to such as haue faith to apprehend him For the law requires absolute iustice or righteousnesse which beleeuers find in Christ alone Feare shall make you vnderstand the hearing Esay 28,19 Psal. 119.71 The crosse and affliction being sanctified is a good helpe to the experimentall knowledge of the worde Whatsoeuer things are written afore are written for our learning Rom. 15.4 Euery part and sentence word or worke mentioned in scripture contayneth some profitable lesson for our vse 2. Tim. 3. 16. The godly man doth meditate day and night in the law of God Psal. 1.2 Great earnest and continuall study is to be vsed of all such as will profit by the scriptures Iohn 5.39 They searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so and many of them beleeued Acts. 17,11.12 The hearers must diligently examine by the Scriptures the doctrine of the teachers 1. Thes. 5.21 1. Ioh. 4.1.2 Vnderstand according to sobriety Rom. 12,3 A christian must seeke no more then is reuealed contenting him with that which is taught in Scripture How is it that yee vnderstand not these things A christian must striue to be ignorant of none of Christs words It is written Rom. 1.17.10.15 Scripture is the rule of all trueth whatsoeuer truth may be proued by Scripture it alone is a sufficient witnes in stead of all other authorities and testimonies for it alone can conuince the conscience therefore Christ and his Apostles contented themselues therewith The onely begotten sonne he hath declared him Iohn 1. 18. We know so much of God as Christ in scripture hath made known vnto vs. Therefore yee erre because ye know not the scripture and the power of God Mat. 22. 29. Rom. 9. 25. as also Hosea c. God must be ioyned with his word the word teacheth vs neuer to heare scripture otherwise then if wee heard God speake nor to beleeue otherwise of him then hee hath manifested of himselfe in the word Paul confounded the Iewes conferring places of Scripture to proue Iesus to be the Christ. Because Iesus is such an one as the scriptures of the Prophets haue described the Christ to be therefore we must receiue him for the Christ and rest in him alone for saluation also for the atteining of the true meaning of the scriptures which speake of Christ there comes great light by comparing places My word and my preaching was not in the entycing speech of mans wisedome but in plaine euidence of the spirit and of power 1. Cor. 2 4. We may not be offended with the simplicity and plainenesse of stile and matter which wee finde in scripture which although they haue a graue eloquence yet want such pompous and painted wordes as worldly carnall Rhetoricians hunt after and desire to be applauded for Blessed is he who is offended neither at the ignominie and meanenesse of Christs person life and death nor at that which the Apostle calleth foolishnesse of preaching and plaine euidence of truth 1. Cor. 1. 21. The naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God 1. Cor. 2. 14 Our owne naturall capacity how quicke and sharpe soeuer doth not make vs fit readers and auditours of the caelestiall philosophie which is in Scripture Humane Philosophie requires an auditor or scholler prompt witted capable of knowledge but diuinity in stead of finding a fit scholler must first make him so by renewing his wit and minde They shall all be taught of God No man commeth to me except the Father draw him He commeth to me which hath learned of the father Ioh. 6. 45. The sauing knowledge of heauenly truth is not in the power of any man minister or other no nor of Angels to giue but is the peculiaâ— worke and gift of God who is the only effectuall scholemaster or teacher which teacheth the heart within drawing it to faith and to Christ. Thou hast hid these things from the wise and reuealed them to little ones I thanke thee Father for so it was thy pleasure Math. 11. 25. 26. Such as are worldly wise are least capable of heauenly truth which is most commonly shewed to such as haue least wit and worldly prudence to rest in and farthest of from opinion of great wisemen and thus it is because God will haue it to be so to confound wise things by foolish 1. Cor. 1. 26. 27. therefore let men be fooles in themselues that is lay aside all ouerweaning conceit of their owne wisedome that they may be wise to God 1. Cor. 3. 18. If yee know these things happy are yee if yee do them Ioh. 13. 17. Blessed are they that heare the word of God and keepe it Luk. 11. 28. The end of studying the scripture is not knowledge but practise we heare and read that we may learne we learne to know we know to practise and do and if this be the end of morall much more of Theologicall philosophie whose theorie without practise is hurtfull If any will doe the will of my Father he shall know Iohn 7. 17. When any endeauour to do the knowne will of god he shall know it more clearely and more abundantly Wee beleeue and know that thou art Christ Ioh. 6. 59. In matters of diuinitie we must first beleeue and then know not know and then beleeue In humane sciences it is otherwise for there men are brought to assent and beleeue by experience knowledge and sense as to credite the fire to be hot water moist are by knowing and feeling but it is plaine contrary in Theologie there beliefe and assent go before experimentall knowledge sense and vse God giueth grace to the humble The meeke and humble he will teach his waies Iam. 4. 6. Psal. 25. 8. Such are sure to grow vp in sound knowledge of God to saluation which most see and feele their owne spirituall pouerty how ignorant they bee by nature and how vnable to know ought without new enlightning being readie to submit with meekenesse both iudgement and affections to bee guided by the word The secret of the Lord is reuealed to them that feare him Psal. 25. 13. The true worship of God which is he that feareth him shall much profit by the studie of Scripture For as in other arts which are humane such as often exercise themselues in the precepts thereof do thriue best in that artâ— so they which often and reuerently exercise themselues in the duties of Gods feare and religion laboring for sorrow and contrition of heart for sinnes committed for sence of forgiuenesse and to get peace of heart and conscience and comfort of the word preached often praying and confessing their sinnes priuately wreftling with their lusts Sathan and the world and finally being much and religious in the workes of piety such doe exceedingly encrease in good knowledge Let this be marked and
as a schoolemaster leads vs Gal. 3.24 and in Christ all the promises of the Gospell are fulfilled 2. Cor. 1.20 the ceremonies also shadowed him and figured him who was the body Col. 2.17 but the body is in Christ. Therefore all hearers and teachers if they will profit in all their hearing teaching and reading must haue the eye of their minde turned toward Christ as the faces of the Cherubins were turned toward the Mercy-seat Do thus if euer you will do well digest this rule practise it pray for grace to do it it is a rule of rules August in Psal. 71. In some sacred stories and other places of holy scripture some thing is left out which in some other place of scripture may be found August in Psal. 77. Example in Heb. 12.21 Reports of Moses which is omitted in his story Exod. 9. Also Dauid in Psal. 105. mentioneth diuers things which in the story Exod. 4.5.6.7 chapters was left out The reason whereof is not forgetfulnesse or ouersight but the spirit setteth downe the sense in some places and the words in another affecting breuitie and to stirre vs vp to more search All testimonies of scripture are healthfull to men of sound vnderstanding dangerous only to the peruerse and froward who will not bowe their blinde reason and stubborne affections to the scriptures but wrest them to their owne peruersnesse August in Psal. 48. 2. Pet. 3.16 The knowledge of tongues H G L. also of Artes Gr. Rh. L.R. c. and good store of good Interpreters bee needfull for such as would so exactly know the scriptures as to be able learnedly and exactly to expound them to others The scriptures speake some things of Christ the head which also belong to his Church the body Aug. in Ps. 21. as Acts 4.9 why dost thou persecute me i. my members also 1. Cor. 12. 12. euen ' so is Christ i.e. the Church which is the mysticall body of Christ. The reason is because of the most straite coniunction between the head and the body Some speaches of scriptures are affirmed of or directed to one which belong also to others August Math. 16. 17. 18. the words of Christ to Peter were ment to all the Apostles as well as to him as appeareth by Iohn 20.22.23 The reason Christ tooke his beginning of one to teach vnitie to his Church in the confession of faith Of this nature be the Epistles of Christ intituled to the Angell of the Church but directed and ment to the whole Church See Reuel 3. 16. The reason is because the health or decay of the flock depends vpon the worth and vnworthinesse of the pastors Some things are said in scripture not according to the truth of the thing said but after the opinion of the time as others thought Thus Scribes and Pharisies are termed righteous Luk. 15. Hieron in Math. cap. 24. Thus also they bee called builders Acts 4. and Ioseph Christs parent or father Luk. 2. and thus hypocrites are said to haue faith Iames 2.18.19 Those good words of Scripture which we do not presently vnderstand let vs religiously beleeue and diligently ponder till the spirit open our wits Aug. in Psal. 54. Because it pleaseth God to keep our wits shut for a time that wee shall not distinctly see what yet wee are bound to credit for truth because it comes from a God of truth Thus did Peter Iohn 6. 68. and Mary Luk. 2. 51. The scripture vseth to call men by the names of beasts Chrysost. in Gen. homil 12. Thus the Pharisies and malitious Iewes are called serpents Math. 3.8 hereticks dogs Phil. 3.2 desperate sinners swine Matth. 7. wicked slanderers aspes Romanes 3. meeke ones doues wise ones serpents for the likenesse of qualities and passions there be giuen the same or like names to diuers creatures Scripture doth not alwaies allow the things and actions from whence similitudes be fetched Aug. in Ps. 157. as the fashions and manners of thiefes vniust stewards and Iudges Sacred scripture affordeth vs examples of all vertues theologicall politicall morall oeconomicall yea and of all vices prescribing remedies against all sinnes Chrys. in Act. homil 9. Examples of this rule abound euery where and offer themselues to the Reader that obserues the scripture The reason is because Gods word is perfect so is no other writing of any author whatsoeuer The knowledge of humane histories written of the Persians Babylonians Graecians and of the Romanes especially brings no small light to vnderstand sundry parts of scripture namely the books of Daniel and Reuelation which conteine historicall prophesies of things to be perceiued by the euents which are recorded in prophane and ecclesiasticall historiographers Euents of things set downe in humane stories is best interpreter of the prophesies in the Reuelation which book to the Fathers which saw not the euents as we do was therefore darker and harder to them then to vs. In way of disputation the Scripture somtimes infers some absurd consequents which follow vpon some error held by others whom the holy ghost would reforme by laying forth the absurdities which attend vpon their false opinion Augustinus de doct christ l. 2. â— 31 Examples hereof Rom. 4. 14. also 1. Cor. 15.16.17.18 For there is no better way to convict an erronious or hereticall fellow then by laying forth the wicked or foolish things which ensue and arise from his false conceits and thus also the truth is much holpen We may not neglect or lightly esteeme or slightly passe by any thing which we read in Gods word bee it mention of names or obseruation and distinction of time rehearsall of rites and pedegrees or any such matter which may be thought meane Because the holy Scripture being a word of a God infinite in wisdom conteins an infinite treasure if it haue exquisite searchers Did not Paul from obseruation of the time when Abraham was circumcised Rom. 4. 8. and when the Law was giuen Gal. 3. also from Christ his suffering without Ierusalem and from killing the beasts without the camp Heb. 3. gather very wholesome and waighty truths ergo contemn nothing which is found therein Chrys. Hom. 22. and 24. vpon Genesis To the vnderstanding of Scripture there needs great search Iohn 5. with earnest prayer Psal. 119. The reason because otherwise that which lyeth deep in the bottom for want of care may remaine hid from vs. Chrysost. One and the selfesame trueth is taught by many sundry similitudes in sacred scripture and in sundry formes somtime by precept somtime by exhortation sometime in prayers in thanksgiuings in examples and sometime in threatnings August in Psal. 8. The reason is that by varying the manner and forme of speach and teaching not only disdaine and weariness may be remooued but the truth receiueth better impression through such kinde
Theologicall Rules TO GVIDE VS IN THE VNDERSTANDING and practise of holy Scriptures Two Centuries Drawne partly out of Scriptures themselues Partly out of Ecclesiasticall writers old and new ALSO AEnigmata Sacra Holy Riddles Or Misticall Cases and Secrets of Diuinitie with their Resolutions Foure Centuries The vnfolding whereof layeth open that Truth that concerneth Saluation By T. W. Preacher of the word LONDON Printed by Edw. Griffin for Fran. Burton and are to be solde in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the greene Dragon 1615. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER IT is not the words of holy Scriptures onely but the sense and meaning Beloued in Christ which is carefully to be searched after of all those who desire the knowledge of that Truth which bringeth to saluation such as endeuour to liue thereafter This appeareth well by that worthy sentence of a Greeke Father affirming That Pietie consisteth not in the sound of the Ayre but in the force of things signified whereunto accordeth that of Hierom the Latin Father The Gospell consisteth in the inward marrow of the sense and not in the outward sound of words not in the leaues of letters but in the root of reason To this purpose as I haue heretofore trauelled to lay forth the signification of words in Scripture by a short and easie Dictionarie already by me published to the world in the kinde acceptance whereof and other my labours I haue tasted of thy curtesie to my great encouragement So haue I now therevnto added Two Centuries and more of Theologicall Rules and aboue Fower Centuries of Mysticall Cases and Secrets of Diuinitie with their Resolutions as good helps and means to bring to light the hidden vnderstanding of the Scripture For certaine it is as humane Arts and Sciences bee they Grammar Logick or the rest so neither Diuinitie which is the Arte of Arts and Queene of Sciences can either bee taught or learned without Precepts and Rules And as it cannot be practised so can it not bee vnderstood without speciall fit Rules to guide vs in the Interpretation For the most of these Rules especially such as bee deriued from ancient writers I am beholden to Flaccius Illiricus the rest I either collected out of later moderne writers or by my owne obseruation I haue also added an Explication of all the Rules which bee drawne immediately out of the Scriptures To the other which be collected out of Ecelesiasticall Authors I haue for the most part ioyned both Reasons and Examples to explane them the better Some of these Rules doe further our vnderstanding in the Old some in the New Testament and some in both Some of them will steed vs in the Doctrines some in the words and formes of speeches vsed in the Scriptures and some serue to gouerne vs in the studie and practise of the word Whatsoeuer vse or worth they bee of which I verily hope will be much and manifold I dedicate them to all the Faithfull whersoeuer throughout this land dispersed If any either Ioshua or other young man shall out of enuy or iealousie obiect that by this meanes not only Eldad and Medad but as Chrysostome speakes the Shepherd and the Husbandman and the Spinster will bee able to prophesie and know as much as some Preachers do An answer is framed to my hand by Moses the man of God I would to God that all the Lords people could prophesie and that the Spirit of the Lord were put vpon them And by Paul Let the worde of God dwell plenteously in you in all wisdome Col. 3. 16. If this satisfie not The next answer is that if they who finde fault will labour to doe as much or much more seruice to the Church by their painfull endeuours they shall doe it I assure them without enuy on my part As for you beloued in the Lord take in good worth I beseech you both these my Two Centuries of Theologicall Rules and also my Power Centuries of AEnigmata Sacra or Mysticall Cases and Secrets of Diuinitie annexed of whose vse see their proper Preface and improoue them to your greatest spirituall gaine in Christ. To whose Grace I commend and commit you to bee guided and comforted by it for euer Farewell from my house in Canterbury 1615. Yours to his vttermost T. W. Theologicall Rules drawen partly out of holy writ partly out of ecclesiasticall writers both ancient moderne seruing to guide vs in the vnderstanding and practise of holy Scripture 52. Rules drawen immediately out of themselues ASKE and yee shall haue Seeke and yee shall finde Knocke and it shall be opened vnto you Math. 7. 7. The true and sauing knowledge of the Scripture by most earnest and daily praiers is to be begged of God through Christ Iam. 1. 5. Christ begun at Moses and interpreted to them the Scriptures and opened their wits that they might vnderstand them Luke 24. ver 27.45 It is Christ his office to open to man both the Scriptures by the ministerie of the Church and his minde by illumination of his spirit The spirit shall lead you into all trueth he shall write the law of God in your heart Iohn 14.26 Ier. 31.33 The holy spirite is both author and interpreter of Scripture which as it is inspired by the holy ghost so by his enlightning it must be beleeued and practised Therefore the high and soueraigne authority of interpreting of Scripture doth belong neither to Councels Fathers nor Pope but to the holy spirit the inditer of the Scriptures he is the principal interpreter 2. Pet. 1. 20. hee that makes the law is best and highest interpreter of the law In Christ are all treasures of knowledge and wisdome Col 2.3 We must desire to know nothing beyond or aboue or besides Christ then whom in the scriptures god hath reueled no greater nor no other thing euen Paul made this the bounds of his knowledge desiring to know nothing saue Christ and him crucified One tittle or Iod of Scripture shall not perish but be fullfilled Nothing is to be lightly regarded which is found in holy scripture Mat. 5. 18. How can they preach except they be sent how can they heare without a preacher how can they beleeue except they heare Rom. 10.14.15 We must depend for sound instruction not vpon mens traditions or fantasticall reuelations but vpon the sacred ministery set vp of god in his church which is the piller and ground of trueth because it propoundeth the trueth of doctrine and maintaineth it not because it ouerrules the sence Turne not from my precept neither to the right hand nor to the left neither put to them nor take from them Deut. 5. 38. 12. 32. The scripture giues vs a perfect direction both for faith and manners Christ is the end of the law to euery beleeuer Rom. 10,4 Christ with his passion and obedience is the summe marke and perfection of the whole law
done And they remembred his wordes Luk. 24. 8. Many things which are not vnderstood at the present when one reades or heares them afterward are made more easie therefore let none be discouraged if they learne little at first but waite vpon God for illumination of his spirit as Mary did Luk. 2. To him that hath shall be giuen from him that hath not shall be taken euen that which he seemeth to haue Luk. 8.18 Where there is care and conscience to keepe and make good vse of that knowledge which a man hath already towards himselfe and others according to his gifts and calling then will God of his mercy make former knowledge to abound as hee will curse the gifts of such as are carelesse in vsing them well Let such earnestly thinke on this as doe not apply their knowledge to their owne direction and information of others That when they see they should not see and when they heare they should not vnderstand Luk. 8. 10. It is a righteous iudgement in God vpon the wicked which haue no will nor care to obey the truth which they heare that they shall be no better for all their hearing and knowledge but rather the worse their light being turned to darkenesse The world cannot receiue the spirit of truth Ioh. 14. 17. No wicked man is capable of diuine truth because he is vncapable of Gods spirit not possible therefore is it that he should profit by the word I could not speake vnto you as to spirituall but as to carnall and to babes 1. Cor. 3. 1. 2. The same truth of saluation is laide forth in scripture after two manners or fashions The first is easily and familiarly so as children and weake ones may know it the second more deeply exactly and largely as may befit such as are strong in faith and of a ripe age in knowledge of Christ. See Heb. 5. 12. 13. 13. also Heb. 6. 1. Let euery one consider what kinde of teacher hee is meete for whether for Catechising points or for sounder instruction some haue yet neede of the former and some can brooke the latter I am the God of Abraham c. God is the God of the liuing Math. 22. 23. From hence wee learne two rules one that there is a twofold knowledge to be got from scriptures one direct and farre more certaine namely from that which God in his word expresly affirmeth or denieth as thus That God is the God of Abraham The other knowledge is by due deduction and firme consequence when from expresse words some truth is strongly collected as this that Abraham Isaak and Iacob shall liue and rise according to their bodies because God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing this kinde of knowledge is also very certaine but deceitfull is the knowledge which by sophistry and false consequence is drawne from plaine texts The next rule from hence is this that such truths as by firme consequence are collected from the word must be beleeued as that which is expresly written in the word for it is Gods will therfore this consequence that Abraham and the Saints departed shall rise must bee credited no lesse than that expresse scripture from whence Christ drew it How can I vnderstand without a guide Act. 3. 18. Instructions bee as needfull as guides in an vnknowne way and what is too hard for vs when we read let vs enquire of the godly-learned pastors and submit to their instructions out of the word Auoide prophane and vaine babling giue not heede to fables and genealogies stay foolish questions c. 1. Tim. 1.4 1. Tim. 6.20 Titus 3.9 Subtile intricate and vaine scruples doubts and questions must be shunned and the plaine profitable truth quietly embraced without contention about things which haue no fruit of edification in godlinesse Euill words corrupt good manners They lye in waite to deceiue 1. Cor. 15. Eph. 4. 14. Such as will goe forward in godly knowledge must abhorre impure company writings or books Some hauing put away a good conscience as concerning faith haue made shipwracke A good conscience is as it were a chest wherein the doctrine of faith is to be kept safe which will quickly be lost if the chest be once broken for God will giue ouer to heresie and errors such as cast away conscience of walking after Gods will reuealed in his word This is my beloued sonne heare him Math. 17.5 All Christians are commanded to attend for their direction in things of saluation vnto Christ the onely doctor of his Church and to be led by his voice as good sheep wee may not hearken and belieue what any father or counsell saith vnlesse they say what Christ taught who is before and aboue them all My sheep heare my voice and know it but the voice of a stranger they will not follow Ioh. 10. 4. 5. 27. True Christians must be so expert in the doctrine of Christ as that they can discerne it from all false doctrine and secondly they must account all that strange doctrine which is not according to the voyce and words of their shepheard Christ. Bee neere to heare looking well to your feet when ye enter into the house of God Take heed how you heare I will muse vpon thy testimonies my study shall be in thy statutes Psal. 119. Eccles. 4. 7. Luke 8. Preparation is needfull before the word preached attention in the hearing meditation and studie how to profit by it afterward Vnderstand yee all these things they answered yea Mat. 13.51 A rule hence ariseth for children seruants and parishioners to suffer their gouernours to examine them after their hearing reading the word this course will make them heedfull and causeth them to see what they haue lost and gained and to digest and imprint the word the better in their mindes They read in the booke of the Law distinctly and gaue the meaning thereof by the Scripture it selfe Christ interpreted to them c. Nehem. 8 8.9 Luk. 24.27 The surest mean of interpretation of scripture is by scripture which is the best commentarie to it selfe when the phrase is marked and matter and scope and place compared with place hard with easie the exposition of all learned writers to be so far admitted if that exposition which they giue be grounded on the scriptures Christ said auoide Sathan for it is written Math. 4.10 Rom. 10.14.15 The scripture is the only competent iudge to decide all controuersies and the most strong weapon to repell all Sathans temptations And they confirmed the word with signes and wonders c. Mark 16. 20. The authoritie and truth of the Gospell needs no new miracles to ratifie it being so sufficiently confirmed with the miracles of Christ and the Apostles Let no man therfore doubt of the truth because Ministers worke no miracles
his bloud c. Yet the scripture affirmeth of his diuine nature that the Lord of glory was crucified 1. Cor. 2. 8. And that God purchased his Church with his bloud Act. 20.28 And on the otherside that is attributed to his manhood which belongs to his godhead peculiarly Ephes. 4. 10. He that descended is the same that ascended See more examples Luke 2.52 also Ioh. 8. 58. Graecians call this coinonia Idiomatoon Beza Perkins Zanchius Some workes of Christ are proper to his godhead as his miracles some to his manhood as his naturall and morall workes some to his whole person as his workes of mediation in which each nature doth that which was proper vnto it Zanch. When the same places which bee in the old Testament be repeated in the new with some alterations additions and omissions this falles out for these fiue causes 1. For expositions sake as Psal. 78.2 compared with Math. 13. 35. Psalm 110.1 with 1. Cor. 15.25 Psalm 116.10 with 2. Cor. 4.3 Secondly for discerning sake to the end that places persons and times might be distinguished as Mich 5.2 compared with Math. 2.6 Thirdly for limitation sake that the sense of the place might be truly restrained according to the minde of the holy Ghost as Deut. 6.13 compared with Math. 4.10 and Genes 2.24 with Math. 19. 5. Fourthly for application sake that the type might be fitted to the trueth as Ionas 1.17 with Math. 12.39.40 also Esay 61.1 with Luk 4.18 Fiftly for breuity sake some things are omitted because they agree not with the matter in hand as 1. King 19.10.18 with Rom. 11.3.4 Perkins Touching plaine places this rule is to be followed if the naturall signification of the wordes of the place expounded doe agree with the circumstances of the same place that is the proper meaning of that place as for example Rom. 3.20.28 It is written a man is iustified by faith without workes the naturall signification of these words is plaine that euery elect person when he beleeues in Christ is absolued from his sinnes and accepted of for iust without merit of his owne workes this sense we presently receiue because it agrees with circumstances of the place and with holy Scripture Perk. For expounding darke places let this be the rule If the natiue or naturall signification of the wordes do manifestly disagree with the anologie of faith and other very plaine places of Scripture then it must be refused and a figuratiue improper sense is there the true sense As for example the natiue and proper signification of those words Math. 26.26 This is my body is this that the bread is his body or is turned into his body but this cannot be the meaning of the place because it disagrees with Articles of our Creede which teach that Christs body is made of the Virgine by conception of the holy Ghost not of bread by the Prists consecration also that it is ascended into heauen and shall returne wher he commeth to Iudge the quicke and the dead also it disagrees with that manifest scripture which saith that the heauens must conteine him till the time that all be restored Act. 3. Perkins The supply of euery worde which wanteth is fitting enough to the place propounded if the word supplied agree with the anologie of squire of faith and with the circumstances and wordes of the same place as Exod. 19. 4. I haue caried you on Egles winges here wanteth as it were likewise Es. 1. 13. I cannot iniquitie here must be supplied beare which wanteth Exod. 4. 25. Zipporah tooke a sharp supply knife where there is Ellipsis or want of any word then it signifieth either breuity or swiftnesse of affections Perkins When Repentance is attributed to God in Scriptures as Gen. 6. it noteth only the alteration of things and actions done by him and no change of his purpose and secret decree which is immutable Perkins Things spoken as if they were already finished and yet be not so they must bee vnderstood as being in the way to be finished or as being begunne to be fulfilled As Noah being 500 yeere old begot Shem Ham and Iaphet Gen. 5.23 that is he began to beget them See the like Gen. 11.26 also Luk. 1.6 and they were iust in all the commandements that is they begun entire obedience and endeauored to doe all Perkins Promises must bee vnderstood with condition of faith where the condition is not expressed A superlatiue or exclusiue speech vsed of one person in Diety doth shut out creatures and fained gods but not the other persons As Iohn 17.3 This is aeternall life to know the onely true God this sâ—uts not out Christ and the spirit but false Gods so doth that 1. Tim. 1. 17. Rom. 16.27 Ioh. 10.39 Perkins All workes of the Trinity and all attributes must bee vnderstood inclusiuely without exception of any other of the persons Perk. This word nothing is put for little or small as Ioh. 18.20 I haue spoken nothing in secret that is little Also Act. 27.33 also none is vsed for few as all is put for some or many Ier. 8.6 1. Cor. 2.8 none of the rulers that is few And alwaies is put for often long as Prouerb 13.10 alwaies there is contention amongst the proud that is often it falles out so Luk. 18.1 pray alwaies that is long with continuance Luk. 24.53 Ioh. 18.20 Euery where is put for here there without respect of place Math. 16.20 Act. 13.30 also This negatiue particle not is often put comparatiuely or respectiuely and not absolutely or simply as Hos. 6. I will haue mercy and not sacrifice that is rather then sacrifice or not sacrifice in respect of mercy 1. Cor. 1. sent not to baptise but to preach also Psal. 51. Sacrifices thou wouldst not haue that is in comparison of a contrite heart Ierom. 32.33 euery man shall not teach his neighbour Also not is sometime put for seldome as 1. Kings 15.5 Luks 2.37 she went not out of the Temple that is seldome or scarcely The present time being put for the time to come doth signifie the certainty of the thing spoken of as Esay 21.9 Reu. 18.2 Babilon is fallen Babilon is fallen for shall certainely fall Vnto the dubbling or repetition of wordes belong these rules following When a substantiue is repeated or twise mentioned in one case it signififieth first aemphasis or force as Lord Lord. Secondly a multitude as droues droues Gen. 32. 16. that is many droues Thirdly distribution as 1. Chron. 16. a gate and a gate that is euery gate and 2. Chron. 19.5 Leu. 17.3 a city and a city that is euery city Fourthly diuersity or variety as Pro. 20.20 a waight and a waight that is diuers waights an heart and an heart that is diuerse or double heart A substantiue repeated in diuerse cases if it be in the