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
goe and tell him his fault between thee and him alone 1 Tim. 5. 20. Them that sin rebuke before all Christ speaketh of our private duty toward our brethren that offend us without publick scandalt and wils that we shal not be too severe or soft examiners of our brothers faults The Apostle speaks of the publick office of the Presbytery against those who persevere in their sins as Theophylact expounds it 605. Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them Joh. 11. 15. I was not there Christ in the former place speaks of his personal and gracious presence in the latter of his common natural presence with other men in the earth for when he was in another place he was not truly and locally in Bethany 606. Mat. 19 17. There is no man good save one who is God Luk. 6. 45. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good God is good of his own infinite perfection by his Essence Nature and Beeing to whom evill is contrary Men and Angels are called good not from themselves but by communication by the goodnesse of God in their creation and restitution Christ attributes goodnesse to God only that he might draw him that called him good to acknowledge his doctrine to be divine 607. Mat. 19. 27. Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee What shall we have therefore Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all those things that were commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done onely that was our duty to doe Peter glories in the name of the Apostles that they had forsaken all for Christ though it was not much that they had so men are wont to reckon largely of their services toward God Christ opposeth against this ambition our duty we owe unto God all that we can and all we possesse is from God we are his servants and they that serve him not for himself deserve nothing in the sight of God doing our duty we doe not repay the thousandth part of what we owe unto him 608. Mat. 20. 16. Many are called and few chosen Rom. 8. 38. Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified Vocation is either external by preaching of Gods Word so God cals all men indifferently to partake of his grace or by the internal vocation joyned with the outward whereby God by his holy Spirit manifesteth to us our Rom. 8. election and declares us to be his children 609. Mat. 20. 20. The Mother of Zebedees children came to him and desired Mar. 10. 35. James and John the sons of Zebedee came to him The Mother spoken to by her children asked in their name for they supposed they should the more easily obtain it by mediaation of their Mother because she was Christs Cousin 610. Mat. 20. 23. To sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne In the first place Christ maintains that at his first coming God the Father had given him no command to assign to any men any degrees of honour but that he should instruct the faithful concerning the Crosse and should promise unto them eternal life which is given to them who shall overcome by faith which is our victory 611. Mat. 20. 29. And as they departed from Jericho behold two blind men sitting by the way side Mar. 10. 46. As he went out of Jericho blind Bartimeus sat by the high way side Matthew was an eye witnesse that they were two but Mark mentions the most noted of them 612. Mat. 20. 29. As they departed from Jericho Behold two blind men Luk. 18. 35. As he came nigh to Iericho a certain blind man sat by the way side When Christ entred the City the blind man first cryed out and when he was not heard for the noyse he sat in the way where Christ went out and never left crying till Christ called and healed him Christ did defer his cure but did not wholly refuse it so he made proof of his faith and of many others 613. Mat. 21. 19. The fig tree was forthwith dryed Mar. 11. 20. In the morning as they passed by they saw the fig-tree dryed up from the root The fig-tree indeed withered forthwith but on the morning the day following the witherednesse was made manifest 614. Mat. 22. 32. God is not the God of the dead but of the living Rom. 14. 8. Whether we live or dye we are the Lords Christ denyeth not simply but comparatively and relatively from the hypothesis of the Sadduces that God was the God of the dead for they supposed the dead should never rise again Paul from another hypothesis affirms the same which depends on Christs resurrection on this wise God is the God of the dead because the dead bodies shall rise again 615. Mat. 23. 9. Call no man your Father upon the earth 1 Cor. 4. 15. If you had ten thousand instructors in Christ yet have you not many Fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you Christ will have us place our filial confidence in God only not in men though they love us with fatherly affection and teach us the true Religion and so are called Fathers not by nature but by participation that they are so So Paul cals himself the Father of the Corinthians and of Timothy by reason of the Gospel not primarily but secondarily because he was an Instrument which God used to call and regenerate them by the Gospel that he preached to them 616. Mat. 23. 10. Be not called Masters 1 Cor. 4. 15. You have many Masters Christ is our only spiritual Rabbi Master and Joh. 1. Doctor others that have these titles are but servants to this great Master because they must teach no other but the Doctrine of Christ For of his fulnesse we have all received he is the way the truth and the life and it is enough to us that he said it 617. Mat. 23. 17. Yee Fools and blind c. 5. 22. Whosoever shall say Thou Fool shall be in danger of hell fire Christ by his Office and his charity was angry with the Pharisees and to make them repent he called them fools and blind but he forbids that out of a carnal reproachful desire and greedinesse of revenge or pride or mad anger any man should detract from his neighbour 618. Mat. 23. 37. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them c. 27. Jerusalem is called the holy City Jerusalem the City of Martyrs is there called the City of many Saints It is called the holy City for the most holy God by whom it was made choise of or for the Messias who taught them the sanctity of faith and life and offered himself for us for a price of redemption or for the Saints that were in it 619. Mat.
Kingdome is eternal and without end not as Davids earthly Kingdome was for a few dayes but it must be continued for ever in the Person of Christ and the faithful after a spiritual manner he shall deliver the Kingdome to the Father not that he shall no longer rule with the Father but because after this world is ended he will fully joyn us to his Father and will govern his Church otherwise then it is now governed 665. Luk. 1. 36. Elizabeth Maries Cousin ver 5. She was of the daughters of Aaron Luk. 2. 5. Mary was of the Tribe of Judah of the house of David In Scripture they are called Cousins though they are not all of the same family so vulgarly Anna is affirmed to be the Mother of Mary and the sister of Elizabeth 666. Luk. 1. 44. The babe leaped in my womb for joy that is John Baptist in the womb of his Mother when Mary came to her Joh. 1. 31. I knew him not saith John Christ was known to John before by internal and spiritual knowledge but John knew him externally and corporally in his baptism 667. Luk. 1. 67. Zacharias prophesied being full of the holy Ghost Joh. 7. 39. The holy Ghost was not yet because Christ was not yet glorified The first place is meant of the gift and Spirit of Prophesie the latter place is concerning the visible and wonderful effusion of gifts of the holy Ghost upon the Apostles after Christs glorification 668. Luk. 2. 11. There is born to you a Saviour in the City of David which is Christ the Lord. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Baptism doth save us Subalternates doe not disagree Christ makes his people safe from their sins principally as the efficient meritorious cause Baptism serves but instrumentally and not alwayes for it is not the want of baptism but the contempt which condemns us 669. Luk. 2. 33. His Father and Mother marvelled at those things Mat. 1. 8. Jesus according to his humanity no Father Heb. 7. 3. according to his Divinity had no Mother The Father of Jesus Christ Joseph was only so for his care but not really and naturally so for he was appointed by God to be a keeper of the Virgin Mary espoused to him and her Son and Christ being a little child gave him honour and reverence due to a Father The Virgin Mary was his natural Mother according to the flesh for he received his humane nature of her substance 670. Luk. 2. 34. Simeon blessed him Heb. 7. 7. The lesser is blessed of the better Simeon prayed well for Mary congratulating her concerning her happy and blessed Off-spring and by a Prophetique Spirit fore-shewing the hard successe she and her Son should have but he did not prefer himself before them 671. Luk. 3. 7. The Baptist cals the Pharisees a generation of Vipers Mat. 5. 22. He that saith to his brother Thou Fool shall be in danger of Hell fire John Baptist cals them not so reproachfully out of an ill affection but from his Office because such were full of poyson and malice working the Viperous works of the Devil the old Serpent So the Ministers of the Church must publickly complain of the sins of the people 672. Luk. 5. 10. Fear not from henceforth thou shalt catch men Joh. 1. 42. Andrew brought Simon his brother to Christ Simon is brought by Andrew to follow Christ and to professe the Gospel by a general call but Christ cals him by a special call to the Sacred Function about the matter of Fishing 673. Luk. 6. 1. And it came to passe on the second Sabbath after the first that he went through the Corn fields Mat. 12. 1. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn The Jews called the eight day of the great solemnity the second Sabbath after the first for some of their Feasts lasted for eight dayes and the first day with the eight day were the most solemn and the intermediate days not so much regarded moreover they were called Sabbaths 674. Luk. 6. 25. Woe to you that laugh now for you shall mourn and weep Joh. 16. 22. Your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you In the first place the pleasures and delights of the world are understood by the name of laughter the end whereof is alwayes sorrow in the latter place is meant joy in Christ by the holy Ghost which is heavenly and eternall 675. Luk. 6. 26. Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you Mat. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 12. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Woe be to them who do only so that they may please the world and desire the praise of men flattering the wicked and winking at their sins that they may get favour But not to them who like a light are an example of good works and a godly life to others 676. Luk. 6. 30. Give to every man that asketh Eccles 12. 4. Give to the godly and help not a sinner hold back thy bread and give it not unto him Christ will have that we shall doe good to our friends and to our enemies though they be wicked and ingrateful by the example of our merciful heavenly Father and if we give not to the person yet give to his Nature as he is a man A place of Ecclesiasticus may not be opposed to Canonical Scripture who will have him that craves an alms to be humble shutting out the wicked and obstinate in malice who abuse the beneficence of good men 677. Luk. 7. 13. Weep not Eccles 38. 16. Let tears fall down over the dead Christ comforts the widow who wept for the death of her onely son because her son should suddenly live again But Christ disallows not moderate weeping for the death of our neighbour only we must not mourn as those that have no hope 678. Luk. 8. 39. Return to thy house and shew how great things God hath done unto thee c. 5. 14. He commands the Leper that he should tell no man Christ commanded him that was possessed with the Devil to tell what benefits God had done for him because the time the place and other circumstances required that but he sent the leprous party who was cleansed to the Priest that he might approve of the cure 679. Luk. 10. 4. Salute no man by the way Rom. 16. 16. Salute one the other with an holy kiss The Churches of Christ salute you Phil. 4. 22. The Saints Christ will have his Disciples diligent in dispatch of their Office that they should not hinder the course of their Ministery with long discourses and salutations but should fulfil their journey in a short time such a command gave Elias to his servant which denyeth not our Christian duty and humane good manners to salute one the other 680. Luk. 10. 18. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven Joh. 8. 44. The Devill was a Murderer from
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
THE Reconciler OF THE BIBLE WHEREIN Above Two Thousand seeming Contradictions throughout the Old and New Testament are Fully and Plainly Reconciled Being necessary for all those that desire to understand the Sacred Scriptures aright unto SALVATION By J. T. Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for Simon Miller at the Star in St. Pauls-church-yard neer the West end M. DC LVI Imprimatur Edm. Calamy To the Reader THE Scripture of the Old and New Testament 2 Tim. 3. 16. revealed from God by the Prophets and Apostles since it is the rule of heavenly doctrine it ought to be held in high account amongst us For so many as walke according Gal. 6. 16. to this rule peace be on them and mercy and upon the Israel of God c. But for as much as the enemies of divine truth are adversaries to those who continue in the same it is no wonder that they fear not both to resist the spirit by whom it was inspired and to accuse the work of contrariety and imperfection Though the Scripture have no reall contrarieties indeed in its self for the Spirit of God by 2 Pet. 1. 21. whom those holy men that writ it were led being not Chrys in Gen. hom 1. contrary to himself did so govern the matter that it should wholly agree in all parts yet some apparent contrarieties there are in it which cause some difficulty to the Reader yet the whole body of the Doctrine is not therefore to be accused of obscurity as though the will of God could not thence be certainly known concerning things which appertain to Religion Nothing is searched out there which is not to be found easily in some other place nor is there any opposition in the Scripture witnesse Aug. lib. 5. c. 8. de Genes I will never dare to think saith Justin Martyr in Dial. cum Tryph. Judaeo nor speak that the Scriptures can be adverse to themselves but if any Scripture seem to be so and hath a colour as though it did contradict some other Scripture I will rather confesse that I understand not the things there spoken being certainly perswaded that no part of Scripture can be opposite to any other part thereof c. This is that I undertake to prove in this Reconciliatory Bible wherein are reconciled above Two Thousand places of the Sacred Scripture opposite in appearance in a plain order by the Canonical books of the Old and New Testament short collections of each Book and Chronologicall numbers being set down before them and the truth of the divine word is proved to be uniforme to the honour and love whereof all that doubt of the consent of the same are modestly invited Some man perhaps will object that some things are borrowed by me from others which I deny not for in compiling this Synopsis I thought it more safe and discreet to follow the steps of the most approved Interpreters then without the authority of famous men in this most corrupt age which is full of Error and Heresie to invert any thing of my own brain and to publish it to the world And I hope that the Curteous Reader and the equall censurer are not ignorant that in the study of Divinity nothing can be said now that was not said before And it is most profitable that many Books should be Eccl. 110. Aug. tom 3 de Trin. lib. 1. c. 3. made by many men of the same things in a divers style but not in a different faith And he shall finde that I have compendiously gathered together in this Concordance that which the greater works of learned men contain more at large so that here he may as it were at a single view comprehend the matter Let those famous men have the praise who have set forth large handfuls in this harvest I would not that any one should derogate from their Orthodox labours but let them have it rather then my selfe Yet I doubt not but that he who was and is effectuall in their large and learned Commentaries will supply me with his grace and be present to these gleanings If any one condemn my brevity and rudenesse of my style I sought to be brief but not obscure because brevity is profitable and is accounted most acceptable alwayes by this there is nothing lost in the substance My religious mind bad me stop this little body with solid meat not with lofty and windy words if there be any thing found in it that is not as it should be I crave pardon what is not spoken religiously enough let it passe as not spoken far be it from me that I should arrogate to my self as though I had exactly written without error for I am not he of whom it may be said He made it in the perfect tense D. Mart. Luth. in praef but I stand in the last ranke who scarse dare say I would have made it yet in great matters it is suffient to be willing Wherefore I being much sollicited by some like my self that is of the meaner sort and by the most pious desire of my intimate friends by this little Book of mine first intended for private use I would nay I am obliged to do them good but not them who suppose they better understand these things For who is sufficient for these things Christian Reader I do patiently and willingly beg of thee that according to thy Piety and Candor thou wouldest sincerely interpret of this my study and duty performed in collecting these Concordances of the Bible and wouldest look upon it with the same minde that I writ it that is with a single and good eye Our Lord Jesus Christ who of God is made 1 Cor. 1. 30. unto us wisdome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Sanctifie reconcile and enlighten us by his holy Spirit that being reconciled in him we may remain for ever to the praise of his divine grace and our own salvation Which is the desire and prayer of Your dayly Orator at the Throne of Grace J. T. RECONCILIATIONS Of the Places of the OLD-TESTAMENT THE sacred Scripture of the Old Testament is the Word of God brought down from heaven from the beginning of the World unto the coming of the Messias preached by the Prophets almost 4000 years writin Hebrew except some few things in Chalde Esdras 4 5 6. Dan. 2 to 8. Ezek. 10. 11. called by the Jewes Esirmve arba that is twenty four divided by Christ into the books of Luk. 24. 27. Moses the Prophets and the Psalms The Books of Moses THe Pentateuch that is the five Books Also the Ocean of Divinity the Hebrews call the 1. Bereschit that is in the beginning 2. Velle Semoth These are the names 3. Vajer He called The 4. Vajed daber And he spake 5. Elle hadebarim These are the words both in Greek and Latine 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Numbers
offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee Christ would not that we should dismember our selves but that we should mortifie the old Adam and bridle the wicked motions and desires of our mindes and take heed of them 97. Exod. 20. 18. The people saw thundrings and the lightnings and the noise of the trumpet Deut 5. 23 You heard the voice out of the middest of the darknesse The frighted people standing a farre off stricken with fear saw the thunder joyned with lightning breaking forth of the dark clouds in the promulgation of the law 98. Exod. 20. 24. Thou shalt make unto me an Altar of earth Chap. 27. 1. Of Shittim wood The inward part of the Altar was earth the outside of Shittim wood 99. Exod. 21. 24. Lev. 24. 40. An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth Mat. 5. 38 39. If any one strike thee on the right cheek turn to him the left The first place is concerning the publick judgement of the Magistrate and the judiciall law now because the Pharisees interpreted their law falsly Christ confutes them and teacheth that private persons must not resist force with force and evill with evill but overcome evill with good to part with their garment and Rom. 12. 21. turn the cheek 100. Exod. 22. 28. Thou shal s not revile the Gods nor curse the ruler of thy people Luk. 13. 32. Go and tell that fox Christ speaks so of Herod Private persons of ill will or by contempt must not speak reprochfully of the Magistrate Christ was no private person and by his words detecting the fox-like craftinesse of Herod who endevoured by his craft to overthrow true Religion and the Gospell he sheweth plainly that he feared him not 101. Exod 25. 16. Thou shalt put into the Ark the Testimony which I shall give thee c. Heb. 9. 4. In the Arke was the golden pot with Manna and Aarons rod that budded and the tables of the Testament In the Ark under the covering were only Exod. 16. 33 34. Num. 17. 7. the tables of stone of the Covenant the pot with Manna and Aarons rod stood before the Ark. The Apostle joynes them all together because they were in the Tabernacle in the sight of God 102. Exod. 29. 32 33. Aaron and his sons shall eat the holy bread but a stranger shall not eat thereof 1 Sam. 21. 6. David eat thereof and they that were with him The precept of the holy bread or proposition was ceremoniall and a temporall pedagogie the morall prohibition was not so David therefore is here excused by a case of necessity 103. Exod. 30. 6. Thou shalt put the Altar before the vail that is by the Ark. Heb. 9. 3 4. After the second vail in the Tabernacle was the golden censer There was a double vail one by which the outside of the holy place was distinguished from the inside the other by which the holy place was distinguished from the holiest of all between those two vails the Altar of Incense was placed 104. Exod. 33. 20. No man shall see me and live 1 Cor. 13. 12. Now we see through a glasse darkly The essence of God is invisible and incomprehensible 1 Joh. 3. 2. to us in this world but in the next world we shall see God face to face the glory of God as he is 105. Exod. 34. 3. God doth not justifie the wicked Rom. 4. 5. He justifieth the wicked He doth not justifie the impenitent and such as persevere in wickednesse but he justifies the penitent and such as are justified in Christ 106. Exod. 34. 15. Thou shalt make no league with the Canaanites Gen. 21. 27. Abraham made a Covenant with Abimelech Covenants in spirituall matters and such as belong to Religion must not be made with Heathens and Idolaters but Abraham made a Covenant with Abimelech in temporall matters such as belonged to commerce and the common peace of the Country 107. Exod. 34. 16. Thou shall not give thy daughter to his Son 1 Cor. 7. 12. If any Brother have an unbelieving wife and she be pleased to dwell with him let him not put her away c. God expresly forbad the Israelites to marry with the Canaanites lest the Israelites should be seduced to worship other Gods The Apostle speaks of a marriage confirmed already before the conversion of one party to Christ otherwise it is a very unhappy thing to marry those that are of false religions Nor must we draw 2 Cor. 6. 14. in the same yoak with them LEVITICUS WAS so called from Levi one of the Tribes It contains the Leviticall sacrifices the sanctifying of the Priests and people the difference of meats vowes conversation and other observations and rites 108. Lev. 1. 6. The sons of Aaron shall pull off the skin of the burnt offering and cut it into pieces 2 Chron. 35. 11. The Levites pulled off their skins It was the office of the Priests to pull off the skins of the burnt-offerings but because in the time of Hezekiah and Josias the celebration of the Paffeover was solemn and many millions of sacrifices were offered therefore it was extraordinarily granted to the Levites to pull off the skins 109. Lev. 1. 13. The Priest shall burn all oblations upon the Altar for a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savour unto the Lord. Joh. 4. 24. Gad is a spirit and smels not In the former words he speaks comparatively that as man delights in sweet odors so God is delighted in their sacrifices not by reason of the fat of bullocks but for the sacrifice of his onely begotten sonne our Lord Jesus Christ in whom he is well pleased 110. Lev. 2. 1. The oblation of a sacrifice to the Lord must be fine flowre and he shall powre oyle upon Mat. 3. 17. it and put frankincense thereon Chap. 5. 11. He shall bring the tenth part of an ephah of fine flowre he shall put no oyle upon it neither shall he put any frankincense thereon Sacrifices of free will were made with oyle and frankincense but offerings for sin were made without oyle and frankincense 111. Lev. 2. 11. No meat-offering shall be brought unto the Lord made with leaven Chap. 23. 17. You shall bring two loaves of two tenth deales they shall be of fine flowre baken with leaven they are the first fruits The oblation which was leavened was eucharisticall or for a thanksgiving but the free will offering was without leaven 112. Lev. 3. 16. All the fat shall be the Lords by a perpetuall statute Chap. 23. 17. Two loaves of the first fruits of two tenth deals of fine flowre with leaven God separated the fat for himself not to eat it but to hinder the people that they should not eat it for Idolaters did eat the fat of their sacrifices 113. Lev. 6. 18. The Leviticall sacrifices should endure for ever Heb. 10. 14. By one offering Christ perfected for ever them that are sanctified The sacrifices of the old law are
Of the tribe of Judah 500000. 1 Chron. 21. 5. They are numbred 47000. First the Souldiers are numbred with their Colonels but next they are reckoned without their Officers 232. 2 Sam. 24. 13. Shall seven yeares of Famine come unto thee 1 Chron. 21. 12. Choose three years Famin. The Famin of seven years is joyned with the three years famine sent for the cruelty of the house of Saul after that should follow the other for the sins of David 233. 2 Sam. 24. 14. It is better to fall into the hands of the Lord. Heb. 10. 31. It is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God It is good to be in the hands of God when he is pleased with us because his mercies are great It is fearfull to fall into the hands of God when he is angry for the wicked cannot stand before him in judgement 234. 2 Sam. 24. 15. God sent a Pestilence upon Israel from the morning unto the time appointed Vers 13. Shall there be three dayes Pestilence in thy Land The time appointed was from the morning untill noon of one day or of the continuall morning sacrifice that is four hours 235. 2 Sam. 24. 24. David bought of Araunah the floor and the Oxen for 50. shekels of silver 1 Chron. 21. 25. David gave to Araunah for the threshing floor 600. shekels of gold of just weight The floor with all the ground about it was bought for 600. shekels of gold a greater price then what was given for the threshing floor the Oxen and the wood appointed for the sacrifice The two Books of KINGS Heb. Malachim THe first Book contains the History of Solomon The building of the Temple The division of the Kingdome to Judah and Israel The life of five of the Kings of Judah and eight of Israel Of Elias the Prophet With the History of 116 yeers The second contains the deeds of sixteen Kings of Judah and twelve of Israel Of Elisha and the destruction of the Kingdome and carrying the people of Israel captivo to Assyria Of the children of Judah to Babylon With the History of 345. yeares Jeremias writ them both 236. 1 King 2. 4. If thy children shall keep my wayes and walk in them in truth there shall not fail thee a man to sit on the throne of Israel Gen. 49. 10. The scepter shall not depart from Judah till Shiloh come In the former place it is spoken conditionally of the Kingdome of Israel If the sons of David should keep the wayes of the Lord but because Solomon failed therefore the Kingdome of Israel departed from his son and in the seventh generation the Kingdome of Judah was translated upon Nathan whose posterity ruled over the Jews untill the coming of Christ In the latter place any kind of dominion is foretold to remain in Judahs posterity untill the Messias should come 237. 1 King 3. 1. Solomon took Pharaoh his daughter and brought her into the City of David Exod. 34. 15. Enter not into Covenant with the Inhabitants of that Land nor marry a wife c. Marriages in a different Religion are dangeros nor are they pleasing to God We must not 2 Cor. 6. 14. draw in the same yoak with Infidels for there can be no firme charity or unity where the foundation is neglected that is true Godlinesse That Queen forsaking her Religion and her 1 King 11. 4. fathers house and marrying with Solomon was a type of the mariage of Christ and his Church But because Solomon loved also the women of other Nations and his heart was led away by them to follow other gods he drew the anger of God upon himself and his posterity and caused a defection from them 238. 1 King 3. 13. I have also given thee riches and honour thot none of the Kings shall be like unto thee Mat. 6. 29. Solomon in all his glory was not like the Lillies of the field Solomon exceeded all the Kings in wisdom riches and honour Christ compares the Lillies with his vestiments in his greatest splendour 239. 1 King 6. 2. The house which Solomon built for the Lord the length thereof was 60 cubits the breadth 20. cubits and the height thereof 30 cubits 2 Chron. 3. 4. it is said to be 120 cubits In the first place common cubits in the latter cubits of the Sanctuary must be understood for the sacred cubit did contain two common cubits 240. 1 King 7. 15. He made two brasen pillars of 18 cubits high a piece 2 Chron. 3. 15. He made two pillars of 35 cubits high a piece Both the pillars did appear but 35 cubits high the half of each cubit was hid in the capitall or crowning of the pillar 241. 1 King 7. 19. The chapiters were four cubits 2 King 25. 17. They were three cubits The crown with the chapiter was four cubets without the crown but three cubits 242. 1 King 7. 26. The sea contained 2000 baths 2 Chron. 4. 5. 3000 baths In the former place is expressed the number of baths which ordinarily were put into the Vessell by the Kings order In the latter the capacity of the vessell is set down unto the brim of it so it would hold 3000 baths 243. 1 King 8. 4. The Priests brought up the Arke of the Lord and the Tabernacle of the Congregation into the Temple 2 Chron. 1. 13. The Tabernacle of the Congregation of God was at Gibeon The Tabernacle of David was a new one 2 Sam. 6. 17. 1 Chron. 16. 1. in which was the Arke of the Covenant The old one made by Moses was in the desart and remained at Gibeon 244. 1 King 8. 46. There is no man that sinneth not 1 Joh. 3. 9. Every man that is born of God doth not commit sin Naturally we are polluted with sin by the frailty of the flesh they that are born of God are the sons of God who being regenerate by the holy Spirit doe not give way to sin but carefully resist it being guided by the holy Ghost 245. 1 King 8. 27. The heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain God Col. 2. 9. In Christ dwelleth all fulnesse of the God-head bodily The divine nature cannot be apprehended by us the divinity of Christ is personally united to the flesh and dwels in it as in its proper Temple 246. 1 King 9. 23. Princes over Solomons work 550. 2 Chron. 8. 10. All the Princes over Solomons work were 250. In the former place mention is made of all who took charge of the work in the latter of those that took charge by course 247. 1 King 9. 28. Hiram sent to Solomon 420 talents of gold 2 Chron. 8. 18. They brought from Ophir 450 talents af gold The mariners and Solomons servants spent 30 talents by the way and they brought to Solomon to Jerusalem 420. 248. 1 King 11. 35. God said to Jerohoam I will give unto thee tentribes Vers 36. To Solomons son one tribe Chap. 12. 21. Rehoboam
greatest part The root of the Jews was holy by reason of the Covenant because they were born from their Father who was in the Covenant and so were they confederate with God and separated from the prosane Gentiles 434. Jer. 10. 23. O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man to direct his steps Mat. 23. 37. I would have gathered thy children together and thou wouldest not In spirituall matters that concern his salvation a man can do nothing that is good In politick and civill affaires he can indeed doe something but more inclining to evill then to good 435. Jer. 17. 5. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man Rom. 10. 11. He that believeth in Christ shall not be confounded Isai 28. 16. The Prophet speaks of bare mortall deceitfull man in himself The Apostle speaks of man subsisting in the person of the Son of God in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelt bodily 436. Jer. 15. 1. If Moses and Samuel stood before me yet my minde could not be toward this people Mat. 18. 19. If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven In the former place the speach is hypotheticall as if he should say though they were amongst the living and did stand before me and would turne away my wrath from this people yet would I not spare them Christ in the latter promiseth temporall good things upon condition of repentance 437. Jer. 17. 10. Chap. 20. 12. I the Lord search the heart I try the reins 1 Cor. 2. 11. Who knowes what is in man but the spirit of man which is in him God is not excluded from knowing what is in the heart but Angels and men are be they good or bad 438. Jer. 22. 11. Thus saith the Lord touching Sellum the son of Josiah 2 King 23. 30. 2 Chron. 3. 6. The people of the land took the son of Josia Joachaz and anointed him to be King Joachaz is called Sellum ironically because as King Sellum Israel was led captive into Egypt so Joachaz shall not return from the Babylonish captivity 439. Jer. 22. 30. Thus saith the Lord Write ye this man childlesse for no man of his seed shall prosper 1 Chron. 3. 19. Mat. 1. 12. Salathiel his son Jekonias died without children Salathiel the son of Neri was from Nathan the adopted son of Jekonias and by succession not his naturall son 440. Jer. 25. 1. The fourth year of Jehojakim the son of Josiah King of Judah was the first year of Nabuchadonoztr King of Babylon Dan. 1. 1. In the third year of Jehojakim King of Judals came Nabuchodonozor King of Babylon to Jerusalem That is in the end of the third year and the beginning of the fourth year of Jehojakims reign 441. Jer. 25. 11. And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment and these Nations shall serve the King of Babylon 70 years Act. 1. 7. It is not for you to know the times God by a Propheticall spirit revealed this to Jeremiah and so comforted his people but we must not curiously search to know the times contrary to Gods will that is the moment of the day of Judgement the destruction of the world which the Father hath reserved in his own power 442. Jer. 29. 11. I think toward you thoughts of peace and not of evill Vers 17. Thus saith the Lord of hosts I will send upon them the Famin. God gives peace to penitent sinners but punisheth sinners for their sins 443. Jer. 31. 15. A voice was heard in Ramah lamentation and Rachel weeping Mat. 2. 16. That was done at length in the killing of the children at Bethlehem The Prophets speak often in the present tense or time past of things which are to come for the certainty of the Prophesie So here he foreshews the lamentation of the Mothers for the children thae were slain at Bethlehem by Herods command 444. Jer. 31. 2. The Lord shall create a new thing on the earth Eccl. 1. 10. There is no new thing under the sun New things are made by creation so God the Father created all things new so we are a new creature in Christ by sanctification when we are regenerated by the holy Ghost by change so when Christ shall come all things shall be made new 445. Jer. 31. 31. Beheld the days come saith the Lord and I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah Mat. 5. 17. I came not to destroy the Law God promised a new Covenant when Christ should come yet such a one that should not differ from the former Covenant in substance but sanctified by the Messias The Doctrine of the Prophets and the Apostles was not changed by the coming of Christ but remains an eternall Law of leading our life the ceremonies are abrogated according to their use but their signification was more declared by his coming and illustrated and the Prophesies had their complement in him 446. Jer. 36. 30. Thus saith the Lord of Jehojakim King of Judah he shall have none to sit upon the throne of David 2 King 24. 6. And his son Joakim reigned in his stead Joakim did not sit that is he had no fast seat in the Kingdome for in the third month of his government Sedechias was put by force not by right into his place by Nebuchodonozor 447. Jer. 37. 14. Jeremie said I fall not away to the Chaldeans Chap. 21. 9. He that goeth out and fals to the Chaldeans shall live Jeremie taken in the gate defendeth his innocency that he fell not to the Caldeans nor was a betrayer of his Country but he said that he would go into the land of Benjamin 448. Jer. 52. 31. In the 37 year of the captivity of Jehojakim King of Judah in the 12 month in the 25 day of the month Evilmerodach lifted up the head of Jehojakim King of Judah 2 King 25. 27. In the 37 year of the captivity of Jehojakim he he was lifted up in the 12 month the 27 day On the 25 day Evilmerodach took counsell to deliver Joakim out of prison on the 27 day it was concluded and effected all things being disposed well for his enlargement The THRENES or LAMENTATIONS of Jeremiah THe Prophet bewails the destruction of Jerusalem and the Kingdome of Judah and the captivity of the people He comforteth himself and the people in the promises of God and commends the cause to God by his prayers 449. Lam. 3. 37. Who is he that saith and it cometh to passe when the Lord commandeth not Vers 38. Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not both evill and good Deut. 32. 4. The works of the Lord are perfect The evill of punishment not of sin is meant in the first place which is not ill in it self but in respect of men For all punishment in respect of God that
of David Matthew observes the natural order descending from Fathers to the sons Luke ascends from the sons to the Fathers Matthew by Solomon and his posterity reckons the fore-fathers of Christ from David to Salathiel Luke by Nathan and his posterity for Solomons race being extinct Christ was born of the posterity of Nathan according to the flesh 530. Mat. 1. 12. Jeconias begat Salathiel Luk. 3. 27. Salathiel was the son of Neri Melchi Addi Jeconias died without children Salathiel was the natural son of Neri born from David by Nathan the legal son of Jeconias because he succeeded him by right in the Kingdome 531. Mat. 2. 1. Behold wise men came from the East to Jerusalem cap. 11. 25. I confesse to thee Lord because thou hast hid these things from the wise c. The Wise men were led to Christ not by humane but divine wisdome acknowledging Col. 2. 3. Rom. 1. 25. Mat. 23. 23. Luk. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 1. 26. that in Christ were hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Christ rejects no such wise men but such as are not wise from Gods Spirit and yet think themselves wise following the wisdome of this world as the Heathen Philosophers and the Pharisees amongst the Jews and those that are wise now adayes with fleshly wisdome 532. Mat. 3. 1. John the Baptist preached in the wildernesse Luk. 3. 3. He came into all the Countrey about Jordan preaching by the Desert Matthew means not the inward remote parts separated from the company of men but the fore-parts a Mountainous Countrey lying about Jordan 533. Mat. 3. 14. John knew Christ before he baptized him Joh. 1. 33. I knew him not but he that sent me to baptize with water said unto me Vpon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and resting upon him he it is that baptizeth with the holy Ghost John had a knowledge of Christ before his baptism by inchoation but that knowledge was confirmed and consummate when in baptism he saw the Heavens open and the Spirit of God descending upon him like a Dove and so by an outward revelation joyned with an inward illumination he pronounced that Jesus was the Messias and the Lamb of God that takes away the sinnes of the world 534. Mat. 3. 16. The Spirit of God descended and came upon Christ Luk. 1. 35. Christ had the holy Ghost before Gal. 4. 6. At the baptism of Christ the holy Ghost came upon him like a Dove to declare that Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and man according to the prophesie The Spirit Isa 61. 1. of the Lord was upon me because he hath anoynted me to preach good tidings to the meek to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord who being to Psal 45. 8. take upon him the Office of Mediator is anoynted with spiritual oyl 535. Mat. 4. 2. And when Jesus had fasted forty dayes and forty nights he was afterward an hungred and the Tempter came and said unto him Luk. 4. 1. He was tempted forty days The internal temptation lasted forty dayes then came the Devil to Christ in an external and corporal shape and spake unto him 536. Mat. 4. 8. The Devil at the third temptation took him up to a Mountain Luk. 4. 5. The Devil at the second temptation took him into a high Mountain In the holy Scripture saith Augustine there is no contradiction where any thing is related by divers Authors and not observed the same way De Cons Ecclesiae Matthew placeth the temptations in order But Luke by Hysterosis puts the second temptation after the third 537. Mat. 4. 12. 17. Jesus began to preach from the imprisonment of John the Baptist Joh. 1. 2 3 4. chap. He preached before John was in prison Matthew passeth over that which John sets down in his 4 first chapters 538. Mat. 4. 18. Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee saw two brothers Simon and Andrew casting a Net into the Sea and he said Follow me Luk. 5. 1. He stood by the Lake of Gennesareth v. 3. Ascending into Simons ship he bade them put off a little from the land and he sat and taught the people out of the ship as he ended his speech he said to Simon Lanch into the deep v. 10. Fear not henceforth thou shalt catch men Here we have need of a threefold reconciliation Matthew saith that Christ walking toward Sea called Peter Luke in a little ship But Matthew speaks of his first call and Luke of his confirmation in it 2. Matthew makes no mention of the Miracle but what he let passe Luke describes 3. Matthew cals it the Sea of Galilee Luke the Lake of Genesareth because the Hebrews call all waters Seas Matthew respects the Province Luke the banks by the next City 539. Mat. 5. 1. Christ seeing the multitude went up into a Mountain and taught them Luk. 6. 17. He came down with them and stood in the plain Vers 20. Looking on his Disciples he said Blessed c. Here is also a threefold difference either Matthew saith that Christ preached in the Mountain Luke in the field Or Matthew saith he preached to the people Luke to his Disciples or Matthew saith before Luke after the healing of the leper Whence we conclude that Christ repeated that Sermon a second time 540. Mat. 5. 4. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Vers 14. Rejoyce and be glad Phil. 4. 4. Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Christ speaks not of all that mourn but such as from the heart mourn for their sins Joh. 16. â—3 Luk. 16. 25. 2 Cor. 1. and believe in him whose condition in this life is sorrowful and they suffer pressures in the world their mourning brings joy in this world and the world to come and God comforts them in all afflictions Christ pronounceth such mourners happy 541. Mat. 5. 5. Blessed are the meek for they shall possesse the earth Heb. 1â— 13. And they all confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth Meek are gentle such as with a quiet mind induring injuries do not resist evill but overcome evil with goodnesse by the example of Christ to these is the possession of the earth Rom. 12. 21. Mat. 11. 28. 1 Cor. 3. 22. Psal 27. 13 14. 16. promised not simply but by right of inheritance for the godly though they possesse nothing are said to possesse the earth because they have Christ who possesseth all things and he is only rich who hath a quiet mind The earth here is principally taken not for the element of earth but the land of the living 542. Mat. 5. 10. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake Ver. 12. Because great is their reward in heaven 1 Pet. 2. 10. c. 4. 14. Rom. 8. 18. The afflictions of this world are not worthy of the glory hereafter which shall be revealed in us The reward here hath no relation to any merit of ours but to the free love of
the faith hope patience obedience constancy of his children or evill to an evill end and we pray in the Lords prayer that God will not let us be tempted with evill nor give us over into the hand of Satan to tempt us 557. Mat. 6. 13. For thine is the Kingdome the power and the glory Luk. 11. 4. That conclusion is not found in the Lords Prayer One Evangelist omitting what the other hath set down doth no wayes derogate from the truth of Gods Word David used the same 1 Chron. 29. 11. 2 Tim. 4. 18. thanksgiving Thine is the greatnesse and the power and the glory and the Victory and the Majesty And Paul useth the same words And the Lord shall deliver me from every evill work to whom be glory for ever Amen From whence is taken that of the Church Glory be c. 558. Mat. 6. 19. Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own especially for those of his own house he hath denyed the faith Christ forbids no man to possesse wealth that comes as a blessing from God but to lay up treasures to the wrong of other men and to put our trust in them as the Gentiles doe nor Lev. 36. 14. Psal 112. 3. doth he condemn the care for a mans own family 559. Mat. 6. 31. Therefore take no thought saying What shall we eat or what shall we drink 1 Tim. 5. 8. If any man provide not for his own he hath denyed the faith Christ condemns here carnal care joyned with Heathenish distrust but not a Christian care to provide for our family with confidence in God 560. Mat. 7. 1. Judge not Joh. 7. 24. Judge righteous judgement Christ forbids rash judgement and defamation Mat. 18. 15. Jude v. 8 but not Politique or Ecclesiastical Judicature appointed by God under the Old-Testament nor yet domestick because all men are bound to judge of doctrine and manners and to call those to the right way that are wandring from it 561. Mat. 7. 8. Whosoever asketh receiveth Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not He that asketh as he ought to doe in faith receiveth what is convenient for him they that ask not as they should that is in faith nor for a good end receive not because they ask amiss 562. Mat. 7. 12. All things that you would that men should doe unto you doe you even so to them for this is the law and the Prophets c. 22. 4. On these two Commandements the love of God and our Neighbour hang all the Law and the Prophets The first place excludes not the love of God for he that loves his neighbour loves God the latter comprehends a moral rule of all things which are contained in the Books of Moses the Law and the Prophets 563. Mat. 7. 22. Many will say unto me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy Name and in thy Name have cast out Devils Then will I professe unto you I never knew you depart from me c. 10. 32. Whosoever shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father which is in heaven Christ in the former place speaks of hypocrites who prophesied in his Name and teaching so did confesse him with their tongue In the latter place he speaks of those who professe his Name by faith openly and sincerely without hypocrisie they have both a promise and a large reward 564. Mat. 8. 4. Tell no man V. 4. Go thy way shew thy self to the Priest Christ forbad the Leper for a time but not for ever that he should tell no man that he was healed but that first he should make his comparition before the Priest 565. Mat. 8. 5. A centurion came to Jesus beseeching him and saying Luk. 7. 3. The Elders of the Jews were sent unto him beseeching him to come Theophylact reconciles these places thus first the Centurion sent Messengers to Christ then he came himself and met the Lord and beseeched him with his own mouth relating the businesse 566. Mat. 8. 19. A certain scribe came unto him and said Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest And Jesus said unto him The Foxes have holes Joh. 6. 37. Him that cometh to me will I in no wise cast out That Scribe would follow Christ out of vain boasting and promised to himself great wealth and dignities Christ did not reject this man but only admonished him of the poverty and misery of those that follow him in this life which is rewarded with salvation and eternal life 567. Mat. 8. 26. The Disciples were fearful and of little faith Jam. 1. 6. Ask in faith nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the Sea driven with the wind and tossed The infirmity of the Disciples is to be distinguished from Heathenish distrust they that doubt receive nothing but believers receive what they ask in faith 568. Mat. 8. 28. Jesus came to the other side into the Countrey of the Gargasens Mark 5. 1. They came over to the other side of the Sea into the Countrey of the Gadarenes The City Gadara and Gergaza were neighbour places in the Tribe of Manasses having their several circuit in the borders whereof the possessed met our Saviour 569. Mat. 8. 28. There met him two possessed with Devils Mar. 5. 2. There met him out of the Tombes a man with an unclean spirit They were two in number Mark mentions one because the other was notably known August 570. Mat. 8. 29. The Devils cryed out saying What have we to doe with thee Jesus thou Son of God Joh. 8. 44. The Devil is a lyar and the Father thereof The Devils did not that for the glory of God and Christ but to cause distrust in mens hearts for the Devil though he doe speak truth yet he doth it not without fraud and a false end that he may draw men into errour 571. Mat. 9. 6. The Son of man hath power to forgive sins 23. 34. Father forgive them they know not what they doe The Father gives the Son hath merited and the holy Ghost confirms salvation and remission of sins 572. Mat. 9. 1. Jesus sat at meat in Matthews house Luk. 5. 28. Matthew left all rose up and followed Christ Matthew left all things which might hinder him from following Christ as the receipt of custome and his Office of a Publican but he left not his house nor did he wholly cast away his houshold affairs 573. Mat. 9. 18. My daughter saith Jairus to Christ is even now dead Luk. 8. 42. The daughter of Jairus lay a dying being about twelve years old She lay a dying when her Father went forth of his house she was dead before Christ came to her 574. Mat. 10. 2. The first Simon Peter Andrew James John Mar. 3. 17. Peter James John Andrew Gal. 2. James Cephas The Apostles were equal in dignity and office but unequal in order The Evangelists in naming the
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.
Neither this Man sinned nor his Parents Rom. 3. 10. There is none righteous no not one none that understandeth The cause of his blindenesse was no notable and enormous wikednesse of himself or his parents though all men be sinners and for their sins infirmities and defects of nature are ohnoxious to temporal and eternal punishments 739. Joh. 9. 31. God heareth not sinners 1. Joh. 1. 9. If we confesse our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all our sins God hears not impenitent sinners obdurate in their wickednesse but to such as repent confesse and amend their lives he pardons their sins 740. Joh. 9. 39. For Judgment I am come into this world chap. 3. 17. chap. 12. 40. 47. I came not to judge the world but to save the world In the former place by Judgement is meant a benefit given to men by the coming of Christ by which he brought those things to good order that were out of order in the latter Christ speaks of his principal end of his coming into the world 741. Joh. 9. 41. If you were blind you should have no sin Rom. 11. 25. Blindnesse is hapned unto Israel In the first place Christs speak of the Jews according to the opinion they had of themselves for they did not acknowledge any blindnesse of their minds or their sins in the latter what was the truth of them indeed blindnesse hapned to them not that they should all perish but that many multitudes of the Gentiles might be converted and saved so well as the Jews 742. Joh. 10. 28. My sheep shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand chap. 13. 18. Judas was chosen to be of Christs sheep and yet perished Election in the first place is meant to eternal life in the latter to an Office Judas was Christs sheep only by outward vocation and profession 743. Joh. 10. 29. My Father is greater ver 30. I and my Father are one Christ is equal to God the Father according to his Divine Nature lesse then the Father according to his humane Nature and his Office of Mediatorship between God and Man 744. Joh. 10. 32. Many good works have I shewed you from my Father chap. 14. 10. The Father that dwelleth in me he doth the works In the former place Christ speaks not exclusively because the works of the Trinity outwardly are common to the three Persons there is no work of the Son which the Father doth not work in him In the latter he ascribing operation to the Father he asserts that it is done by the authority and counsel of his Father so speaking of the manner and order of working he takes not away the unity of essence Majesty and power 745. Joh. 11. 4. Lazarus sicknesse was not unto death vers 14. Lazarus is dead The sicknesse of Lazarus by reason of the event was not unto death because Christ raised him again and saith that his death was but a sleep for we are not so early awaked from sleep as Christ called Lazarus out of his grave and he shall raise us all at the last day 746. Joh. 11. 25. He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live vers 26. He that believeth in me shall never dye Death is temporal and eternal temporal in this world is corporal and spiritual Christ speaks of both in the former place Spiritual death is either of them who being dead have not Christs quickning Spirit and of this he speaks not here but of them that being quickned by Christs Spirit are dead to sin and the flesh in the latter is meant chiefly eternal death 747. Joh. 11. 26. Whosoever believeth in me shall never dye Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed for all men once to dye The faithful doe not dye a spiritual and eternal death but natural death is common to all men 748. Joh. 11. 34. Where have you laid him chap. 21. 17. Thou knowest all things Christ enquired of Lazarus his grave not as if he were ignorant thereof but that he might stir up a desire in his sisters and those that were present to consider and to see the Miracle of the Resurrection So God said to Adam Gen. 3. 9. Adam where art thou 749. Joh. 11. 50. Caiphas a wicked man prophesied by the instinct of the Spirit Rom. 8. 14. As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God The gifts of Gods Spirit are of Sanctification and Salvation and those are proper to the elect children of God or gifts of administration which are common to good and bad men amongst which is the gift of Prophesie 750. Joh. 12. 27. Father save me from this hour Phil. 2. 8. He became obedient unto death Christ feeling the sins of the world lying upon him feared death as he was man and desired rather to live then dye if that might have been granted without detriment to Gods glory and our salvation but because it was not possible that that Cup should passe from him he submitted himself to his Fathers will and said Therefore came I unto this hour 751. Joh. 12. 30. Now shall the Prince of this world be cast out Ephes 6. 12. We have yet war with the Prince of this world That casting out was out of the hearts of the faithful whom though the Devill doe tempt and oppose many wayes yet he cannot vanquish them but is cast out also Christ respects the casting out of the Devill whilest both Jews and Gentiles amongst whom the Devill reigned were called to the grace of Christ by his coming 752. Joh 13. 27. After the sop Satan entred into him Vers 2. And Supper being ended the Devill having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot The first place is of totall possessing when after so many admonitions from Christ and so many humane favours received Judas yet continued in his purpose of betraying Christ he is delivered to Satan to be ruled so that he could think on nothing that was sound and good 753. Joh. 13. 37. A new Commandement I give unto you that you love one the other Mat. 22. 37. This was the greatest Commandement in the Old Testament to love God and our Neighbour It is called a new Commandement not by reason of the substance but because Christ renewed it and the singular affection of love which Christ requires in his followers as he loved them and gave himself for them so he would that they should love one the other with singular affection 754. Joh. 14. 4. Whither I goe ye know and the way ye know vers 5. We know not They did know inchoatively and imperfectly but because they knew not that they did know the cause was their rudenesse and forgetfulnesse of Christs words 755. Joh. 14. 8. Shew us the Father vers 9. He that seeth me seeth the Father The Apostles did not perfectly know Christ therefore he taxeth them of ignorance for they ought to have seen and
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
of Beleevers 772. Acts 1. 9. Whilst the Disciples beheld Christ was taken up and a cloud received him John 3. 13. No man hath ascended up into heaven but he that came down from heaven The body of Christ was taken up visibly on high where Christ was personally before according to his Divine nature 773. Acts 1. 15. The number of names together were about an hundred and twenty 1 Cor. 15. 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once The number of an hundred and twenty must be restrained to the faithfull there at Jerusalem the rest were out of this gathering in other places Luke by calling the brethren that were present sheweth that there were no women present at the Election of Matthias 774. Acts 1. 18. Judas purchased a field with the reward of iniquity Matth. 27. 3. He repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief Priests and Elders Judas purchased a field not actually but by purpose and event for he hoped with those silver pieces to buy a field he acquired the money It is Metonymia adjuncti and the price wherewith the Priests bought the field 775. Acts 2. 23. Jesus being delivered by the determinate counsell and foreknowledge of God by wicked hands you have crucified and slain John 19. 11. He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The death of Christ is ascribed to God and men in divers respects God delivered him by his determinate counsell that he might procure life for us The Jews out of their diabolicall hate that they might blot out the memory of him 776. Acts 2. 33. Christ is exalted by the right hand of God John 17. 5. Christ was glorified with the Father before the world was The state of Christs humiliation and exaltation is in respect of right and profession Christ was as Mediator at the right hand of God also before his corporall Ascension but in respect of use after his Ascension 777. Acts 2. 36. God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ Luke 2. 11. He is called Lord at his Nativity by the Angell Christ by right of his personall union was made Lord at his Nativity by possession and use in his Glorification declared to be so by his sitting at the right hand of God according to the rule Then a thing is said to be done when it is manifested to be done 778. Acts 2. 38. And be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost In the first place there is the command and fruit of Baptism but not the form Some by the Name Christ understand the three Persons the Father anointing the Son anointed and the holy Ghost the unction Also in the Name of Christ is in the doctrine faith knowledge and obligation of Christ 779. Acts 3. 2. And a man lame from his mothers womb they laid daily at the gate of the Temple to ask alms chap. 4. 34. neither was there any among them that lacked They that carried the lame man to the Beautifull Gate of the Temple were not of the number of those who beleeved in Christ nor the lame man himself before he was healed 780. Acts 4. 31. And when they had prayed they were all filled with the holy Ghost chap. 2. 4. In the Feast of Pentecost the holy Ghost sat upon every one of them before The first place is of the increase of gifts and their boldnesse and confidence to professe the Gospel that casting away all sorrow they were full of rejoycing and preached the Word of God freely against the threatnings and interdicts of the High priests 781. Acts 7. 38. Moses received in mount Sinai the lively Oracles 2 Cor. 3. 7. Paul cals the Law the ministration of death The words of the Law were words of life because the Law hath life in it self and leads us to Christ it is not the Ministration of death in it self but in respect of mens infirmities and our corrupt nature 782. Acts 7. 2. Men Brethren and Fathers hearken vers 52. Betrayers and murderers In the former place he doth civilly use those compellation to the Jews in the later he shews what the truth is according to the Gospel they were enemies but according to Election they are beloved for the Fathers sake Rom. 11. 28. 783. Acts 7. 51. You do alwaies resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did Rom. 9. 19. Who hath resisted his will To resist the holy Ghost is not to hear him in the Word of God so the Jews rejected grace proferred unto them and despised it revealed in the Word and so were the cause of their own damnation The Apostle speaks of Gods absolute will according to that he doth all things to which we must be subject 784. Acts 7. 59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit Luk. 16. 22. Lazarus was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom All the godly and faithfull children of Abraham must commend their spirits into the hands of the Sonne of God who enlivens us there is that bosom and the soul of Abraham rests there 785. Acts 8. 1. And they were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judah and Samaria except the Apostles Mark 16. 15. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel The beginning of the Apostles preaching was at Jerusalem where they suffered persecutions building a Church unto Christ before they went to other Nations 786. Acts 9. 6. Go into the City and there it shall be told thee what thou must do Gal. 1. 15. Paul was not called by man neither from men to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ Saul was taught by Ananias concerning the means of his conversion but not concerning the Articles of his faith Ananias was sent to baptize him and heal him but not to call him to be an Apostle 787. Acts 9. 7. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechlesse ch 26. 14. and when we were all fallen to the earth I heard a voice The companions of Saul were first cast down then they stood speechlesse nor could they go forward untill Saul also rose from the earth 788. Acts 9. 7. They heard a voice but they saw no man ch 26. 14. They that were with me saith Paul heard not the voice Hearing the sound of the voice they understand not the meaning of it so a voice coming to Christ from heaven the company that heard John 12. 29. it said it thundred 789. Acts 9. 8. They led Saul into Damascus Gal. 1. 17. He went into Arabia Paul after his conversion was first at Damascus then he went into Arabia and so returned again to Damascus 790. Acts 9. 15 Paul bare the Name of the Lord before the Gentiles the Kings and the children of Israel Gal. 1. 16. He was separated to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of Christ He was the ordinary Apostle
but not to doubtfull disputations Gal. 2. 11. Paul withstood Peter to the face saying if thou being a Jew livest after the manner of the Gentiles They are weak who know not the true use of indifferent things Peter being taught by the heavenly vision that distinction of meats was taken away deserved to be reprehended because what he learned of God and taught in the publike counsell he yet observed not but was scandalous both to Jews and Gentiles 886. Rom. 14. 3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not Col. 2. 21. Touch not tast not handle not In the former place abstinence and observation of meats proceeding from faith without scandall is left free for the ceremoniall Law ended at Christs coming in the later he reproves the superstition of the Colossians who being taught the use of things indifferent yet brought them in as a part of Gods worship necessary to salvation 887. Rom. 14. 6. He that regardeth the day regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord he doth not regard it Gal. 4. 10. He reprehends them for observing daies and moneths and times and years The first place leaves it free to the weak who had tender consciences either to observe or not observe the legall festivall daies so they did it without opinion of merit or necessity or offending their neighbour the later reprehends the Galathians who with a kinde of tye of conscience did observe the Sabbaths and Festivall times of the Jews according to the Law as if they had not been set free by Christ 888. Rom. 14. 15. Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died Joh. 10 28. My sheep shall no man pluck out of my hand The Elect may be destroyed by themselves as weak men and by reason of Satans malice that puts so many offences in their way but not in respect of God for no man can snatch them finally out of his hands 889. Rom. 15. 2. Let every one of us please his neighbour Gal. 1. 10. Should I yet please men I should not be the servant of Christ We must please men for their edification both by words and examples but not to seek for glory at the mouth of the people for so the Apostle would not please men 890. Rom. 15. 14. And I my self also am perswaded of you my brethren that you also are full of goodnesse filled with all knowledge Chap. 14. 1. There were many amongst them weak in faith The Apostle before by Synechdoche attributes to the whole Church that which belongs but to one part for there were many godly learned and weak also in that Church 891. Rom. 15. 20. I would not build on another mans foundation Joh. 4. 38. I sent you to reap that whereon you bestowed no labour Paul compares his Ministry with the other Apostles and he denieth that he builded on another mans foundation or to have preached where other Apostles had planted a Church but rather to have taught there where the name of Christ was not so much as once heard of The Prophets were the seeds men in Gods field the Apostles they reaped the harvest because they saw the fulfilling of the Prophesies and they built on the foundation of the Prophets 892. Rom. 16. 20. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly Col. 2. 15. Christ hath spoyled principalities and powers Christ was already become Conquerour bruising the head of the infernall serpent and he daily conquers Satan in us and he gives us force to overcome that wicked spirit by the vertue of the holy Ghost and so to triumph over him Two Epistles of St PAUL to the CORINTHIANS THe first is Legall reprehending them who were obnoxious to so many vices it is direct against Sectaries Incestuous Whoremongers Adulterers Contentious despisers of the weak brethren Proud Arrogant Covetous such as denied the resurrection Written from Philippi in the Year of Christ 55. The other Evangelicall to comfort the afflicted commands them to receive him that was excommunicated commends the Ministry of the Gospel exhorts to give Alms and do good works reproves slanderers and glories against them in the Lord. It was written from Philippi in the Year of Christ 55 893. 1 Cor. 1. 7. You come behinde in no gift ver 11. It hath been declared to me that there are contentions amongst you ch 3. 3. ch 11. 15. The first place is concerning those that were approved and commended amongst the Corinthians the later is concerning those who did contentiously preferre themselves before other Ministers of the Church 894. 1 Cor. 1. 7. You come behinde in no gift 1 Cor. 13. 9. We know in part In the first place is meant necessary graces to salvation the abundance whereof was joyned with imperfection of degrees which shall be fulfilled in the revelation of Christ 895. 1 Cor. 1. 17. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel Matth. 28. 19. Go and teach all Nations baptizing them In the Apostolicall Ministration the lesse principall was to baptize the principall was the preaching of the Gospel and that was ordinary or extraordinary 896. 1 Cor. 1. 21. The wisdom of God ver 21. It is called the foolishnesse of preaching The Gospel of it self is the wisdom of God which in the opinion of carnall and unbeleeving men is called by accident foolishnesse 897. 1 Cor. 1. 21. It pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to save them that beleeve Matth. 9. 21. If I may but touch his garment I shall be whole The first place is of the salvation of the soul which is done by the Gospel the later is of the cure of the body which is wrought by divers means ordinarily by the Word and Sacraments extraordinarily by other means 898. 1 Cor. 2. 6. We speak wisdom amongst them that are perfect chap. 13. 12. We know in part Perfection in the former place is not meant simply but comparatively the Apostle cals them perfect here not those who wanted no perfection but such as are so in respect of novices in the Church Absolute perfection is proper to the next life and of that we know here but in part 899. 1 Cor. 2. 15. He that is spirituall judgeth all things yet he himself is judged of no man ch 4. 4 He that judgeth me is the Lord. ch 14. 32. And the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets In the first place God Ecclesiasticall and Politicall Judges are not excluded being they are ordained by God but those that are carnall and sensuall the Prophets are subject to the Prophets in the judgement of faith concerning things that are to be beleeved for God giveth us his holy Spirit by measure neither do we all understand all things but comparing our opinions we must judge with Learned men 900. 1 Cor. 3. 1 3. And I brethren could not speak to you as unto spirituall but as unto carnall ch 1. 2. Sanctified in Christ Jesus called to