:: Reasonable soules if they folow reason and al sensible soules doe in their maner praise the prouidence of God in vsing al creatures to that end for which they were treated :: Man at first recemed original iustice by losing wherof we al fel into original sinne :: God gaue a precept to man to be obserued for exercise of his obedience so to be rewarded and vnder paine of punishment if he transgreded â—en 2. Rom. 13. :: Perseuerance in vertue to the end is necessarie which none can merite :: But must stil pray for it :: Al creatures according to their substantial forme in general were created together though they were afterwards formed in particular kindes as they are distinctly recited in Genesis with the order ornaments of the world S. Aug. li. 4. c. 33 34. de Gen. ad litter VVhere he expresly affirmeth that this Scripture was written by inspiration of the same spirite of truth wherby Genesis was written Psal 89. v. 10. 1. Cor. 11. :: They pray alwayes that pray at certaine conuenient times And stil haue intention so to frequent the same exercise al their life S. Aug. Epist 121. c. 9. ad Probam Luc. 18. 1. 1. Thes. 5. :: The best remedie against great sinnes is to auoide smal ones and not to contemne the least but diligently to amend al. 3. Reg. 11. Ios 22. :: That this document perteyneth to common conuersation with worldie men appeareth by the next verse But to reuele secrete sinnes to a spiritual father in sacramental confession is necessarie vvholesome and secure It is alâ—o very commendable and most lawful in holie religious Societies vvhere they willingly for their owne spiritual good submitte themselues to such a godlie rule Lâ—uit 1â— Mat. 15. Iac. 3. :: False pretence of pietie is hypocrisie :: And in a Superior to oppen his ovvne secrete fault to his subiects is pusillanimitie :: Discretion auoideth both by concealing and reueling faultes as reason directeth and iustice requireth Eccle. â— :: He that taketh reptchension in good part when he is faulty meriteth pardon and when he is not faultie he satifieth for his other sinnes and meriteth reward :: His intention is ful of guile that flattereth by shew of loue and of praise but he wil detract so much the more in the end reproch thee when he may gette probable aduantage against thee Prou. 12. Exo 23. Deut 16. :: VVisdom is to be shewed in vvordes and deedes vvhen it may profite others :: To conceale faultes so they be amended is most conuenient :: As a serpent deceiptfully approcheth stingeth the bodie so al sinnes inuegle and hurt the soule :: It is a signe that he is guiltie who contemneth freindly admonition :: He that truly feareth God wil diligently examine his ovvne actes defectes when he is vvarned :: As walles of stone built in the frost so riches or good name vniustly gotten wil not coÌ„tinue long :: Senseles or bad talke is tedious to al good men :: VVordes that may edifie are gratful to al godlie eares :: VVicked men condemning the diuel or anie other wicked do in dede condeme them selues And to them agreeth that sentence of our Sauiour By thyne owne mouth I iudge thee naughtie seruant Luc. 19. :: Contempt ignominie is the worldlie punishment of the slouthful besides his eternal damnation at the day of iudgement Mat. 25 â— 30 :: In this and other places is not vnderstood a foole that by defect of natural vvitte is ignorant or an ideote but he that is voide of grace ful of malice and wickednes For the wicked life of such a one is worse then his death v. 12. Gen 50. Prou. â—3 Prou â—â— :: A true freind wil not be lost for temporal damage noâ— danger :: But the vices of derision reproch and the like violate al freindshipe with wise and good mâ—n Ps 140. :: Man being weake and the enimie suttle strong he is not able to resist tentations without Gods special grace for which the vvisman therfore prayeth instructing al by his example to do the same :: Precepts how to gouerne the mouth and tongue :: Against rash vntrue vnlawful swearing Iere. 4. Mat. 5. :: In oathes God is called to witnes as he that can not lie but bâ—aâ—phemie attributeth thâ—t to God which perteyneth not him or attributeth to some creature that which only belongeth to God and so is a contrarie sinne to vnlawful swearing :: Both are mortal sinnes :: Admonition against sinnes of the tongue :: Reproch to parents and other neighboures :: Against couetousnes :: Fornication :: Adultrie Isa 29. :: Seing earnal adultrie shal be seuerely punished much more spiritual as schisme heresie and apostasie from Catholique Religion Leui 20. Deut. 22. :: Diuine wisdom the Second Person of the B. Trinitie begotten not created praiseth it self According to the phrase of speach Iere. 51. v. 14. The Lord of hostes hath svvorne by his soule that is by himself :: God offereth his grace but forceth not anie to accept it :: Creation is not here taken in the strict signification but for diuine production in that God the Father by vnderstanding begetteth God the Sonne As likewise the Father and the Sonne by loue produce the Holie Ghost :: in the Church only is effectual grace Psa â—â—â— :: The more grace any hath the more he desireth and receiueth :: In Dauids progenie God preserued the kinglie state til the captiuitie and the estimation of the royal bloud vnto Christ But in al this Dauid was a figure of Christ VVho sitteth in the Throne of honour absolutly for euâ—â— Iosâ— 3. :: Three very commendable thinges :: Other three detestable :: Nine happie thinges in this life Iac. 3. :: Al happines in this life is grounded in the feare of God :: The description of heresie vnder the figure of a wicked woman whose malice is secretly couered vnder pretence of truth and â—â—â—â—â—â— Prou â—â— :: Layheadshiâ—e in spiritual causes is so vnreasonab le and absurde that â—â—w heretikes 〈…〉 ure it :: An vnquâ—â—â— life depâ—iuâ—th a man of much comforth and therfore continual peace â—â— as a duble life :: As wheâ— oâ—â—n moâ—e the yoke oâ— their neckeâ— doth moue withal so a wicked woman to wittâ— heresie can not rest nor let others rest quiet :: The Catholique faith is the ground al al vertues :: Those that kepe innes or ailehouses are alwayes talking as willing to please al but in much talke wanteth not sinne Prou. 10. v. 19. 1. Tim 6. :: The soule is kept in good state by fearing God :: After that sinne is purged there remaine reliques in the soule as dust in a siene vvhen the chaffe is cast out til it be more purged or washed Psal 50. v. 4. Prou. 27. VVhether the sunne shineth forth or not it is alvvayes light so is a vvisman alvvayes vertuous vvhetherit appeaâ—â— outvvardly or no. A foole or vvicked man hath
in Hebrew or Greke It more importeth that nothing be wittingly and falsly translated for aduantage of doctrine in matter of faith VVherein as we dare boldly auouch the sinceritie of this Translation and that nothing is here either vntruly or obscurely donne of purpose in fauour of Catholique Romane Religion so we can not but complaine and chalenge English Protestantes for corrupting the text cōtrarie to the Hebrew Greke which they professe to translate for the more shew and mainteyning of their peculiar opinions against Catholiques As is proued in the Discouerie of manifold corruptiōs For example we shal put the reader in memorie of one or two Gen. 4. v. 7. whereas God speaking to Cain the Hebrew wordes in Grammatical construction may be translated either thus Vnto thee also perteyneth the lust THEROF thou shalt haue dominion ouer IT or thus Also vnto thee HIS desire shal be subiect thou shalt rule ouer HIM though the coherēce of the text requireth the former in the Bibles printed 1552. and. 1577. Protestantes did so translate it yet in the yeare 1579. and 1603. they translate it the other way rather saying that Abel was subiect to Cain and that Cain by Gods ordinance had dominion ouer his brother Abel then that concupiscence or lust of sinne is subiect to mans wil or that man hath powre of free wil to resist by Gods grace tentation of sinne But as we heare in a new Edition which we haue not yet sene they trāslate it almost as in the first in like sorte Gen. 14. v. 18. The Hebrew particle VAV which S. Ierom and al Antiquitie translated ENIM FOR Protestants wil by no meanes admitte it because besides other argumentes we proue therby Melchisedechs Sacrifice And yet themselues translate the same as S. Ierom doth Gen. 20. v. 3. saying FOR she is a mans vvife c. Againe Gen. 31. v. 19. the English Bibles 1552. and 1577. translate Theraphim IMAGES VVhich the Edition of 1603 correcting translateth IDOLES And the marginal Annotation wel proueth that it ought to be so translated VVith this then we wil conclude most deare we speake to you al that vnderstand our tongue whether you be of contrarie opinions in faith or of mundane feare participate with an other Congregation or professe with vs the same Catholique Religion to you al we present this worke dayly beseching God Almightie the Diuine VVisedom Eternal Goodnes to create illuminate and replenish your spirites with his Grace that you may attaine eternal Glorie Euerie one in his measure in those manie Mansions prepared and promised by our Sauiour in his Fathers house Not only to those which first receiued folowed his Diuine doctrine but to al that should afterwardes beleue in him kepe the same preceptes For there is one God one also Mediatour of God and men Man Christ Iesus VVho gaue himself a Redemption for al. VVherby appeareth his wil that al should be saued VVhy then are not al saued The Apostle addeth that they must first come to the knowlege of the truth Because without faith it is impossible to please God This ground worke therfore of our creation in Christ by true faith S. Paul labored most seriously by word and writing to establish in the hartes of al men In this he confirmed the Romanes by his Epistle cōmending their faith as already receiued and renowmed in the whole world He preached the same faith to manie Nations Amongst others to the lerned Athenians VVhere it semed to some as absurde as strange in so much that they scornfully called him avvord-sovver and Preacher of new gods But S. Augustin alloweth the terme for good which was reprochfully spoken of the ignorant And so distinguishing betwen Reapers and Sovvers in Gods Church he teacheth that wheras the other Apostles reaped in the Iewes that which their Patriarches and Prophetes had sowne S. Paul sowed the seede of Christian Religion in the Gentiles And so in respect of the Israelites to whom they were first sent calleth the other Apostles Messores Reapers and S. Paul being specially sent to the Gentiles Seminatorem a Sovver or Seminarie Apostle VVhich two sortes of Gods workmen are stil in the Church with distinct offices of Pastoral cures and Apostolical missions the one for perpetual gouernment of Catholique countries the other for conuersion of such as either haue not receiued Christian Religion or are relapsed As at this time in our country for the diuers sortes of pretended religions these diuers spiritual workes are necessary to teach and feede al Britan people Because some in error of opinions preach an other Gospel wheras in veritie there is no other Gospel They preach in dede new doctrines which can not saue Others folow them beleuing falshood But vvhen the blinde lead the blinde not the one only but both fal into the ditch Others conforme themselues in external shew fearing them that can punish and kil the bodie But our Lord vvil bring such as decline into vniust obligations vvith them that vvorke iniquitie The Reliques and smal flock of Catholiques in our country haue great sadnes and sorow of hart not so much for our owne affliction for that is comfortable but for you our brethren and kinsemen in flesh and bloud VVishing with our owne temporal damage whatsoeuer your saluation Now is the acceptable time now are the dayes of saluation the time of Grace by Christ whose dayes manie Kinges Prophetes desired to see they saw them in spirite and reioyced But we are made partakers of Christ and his Mysteries so that our selues neglect not his heauenly riches if we receiue kepe the beginning of his substance firme vnto the end that is the true Catholique faith building theron good workes by his grace without which we can not thinke a good thought by which we can do al thinges necessarie to saluation But if we hold not fast this ground al the building fayleth Or if confessing to know God in wordes we denie him in deedes committing workes of darknes or omitting workes of mercie when we may doe them to our distressed neighbours brifly if we haue not charitie the forme and perfection of al vertues al is lost and nothing worth But if we builde vpon firme grounde gold siluer and precious stones such building shal abide and make our vocation sure by good workes as S. Peter speaketh These saith S. Paul are the heyres of God coheyres of Christ Neither is the number of Christs blessed children coūted as of the Iewes an hundred fourtie foure thousand of euerie tribe of Israel twelue thousand signed but a most great multitude of Catholique Christians which no man can number of al nations and tribes and peoples and tongues standing before the throne of the lambe clothed in white robes and palmes of triumph in their handes hauing ouercome tentations in the
earthlie things depended much vpon diuine wil and powre But bauing forsaken God Almightie the onlie maker and conseruer of al they begane to imagine and serue false goddes both famous dead men which had prospered in this world and diuers other things by which they receiued commoditie or feared damage Hence therfore rose the third principal Sect called Grecisme beginning also in this second age as the same S. Epiphanius writeth For Ninus the first king of the Assirian great Monarchie brought to passe that his father Belus Iupiter was estemed and worshipped for the onlie great God by the Assirians To him the Babylonians erected first Temples Altares and Statuas Nemrod also by the name of Saturnus as the progenitor of Belus and first great King or Tyrant of Babylon was accounted a god and the father of goddes About this time likwise begane the Dinastae among the Aegyptians and not sowner as they vainly brag to haue benne before the floud yea much longer then in deede the world hath benne Moreouer the Chaldees worshipped the fire Others the sunne the moone and innumerable other feaned goddes Against al which and likwise against al heresies are two special arguments First that they were not from the beginning as the true God and al truthes are knowne and receiued by continual Tradition but brought in afterwards by men and comonly by il men Secondly they are not accepted and esteemed for goddes or truthes in al places but with great diuersitie and disâ—ention one sort allowing that others despice as holie Athanasius notably writeth in his oration against Idols in these wordes Quot sunt gentes totidem deorum genera confinguntur c. How manie nations saith he so manie kindes of goddes are feaned Also the same countrie the same citie dissenteth within it selfe in superstition of Idols The Phenicians certes acknowledge not the Egiptians goddes neither doe the Egiptians adore the same Idols with the Phenicians Nor the Scithians receiue the goddes of the Persians nor the Persians of the Scithians The Pelasgies refuse the Thrasian goddes the Thrasians know not the Thebians The Indians are against the Arabians the Arabians against the Aethiophians and in like sorte the Aethiopians differ in their religious affaires from the Arabians The Syrians worship not the goddes of the Cilicians and the nations of Capadocia besides al these haue goddes of other names The Bithinians also feaâ—ed diuers goddes the Armenians againe diuers from them What nede we manie wordes Those that are in the continent honour other goddes from the Iland-people In briefe ech citie and eech village not knowing the goddes of their neighboures setteth forth their owne estemeth them only in place of goddes Thus farre S. Athanasius Name we like countries prouinces cities and townes in these partes of Europe where Luthers scholars haue set their feete consider the forme of Religion and opinions which they hold and we shal see as vnorderlie beginnings and as horrible dissentions in heresies which S. Hierom calleth the Idols of the New Testament as the ancient fathers haue discryed in Paganisme For Lutherans or Protestants hauing no lawful generation but proceding of bastards race vpstartes of vnknowne progenie are no lesse at discordes among them selues only al agreing against Catholiques like syncretisantes against their coÌ„mon enimies or Herod Pilate the Iewes against Christ And in England alone are diuers Sectes without possible meanes to agree in one For albeit the ciuil state endeuoreth prudently and seriously to bring al to vniformitie at least in publique shew yet they are but like manie faces vnder one hood euerie sorte keping their owne opinions yea almost euerie preacher and meane scholar to say nothing of artificers and common ministers arrogating to be his owne Iudge contemneth to stand to Luther or Caluin to Geneua or Parlament to Conuocation or Synod of their owne but to his owne only vnderstanding and interpretation of holie Scripture Nor yet to that alwayes for when he is pressed with that he once said he wil forgete it or eate his owne word if he haue not written it or that you haue readie witnes against him so hard it is to make a deceiued Protestant or Puritan confesse that he is conuinced except by very pregnant meanes you can first cast out of him or bind fast the spirite of presumption dissention and contention wheras the simpliest Catholique in the world hath the selfe same faith in al points with the whole Church in which he remaineth and vpon whose iudgement he dependeth To returne therfore from whence we are not vnnecessarily digressed we conclude with S. Augustin VVhen Moyses had shewed the beginning and progresse of Nemrods earthlie citie leauing it in Babylon that is confusion as needles to prosecute it futher he returneth to declare the pertual succession of the Citie of God the Church as before the floud from Adam to Noe by the line of Seth so after the floud from the same Noe by the line of Sem Arphaxad Sale Heber Phaleg Reu Sarug Nachor Thare and Abraham The rest of Sems children and al the progenies of lapheth and Cham as not pertaining to this purpose omitted so connecting those in order of generations by whom the succession is directly brought to Abraham Prince of the elected people a most special Patriarch to whom new and great promisses are made of multiplication of his seede and possession of the land of Chanaan but especially of Christ our Redemer and the same manie waies confirmed as wil appeare in the next age CHAP. XII Abram commanded by God to leaue his countrie with promise to be blessed in his Seede 5. taking his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot 6. wandreth in the land of Chanaan 7. erecteth an Altar in Sichem 8. an other in Bethel 10. Thence by occasion of famine passeth into Aegipt 14. where his wife called his sister is taken into the kings house 19. but vntouched is restored to him AND our Lord said to Abram Goe forth of thy countrie and out of thy kinred and out of thy fathers house and come into a land which I wil shew thee †And I wil make thee into a great nation and I wil blesse thee and magnifie thy name and thou shalt be blessed †I wil blesse them and blesse thee and cursse them that cursse thee and IN THEE shal al the kindreds of the earth be blessed †Abram therfore went out as our Lord had commanded him and with him went Lot seauentie fiue yeares old was Abram when he went forth out of Haran †And he tooke Sarai his wife and Lot his brothers sonne and al the substance which they had possessed and the soules which they had gotten in Haran and went forth to goe into the land of Chanaan And when they were come into it †Abram passed through the countrie vnto the place Sichem as farre as the noble vale and
supposing the redde sea would be passable to him as it was to the people of God S Chrysostom ho. 67. in Ioan. God is saied in holie Scripture to haue indurate some and deliuered some into reprobate sense not for that these things are done by God coming in dede of mans owne proper malice but because God iustly leauing men these things happen to them And in cap. 1. Rom. He deliuered into reprobate sense is nothing els but he permitted S. Damascen li. 4. ca. 20. de fide orthodoxa It is the maner of holie Scripture to cal the permission of God his act As He hath geuen them the spirite of comâ—unction eyes that they may not see and eares that they may not heare and the like al which are to be vnderstood not as proceding of Gods action but as of Gods permission to wit for mans free power of working S. Hierom Epist 150. resp ad q. 10. Not Gods patience is to be accused but their hardnes who abuse Gods goodnes to their owne perdition Theodoret. q. 17 in Exod. It is to be noted that if Pharao had bene euil by nature he had neuer changed his minde And after diuers mutations recited how sometimes he would dismisse Israel other times be would not al these saith he Moyses recorded to teach vs that neither Pharao was of peruerse nature neither did our Lord God make his mind hard and rebellious For he that now inclineth to this part now to that plainly sheweth freewil of the mind S. Gregorie li. 11. ca. 8. Moral God is saied to indurate by his iustice when he doth not mollifie a reprobate hart And li. 31. c. 11. Our Lord is saied to haue indurated Pharaoes hart not that he brought the hardnes itselfe but for that his desertes so requiring he did not mollifie it with sensibilitie of feare infused from aboue S. Isidorus li. 2. ca. 19. de summo bono Sinne is permitted for punishment of sinne when a sinner for his desert forsaken of God goeth into an other worse sinne Finally conference of holie Scriptures as in other hard places so in this geueth light for better vnderstanding therof For diuers places do not only shew that in al these resistances mutations of mind and obstinacie of hart Pharao was neuer depriued of freewil as the Doctors before cited do note but also expressly attribute the act of induration to himself Cha 8. v. 15. Pharao seeing that rest vvas geuen he hardned his ovvne hart v. 32. where the latin readeth in the passiue voice ingrauatum est cor Pharaonâ—â— Pharaos hart vvas hardned which is more obscure the Hebrew saieth actiuely the protestantes so translate Pharao hardned his hart this time also Likewise cha 9. v. 7. the Hebrew saieth Pharaoes hart hardned it selfe Also v. 35. He hardned his ovvne hart he and his seruants Cha. 13. v. 15. VVhen Pharao had indurated himselfe And 1. Reg 6. v. 6. VVhy do you harden your hartes as Aegypt and Pharao hardned their hart Al which are reconciled with the other textes that say God indurated Pharaoes hart vnderstanding that phrase in like sense to this cha 15. v 4. God hath cast Pharao his chariotes and his armie into the sea VVhere God only permitted and no way forced Pharao and his armie to follow the Hebrewes betwen the walles of water As before is here noted out of S. Basil and S. Augustin and the text it selfe maketh it euident Againe manie other places confirme that not God but the sinners owne wilfulnes is the proper cause of his sinne Iob. 24. v. 23 God hath geuen him place for penance and he abuseth it vnto pride Eccle. 8. v. 11. Because sentence is not quickly pronounced against the euil the children of men coÌ„mit euils without al feare Osee 13 v. 9. Perdition is thine o Israel only in me thy helpe Rom. 2. v. 4. The benignitie of God bringeth thee to penance but according to thy hardnes and impenitent hart thou heapest to thy selfe wrath Ephes 4. v. 19. Gentiles haue geuen vp themselues to impudicitie or vvantonnes And manie like places shew that God is not the mouer author nor forcer of anie thing as it is sinne but man him selfe is the author by wilfully consenting to tentations of the diuel the flesh and the world and by abusing Gods benefites and resisting his grace 11. They also True miracles being aboue the course of al created nature can not be wrought but by the powre of God who is truth it selfe and can not geue testimonie to vntruth and therfore they certainly proue that to be true for which they are done Other strange things done by enchanters false prophetes and diuels are not in deede true miracles but either sleights by quicknes and nimblenes of hand called legier-demain conueing one thing away and bringing an other or false presentations deceiuing the senses and imaginations of men by making things seme to be that they are not or els are wrought by applying natural causes knowen to some especially to diuels who also by their natural force can do great thinges when God permitteth them And so by enchantments and certaine secrecies these sorcerers either conueyed away the roddes and water and brought dragons and bloud in their place more frogges from other places or els by the diuels vsing natural agents turned roddes into serpentes water into bloud other matter into frogges al which might be done naturally in longer time by the diuel in short time But manie thinges are wholy aboue the diuels powre as to destroy the world to change the general order therof to create of nothing to raise the dead to life to geue sight to the borne blind the like which are only in Gods powre In things also diuels naturally can do they are much restrayned by Gods goodnes lest they should deceiue or hurt mankind at their pleasure So these Enchanters fayled in the fourth attempt not able to make more sciniphes nor anie more such prodiges and were only permitted to produce such serpents as were deuoured by Aarons serpent and to change water into bloud and to increase the number of frogges for the greater plague and no profite of the Aegyptians Neither could they remoue anie plague Nay themselues were so plagued with boyles that for paine or for shame they could not stand before Moyses It is further to be obserued that whensoeuer anie haue attempted to worke miracles to proue false doctrin they haue failed and by Gods prouidence bene confounded As when Baals false prophetes crying to their false goddes from morning til noone could not bring fire for their sacrifice and yet the diuel brought fire to burne Iobs shepe and seruants God permitting the one and not the other God also for a time suffered Simon Magus to make shew of miracles and at last as Egesippus li. 3. de excid Hierosol c. 2.
put it vpon their shoulders †And the children of Israel did as Moyses had commanded and they asked of the Aegyptians vessels of siluer and gold and very much rayment †And our Lord gaue grace to the people before the Aegyptians that they did lend them and they spoyled the Aegyptians †And the children of Israel sette forward from Ramesse into Socoth almost six hundred thousand of foote men beside litle ones †But also the common people of al sortes innumerable went vp with them sheepe and heardes and beastes of diuerse kindes exceding manie †And they baked the meale which a litle before they had taken out of Aegypt tempered and made hearth cakes vnleauened for it could not be leauened the Aegyptians vrging them to depart not suffering them to make any tarriance neither did they thinke vpon preparing any meate †And the dwelling of the children of Israel that they abode in Aegypt was foure hundred thirty yeares †The which being expired the same day al the armie of our Lord went forth out of the Land of Aegypt †This is the obseruable night of our Lord when he brought them forth out of the Land of Aegypt this night al the children of Israel must obserue in their generations †And our Lord said to Moyses and Aaron This is the religion of the Phase No aliene shal eate of it †And euerie bought seruant shal be circumcised and so shal eate †The stranger and the hireling shal not eate therof †In one house shal it be eaten neither shal you carrie forth of the flesh therof out of the house neither shal you breake a bone therof †Al the assemblie of the children of Israel shal make it †And if any of the soiourners be willing to dwel among you and make the Phase of the Lord first al the male that he hath shal be circumcised and then shal he celebrate it according to the rite he shal be as he that is borne in the land but if there be any man vncircumcised he shal not eate therof †Al one law shal be to him that is borne in the land and to the prose lyte that soiourneth with you †And al the children of Israel did as our Lord had commanded Moyses and Aaron †And the same day our Lord brought forth the children of Israel out of the Land of Aegypt by their troupes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XII 3. The tenth day Our Sauiour Christ instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist after the celebration of the Paschal lambe whiles they were at supper the night before his death therby sufficiently declared that this old Pasch was a figure not only of his Passion and Sacrifice on the Crosse but also of that he then did so solemnly with his Apostles whom also in that action he made Priests commanding them and their successors to do the same in commemoâ—ation of him til the end of the world Other circumstances likewise and conference of the one with the other make it more clere that as in some respectes it more resembled Christs Passion and Sacrifice on the Crosse so in others it more expressed the Eucharist and mystical commemoration of his death though also in manie it profigured Christ in both places For example The preparing of the lambe the tenth day signified our Sauiours coming into Hierusalem the same tenth day of the first moone now represented in the Church on Palmesunday Also the choise qualities of the lambe vvithout spotte a male of the first yeare foreshewed in general the puritie fortitude meeknes and al perfection of the true Lambe of God that taâ—eth avvay the sinne of the vvorlde More particularly the killing and bereuing the Paschal Lambe of natural life the sprinkling of his bloud on the dore-postes the â—â—stâ—â—â— at tâ—e â—ire and not breaking anie bâ—ne therof most specially expressed Christs death on the Crosse But the fourtenth day the euining agree only with the Eucharist instituted the night before our Lords Passion which he suffered the fiftenth being the ful moore and at midday as ancient S. Dionyse of Ariopagite in two Episties to Policâ—rpus and to Appollophanes testifieth admiring the miracle of the sunnes Eclipâ—e that hapned the same time Neither did the â—ating of the Lambe directly prefigurate the oblation on the Crosse for Christ was not crucified to be eaten but the Sacrament in formes and bread and vvine was expresly figured by eating the lambe with vnleauened bread and drinking the cuppe therto idioyned Luc. 2â— v 17. In like sorte the Lambe immolated in commemoration of the deliuerie of Israel from death and from seruitude when the-first-borne of Aegypt were slaine most aptly prefigured the Eucharist which is a perpetuat commemoration of mans redemption and deliuerie from eternal death and from bondage of the diuel and sinne by Christes death on the Crosse which death in dede was the very redemption and deliuerie of mankind and not a commemoration therof Finally the immolating of the Lambe vvithin the house with precise commandment to carie nothing therof forth perteined particularly to the Eucharist which our Lord celebrated vvithin the house wherby S. Cyprian lib. de vnit Eccles proueth that the B. Sacrament must not be giuen to anie ouâ— of the Catholique Church though Christs Passion be extended to al the world as wel to bring such as are without into the Church as to saue those that are already entred in In this sorte the most ancient and best expositors of holie Scripture explicate this special figure of the Paschal Lambe As we shalhere produce some witnesses in confirmation of this truth Tertulian lib. 4. contra Marcionem expounding our Sauiours wordes VVith desire I haue desired to eate this Pasch vvith you before I suffer saieth Christ coueted not veruecinam Iudaeorum the mutton of the Iewes but professing that with desire he desired to eate the Pasch as his owne for it was vnmete that God should couete anie thing not his owne the bread which he toooke and gaue to his disciples he made his owne bodie saying This is my bodie that is a figure of my bodie Figura autem nonsuisset nisi veritatis esset corpus But it had not bene a figure saith he onles it vvâ—re a bodies of veritie or a verie bodie to wit not phantastical as the heretike Marcion imagined because the figures in the old Testament were not figures except a true bodie answered vnto them So the Sacramentaries sense that Tertullian should cal the Eucharist a figure is quite against his meaning and maketh him conclude nothing against Marcion wheras his whole drift is by the figures of the old Testament to proue that in the Eucharist is the true real bodie of Christ and that consequently Christ hath a true and real bodie Origen in 26. Mat. teacheth that in the great parlar where Christ did eaâ—e the Paschal Lambe he also made his new Pasch S. Cyprian
profession of faith were auailable For other sinnes not only internal repentance was necessarie which vvas euer principally required therfore Ioseph dealt so seuerly vvith his brethren til they had hartis sorow and contrition for their sinnes but also certaine external purifications as vvashing and changing garments vvere ordained Gen. 35. Mariage though not then a Sacrament yet was religiously regarded with special care of faith and religion in the choise of persons Gen. 24. 27 v. 46. c. 28. v. 1. and of certaine degrees of consanguinitie and affinitie Adulterie was punishable by death Gen. 38. and in no wise counted lawful no not among the heathen Gen. 12. 20. 24. 26. 29. 34. 39. Pluralitie of vviues in some persons and cases lawful in the lavv of nature Gen. 16. 25. 29. as also afterwards in the lavv of Moyses not in the law of grace nor euer pluralitie of husbands Spiritual blessing a preeminence of greater persons so Melchisedech blessed Abraham Gen. 14. Isaac blessed Iacob c. 27. and Iacob his sonnes c. 49. and the sonnes of Ioseph with imposition of handes and framing the forme of a crosse 48. Other Ceremonies of oyle and wine Gen. 28. 35. sprinkling the bloud of the Paschal lambe eating the lambe standing with their loynes gyrded shooes on their feete staues in their handes and with speede Exo. 12 Musical instruments in Diuine seruice Exod. 15. Christes Baptisme prefigured by Circumcision Gen. 17. for Christians are circuÌ„cised saith S. Paul in the Circumcision of Christ buried with him in Baptisme Also by the cloude vvhich stoode betwene the Aegyptians and Israelites lightning the night on the one side tovvards Gods people dark on the other tovvards their enemies and by the redde sea vvhich saued the children of Israel and drovvned the Aegyptians Exo. 14. Al were baptised in the cloude and in the sea So the bread and vvine offered by Melchisedech the Paschal lambe and vnleauened bread prefigured the B. Sacrament and Sacrifice of Christs bodie and bloud in formes of bread and wine Iacob also prophecied of this most excellent Mysterie Gen. 49. He shal wash his stole in wine and his cloke in the bloud of the grape In like sorte Melchisedechs Priesthood was a plaine figure of Christs Priesthood who first by himself consecrated and offered his ovvne bodie and bloud and stil doth the same by his Priests handes of the new Testament Diuers other Rites were knovven and obserued by Tradition So Abraham paied Tythes to his spiritual Superior Gen. 1â— taught his children and familie to keepe the way of our Lord. and doe iudgement and iustice Gen. 18. v. 19. Isaac and Iacob kept and taught the Ordinances Preceptes and Ceremonies of their ancesters vvithout Lavves or precepts vvritten Gen. 26. Iudas commanded his second sonne to take the widovv of his brother deceased without children Gen. 38. The children of Israel abstained from eating the sinevv of the thigh in remembrance that the sinew of Iacobs thigh was shrunke Gen. 32. Freewil in men proued by that Iosephs brethren in selling him thought euil not moued nor inclined therto by God who had no part in their euil thought but turned it to good Gen. 50. by Gods threatning Pharao Exo. 8 If thou wilt not dismisse Israel VVhich were vniust if Pharao could not doe otherwise Likewise by that Pharao often changed his mind sometimes promising to dismisse the Hebrewes and againe refusing to doe it which sheweth saieth Theodoret freewil of the mind and by Gods preuention of rentations leading the Israelites not the neerest way but by the desert lest perhaps it would repent them and they would returne into Aegypt Exod. 13 Mans consent therfore is free notwithstanding Gods wil direction and commaundement And so his industry is required in his dailie affaires and then to relie on Gods prouidence otherwise only to expect Gods wil operation or protection man himself endeuoring nothing is to tempt God Therfore Abraham Gen. 12. Isaac c. 26. Iacob ca. 32. and the parents of Moyses Exo. 2 being in feare and distresse vsed al prudence to auoid imminent dangers albeit they had special reuelations of safetie and happie successe Neither doth God euer tempt anie man to sinne but proueth his seruants and maketh them knowen to the world for example of others and their owne merit Gen. 22. Iob. 1. 2. c. Onlie faith doth not iustifie nor workes without saith but both together do iustifie and are meritorious so Abraham beleued God because he is omnipotent and truth it selfe and it was reputed to him vnto iustice Gen. 15. but this faith was not sole for it had hope loue obedience and other vertues adioyned and so his beleuing was an act of iustice In like maner Abraham was iustified by workes offering Isaac his sonne vpon the Altar Gen. 22. but this worke presupposed faith that God is able to raise euen from the dead So by workes faith is consummate By hospitalitie Abraham and Lâ—t vnawares receiued Angels to harbour Gen. 18. 19. Abraham was perfect according to perfection of this life Gen. 17. most highly commended for foure more notorious actes proceding of two special vertues faith and obedience The first was his promot obedience in leauing his countrie and kindred going he knew not whither nor how farâ—â— simply and cherfully expecting Gods further direction when to goe and where to abide Gen. 12. The second was his excellent faith presently beleeuing Gods promise which by al humane reason semed vnpossible that he should haue innumerable progenie Gen. 15. The third was that he did not only most sincerly and religiously serue God but also taught his posteritie so to do as God himself testifieth of him saying I know that he wil command his children and his house after him that they kepe the way of the Lord and do iudgement and iustice Gen. 18. The fourth was that most heroical act of obedience admirable to al ages being readie to kil and sacrifice his owne most dearly beloued sonne Isaac For which God sware by himself that he would manie waies blesse him because sateth God thou hast obeyed my voice Gen. 22. He prayed for Sodom and had preuailed if tenne iust persons had benne found in that citie Gen. 18. And Lot was deliuered from thence for Abrahams sake Gen. 19. Isaac was also of most sincere mind deuout to God exercised himself in meditation or mental prayer Gen. 24. obtained by prayer his desire of issue Gen. 25. Likewise Iacob is described in the holie text a plaine or sincere and innocent man Gen. 25. v. 27. patient and constant in tribulations Gen. 29. 31. 32. 33. He lawfully purchased Esaus consent of the firstbirthright Gen 25. v. 31. He neither lied nor otherwise sinned when he answered his father that he was Esau his first begotten sonne Gen. 27. but spake truth in mystical sense agreable to
and fasting for them 2. Reg. 1. Al which were to no purpose if soules departed could not be releiued by such meanes It moreouer appeareth that the same royal prophet beleued diuers places to be in hel when he said Psal 85. Thou hast deliuered my soule from the lower hel signifiyng plainly that there is a lower and a higher hel which higher the Church calleth Purgatorie where soules suffer that paine in satisfaction for their sinnes which remaineth not satisfied before death is due after the guilt of sinne is remitted the law prescribing that besides restitution of damage sacrifice should also be offered Leuit. 5. 6. 16. And Dauid was punished by the death of his child 2. Reg. 12. by the plague sent amongst his people 2. Reg. 24. after his sinnes were remitted He feared also punishment in the other world yea two sortes and therfore prayed to be deliuered from both saying Psal 6. Lord rebuke me not in thy furie nor chastice me in thy wrath That is saith S. Gregorie Strike me not with the reprobate nor aflict me with those that are purged by the punishing flames And most expresly signifieth also a higher place called hel saying Psal 15. in the person of Christ to his Father Thou shalt not leaue my soule in hel From vvhence Christ deliuered the holie Patriarches Prophetes and other perfect soules resting vvithout sensible paine brought them into heauen vvhither before him none could enter VVhich vvas also signified by the cities of refuge whence none might depart to their proper countrie til the death of the high priest Num. 35. by Moyses dying in the desert and not entring into the promised land ouer Iordan Deut. 4. 31. 34. Presupposing the general Resurrection of al men as a truth knovven by former traditions king Dauid shevveth the difference of the vvicked and godlie in that time saying Psal 1. The impious shal not rise againe in iudgement nor sinners in the councel of the iust That is the vvicked shal not rise to ioy glorie as the iust godlie shal doe Of general iudgement is more plainly prophecied 1. Reg. 2. That our Lord shal iudge the endes of the earth not that Dauid nor Salomon but Christ should raigne in his mâ—litant Church euen to the endes of the earth and in fine iudge the vvhole vvorld The same is confirmed Psal 49. God wil come manifestly our God and he wil not kepe silence Fire shal burne forth in his sight Psal 95. He shal iudge the round world in equitie and the peoples in his truth Psal 96. Fire shal goe before him and shal inflame his enemies round about Againe the same royal prophete Psalm 48. describeth the future and eternal state of the damned saying as sheepe creatures vnable to helpe themselues they are put in hel death shal feede vpon them Of the blessed he addeth And the iust shal rule ouer them in the morning that is in the resurrection and Psal 149. The Sainctes shal reioyse in glorie they shal be ioyful in their beddes in eternal rest The exaltations praâ—ses of God in their throate and two edged swordes in their handes to doe reuenge in the nations punishments among the peoples To bind their kinges in fetters and their nobles in yron manicles That they may doe in them the iudgement that is written This glorie is to al his Sainctes And much greater glorie belongeth to Sainctes for this is but accidental vttered according to vulgar capacitie The essential and perfect glorie which no eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor hart can cone iuâ— consisteth in seeing God Among accidental glorious giftes the foure dowries of glorified bodies are especially prefigured Impassibilitie by the wood Setim wherof the Arke was made Exod. 25. Agilitie and Penetrabilitie in some sorte by Dauids quicknes against Gâ—liath and his conuering of him self into Sauls campe and forth againe 1. Reg. 17. and 26. but a more plaine figure of Claritie was in Moyses face Exod. 34. which by his conuersation with God became more glorious then mortal eyes were able to behold glistering and shining as most splendent lâ—ght through christal described as if his skinne had benne a clere horne aâ—â—earing and spreading beamâ— like the sunnâ— proceding from the beautie of his soule so thâ—â— none of al the people could looke directly vpon him except he couered his face Thus much concerning particular pointes of faith and religion And it is no lesse euident that the vniuersal Church and Citie of God stil continued yea was more visible and conspicuous to the whole world then before First by Gods maruelous protection therof in the desert and famous victories and conquestes of the land of Chanaan And by the excellent lawes geuen to this people which al nations admired and none had the like Deut. 4. For in this fourth age besides other lavves and preceptes the spiritual and temporal States were more distinguished and the Ecclesiastical Hierarchie especially disposed in subordination of one supreme head with inferiour gouerners ech in their place and office for edification of the whole bodie For Moyses being chief ruler and conductâ—r of the Israelites out of Aegypt receiued and deliuered to them the written Law Exod. 20. And for obseruation and conseruation therof by Gods expresse appointment Leuit. 8. consecrated Aaron the ordinarie High priest himself remayning stil extraordinarie Superiour also aboue Aaron And after Aaron he consecrated in like maner his sonne Eleazar high priest and successour to his father Num. 20. To whom succeded others in this order 1. Paralip 6. Phinees Abisuë Bocci Ozi Zacharias otherwise 1. Reg. 1. called Heli Meraioth Amarias otherwise Achimelec whom Saul slew 1. Reg. 22. Achitob othervvise Abiathar vvho vvas deposed 3. Reg. 2. and Sadoc in vvhose time the Temple vvas founded To these vvere adioyned other Priestes also consecrated in a praescript forme Leuit. 8. and Leuites ordayned to assist in lower and distinct offices Num. 3. 4. In the first degree the Caathites whose office was to carrie the Sanctuarie and vessel therof vvrapped vp by the priestes but vvere forbid in paine of death to touch them or to see them In the second degree the Gersonites vvho carried the cortines and couers of the Tabernacle and vessel of the Altar In the third degree the Merarites vvho carried the bordes barres and pillers vvith their feete pinnes cordes and other implementes of the tabernacle euerie one according to their office and burdens Num. 4. v. vlt. But in the temporal state and gouernment Iosue of the tribe of Ephraim succeeded to Moyses Num. 27. Deut. 3. 34. And after Iosue were diuers interruptions of succession with gouerners of diuers tribes and change of gouernment from Dukes to Iudges and from Iudges to Kinges For after Iosues death the people being sore afflicted by inuasions of Infidels God raised certaine special men with title of Iudges to
children and multitude called him king of Israel Ioan 12. At which time as also before he exercised temporal Iurisdiction in correcting abuses in the Temple Mat. 21. Ioan. 2. And when Pilate demanded of him if he were a king Ioan. 18. v. 37. he answered Thou saist that I am a king For this I was borne and for this came I into the world that I should geue testimonie to the truth And though he answered withal that his kingdom to witte the possession and vse therof was not of this world yet Pilate by Gods prouidence writte the title and would not alter it IESVS of Nazareth King of the Iewes But Christs chief inheritance and reward of his merites is God himself as here he professeth by his prophet Dauid which is also the only true perfect inheritance of al Christs seruates vvherfore Clergy men more particularly professe the same when they first enter into their spiritual state addicting and dedicating them selues to serue God in Ecclefiastical sunct on not for temporal inheritance but for a better lotte God himself who is al Good and most perfect goodnes true riches and eternal inheritance In which election of state to liue and serue God in euerie Clergie man sayth Our Lord is the portion of myn inheritance and of my cuppe Thou art he that vvil restore myn inheritance vnto me Man calleth it his inheritance because he was created to serue God and for his feruice to inherite God which reward though he lost by sinne yet euerie one returning to Gods seruice and perseuering therin recouereth by Christ new right and title to the same inheritance performing their duties in their seueral vocations Some traueling in the world but not louing it others sequestered from secular affayres duly administring sacred offices more peculiarly called Diuine seruice ◠Net leaue my 〈◊〉 in hel How Caluin and Beza sometimes corrupt this text alwayes pernert the sense and most absurdly oppose them selues against al ancient holie Farhets concerning the Article of Christs descending in soule denving that into that part of hel called Limbus patr◠is largely noted Gen. 37. Act. 2. 1. pet 3 Only here we may not omitte to aduertise the reader that some Protestants Bibles permitting the word hel to remaine in the text a latter Edition for hel putteth graue with this only note in the former place that thus is chiesly meant of Christ by whose Resurrection al his members haue immortality And Act. 2. they repete their new text by this paraphrasis Thou shlat not leaue me in the graue VV resting that which perteineth to the bodie rising from the graue to the soule which was not at al in the graue al the time the bodie lay there PSALME XVI Aiust mans prayer in tribulation 10. describing his enemies cruelty 13. by way of imprecation foresheweth their destruction 15. and declareth that the iust shal be satisfied in glorie †The “ prayer of Dauid HEARE ô Lord my iustice attend my petition With thine eares heare my prayer not in deceitful lippes †From thy countenanee let my iudgement procede let thine eies see equities †Thou hast proued my hart and visited it by night by fire thou hast examined me and there is no iniquitie found in me †That my mouth speake not the workes of men for the wordes of thy lippes I haue kept the hard wayes †Perfite my pases in thy pathes that my steppes be not moued I haue cried because thou hast heard me ◠God incline thyne eare to me and heare my wordes †Make thy mercies meruelous which sauest them that hope in thee †From them that resist thy right hand keepe me as the apple of the eie †Vnder the shadowe of thy winges protect me †from the face of the impious that haue afflicted me Mine enemies haue compassed my soule †they haue shut vp their fatte their mouth hath spoken pride †Casting me forth now haue they compassed me they haue sette their eies to bend them vnto the earth †They haue taken me as a lion readie to the pray and as a lions whelpe dwelling in hid places †Arise Lord preuent him and supplant him deliuer my soule from the impious thy sword †from the enemies of thy hand Lord from a few out of the land diuide them in their life their bellie is filled of thy secretes They are filled with children and they haue leaft their remnantes to their litle ones †But I in iustice shal appeare to thy sight I shal be filled when thy glorie shal appeare ANNOTATIONS PSALME XVI 1. The prayer of Dauid This Psalme of the matter conteyned is called a prayer VVhich holie Dauid so composed as was both conuenient for himselfe being molested with vniust afflictions by the wicked and for anie other iust person or the whole Church in persecution seruing as a spiritual sword to strike the enimies and as a shield to beare of with patience and fortitude al their forces PSALME XVII King Dauids thankes to God for his often deliuerie from great dangers first in general 9. then more particularly describeth Gods terrible maner of fighting for him 18. against his cruel and otherwise potent enimie◠22. attributing the same to Gods good pleasure and iustice of his cause 31. praiseth God 33. his only protector 41. and depresser of his enemies †Vnto the end to the seruant of our Lord Dauid who spake to our Lord the wordes of this canticle in the day that our Lord deliuered him out of the hand of al his enemies and out of the hand of Saul and he said 2. Reg. 22. I wil loue thee ô Lord my strength †Our Lord is my firmament and my refuge and my deliuere My God is my helper and I wil hope in him My protectour and the horne of my saluation and my receiuer †Praysing I wil inuocate our Lord and I shal be saued from mine enemies †The sorrowes of death haue compassed me and torrentes of iniquitie haue trubled me The sorrowes of hel haue compassed me the snares of death haue preuented me †In my tribulation I haue inuocated our Lord and haue cried to my God And he hath heard my voice from his holie temple and my crie in his sight hath entered into his eares †The earth was shaken trembled the fundations of mountaines were trubled and were moued because he was wrath with them †Smoke arose in his wrath and fire flamed vp from his face coles were kindled from him †He bowed the heauens and descended and darkenesse vnder his feete †And he ascended vpon the cherubs and flew he flew vpon the wings of windes †And he put darkenesse his couert his tabernacle is round about
eares thou hast perfited to me Holocaust and for sinne thou didst not require †then said I Behold I come In the head of the booke it is written of me †that I should doe thy wil my God I would and thy law in the middes of my hart †I haue declared thy iustice in the great Church loe I wil not stay my lippes Lord thou hast knowen it †Thy iustice I haue not hid in my hart thy truth and thy saluation I haue spoken I haue not hid thy mercie and thy truth from the great councel †But thou ô Lord make not thy commiserations farre from me thy mercie and thy truth haue alwayes receiued me †Because euils haue compassed me which haue no number mine iniquities haue ouertaken me I was not able to see They are multiplied aboue the heares of my head and my hart hath forsaken me †It may please thee ô Lord to deliuer me Lord haue respect to helpe me Let them be confounded and ashamed together that seeke my soule to take it away Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that wil me euils Let them forth with receiue their confusion that say to me Wel wel †Let al that seeke thee reioyce and be glad vpon thee and let them that loue thy saluation say alwayes Our Lord be magnified †But I am a begger and poore Our Lord is careful of me Thou art my helper my protector my God be not slacke PSALME XL. The prophet pronounceth them happie that wil beleue in Christ coming in humilitie and pouertie 5. Christ describeth his owne poore afflicted state in this life by reason he is to satisfie for the sinnes of the world the malice of his aduersaries 10. especially of Iudas 11. and by way of prayer prophecieth his owne Resurrect on †Vnto the end a Psalme to Dauid him selfe BLESSED is the man that vnderstandeth concerning the needie and the poore in the euil day our Lord wil deliuer him †Our Lord preserue him and geue him life and make him blessed in the land and deliuer him not vnto the wil of his enemies †Our Lord helpe him vpon the bed of his sorow thou hast turned al his couche in his infirmitie †I said Lord haue haue mercie on me heale my soule because I haue sinned to thee †Mine enemies haue spoken euils to me When shal he die and his name perish †And if he came in to see he spake vayne thinges his hart hath gathered together iniquitie to him selfe He went forth and spake together †Al mine enemies whispered against me they did thinke euils to me They haue determined an vniust word against me Shal not he that sleepeth adde to ryse againe †For the man also of my peace in whom I hoped who did eate my breades hath greatly troden me vnder foote †But thou ô Lord haue mercie vpon me and raise me vp againe and I wil repay them †In this I haue knowen that thou wouldest me because mine enemie shal not reioyce ouer me †But me thou hast receiued because of innocencie and thou hast confirmed me in thy sight for euer †Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel from the beginning of the world and for euermore Be it be it PSALME XLI The feruent desire of the iust 6. much afflicted in this life 12. and assured hope of eternal ioy †Vnto the end vnderstanding to the sonnes of Core EVEN as the harte desireth after the fountaines of waters so doth my soule desire after thee ô God †My soule hath thirsted after God the strong liuing when shal I come and appeare before the face of God †My teares haue beene breades vnto me day and night whiles it is said to me dayly Where is thy God †These thinges haue I remembred and haue powred out my soule in me because I shal passe into the place of a meruelous tabernacle euen to the house of God In the yoyce of exultation and confession the sound of one feasting †Why art thou sorowful my soule and why dost thou truble me Hope in God because yet I wil confesse to him the saluation of my countenance †and my God My soule is trubled toward my selfe therfore wil I be mindful of thee from the land of Iordan and Hermoniim from the litle mountaine †Depth calleth on depth in the voice of thy flould-gates Al thy high thinges and thy waues haue passed ouer me †In the day our Lord hath commanded his mercie and in the night a song of him With me is prayer to the God of my life †I wil say to God Thou art my defender Why hast thou forgotten me and why goe I sorowful whiles mine enemie afflicteth me †Whiles my bones are broken mine enemies that truble me haue vpbrayded me Whiles they say to me day by day Where is thy God †Why art thou heauie ô my soule wh◠dost thou truble me Hope in God because yet I wil confesse to him the saluation of my countenance and my God PSALME XLII The iust inuocateth Gods sentence against the deceiptful that seeke his spiritual ouerthrow 4. acknowledgeth his helpe from almightie God the B. Trinitie in whose vision glorie consisteth †A Psalme of Dauid IVDGE me ô God discerne my cause from the nation not holie from the vniust and deceitful man deliuer me †Because thou art God my strength why hast thou repelled me and why goe I sorowful whiles the enemie afflicteth me Send forth thy light and thy truth they haue conducted me and haue brought me into thy holy hil and into thy tabernacles †And I wil goe in to the altar of God to God which maketh my youth ioyful †I'wil confesse to thee on the harpe ô God my God why art thou sorowful ô my soule and dost thou trubel me †Hope in God because yet wil I cōfesse to him the saluation of my countenance and my God PSALME XLIII The prophet describeth the first calling and difficulte state of the Iewish nation 6. their prosperitie at other times 10. Againe their afflictions in captiuitie and persecutions †Vnto the end for the sonnes of Core to vnderstanding O GOD we haue heard with our eares our fathers haue declared to vs. The worke that thou hast wrought in their dayes and in the dayes of old †Thy hand destroyed the nations and thou didst plant them thou didst afflict the peoples and expel them †For not by their owne sword did they possesse the land and their owne arme did not saue them But thy right hand
planted the eare shal he not heare Or he that made the eie doth he not consider †He that chastiseth nations shal he not rebuke he that teacheth man knowledge †Our Lord knoweth the cogitations of men that they be vaine †Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct ô Lord and shalt â—each out of thy lawe †That thou maist geue him quietnes from the euil daies til a pitte be digged for the sinner †Because our Lord wil not reiect his people and his inheritance he wil not forsake †Vntil iustice be turned into iudgement and they who are neere it are al that are right of hart †Who shal rise for me against the malignant or who shal stand with me against them that worke iniquitie †But that our Lord hath holpen me within very litle my soule had dwelt in hel †If I said My foote is moued thy mercie ô Lord did help me †According to the multitude of my sorrowes in my hart thy consolations haue made my soule ioyful †Doth the seat of iniquitie cleaue to thee which makest labour in precept †They wil hunt after the soule of the iust and wil condemne innocent bloud And our Lord became my refuge and my God the helpe of my hope †And he wil repay them their iniquitie and in their malice he wil destroy them the Lord our God wil destroy them PSALMES XCIIII An inuitation to serue and adore Christ our Lord and Messias 3. aswel for the benefites of creating al thinges 7. as for his Incarnation and not to harden our hartes as the Iewes did Praise of Canticle to Dauid him selfe COME let vs reioyce to our Lord let vs make iubilation to God our sauiour †Let vs preuent his face in confession and in Psalmes let vs make iubilation to him †Because our Lord is a great God and a great King aboue al goddes †Because in his hand are the endes of the earth and the heightes of the mountaines be his †Because the sea is his and he made it and his handes formed the drie land †Come let vs adore and fal downe and wepe before our Lord that made vs. †Because he is the Lord our God and we the people of his pasture and the shepe of his hand †To day if ye shal heare his voice “ harden not your hartes †As in the prouocation according to the day of the tentation in the desert where your fathers tempted me proued me and saw my workes †Fourtie years was I offended with that generation and said These alwaies erre in hart †And these haue not knowne my waies as I sware in my wrath if they shal enter into my rest ANNOTATIONS PSALME XCIIII 8. Harden not your hartes VVhatsoeuer God proposeth by preaching or inspiration to a sinner it resteth stil in the powre of his freewil to harden his harte and to reiect al such good motions and so he doth not only frustrate Gods grace and hinder his owne iustification but also increaseth his former sinnes But by not resisting when deliberating therupon he could resist he disposeth himselfe and cooperateth to first iustification And therfore the royal Prophet here admonisheth and earnestly exhorteth al men to do this which God hath put in our powre not to harden our owne hartes when we heare his voice by resisting and reiecting his grace freely offered without al merite of our part PSALME XCV Al peoples nations are inuited to praise the blessed Trinitie 3. for Christs Incarnation and spiritual kingdom in al the world â—â— euen sensles creatures acknowledging his maiestie 13. and iudicial powre A Canticle to Dauid * himselfe when the house was built after the captiuitie SING ye to our Lord a new song sing to our Lord al the earth †Sing ye to our Lord and blesse his name shewforth his saluation from day to day †Shewforth his glorie among the Gentiles his meruelous workes in al peoples †Because our Lord is great and exceeding laudable he is terrible aboue al goddes †Because al the goddes of the Gentiles are diuels but our Lord made the heauens †Confession and beauty in his sight holinesse and magnificence in his sanctification †Bring to our Lord ye families of Gentiles bring ye to our Lord glorie and honour †bring to our Lord glorie vnto his name Take vp hoastes and enter into his courtes †adore ye our Lord in his holie court Let al the earth be moued before his face †say ye among the Gentiles that our Lord hath reigned For he hath corrected the round world which shal not be moued he wil iudge peoples in equitie †Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioyce the sea be moued and the fulnesse therof †the fieldes shal be glad and al things that are in them Then shal the trees of the woodes reioyce †before the face of our Lord because he cometh because he cometh to iudge the earth He wil iudge the round world in equitie and peoples in his truth PSALME XCVI Al the earth is inuited to reioyce in Christs kingdom 3. with description of the signes coming before the day of Iudgement 7. Idolaters shal be confounded 8. Holie Angels and iust men shal adore Christ and reioyce To this Dauid when his land was restored agane to him OVR Lord hath reigned let the earth reioyce let manie Ilands be glad †Cloude and mist round about him iustice and iudgement the correction of his seat †Fire shal goe before him and shal inflame his enimies round about †His lightninges shined to the round world the earth sawe and was moued †The mountaines melted as waxe before the face of our Lord before the face of our Lord al the earth †The heauens haue shewed forth his iustice and al peoples haue seene his glorie †Let them al be confounded that adore sculptils and that glorie in their idoles Adore him al ye his Angels †Sion heard and was glad And the daughters of Iuda reioyced because of thy iudgements ô Lord. †Because thou Lord most high ouer al the earth thou art exalted excedingly aboue al goddes †You that loue our Lord hate ye euil our Lord keepeth the soules of his saintes out of the hand of the sinner he wil deliuer them †Light is risen to the iust and ioy to the right of hart †Be glad ye iust in our Lord and confesse ye to the memorie of his sanctification PSALME XCVII Al men are againe inuited ioyfully to celebrate the meruelous conquest of Christ in al nations 4. with hart voice and instruments 8. al creatures acknowledging his coming to iudge the world A psalme to Dauid himselfe SING ye
temple and granteth meanes to build the citie of Ierusalem and the temple AND the next began to speake he that spake of the strength of a king †O ye men doe not the men excel which obteyne land and sea and al thinges that are in them †But a king excelleth aboue al thinges and hath dominion ouer them and euerie thing whatsoeuer he shal say to them they doe †And if he send them to warryers they goe and throw downe mountaines and the walles and towers †They kil and are killed and the kinges word they transgresse not For if they shal ouercome they bring to the king al thinges whatsoeuer they haue taken for a praye †In like maner also al others for so many as are not souldiars nor fight but til the ground when they shal reape againe they bring tributes to the king †And he being one onlie if he say Kil ye they kil say he forgeue they forgeue †say he strike they strike say he destroy they destroy †say he build they build †say he cut downe they cut downe say he plant they plant †and al the people potestates here him and beside this he sitteth downe and drinketh and sleepeth †And others gard him round about and can not goe euerie one and doe their owne workes but at a word are obedient to him †O ye men how doth not a king excel that is so renowmed And he held his peace †The third that spake of wemen and truth this is Zorobabel began to speake †O ye men not the great king many men neither is it wine that doth excel Who is it then that hath the dominion of them †Haue not wemen brought forth the king and al the people that ruleth ouer land sea †and were they not borne of them and did not they bring vp them which planted the vineyardes whereof wine is made †And they make the garmentes of al men they doe honor to al men and men can not be separed from wemen †If they haue gathered gold and siluer and euerie beutiful thing see a woman comlie and fayre †leauing al these thinges they fixe their looke vpon her with open mouth beholde her and allure her more then gold and siluer and euerie precious thing †Man forsaketh his father that brought him vp and his countrie and ioyneth himself to a woman †And with a woman he refresheth his soul and neither doth he remember father nor mother nor countrie †And hereby you must know that wemen rule ouer you Are you not sorie †And a man taketh his sword goeth into the way to commit theftes and murders to sayle seas riuers †and seeth a lyon and goeth in darkenes and when he hath committed theft and fraude and spoyles he bringeth it to his beloued †And againe man loueth his wife more then father or mother †And many haue become madde for their wiues and haue bene made bondmen for them †and many haue perished and bene slayne and haue sinned for wemen †And now beleue me that the king is great in his powre because al countries are afrayd to touch him †Neuertheles I saw Apemes the daughter of Bezaces the concubine of a meruelous king sitting by the king at his right hand †and taking of the crowne from his head and putting it vpon herself and with the palme of her lefthand she stroke the king †And beside these thinges he with open mouth beheld her and if she smile he laugheth and if she be angrie with him he flattereth til he be reconciled to her fauour †O ye men why are not wemen stronger Great is the earth and high is the heauen who doeth these thinges †And then the king and they that weare purple looked one vpon an other And he began to speake of truth †O ye men are not wemen strong The earth is great and heauen is high the swift course of the sunne turneth the heauen round into his place in one day †Is not he magnifical that doth these thinges and the truth great and stronger aboue al thinges †Al the earth calleth vpon the truth heauen also blesseth it and al workes are moued and tremble at it and there is not any thing with it vniust †Wine is vniust the king is vniust wemen are vniust al the sonnes of men are vniust and al their workes are vniust and in them is not truth and they shal perish in their iniquitie †and truth abydeth and groweth strong for euer and liueth and preuayleth for euer and euer †Neither is there with it acception of persons nor differences but the thinges that are iust it doth to al men to the vniust and malignant and al men are wel pleased in the workes thereof †And there is no vniust thing in the iudgement therof but strength and reigne and power and maiestie of worldes Blessed be the God of truth †And he left speaking And al the people cryed and sayd Great is truth and it preuaileth †Then the king sayd to him Aske if thou wilt any more then the thinges that are writen and I wil geue it thee according as thou art found wiser then thy neighbours thou shalt sitte next to me and shalt be called my cosin †Then sayd he to the king Be mindful of thy vow which thou hast vowed to build Ierusalem in the day that thou didst receiue the kindom †and to send backe al the vessels that were taken out of Ierusalem which Cyrus separated when he sacked Babylon and would haue sent them backe thither †And thou hast vowed to build the temple which the Idumeians burnt when Iurie was destroyed of the Chaldees †And now this is that which I aske Lord which I desire this is the maiestie which I desire of thee that thou performe the vowe which thou hast vowed to the king of heauen by thy mouth †Then Darius the king rising vp kissed him and wrote letters to al the officers and ouerseers and them that weare purple that they should conduct him and them that were with him al going vp to build Ierusalem †And to al the ouerseers that were in Syria and Phoenice and Libanus he wrote letters that they should draw Ceder trees from Libanus into Ierusalem to build the citie with them †And he wrote to al the Iewes which went vp from the kindome into Iurie for libertie euerie mightie man magistrate ouerseer not to come vpon them to their gates †and al the countrie which they had obtayned to be free vnto them that the Idumeians leaue the castels which they possesse of the Iewes †and to the building of the temple to geue euerie yeare twentie talentes vntil it were throughly built †vpon the altars to burne holocausts dayly as they haue commandment to offer other ten talentes euery yeare †to al that go forth
ouer al the earth †And it came to passe when it reigned an end came to it and the place therof appeared not and the next rose vp reigned that held much time †And it came to passe when it reigned the end of it also came that it appeared not as the former †And behold a voice was sent forth to it saying †Heare thou that hast held the earth of long time Thus I tel thee before thou beginne not to appeare †None after thee shal hold thy time no nor the halfe therof †And the third lifted vp it selfe and held the principalitie as also the former and that also appeared not †And so it chanced to al the other by one by one to haue the principalitie agayne to appeare nowhere †And I saw and behold in time the rest of the winges were sent vp on the right side that they also might hold the principalitie and of them there were that held it but yet forth with they appeared not †For some also of them stoode vp but they held not the principalitie †And I saw after these thinges and behold the twelue winges and two litle winges appeared not †and nothing remayned in the bodie of the eagle but two heades resting and six litle winges †And I saw and behold from the six litle winges two were diuided and they remayned vnder the head that is on the right side For foure taried in their place †And I sa 〈…〉 d behold the vnderwinges thought to set vp them selues and to hold the principalities †And I saw and behold one was set vp but forth with it appeared not †And they that were second did sooner vanish away then the former †And I saw and behold the two that remayned thought with them selues that they also would reigne †and when they were thincking thereon behold one of the resting heades which was the midde one awaked for this was greater then the other two heades †And I saw that the two heades were complete with themselues †And behold the head with them that were with him turned and did eate the two vnderwinges that thought to reigne †And this head terrified al the earth ruled in it ouer them that inhabite the earth with much labour and he that held the dominion of the whole world aboue al the winges that were †And I saw after these thinges and behold the midle head sodenly appeared not as did the winges †And there remained two heads which reigned also themselues ouer the earth and ouer them that dwelt therein †And I saw and behold the head on the right side deuoured that which was on the left †And I heard a voice saying to me Looke against thee and consider what thou seest †And I saw behold as a lion raysed out of the wood roaring and I saw that he sent out a mans voyce to the eagle And he spake saying †Heare thou and I wil speake to thee and the Highest wil say to thee †Is it not thou that hast ouercome of the foure beastes which I made to reigne in my world and that by them the end of their times might come †And the fourth coming ouercame al the beastes that were past and by might held the world with much feare and al the world with most wicked laboure and he inhabited the whole earth so long time with deceipte †And thou hast iudged the earth not with truth †For thou hast afflicted the meeke and hast trubled them that were quiet and hast loued lyers hast destroyed their habitations that did fructifie and hast ouerthrowen their walles that did not hurt thee †And thy contumelie is ascended euen to the Highest and thy pride to the Strong †And the Highest hath looked vpon the proud times and behold they are ended and the abominations therof are accomplished †Therfore thou eagle appeare no more and thy horrible winges thy litle winges most wicked and thy heades malignant and thy talons most wicked and al thy bodie vayne †that al the earth may be refreshed and may returne deliuered from thy violence and may hope for his iudgement and mercie that made it CHAP. XII The eagle vanisheth away 5. Esdras prayeth 10. and the former visions are declared to him AND it came to passe whiles the lyon spake these wordes to the eagle I saw †and behold the head that had ouercome and those foure winges appeared not which passed to him and were set vp to reigne and their reigne was smal and ful of tumult †And I saw and behold they appeared not and al the bodie of the eagle was burnt the earth was afrayd excedinly and I by the tumult and traunce of minde and for great feare awaked and sayd to my spirit †Behold thou hast geuen me this in that that thou searchest the wayes of the Highest †Behold yet I am wearie in minde and in my spirit I am very feeble and there is not so much as a litle strength in me for the great feare that I was afrayd of this night †Now therfore I wil pray the Highest that he strengthen me euen to the end †And I sayd Lord Dominatour if I haue found grace before thine eyes and if I am iustified before thee aboue manie and if in deede my prayer be ascended before thy face †strengthen me and shew vnto me thy seruant the interpretation and distinction of this horrible vision that thou mayst comfort my soule most fully †For thou hast counted me worthie to shew vnto me the later times And he sayd to me †This is the interpretation of this vision †The eagle which thou sawest coming vp from the sea this is the kingdom which was sene in a vision to Daniel thy brother †But it was not interpreted to him therfore I do now interprete it to thee †Behold the dayes come and there shal rise a kingdom vpon the earth and the feare shal be more terrible then of al the kingdomes that were before it †And there shal twelue kinges reigne it it one after an other †For the second shal beginne to reigne and he shal continew more time then the rest of the twelue †This is the interpretation of the twelue winges which thou sawest †And the voice that spake which thou heardst not coming forth of her heads but from the middes of her bodie †this is the interpretation that after the time of that kingdom shal rise no smal contentions and it shal be in danger to fal and it shal not fal then but shal be constituted againe according to the beginning therof †And wheras thou sawest eight vnderwings cleauing to the wings therof †this is the interpretation eight kinges shal arise in it whose times shal be light and yeares swift and two of them shal perish †But when the middest time approcheth foure shal be kept til a time
†for the euiles which thou hast sene to haue chanced now worse then these wil they doe againe †for looke how much the world shal become weake by age so much shal euiles be multiplied vpon the inhabitants †For truth hath remoued it self farther of and lying hath approched for now the vision which thou sawest hasteneth to come †And I answered and sayd before thee ô Lord †For behold I wil goe as thou hast commanded me wil rebuke the people that now is But them that shal yet be borne who shal admonish †The world therfore is set in darknes and they that dwel in it without light †Because thy law is burnt therefore no man knoweth the workes that haue bene done by thee or that shal begin †For if I haue found grace with thee send the Holie Ghost to me I wil write al that hath bene done in the world from the beginning the thinges that were written in thy law that men may finde the pathe and they that wil liue in the later times may liue †And he answered me and sayd Goe gather together the people and thou shalt say to them that they seeke thee not for fourtie dayes †And doe thou prepare thee manie tables of boxe take with thee Sarea Dabria Salemia Echanus and Asiel these fiue which are readie to write sweeâ—tly †And come hither I wil light in thy hart a candle of vnderstanding which shal not be put out til the things be finished which thou shalt begine to write †And then some thinges thou shalt open to the perfect some thou shalt deliuer secretly to the wyse For to morrow this houre thou shalt begine to write †And I went as he commanded me gathered togetheral the people and sayd †Heare Israel these wordes †Our fathers were pilgrimes from the beginning in Aegypt and were deliuered from thence †And they receiued the law of life which they kept not which you also after them haue transgressed †and the land was geuen you by lotte and the land of Sion and your fathers and you haue done iniquitie and haue not kept the wayes which the Highest commanded you †And wheras he is a iust iudge he hath taken from you in time that which he had geuen †And now you are here and your brethren are among you †If then you wil rule ouer your sense instruct your hart you shal be preserued aliue and after death shal obtaine mercie †For the iudgement shal come after death when we shal returne to lyfe againe and then the names of the iust shal appeare and the dedes of the impious shal be shewed †Let no man therfore come to me now nor aske for me vntil fourtie dâ—yes †And I tooke the siue men as he commanded me and we went forth into the field and taried there †And I was come to the morrow behold a voice called me saying Esdras open thy mouth and drinke that which I wil geue thee to drinke †And I opened my mouth behold a ful cuppe was brought me this was ful as it were with water but the colour therof like as fire †And I tooke it and dranke and when I had drunken of it my hart was tormented with vnderstanding and wisdome grewe into my brest For my spirit was kept by memorie †And my mouth was opened and was shut no more †The Highest gaue vnderstanding vnto the fiue men and they wrote excesses of the night which were spoken which they knewe not †And at night they did eate breade but I spake by day by night held not my peace †And there were written in the fourtie dayes two hundred foure bookes †And it came to passe when they had ended the fourtie daies the Highest spake saying †The former thinges which thou hast written set abrode and let the worthie and vnworthie reade but the last seuentie bookes thou shalt keepe that thou mayest deliuer them to the wyse of thy people †For in these is the vaine of vnderstanding and the fountaine of wisdome and the streame of knowledge and I did soe CHAP. XV. Esdras is bid to denounce that assuredly manie euiles wil come to the world 9. God wil protect his people the wicked shal be punished and lament their final miseries God reuenging for the good BEHOLD speake into the eares of my people the wordes of prophecie which I shal put into thy mouth sayth our Lord †and see that they be written in paper because they be faithful and true †Be not afrayd of the cogitations against thee neither let the incredulities truble thee of them that speake †Because euerie incredulous person shal dye in his incredulitie †Behold I bring in sayth our Lord vpon the whole earth euils sword and famine and death and destruction †Because iniquitie hath fully polluted ouer al the earth and their hurtful workes are accomplished †Therefore sayth our Lord †I wil not now kepe silence of their impieties which they doe irreligiously neither wil I beare with those thinges which they practise vniustly Behold the innocent iust bloud crieth to me the soules of the iust crie continually †Reuenging I wil reuenge them sayth our Lord and I wil take al innocent bloud out of them vnto me †Behold my people is led to staughter as a flocke I wil no more suffer it to dwel in the land of Aegypt †But I wil bring them forth in a mightie hand and valiant arme and wil strike with plague as before and wil corrupt al the land thereof †Aegypt shal mourne and the fundations thereof beaten with plague and with the chastisement which God wil bring vpon it †The husband men that til the ground shal mourne because their seedes shal perish by blasting and haile and by a terible starre †Woe to the world and them that dwel therein †Because the sword is at hand and the destruction of them and nation shal rise vp against nation to fight sword in their handes †For there shal be instabilitie to men growing one against an other they shal not care for their king the princes of the way of their doinges in their might †For a man shal desire to go into the citie can not †Because of their prides the cities shal be trubled the houses raised the men shal feare †Man shal not pitie his neighbour to make their houses nothingworth in the sword to spoyle their goodes for famine of bread much tribulation †Behold I cal together sayth God al the kinges of the earth to feare me that are from the Orient from the South from the East from Libanus to be turned vpon themselues and to render the thinges that they haue geuen them †As they doe vntil this day to myne elect so wil I doe and render in their bosome Thus sayth our Lord God
affliction not able to deliuer them selues seeke reuenge by murmuring and other euil speaches but the perfect resolue to rule their tongues d euen to forbeare sometimes from their owne iust defence e though therby they indure more persecution f sorow suppressed maketh the hart to burne with zele and indignation g If it may please thee let me know how long I shal liue desiring to dye as Elias desired 3. Reg. 19. h my life and al that I haue is as nothing compared to thy eternitie i as a shadow or image appearing in a glasse which is quickly forgotte k therfore there is no cause man should be trubled in mind for temporal miseries l Thou hast suffered me to be reproched by the foolish that prosper in this world m I know my tribulation is by thy prouidence o my life decayeth as a spider hauing spent al her moysture p Almen are strangers in this life heauen being our home q that I may recouer spiritual streingth in this life r after which I shal not be in state to do frceworkes of satisfaction nor merite Christs comming and redeming of manking The 5 key a perteyning vnto the new Testament b the faithful of the old and new Testament reioyce in the coming of Christ c Christ by him seâ—â—e and by others preached the Gospel of saluation d the multiplication of Christians therbâ— e â—â— sacrifice of the old testament sufficed â—o satisfie Gods iustice for the sinne of man f Christ by the eare of obedience performed the redemption of man by his death as was determined from eternitie S. Paul for eares â—aith bodie See Annotations Heb. 10. Heb. 10. g The summe of holie Scripture is of Christs Incarnation death for redemption of man h Againe Christ inculcateth the preaching and receiuing of his Gospel in the whole world i In the greatest and wisest congregations of this world Christ concealeth not his mercie and truth So himselfe professed before Annas Caiphas Pilate and their councels S. Paul preached Christ at Atheâ—s and in manie nations and so the other Apostles For their voice went into al the coastes of the earth k The prophet now speaketh in the name of Christs mystical bodie the Church praying to be made partaker of mercie and to be deliuered from euâ—les l the sinnes also of those which beleue in Christ are so manie that they can not be fully sene in particular m I almost faint in considering so manie and so great iniquities amongst those that professe Christ n The whole Church prayeth in the name of al for the infirme members o The prophet foresheweth that the reprobate for their obstinate malice seeking to hurt others shal be confounded p that skornfully say wel wel wishing al euil to good men q which not only in mouth and outward profession but also in sinceritie of hart seeke thee may with confidence reioyce and praise God r Christ speaketh in the name of sinners truly repenting whose sinnes he vndertaketh to redeme and wash away by his passion Å¿ The faithful of the old testament pray for Christs first coming into this world and the faithful now pray for his second coming to purge his Church and to reward the good Christs Passion and Resurrection The 5 key a Perteyning to the new testament as appeareth by the 10. verse alleaged by our Sauiour This Psalme is also applied by the Church in the office of the sick whom whosoeuer assisteth in that case may hope to haue assistance in their owne like necessitie Io. 13. v. 18. b He is happie that is not scandalized in Christ Luc. 7. v. 23. coming in pouertie and suffering extreme afflictions c He that trusteth in Christ notwithstanding the contrarie motiues of his wordlie miserie shal be deliuered by him in al distresse d Our Lord wil geue to such seruantes more grace in this life and glorie in the next e not suffer him to be ouercome in tentations f when such constant seruantes are sick to death Christ wil most especially comforte and helpe them g Christ in the behalf of his mystical bodie confesseth their sinnes and prayeth for them h After death suffered for mankind Christ riseth and his name and kingdom is glorious i Those that came not of good wil but of malice to obserue Christs deedes and wordes carped at both sometimes saying he taught against the law and against Moyses sometymes that he â—ast out diuels in the powre of Beelse bub k At last they resolued that he should die l But they could not so suppresse his powre for he rose againe in glorie m By our Sauiours application of this verse it is certaine that the traitor Iudas is here described Ioa. 13. v. 18. Io. 11. Act. 1. n in the day of iudgement Christ Iudge of al wil render to euerie one as they deserue o As before in respect of sinners Christ Iudge of al wil render to euerie one so here in his owne person he auoucheth his owne innocencie which made him apt to satisfie for others p For this mercie of Almightie God in sauing the elect by his Sonnes death he is to be praised for euer eternally q Al the blessed agree in this that God is eternally to be praised and therto say Amen So be it so be it Some diuide the Psalmes into fiue bookes supposing the first booke to end here with these wordes Be it be it not obseruing that the last Psalme hath not this ending S Ierom confuteth this opinion by our Sauiours and S. Peters naming it the booke not bookes of Psalmes Luc. 20. v. 42. Act. 1. Moreouer if this were the end of one booke then the Psalme folowing should not be called the 41. Psalme but the first Psalme of the second booke Eternal glory The 10. key a The sonnes of Core repented and departed from their fathers schisme and so escaped miraculosly the horrible pitte of damnation inâ—o which heir father and his complices fel. Num. 26. v. 10. By which example al seduced and deceiued Christians are admonished not to persist in schisme or other sinnes And wordlie men â—mbicious of honour be warned to desire seke God aboue al thinges first of al the kingdome of heauen â—o be liuing mâ—mbeâ—s of the Catholique Church and the iustice therof to seke thinges whâ—â—h are aboue 〈◊〉 which are vpon the earth lest hel deuoure them as it denoured the complices of Core Num 1â— v. 31. b A harte waxing old and burdened with much heare and great hornes draweth a serpent into his nosethrels so being infected with poyson desireth most ardently to drinke and afterwards casteth his hornes and heare and becometh as it were yong againe c with such feruent desire a true penitent feeling himselfe infected with poyson of sinnes seeketh the water of Gods grace d God is omnipotent and in dede the only true liuing God diuels who are honored in idols ca do no more then God permitteth and so they can
kil the soules that consent vnto their tentation but can not restore spirituall fe againe e God is omnipotent and in dede the only true liuing God diuels who are honored in idols ca do no more then God permitteth and so they can kil the soules that consent vnto their tentation but can not restore spirituall fe againe f The soule being iustified and stil assaulted with new tentations desireth to be with God g I haue had no other refection but to leâ—ifie my sorow with weping h The wicked exprobate the iust as though God would neuer helpe them because he suffereth them to be sometimes long in tribulation i King Dauid was not permitted to build the temple much lesse did he enter into anie such meruelous tabernacle in his mortal life but must nedes be vnderstood to speake here of the heauenlie tabernacle prepared by Christ for his seruants k The prophet conforteth him selfe or anie iust soule in the hope of euerlasting ioy l render thankes and praises m Al this life is like to the smal straict place betwene Iordan and a litle hil called Hermoniim but from this straictnes the hope of the iust is to be placed in heauen n One tentation stâ—l succedeth an other o and the same so great as if God opened the gates and suffered them to ouerflow like floudes of water p But God helpeth in opportunitie not suffering his seruantes to be tempted aboue their streingth geuing them fruit with tentations q yea in the greatest tribulation he geueth ordinarily most comfort making them sing spiritually in hart if not also in voice r one special meanes to procure diuine consolation is prayer in distresse Å¿ Stil the iust soule taketh comforth in assured hope of saluation the eternal vision of God One God thâ— B Trinitie The 1. key a Holie Dauid often prefiguring Christ here representeth euerie faithful seruant of God and particularly when they beginne a great and holie worke as when Priestes celebrate the diuine Sacrifice they with their assistantes recive by interchangeable verses this Psalme b After that we haue examined and prepared our selues to the most holie Sacrifice and Sacrament according to S Paules admonition let a man proue himselfe and so eate this bread and drinke this chalâ—ce 1 Cor 11 we pray God to iudge betwen our true sincere intention and the vniust deceipful endeuoures of our enimie c and so to deliuer and protect vs from sutle malice d VVith thee I can do anie thing without thee nothing e thou semest sometimes not to regard â—e f whiles tentations are more sensible then thy grace g As thou hast sent Christ the light and truth into this world grâ—nt vs the same now in particular h These two giftes of God the light of knowing our duties and truth with sincere intention to performe the same haue brought vs into thy Church and vnto thy Altar i Accompanied with light of truth and sincere intention we confidently approch to thyâ— Altar ô God k vvho changest our old corruption into newnes of liâ—e l But to this purpose we praise God on the harpe mortisying our affections m The former word is of the plural number in hebrevv Eloim the other of the singular signifying the Blessed Trinitie one God n The former word is of the plural number in hebrevv Eloim the other of the singular signifying the Blessed Trinitie one God o Thou needest not therfore my soule be pensiue or desolate p But trust in God q praise him r vvhom I hope to see face to face Å¿ the true eternal God The state of the Ievves The 4. key a Though this Psalme doth first and literally pertayne to the people of Israel yet al thinges happening to them vvere in figure of the Christian Catholique Church vvhich begane vvith difficulties aftervvards prospered and againe suffereth much persecution b Core signifieth caluus bauld also caluarâ—a a scul or place of sculles the name of the place vvhere our Sauiour vvas crucified so the children of Core signifie the children of Christ S. Aug. c The particular calling of Abraham out of Chaldea protection of him and Isaac and Iacob the deliuerie of al Israel out of Aegypt and establishing them in the promised land of Chanaan with innumerable great and strange thinges donne for them d The Israelites conquered not by ordinarie povvre but by the miraculous hand of God See Iosue 2â— e Not that this people deserued of themselues but of Gods free election al the vvorld being vvicked he gaue peculiar grace to Abraham Isaac Iacob and some others and then for their â—akes protected the vvhole people in them conseruing a visible Church f As in former examples so in Dauids time not mans streingth but Gods hand gaue them great victories g As an oxe vvith his horne casteth a smal thing into the vvind Ios 24. â— Râ— 17. 2. Reg. 8. h The prophet forâ—eileâ—h that after prosperitie God vvould suffer the Ievves to saâ—â—e into captiuitie manie afflictions which also sign fied allegorically diuers states of Christs Church i The Iewes are now meruelously dispersed and depressed k In the destruction of Ierusalem the remnant of the people were sold for smal as it wree for no price They had sold Christ for thirtie pence l and now no multitude nor number of money at al was geuen for them but thirtie of them were sold for one pennie Iosephus de bello Iudaico m Vntil Christs passion the Jewish people did not wholly fal from God and true religion And of them were chosen the Apostles and manie others that founded and propagated the Church of Christ n The negatiue particle is here vnderstood by zeugma according to the hebrew thus our hart hath not reuolted backward neither hast thou suffered our pathes to decline froÌ„ thy way o An other hebrew phraise If we haue for we haue not p The Prophetes and others persecuted partly before Christ much more the Apostles and other Christians in the new Testament Rom. â— q A prayer in affliction r We are at death dore readie to become dust Å¿ lying as groueling sorowing on the earth t til thou deliuer vs from these tribulations Christ most excellently indowing his Church The 6. key a Perteyning to the new Testament b Gentiles conuerted from paganisme to Christianitie c and al others returning from schisme or other sinnes d for their instruction e this Psalme is a mariage songue of the beloued bridgrome and bride Christ and his Church f I haue receiued by diuine inspiraâ—ion in my hart and cogitation g a most high Mysterie h To the honour therfore and glorie of this king vvhom I secretly see in my hart I vtter and referre al my vvorkes and this particular Caâ—tâ—cle i From the abundance of my hart my tongue also speaketh k that presently without delay l Description of Christ most excellent in al internal and external giftes m The prophet seing in
spirite the perfections which he wisheth in Christ in maner of congratulating describeth his fortitude fighting against the diuel for the Church n purposing o prosecuting p and perfecting the conquest and so establishing thy spiritual kingdome q Not vvith warlike armour of this world but by assaulting the aduersarie with truth r defending thyseâ—fe and thy souldiers with the shield of mildnes Å¿ and striking the enemie with the sword of iustice VVhich right force of spiritual fight hath meruelous good successe t Preaching of Christs Gospel his grace mouing the hartes of the hearers is liuelie and forcible more pearcing then anie two edged sword v The example of people conuerted shal moue the hartes of the aduersaries to come also vnto the truth w Christs kingdom shal haue no end Luc 1. v. 33. x Thou defendest and rewardest the good finally forsakest and punishest the wicked y more peculiarly the God of Christ by hypostatical vnion z Diuers kinges as Dauid him selfe Iosaphat Ezechias and Iosias were as godlie as Salomon and perseuered good to the end which is doubted Salomon did not but Christ incomparably was annointed indued with al graces aboue al kinges a Mortification which conserueth from putrifying b humilitie aswaging pride c being smal in the first spring grovveth great d humanitie assumpted and sanctified persons in vvhom Christ dwelleth as in cleane shining odoriferous houses e sincere faithful soules more deare to their spouse Christ then daughters of temporal kinges f The Catholique Church in faith purified as gold g vvith varietie of states as Clergie Laity and diuers sortes of religious Orders and other professions al vnited in the same faith hope and charitie h carifully al that Christ thy spouse speaketh to thee by his Spirite i diligently put the same in practise k vvith al obedience and readines and returne not to former infidelitie noâ— to corrupt life l Christ loueth the Church adoined with his giftes m and mutually his true children loue and serue him n Manie of al nations submitle themselues and al that they haue to Christ o Internal vertues are most especial ornaments p exterior are required to edifie others in diuers sortes of vertues q By this meanes manie more are conuerted to christianitie r and one countrie inuiteth and draweth another Å¿ As Apostles came in place of Patriarches and Prophetes so stil Bishops and Priestes succede in the Church pastors and gouernours therof t These pastores shal stil teach the true Christian doctrin v and stil there shal be Christian people that wil folow and professe the same Caluin expoundeth this Psalme contratie to S. â—aul No saluation out of the Church Perpetual succession of Byshops in place of the Apostles The Church prospereth also in persecution The 6. key a Belonging to the Church of Christ b As wel the cause vvhy God suffereth his Church to be persecuted at his assured protection in difficulties are hidden secretes to the world c Al refuge is not secure for one man is not able alwayes to defend an other but God is a sure and strong refuge d euer able and in conuenient time vvilling to helpe e This whole vvorld is ful of tribulations but the Church suffered the greatest in the first persecutions shal suffer as great in the time of Antichrist English Catholiques suffer most of al nations in this age and can not be suppressed but stil increase in number and fortitude f Therfore al Catholiques may assuredly know that the whole Church can not faile g though very manie as now in England h and very eminent persons as some noblemen and some Priestes haue reuolted yet al vvil not i Such bad examples make the good to recollect themselues more diligently and to reiâ—ycâ— in Gods grace by which they stand fast k before the heate of persecution shal inuade al for the elect the dayes of tribulation are shortned l Sometimes one nation or kingdome rebelleth against the Church but can not destroy it m by the spirite of Christ Antichrist and al his members shal be destroyed n The Church sometimes hath great peace and tranquilitie o God himselfe restrayneth the wicked suddainly abating their furie or cutting of their forces Vocation of Gentiles The 6. key a For Christians that leaue the sinnes of their fathers and reioyce in Christ crucified See Annotation Psal 41. b True ioy of the hart sheweth it selâ—e both in voice of exultation and also in gesture of body by clapping of handes dancing as king Dauid did before the Arke 2 Reg â— likevvise vvith instruments c To al the wicked d not only of one or few kingdoms but of al the earth e VVhen kinges and countries become Christians they are made subiectes to the Church that vvas before not heades and rulers therfore f Christ God man after his Passion rose from death and ascended g not leauing his Church desolate but making her ioyful by an other comforter the Holie Ghost h The same Christ is our God by his Diuinitie i and our king by his Humanitie k Doe your endeuour to vnderstand vvhat you sing read or heare in Gods word At least to know the principal Mysteries and pointes of Christian doctrin euerie one according to their capacitie and state or profession l The faithful of the old and nevv Testament are vnited in the seruice of one and the same eternal God m In respect of the Blessed Trinitie holie Scripture here and in manie places vseth names of the plural number as Eloim Goddes not diuiding Gods substance vvhich is one but insinuating distinction of Diuine Persons The Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghost VVhich Mysterie is more expresly mentioned in Baptisme and professed by Christian gentils then it was by the people of the Ievves The Church founded and protected by God The 6. key a Voices beginning the musike instruments prosecuted b especially for the second day of the weke the day after the sabbath which is our Sunday called Dominica our Lords day c Ierusalem and mount Sion were most obliged to praise God for greatest benefites receiued so the Catholique Church therby prefigured and hauing receiued farre greatter is most of al bonden to be gratful d This can not be affirmed of Sion or Ierusalem but is only verified of the Catholique Christian Church e whose coastes do extend to the North and to al quarters of the round earth f The same one God one Christ one Faith and one Religion in al particular Churches of the vvhole militant Church g And this Vniuersalitie and Vnitie shal be after that Christ taking mans nature shal be ascended and shal send the Holie Ghost to found beginne this Church h For the assured certaintie of that is foreshewed the Prophet speaketh in the preteâ—â—ence as if it vvere already done in his time which he then savv in spirite i Nothing more moueth he hart affecteth al the bodie and soule
Iewes See page 12. n Gods benefites bestowed vpon Dauid and vpon faithful Christians prefigured by him are for euer to be praised by al peoples and nations Gods prouidence in suffering euil the 3. key a This Psalme was made vpon the same occasion and to the same purpose as the former b to exhorte the iust and innocent to patience c by Dauids memorable example d Few are so wicked but they speake and pretend iust thinges e but neither thincke wel f nor do wel but both contrarie which feaned sanctitie is duble iniquitie g These wicked sinners that flatter and incite king Saul seme to haue spent al their life from their infancie in malice h Their furie is vnquiet til they may wound the innocent with their poisonful sting i neither wil they harken to good admonitions but stoppe their eares like an aspe that layeth one eare close to the ground and stoppeth the other with his taile k But God wil breake their cruel force l though it semeth most strong and in superable m Gods iust determination of punishing the wicked stil remaineth bent and readie though execution be some while differred n That force and powre which is now inuincible hard and strong like a lions strongest teeth shal then be as impotent and soft as waxe o Gods wrath like fire the most forcible element shal fil vpon them and they shal be cast into vtter darkenes depriued of the sunne and al comfortable light p Before their malice can bring to effect the great mischieffes which they plotte and purpose God suddainly cutteth them of before they fully vnderstand of either sicknes or death casteth them as it were aliue into hel q The iust reioyce in the punishment of the wicked for three causes first in zele of iustice conforming his wil and mind to Gods iudgement secondly for that himselfe through Gods mercie hath escaped that terrible damnation thirdly for that he is now deliuered from molestation and continual tribulation r The iust seing or by faith knowing what punishment remaineth for the wicked is therby assured that the good shal reape fruict for his wel doing and that in the meane time God ruleth and iudgeth on the earth though as yet it appeareth not so euidently An other prayer of Dauid in danger the 8. key a King Saul hauing thrise attempted in vaine to kil Dauid 1. Reg. 18 v 11. c. 19. v. 9. sene some of his guard to feâ—ch him from his owne house that he might be slaine but God moued the mind of Michol to admonish him of the danger and to helpe him away in saftie though Saul thought she would haue bene a scandal vnto him or cause of ruine by the handes of the Philistians 1. Reg. 18. v. 21. Vpon which occasion Dauid made this Psalme As he also made others for perpetual memorie of Gods like benefites in deliuering him in iminent dangers VVhen Saul sent three troupes of serieants to kil him and solowed them himselfe 1. Reg. 19. v. 20 likevvise vvhen he vvas knovven and bevvrayed before Achis king of Geth 1. Reg. 21. also in Ceila in the deserts of Ziph and of Maon c. 23 in Engaddi c. 24. in Hachila c. 26. and againe amongst the Philistians c. 27. and 30. b They haue so straictly beseged me that it is now in their haudes to take away my life c Of my part I haue committed no sault against myn enimies for which they can haue aâ—ie iust cause to persecute me d The prophet soreseing in spirite that the Catholique Church shal be vniustly persecuted prayeth and teacheth others to pray that God wil mercifully visite his faithful people of al nations e and not spare obstinate persecuters f Persecuters laboring how much or how long soeuer shal at night that is in the end of al their wicked endeuoures be vnsatisfied in their desires g as hungrie dogges that runne hunting al the day night also stil seeking not finding wherwith to fil their rauenous mouthes and deuouring bellies h They threaten and determine to vse al crueltie i as if there were no God that heareth and wil punish it k Through Gods grace the Church is stil strong and the vertuous do perseuere l God suffereth afflictions to fal vpon his seruants to kepe them exercised lest in prosperitie they forgete their duties to him m Depriue them of powre that they may not do so much euil as they desire n After that their iniquitie is complete o they shal be accused and punished for their blasphemies and lies p As. v. 7. q They shal in vaine seeke oyle for their lampes with the foolish virgins repent with Iudas and finding no helpe r shal continually blaspheme in hel Å¿ In the resurrection King Dauids thankes for victories the 8. key a The change of state from aduersitie to prosperitie in the people of Israel was a figure of the like change in the Church of Christ b worthie to be remembred c for the instruction d of Gods beloued e as the same are more largely recorded in the bookes of kinges f God suffereth his people to be afflicted as wel for their sinnes as for exercise in vertue g after sheweth his mercie in pardoning and fauour in aduancing them h by punishiÌ„g sinners i VVarning them to ameÌ„d k and then restoreth them to former good state l God also as he hath promised by his holie oracle m hath aduanced king Dauid in his temporal kingdom and doth much more aduance him and other elect in euerlasting life n As a vessel for meaner vses o Bring it vnder my dominion p As God doth sometimes punish q so he also rewardeth r strongly with fortitude A confident prayer for Christs Incarnation the 5. k. â—y a In songues of praise and thankes to God b From al coastes of the earth faithful people pray to God c the Church builded vpon an assured fundation is exalted to great powre and dignitie d God conducteth defendeth and deliuereth those that confidently trust in him e in the Church a place of assured protection f Christâ— kingdome the Church perpetual to the end of this world and eternal after the general Resurrection g Who is able to vnderstand or explicate how great Christs mercie is in redeming vs h and his truth in performing his promised rewardes i For so imestimable benefites I wil alwayes praise thee with Psalmes Canticles or other thankes in this life k and eternally in the life to come Exhortation to good life in respect of reward or punishment the 7. key a Directed to Idithun one of the masters of musike to sing it or to make tune for it b The wicked threating to ruinate others Dauid or anie iust man feareth them not because his soule is subiect to God c Therfore I firmely purpose neuer to be moued from God d In vaine do you myn aduersaries stil assault me e though ye be al confederate to kil me f
Mystically the Gentiles were iudged by Salomon better then the Iewes S. Ierom. :: Base vicions meâ— mixt with the good corrups the whole companie much more a mortal sinne in a mans soule destroyeth al the vertues that were there before :: Euil men aduanced seme to prosper :: But they fal into their owne trappes :: Such as seke by sense and reason to obtaine true knowlege enter not into the citie the Church They labour in vaine and are afflicted in studie of Scriptures when they walke in the desert and can not finde the citie S. Ierom. This text and manie others haue two senses 1. In kinges and al superiors are required mature age diligent care of the coÌ„mon good 2. Antiquitie in matter of faith and religion is to be folowed not noueltie Iya. 8. Dan 7. Apoc. 1. Iere. 1. Also mortification and labour is required in Pastors not delicacie nor ease The B. Virgin Marie more free from sinne then the Patriarches Cant. 2. The 3. part An exhortation to beginne quickly and perseuere in Gods seruice a Of al vertues the workes of mercie corporal and spiritual most auaile for obtaining eternal felicitie Mat. 25. b So the same be grounded in true faith beleuing al that is written in the old and new testament signified by seuen eight c After deâ—th none ca 〈…〉 either â—â—erite or demerite d Both in youth and old age do good workes :: An admonition to al in general to liue wel in this world remembring the day of general iudgement before which such signes shal come as are described here and by our Sauiour Mat. 24. And likewise euerie one is admonished in particular to serue God diligently whiles he hath time before death come when al his senses former helpes shal faile * The preachet :: This is the brife summe of al proficable doctrine Feare God kepe his commandments * Hidden or obscure thing Proem in Eccle. King Salomon according to his three names writte and intitled his three bookes Salomon Pacifier king of Israel Ecclesiastes Preacher king of Ierusalem Idida Beloued This Canticle doth excel other Canticles Al are not mete to read it Heb. 5. Best methode in lerning is to beginne with doctrine of good life then studie to know natural thinges and finally contemplate diuine mysteries A sacred dialogue or Enterlude * Forma dramatis God Christ the Spous or Bridgrome Three spouses The General The special and Singular Ephes 5. Origen S. Ierom. S. Aug. lib. 8. de Gen. adli S. Greg. S. Beda S. Tho. Aâ—bor Geneb Del Rio. The particular contents are sette in the margent of euerie chapter a The Church of the old testament desireth Christs coming in flesh and the Christian Church prayeth for his coming in glorie b The Church outwardly afflicted is inwardly fayre c Christ encorageth his spouse the Church d She meditateth of his Passion and Resurrection e Christ praiseth his spouse f She againe praiseth him g VVith thankes for her repose and present consolation a Christ professeth himself the floure of mankinde yea Lord of al creatures b The Church excelleth al other societies In the Church the godlie excel sinners Among the innocent and holie the virgin Marie surpasseth al. c The Church praising Christ resteth secure vnder his protectioÌ„ d He for the weakes sake permitteth her not to be molested til she be prepared to suffer vvith patience e She feeling Christs assistance confesseth preacheth boldly his Gospel truth against al Paganes and Heretikes f VVho though he shew not himself visibly g yet encorageth her to approch vnto him h commandeth his pastors to destroy heresies i And so she reposeth in him a The Church finding Christ not in darke ignorance nor in philosophie but by his reueâ—ling him selfe to her holdeth him for euer b euen til the lewes shal at last also find him c Christ speaketh as before ch 2. v. 7 d The Church of Christ admireth her owne conuersion from Gentilitie e now ful of good workes f She also professeth that the ascending to eternal rest is by fighting manfully in obseruing the ten commandments in the six dayes of this life g euen to bloud if nedâ— be h which is the highest degree of charitie i And inuiteth al others to come vnto Christ k who in the flesh which he tooke of his mother was crowned in heauen after his Passion a Christ againe praiâ—eth the beautie of his Church b Sincere and simple intention c Al her temporal occupations directed to Gods glorie d Pastors who like nurces geue bread of good doctrine to litle ones e Faith and good workes f Preaching Christs passion g And not ashamed to professe Christ Crucified h Administration of Sacraments wherby the Church Christs mystical bodie is ioyned to him her head i which is an inexpugnable fortresse k Both Iewes and Gentiles are fed with the principles of Christian doctrin l Christ dwelleth in mortified and deuout mindes m The Church triumphant is without spotte and euerie particular soule entring into heauen the B virgin mother was also in this life alwayes immaculate n Al tentations whether they be in manifest crueltie or in flatering sureltie make constant soules more gratful to God a The spouse condescending to Gods vvil is vvel content to suffer persecution b Christ againâ— shevveth his good liking in his spouses patience c and vvilleth the glorious Sainctes to congratulate vvith the patient d The spouse desireth to rest in meditation e but is called vpon to helpe others f and vrged by Christs owne example working for al mankind g And so she imployeth herself also in actiue life h Stil conseruing a desire to returne vnto contemplation i The deuout confer together describing the excellencies of Christ k And resolue to seke him whersoeuer he be a The Church teacheth her children that Christ is delighted with the godlie desires and fructful vvorkes of the faithful b Christ gâ—â—â—â—e commendeth his Church wel composed of distinct orders some gouerning some retired in cloâ—sters from this world the rest also exercising vvorkes of mercie in the trubles of this life al together making a complete armie terrible to al enimies c The more anie contemplate Gods Maiestie the better they perceiue that he is incomprensensible d Manie true pastores e more hyrelinges that also preach truth but for temporal commoditie f And innumerable faithful soules in the Church g Al vvhich are but one bodie in vnitie of â—aith h The voice of the old synagogue admiring the beautie of Christs Church i The Church of Christ exhorteth the Synagogue of the Ievves to returne to Christ a Christ interposeth his commendation of the Ievves vvho at last shal returne to him vvith great seruoure of faith and deuotion b And so iointly praiseth his Church consisting of both peoples c The Church as it vvere taking the vvoid out of Christs mouth vvhiles he