Penitential Psalms A. Psalm the 6. 32. 38. 51. 102. 130. 143. Q. Why is Glory to the Father c. used at the end of every Psalm A. 1. Because we do not only glorifie the Holy Trinity which Mystery is more explicitly revealed to us under the Gospel than it was under the Law and by it we signifie that we believe the same God was worshipped by them as by us the same God that is glorified in the Psalms having been from the beginning Father Son and Holy Ghost 2. But we also six as it were this part of the Old Testament for the Service of God under the Gospel and make them Evangelical Offices Q. Why are two Lessons read one out of the Old Testament and another out of the New A. To shew the Harmony and Agreement of both what was foretold in the one is fulfilled in the other 2. This Method of Reading doth tend or fitly serve that from the smaller things the Mind may go forward to the Knowledge of greater Q. What is Holy Scripture A. A perfect Revelation of God's Will as far as is necessary to our Salvation and a compleat Rule both for our Faith and Manners Q. Why are any Chapters omitted to be read A. Because they are such as have been read already as the Chronicles being for the most part the same with the Kings or else full of Genealogies 2. The more profitable Chapters are read the difficulter being not so properly said to be omitted as to be remitted to private Consideration Q. Why are the Apocryphal appointed to be read A. Not as any Rule of Faith but because they are excellent Instructions of Life and Conversation and accounted nearest to Divine of any Writings and therefore may be read publickly with Profit and more safely than Sermons can be ordinarily preached there Q. Why are those Books call'd Apocryphal A. Because it is doubted whether they be true Scripture or not certainly known to be so for so the Greek word signifies Q. That we may profit by hearing the Old Testament pray inform us what the Moral Part of the Law will teach us A. It will teach us what is Sin together with the Blessings and Cursings expressed in Phrases relating to things temporal but we may spiritually apply them Q. What doth the History of Holy Scripture serve for A. To confirm our Faith in God's Providence and comfort us in Affliction and to warn us against Sin Q. What Directions do the Poetick Books of Holy Scripture give us viz. the Songs Hymns and Psalms A. Principally to magnify God's Power and Wisdom and to render him thanks for Mercies received and Deliverances wrought and to act prudently in all Estates and Conditions and furnish us with excellent Proofs of that great Truth viz. That it is the wisest thing in the World to be a good Man Q. What do the Prophecies serve for A. To excite us to admire the Foresight and Truth of God and teach us to trust in him for that which is not yet accomplished and particularly they abundantly prove that Jesus is the Messiah and Saviour of the World Q. What may we learn by hearing the New Testament A. In the Gospels we may see God's Love to us and the great Things which Jesus did and suffered for us whose Doctrine is the perfect Rule and his Practice the compleat Example of all Piety and Vertue and God hath so set him that we might follow his Steps 2. Out of the Epistles we may learn the higher Mysteries of Faith and the more peculiar duties of our Religion and the Privileges and Rewards of Christians Of the Hymns Quest WHY are the Hymns appointed to be read after the first and second Lesson A. Besides Antiquity there is great Reason for this Interposition of Hymns for by this variety People are secured against Weariness and Distraction But the chief Reason is in respect to the great benefit we receive from the Word of God for which we do daily praise him Q. Why are they sung standing A. Musick makes the Service of God more easie and Singing enkindles a holy Flame in the Mind and Affections And by the Posture of Standing we fitly express the lifting up of our Hearts in Joy and it is a Reverend Posture in our Addresses to God Q. Why are the Hymns call'd the Te Deum the Magnificat c. A. Because these are the first words in the Hymns in Latin as Te Deum Laudamus Q. Who composed the Te Deum and what doth it contain A. St. Ambrose composed it and it contains three Particulars 1. An Act of Praise a Confession of Faith and a Supplication Q. Why is not Glory to the Father c. annex'd to the Te Deum as well as to the other Hymns A. Because Te Deum is a kind of Creed express'd in the fashion of a Glory be to the Father c. Q. Pray give an account of the other Hymns appointed to be said after the first and second Lessons Of the Benedicite THIS Hymn the Song of the three Children is sometimes used after the First Lesson which although it be not Canonical Scripture yet it is an exact Paraphrase on the 148 Psalm and so like thereto in Words and Sense that whoever despiseth this reproacheth that part of the sacred Canon As for the matter of it it is an elegant Summons to all God's Works to praise him intimating that they all set out his Glory and invite us who have the benefit of them to praise and magnifie his Name for them or it is as if they had said the Lord is to be praised by or in these things when the Lesson treats of the Creation or any wonderful act of God's Providence then it is very proper to use this Hymn Of the Benedictus THIS Hymn was composed by holy Zachary upon the first notice that God had sent a Saviour to Mankind and is one of the first Evangelical Hymns indicted by God's Spirit upon this occasion and its fitness for this place is unquestionable Of the C Psalm THIS Psalm was first composed for a Form of Publick Thanksgiving to be sung by course at the Oblation of the Peace-Offering and so may well be used by us after we have heard the Gospel of Peace Of the Magnificat THIS Hymn was indicted by the Blessed Virgin and when we hear in the Lessons like Examples of God's Mercy and are told of those Prophecies and Promises which are now fulfill'd in Christ's Birth we may be expected to rejoice with her in the same Words Of the XCVIII Psalm THERE is a great Similitude between this Psalm and the Magnificat only the 98th Psalm seems more proper when the Evening first Lesson mentions some great and eminent Deliverance of God's People Of the Nunc dimittis AFter the second Evening Lesson out of the Epistles of the Holy Apostles the Nunc dimittis is most commonly used A Hymn composed by Simeon The occasion of it was his meeting Christ
Offices A. Since St. Luke leaves it out it is omitted some time when the Office is not matter of Praise If you desire a further Explanation it is already excellently performed in this Method by several Learned and Reverend Persons to which I referr you viz. The Oxford Explanation of the Church Catechism Dr. William's Exposition of the same And once for all so is the Creed and the Ten Commandments and the whole Church Catechism And if you have Skill and Leisure you will do well in reading the Reverend and Learned Dr. Hammond's Practical Catechism a Tract never to be highly enough valued and the Right Reverend Bishop Pearson on the Creed and the Reverend Dr. Comber with many other Worthies Of the Responses Quest WHY are they so called Answ Because the People answer the Priest Q. What Reason for this Custom A. In conformity to the Primitive Practice 2. Hereby the Consent of the Congregation is declared to what we pray for and it is the Unity of Mind and Voice and this Agreement in Prayer which hath the Promise of prevailing 3. This grateful Variety and different manner of Address serves to quicken the People's Devotion 4. It engageth their Attention and since they have their share of Duty they must expect till their Turn come and give heed to do it right and prepare for their next Response Whereas when the Minister doth all the People naturally grow sleepy and heedless as if wholly unconcern'd let us therefore gratefully embrace this Privilege and make our Responses gravely and with an audible Voice which we shall find to be a great Help to our Devotion Q. What do these Responses consist of A. The two first of Prayers taken out of David's Psalms the great Storehouse of Primitive Devotion Q. Why are they placed here A. The First O Lord open thou our c. is fitly placed here with respect to those Sins we lately confessed and if we be fully sensible of our guilt as we ought to be it will be needful for us to beg such Evidences of our Pardon as may free us from the Terrors which seal up our Lips and then we shall be fit to praise God heartily in the Psalms which follow The Second O God make speed c. is the Paraphrase of that remarkable Supplication viz. Hosannah which signifies Save now Lord we beseech thee When we look back to those innumerable Evils that have taken hold on us we cry to God to save us speedily from them by his Mercy and when we look forward to the Duties we are about to do we pray that he will make hast to help us by his Grace without which we cannot do any acceptable Service Q What do the other two Responses consist of A. Of Praises First Glory be to the Father c. Q. Why do we rise up at Glory be to the Father c. A. Upon Supposition that our Pardon is granted we rise up with joy to sing Glory be to the c. which is a Paraphrase upon the Song of the Seraphims Holy Holy Holy and gives equal Glory to every Person of the Trinity because each Person is Very God 2. We rise up to shew how resolved we are to stand fast in the Faith of the Holy Trinity Q. Why is it added As it was in the Beginning A. To shew that this was the Primitive Faith against the Arrians who had introduced a new Form of Doxology so that now it serves for two Uses First as a shorter Creed and Secondly for a Hymn of Praise And to quicken us herein we declare it was so in the Beginning For the Angels sung the Praises of the Trinity in the Morning of the Creation Job 38. 7. Q. What doth the Word Doxology signifie A. A Song of Praise Q. Which is the second Response of Praise A. Praise the Lord Which is no other than the English of Hallelujah Q. Why is this short Hymn placed here A. As a return to Glory be to the Father c. For as in that we worshipped the Trinity so in this we do the Unity 2. As a triumphant Hymn upon the joyful News of our Absolution and the overthrow of our spiritual Enemies for which saith the Priest Praise the Lord And the People readily obey him replying The Lord's name be praised 3. It is a proper Preface to the Psalms called in the Hebrew the Book of Praises Of the XCV Psalm Quest WHY do we begin with this Psalm A. It is a very proper Preparatory to the following Duties and is called the Invitatory Psalm and contains a threefold Exhortation 1. First To praise God shewing the Manner how externally and internally v. 1 2. And the Reason why v. 3 4 5. 2. The Second Exhortation is to pray to this mighty God for the Manner humbly giving the Reason v. 6 7. 3. The third Exhortation is to hear his Word directing us to the Manner speedily willingly v. 8. and warning us by the Example of the Jews and their Punishment that we may not destroy our Souls by despising and distrusting God's Word as they did Q. Why are the Psalms ordered to be read monthly A. In conformity to the ancient Practice 2. That they may be made the more familiar to the People being of all Scripture the fullest of Devotion so that without difficulty every Man may apply them to his own Case either directly or by way of Accommodation Q. Why are the Psalms read standing A. By the Erection of our Bodies we express the Elevation or lifting up our Souls to God and Standing is one of the Postures of Supplicants and the Psalms do chiefly consist of Prayer and Praise Q. That we may be devout in this holy Exercise pray inform us how we may sort every Psalm A. Some are of Instruction explaining the Creation Ps 8. 104 c. or the Providence Ps 37. 139 147. c. or the Passion Ps 22. 69. or the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ as Ps 2. 16. 90. c. or his last coming to judgment Ps 50. 97. 2. Some Psalms are of Exhortation stirring us up to some Acts of moral Vertues as Ps 15. 101. or Positive Religion viz. to study God's Law or call on his name Ps 1. 34. 119. c. or warning us against Sin Ps 7. 11. 58. 64. c. especially by Punishments inflicted on his own People Ps 78. 105. 106 c. 3. Others are Psalms of Supplication for Pardon Ps 25. 51. 143. c. for Peace Ps 4. 42. 63. for Patience Ps 10. 23. 39. c. and for Deliverance Ps 55. 59. 71. for others Ps 21. 72. c. for the King for the Church Ps 68. 79. 80. c. 4. Others are Psalms of Praise and Thanksgiving for God's Mercies Ps 103. 136. 145. for Health as Ps 116. 130. for Plenty and Wealth Ps 65. 144. Victory over our Enemies Ps 18. 149. for mercy to our Souls Ps 66. 111. 118. Q. Which are those Psalms that are call'd The Seven
is forbidden and so on the other side where a Sin is forbidden there the contrary Duty is commanded Q. Why doth the Minister rehearse the Commandments Standing A. To shew his Authority here is God speaking by the Priest Q. Why do the People kncel all the time and beg mercy A. Because they have offended against all the Commandments therefore they kneel down as Criminals ought to do and earnestly beseech Pardon and that we may never commit the like again we pray that the Lord would incline our hearts to keep these Laws and so the Law may be a means of our Repentance and Reformation Q. Why do we pray for the King immediately after the Commandments A. Because he is Custos utriusque Tabulae the Defender of both Tables Q. Why is the Prayer for the King just before the daily Collect A. Because that when we have prayed for outward Prosperity to the Church the consequent of the King's Welfare we may in the Collect pray for inward Grace to make it compleatly happy Q. How long have the Collects been fixed to those very Sundays on which we now use them A. Above Twelve Hundred Years Q. Why is the Epistle read first A. As being the Word of the Servant appointed to personate the Law preceding the Gospel Q. Why doth the Gospel follow A. As being the Word of our great Master therefore when the Minister is about to read all the People stand up to express a more than ordinary reverence to it and to give Glory to God before it 's read and Thanks to God after Q. Why is that Creed which is rehearsed after the Gospel called the Nicene Creed A. Because it was for the most part framed at the great Council of Nice the same in substance with the Apostles Creed but doth more largely condemn all Heresies therefore is fitly enjoin'd to be recited before the Sacrament Q. Why are those Sentences used at the beginning of the Communion A. To stir us up more effectually to give bountifully Q. How is our Charity to be express'd A. Three Ways viz. by Giving Praying and Forgiving Q. Where have we Directions for each of these A. For Giving in the Sentences For Prayer in the Prayer for the Church Militant For Forgiving in the general Warning Q. How often ought we to receive A. It seems very probable from the Institution of this Sacrament that our Saviour design'd it should be part of God's Service in all the solemn Assemblies of Christians And we shew our Love by coming freely and frequently as often as we have an Opportunity for Publick Worship is very lame and imperfect without it Q. What is the Design of the Exhortations and of the Invitation before the Sacrament A. The former is to increase the Number and the latter to rectifie the Dispositions of the Communicants In the Invitation the Guests being prepared the Priest invites them to come near with Fear and Faith and that God may accept them he repeats those Graces with which they must be adorned viz. Repentance Charity and Holy Purposes shewing them what is the first Duty to be done viz. making an humble Confession upon their Knees Q. Why is this Confession here used A. Since Christ's Sufferings are here remembred we must own our Sins which were the Cause of them And since we hope for Pardon we ought with Shame and Sorrow first to own our Transgressions Q. Why is this Form of Absolution here used A. Lest our Guilt should terrifie us from coming to this Holy Table the Priest pronounceth Absolution in Christ's Name in the Form of a Prayer or Benediction which ought to be received with Faith and Gratitude Q. Why are those Sentences of Scripture used A. The Church hath chosen these Sentences to confirm the Faith and revive the Hope of poor Penitents and they are those very Promises on which the foregoing Absolution is grounded so that unless they doubt the Truth of God's Word they must believe these Promises of Mercy Q. Why are the Responses Prefaces and Trisagium here appointed to be used A. This Sacrament is a Feast of Joy and Thanksgiving and the Nature of the Eucharist requires some Acts of Praise and Gratitude 1. Here the Priest admonisheth us to Praise God in the Responses 2. And gives the Reason of it in the Prefaces 3. And joins with us in doing of it in the Trisagium which because the Word Holy is Thrice repeated was by the Greeks so called Q. Why are the Angels mentioned in this Hymn A. Because the Christian Church believed the Angels were present in Christian Assemblies therefore thought it sit that Men should join with them in this Heavenly Song over the Memorial of our Redemption Q. Why doth the Priest on great Festivals add other Prefaces A. They contain proper Reasons for our Thanksgiving on those special Occasions and the Decay of Devotion letting fall the Primitive and Apostolical Life of Weekly Communions and the People receiving but at the great Festivals the Church therefore added to the General Prefaces some special ones relating to the peculiar Mercy of that Feast on which they did communicate â— What Reason for the Vse of the Address or the Collect which â—â—ns thus We do not presume to come to this thy Table c A. The nearer we come to God the more Holy we ought to be and when we are just going to make so immediate Approaches our very Joy must be tempered with Humility and we must excuse our own Unworthiness Q. Why is the Prayer of Consecration used A. In Imitation of our Lord and Saviour and his Apostles all the Churches in the World have used such a Form We do not eat our common Food without first praying for a Blessing on it which Pious Custom is so universal that it is certainly a piece of natural Religion much more then are we obliged before we eat and drink this Bread and Wine which Christ designed to set forth the Mystery of his Death to consecrate and set it apart by a solemn Prayer Q. What Words are they which properly make the Consecration A. The Words of our Saviour's Institution pronounced by a lawful Priest Q. Why do the People join with the Priest in saying Amen A. In Testimony of their Faith that the Elements are become what Christ made and intended them to be that they have the Merits of his Sacrifice annexed to them by his own Institution Q. Why do the Communicants receive the Holy Symbols kneeling A. To express their Humility and the Sense they have of their own Unworthiness and that they may be in a posture of Prayer Q. Of how many Particulars do the Words consist which the Priest useth when he delivereth the Bread and Wine A. Three 1. Instruction declaring what it is viz. The Body of our Lord c. The Blood c. 2. Prayer desiring this Communication of them to us may preserve our Bodies and Souls unto everlasting Life 3. Direction what we are to do
viz. Take Eat Drink this in remembrance that Christ died and his Blood was shed for us and to feed on him in our Hearts by Faith with Thanksgiving and to be Thankful The whole Form together comes as nigh our Lord 's own Words in his Administring this his last Supper as can well be Q. Why is this Feast call'd the Lord's Supper A. Because it was instituted by our Lord Jesus at that time Q. Does it not seem to be improper to call it the Lords Supper when it is in most Churches celebrated in the Morning A. No The Celebration of this Feast at Supper was but a Circumstantial thing and therefore the Church is not oblig'd to keep it yet because it is still in imitation of Christ's Suâ—â—â—â— and that Supper is religiously remembred in it and the 〈◊〉 Essential things together with the scope drift and design 〈…〉 are still preserved it is not unfitly called the Lord's Supper 〈…〉 yet it is and may be lawfully call'd and express'd by other Names and this the Christian Churches have done Some call it a Sacrament taking the Name from the Oaths that the Roman Soldiers took of Truth and Fidelity and here we Vow Allegiance and Fidelity to our Lord Jesus Others call it a Communion because we are hereby ty'd in a Bond of Mutual Love participate of the same Bread are fellow Members of the Mystical Body of Christ and have Communion with Christ their Head and enjoy all the same Benefits of his Death and Sufferings Many other Names are appropriated to this Mystery Q. Why did our Lord Jesus make use of the Night in instituting of it A. Because it was to succeed in the Place of the Passover which according to Custom was Eaten at Night but the Reason ceasing with the Typical Passover the Christian Church celebrates it at all Seasons Q. Why doth the Church of England use Bread with Leaven in the Holy Sacrament whereas our Saviour at the first Institution made use of Vnleaven'd Bread A. Our Lord made use of Unleaven'd Bread because there was no other to be had at that time but it being a thing indifferent and the Substance or Essence of the Sacrament not at all prejudic'd by it the Church makes use of Leavened Bread Q. Why doth the Communicant say Amen after the Prayer at the Delivery of the Bread and Wine A. By it he professeth his Faith of the presence of Christ's Body and Blood in the Sacrament really that is truly exhibited and present to the Faith of the Receiver Of the Post Communion or the Service after the Communion Quest WHY is the Feast concluded with Prayers and Hymns Answ Because it was our Saviour's Practice at its first Institution Q. Why is the Lord's Prayer the first part of this Office A. It 's very fit that after we have received our Saviour into our Hearts the first Words we speak should be His. Q. What is the Design of the other two Prayers A. For the farther Exercise and Improvement of our Devotion the former consists chiefly of Vows and the latter of Praises 〈…〉 and Thanksgiving with an humble Petition for the Grace 〈◊〉 â—erseverance Q. What Reason for the Vse of the concluding Hymn A. After such high Favours and such great Blessings received it is fit and necessary we should express our Joy and how can we welcome our Saviour more properly than by the Hymn with which the Angels welcomed him into the World Q. Why is the Blessing pronounced by the Priest A. In Imitation of our Blessed Saviour who took his Leave of his Disciples with a Blessing and this Form the Church took from St. Paul Philip. 4. 7. Of Matrimony Quest WHY is this Office performed by a Minister A. Marriage is the Bond as well as the Foundation of all Societies which ought to be made sacred and adopted into Religion because it 's the Interest of Mankind it should be inviolable wherefore our Church appoints That none but a lawful Minister shall tie these Bonds for the Covenant is made to God and the Minister is God's Representative to take the Securities and bless the Parties in God's Name Q. What 's meant by Bans or Banes of Matrimony A. Matrimonial Contracts or Decrees Ban comes from a Saxon word which signifies a Proclamation Q. Why is it ordered to be celebrated in the Morning A. Because Men are most serious at that Time and the better to prevent Clandestine Marriages the Church orders it to be made in the Day-time Q. Why is it required that Marriages be celebrated in the Church A. That this Rite may be more solemn the Church being the Place of God's special Presence before whom this Covenant is made and the sacredness of the Place should make them more reverent in entring into it and more careful in keeping it Q. Why is the State of Matrimony called Holy A. Because it is a holy and important Work an Ordinance of God the Father an Estate much respected by God the Son and highly commended by God the Holy Ghost in the Mouths of the Apostles Q. What are the Ends of Matrimony A. Procreation a Remedy against Sin and a mutual Help to each other Q. Why is that Charge given That if the Persons to be joined Know any Impediment c A. Because if there be any Impediment which they conceal from the Priest they must either live in perpetual 〈…〉 separated by an endless Divorce Q. What are the Impediments to a Marriage A. A preceding Marriage or solemn Precontract 2. If the Parties be of near Kindred 3. The Want of the Consent of Parents or Guardians in Case of Minority Q. Why must Women be given A. 1. After the Example of God in Paradise Gen. 2. 22. Dr. Hammond A. 2. In Ancient Times saith the Learned and Judicious Mr. Hooker All Women which had not Husbands or Fathers to govern them had their Tutors without whose Authority there was no Act which they did warrantable and for this cause they were in Marriage delivered unto their Husbands by others which Custom retained hath still this Use that it puts Women in Mind of a Duty whereto the imbecillity or weakness of their Sex doth bind them namely to be always directed and guided by others A. 3. However it 's a Decent Custom whether this was the First Cause or no For a Woman cannot in Modesty offer her self but should rather be led by the Hand of another and given by him Q. Why doth the Priest join the Right Hand A. Because they are generally used in plighting our Troth by which Phrase is meant laying our Truth to pledge or engaging our Faith Q. Why is a Ring given A. To be a visible and lasting Token and Remembrance of this Covenant The Matter is Gold to signifie how noble and durable our Affection is The Form is round being the properest Figure to unite things separated and to imply our Respect shall never have an end and the Place is on the Fourth
Family is call'd Levitical The Law relating to the discharge of the Priests Office is called the Levitical Law and upon that account That Book of Moses which more especially treats of the Holy Rites and Services in which these Priests were by their Office imployed is very fitly from the Subject Matter of it call'd Leviticus Numbers This Book is call'd Numbers from the Subject Matter which it begins withal viz. An Account of the Number of the People of Israel Deuteronomy This Book is very fitly called Deuteronomy which in the Greek Tongue imports a Repetition of the Law There being in this Divine Book a Repetition not only of many Facts which had passed before but of many Laws also which were mentioned before Joshua This Book is so called because it containeth the History of His Acts in his Government Conquests dividing the Land and setling of the State and Commonwealth of Israel and because as it is most probable it was Penned by Joshua following here in the Example of Moses his Predecessor Howsoever some Passages could not be Penned by himself as containing some thinks which were done after his Death but were afterward inserted by some Holy Men of God inspired by the Spirit Judges This Book which seemeth to have been gathered by some Prophet out of the Publick Records containeth the History of the chief things which happened to the People of God after the Death of Joshua until the days of Eli the High Priest Ruth This Book is an Addition to the Book of Judges and is call'd the Book of Ruth because she is the chief Subject of this Story the main Scope is to continue and declare the Genealogy of our Saviour Christ descended of Boaz a Jew and of Ruth a Moabitish Gentile to shew that He should bring Salvation to all of every Nation I. Samuel This Book was entituled with the Name of Samuel not that he was the Author of it but because the first Eight Chapters chiefly respect him and the things done under his Government and was written by one of his Disciples a Son of the Prophets who in honour of his Master call'd it by his Name And it is called The First Book of the Kings because it containeth a Relation of such things as happened under the first King's Government II. Samuel This Book is a Continuation of the History of God's People from Saul's Death to the End of David's Reign and is the History of 40 Years I. Kings This Book was made by one or more Prophets and continueth the Sacred History of Kings from the End of David's Reign to the End of Jehosaphat's Reign The Division of the Twelve Tribes into Two Kingdoms The Reign of the first Four Kings of Judah and Eight of Israel after the Division II. Kings This Book continueth the History of the Kings of Israel and Judah to the Captivity of them both These Two Books of the Kings are distinguished not as if they contained Histories of different Matters but because if all the History of both Books had been Compiled in one Book it would have seemed too great a Volume I. Chronicles This word Chronicle is a Register of Acts done time after time These Two Books were of old Compiled in One and contain an History of 3457 Years at least from Adam to the Return of the Israelites from the Babylonish Captivity 2 Chr. 36. 22. And the Genealogy of David's Posterity 1 Chr. 2. 19. The Penman of these Two Books the same with that of Ezra by which it appears they were Penned after the Captivity The Greek Title is Remainders which has relation to the Book of Kings as if These had gathered up what They had left out In the Book of Kings there are References to the Book of Chronicles But These Sacred Books of Chronicles cannot be there meant because They were not then Penned and many things referred to the Books of Chronicles are not found in these Books Ezra This Book is called Ezra either because a great part of it contains Memorable Acts of His or as is supposed Ezra the Priest was the Penman after the Babylonish Captivity Nehemiah This Book is called Nehemiah because He and his Acts are the chief Subject of the Book and as is supposed Penned by Ezra Esther This Title of Esther is given to this Book in Memory of that Prudent and Pious Queen who was an Instrument of great good to the Church of God yet throughout the whole Book not one Tittle of God is once set down Job In the time of the Ancient Patriarchs before the giving of the Law of Moses there lived in Arabia a Person of great Eminence whose Name was Job The Scope of the Book is to establish the great Article of Providence and thereby to preserve us from Errour in thinking that God's Knowledge or his Intention Providence and Government is like ours which Foundation being laid nothing will seem hard to a Man whatsoever happens Psalms The Book of Psalms or Praises so call'd from the Major part and they are called David's Psalms because he made most of them for there were several other Authors by whom some of them were composed Proverbs King Solomon was the Author of this Book The word Proverbs in the Hebrew denotes only any acute and excellent Saying which is as worthy to be known by all and to be in every ones Mouth as common Proverbs are And in Holy Scripture the word is used for an eloquent Speech or a pithy Sentence in a few words expressing much Sense A Profitable Instruction Ecclesiastes The word Ecclesiastes signifies the Preacher and this Book which bears this Name was written by King Solomon in his declining Age to signifie his Repentance The Song of Songs This Book is called the Canticles which signifies a Song and was composed by King Solomon in the beginning of his Reign Of the Prophets These Holy Men inspired by God are so termed because they did foretel future Events by Divine Revelation and These whose Monuments we have severally booked in Holy Scripture are Sixteen whereof the Four former are called the Greater in regard of the largeness of their Prophecies The latter Twelve are called the Lesser in regard of the shortness of their Prophecies Isaiah This name Isaiah is taken from the Hebrew but our Ancient Versions speaking in English forms to English ears following the Greek do not amiss render it Esay the word signifies God's Salvation no unfit Title for him who so clearly and largely prophesied of Christ This Prophet as in Place and Rank so in order of time is without question the First of the four Larger or great Prophets He is by the Ancients not undeservedly term'd An Evangelical Prophet Jeremiah Jeremiah was a Priest which some of the other Prophets were not before his entrance upon this extraordinary Employment of Prophecy Lamentations This Book was composed by Jeremiah in the time of the Babylonian Captivity Ezekiel Ezekiel of the Priestly Race composed this Prophecy in