and false Apostles that unjustly reproached him 693. Luk. 18. 29. Verily I say unto you there is no man that hath left house or parents or brethren or wife or children for the Kingdome of Gods sake who shall not receive manyfold more 1 Cor. 7. 10. The wife must not depart from her husband and the man must not put away his wife For Christ his sake we may leave our Wives and al things when necessity constraineth us but we cannot leave our Matrimony Paul admonisheth the wife that she should not by
of wrath Since God hath ordained the wicked for the day of wrath he hath ordained him for his own glory for when he punisheth wicked men with temporall or eternall punishments he justifieth himself in his own glory God created wicked men also but he created not their wickednesse 380. Prov. 16. 6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged Heb. 9. 22. And without shedding of bloud there is no remission Mercy and Truth are understood of God 1 Joh. 1. 7. himself who is the primary cause of the remission of sins nor doth this contradict the meritorious effusion of Christs bloud for us whereby we are cleansed 381. Prov. 17. 15. He that justifyeth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are abominable to the Lord. Rom. 4. 5. God justifieth the ungodly He that justifieth the wicked against the law of God or man without satisfaction made by himself or one for him is abominable unto God But God justifieth the wicked not that is so now but was so freely by faith for the merits of Christ and his full satisfaction 382. Prov. 20. 9. Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sin Psal 24. 3. He that hath pure hands and a clean heart shall stand in the holy place We are all unclean in the sight of God and corrupt by nature yet our hearts are purified by his grace through faith in the bloud of Christ 383. Prov. 21. 20. There is desirable treasure in the dwelling of the wise Mat. 6. 19. Treasure not up for your selves treasures upon earth Pious wisdome in honest gain is not reproved by Christ but covetousnesse and confidence in worldly wealth is forbidden since we lose thereby the heavenly treasure 384. Prov. 22. 28. Remove not the ancient I and-marke which thy Fathers have set Ezek. 20. 18. Walk not in the statutes of your fathers neither observe their judgements Solomon speaks of the bounds of Land and Inheritance Ezekiel concerning the statutes of their Fathers about the worship of God and the profanation thereof Let us not imitate those who oppose themselves against Gods law but let us walke in his laws and keep his statutes 385. Prov. 24. 17. Rejoyce not at the fall of thine enemy Psal 137. 8. Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast rewarded us The Godly do not rejoyce for the destruction of their enemies and for revenge of wrongs but for Gods glory and the edification and good of the Church So Moses after the drowning of Pharaoh in the Red sea by his great zeal for Gods glory sang a song of praise 386. Prov. 26. 4. Answer not a fool according to his folly lest thou be like him Vers 5. Answer a fool according to his folly The art of dealing with fools is necessary that we speak not foolish things with a fool foolishly for if a fool that is an ungodly person blinded profane speaks with scorns and evill speaches and derisions we must not answer him likewise but when Gods glory is questioned if there be danger we must reprove his folly and his arrogancy lest he proceed to please himselfe and corrupt others ECCLESIASTES Heb. Coheleth The Preacher SOlomon in this book convinceth the vanity of the world and the foolishnesse of men Shews that there is nothing better then to fear God and to keep his Commandements And he maintains that there shall be a future judgment He wrote this book after his falling from God in token of true repentance 387. Eccl. 1. 4. The earth abides for ever Isai 40. 8. Luk. 21. 33. Heaven and earth shall passe away In the opinion of men the earth abides for Rom. 822. 2 Pet. 3. ever but in respect of God and the future change and purgation from corruption and vanity it shall passe away 388. Eccl. 1. 9. That which was shall be and there is no new thing under the sun Gen. 1. 1. The world was once created Heb. 9. 25. Christ once offered himself Ecclesiastes speaks not of all things none excepted but of the vanity of naturall and artificiall things which is collected from the naturall corruption and change of things 389. Eccl. 1. 10. There is no new thing under the sun Revel 21. 5. Behold I make all things new Ecclesiastes purpose is not concerning a creation of new kinds of creatures but concerning their change and vicissitude in the world and concerning the malice of men and the Devill that men by the instinct of the Devill from the beginning after man had sinned being defiled with much wickednesse proceed to covet after evill unlesse God renews their hearts and they become a new creature in Christ 390. Eccl. 2. 2. I said of laughter It is mad and of mirth What doth it Prov. 17. 22. A merry heart doth good like a medicine In the first place is meant naturall laughter and rejoycing in prosperity and the goods of Nature and Fortune as the Gentiles do and this Ecclesiastes condemns as folly But in the Proverbs is commended that joy only which proceeds from the holy Ghost 391. Eccl. 2. 15. What doth it profit me that I laboured to attain more wisdome Prov. 8. 35. He that findeth me findeth life Politick wisdome is indeed a singular gift of God but if any man abuseth it and dependeth on his wisdome it profits not but is all vanity Divine wisdome which teacheth us to wait all events from God and to pray to him for his direction in all confers eternall life 392. Eccl. 2. 23. The dayes of man are full of labour and sorrow Psal 128. 2. Of the labour of thy hands thou shalt eat and happy shalt thou be Ecclesiastes condemns not labour which God hath laid on men for that is good and necessary having great promises but because riches are purchased by much travell and no man knows whether he shall be a wise man or a foole that he must leave them to 393. Eccl. 3. 19. There is one event to man and beast as the one dieth so dieth the other Chap. 17. 7. The spirit of man returns to God that gave it him In the former place is shewed the opinion of carnall men concerning man and beasts who compares them by the likenesse of their deeds and events In the latter place is taught what is the excellency of mans soul above the beasts and the difference after death But a naturall man cannot perceive these things 394. Eccl. 4. 1. I saw the oppressions done under the sun and behold the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter Joh. 14. 26. 15. 26. I will send unto you the Comforter from the Father the Spirit of Truth Ecclesiastes compares the oppressed with the oppressours in that which happens in the world for oppressours are rich mighty men they have their Abetters and their Clients The oppressed are alone and defend themselves with tears Christ sheweth how true comfort comes to those that are oppressed namely
and dwels in 1 Tim. 6. 16. an unaccessible light that Moses in his mortality saw not perfectly yet we piously believe that the Son of God taking on him the shape of a man as he was afterwards to be incarnate did speak with Moses familiarly 131. Num. 14. 1. All the people with a loud voice murmured against Moses Vers 23. They shall not see the Land of promise except Caleb Josh 14. 1. The children of Israel possessed the land of Canaan which Eleazar the Priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the Fathers distributed to them Ch. 24. 7. Whose eyes saw what the Lord had done in Egypt Eleazar and Caleb and other faithfull people came into the Land of promise but those 1 Cor. 10. 5. that murmured were destroyed in the wildernesse for with many of them God was not well pleased 132. Num. 15. 38. Speak to the children of Israel that they make themselves fringes in the borders of their garments Mat. 23. 5. Christ condemns the Pharisees for enlarging their phylacteries and their borders The abuse of a thing doth not take away the use of it God commanded the Israelites that so often as they should look upon their garments they should remember the Commandements of God and do them But the Pharisees abused this commandement of God boasting hypocritically of their long garments and fringes as though there had been some holinesse in them therefore their hypocrisie is deservedly reprehended 133. Num. 16. 32. The earth opening her mouth devoured them all which belonged to Corah with their houses and substance Deut. 11. 6. Psal 106. 17. 26. 32. When Corah perished all his sons perished not The sons of Corah which escaped alive were in the Tabernacle of the Lord when the sedition began because they consented not to the Levites in the sedition of their Father 134. Num. 18. 16. The redemption of the first-born shall be from a moneth old for five shekels after the shekell of the Sanctuary Exod. 22. 30. Thou shalt give me thy first-born and with Sheep and Oxen thou shalt do the like seven dayes it shall be with the dam on the eight thou shalt give it me The first born of Man and of clean beasts were consecrated unto God the eighth day but the unclean beasts were redeemed after one month A woman after she brought sorch a male child must stay apart six weeks after a female twelve weeks in that time they were purged from their issue of bloud 135. Num. 18. 20. God said unto Aaron Thou shalt have no inheritance in the Land neither shalt thou have any part amongst the Israelites I am thy part Josh 21. 41. The 48. Cities of the Levites were within the possessions of the children of Israel The Levites had their habitation and food in those Cities with their families which Cities were as Schooles wherein they were instructed rightly in the Law and to performe their office in holy things as they should 136. Num. 20. 11. At the stroak of Moses on the rock of flint the waters came out abundantly and the congregation drank and their beasts also Psal 18. 1. 1 Cor. 10. 4. They all dranke the same spirituall drink for they dranke of that spirituall Rock which followed them and that rock was Christ Moses relates historically the water that came out of the flint for the use of the people and their Cattle The Apostle speaks after a spirituall manner and saith that Christs benefits to us were prefigured thereby 137. Num. 20. 18 21. Edom would not suffer the Israelites to passe through the Land Deut. 2. 29. Let me passe through thy Land as the children of Esau did unto me The children of Esau denied to let the children Jud. 11. 18 of Israel passe through the publick way through their Cities and Villages the King of Edom suffered them to passe about by his borders and through by-wayes 138. Num. 20. 28. Eleazar the high Priest was present at his fathers death Lev. 21. 11. The high Priest shall not go in to any dead body nor defile himselfe for his Father or his Mother Eleazar was not yet the high Priest actually and this was a singular example Augustine That time that the high Priest did his office of high Priest it was forbidden him that he should not come to his Parents being dead 139. Num. 21. 9. Moses made a Serpent of brasse and put it up for a signe and when they that were bitten beheld it they were healed Exod. 20. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likenesse of any thing in heaven or earth God gave an especiall command of setting up the brasen Serpent like to the fiery Serpents whose wounds and bites the Israelites could not endure that so looking on this they might be safe it was a figure of Christ crucified 140. Num. 22. 12. God said to Balaam Thou shalt not go with them Vers 20. Rise and go with them Vers 35. Go with the men God would not that Balaam should go to curse the Israelites at last he suffered him to go though he were displeased at it yet on this condition that he should speak nothing then what God commanded him 141. Num. 23. 10. Balaam prophesied to his owne disgrace 1 Cor. 12. 7. To every man the manifestation of the Spirit is given to profit withall The gift of Prophesie was not hurtfull to Balaam in respect of God that gave it him had he used it well but Baalam abused it False prophets also speak truth Joh. 11. 51. as Caiaphas did though it be against their will 142. Num. 25. 3. Israel joyned himself to Baal-poor and God was angry with Israel 1 Cor. 10. 8. Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed Since Idolatry is spirituall fornication Lyra. Paul makes mention of it for the daughters of Moab would not admit the Israelites before they had eaten things offered to Idols 143. Num. 25. 9. There died of the plague 24000. 1 Cor. 10. 8. They fell in one day 23000. Moses collects the number of those which fell by sword and strangling but the Apostle counts onely those that fell by the sword 144. Num. 27. 12. Go up into mount Abarim and see the land Deut. 34. 1. Moses went up to mount Nebo to the top of Pisgah c. Abarim was the mountain but Nebo and Pisgah were the tops of that mountain so they differ but as a part from the whole 145. Num. 27. 21. The Priest shall aske counsell for him after the judgement of Vrim 1 Sam. 30. 8. And Abiathar brought to David the Ephod and he enquired at the Lord. The Ephod was properly belonging to the high Priest common to all sacrificing Priests which David made use of extraordinarily and was inspired by God with a propheticall spirit 146. Num. 31. 18. But all maids that have not known a man keep alive for your selves 1 Sam. 15. 3. Slay both man woman and infant
into Egypt Matthew passeth by the father of Ieconias 267. 2 King 23. 30. Iosias was buried at Ierusalem before the Babylonish captivity Mat. 1. 11. Iosias begat Ieconias and his brethren in the captivity of Babylon Iosias in his posterity begat Iechonias and his brothers kindred who lived when that miserable carrying captive into Babylon began 268. 2 King 25. 29. Iechonias or Ioachin died in Babylon Mat. 1. 12. After the transmigration unto Babylon Iechonias begat Salathiel That was done after the beginning of the captivity but not after the confirmation of it when the time was that Evilmerodach lifted up the head of Ioachim in the 37 year of his reign over Babylon when the time of deliverance drew on The two Books of CHRONICLES THey are called Paralipomena from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is from being passed by Things that are passed by in the Books of the Kings are contained here In Hebrew they are named Dibre Hajamin that is Words of dayes of Chronicall Annals because they contain Annals and Histories The first sets down the Genealogie of Adam of the Patriarchs and Tribes of Israel with the reigns of Saul and David The latter hath the History of Solomon and of all the Kings of Iudah and Israel to the Babylonish captivity and their enlargement by Cyrus which is done in the year of the world 3435. They were both written by Esdras 269. 1 Chron. 2. 9. The sons of Ezrom Ieramuel and Ram. Matth. 1. 3. Ezrom begat Aram. Ram and Aram were but one in Hebrew Ram in Syriack Aram signifies Noble or High 270. 1 Chron. 3. 11. Ioram begat Ochozias of whom came Ioas. Matth. 1. 8. Ioram begat Ozias Ochosias Joas and Amasias are left out by the Evangelist because they reigned not well and to observe the 14 generations that is the 14 persons of Kings in the genealogie of Christ 271. 1 Chron. 3. 18. The son of Salathiel Pedajah of Pedajah Zorobabel Ezd. 3. 2. Mat. 12. 2. Salathiel begat Zorobabel Zorobabel was the nephew to Salathiel which he begat by his son Pedajah 272. 1 Chron. 10. 6. Saul died and his three sons and all his house died together 2 Sam. 2. 8. Abner made Isbosheth the son of Saul King over Israel Isbosheth after his fathers death though he had for a time the name of a King at last he was miserably slain in his bed and Mephiboseth was by favour in the Court of David without any rule so the family of Saul perished rightly with him nor ever could aspire any more to any eminent dignity 273. 1 Chron. 18. 12. Abishai smote Edom in the valley of salt 18000. 2 Sam. 8. 13. It was David Psal 60. 2. That Victory is imputed to Joab Abishai with Joab having the Army divided conquered the enemy at the first assault he overcame 6000 of the Edomites Joab killed 12000 of those that fled away but the victory is imputed to David as their King 274. 2 Chron. 2. 14. Hiram was the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan whose Father was of Tyre 1 King 7. 14. He was the son of a widow of the trihe of Nephtalim The Father of Hiram was of the tribe of Nephthalim who lived many years in Tyria and had a wife of the tribe of Dan. 275. 2 Chron. 8. 1. Solomon built those Cities which Hiram restored to him 1 King 9. 11. Solomon gave to Hiram twenty Cities in the Land of Galilee Solomon gave to Hiram those Cities for twenty years that he might have a yearly revenue from them untill the charges were paid to him then Hiram restored them to Solomon and he built them and made the children of Israel dwell in them 276. 2 Chron. 19. 2. Josaphat because he lent help to the wicked and made friendship with those that hated God deserved Gods wrath Gen. 14. 13. Abraham and Isaac were in league with heathen Kings and Gentiles Leagues in civill affaires are granted but otherwise there can be no firme league made with them So was David at peace with his Neighbours and Abraham with the Cananites 277. 2 Chron. 35. 18. There was not the like Passover in Israel from the dayes of Samuel the Prophet 2 King 23. 22. There was not the like passover from the dayes of the Judges which judged Israel nor all the dayes of the Kings of Judah Samuel was the last of the Judges the meanning therefore of the words is this there was no passover like that from the time that Kings began in Israel 278. 2 Chron. 35. 34. Josias was killed in battail by the City of Megiddo by the Archers of the Egyptians Chap. 34. 38. I will gather thee to thy Fathers and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace Josias his reign death and buriall were peaceable though he were wounded in the war fighting against Pharaoh Necho contrary to Gods word yet there is no doubt of his salvation EZDRAS two Books THey were both written by Ezdras and contain the return of the Jews from Babylon to Judea and the building of the Temple and of the City Jerusalem the correction of the people and restitution of religion With the History of 200 years 279. Ezd. 1. 5. There rose up the chief of the Fathers of Judah and Benjamin the Priests and the Levites with all them whose spirit God had raised 1 Chron. 9. 3. The Israelites the Priests Levites the Nethinims went up to Jerusalem the children of Judah Benjamin Ephraim and Manasses There came to Jerusalem in their return not onely the children of Judah but of other tribes and they restored the worship of God amongst themselves who were before time transported out of Judea with them into Babylon 280. 1 Ezd. 2. 5. The sons of Arah returned 775. Neh. 7. 10. They are recorded 652. First are set down those that gave up their names to return then those that came into Judea the rest remaining in Babylon or perishing in the journey so also is reconciled the unequall number of other families 281. 1 Ezd. 2 6. The children of Pabath-moab 800 and Joab of the children of Joshua and Moab 280 2. Neh. 7. 11. The children of Pahath-moab of the children of Joshua and Moab 2818. There was a lesse number of some of those families but at length it grew greater by the dignity of those that went forth and greatest of all when others joyned themselves to them that had not set down their namâ—s 282. 1 Ezd. 6. 3. Cyrus the King decreed that the house of God should be built at Jerusalem and let them lay the foundations the height thereof 60 cubits and the breadth thereof 60 cubits 1 King 6. 2. The house which King Solomon built for the Lord the length thereof was 60 cubits the breadth 20 cubits the height 30 cubits The structure of Solomons Temple was more 2 Chron. 3. 3. Agg. 2. 3. 1 Eld. 3. 12. beautifull then this therefore the Elders that saw this wept
of hypocrites but he hears the prayers of penitents 313. Psal 19. 4. Their line went out into the ends of the earth Rom. 10. 18. Their sound went out into the whole world Paul interprets the Psalme concerning the Doctrine of the Gospell and saith that it is the Canon of the holy Ghost and rule of faith and manners of Christians appointed by God by the sound and voice of the Prophets of Christ and his Apostles in which the will of God is revealed and therefore it is called the Canonicall Scripture 314. Psal 19. 8. The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart 2 Cor. 3. 7. The law is the ministration of death engraven in stones In the Psalme by the Law is understood all the will of God revealed from above The Apostle speaks only of the morall law not as it is in it self for so it is the perfect law of righteousnesse and brings life but in respect of us who are transgressors of the Law and obtain nothing but death by it 315. Psal 19. 11. And in keeping of thy commandments there is great reward Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all ye were commanded ye shall say We are unprofitable servants we have done nothing but what we are obliged to do David commendeth the Law of God and that there is great reward in the keeping of it In which the goodnesse of God is commended who may of right require obedience from us yet he freely gives a reward unto us which he oweth not Christ sheweth that we and all that we have are due unto God therefore we can aske nothing for a reward and it is presumption to think that we can deserve any thing at Gods hands 316. Psal 22. 1. My God my God wherefore hast thou forsaken me Joh. 14. 10. Chap. 16. 32. I am not alone for the Father is with me In the first place is signified the sense of Gods wrath and the effect thereof in Christ who taking upon him our person is made sin for us though he complained that he was forsaken as man yet he was not forsaken as the Son of God nor was the divine nature separated from the hnmane nature but supported it In the latter place when Christ saith I am not alone he hath respect to the flight of the Apostles and fortifyeth himselfe against it by the presence of his Father 317. Psal 22. 3. My God I cryed by day and thou heardest not Joh. 11. 42. I knew because thou hearest me alwayes Christ was not heard in his passion because he was to die In the latter place he speaks of his prayer for believers he gives thanks to his Father that he was always heard 318. Psal 24. 1. The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof Luk. 4. 6. I will give to thee saith Satan unto Christ all this power and glory Satan being the spirit and father of lying Joh. 8. 44. Mat. 28. Psal 23. 8. doth falsly appropriate to himself the power of the world Christ being appointed by his father King of Kings to whom was given all power in heaven and earth he rules in heaven and earth from sea to sea from the rivers unto the ends of the earth 319. Psal 24. 2. The Lord hath founded the earth upon the seas Exod. 20. 4. The waters are under the earth The earth hath its stability from the first creation the foundation thereof is the power of God which is the center of the whole and it doth as it were move upon the waters above and beneath it hath the waters on the sides so that the sea is higher then the earth it is therefore the wonderfull work of God that he preserveth mankind from drowning in the midst of the waters 320. Psal 26. 2. Prove me O Lord. 1 Cor. 11. 28. Let a man prove himself God because he proves our thoughts words and deeds therefore we must prove our selves that we may make our selves approved to God 321. Psal 32. 3. When I kept silence my bones waxed old Vers 3. Through my roaring all the day long Silence respects the suppression of sinnes Crying the complaints and lamentations for grief of mind 322. Psal 32. 10. Many sorrowes shall be to the wicked 73. 5. The righteous are punished more then the wicked Punishments internall and sempiternall are for the wicked but externall and temporary are understood by the last place 323. Psal 34. 5. They lookt unto him and were lightned 1 Tim. 6. 16. He dwels in a light that no man can approach unto God is said to dwell in light not properly but metaphorically for by this his glory and manifest presence is understood 324. Psal 34. 10. There is no look to them that fear God 2 Tim. 3. 12. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution The Godly suffer no want in spirituall good but in corporall and temporall good yet their persecutions are good for them and are rewarded with eternall life 325. Psal 34. 22. None that trust in the Lord shall be desolate Rom. 3. 23. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God In the first place is understood delinquency to death and eternall destruction but they that believe in Christ their faults shall not be imputed to them unto death 326. Psal 35. 6. Let their way be made slippery and dark and let the Angell of the Lord persecute them Mat. 5. 44. Love your enemies In the first place are meant the incorrigible and obdurate enemies of Christ and his Gospel In the latter place those of whose conversion we have hope 327. Psal 36. 8. Thou shalt preserve both man and beast O Lord. 1 Cor. 9. 9. Doth God take care for oxen Under the generall care of God are comprehended all creatures but under his speciall care Men for whose sake God hath made the beasts Ambrose saith God cares not for beasts for themselves but for our sake for which he created all things and therefore his principall care is for us 328. Psal 37. 21. The wicked borrowes and payeth not again Luk. 6. 35. Lend looking for nothing again If the Debter be fallen into extreme want that he cannot pay we must not kill him or forsake him in his utmost necessity 329. Psal 37. 25. I have been young and now am old yet saw I never the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging their bread Luk. 16. 20. Lazarus a begger desired to be satisfied with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans Table Beggery is a punishment to the wicked but to the godly a fatherly punishment and it is found in the unlawfull begging of Monks sturdy obstinate and idle people which refuse to work but the lawfull begging is for the members of Christ which are brought to extream poverty by banishment war fire water sicknesse c. 330. Psal 40. 7. Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ye as living stones are built up a spirituall house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall
Psal 89. 7. O Lord God who is like unto thee 1 Joh. 3. 2. We know that when he appears we shall be like him The Psalmist speaks of the mighty men of the earth who living wickedly and ungodly are not like to God And John speaks of the faithfull who though they are here strangers and pilgrims seeing only in a glasse by faith yet when the time of perfection shall come we shall see him face to face as he is and reign for ever with him 348. Psal 90. 9. We passe away in thy wrath Joh. 3. 36. He that believeth not the Son the wrath of God abideth on him God is angry for a time not against the persons of the godly but against their sins and he chastneth them here not for ever for their good and not for their hurt but unbelievers shall never see Gods gracious face unto life 349. Psal 92. 16. There is no iniquity in God Rom. 11. 32. God hath concluded all under unbelief that he might have mercy upon all God being free from all iniquity hath concluded that it argueth all men to be guilty of sins not as the cause thereof but as a judge whilst he declares them guilty for sinne if he would deal according to rigour of divine justice 350. Psal 102. 26 27. Heaven and earth shall passe away as a garment shall they wax old and as a vesture shalt thou change them 104. 5. The earth Eccles 1. 4. shall not be removed for ever c. The earth shall endure to the time appointed by God and what is corruptible of it shall be burnt with fire in the end of the world For ever here signifies not eternity but a long time 351. Psal 103. 10. Dealt not with us after our sins nor rewarded us after our iniquities Deut. 7. 10. I will repay to them in time God rewards believers not according to their iniquity nor doth he deal with us after our sins for when we were his enemies he was reconciled to us by Christ and gave us life but he rewards the unbelievers according their works and condemns them by just judgment 352. Psal 104. 5. Thou laidst the foundations of the earth 2 Pet. 3. 5. The earth standing out of the waters and in the waters by the word of God The basis of the earth is the power of God that supports all this Universe the earth is called the Centre of the Universe and is said to subsist in the waters and out of the waters because it is compassed by the waters like an Island 353. Psal 104. 15. Oyle that maketh a chearfull countenance Isa 3. 18. The Lord will take away the bravery of their tinckling ornaments their caules and their round tires God will not have people to paint their faces for that is reprehended in Isaiah but because God fore-knew by the fall that most grievous diseases would afflict us he gave power of healing to plants and art to Physitians and Apothecaries to make oyles and unguents Chymically to cure and refresh men of this the Psalmist speaks 354. Psal 105. 37. There was not one feeble person amongst them Deut. 25. 18. Amalek slew all that were feeble behind thee The Israelites going out of Egypt were sick of no disease but there were women with childe and old people who were weary in the way and sat down to rest 355. Psal 106. 31. Phinehas slew two of them in their fornication and that was counted to him for righteousnesse Rom. 4. 3. Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousnesse This just heroicall act of Phinehas pleased God To Abraham believing in Christ grace and righteousnesse is imputed Therefore to be imputed for righteousnesse signifies diversly as it is applyed to different persons 356. Psal 108. 9. He curseth his enemies Mat. 5. 44. Love your enemies blesse them that curse you c. Christ in the person of David by a propheticall spirit wisheth horrid punishments to the enemies of God and his Church In Matthew he exhorts to sincere and ardent charity to our enemies 357. Psal 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Mat. 11. 12. The kingdome of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force We are willing to do good when the holy Ghost doth his work in us and renews us The Evangelist means a spirituall violence of men with a burning zeal entring into the Kingdome of God and taking of it as it were by force obeying the Gospell forsaking legall ceremonies and embracing salvation by Christ 358. Psal 112. 6. The righteous shall not be moved for ever Prov. 24. 16. The righteous man shall fall seven times a day Job 5. 19. Psal 34. 10. The righteous in Christ founded on him by a true faith shall not be overthrown though the World and the Devill rage against him but if at any time by infirmity of the flesh he do fall yet he riseth again by Gods grace nor doth he despair or cast away his trust in God but by repentance he returns into favour with God again 359. Psal 115. 4. The Idols of the heathens are silver and gold Isa 41. 45 46. 1 Cor. 8. 4. An Idoll is nothing in the world Idols for their matter are things created by God but an Idoll is nothing privatively not negatively because it is not that which it is called namely God it hath nothing of God it can do neither good nor hurt 360. Psal 216. 11. Every man is a lyer Rev. 14. 5. There was found no guile in their mouth The first place sheweth what we are by nature of our selves the latter of what we are by grace after we apprehend Christ by faith and are led by the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of truth 361. Psal 119. 13. With my lips have I shewed all the judgements of thy mouth Rom. 11. 33. The judgments of God are unsearchable The Psalmist speaks of the judgements of Gods mouth revealed in his word Paul of the secret and unscrutable judgements or the reason why God doth this or that to make one man rich an other poor 362. Psal 119. 13. I have hated the wicked Rom. 12. 14. Blesse those that persecute you and curse them not Godly men must not hate mens persons Mat. 5. 2. Act. 7. but rather their faults not those that sin of weaknesse but those that sin of obstinacy and rather to pray for them both by the example of Christ and Stephen c. then to curse either 363. Psal 119. 155. Health is far from the ungodly Mat. 9. 13. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance The Psalmist speaks of wicked men obstinate and such as are hardned in their sins rejecting the grace of God and Christ the author of salvation Christ speaks of penitent sinners who being convinced with the sense of their own sins flie to the mercy of God and seek health in Gods grace onely through Jesus Christ 364. Psal 125. 1.
shall no more passe through thee 2 King 24. 1. Chap. 25. 1. Nebuchadnezzar invaded the land of Judah and spoyled it The Prophet speaks of Senacherib that he should come no more into the land of Judah for he was killed by his own sons Also the words of the Prophet may be understood concerning the perfect blessednesse of the next world HABAKKUKS Prophesie HE foretels to the Jews when they sinned their destruction by the Caldeans He comforts the faithfull with the coming of the Messias and the destruction of the Babylonians He prays for the ignorant He prophesied in the year 3290. 506. Heb. 1. 5. Behold you amongst the heathen and regard for I will work a worke in your dayes which you will not believe though it be told you Act. 13. 41. Paul refers these words to the resurrection of Christ. The Apostle compares the resurrection of Christ with the wonderfull deliverance of the Jews from the bondage of Babylon which though their forefathers would not believe yet they found it to be true so their posterity must needs acknowledge that Christ was raised from the dead 507. Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith Mat. 9. 2. Jesus seeing their faith Every one shall live by his own faith to eternall life but an other mans faith or prayers may obtain from God for us temporall benefits or deliverance In the latter place Christ speaks not only of their faith who brought the man to him that was sick of the Palsie but of his faith also 508. Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith Luk. 10. 28. Do this and live We live and are justified by faith not for our faith but because by faith we lay hold on Christ Do this saith Christ to the Lawyer that from the Law he might learn to know his own weaknesse and not that by observing the Law he might deserve life for by the law no man is justified in the sight of Rom. 3. 9. Gal. 3. 24. God ZEPHANIAHS Prophesie THe son of Chushi he prophesieth to the unbelieving Jews their destruction by their neighbour Nations and to those Nations their extermination by other Nations But deliverance to believers He prophesied about the year 3451. 509. Zeph. 1. 5. He prophesied in the days of Josiah of the evills which should come upon Judah 2 King 23. 3. Josias and all the people made a covenant with the Lord that they should walk after God with all their heart The Prophesie by a legall commination moved both King and people to manifest their zeal But he frighted the wicked Hypocrites and such as were averse from God by threatning them that so they might forsake their sinnes 510. Zeph. 1. 7. The day of the Lord is at hand 2 Thess 2. 3. Be not terrified as though the day of the Lord were at hand In the former place by the day of the Lord is understood the neernesse of the Babylonish captivity In the latter the coming of the Lord to Judgement the time whereof is not for us to know 511. Zeph. 3. 7. I said surely thou wilt fear me Vers 7. But they corrupted their own doing I said the Lord useth that word after the manner of men not as though he had failed of his hope for all things are known to him before they be but as if he should say Who would thing you should be so hardned that my very threatnings should not move you HAGGIES Prophesie HE upbraids the Jews for that they did not rebuild the Temple and exhorts them to build it and he describes the magnificence of the second Temple He prophesied after the captivity of Babylon under Darius Hystaspes in the year 3444. 512. Hagg. 1. 8. Bring wood and build the house Isai 66. 1. Thus saith the Lord Heaven is my seat and the earth is my footstoole what house is that you will build unto me The rebuilding of the Temple was accepted with God for the holy convocation and the worship in it to Gods glory that was with the Priesthood and Leviticall rites a type of Christ unto whose coming onely it was to endure 513. Hagg. 2. 3. You that saw this house in its firstglory and how do you see it now Is it not in comparison of it as nothing Vers 9. The glory of this latter house shall be greater then that of the former house saith the Lord of hosts The structure indeed of this house did not answer the Majesty of the first house built by Solomon Yet the spiritual glory of this latter house shall be greater then the former house because the Lord himself came into it and preached in it disputed and wrought great miracles there 514. Hagg. 2. 4. Do so for I am with you saith the Lord of hosts Zach. 1. 12. O Lord of hosts how long will it be ere thou have pity on Jerusalem In the first place the Prophet comforts the people by the hope of promises in Christ promising that God would be present there with his people after the captivity of Babylon In the latter Christ intercedes for his Church which hath sinned against God and was punished by a just judgement of God with a Babylonian captivity for 70. years 515. Hag. 2. 6. Yet a little while and I will shake the heaven and the earth and the desire of all Nations shall come This Prophesie was fulfilled after 500 years under Augustus Caesar Luk. 2. 11. With God 1000 years are but as one day or one watch in the night ZECHARIAS Prophesie THe son of Barachiah He warns the Jews to repent to build the Temple he makes mention of his visions and explains them by the effusion of the Spirit of grace and prayers He prophesied after the return from Babylon in the year of the world 3456. 516. Zech. 1. 3. Turn unto me and I will turn unto you Joh. 6. 44. No man comes unto me unlesse my Father draw him The first place is legall requiring of us what we ought and not what we can do The latter is evangelicall for no man comes unto God unlesse God draw him by his Spirit Therefore we must pray diligently Convert me O Lord that I may be converted because Jer. 31. 18. thou O Lord art my God 517. Zech. 1. 17. Chap. 2. 10. The Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet choose Jerusalem Eph. 1. 4. God the Father chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world The election of a certain people to be a visible Church in the first place is taken metonymically for by that deed God sheweth that he hath confirmed the election of Jerusalem In the latter God speaks of our election unto eternall life 518. Zech. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye Isai 3. 1. Behold the Lord of hosts doth take away from Jerusalem the whole stay of bread In the first place is contained the promise of God to the faithfull that keep his Covenant In the latter is the pronouncing
God who promiseth for Christs sake a reward of his grace to them that ask him and crowns his gifts in us Nor doe the afflictions and sufferings of this life merit the free rewards of eternal life 543. Mat. 5. 12. Great is your reward in heaven Ephes 2. 8. By grace you are saved through faith it is the gift of God Our salvation properly is not a reward but Rom. 5. 6. c. 3. 28. Phil. 2. 13. 1 Tim 4. 8. the gift of God in respect of acquiring it and application conservation and perfection 544. Mat. 5. 14. You are the light of the world Joh. 8. 12. I saith Christ am the light of this world All Doctors of the Church and all Christians enlightned by Christ are light not of themselves but from Christ of whom they receive their splendor and divine light or Christ is of himself the true original light who enlightens every man that comes into the world 545. Mat. 5. 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works c. 6. 1. Beware that you give not your alms before men All that are enlightned with the light of the Gospel must study to doe good works Rom. 13. 12. That by the works themselves the faith and godlinesse in our hearts may be known to men But in the latter place all works of ambition and boasting are forbidden by Christ for hypocrites they doe so desiring to be praised and seen of men 546. Mat. 5. 17. I came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it Gal. 3. 13. Christ came to redeem us from the curse of the law There is a difference between the law and the curse of it as Christ hath fulfilled the law so must we walk in his commandements and by applying Christs satisfaction to our selves we are said spiritually to fulfill the law from the curse and condemnation whereof we are redeemed by Christ 547. Mat. 5. 22. Whosoever is angry with his brother is in danger of judgement Ephes 4. 6. Be angry but sin not That anger is unlawful when any one without just cause is angry and more with the person then the faults for his own cause and not for Gods cause Thou shalt not kill It is lawful when for Gods glory we are angry with the sins and not with the persons also the Apostle warn's us to moderate this just anger that we offend not by anger against God or our Neighbour 548. Mat. 5. 22. He that saith to his brother Thou fool shall be in danger of hell fire Luk. 24. 25. O fools and slow of heart to believe Gal. 3. 1. O foolish Galatians who hath bewitched you Christ condemns a contumelious despising of our brother and a reproachful aspersion of foolishnesse but he in his way to Emaus cals Cleophas and his fellows fools not out of a vitious desire but for their dulnesse and folly because they believed not the Prophets nor the Word of God so the Apostle called the Galatians foolish 549. Mat. 5. 25. Agree with thine Adversary 1 Pet. 5. 9. Whom resist strong in faith The first place is concerning all adversaries in general with whom we must agree according to the rule of charity The latter is concerning the Devil in particular whom we must alwayes resist being armed with heavenly weapons against him 550. Mat. 5. 32. Whosoever puts away his wife unlesse it be for fornication causeth her to commit adultery 1 Cor. 7. 11. If she depart let her remain unmarryed or be reconciled to her husband Fornication or Adultery is the principal cause of divorce betwixt those that are marryed but other causes as witchcraft impotency malicious forsaking doe not so dissolve the band of Matrimony The Apostle speaks of desertion and in that case reconciliation must be first endevoured before the party forsaken or forsaking should be left out of Matrimony 551. Mat. 5. 39. Resist not evill but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek turn the other to him also Joh. 18. 23. If I have spoken evill bear witnesse of the evill if well why smitest thou me The manner of resisting evill is either of retaliation with injury and this Christ forbids or of just defence by which without injury we drive off injuries by reason or law So Christ said Why dost thou smite me Not out of a mind desirous of revenge but from a well composed heart he spake that and it is lawful for godly men to complain to the Judge of injuries done unto them 552. Mat. 5. 43. Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy Ver. 43. Love your enemies Luk. 6. 35. Rom. 12. 20. doe good to those that hate you The first place was corrupt and came into use from the time of the Maccabees The latter was not delivered by Christ as a new law but the true sense of the divine law concerning love to our neighbours is explained by him For God in the Old Testament expressely commands men to love their enemies Deut. 22. 2. 553. Mat. 6. 6. When thou prayest enter into thy closet and shutting the dore pray 1 Tim. 2 8. I will that men pray in every place Christ against boasters teacheth us that our duty in prayer is that we seek to please God rather then men because God considers our hearts men look only on the outside and he that is alone prayeth better with a composed mind then he that prayeth amongst a multitude of People whether therefore we pray privately or publickly let us alwayes pray so as if we were hid in our closets The Apostle witnesseth that our prayer is accepted with God be it in private or publick when God is worshipped in spirit and truth 554. Mat. 5. 40. If any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat from thee let him have thy cloak also Rom. 13. 1. There is no power but of God Christ doth here prescribe the law of patience to his followers that they should not be troubled for the losse of their goods but wait on the Lord quietly untill he take revenge on wicked men yet he forbids not the lawful means of recovering goods fraudulently or forcibly taken away or appeal to the Magistrate for power much lesse doth he condemn it 555 Mat. 6. 7. When you pray use not vain repetitions Luk. 18. 1. Men ought to pray alwayes and not to faint Col. 4. 2. 1 Thes 5. 17. Christ taxeth the vain babling and foolish Isa 23. 13. prating of those who suppose to move God with words often repeated though they be cold and distrustful in their prayers But he forbids not continuance in prayers but will have us to pray alwayes if not in words yet in desires for the prayers of godly men are arrows that are shot into heaven 556. Mat. 6. 13. Lead us not into temptation Jam. 1. 13. Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God Temptation is either good for a good end as when God proves
contumacy forsake her husband nor the husband to forsake his wife but if she depart let her live unmarryed or be reconciled to her husband 694. Luk. 22. 28. Ye are they who have continued with me in my temptations Mat. 26. 56. All the Disciples forsook him and fled In the former place the Disciples constancy is commended for the time past that they forsook not Christ in his temptations when others were backward In the latter is observed their scattering abroad for that at the time of Christs passion their faith was much shaken 695. Luk. 22. 29. I appoint to you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed me Mar. 10. 40. For to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give He speaks at first not of the Kingdome of heaven whereof he hath the sole government but of the administration of the Kingdome of Grace in the promulgation of the Gospel through all the world and planting of Churches by Apostolical Authority which he going to his Father left in charge with them as he had it committed to him by his Father 696. Luk. 22. 31. Satan desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat 1 Joh. 5. 18. And he that is born of God sinneth not and that wicked one that is the Devill toucheth him not Satan lays snares for godly men alwayes seeking whom he may devour that Christ confirms by example of the Disciples John teacheth that that evill one shall not hurt us though he set upon us For God is faithful who will not 1 Cor. 10. 13. suffer you to be tempted above what you are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it 697. Luk. 23. 34. Father forgive them Joh. 17. 9. I pray not not for the world Christ both by words and his own example taught us to pray for our enemies he prayed not for the world that is for wicked men hardned in their sins of whom there was no hopes of repentance we must not imitate that because he onely knew best who they were that were such 698. Luk. 24. 10. Mary Magdalen and Joanna and Mary the Mother of James which told these things unto the Apostles Mar. 16. 10. Mary Magdalen told them that had been with him Mark excludes not the other women he names Mary Magdalen either because she spake to the Apostles in the name of all the rest or else with greater affection or because she spake first The Gospel of St. JOHN IT contains a relation of Christs Person both Mat. 10. 7. according to his divine and humane Nature also his Office and pains he endured unto the death or the Crosse his Resurrection also and his appearings It was written after the other Evangelists against the Heresies of Ebion and Cerinthus being as it were a Complement of those things were let passe by the other Evangelists 699. Joh. 1. 7. John came for a witnesse to bear witnesse of the light c. 5. 34. I saith Christ receive not testimony from man John testified of Christ that he was the light Act. 1. 8. c. 10. 39. of the world not for Christs cause but for mans cause that they might believe in him For seeing he is the chief good the testimony of men or Angels can adde nothing unto him 700. Joh. 1. 8. He that is John was not that light c. 5. 35. He was a burning light John was not the light of life which enlightens Joh. 8. 12. every man that comes into the world but Christ who is the light of the world Yet John was a burning light which not of himself but before others carryed the Torch-light of the Word and enlightned many by the Ministery that so they might see that true Light and Sun of Righteousnesse So Ministers of the Church and all the godly shine before others in holy doctrine and a pious life 701. Joh. 1. 14 18. We behold his glory as of the only begotten of the Father Gal. 3. 26. For you are all the children of God by faith which is in Christ Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God Rom. 8. 15. 2 Cor. 1. 22. c. 5. 15. namely the natural Son begotten from everlasting by the communication of the whole divine Nature from the Father the faithful are called the sons of God by Adoption their faith in Christ and the holy Ghost which is called the Spirit of Adoption because by his vertue and operation he adopts us to be the sons of God 702. Joh. 1. 27. He it is who came after me v. 27. For he was before me Christ was born after John the Baptist of the Virgin Mary in the sixth moneth according to his humane Nature but he was before him as he was God from everlasting 703. Joh. 2. 4. Woman what have I to doe with thee Mat. 15. 4. Honour thy Father and Mother The words of Christ were of Information not of Reprehension For we must obey God rather then men By the word woman he implyes that the Virgin Mary must not be the object of Invocation but God only saith Epiphan Haeres 79. 704. Joh. 3. 13. No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came from heaven even the Son of Man which is in heaven c. 17. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory By ascending and descending here we must understand the usurpation of heavenly things for the natural and carnal man perceiveth not those things which are from the Spirit of God And all those whom the Father gave to Christ that is the faithful shall be blessed with him for ever both in souls and bodies and so the first place is explained by the latter Christ is Head of the faithful and we are his Members he is in the midst of us and our conversation is in heaven He descended in weaknesse that he might raise us to his glory for no man can come to the Father but by him 705. Joh. 3. 17. God sent not his Son into the world Gal. 4. 4. God sent his Son God sent not his Son to judge the world in his state of humiliation but he sent him to redeem those that were under the law now in his state of exaltation he doth and will judge the world For all judgement and power is Joh. 5. 19. Mat. 28. given to him from the Father both in Heaven and in Earth 706. Joh. 4. 1. Jesus baptized v. 2. Jesus himself baptized not but his Disciples Christ did not outwardly baptize with his own hands but by his Disciples yet it is called Christs Baptism because he appointed it and consecrated it by his Word sanctified it by his own Baptism adorned it and confirmed it by annexing a promise to it and because with the outward Baptism by water he joyneth the baptism by fire that is he Mat. 3. 11. Luk. 3. 17. inwardly washeth
own damnation The flesh of Christ in it self giveth life because it is alwayes so also in respect of men because some are faithful which it doth actually give life to others Infidels who are not quickned in Christ the cause whereof is not from Christ but from their own Infidelity and unworthinesse for not discerning the dy and bloud of the Lord they draw on the judgements of God upon themselves 721. Joh. 7. 5. Neither did his brethren believe in him chap. 16. 27. Ye have believed that I came out from God The former place must be understood of his brethren and corporal kindred the latter of the Apostles and his Disciples which were not all kindred to Christ according to the flesh 722. Joh. 7. 7. The world cannot hate you chap. 15. 19. Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you In the first place Christ speaketh to his Brethren and Cousins according to the flesh that did not believe in him living carnally and after the manner of the world in the latter place he speaks of the Apostles who believed in him and were purged from all dregs of Infidelity and he assigns the causes wherefore they and other believers were hated of the world 723. Joh. 7. 8. I goe not not up yet unto this feast vers 10. He went up to the feast He went not openly with his friends that he might be seen but privately by this example of his he hath taught us not to venture our selves rashly amongst our enemies 724. Joh. 7. 16. My Doctrine is not mine but my Fathers who sent me chap. 17. 10. All mine are thine and thine are mine The Doctrine of Christ is said to be his Fathers and his in different respects the Father hath it from himself Christ from his Father also it is said to be the Fathers because he sent his Son for Christ was sent from the Father to publish it 725. Joh. 7. 26. Doe the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ 1 Cor. 2. 8. Had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory The knowledge of Christ is either carnal and historical so the Rulers of the Jews and the Devils knew Christ but this is nothing to salvation or a spiritual knowledge by faith which justifieth believers and which the Jews that crucified Christ had not Here the same thing is said in both places and what in the first place is explained by an Ironical Interrogation in it self negative that in the latter place is done affirmatively 726. Joh. 7. 34 36. Where I am thither ye cannot come chap. 17. 24. Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am Christ in the former place speaks to the Pharisees and carnal men rejecting his grace and he saith to them Where I am ye cannot come that is into heaven In the latter place he speaks of all the faithful which his Father hath given him 727. Joh. 8. 16. I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me chap. 16. 5. Now I goe my way to him that sent me In the first place Christ speaks of the unity of the Divine Nature and the inseparable conjunction of the Person in the latter concerning his Death and Ascension into Heaven to intercede with God the Father for us 728. Joh. 8. 23. Ye are of this world chap. 15. 19. Ye are not of this world To be of the world is to be in darknesse and to lead a wicked life not to be of the world is to acknowledge Christ and to live godly The first place therefore respects the unbelieving Jews and carnal men the latter respects all the faithful the children of God and elected to salvation 729. Joh. 8. 26. I have many things to say and to judge of you chap. 3. 18. He that believeth not is condemned already In the first place the present tense is put for Rom. 14. 10. the future For we must all of us appear before Christs Tribunal that every man may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. 730. Joh. 8. 28. I doe nothing of myself ch 10. 18. I have power c. Christ of himself that is without the Father or against his Fathers authority did nothing 731. Joh. 8. 33. We be Abrahams seed v. 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil There are sons carnal and sons spiritual the carnal Jews were the seed of Abraham in respect of corporal propagation Spiritual are such as are guided by a good or evill spirit sons by a good Spirit are all the faithful who are of the seed of Abraham by faith in Christ who gave to believing Abraham that he should be called the Father of believers Christ saith the Jews were from an evill spirit who did not the works of Abraham but of the Devil in respect of their malice and imitation and he that doth the works of another may be called his son 732. Joh. 8. 35. The servant abideth not in the house for ever 1 Thes 4. 17. We shall ever be with the Lord. In the first place is spoken of a servant of sin in the latter of the faithful who shall be delivered from all bondage being made free by the Son Joh. 8. 36. 733. Joh. 8. 36. Yee shall be free indeed Rom. 7. 23. Paul was a captive under the law of sin The faithful are free from sin in respect of condemnation dominion and perfect liberty which they shall enjoy in the next life they are said to be captive under sin by reason of inherent sin which begets ill desires in them against their wills 734. Joh. 8. 46. Which of you convinceth me of sin chap. 9. 24. We know that this man is a sinner Christ speaks of firm proof that no man could convince him of sin The Jews for despight and calumny said falsely that he was a sinner 735. Joh. 8. 50. I seek not mine own glory vers 12. I am the light of the world Hee meanes glory acquired from his Father not affected glory and he calls himself the Light of the world truly confessing what he is and not by hunting after vain glory 736. Joh. 8. 51. If a man keep my saying he shall never see death Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed unto all men once to dye Christ speaks of spiritual and eternal death the Apostle speaks of corporal and temporal death 737. Joh. 8. 58. Before Abraham was I am Heb. 2. 17. He took upon him the seed of Abraham There are three kind of speeches concerning Christ some things are spoken of him according to his divine Nature so he was before Abraham some things are spoken according to his humane Nature when he is called Abrahams seed or Davids and some things are spoken of both Natures that he is the Mediator between God and Man 1 Tim. 2. 5. 738. Joh. 9. 3.
known the Father in him 756. Joh. 14. 12. He that believeth on me the works that I doe shall he doe also and greater chap. 3. 2. No man can doe those Miracles that thou doest Christ means not works of divine Creation Redemption or Sanctification but of his mission such Miracles as he wrought in the world such and greater then they were wrought by the Apostles whose shadows cured sick men as they passed by after Christs Ascension and the wonderful conversion of the Gentiles followed 757. Joh. 14. 13. chap. 16. 24. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name that will I do Ask and you shall receive Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not We ought to ask in Christs Name in full confidence of his merits with true faith and without doubting spiritual or corporal blessings with exception of Gods will and our own salvation in all occasions and in all our prayers they that ask so receive and they that receive not ask amisse 758. Joh. 14. 23. If any man love me he will keep my words vers 23. The Word which ye hear is not mine The Word that Christ taught was his but not any invention of his but his Fathers Word which he was sent into the world to preach 759 Joh. 14. 23. And we will come unto him and make our abode with him Rom. 7. 20. Sin dwelleth in me vers 14. I am sold under sin The first place is concerning the inhabitation of the Sacred Trinity in the spiritual part of a regenerate man The latter is of the dwelling of sin in our carnal members 760. Joh. 15. 15. I call you not servants but friends Mat. 25. 21. Well done good servant The Disciples were Christs servants by right of creation redemption and vocation friends by right of adoption communication and patefaction Aug. tr 55. on John 761. Joh. 15. 15. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 16. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you In the Scriptures some things are said to be full which are to be fulfilled in the former place Christ speakes concerning the knowledge of God and the perfect worship of Christians in it self in the latter concerning the understanding of this Word which the Disciples by reason of their rudenesse could not bear before they had received the holy Ghost nor did they understand it 762. Joh. 16. 13. The Spirit of Truth shall guide you into all Truth Gal. 2. 11. Peter erred after he had received the holy Ghost The Apostles were led into all truth in parts and degrees of it After they had received the holy Ghost they erred not in doctrine in writing or teaching but in life and conversation such was the errour of Peter which was to be reproved whilest he conversed amongst the Gentiles 763. Joh. 16. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name Mat. 6. 9. Luk. 11. 2. He had given them the form of Prayer before The Disciples did indeed pray before but not so plainly with a clear knowledge of Christs Office that their prayers should be heard for the Messias that was sent 764. Joh. 16. 26. I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you Rom. 8. 26. He makes intercession for us Christ alone doth not pray for us but we also must come to the Father and in his Name at his command pray in full assurance which is necessary for our salvation 765. Joh. 17. 3. That they may know thee Father to be the only true God Act. 20. 28. The Son is God chap. 5. 4. The holy Ghost is God Onely here doth not exclude the Persons in the Divine Essence but creatures and Idols which are no gods 766. Joh. 18. 20. I speak openly to the world and in secret have I said nothing Mar. 9. 28. He taught his Disciples privately in the Desert In the first place he speaks of his doctrine which he brought from Heaven that he might reveal it to all men and teach it publickly and in the temple not in private corners In the latter place he taught privately explaining those things which he had taught publickly 767. Joh. 19. 9. Jesus answered not Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. Christ Jesus before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession To Pilates question first Christ did not answer because he stood before him to suffer and not to plead or excuse at length he gave testimony to the Truth in words and deeds for his passion and death were a sufficient testimony and sealing of his doctrine 768. Joh. 20. 1. Christ rose on the first day of the week Mat. 12. 40. The Son of Mâ—â— shall be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth untill the third day This is a Synecdochical computation of time for the least part of the day of the preparation is taken for a whole day and the beginning of the day after the Passeover or the Sabbath is taken also for a whole day Christ was three days in the grave but it was incompleatly three days so also he was two nights in the grave the night before being added to them 769. Joh. 20. 1. Mary Magdalen came early when it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher Mar. 16. 2. Very early they came to the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun When it was yet dark very early in the morning she went out of her house and the City waiting for the rest of the women with which afterwards she came to the Sepulcher at the Sun-rising 770. Joh. 20. 17. Touch me not Ver. 26. Reach hither thy finger Christ after the Resurrection would not be touched of Mary Magdalen who only sought him after a carnal way and thought of enjoying him no otherwise then she did formerly by his earthly presence amongst them But he commanded Thomas to touch him that his faith being confirmed he might be a more certain witnesse of Christs Resurrection The ACTS of the APOSTLES LVKE the Evangelist describes either in generall all the Acts of the Apostles or in speciall Peters Preachings Acts Visions Miracles Imprisonments the Conversion of Paul his Travels Disputations Miracles Bonds Imprisonments and the History of the Primitive Church after Christs Ascension from 26 years unto the 60 year from Christs Nativity 771. Acts 1. 1. Of all things that Jesus began both to do and teach Luke wrote John 21. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Luke in the first Book wrote of all things necessary for our salvation though not of all things but summarily concerning the conception of Jesus Christ his Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension into heaven August Christ did many things that are In John Tract 49. not written as John the Evangelist witnesseth but those things were chosen to be written which might suffice for the salvation
to the Gentiles but extraordinarily he might teach the Jews 1 Tim. 2. 7 also 791. Acts 10. 30. Four daies after the vision of Cornelius Peter came to Cesarea ver 19. The morrow after they that were sent from Cornelius came to Peter Cornelius the first day at three of the clock after noon sent his servants to Peter the second day they came to Peter the third day they came with Peter from Joppa and lay by the way that night the fourth day they returned to Cornelius at Cesarea 792. Acts 14. 22. We must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God Heb. 6. 12. c. 11. 1 The Saints by faith and patience inherit the promises The condition of the faithfull is common through many tribulations to enter into the Kingdom of heaven from which some are freed by speciall priviledge for faith is the means of acquiring life eternall but tribulation is the way thither 793. Acts 15. 10. The Law is a yoke which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear 1 John 5. 3. His Commandments are not grievous The Law is a yoke in respect of perfect obedience for here that is impossible for us the Commandments are easie in respect of the imputation of Christs righteousnesse who fulfilled the Law for us in whom our sins are forgiven Rom. 6. 14. 794. Acts 15. 28. It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us that you abstain from blood and things strangled Luk. 16. 16. The Law and the Prophets were untill John That was a temporall command belonging to the Ceremoniall Law untill the weak in faith who were not fully instructed were better confirmed least their conscience should be troubled and offended 795. Acts 16. 3. Paul circumcised Timothy because of the Jews Gal. 2. 3. Titus being a Greek was not compelled to be circumcised Circumcision from the time of its institution untill Christs death was necessary because of Gods command for it was a Sacrament and a part of Gods worship After Christs death the Ceremony and use of it remained for some time untill the Jews were taught concerning the abrogation of the Law for it was needfull that the Synagogue should by degrees be buried with honour as the Ceremonies were by degrees set up Paul circumcised Timothy lest he should offend the weak but might win them to Christ he would not circumcise Titus after the Gospel was planted lest he should do wrong to Christian liberty 796. Acts 16. 6. They were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia Mat. 28. 19. Go and teach all Nations The time to preach the Word of God in Asia was not yet come and Paul and Silas were then sent to some other place to greater increase of the Gospel yet at last the Gospel was plentifully 1 Pet. 1. 21. preached there also 797. Acts 16. 18. Paul would not suffer the spirit of divination Phil. 1. 18. What then notwithstanding every way whither in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce and will rejoyce Paul had great causes to cast out the spirit of divination because translating himself into an Angel of light he would have drawn the Apostolicall doctrine to be suspected as if they had been both as one and so they that beleeved the Apostles should beleeve the spirit of Divination that he might overthrow the Gospel 798. Acts 17. 28. In him we live and move and have our being this sentence is from Aratus the Heathen out of Menander 1 Cor. 15. 33. Evil communications corrupt good manners Tit. 1. 12. That the Cretians are liars evil beasts slow bellies is taken out of Epimerides and Callimachus Jerem gives the reason of this thing that they who were obstinate in their heathenish malice might be condemned out of their own Writers 799. Acts 18. 8. Paul baptized Crispus and Gaius and the house of Stephanus 1 Cor. 1. 17. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel Christ sent all the Apostles to preach and to baptize yet because the ordinary way of preaching was better more hard and more necessary therefore he would have them apply themselves rather to this leaving baptizing to those that were inferiour to them Paul denyeth that he was sent to Baptize not simply but comparatively so God commanded not sacrificing but obedience because he will rather have this then that Jer. 7. 22. 800. Acts 18. 2 18. Priscilla and Aquila were with Paul at Corinth Rom. 16. 3. Writing from Corinth he salutes Priscilla and Aquila Paul when he was again at Corinth writing to Rome salutes amongst others Priscilla and Aquila who were then there 801. Acts 18. 18. Paul shaved his head at Cenchrea for he had a vow Gal. 5. 1. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage Some referre that vow and shaving to Aquila if Paul did that he did it therefore that he 1 Cor. 9. Act. 21. 26. might become all things to all men that he might win some that he might serve the time and not offend the Jews but promote the cause of the Gospel 802. Acts 19. 2. The Disciples said to Paul we have not heard whether there be any holy Ghost v. 4. They were baptized therefore they must know the holy Ghost In the first place he speaks of the extraordinary miraculous gifts of the holy Ghost otherwise they were taught concerning the person of the holy Ghost by John and they had received his common gifts conferred in Baptism 803. Acts 19. 3. Into Johns vers 5. They were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Baptisme in the first place is taken for the whole Ministry of John vers 5. there was no reiteration of Baptism but an approbation of Baptism conferred in the Name of Jesus by John which is understood to be done by laying on of hands 804. Acts 19. 13. Certain of the vagabond Jews exercists took upon them to call on the Name of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 12. 3. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost The Lord Jesus is so called either by the mouth only as by the exorcists or from the heart by the holy Ghost there are externall gifts of the holy Ghost and confession is reckoned amongst the common gifts so those that were possessed with the devil could say that Jesus was the Sonne of God but the gifts of regeneration are proper to Beleevers only 805. Acts 20. 9. Eutichus fallen asleep fell from the third loft and was taken up dead v. 10. his life is in him Paul speaks confidently whether the soul were in the young man or not so Christ said before he raised the maid she is not dead but sleepeth 806. Acts 20. 27. I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsell of God Rom. 11. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 6. Who hath known the minde of the Lord The counsell of God is either necessary