22 Hosca 6. 6. Fooles Namely all such as through ignorance superstition or hypocrisie do erre in Gods service which ought to be in Spirit and truth for to acknowledge his benefits and not to gaine his favour with presents which is a thought abominable to God See Psal. 50. 8. Prov. 15. 8. 21. 27. Isay 1. 11. 16. V. 2. Be not Take a religious care of what thou utterest whether it be in thy prayers to desire of God things convenient and in a convenient manner Rom. 8. 25. Or in thy prayses and thanksgivings to doe it with that devotion and zeale as is required or in making of vowes not to vow any thing that thou hast not a will and firme resolution to fullfil Others doe not speake cursorily that is to say doe not accumulate and heape up multitudes of words as superstitious men doe Matth. 6. 7. For God Seeing that thou who art an earthly creature speakest to the Creator in his glory do it with reverence and trembling See Heb. 12. 25. V. 4. In â—ooles For such are they that vow inconsiderately and then doe seek meanes to go back from their promises Prov. 20. 25. V. 6. The Angell Namely the Sonne of God who in his owne proper person was present in the Temple in grace and power See Isay 6. 5. John 12. 41. And is called Angell by reason of his office of Mediator Exod. 23. 20 21. 33. 14 Isay 63. 9. Mal. 3. 1. And destroy He would curse thee and bring all thine actions to naught by reason of thy perjury V. 8. Marvell not Although there were no providence to governe the woâ—ld nor justice to punish these disorders That is higher Namely God the Soveraigne Lord. Psalme 58. 11. and 82. 1. Then the highest Namely the holy Angels to whom as Executioners of Gods justice and Ministers of his providence is committed the care of the Empires of the world and chiefly of the Church of God See Dan 4. 17. Rom. 8. 38. V. 9. The earth An oeconomicall precept for to make choice amongst other practises and arts which are for the sustaining of the life of man of husbandry as the most innocent necessary and delightfull See Prov. 27. 23. 24. The King There is no man let him bee never so great that can bee without the earth seeing he hath his nourishment from no other place V. 10. He that loveth The covetousnesse and desire of growing rich more suddainly and abundantly often diverts a man to some other kinde of trafficks and exercises more gainfull Yet husbandry hath this advantage that man in effect hath no fruition nor good of his money but so farre as it is converted to purchase the fruits of the earth for his sustenance Abundance Namely of gold and silver Things which of themselves are â—eâ—d and doe noâ— yield any fruit as the earth doth This is Namely this blind love of money V. 11 When goods Ordinarily great wealth is accompanyed with a great family and number of servants which waste and consume it So that the possessor thereof hath no other pleasure or benefit thereby but onely the vaine delight of seeing them before him V. 12 Is sweet Because he is voyd of heart-burning cares and vehement covetousnesse and because that his labour joyned with his sober manner of living causeth him to take a sweet kind of rest The abundance the abundance of wealth causeth a great deale of care and unquietnesse of mind Or the sâ—superfluity of dyet alters the health of the body and fills it full of raw humours V. 13. To their hurt Being occasion of their death or some grievous sinister chance through private treacherie or publike violence V. 14 By evill travaile Namely by some injury or wicked act done unto them by others or by some misfortune of their owne V. 17. In darkenesse basely and wretchedly like one that is a true prisoner and slave to his riches V. 18. Behold A confirmation of the conclusion made Eccl. 2. 12. 22. V. 20. Shall not much Hee shall not be much troubled at the shortnesse and unstablenesse of this life for living in Gods grace whom hee calleth upon he feeles in his heart that GOD answereth him finding the comfort of his spirit which breedes in him that holy and pleasant fruition of the present good which he hath and the assured hope of the eternall CHAP. VI. VERS 1. THere is He declares what he said before that the sweet enjoyment and fruition of goods doth not depend upon them nor upon mans owne will but comes from Gods meere grace V. 3 And his soule If he hath not the fruition of them in his life time with an honest content That he have no Namely if hee dyes some violent or infamous death which deprives him of the honour of buriall Is better in respect of the world and of sence an untimely or abortive birth which never felt good nor evill hath an advantage of him who hath had goods and hath lost them and hath besides endured much griefe and trouble V. 4. For he commeth Namely that untimely birth whose first framing seemes to be unprofitable seeing it never comes to the perfection of being an human creature V. 5 More rest Having never felt any evill V. 6 Yea though hee The happinesse doth not consist simply in the life but in the goods which one enjoyeth in it Wherefore if one have no good during life it is burthensome and troublesome and death once comming makes them which have not been equall with those which have been in regard of the goods of this life V. 7. All the labour man hath no other fruit of all his labours in this world but only the supplying of his wanes and of those things which are usefull for him yet he cannot bound his labours and desires within these termes and his understanding being thus corrupted he can never have any true content of minde unlesse it be granted him by Gods grace V. 8. For what He proves the absurdity of this unreasonable care which man takes For of all the care and industry he useth in preserving his goods if he hath any or to get some if he hath none he hath no other benefit but the maintenance of his life V. 9. Better is The true good a man can have in this life is to enjoy that which he hath in peace and rest and not to wander with straying and unsatisfied desires after that which he hath not This is namely this extreame desire and anxiety to be alwayes getting V. 10. Already The name of Adam that is to say terrestriall which God gave man at his first ereation sufficiently sheweth the imperfection of his being if he be not in Gods favour namely that he hath his heart alwayes fixed upon the earth from which he came wherewith his soule being not satisfied by reason that it is of a divine originall he labours endlessely for new experiences and for to heape up goods of the same nature Neither may
of former sinnes That I would not namely that I would not reprove nor suffer my true Church to perish which consists of mine Elect and beleevers with whom God is never angry so far as to curse or overthrow them but doth onely punish and correct them see Jer. 31. 35 36. V. 11. I will lay a figurative description of the Churches spirituall excellency which is like a building comosed of precious stones which are the faithfull upon an exquisite foundation which is Christ 1 Cor. 3. 12. Rev. 21. 18. With faire colours the Italian upon fine marble the Hebrew word is of a doubtfull signification V. 14. In righteousnesse that is to say in a well and right ordered manner Or by Gods grace and bounty for the word Righteousnesse is oftentimes taken for Gods property which is to doe good to those that are his V. 15. They shall the enemies shall often conspire against thee but as I will not be the author of it so will I cause the issue of it to prove to their ruine V. 16. I have that is to say Weapons and Souldiers have no power nor cannot bring any thing to passe but onely so far as I will give them leave by my permission and pleasure V. 17. And their that is to say the fruit and reward of their faith and loyaltie in my service Or this is the inheritance which I will bestow upon them as my servants and children CHAP. LV. Vers. 1. THat thirsteth that are in want and necessity of Gods grace and have a lively feeling thereof Come ye namely to mee Christ who am the welspring of grace signified by the water and of life signified by the wine and milke which are nourishment for the body That hath that hath no means to gaine this good of your selves Buy and that is to say take as a gift that which shall be made yours in like manner as if you had paid the just price of it Or give that is to say forsake and renounce all other worldly goods for this Matth. 13. 44. Rev. 3. 18. V. 2. Do ye spend that is to say Why doe you bestow all you have in superstitions idolatries works of the Law and other wayes to purchase eternall life which none can give you but I V. 4. I have given him words of the Father confirming his Sonne in his vocation in whom descending from David according to the flesh were to be verified the promises made to David and to all the other Fathers A witnesse namely to declare and confirme the Fathers will and counsell at which being his eternall wisdom he had been present He toucheth Christs two Offices namely of Prophet and King after he had accomplished his priesthood upon earth V. 5. A nation namely the poore Gentiles who were strangers to Gods Covenant and void of all true knowledge of him Ephes. 2. 11 12. Because of because that God the Father shall accompany thy Gospel with his divine vertue by which mens hearts shall be effectually converted Or because God shall have plainly manifested himselfe to be thy God and thy Father by thy resurrection and glorious ascension Rom. 1. 4. V. 6. While he while he offers himselfe to men by the Gospel out of which he cannot bee found Psal. 32. 6. John 7. 34. and 8. 21. V. 8. My thoughts I am infinitely mercifull and ready to forgive and not hard and implacable as men are neither am I inconstant and wavering in my promises as they are V. 11. So shall so likewise will I never recall the promise of my grace but will fully performe it Shall proper shall happily accomplish it without any obstacle or let V. 12. Ye shall goe out namely out of your spirituall bondage from which Christ shall free you V. 13. In slead God shall fill the world with true beleevers noble plants in stead of harmfull bastard and wilde plants such as man is in the state of his corrupt nature Mic. 7. 4. And it shall be this miraculous change shall be as an eternall monument of Gods glorie and he shall be everlastingly praised for it in his Church CHAP. LVI Vers. 1. FOr my salvation since I do proffer my salvation to the world by the Messias it is fitting that all men should turn to me their Benefactor And it is also needfull for them to do so for to make themselves capable of receiving it Mat. 32. and 4. 17. Rom. 13. 11 12. My righteousnesse namely mine Evangelicall righteousnesse which onely is the cause of salvation Rom. 1. 17. and 3. 21 22. V. 2. The Sabbath namely all the true and spirituall service of God especially in the keeping of the first Table of which the Sabbath was anciently the figure and summe V. 3. Neither let that is to say by the Messias shall be abolished and disannulled all manner of distinction and difference of Nations and persons and none shall be excluded out of the assembly of beleevers as formerly those that are here specified were Deut. 23. 1 2 3. V. 5. A name that is to say an honour and dignity far more excellent then theirs who are called Fathers amongst my people namely they shall have the right and priviledge to be called my children John 1. 12. That shall not which I will never take away from them recalling mine election and of which they shall alwayes have an inward impression by the Spirit of adoption Rom. 8. 16. Revel 2. 17. V. 7. Will I bring I will graft them into my Church and make them partakers of all my good and comfort and will accept of the service which they shall do me in Spirit and truth V. 8. Yet will I I will also gather the Gentiles into my Church as I have done the Jews to make of two Nations one John 10. 16. Ephes. 2 14 15. To him namely into the congregation of the Church which is the true Israel according to the Spirit V. 9. Come another prophetick speech by which Isaiah declares that the chiefe cause of the despersion and destruction of the Lords flock by their enemies was the disloyaltie and negligence of the Shepherds as well Bcclesiasticall as politick who are called watchmen according to the ordinary stile of Scripture V. 11. They all look every one hath given himselfe to following of his own disordered lusts V. 12. And to morrow that is to say Let us not take care for anything if to day we take our deligh's we may also continue to morrow at our own leisure words of a prophane securenesse and dissoluâ—enelle see Prov. 23. 35. Isa. 22. 13. CHAP. LVII Vers. 1. THe righteous it is likely that in the time of these Prophecies God did take out of the world divers persons noted for piety and vertue which was a presage of great approaching evils from which God would exempt those his faithfull servants see 2 Kings 22. 20. V. 2. In their beds as the death of the faithfull is called a sleep so is their grave like unto a
from that which useth to be done to little children newly borne to shew that the people had no humane help nor assistance but were utterly forsaken in their misery Salted the Italian rubbed with salt salt being used about these little creatures to bathe and rub them to drie up cleanse and strengthen the body of the childe V. 6. I passed Hereby seemes to be shewne that God did not deliver his people presently but let them lie a long time in misery in Aegypt amidst sundry bloudy persecutions preserving them still alive and not suffering them to be destroyed which is signified by these reiterated words live in thy bloud V. 7. Thy breasts He continues the same figure of a maid that is now come to age to have a husband to signifie the time appointed by God to set his people at liberty and honour them with the title of being his Church and to make his covenant with them in Horeb as Cant. 8. 8. See Hos. 2. 15. Naked without any honour or defence being yet in misery and captivity in Aegypt V. 8. Spread An ancient ceremony wherein the husband in signe of the right of property which he obtained in his wife and for a pledge of his interchangeable duty of protection and love did when hee married her cover her with the skirt of his garment Deut. 22. 30. Ruth 3. 9. which was a figure of the righteousnesse innocency and merit of Christ which hideth all the blemishes of his Church from Gods sight and by this meanes gets the title of being her head Lord and husband which hath at all times been the foundation and summe of the covenant of grace I sware I made a solemne covenant with thee that I would take thee to be my people See concerning the time of the peoples marriage Ier. 2. 2. V. 9. Washed Corporally I tooke away from thee all signes and tokens of misery and of thy former oppression and enriched thee with my gifts and benefits And spiritually I purged thee from thy sinnes which are the uncleannesse of the soule in which man is borne and endowed thee with the graces of my spirit signified by the anointing which was commonly done after they had washed Ruth 3. 3. Luke 7. 44. V. 10. Badgers skin which were some way neatly dressed for to make handsome shooes Covered thee with a curious vaile which maidens bore over thy head V. 12. Thy forehead the Italian thy nose See touching this kinde of ornament Gen. 24. 47. Isa. 3. 21. V. 13. Didst prosper So high that thou becamest a great and glorious kingdome V. 15. Thou didst Thou art become presumptuous and bold by reason of the gifts which thou hast received from me and wouldest be no longer subject to me nor containe thy selfe within the chastity of my service and obedience but didst chuse to live a loose life Playedst the harlot Thou hast joyned thy selfe by unlawfull covenants and by imitation of idolatry to prophane people which thou hast drawne to thee by the greatnesse of thy state and the preheminence which thou hadst above other Nations Poured out Thou hast indifferently and impudently prostituted thy selfe See Ier. 3. 13. Ezek. 16. 36. His it was He might satisfie his lust as he would for thou gavest him free liberty to doe it V. 16. High place namely the Altars Chappels and Temples of thine Idols garnished with ornaments and rich tapestries which I had bestowed upon thee for thine owne use V. 17. Of men namely idols which were as adulterers to the idolatrous soules though there were many female idols also V. 19. Sweet savour burning those offerings as it were to appease the idols as God had appointed they should doe to him Thus it was All these things were notoriously knowne and verified and they are not to be denyed nor excused V. 20. Whom thou hast Who at their birth were mine by vertue of my covenant whereby the whole body of the Nation were as a wife to me and the particular persons as children wherefore thou shouldest have consecrated them to me V. 21. For them namely for the images of the foresaid idols V. 22. In all Thine unbridled idolatry hath been accompanied with an infamous ingratitude and presumptuous confidence that you could no more fall into your former miseries V. 24. Thou hast Like to an unchaste woman who after she hath used dishonesty privately with some particular men doth afterwards prostitute her selfe publickely in a brothell house whereby is meant idolatry that is commonly practised and allowed by publicke authority See Isa. 3. 9. V. 26. Committed fornication He hath a relation to the frequent treaties and covenants between the Aegyptians and them together with the acceptation and imitation of their idolatries See Ezek. 8. 10 14 and 23. 19. Great of flesh A figurative terme taken from the shamelesse desires of lascivious unchaste women Ezek. 23 20. to signifie that the power and wealth of Aegypt did entice the people to desire to adhere and be linked unto them V. 27. Diminished I have diminished thine estate and have taken away the abundance of my blessings from thee The daughters namely to the Cities and people See 2 Chron. 28. 18. Ashamed They detest and abhorre thine unconstant and wavering idolatry they holding themselves constant to their ancient idolatry which was at first established See Ier. 2. 10 11 33. V. 30. Weake Weakened and melted in spirituall lust which worketh the same offect in the soules as bodily lust doth in the bodies extinguishing all manner of vertue in them and effeminating them to a base and sensuall esteem of God and his service and weakening the true worship of him in spirit and truth Imperious that is to say licentious unbridled and incorrigible that taketh liberty to doe what she pleaseth V. 31. Thou scomest the Italian For thou despisest as much as to say thou hast not been sought after nor solicited nor rewarded nor paid but thou thy selfe hast solicited and paid thine adulterers which in a woman is the extreame of impudency See 2 King 16 7 8. 2 Chron. 28. 21 Isa. 36. Hos. 8. 9. V. 34. In that No body hath desired nor solicited thee so is the sinne of the people aggravated who without any bodies inducement of their owne proper motion were run into idolatry See Ier. 31. 32. V. 36. Thy filthinesse Heb. thy poison that is to say the infamous fluxes of whores The meaning is thou hast sinned without shame and I will punish thee with infamy and disgrace even by them with whom thou hast sinned V. 37. Loved most constantly and to the end like to the Aegyptians hated namely the Babylonians against whom the Jewes tooke part with the Aegyptians Ezek. 23. 22 28. V. 38. That shed that doe murther the children which they bring forth v. 36. give thee the Italian punish thee or I will make thee all bloud V. 39. Eminent place the Italian thy brothell namely the City of Ierusalem it selfe or the whole state where idolatry had
to feare the foresaid want of raine because of the yearly overflowing of Nilus but therefore instead of that it is threatned wâ—th everlasting burnings V 12. V. 20. Vpon the bels the Italian The â—osses having spoken of the horses overthrow and other cattell of the enemies V. 15. He addeth to make up the measure that all their spoiles even the deckings of their furniture if they were of metall should be consecrated to God to make utensiles for his service wherein he seems to have a relation to that as Gideon did Judges 8. 26. The meaning is God shall convert to his service in his Church all such things as before was imployed against him The pots made of these bosses The meaning is that there shall be frequent sacrifices of thanksgiving of which some parts were dressed in the Temple in the Kitchins belonging to it Ezek. 46. 22. 23. for the sacred feasts 1 Sam. 2. 15. And all this must be understood of the spirituall service which should be in the Christian Church described by the ancient ceremoniall service as Isay 60. 7. and 66. 23. Mal. 1. 11. The bowles which were in very great number for to receive the blood of the sacrifices and to make the sprinklings See 2 Chron. 4. 8. Ezr. 1. 9. V. 21. Every pot he seemes to meane that the spirituall service shall be yeelded to God every where even in the most ordinary actions of a Christian life There shall be no more God shall cleanse his mysticall Church composed of true Beleevers and Elect from the mixture of all profane persons See Isay 35. 8. Joel 3. 17. Canâ—nite or Merchant he seemes to have a speciall relation to the abuse of Merchandizing and selling which was used in the Temple Mat. 21. 12. John 2. 15. The Booke of the Prophet MALACHI ARGUMENT BEcause there is no mention made elsewhere of this Prophet and that this name Malachi signifieth an Angellor a Messenger Some have thought this to be no proper name but a name of Office and that thereby may be meant Ezra or Haggai who is so termed Hag. 1. 13. But howsoever it is likely that he was the last of the ancient Prophets and was imployed as well to correct the present vices of his time as also to direct the faith and hope of beleevers to the promised Messias which is the twofold end of almost all the Prophets Now He prophecying after the restauration of the Temple and after Haggai and Zechariah It seemeth he goeth on to the reformation of what was yet corrupt and defective after the ministry of those other Prophets as well in Gods service as in their life and conversation And first he represents unto the people their free Election the only ground of their subsistency and preservation and doth reprove and threaten them because they did evill performe their parts of the Covenant of grace through their wickednesses contempts and prophanations of Gods service and other iniquities of all sorts as false oathes sacriledges blasphemies disloyalties and mixing themselves in unlawfull marriages injustices and viclences Vices which were predominant not only in the common sort of people but in the Priests and Levites also and calleth them to repentance by meanes of which they should feele Gods grace and blessing which he assuredly promiseth to all beleevers especially at Christs comming which should shortly follow Saint John Baptist being to come before him and should bring salvation and mercy to repentant sinners and judgement and destruction to the wicked with the abolition of all the old Ceremoniall service to give place to the spirituall only which should be dispersed all the world over by the calling of the Gentiles CHAP. I. Ver. 1. THe burden A Commission for a prophecye of reproofes and threatenings See Isa. 13. 1. To Israel that is to say to all the people of severall Tribes which were returned from Babylon V. 2. Was not Esau consider the principall effect of my love in that of my meere grace I have chosen you to be my people in your father Jacob reproving Esau his brother equall in all things to him Whereupon all my benefits have dropped downe upon you namely your preservation deliverance from captivity and re-establishment whereof the Edomites have not been partakers V. 3. I bated I have given him no part in my grace and have left him as a sinner and corrupted under my wrath and judgement which I have also shewed in his irreparable destruction which hath not befallen you nor cannot befall my Church which hath alwayes a remainder and an issue out of her evils Jer. 31. 36. Dragons which have their dwelling in desart and unfrequented places V. 4. We are if they beleeve they shall be restored out of their calamities as you out of your desolations which have befallen you by the Caldeans they shall finde themselves deluded Jer. 49. 7. 17. V. 5. From the border even from his holy Temple the place of his abode from whence he sheweth the glory of his power to the destruction of his enemies V. 7. Pollutâ—â— not lawfull nor acceptable being defective Lev. 22. 20. Deut. 15. 21. Bread the Italian food See Lev. 3. 11. and 21. 6 8. The Table namely the Altar â—zek 41. 22 and 44. 16. The meaning is the Temple and the Altar since the returne from captivity are so wretched and so different from the ancient splendor which they were in that they doe not deserve to have such exact care taken of the beasts which are offered there as formerly in the first Temple See Zech 4. 10. V. 8. Is it not in your prophane conceit Or is it not evill To thy Governour as Zerobabel Nehemiah and others under the Persian Empire who had their provision assigned them upon the people Neh. 5. 14 15. V 9. Pray being prophane contemners of his service as you are thinke you that God will or can heare your prayers V. 10. Who is there my service is so farre contemned by you that you have even neglected to shut the gates of my Temple there being Porters which belonged thereunto Doe ye kindle I doe recompence you largely for your service by tythes first fruits offerings c. V. 11. From the seeing my service is so much despised and growne so degenerate amongst you carnall Jewes I will call the Gentiles under the Messias to my knowledge who shall yeeld me a true worship in Spirit and truth whereof this Ceremoniall worship is a figure as Isa. 66. 23. Zech. 14 16. Mal. 3. 4. See John 4. 21 23. V. 12 Prophaned it dishonoured the name of God bearing no respect nor obedience to what he hath commanded Is polluted the Altar hath bin spoyled by the Caldeans and the sacrifices which are offered upon it are not done with the ancient Majesty and holy pompe The fruit whereby is meant whatsoever is offered upon the Altar V. 13. Ye said and though you doe me but little service and that after an evill manner yet you complaine of
be thy lawfull wives which are called after their husbands name Take away for it was a disâ—onourable thing especially in those dayes for a young woman to be unmarried Psal. 78. 63. 1. Cor. 7. 36. V. 2. In that day after God shall have executed his foresaid judgements upon the Jews The branch the Italian the bud the promised Messias so called Jer. 23. 5. and 33. 15. Zach. 3. 8. and 6. 1â— because that in him is the beginning spring life and subsistency of the Church and was then contained within Gods promises as a bud hidden in the ground untill such time as it grew forth The meaning is Christ shall restore the remainder of his spirituall Israel to glory and honour by his salvation and grace The fruit namely the body of the Church which is as the plant that groweth out of that bud meaning that the small remainder of that corporall Israel shall be magnified by the Spir 〈…〉 ll â—tate to which it shall be transported by Christ under the Gospell Others doâ— apply this name also to Christ as if he were called the Lords bud in respect of his Godhead and fruit of the earth in respect of his humanitie see Isai. 11. 1. and 53. 2. V. 3. That he that is that is to say all the members of the mysticall Church shall be sanctified by Christs Spirit see Isa. 35. 8. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Every one that is to say all Gods Elect shall be called regenerated and incorporated into the spirituall Jerusalem Psal. 87. 5 6. Gal. 4. 26. Heb. 12. 22. Written a phrase taken from Registers and muster-Rolls Exod. 32. 32. Psal. 69. 28. Dan. 12. 1. Luk. 10. 20. Revel 20. 12. that is to say those who by Gods will and his immutable decree are chosen and predestinated to eternall life wherein Gods will stands in stead of writing and his minde in stead of a book V. 4. When after hee shall have purged his Church by the foresaid judgements Of the daughters that is to say of the members of the Church in this world The blood that is to say the abominable uncleannesse as Psal. 51. 14. for in the Law the touch of mans blood that was spilt did defile By the Spirit namely by divine power of separating good from evill which is an act of judgement and to exterminating of evill which is proper to the fire see Matth. 3. 12. V. 5. Will creare a description of Gods protection of his Church by a similitude taken from the cloudy and fi 〈…〉 pillar in the desert Exod. 13. 21. A defence the Italian a covering as formerly in the wildernesse God having filled the inside of the Tabernacle with signes of his glorie covered the outside of it with a thicke cloud Exod. 40. 34. Numb 9. 15. so will he repaire his Church which is his glorious habitation by his grace and Spirit V. 6. A tabernacle the Italian a tens he hath reference to the outward tent which covered the whole body of the holy tabernacle Exod. 26. 7. to signifie the same protection that hath been spoken of before CHAP. V. Vers. 1. WIll I sing that is taken from the songs of mirth which were used in the vineyards in the time of vintage Isa. 16. 10. and 27. 2. the meaning is Even as friends do use to rejoyce with one another if they have had an abundant vintage so it is fitting for me Isaiah who am a servant and as it were a friend of the bridegrooms to sing a mournfull song by reason of the ingratitude of Gods vineyard and the losse of his labours and hopes Unlesse they be God the Pathers words to his beloved Sonne who is the Lord of and Heire to the Vineyard which is his Church A vineyard an ordinary expression signifying the Church by reason of the excellency of the Vineyard above other fields of her lowly and feeble condition in respect of fruit-trees of the continuall neede shee hath of being watched and dressed of the great value of her fruit and of the little worth of her stemme if it beat no fruit and other such like considerations V. 2. Wilde grapes a figure of hypocrisie which makes shew of piety in the outward service without any inward vertue goodnesse or truth of the Spirit V. 7. Oppression the Italian Leprosie that is to say malignant inveterate habituall generall and incurable times which are the properties of a Leprosie And the Prophet made choice of this word in the Hebrew to make an opposite word to Judgement or righteousnesse A cry namely of tumult or violence or of complaining by reason of the oppression of others wherein there iâ— such an allusion as the former V. 9. In mine eare namely by secret inspiration V. 10. One bath a small measure of liquid things which was as understanding men say a perfect square of half a cubit every way An Ephah a measure of drie things of the same quantitie the bath was being the tenth part of an Omer Ezek. 45. 11. the meaning is the earth shall yeeld but the tenth part of what was sown the seasons shall be so unâ—â—uitfull V. 12. The work namely his judgements and the preparations and wayes made to them V. 14. Hell the Italian the grave a poeticall description of a great mortalitie That rejoyceth namely that drown all their seares and cares in carnall pleasures vers 11. 12. V. 16. Sanctified that is to say religiously acknowledged approved of and worshipped as an enemie to sinne and an upright Judge because of his most just judgements V. 17. The lambs in the midst of this generall desolation God shall preserve some small number of his Elect who by reason of their mildenesse and humilitie are likened to Lambs for whom he shall provide necessary sustenance Strangers the Italian pilgrims that is to say that poore remainder which lieth scattered and wandring up and down shall be fed by the Lord in the midst of the ruines of the countrey where the rich and mighty lived heretofore in all manner of ease and plenty V. 18. That draw that is to say That doe through their impenitency draw the punishment justly due for their sinnes upon them being still enticed by vain hopes false delights and foolish presumption Iniquity or the punishment of it V. 19. Let him make speed words of prophane contempt and insensible security The counsell namely the judgements by him determined and pronounced against us V. 20. That call the Italian That say concerning evill it is good either through unjust judgement or through flattery or by way of calumnie or meerly out of delight in telling of lies V. 24. Their root a proverbiall kinde of speech as Job 18. 16. and 29. 19. Amos 2. 9. that is to say Their counsels and manner of government which are as it were the root being vicious and wicked cannot bring forth any good effects which are as the increase and fruits thereof Or they shall be deprived of the grace of God in all things they
obey Gods will and be the messenger of his wrath V. 14. Have healed they have dallied with the great and deep wounds of my peoples sinnes and have not cauterized them according to necessary severity whereby their souls being lulled asleep with vain hopes of Gods patience are become incurable V. 16. Stand ye consider with deliberation and take time to know and sinde out whether ye be truly in the right way of salvation or no inform your selves by my word which is the onely high way that the faithful have continually travelled in V. 17. Watchmen namely Prophets to declare unto you things to come Isa. 21. 11. Ezech. 3. 17. Hab. 2. 1. V. 18. Ye nations all you nations as if you were all gathered together to one place come and be witnesses of my peoples sinnes and spectators of my judgements V. 19. The fruit namely a just recompence for their deeds and for their conspiring against my will Prov. 1. 31. V. 21. Stumbling blocks that is to say occasions preparations and means to ruine them V. 27. I have set thee Gods words to the Prophet The meaning is I have appointed thee to be a Prophet and to oppose thy selfe freely against my peoples rebellions thou shalt feel their malice but I will grant thee strength for to resist them Jer. 1. 19. V. 28. With slanders slandering or accusing thee and mine other servants Jer. 18. 18. and 20. 10. Brasse that is to say in stead they should have been pure and refined gold and silver but they are not onely mixed but altogether changed into other base and false mettals V. 29. The bellows tearms taken from such as melt and refine mettals who use lead for to separate them to signifie that all the art and labour which was imployed for to amend this people was lost Ezek. 24. 6 12 13. V. 30. Reprobate or refused or false silver that iâ— of no worth CHAP. VII Vers. 4. THe temple that is to say God dwelleth in this Temple and hath no other habitation in the world wherefore he will never depart from hence and this Temple shall be a secure pledge of his grace to us Mic. 3. 11. V. 9. Whom ye namely new strange godâ— whose godheads and powers you never tried as you have done me V. 10. And say namely that you have avoided my judgements as your false prophets doe perswade you and so return to your accustomed wickednesses more then ever you did before V. 12. At the first even since Joshuah's time who placed the tabernacle of the Covenant in Shiloh Josh. 18. 1. which was the first place of iâ—s setled abode V. 15. The whole namely the whole ten tribes which were often called by the name of the chiefe and predominant tribe which was Ephraim which ten tribes had been already led into captivity by the Assyrians V. 18. The children that is to say all of all ages and sexes do run to idolatry To the Queen that is to say to the Sun called in Hebrew by a name which is of the feminine gender Others translate it to the frame of Heaven that is to say to all the celestiall bodies Jer. 8. 2. and 44. 17. V. 19. Doe they provoke that is to say to whom doth the evil and dammage of this outragious wickednesse redound to me or to them V. 21. Put your multiply your sacrifices as long as you will I doe not accept of them being offered with hypocrisie and impiety as you offer them And eat that is to say thinke not to be sanctified by that part which you take according to the Law of my sacrifices of thanksgiving for seeing they are not acceptable to me those portions which you eat are but onely ordinary and profane food see Hos. 8. 13. V. 22. Ispake not I did not appoint holy ceremonies to be the whole substance of my service as you hypocrites beleeve but onely to bee sacred signes of faith in my promises and obedience to my commandments without which they are nothing V. 24. Imagination the Italian stubbornnesse or imagination And went like to resty beasts V. 28. Truth is perished there is nothing now but falshood and hypocrisie in all their words and professions of pietie V. 29. Cut off in token of great mourning Job 1. 20. Isa. 15. 2. On high places see upon Jer 3. 21. Of his wrath namely the generation which is as it were the object and provocation of his wrath V. 31. The high places namely the Altars Chappels c. set up to idols in that valley neer to Jerusalem 2 King 23. 10. V. 32. Of slaughter by reason of the great slaughter which the Chaldeans made there who shall also bury dead bodies in heaps there that all opinion of holinesse may be blotted out CHAP. VIII Vers. 〈◊〉 TO his course to an unbridled licence of doing all manner of evil V. 7. In the heaven that is to say in the air The judgement that is to say their punishments which hovered over their heads of which he gave them expresse warnings and evident tokens V. 8. We are wise and yet doe not regard these things which are so plaine and needfull Of the scribes namely of the Doctors and interpreters of the Lâ—w according to whose opinions publike judgements were ordered and they oftentimes perverted through their prevarication Psal. 94. 20. Isa. 10. 1. V. 9. The wise men that is to say those great Doctors puft up with the conceit of their owne wisedome shall not thereby escape my judgements V. 13. There shall be no that is to say I will send them scarcity and famine and that little which they gather shall be taken away by their enemies V. 14. Why do ye a representation of the Jews generall terrour upon the Chaldeans comming determining to forsake the field and retire into strong holds without any further resistance hoping that way to avoid this inundation but all in vain for all shall be taken and laid waste vers 16. V. 16. The snorting of his namely of the Chaldeans Armie From Dan which was the border of the countrey north-ward from whence the Chaldeans came They are come according to the manner of Prophets things to come are set downe as if they had already been V. 17. Serpents that is to say mortall enemies against which there is no defence nor help V. 18. When I the Italian O my comfort the Prophets words being wounded with sorrow by reason of these calamities as if he should say Where shall I have any comfort Or O God I turn to thee who art mine onely comfort in this mine affliction V. 19. Behold that is to say I doe now set before mine eyes the complaints and outcries of the people that shall be led away into the first Babylonian captivity when they shall feele the continuation and fulnesse of those miseries at the last siege of the City under Zedekiah Is not the Lord that is to say How is it possible that this extream ruine should sall upon
to whom the Prophets had denounced their extreame desolation Isay 23. Ezek 26 and 27. and 28. Repented not with a generall internall and spirituall repentance which the working of miracles cannot bring forth but is an effect of Gods Spirit co-operating with his word but only with an exteriour and disciplinary kinde of repentance which is nothing but being displeased and a forsaking of those great grievous sins which do fight against nature and civill and morall justice and do violate common society for which sins the Lord destroyed those nations Now this was sufficient to condemne the Iewes insensible and inflexible rebellion V. 22. But I say we must suppose those nations aâ—e indeed perished for their grâ—evous sins but at the last judgement the malignâ—ty of these rebels shall appear to be more cruâ—l shall be severely punished V. 23. Exalted by that incomparable blessing of having bin the place of aboad and ordinary conversation of the worlds Saviour V. 25. I thanke thee to the glory of thy divine Majestie I acknowledge thy Soveraigne power accompanied with justice wisdome and mercy in so much that thou hast not wrought upon the mindes and hearts of wise worldly men to give them a lively light of the mysteries of eternall salvation but upon soules of a weake understanding in worldly matters upon simple weake ignorant and contemptible people 1 Cor. 1. 27. V 26. Even so I doe not only acknowledge this truth but do also consent unto it and approve of it V. 27. Are delivered he meanes the universall Kingdome which he hath receaved from God his Father in the qualitie of a Mediator and especially over his Church to accomplish the salvation of it according to the Fathers everlasting decree No man knoweth namely the mystery of the sonnes person and consequently of the Holy Trinity As likewise his In carnation and all the properties of his office of Mediator is onely knowne by God by a proper naturall and perfect knowledge And all that men and Angells know thereof they know it but only of his meere good will and that which is revealed is done by the Sonne to whom it onely belongeth to reveale it as knowne to him by knowledge of nature and he onely having that property of being the Word of God Iohn 1. 1. and revealer of his secrets Psa. 2. 7. Iohn 1. 8. 1. V. 28. That labour in your soules and consciences by a lively feeling of your sins by the terrour of Gods judgments and the hardnesse of his scourges and punishments And also by a painefull and fruitlesse enquirie how you might satisfie Gods justice and obtaine his favour by your own proper works Isa. 55. 2 V. 29. Take Yeeld and submit your selves to me by obedience of saith laying aside all pride and rebellion 1 Cor 7. 22. and 9. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 16 Learne imitate my example in these vertues which are fitting and necessary for every Christian. V. 30. Is easie the Italian is pleasing or easie Namely to those that are regenerate whose sanctified will enclined by Gods Spirit doth no more oppose Christs Law which in the corrupt man is the only cause of the lawes severity towards him but rather consents unto it and sets his whole delight therin Rom. 7. 22. and 8. 7. and this yoake of Christs is opposite to the rigorous yoake of the law unsufferable withâ—u Christ Acts 15. 10. to the intolerable yoke of Pharisaicall orders Matth 23 4. and to the cruell and tyrannicall yoake of the Princes of the world Isa. 9. 3. and 10. 27. CHAP. XII VER 1. TO plucke according to the permission of the Law Deut 23. 25. V. 2. Is not the law did forbid them to dresse anâ— food upon the Sabbath day Exod. 16. 23. which the Pharisees did superstitiously extend to these petty actions of plucking and rubbing of eares of corne V. 3. Have ye not the meaning is the rigorous observation of ceremonies must yeeld to necessity when there is no contempt nor profane rebellion as David did without being reproved for it V. 5. Or have ye not Seeing God hâ—th not tied the officers of his Temple to the observation of the Sabbath they doing that day their most painfull and laborious services my servants and officers following me and serving me may also be free from the observation of it seeing that I am true God with my father and that my service sanctifieth these actions as the service of the Temple sanctified those V. 6. Is one namely I my selfe everliving God Lord of the Temple and the Messias who really and in truth am all that was figured by the Temple and the service belonging to it V. 7. If ye had another reason which hath a relation to the Pharisees cruell hypocrisie who thorow an ostentation of externall discipline went against charity not pittying the Apostles distresse who did eat ears of corne for meer necessity V. 8. For the he yeelds a reason for the Apostles innocency for if there were any sin in their act he was to judge of it being the Soveraigne Lord of all exteriour service and of the due observance of it And therefore since he did not finde fault with it they were not to cavill about it V. 10. To heale The Pharisaicall tradition did forbid the use of artificiall and naturall phisick upon the Sabbath day unlesse it were in cases of extreame necessity and now they doe superstitiously and malignantly apply the same to miraculous cures and healings See Luke 13. 14. Iohn 9. 16. V. 15. Them all that had need of being healed V. 16. And charged See upon Mat. 8. 4. V. 19. Not strive he shall not seek after worldly glory whereupon arise great strifes in the world hee shall proceed in all humility in himselfe and mildnesse towards others V. 20. Till he send till he be entred into possession of his everlasting kingdome to overcome and subdue all his enemies Vnto victory or everlastingly according to the phrase of the holy language V. 22. Blinde by the meanes of the devill which possessed him as Mat. 9 32. 17. 15. Luke 13. 11. V. 23. The Son the Ital. addeth the Christ the Son namely the promised Messias of Davids progeny V. 25. Beclzebub See upon Mat. 10. 25. V. 26. If Sathan the ground of this reason is because the Lord did drive devils out of mens souls by his saving doctrine as well as out of their bodies by his Almighty word wherefore one could not imagine that there was any collusion with the evill Spirit as Impostors often times do at whose instance the Devill comes out of a body to gaine any soules by seduction superstition false doctrine c. V 27. If I You shew your malice in judging evill of me because that having exorcists of your own nation which make profession of driving Devils out of men Acts 19. 15 and do not condemn them though you have no more reason to condemn mine actions thentheirs Now it is uncertain whether
this wine was given to condemned men in mercy to dull their sences The other was given by the souldiers in mockery and insolency Vnlesse we should say that these wicked men mingled all together Received it not as well to preserve and keepe himselfe in his entire senses to the last to make his sufferings perfectly voluntary as because he would not abate any thing of his torments willing to beare them all thorow obedience and overcome them by his onely vertue uprightnesse and innocency V. 25. The third namely of cleere day which was divided into twelve even hours Iohn 11. 9. and therefore this third houre was correspondent to our nine a clock in the morning See touching the houre of our Lords death upon Iohn 19. 14. V. 32. And they that is as much as to say one of them Luke 23. 39. V. 39. That he so the Italian that after he had cried so though there were some apparent causes to judge that in this death there was some supernaturall thing it being cleere that it was a voluntary death seeing he was yet full of life yeelding so strong a cry and that he had no other wound but onely the piercing of his hands and his feet whereupon Pilate also marvelled that he should be dead already Yet for all that we must beleeve that the Centurion had some divine instinct to beleeve and speake in that kinde V. 40. The lesse so sirnamed either by reason of his stature or for some other unknowne reason to distinguish him from the other two Iames of Alpheus and Zebedeus the Apostles V. 42. Because it was it should seeme that this was the occasion which moved Ioseph to make such haste by reason of nights drawing on namely because at the selfesame time he began the preparation of the feast which lasted from nine houres untill the beginning of the day which was before the feast of which three houres there was at the least one festivall The preparation see upon Matthew 27. 62. V. 43. Counsellor Senator or member of that great Councell of seventy two The kingdome namely the restauration of the spirituall kingdome of the Church by the Messias See Luke 2. 25. 38. CHAP. XVI VER 1. HAd bought namely in the three last houres of the day in which our Lord was crucified Psal. 16. 9. See upon Iohn 19. 40. V. 4. For it was so that it was impossible to remove it out of the place without rouling of iâ— Or we must suppose that they wondered that it should be so rolled away being a very great stone V. 5. Into the sepulchre cut out in the rock in the manner of a cave A young man an Angell in that wonted forme to represent that this age was the condition of the blessed life alwaies equal like to the splendor and glory of the angels and their vigor and swiftnesse in their service and motion V. 7. And Pâ—â—er whether it were to preserve Peter in the honour of being in the first order amongst the Apostles or to comfort him particularly after his repentance Or because Peter with Iohn had shewed himselfe most zealous of inquiring out the truth of the businesse by comming to the Sepulchre and going into it Iohn 20. 3 6. and that therefore the Angell would free him from his anxiety V. 8. Neither said they that is to say they stayed not to talke with any one but runne in haste to relate it to the Disciples Mat. 28. 8. Luke 24. 9. V. 12. In another forme severall from that in which he appeared to Mary Magdalen or from that which he was in before his resurrection or in regard of his habit Iohn 20. 15. or in regard of the splendor of his countenance after his resurrection or that their eyes were dazled by a divine power Luke 24. 16. V. 14. At meat after their meale in their talke and holy conversation a good while before night Iohn 20. 19. V. 16. And is baptized that is to say hath added himselfe to my Church being baptized taking it as a token and signall of the open profession of faith which is necessary to salvation Rom. 10. 〈◊〉 V. 17. These signes this promise is especiall for those first times of the Gospels preaching and belonged onely to those who had the gift of working of miracles either in generall as the Apostles or in particular as others of the Church 1 Cor. 12. 7. 8 10 28. V. 19. Had spoken severall times Acts 1. 2 3. THE HOLY GOSPELL OF OVR LORD JESVS CHRIST ACCORDING TO SAINT LVKE Argument QUestionlesse the writer of this Gospell is that Luke of whom Saint Paul speaketh in diverse places of his Epistles calling him sometimes the most beloved Physitian Col. 4. 14. Sometimes his faithfull companion who hath not forsaken 〈◊〉 in all his labours 2 Tim. 4. 11. Sometimes his fellow labourer in the Lords work Phile. 24. Thouâ—h it be not specified any where who or whence he was nor when be was converted to the faith which notwithstanding seemes to be after our Saviours ascent into heaven nor what office he hath borne in the Church But howsoever it is likely that he was one of the Evangelists whereof the Apostles had alwayes some one under them to send and imploy for 〈◊〉 planting and ordering of Churches in particular Provinces or to manure maintaine and set forward the Gospell in those places where the Apostles had first sowne thâ— seed of it for which purpose the Evangelists were endowed with the infallible conduct of the Holy Ghost in their word and writing Such an one was S. Luke 〈…〉 der S. Paul who also seemeth to have compiled this Evangelicall history for the use of the Gentile Churches for which the Apostle was eâ—pecially appointed having to that end indited it in a stile which retainteth the character and property of the pure Greek tongue more then the rest of the Evangelists Now he therein relates by way of summary the greatest part of the doctrines and notable acts which the other had touched and addeth thereunto diverse parts which do illustrate and make up the body of the history exceeding well Especially touching the miraculous birth of John the Baptist and of Iesus Christ And many other heads from which the Church may draw great increase of knowledge and edification CHAP. I. VER 1. Aâ— many it is likely that he meanes the holy and true Evangelists and not the other false ones The meaning is seeing that Gods providence would raise up diverse writers of the Gospell I also moved by the same Spirit do freely undertake the same worke V. 2. Of â—he word namely of the Gospell or of Christ himselfe called the word Iohn 1. 1. V. 3. To me by divine inspiration See Acts 15. 19 25 28. 1 〈◊〉 40. Theophilus a noted personage in the Church in those dayes Acts 1. 1. V. 5. Of the course the Priests being divided in severall courses or turnes to do their ministery in the Temple by week 1 Chron. 24. 3.
is to say he hath in effect showne the care he hath of them V. 69. Raised up he hath given the Church cause to triumph by reason of the spirituall victory which the Messias hath had over all his enemies See concerning this manner of speech 1 Sam. 2. 1. Psa. 75. 4. and 89. 17. V. 76. Shall be called thou shalt not onely be so indeed but shalt be acknowledged to be such by publike testimony V. 78. Day spring namely Iesus Christ the true Sonne of righteousnesse Mal. 4. 2. V. 79. Of peace of perfect happinesse V. 80. In Spirit namely in the gifts and graces of the holy Ghost which proportionably to his age manifested themselves to be in him wrought daily more powerfully and maturely in him Of his shewing that he began to exercise his office by Gods expresse command CHAP. II. VER 1. AL the world a popular kind of speech that is to say the whole Roman Empire which as falsely as ambitiously was termed universall according to the stile of those great Empires Isay 13. 5. and 14. 26. Ier. 34. 1. Dan. 2. 39. Taxed that the number of persons and their wealth should be set downe as the custome of the Roman Empire was to doe oftentimes V. 2. Was first for under the same Cyrenius there was another tax mentioned Acts 5. 37. Governour in this first taxation he was not the ordinary Governour but was extraordinarily deputed with a most ample power in that Province to make this taxation V. 3. Into his owne this ought to be especially understood of the Iewes who by their ancient divisions had their Tribes Nations and Families with their inheritances in certaine severall Cities in which they held their freedome of being Citizen though they dwelt elsewhere V. 4. Nazareth where their habitation was though they came from Bethlehem where they were Citizens Of David namely the City where he was borne and where the ancient seat of his family was 1 Sam 16. 1. Iohn 7. 42. V. 7. In a manger of the stable of that Inne where they were lodged In which Inne all other places were taken up by reason of the great concourse of people either by such as were first come or such as were of more note and esteeme V. 9. The glory namely an admirable and heavenly light which was wont to accompany the apparitions of Angels V. 13. Heavenly host an ordinary name of holy Angels V. 14. Towards or amongst men V. 19. Pondered them examining gathering together and comparing them one with the other to strengthen her selfe more and more in knowledge and faith See Acts 17. 11. 1 Cor. 2. 13. V. 21. For the circumcising Christ would be circumcised for the same reasons for which hee would also be baptized and participate of the other Sacraments See upon Mat. 3. 13. V. 22. Of her purification namely of Marie Now some texts have it of their purification namely of Iesus and his Mother for the infants were reputed to participate of their mothers legall uncleannesse V. 24. A paire which was the offering for the poorer sort of people Lev. 12. 8. V. 25. Devout or religious and fearing God Waiting for at that time the mindes of true beleevers were attentive to look for the comming of the Messias See Marke 15. 43. Luke 2. 38. The Holy Ghost that is to say he was endowed with the spirit of prophesie V. 26. Christ the Greeke name answerable to the Hebrew name Messias that is to say annointed and consecrated for eternall King and Priest Psal. 26. Isa. 61. 1. Dan. 9. 24. Ver. 27. The parents the Italian The Father and mother namely Ioseph according to the common opinion See Heb. 7. 3. After the custome which was to present him to the Lord and ransome him Exod. 34. 20. V. 29◠Lord now even at this time that thou hast accomplished thy promise unto mee and that I have with mine eyes seene the Saviour of the world I die happie and contented See Genesis 46. 30. V. 31. Prepared that is to say ordained and appointed from everlasting to make it knowne in the appointed time to all Nations without any difference to make them partakers of it Ver. 32. To lighten or which must bee revealed to all Nations Ver. 33. Marveiled not but that they perfectly knew it by the Angels Revelation but because they saw this light was also communicated to others and and did spread it selfe abroad Verse 34. This child is set or sent that is to say God hath established him to be the fundamentall stone of salvation to all those that shall receive him by a lively faith who shall by him bee relieved from the fall of sinne and condemnation And contrariwise to bee a cause of a greater and more irreparable ruine to those who thorow their owne perversenesse shall reject him For a signe as a miraculous person approved by all the infallible signes of truth and vertue to bee as it were a pledge and signall set up of salvation Isaiah 11. verse 10. whom the world notwithstanding shall oppose thorow incredulity and hardnesse of heart V. 35. A Sword such shall the opposition bee that thou thy selfe who art his mother must prepare thy selfe to bee pierced with extreame griefes and anguishes That the thoughts that is to say God shall suffer and bring all this to passe to the end that by the preaching of the Gospell may bee discovered the impietie and rebellion of Gods open enemies Which is never so fierce as against the Gospell And the hypocrisie of the false Children of Gods house who under the profession of his name and service doe reject the onely meanes of knowing him to salvation and of serving him in truth And finally to shew the internall difference of soules whereof some thorow grace beleeve in CHRIST the others reject him thorow their owne malice See 2 Corinthians 2. 15 16. Ver. 36. Had lived this seemeth to bee added for to commend this womans Chastitie and devotion Who being left a widdow in the flower of her age had continued so to dedicate her selfe wholly to workes of piety in the Temple according to the manner of many holy women in those dayes Exod. 38. 8. 1 Sam. 2. 22. Verse 39. They had Namely IOSEPH and Mary Verse 40. Waxed strong whereby is showne That the fulnesse of the gifts of the Spirit shewed it selfe in him and brought forth extraordinary good effects according to the progresse of his age and the increase of his bodily strength hee being every way made like unto man except sinne The grace that is to say it plainely appeared that GOD did love him in a speciall manner directing keeping and blessing him in all things V. 41. We 〈…〉 carrying Iesus along with them according to the Law At the feast the Law appointed all Males to come to the Temple at the three solemne feasts Exod. 23. 17. Deut. 16. 16. and because here was nothing commanded concerning women Some have thought that it is here specially
ed appointed and consecrated King of thy Church and likewise fulfilled with the gifts of thy spirit V. 28. For to doe though they had no knowledge of Gods will nor no right intention to conforme themselves unto it Thy hand namely thy Soveraign and efficacious providence by which thou governest and directest all things and all chances that happen V. 3â— They Were by an actuall new and evident mâ—tion V. 33. Great power Efficacie of demonstration and perswasion Oâ— with great courage and freedom Of the Resurrection under which is comprehended aâ—â— the doctrine of the Gospell As Acts 1. 22. Great gracâ— namely the blessing of God and good will of the people CHAP. V. VER 3. PEter to whom the fraude was divinely revealed To lie or to deceave the Spirit because that the consecration might bee by a motion of the spirit and he had not truely obeyed it Or it was dissimulate as proceeding from pure Charity a worke of the Holy Ghost being nothing but hypocrisie and the declaration thereof was made before the Apostles Ministers of the Holy Ghost and enlightned by him to take notice of the fraude and to be judges of the misdeed V. 4. Whiles it remained this possession before it was sold was th 〈…〉 e and after it was sold the price thereof was likewise thine if thou hadst not consecrated it But after the consecration thou hadst no more any right at all to it it was Gods and therefore thou hast committed sacriledge Ver. 6. The young men which were in the companie V. 9. To tempt to make a prophane tryall whither he knew your fraud or no and knowing of it whither he would punish it Are at the doore returning from burying thy husband Ver. 12. They were all had their appointed place there to preach to the people V. 13. Of the rest this as it seemes ought to bee understood of other Doctors who were also very frequently in the Church V. 15. The shadow not that there was any vertue inherent to the Apostles bodies nor much lesse to their shadow or garments but to shew a most fervent saith though very simple and ignorant to which God according as he pleased granted his grace and power though there ought no consequence to be drawne thence See Matth. 9. 21. and 15. 36. Acts 19. 17. V. 17. Of the Sadduees See upon Acts 4. 1. V. 20. Of this life namely of this saving doctrine which bringeth life to them that beleeve V. 28. To bring to cause the people to rise and revenge his death upon us Ver. 32. The Holy Ghost by his gifts and miraculous effects which accompanie our Doctrine V. 36. Theudas a famous impostor who lived it should seeme in the dayes of Herod the great and is not mentioned in the Histories but there is another spoken off of the same name who lived some time after that V. 37. Judas called by Historians Ganlanite that is to say borne at Golan in Bashan but here is called Galilean because hee raised his tumult in Galilee by reason of the second taxation made by Cyrenius after the first made by Augustus himselfâ— Luke 2. 2. V. 38. For if this not that wee ought to judge of a doctrine or Religion by the lastingnesse of it or any other favourably events which God sometimes grants to the worst of them according to his secret judgements But he seemes only to disswade them from the violent and unlawfull ones and remit all things to Gods providence who by many other examples having shewed his judgements upon the false Prophets that were amongst his people it was to bee hoped that in this case also he might doe the like if so be it were disallowed by him V. 40. Beaten them which was a kinde of punishment which the Romans suffered the Iewes to inflict in their Synagogues but not openly See Matthew 10. 17. and 33 34. Acts 22. 5. 2 Cor. 11 24. CHAP. VI. VER 1. THe Grecians it is likely that they were Iewes dwelling amongst the Grecians out of their Country who had taken a habit of the customes language and doctrine of the Grecians in many things differing from those Ierusalem Acts 9. 29. and 11. 20. Their widdowes Namely the Grecians widdowes held by the true Iewes unequall to theirs in honour by reason of the foresaid mixture and by reason of the dignity of the principall Citie of the Nation Neglected either because the were assisted equally with the rest and with equall honour in the distribution of the poores goods Acts 2. 45. and 4. 35. or that they were not admitted into any honourable office of the said distribution according to the custome of employing therein honourable widdowes which was afterwards confirmed and regulated 1 Tim. 5. 9 V. 2. It is not reason the Apostles in the beginning by reason of the small number of beleevers had the charge of the poore Acts 4. 35. But the Church being increased they could not doe that and preach to Whereupon by divine inspiration they made Deacons upon whom they disburthened themselves of this ministration who also had power to provide for these contentions and disorders Tables Namely at those common meales Acts 2. 42 46. under which is comprehended all the foresaid ministration V. 5. A proselyte Namely a Pagan converted to Iudaisme Mat 23. 15. V. 6. They layd a most ancient Ceremonie in consecration in signe that such persons were appropriated to God Exod. 29. 10. and likewise of blessing as if the grace and power of God did settle upon them Gen. 48. 14. Mat. 19. 13. Verse 7. Increased Namely did spread it selfe abroad amongst the people were obedient did voluntarily submit themselves to beleeve the Gospell Verse 8. And power of divine power and effiâ—â—cie in all his words and deeds Or of the power of the Holy Ghost to worke miracles U. 9. Of the Synagogues there being in Ierusalem diverse places of Ecclesiasticall meetings for the reading and expounding of Gods word and for ordinary prayers the Temple not being sufficient for these purposes for all men and at all times but it was for the Priests and for the most Religious actions sacrifices workship c. of the people Of the Libertines it is likely they were Iewes borne of â—â—aves made free by the Romans and that they had some assembly a part being detested by the Iewes as well by reason of their staine of their servile condition as because the tooke part with the Romans and their domination which was abhorred by the Iewes V. 14. Shall destroy Steven might well have denounced this desolation of Ierusalem and the disannulling of Ceremonies by Daniellâ— prophesies 9. 26 27. Or by Christs Matthew 24. 2. but yet these witnesses were false because they witnessed thorow hatred and malice and besides they concealed part of what was spoken As that Ierusalem should be destroyed but in case they were not converted That the ceremonies should be disannulled but to give place to a more excellent kinde of service in spirit
râ—demption and spirituall â—â—atâ— of the Church Others translate it amongst all namely the children of God Rom. 8. â—9 V. 19. All fulnesse namely that be should be the very spring of all that power by which the world was created and is preserved in its being and besides of all the grace righteousnesse and Spirit which is dispenced to his whole Church V. 20. Through the blood namely by his violent and judiciall death upon the crosse Whether they be See upon Eph. 1. 10. V. 21. In your mind because that in that high part and faculty of the soule lieth the Spring and seat of rebellion against God Rom. 8. 6 7. and 12. 2 1 Cor. 2. 14. Ephes. 2. 3. 4. 17 18. By wicked the Italian in wicked here he sheweth wherein consists his enmity namely in sinne and in obstinate disobedience whereof the rootes and first motions are in mans spirit V. 22. Of his flesh by this word is signified the body not onely truely humane but also subject to the conditions of an animall life being passible weake 〈◊〉 mortall c. opposite to the spirituall and glorified body 1 Cor. 15. 44. Holy first by imputation of his righteousnesse by vertue whereof man is justified and acquires right to eternall life and afterwards by the regeneration of the Spirit by which he is made capable of entering into the possession of it V. 23. To every creature generally and indifferently to all people and Nations V. 24. Fill up he speakes of Christ and of his Church as of one onely person whose afflictions are limited by Gods providence Now Christ the head having suffered already it now remaines that the Church and every member thereof suffer in their turnes and parts according to his example though for divers ends for the sufferings of Christ are a price of satisfaction and the sufferings of beleevers are but onely acts of service exercises trials witnesses of truth examples c. In myflesh namely in my person in this bodily life V. 25. For you namely for you Gentiles in generall To fulfill to performe the service of preaching of the Gospell at full Rom. 15. 19. which is that mystery namely that sacred and spirituall action which was not heard of in former times when Gods service was either not knowne or altogether employed in Ceremonies Sacrifices c. V. 27. In you namely of which misterie Christ who is preached amongst you is the whole subject Or inhabiting raigning and operating in you by his Spirit which in you is a certaine pledge of heavenly glory V. 28. We may present that we may cause believers even in this world to be perfectly justified from their sinnes by vertue of Christs righteousnesse applyed unto them by faith and that by meanes of their spirituall union with Christ they may receive the gift of sanctification which may be accomplished at their departure out of this life when they shall present themselves before God V. 29. Striving withstanding and putting by all the assaults of the Devill and the world and overcomming all troubles and difficulties by the means of faith and of the ministery of the Gospell 2 Cor. 10. 3. Phil. 1. 30. 2. Tim. 4. 7. Heb. 10. 32. CHAP. II. Vers. 1. WHat great whether it be in the Jews persecutions because of the calling of the Gentiles or in the machinations and contradictions of false doctors and disturbers of the Churches or in his cares and anxieties for the Colossians salvation Laodicea a City neer to Colosse My face namely my bodily presence The meaning is not That he did not suffer the like troubles for others also with whom he had been But the meaning is That though he had not seen them yet he suffered persecution for that which was taught in their Church conformable to his doctrine and took exceeding great care for their good and salvation V. 2. That their this is the end either of the conflicts which he underwent or of the relation thereof which he made unto them Comforted seeing my self as it were in the front in all their difficulties either to encourage them by mine example or avoiding dangers by my foresight Being knit keeping themselves in charity in the communion of Saints and by this means making themselves capable of being more and more inriched and confirmed in faith with knowledge and certain perswasion of the Spirit Of the mystery namely of the Gospel a doctrine of it selfe hidden and incomprehensible to the flesh the subject whereof is God revealed in his Son in grace truth and eternall power Ephes. 3. 4. V. 3. In whom in the true knowledge of whose person office and benefit is contained all the divine and saying wisdom whereof he is the onely dispenser by his word and Spirit V. 4. This I say I do thus exalt Christ and the knowledge of him to the end that quieting your selves perfectly in him you may stand stedfast in his faith not suffering your selves to be led away by humane doctrines and false means of salvation see Phil. 3. 8. V. 5. For though he gives a reason of his care for them because that in charity he partakes of their welfare and prosperity and also of their evils and dangers V. 6. Received namely learned and imbraced his doctrine by faith Walk ye persevere and go forward in faith and in all the duties of a Christian life V. 8. Spoil you the Italian make a prey of you a terme taken from sheep that are stollen away by theeves see John 10. 1 8 10. Through philosophie using subtilties and entrapping arguments to ensnare you in Pharisaicall superstition which hath not other foundation but the traditions of men Matth. 15. 2. Gal. 1. 14. or in Mosaicall superstition which yet holdeth with the ancient Ceremonies of the Law that were the first elements and rudiments of the knowledge of Christ and are now annihilated by the brightnesse of the Gospell and by the abundance and power of the Spirit thereof Not after the Italian not according namely not according to the purity of his Gospel whereof the false apostles retained the name but disanull the power of it see Gal. 2. 21. and 5. 2 4. V. 9. For in 〈…〉 m cleave you fast unto Christ for in him are all divine and everlasting goods Fulnesse the whole masse and gathering together of it whereof the parcels and streams do issue out upon the Church John 1. 16. Colos. 1. 19. Of the Godhead it should seem the Apostle would expresse a certain terme which was ordinary amongst the Hebrews which signifies habitation or residence of the God-head by which they meant Gods residence or presence in the Sanctuary in grace and power the truth and realitie whereof is in Christ. V. 10. Ye are by vertue of your spirituall union with him you participate according to your measure of all his gifts and graces Of all of all angels Rom. 8. 28. which seems to be added because the seduders taught that they should through humility worship angels
him whilst he was not in thine hands But willingly as it will be if thou dost send him back againe to me when he is with thee V. 15. For perhaps he confirms the request made v. 10. referring Onesimus his running away to a secret providence of God who had from thence taken the occasion of converting him whereby he was to be reunited to his master no more in a transitory quality of a servant but in an everlasting quality of a spiritual brother in Christ. V. 16. In the flesh in regard of the bonds and duties of this life which were not disannulled by Onesimus his conversion but were made more loyall and voluntary in him and therefore more pleasing and acceptable to the master See 1 Tim. 6. 2. In the Lord by the spiritual bond of the common faith in Christ. V. 17. A partner in the grace of God and in the office of his service V. 19. I doe not say I might desire thee to remit unto him all this debt or dammage in exchange of the spirituall good which thou hast received by my meanes whereby thou art in some sort bound to me for the salvation of thy soule but I wil give up my right in that and so doe conceive that thou art fully satisfied V. 20. Let me have in the Greeke text there is an allusion to the name of Onesimus which signifieth a man from whom one receiveth pleasure or profit In the Lord that is to say no carnall but a spirituall profit or pleasure Refresh comfort me with a Christian joy V. 22. Be given that is to say be restored to libertie V. 23. In Christ Jesus that is to say my partner in the faith of Christ for which I being a prisoner Ephes. 4. 1. he stayes with me for love of me Or he salutes you with the rest in Christ that is to say with a salutation of Christian charity V. 24. My fellow-labourers all these men are likewise named Col. 4. 10. 14. whence it is presumed that Philemon also was a Collossian See v. 2. THE EPISTLE OF St. PAUL THE Apostle to the HEBREWS ARGUMENT EVen in the first ages of the Christian Church there was some doubt concerning the Authour of this Epistle some attributing of it to Saint Paul which was the most common and most probable opinion others to some other Apostle or Evangelist Yet notwithstanding it hath alwaies been received without any contradiction for divine and altogether Canonicall and is held in high esteeme and reverence by the Church induced thereunto by the light and secret direction of the holy Ghost who hath imprinted in it a most certaine perswasion and a lively knowledge of divine inspiration by which it hath been endited for an expresse and most necessary declaration and confirmation of the highest points of faith The Hebrews to whom it is directed were Iewes converted to Christ and especially those of Judea and Jerusalem who being habituated in the Mosaick ceremonies which were as yet for a while tolerated amongst them by reason of their weaknesse they continued in having great beliefe in them and did beare a great deale of devotion unto them and dia repose in them part of their righteousnesse holinesse and salvation and of the service of God and could not be brought absolutely to cleave to Christ and rest themselves in him alone and to hold with the Evangelicall service And therefore the principall end of this Epistle is to shew that as Christ is the end the foundation the body and the truth of the figures of the Law which of themselves were of no vertue for the soule so having accomplished them in himselfe he hath annihilated the use of them and hath taken away those vailes and those shaddows to give way unto the cleare and naked truth of the purgation of sinnes and of mans full reconciliation with God by the onely Sacrifice perfect obedience and continuall intercession of himselfe So then in the very beginning he sets downe that Christ the everlasting Sonne of God being come into the World hath by his Office of Soveraigne Prophet fully manifested unto men the everlasting will and secret councell of God concerning their salvation And to induce men to beleeve obey and reverence his Gospell the Apostle extols his person as well by the everlasting Essence Power and Glory of his Divine Nature as by the Soveraigne Majesty of the Kingdome which the Father hath bestowed upon him in the quality of Mediator above the Angels themselves beneath the which he had abased himselfe by assuming human nature and by his sufferings and death Then afterwards for confirmation of the same he compareth him with Moses the most Excellent of all the ancient Prophets shewing that Christ is infinitely above him as well in dignity of person as in eminency of office wherefore to avoid farre greater punishments then those which the despisers of Moses runne into and likewise to obtaine everlasting happinesse which he could not give we were to accept of and retaine Christs Words Promises and Benefit by a constant faith whose chiefe ground and foundation is his Priestly Office which he hath perfectly accomplished And consequently he begins very largely to treat of that Office shewing first what similitude there was between the Leviticall Priesthood and Christs to shew that in this there are all the truths and essentiall properties of a true Priest-hood and in the other there were but onely figures and resemblances of this But before he passeth any further he doth sharply reprove the slacknesse and negligence of the Hebrews in advancing themselves to the full knowledge of the faith and mysteries of Christianity shewing them the danger of falling into apostacie to the irrevocable damnation of their soules Against which notwithstanding he doth strengthen them by the firmnesse of Gods promises so that on their parts they will worthily cooperate with his grace Thence he goeth on to shew what difference there was betweene Christs eternall Sacrifice and the mutable and transitory Leviticall Sacrifice between the new Covenant grounded upon the first and the old established upon this latter between the spirituall vertue of Christs onely Sacrifice and that of the ancient Sacrifices which was but figurative and ceremoniall for those Priests being but mortall men and the Sacrifices of nothing but bruit beasts it was impossible that the effects of either should goe any further and all this to teach that by the accomplishment of the figures the use of them is blotted out and made unprofitable to the conscience And that without any dammage yea with great advantage Christ doth from these externall and corporall things bring and retaine unto himselfe nothing but the soule and faith of his beleevers presenting the spirituall reality in himselfe a benefit which is rejected as not accomplished if a man turnes backe to those ancient rudiments and therefore he doth redouble his exhortations to the Hebrews for to persevere in the faith of Christ by which they are so farre from
same truth of v. 6. V. 9. If we if in humane affaires we doe believe the uniforme and well agreeing testimony of divers witnesses much more ought we to beleeve Gods witnesse in which the three persons doe concurre For this is I speake thus because the whole Trinity hath testified and doth testifie this truth with is spoken of v. 6. V. 10. In himselfe that is to say sounding and imprinted in his heart by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in him and certifies and puts him out of doubt concerning this truth A lyer because he doth implicitely reprove him of falshood judging him not fit to be believed though he be convinced in his owne conscience that these proofes and arguments cannot proceed from any but God V. 11. This life namely the causes foundation and originall of it V. 12. Hath the Sonne that is to say doth apprehend and possesse him firmely by faith V. 13. That ye have you have a right to it a beginning and first fruit an earnest and assurance of the accomplishment of it That ye may believe that ye may persevere increase and grow strong in faith V. 14. And this is namely if we doe truely believe V. 15. If we know that is to say Gods hearing ones prayer is not in vaine but alwaies accompanied with its effect V. 16. Which is not that is to say which shall not by certaine proofes appeare to be a sinne against the Holy Ghost by which man fals into everlasting death without pardon or remission And he shall give that is to say God shall pardon him and so free him from everlasting death V. 18. That wicked one that is to say he is in a manner defended against all his assaults so that he cannot give him any deadly wounds V. 19. Whole world namely the multitude of those that are out of Christs body and Kingdome Lieth as it were in a deepe puddle Or in a dead sleepe Or under the power and command of the wicked one V. 20. That is true the Italian that is the true namely the true eternall God John 17. 3. We are that is to say all true beleevers are engrafted into Christ by faith and are borne up and live in the union of his body Eternall life that is to say the onely author and fountaine of it and also the onely meanes to obtaine it ⧠THE SECOND EPISTLE OF St. IOHN the Apostle ARGUMENT SAint John writes this Epistle to a Christian woman of great account and very vertuous in which after he hath saluted her and commended her and her childrens piety he exhorteth her to persevere in love and in the sincere truth of the Gospell bewaring of Seducers and hereticks and avoyding all manner of communication with them Vers. 1. THe Elder a common name to all degrees of Pastours in the Church The Elect namely a true and beleeving Christian Or singular for vertue and piety V. 2. For the that is to say the foundation of which love of mine is the common faith lively planted and rooted in us by Gods Spirit V. 3. In truth that is to say producing in it two proper and inseparable effects of faith and love see 1 Tim. 1. 14. 2 Tim. 1. 13. V. 4. Walking namely who doe constantly follow the pure doctrine of faith and doe lead a life befitting the profession of truth in all uprightnesse and sincerity V. 5. And now I the aime and end of this mine Epistle is that you continually joyne true and spirituall love unto faith V. 6. In it namely in truth v. 4. V. 8. That we looke not that our former workes and whatsoever we have done and suffered for the Gospel be not debarred of its reward which is onely promised to them which persevere unto the end V. 9. Transgresseth the Italian revolteth the Greeke word is transgresseth but this general terme ought in this place to be restrained to apostasie from the Christian faith Hath not hath no part in his grace and spirit is not guided by him God is not his God V. 10. Receive him not abhorre and refuse to have any conversation with him for feare of being infected by him And to shew your zeale for the faith of Christ and to reprove the wicked one hold him for an excommunicate and interdicted person V. 11. Is partaker because he doth not condemne and reprove him openly he doth in part and by a collaterall way consent unto him and therein doth confirme the sinner Eph. 5. 11. V. 13. Amen this word closeth and sealeth up not onely the salutation but also all the exhortations of this Epistle ⧠THE THIRD EPISTLE of St. JOHN the Apostle ARGUMENT THe Apostle writes to a certaine man called Gaius whom he salutes and commends his faith and charity exhorts him to persevere and recommends certaine beleevers unto him And contrariwise blames the ambition perversenesse slaunders and inhumanity of Diotrephes and commends Demetrius VER 2. PRospereth that is to say is in a prosperous spiritual state in faith piety and other gifts of the spirit V. 3. That is in thee namely of thine affection zeale faith and loyalty in the profession of heavenly truth V. 4. My children namely my spiritual children begotten by my Gospel converted to the Christian faith by my ministery 1 Cor. 4. 15. 1 Tim. 1. 2. Philem. 10. V. 6. Whom if he meanes some beleevers of other Chuches who going to St. John had been charitably entertained by Gaius and now upon their returne he doth againe recommend them unto him Bring forward under the name of this duty is contained all other kind of reliefe and assistance in their journey After a godly sort the Italian according to God that is to say according to Gods command or according as it ought to be done amongst beleevers and children of God V. 7. For his Names sake to professe his Gospel freely and for his service Taking nothing forsaking all their goods and meanes V. 8. To the truth for the upholding and advancing of the Gospel yeelding all favour and assistance to such as are converted V. 9. Unto the Church namely to that Church whereof Gaius was a member or one of the Pastors And it is likely that Saint John had written to recommend the same brethren or some other such as these were and that his recommendation tooke no effect because of Diotrophes his malice who was one of the Pastors of it V. 10. Casteth them out he excommunicates and banisheth them out of the company of beleevers and out of their assemblies V. 12. That our that the commendations which we give are not in the vaine way of flattering but in truth of approbation V. 14. By name the Italian one by one that is to say not all in generall but every one by name THE GENERALL EPISTLE OF St. JUDE the Apostle ARGUMENT THis Epistle is a summary of the second of Saint Peter as there are many holy bookes which seeme to be taken out of divers other Writers The end of it
inscrutable secrets in the government of his providence yet God revealeth so much thereof as may cause a man to conforme himselfe unto his will in all these chances From the beginning that is to say perfectly from one end to the other V. 12. To rejoyce When God gives a cause for it and grants the power to doe it V. 14. Whatsoever That the councells and operations of the divine providence are permanent and immutable wherefore man ought to submit himselfe thereunto with all reverence Forâ—ver Namely irrevocable and not to bee altered by any humane power V. 15. That which That is to say things which doe happen from time to time were pre-ordained from everlasting and are with God as things present Acts 15. 18. Requireth As he hath pre-ordained all things that are to come so shall he also judge of all actions that are past which he sets before his eyes as if they were present That which is Heb. that which is driven away that is to say mens actions though they passe away and are followed and thrust forward successively one by the other V. 16. And moreover I saw He toucheth a point which may trouble the said tranquillity of spirit and minde more then any other thing namely the subversion of publick justice which is the only temperature and strong tye of humane society For a remedy to which evill hee prescribes the meditation upon Gods just judgement which is to come V. 17. There is a time Namely a prefixed time for judgement Every work the Italian addeth Is there Namely A certaine place and prefixed time though unknowne See Psal 14. 5. Hos. 13 8. V. 18. I said Seeing so many errours of carnall sense which doth incessantly trouble itselfe for the obtaining of the soveraigne good in this world I have desited that God would be pleased to enlighten men with his Spirit that they might know that through their sensuality and affection to worldly things they transforme themselves into beasts and at the last dye in that estate without any rellish or hope of eternall life For without this internall teacher all my instructions are unprofitable V. 19. The Sonnes Namely to worldly men wâ—o are guided by their blinde and corrupt naturall sense and that have no part at all in Gods grace and Spirit No preheminence Namely in respect of eternall happinesse whereof worldly men are deprived as well as beasts V. 21. Who knoweth Without the illumination of the holy Ghost which alone revealeth eternall life to Gods children 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11. man hath but an obscure and wavering notice of it and no perswasion of obtaining it for himselfe V. 22. Wherefore A conclusion reiterated out of the 12. v. There is nothing better If man taking so much paines in the world doth proceed with reason he must propound some end unto himselfe wherefore he doth so which can be none other but the sweet and honest fruition of his labours in this life 1 Tim. 6. 17. which being once past he hath no more share in this world nor in his goods Now this is spoken against fooles who labour to no end and never reape this fruit of their labours CHAP. IV. VERS 1. THe teares of He had said Eccl. 3. 12. That the good of man in this life was to rejoyce and doe good now hee sheweth how a man may be disturbed in both these things by outward meanes In the first by grieving at and commiserating of other mens unjust sufferings and calamities in the second by reason of the envie which they beare to one another v. 4. V. 4. This is also These two aforesaid points are for the most part the causes which hinder the said fruition and do trouble and afflict mens mindes V. 5. The foâ—le Now he begins to shew what mediocrity must be observed in endeavouring labouring for worldly goods the fruition of which is so commendable namely by shunning the carelessenesse of the one and the unreasonable care taking of the other v 7 8. Eateth An Hebrew phrase taken from those who taking no food doe for a time live of their owne substance untill it be quite consumed The meaning is he by little and little consumes all his wealth and brings himselfe into extreame misery overthrowing himselfe quite through his owne negligence V. 6. Better is He covereth his sloth and basenesse by a vaine seemingnesse of wisdome in seeking of rest See Prov. 26. 16. V. 8. His eye Namely his covetousnesse the chiefe instrument and inticement to which is the eye See 1 John 2. 16. V. 9. Two Upon occasion of them who by reason of a sordid kinde of avarice do make choice of a solitary life he commends the sociable kind of life in fellowship especially in the way of matrimony They have They both contribute towards the common good and profit and doe enjoy it with more comfort V. 10. If they fall By this â—orâ— are meant all manner of mischances and infirmities which may befall either soule or body V. 11. They have heat They shall helpe and relieve one another by all manner of mutuall offices V. 12 Threeâ—old cord A proverbiall kind of speech to signifie the profit of union V. 13. Better Having before declared how hee had through experience corrected many defaults in himselfe Now he sheweth what great benefit may redound unto all men from his example and precepts by opposing thereunto Princes incapable of counsell and correction such as he did peradventure foresee his son Rehoboam would be V. 14. Out of prison he commeth By his vertue as Joseph did in Egypt Gen. 41. That is borne Who is borne a King in an hereditary kingdome V. 15. I considered What I have said before is indeed the defect of aged Kings yet the peoples fault is as great when as growing weary of their old prudent Princes they doe cast their affections upon the young successor voide of understanding and experience Which peradventure Solomon might perceive was done to Rehoboam to the prejudice contempt of his person and authority In his stead the Italian Which shall succeed the King Heb. Succeed him namely the King whom he had spoken of verse 14. V. 16. All that have been This may be referred to the people which revolted with Absalon against David 2 Sam. 15. Shall not They shall distaste him and be weary of him and shall worship as men say the rising Sunne CHAP. V. VERS 1. KEepe thy foot Now he sheweth the vanity of humane sence which will meddle even with Gods service And therefore he doth here correct it by the representation of Gods terrible majesty in his Temple which ought for to suppresse and put away any irreligious and unworthy action or thought See Isay 1. 12. To heare To receive instruction to salvation by his word publickly preached in the Temple Or to obey namely to dispose thy selfe to a voluntary kinde of obedience which is that service that is acceptable to God and not sacrifices 1 Sam. 15.
Obad. 17. V. 9. Like as Governing their dispersion by my providence in such sort that none of mine Elect shall perish in eternall perdition nor the remainder of my Believers be extinguished nor overthrowne V. 11. Will I raise up After I have thus punished my Church I will restore the Kingdome of David by the Messias changing it into a spirituall and everlasting Kingdome V. 12. That they That the true Israel according to the spirit joyned with Christ their Head may participate of the universall Kingdome which he hath gotten over his enemies such as the Idumeans were to the Israelites Others doe bring it in thus That they may professe the remnant of Edom and all Nations that are called by my Name that is to say Mine Elect and those who shall be converted to me by the Gospel Isa. 19. 25. and 44. 5. V. 13. The Plow-man Figurative promises of Gods spirituall graces and blessings to his Church See Lev. 26. 5. Shall drop Into precious liquors of honey milke oyle and must The Prophesie of OBADIAH ARGUMENT OBadiah denounceth to the Idumeans capitall and implaeable enemies of Gods people their finall and inevitable destruction by reason of the evils which they had done to the Church of God to which he contrariwise promiseth eternall Salvation and perfect restauration in Christ and likewise the totall destruction of all her enemies CHAP. I. Verse 1. A Rumour namely God having stirred up the Chaldeans and other Nations to the destruction of the Idumeans which as it appeareth by the other Prophets happened after the ruine and captivity of the Jewes And Obadiah prophesied before either of them V. 3. In the clefts he hath a relation to the strong and mountainous scituation of Idumea V. 7. Have brought thee the Italian Have accompanied thee have joyned their forces to thine to goe and withstand the enemies invasions but just at the instant that thou hadst need of them they have forsaken thee And prevailed he seemes to meane the Egyptians who by powerfull perswasions and by reason of interest of state had brought the Idumeans to declare themselves enemies to the Chaldeans They that eat thy bread c the Italian They have laid thy bread for a snare for thee a terme taken from hunters who with baits draw the boasts into their traps The meaning is the victuall which thou hast had out of Egypt hath been as it were a bait to thee to insnare thee in the league against the Chaldeans which hath beene the cause of thy ruine which with all thy famous wisdome thou couldest not perceave V. 9. Teman the name of a City and Countrey in Idumea V. 10. Thy brother namely the Israelites and Jewes which were descended from Jacob brother of Esau the father of the Idumeans V. 11. That thou stoodest not only like an idle spectator yeelding no assistance nor pittying the Jewes calamities but feeding also thine eyes therewith as with a pleasing object His forces the men of war taken with Zedekiah in his flight Jer. 39. 4 5. Or plainely the whole multitude carried away captive into Babylon Upon Ierusalem to part both the spoile and persons V. 12. That he becamâ— or in the day of his strange chance See Job 31. 3. Spoken proudly by scoffing them V. 16. For as ye as You my people have drunke of the cup of my judgements so your enemies shall drinke up the very dregs and shall be utterly destroyed thereby See Jer. 25. 29. 49. 12. V. 17 Their possessions which they were dispossessed of by their enemies A figure of the right to the eternall inheritance which the Devill and Sinne had gotten away from the Church to which it was restored by Christ. Others their possessions namely the possessions of those Nations which were their enemies V. 18. Shall be a fire the Church by the power of Chri 〈…〉 and of his Spirit shall consume all her enemies represented under the person of the Idumeans as easily as fire consumeth flaxe Shall kindle as fire doth kindle when it takes hold of some combustible matter V. 19. Possesse the Jewes shall be put into full possession of their Countrey with great addition and enlargement of their ancient bounds as of Idumea on the South side and the Philistines Land on the side of the plaine See of these countries of Judea Jer. 17. 26. and 32. 44. and 33. 13. the meaning is the same as v. 17. V. 20. Of this Host See upon v. 11. Zarep hath it is thought to be a City or Countrey of Caldea V. 21. And Saviours this may according to the Letter and in part be understood of the Maccabecs who subdued the Idumeans 1 Mac. 5. 3. but spiritually and fully it is referred to the Apostles and other of Christs Ministers who were to preach the Gospell for the salvation of the Elect and condemnation of the wicked See 1 Tim. 4. 16. The Kingdome Christ true God shall by his Father be established everlasting King of his Church and of all the World The Booke of the Prophet IONAH ARGUMENT THough the Subject of this Booke be Historicall yet it hath been put in the number of the other Prophets As well by reason of Jonahs person who was a Prophet in Israel as by reason of the principall action of this History which is a prediction of things that shall happen and a preaching of repentance By whicâ— God setting forth a beame of His Grace upon the City of Nimveh Head of that great Empire of the Assyrians sent His Prophet thither Who at the first withstood this Calling and was therefore persecuted and punished by the Lord. And being afterwards miraculously delivered he went to Niâ—iveh and there fulfilled what was commanded him denouncing to them their approaching ruins But this threatening having produced the effect of a publicke humiliation and repentance God did suspend the execution thereof for that time And Jonah discovering as much infirmity of humane Jense in being troubled at the effect of Gods mercy as he had shewed in being unwilling to be the instrument and proclaimer of his justice is by Him reprehended and instructed CHAP. I. Verse 3. To flee See the cause upon Jon. 4. 1. Unto Tarshish the most common opinion is that he meanes the City of Tharsus in Cilicia Others translate it to flee by Sea From the presence namely from the Land of Israel whore God made his abode in grace and vertue and where he appeared to his Prophets Or it is a phrase taken from slaves who by stealth run away from their Masters service to shew that he did run away because he would not fulfill Gods Commandement Joppa A Sea Port of Palestine so called Acts 9. 36. V 7. Let us cast knowing that this tempest was neither naturall nor ordinary They conjecture by Gods secret inspiration that there is some body in the Ship that is guilty of some grievous sinne Wherefore they desire to discover the truth by lots according to the Heathens custome but God overseeth
them Prov. 16. 33. V. 9. I feare my Religion is to serve and worship him only V. 10. Why hast thou alas what a great fault hast thou committed V. 11. Said unto them by Gods inward revelation more then discourse of reason V. 14 Innocent blood For our parts for he never offended us and if he hath offended thee wee are not to take notice non judge of it in that as wee now doe follow that which thou declarest unto us by thy Workes and by thy Word which hee himselfe hath pronounced Hast done Wee doe acknowledge in all this expresse signes of thy power justice and supreame providence to which because we will not displease thee wee submit our senses to performe this execution CHAP. II. Verse 2. ANd said This prayer which containes the Prophets concei 〈…〉 and motions whilest he was in the Fish was set downe in writing by him after his deliverance with the addition of thanks-giving V. 4. Yet I will Words of faith grounded upon an expresse revelation V. 5. Unto the soule Bringing me into danger of present death See Psal. 69. 1. V. 6. Barres A terme taken from prisons The meaning is I am in the sea as it were in a strong prison shut up and 〈…〉 rred from the earth on â—ll sides For ever Unlesse thou dost miraculously relieve me V. 7. Temple namely In heaven Gods dwelling in glory the representation whereof was in the Temple of Jerusalem V. 8. They that namely Idolaters and Infidels are sometimes moved when they are in want with some feeling of devotion towards God But because the lively root of Faith of the Spirit is wanting in them that motion is not constant in them But I will fulfill my duties of piety with perseverance and loyalty CHAP. III. Vers. 3. EXceeding great Heb. A great City of God for the Hebrewes doe extoll the greatnesse of things by adding the name of God to their ordinary names Three dayes In circuit V. 4. A dayes journey Not going on continually but by pawses and at times going on from place to place as his charge required V. 5. God his word preached by Jorah V. 6. For word The Fast which the people had voluntarily undertaken to keep was authorised and enjoyned by the Kings command who would also be partaker thereof V. 7. Taste any thing For a certaine limited time which likely was a whole day V. 8. And beast According to the custome of those dayes the beasts they used to ride upon and to employ for carriage were wont to be covered and trapped but in time of mourning they tooke those ornaments off and covered them with haire-cloth and ragged clothing That is in Whereof he is guilty as if his hands were soyled therewith V. 9. Will turne Towards us in grace mercy V. 10. Repented that is to say He revoked his sentence which was but conditionall in 〈…〉 mind and decree 〈…〉 gave Jonah notice thereof See Gen. 6. 〈◊〉 CHAP. IV. Vers. 1. IT displeased Not so much for feare of being thought a false Prophet as for the zeale of Gods glory which he thought was wronged by his change and for affection he bore to Gods people who had then no greater enemy to feare then the Empire of Assyria as by effect it appeared not long after V. 4. Dâ—st thou well O thou hast great cause to be angry an ironicall reproofe V. 6. Prepared Did miraculously cause this plant to spring and grow up to a great height Per adventure this happened when the booth began to dry up and shadow Jonah no more A Goard A plant which is very common in those hot countries and groweth up to a great height and spreadeth out in great breadth called commonly Palma Christi His griefe namely From the heat which increased the greif of his mind or to give him by the meanâ— of this plant some wholsome document and remedy for his passion V. 7. It smote namely Did gnaw the root of it V. 8. A vehement Hebr. A deafe wind that is to say A still hot wind which re-doubled the heat of the sunne others a wind that made one deafe it was so tempestuous V. 9. I doe well Words of a passionate spirit blinded with anger rather then by any expresse rebellion V. 10. Chast had pity that is to say Thou wouldst have spared and dearely preserved V. 11. That cannot Little children that are not yet come to age of understanding The Booke of the Prophet MICAH ARGUMENT MIcah having prophesied at the same time as Isaiah did is also very like him in the subject and in the termes and stile of Prophecies Wherein he discovers and sharply reprooves the Idolatry and other sinnes of Iudah and Israel and denounceth unto them therefore Gods extreme judgements and their approaching dispersion by the Assyrians and Caldeans Then turning himselfe to the residue of true Believers he promiseth them on the one side temporall deliverance from the captivity of Babylon and on the other side the everlasting salvation of the whole Church gathered out of all Nations through Christ whose birth in the flesh and place thereof he describes very particularly joyning thereunto excellent Prophecies concerning his Kingdome the calling of the Gentiles and eternall glory and happinesse of the Church and the destruction of all her enemies CHAP. I. Verse 1. THe Morasthite namely Of some City called Moresheth whereof the Scripture maketh no mention nor cannot be the same as v. 14. Samaria and And the chiefe Cities of the two Kingdomes namely of the ten Tribâ—s and of Judah and their Princes and Heads V. 2. Yee people A figurative manner of calling all creatures as it were to a solemne appearance at the judgement wherein God will judge his people See Deut. 32. 1. Psalm 50. 1 4. Isa 1. 2. Amos 3. 9. Be witnesse that is to say He will convince you of your sinnes O yee of Judah and Israel From hu ho'y Comming forth as one should say out of Heaven or out of the Temple of Jerusalem where he is present in his signes of grace and power V. 3. And tread Hee shall shew himselfe exalted above all worldly greatnesse or hee shall tread under foot all powers as shall offer to resist him Amos 4. 13. V. 5. What is Where is the spring of all these Idolatries and other sins of these two Kingdomes Is it not in these two chiefe cities and in the Kings and Princes and in their courts which are kept within those cities V. 7. The hires thereof that is to say All her riches and goods which shee thought to have gotten by her unlawfull treaties and leagues with prophane Nations and as it were for a reward given her for consenting to Idolatry See Hos. 2. 5 12. and 9. 1. Shall returne A proverbiall kind of speech as much as to say Those goods shall goe away as they came that which hath beene gotten in the brothell shall be lost in the brothell Or the Assyrians who shall make a prey
and truth Ver. 15. As it had beene full grace Majesty and divine splendor CHAP. VII VER 2. BRethren he calleth them so by reason of the degree which they held in the Iewish Church which was yet not altogether reproved by God and by reason of the Communion in the same God nation and covenant The God the intention of Steven is to declare that God chose Abraham out of meere grace seeing hee was an Idolater as the rest of the Caldeans were Ios. 24. 2. â—â—d therefore that neither he nor the Iewes who were descended from him according to the flesh had no advantage of merit before God And that aâ— hee had chosen them So hee might reprove them if they went against his covenant Verse 5. Gave him more this seemes to be spoken to shew the addition of grace which Abrahamâ— posterity had received above him to bind them so much the stricter to God and to aggravate their ingratitude Verse 8. Patriarches See upon Acts 2. 29. Ver. 9. Moved with envie This circumstance seemes to be related to shew the conformitie of the peoples malice that of their ancient fathers in the â—aâ—â—ed and persecution of Gods servants sent for the correcting of vices and the salvation of the Church as Ioseph was V. 14. Threescore and fifteene See upon Gen. 4â— 27. the reason of the diversities of the number herâ— and in that place Ver. 16. Were carried over the Scripture makes no mention but only of Iosephs bones being carried into Sichem Exodus 13. 19. Ios. 24. 32. it may bee it was knowne by tradition that the bones 〈◊〉 the bodies of the rest of Iacobs children were also carried thither and indeed after Christs time there monuments were yet to be seene Abraham Gen. 33 19. it is said that Iacob bought that field were â—oseph was buried and it is likely that this varietie proceeded from the Coppiers it may bee by reason of the like act of Abraham Gen. 23. â—6 Ver. 22. Was mightie that is to say he did and spake great things and was accompanied with a 〈…〉 ine Maiestie height and power See Luke 24. 19. Verse 23. It came into by revelation which GOD had made unto him of his vocation though hee had not as yet declared him the time nor the meanes of exercising it Verse 25. Hee supposed it is likely that God had promised him that hee should bee receaved followed and obeyed by the people yet without any prefixing of time wherein Moses erred See Exodus 3. 18. and 4. 1 5. This History hath also a relation to the ordinary refusall the people had made of the instruments of their salvation V. 30. In a flame Namely in a fiery and flaming bush Verse 35. They refused whom they ahd rejected and with contempt refused to know By the 〈…〉 ds Namely by the power and authoritie and conduct of the Sonne of God See Exodus 33. 14. and 34 10. Isa. 63. 11 12. Hab. 3. 13. 1 Cor. 1â— 9. Hab. 12. 25. Who in all ages hath beene the head and Seviour of his people Ver. 38. In the Church the Italian In the assembly when the people were solemnly assembled for to receave Gods Law With the was a messenger and mediatout betweene the Sonne of God giving his Law and the people Gal. 3. 19. The living Oracles Namely the Law of God Rom. 3. 2. made living by the power of the Spirit in the hearts of men Heb. 4. 12. to produce its effects which were not to give spirituall and everlasting life to man Dead in sinne Romans 8 3. 2 Corin. 3. 7 9. Galath 3. 21. But to waken the Consciences lively to binde the hearts and to represse sinne c. Verse 39. Turned backe againe they went astray imitating the Idolatries of Aegypt in worshipping the Calfe See upon Exodus 32. ver 4. Other againe referre this to the great desire and designe they had to returne into Aegypt Numbers 14. 3 4. V. 42. Turned withdrew his grace love and spirit from them and gave them over to the Devill to bee led by him to Idolatrie without any stay See Psalme 81. 12. Ezekiel 20. 25 26 39. 2 Thes. 2. 11. As it is which Idolatry committed in the desert Amos pointeth at in this passage Verse 43. The Sâ—aâ—re For BAALI represented the Planets and Moloch according to the common opinion was Saturne called here Rephan The reason whereof is not certainely knowne nor the Originall of the name Vnlesse it were the Arabian Name of that Planet used in those dayes for Rephan in the Arabian tongue signifieth most high and elevated which belongeth to Saturne more than to any other planet it being the highest of all the rest Beyond Babylon in Amos it is beyond Damascus but Steven relates the meaning which is that the people should be scattered and dispersed into the uttermost parts of the world V. 44. Of witnesse within which the principall thing that represented Gods Majestie was the Arke wherein were the Tables of the whole Law called the witnesse Exodus 16. verse 34. Now it seemes the meaning is that if the moveable Tabernacle made by a modell receaved from God and with so much preparation might by Gods appointment bee changed into a firme and farre more excellent Temple it was no way beyond reason that God should change that materiall Temple into a spirituall one which is the Church in which is the truth of all those ancient Fabrickes and therefore that hee Steven could not be accused for impietie for foretelling the destruction of the Temple and the abolishing of the ceremoniall worship of it Act. 6. 14. Verse 45. Of David who was the first that designed the Fabricke of the Temple 2 Sam. 1. ver 1 2. V. 46. A Tabernacle The Italian A habitation Namely a settled place for the ordinary signes of his presence in grace and power and for his service and worship Verse 48. Dwelleth not To bee as it were fast bound unto it or shut up in it according to the false opinion of the IEWES Sec Ier. 7. ver 4. Ver. 51. Uncircumcised Namely as prophane and wicked as the Pagans themselves inwardly though they outwardly bore in their bodies circumcision a marke of regeneration and the Seale of Gods covenant The Holy Ghost by which Gods truth is not onely propounded but the truth of it is likewise so effectually demonstrated inwardly that you cannot contradict it but onely by obstinate malice Genesis 6. 3. Matthew 12. ver 31. Heb. 6. 4. V. 53. By the disposition the Italian The Angels publishing of it the Greeke by the out cries and proclamations of Angels Namely they being as it were the Sonne of God the supreame Law-givers publike Criers Galath 3. 19. Heb. 2. 2. Or in the middest of Angel standing round about them in squadrons Deut. 33. 2. either sence is to shew that if they had conâ—emned the Law given with so much Majesty and terror it was no marvaile if the rejected the Gospell propounded unto them in so