and was made a Sacrifice for sinne for us 2 Cor. V. 21. Esay LIII 6. Yet this may have a right understanding of Christs spiritual children who are subject to the lapses and infirmities of sinne 1 John I. 8. Rom. VII 15. sworne Of Oaths verse 35 see the Observations on Hos. IV. 15. as the Moone Which although it sometime waxeth verse 37 and sometime waineth and sometime seemes to be gone a fit resemblance of the state of Christs Church yet is continualy renewed and so stable Witnesse See Jer. XXXIII 20 21. And Christ is so called Apoc. I. 5. Esay LV. 4. But thou The Psalmist complaineth of the miseries of the Church verse 38 whereby all the former Promises seeme to be frustrated youth hast thou shortned Wherein by thy promises he should have flourished verse 45 and grown up as a youth how short How vaine verse 47 momentanie and uncertaine yet am I thy creature the footsteps of thine Anointed verse 51 This may be referred to Christ and his Offices and Works in us and for us or to Christians which follow his footsteps Blessed The voice of faith verse 52 and joy as finding an issue out of the temptation and rejoycing in the midst of tribulation This is the end of the third Book of Psalmes See the Observations on Psal. XLI ult and on LXXII ult of Moses This seemes inspired and penned by Moses for the use of the people chapter XC when upon the returne of the Spies they had murmured against God and he had sentenced to death all above twenty years old Num. XIV 22 23 29 34. Returne The body to the earth verse 3 the soul to God that gave it watch The night divided into four Watches verse 4 the evening midnight cock-crowing dawning threescore years and ten So for the most part verse 10 And so in David And none of the Kings of Judah or Israel after him attained to those years Or seventy here in regard of that judgement denounced Num. XIV 29. even according to thy fear verse 11 so is thy wrath Thy wrath is as thy feare teacheth it to be which teacheth us to fear thee for thy wrath But who knoweth the power of it to number They might number the utmost extent of them verse 12 upon that judgement Num. XIV But not how much sooner they might die establish Esay XXVI 12. verse 17 he shall deliver thee Having practised in the second verse what he taught in the first chapter XCI verse 3 Here he teacheth others to do the like applies his example to them not be afraid Esay XLIII 2. verse 5 emphatical expressions and rhetorical amplifications allowed in all humane Authors Not yet implying that we are actualy deliveâ—ed in all such dangers but that at least they shall work for our good if we be not delivered out of them Rom. VIII 28. his Angels charge over thee Alledged by the Devil to Christ verse 11 Mat. IV. 6. in all thy wayes Of holinesse and righteousnesse These words the Devil omits as making against his temptation which was against the minde of the text tread upon the lion Esay XI 6 9. verse 13 Hos. II. 18. without harme or damage Not as the Pope applied it to his treading upon the neck of the Emperour on high Safely above all perils and dangers verse 14 with long life If God shall see it good and fit for him verse 16 Otherwise a good man may be cut off by Plague or warre for the Sabbath day For the Rest on this day chapter XCII see the Observations on Exod. XII 16. For Hallowing it That was by an holy convocation by offering of Sacrifices singing Psalmes reading and expounding and hearing Scriptures Praying Disputing and Conferring by meditating on Gods word and works and doing works of mercy Exod. XX. 10. Esay LVIII 13. Jer. XVII 21 22. Levit. XXIII 3. Num XXVIII 9 10. Acts XIII 15. and XV. 21. and XVI 13. and XVII 2. and XVIII 4. Matth. XII 2 7 8 11 12. as the Palme tree The LXX read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 verse 12 which signifies indeed a tree As the Hebrew word here doth And the meaning of the whole verse imports Yet hence many learned men taking it up one from another have raised that fable of a wondrous bird called a Phoenix which yet never was seene or known in the world holinesse becometh thy house In the services chapter XCIII verse 5 and servants of it and all professors of so holy a God The Lord knoweth Cited chapter XCIV verse 11 1 Cor. III. 20. But judgement shall returne unto righteousnesse Though they might seeme awhile parted verse 15 yet they shall returne and meet and the wicked shall be punished and the godly rewarded O come Davids Psalme chapter XCV verse 1 though without his Title as appears Heb. III. 7. and IV. 7. to day This extends to the whole time wherein Christ speaketh by his Gospel verse 7 Heb. III. 7. 13 15. and IV. 7 8. So 2 Cor. VI. 2. Provocation Meribah verse 8 in the Hebrew temptation Massah in the Hebrew See Exod. XVII 1 7. Num. XX. 1 3 13. Deut. VI. 16. tempted me Tempted Christ verse 9 1 Cor. X. 9. my work Works Heb. III. 9. of miraculous mercies and judgements I sware At Kadesh-barneah verse 11 Num. XIV 21 c. Heb. III. 17 19. my rest Canaan a Type of a better Rest Heb. IV. 3 8 9 11. O sing This Psalme chapter XCVI verse 1 and Psalme CV 1 15. with small alterations make up that Psalme composed by David upon the bringing of the Ark from Obed-Edoms house into the Citie of David 1 Chron. XVI 8 36. a new song See the Observations on Psal. XXXIII 3. beauty of holinesse In the glorious holy Sanctuary searoare In token of joy verse 9 the trees Humane affections ascribed to insensible creatures verse 11 thereby to set out mans duty verse 12 for the cometh Or when he cometh Which may relate to Christs coming into the world verse 13 Matth. XII 20. Acts X. 42. and ch XVII 31. Psal. XCVIII 9. and CX 6. Esay II. 4. and XI 3 4. and XVI 5. 2 Tim. IV. 1. Apoc. XIX 11. The Lord reighneth Here seemes the Kingdome chapter XCVII verse 1 both of God and of Christ to be majesticaly described a new song See the Observations on Psal. chapter XCVIII verse 1 XXXIII 3. made known Esay LII 10. Let the sea roare Psal. verse 2 XCVI 11. let the people tremble And so chapter XCIX verse 7 the earth be moved that is with a reverend fear at his Presence and appearance verse 1 Or though they be stirred up with anger Apoc. XI 17 18. Acts XVII 13. The Kings strength God mixeth his power with justice verse 4 Job XXXVI 5. Moses and Aaron among his Priests Moses did many things of the Priestly office verse 6 And the word Cohen here used doth signifie also a Prince and principal officer as 2 Sam. VIII 18. and in many other places
feast of the Passeover Exod. 12. 15 19. or forbear to keep that feast Numb 9. 13. or that eate fat Lev. 7. 25. or blood Lev 7. 27. 17. 10 14. or that eate of the flesh of the peace-offering on the third day Lev. 19. 8. or that eat of the flesh of sacrifice having their uncleannesse on them or being uncleane do not purifie themselves Numb 19. 13 20. or having touched any unclean thing Lev 7. 20 21. 22. 3. or that bring not their sacrifice to the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation to be killed there and not elsewhere Lev 17. 4 9. or that shall not afflict his soule on the fast-day the tenth day of the seventh moneth Lev. 23. 29. or doth any work in that same day or that defileth the Sabbath to do any work therein Exod. 31. 14. or that lieth with a woman in her sicknesse Lev. 20. 18. or with a sister Lev. 20. 17. or an idolater Ezech. 4. 8. or that gives of his seed to Molech Lev. 20. 2 3 4 or that turneth after wizards and such as have familiar spirits â—ev 20. 6. or that doth ought presumptuously Numb 15. 30 31. All these are expressely threatened with and sentenced to this punishment And the meaning of the phrase is most usually taken to signifie a cutting off by death and it is so expressed Exod. 31. 14. Lev 17. 4 20. 2 3 4. 5. And must needs be so understood when it is used against grievous sins and crimes as against idolatry witchcraft incest and sins done presumptuously despising the Word of the Lord and reproaching him This penalty is to be inflicted by the Magistrates power no doubt And in case of his faile God himself threatens and undertakes to do it Lev. 17. 10 20. 2 3 4. 5 6. 23. 30. And for the lesser offences mentioned they being wittingly and wilfully done in Gods Worship and service and against his plaine and peremptory command I see not how they come short of sins of presumption Numb 15. 30. which are doomed to death in the judgement of the learned upon that place I conceive therefore that they fall short that by this penalty here will understand no more but that such an offender is to be cast off and held for no Jew but as an Heathen man And they also that would apply this phrase here and in other places of the Old Testament for the maintenance of Ecclesiastical Excommunication among the Jewes The doubtfulnesse of the meaning of the phrase hath made me the more inquisitive into it I confesse if not too tedious in it However I leave all to better judgements And for my part like not in things dubious to be too definitive V. 15. Sarah Yet in the New Testament it is written Sara without the h the Greek tongue having no h at the end of words V. 16. Nations 1 Pet. 3. 6. Jerusalem which is above her answerable type is the mother of us all Gal. 4. 26. V. 17. Laughed For joy and wonder Rom. 4. 17 18 19 20 21. as over-joyed and amazed at the promise which he believed Heb. 11. 12. rejoycing even at the promised seed Joh. 8. 56. an hundred yeares old Rom. 4. 19 20. he did hope against hope If Abraham married Keturah thirty seven years after this time and had six children by her then surely God shewed his power in renewing Abrahams vigour and strength of body as the Eagles Psal. 103. 5. or it may rather seem that Abraham took Keturah in Sarabs life-time within those thirty seven yeares between the birth of Isaac and her death seeing Keturah is called his Concubine 1 Chron. 1. 32. V. 18. Oh that Ishmael Ch. 16. 10. V. 19. Isaac Laughter Chap. 21. 6. V. 21. My Covenant Thirteen times named in this chapter Luke 1. 72 73 74. with Isaac Ch. 21. 12. Rom. 9. 7 8. Gal. 3. 29. at this set time Ch 18. 10. This was just a yeare before Isaacs birth V. 22. Went up Ascending vanished out of his sight so from Jacob ch 35. 13. so from Manoah and his wife Judg. 13. 20. V. 23. In the self-same day Of the command not eight dayes after V. 24. When he was circumcised By whom Abraham was circumcised is not set down But he is said to circumcise the rest v. 23. some say that now the Jewes use Chirurgions in this service CHAP. XVIII Verse 1. PLaines O. Oak-grove of Mamre Ch. 13. 18. 14. 13. 23. 19. V. 2. Three men So in his thought and in appearance But thus he entertained Angels at unawares Heb. 13. 2. But one of them is called Jehova 13 14 17 20 22. And after Abraham so acknowledgeth him v. 25 27. The other two were created Angels Ch 19. 1. V. 3. Lord Speakes to one of them in shew the chief V. 6. Three measures Jewes write that their measure which they call Seah the Greeks Saton containes as much as one hundred fourty foure Hens egges about two gallons and 1 2 of our measure three of these measures make an Ephah containing about seven gallons and 1 2 V. 8. And they did eate Ch. 19. 3. They had true bodies for the time and did truly eate Though a Spirit hath not flesh and bones Luke 24. 39. yet Spirits may and by Gods dispensation sometimes do assume humane bodies V. 9. Where is Sarah thy wife Thus they begin to manifest themselves to be more then men V. 10. He said Jehova v. 13. returne Not by apparition again but by performance of promise ch 21. 1. according to the time of life From this time according as the time of life is between conception and birth so many moneths as a woman goes with childe Rom. 9. 9. This Promise argued more then men V. 11. After the manner of women Rom 4. 19. Heb. 11. 11. V. 12. Laughed Not as Abraham ch 17. 17. but through weaknesse of saith and therefore it is reproved v. 13. yet commended Heb. 11. 11. after sure she did better recollect her self Luk. 1 45. after she laughed for joy ch 21. 6. within her self Not outwardly and openly which haply made her the more readily deny it V. 13. And the Lord said Jehova said Christ so v. 17. He knew her thoughts themselves fâ—ying shall I c She used if not the very same words yet to the same sense V. 15. Denied for she was afraid Weaknesses and failings in Saints V. 16. Toward Sodom As going thither the two Angels did so ch 19. 1. V. 17. Shall I hide Amos 3. 7. Joh. 15. 15. Abraham a Prophet ch 20 7. and a friend 2 Chron. 20. 7. V. 19. He will command Duty of Parents and Masters of families and example to them Gen. 28. 1. Deut 6. 7. 11. 10. 32. 46. Job 1. 5. Prov. 6. 20. V. 20. Sodom and Gomorrah Admah and Zeboim Deut. 29. 23. Hos. 11. 8. V. 21. I will go down and see God speaks after the manner of men as ch 11. 5 7. V. 22. And the men Two of the three
one certain time and these two Evenings in the larger or stricter signification to be contiguous or continued rather to be that Communis terminus which couples the end of the day and the beginning of the night together or the two extremities of our Evening-tide whereof the former belongs to the end and shutting up of the natural day preceding and the later to the beginning of the night which leades on and ushers in the natural or civil day following as the first part of it So that this time is a participle of both or a Borderer betwixt both as the large Annotations fitly expresse it Two side-posts In this first Passeover each Head of a family served as a Priest verse 7 divers Rites were enjoyned which were not observed or required afterwards And the second moneth also allowed for it Num. IX 11 And other seven dayes 2 Chron. XXX 23. No maner of work On divers Feast-dayes of the Jewes it was not lawful for them to do any servile work verse 16 On others any kinde or maner of work save that which every man must eate But on the Sabbath day and so likely on the day of expiation that it self was unlawful or to kindle a fire on it Exod. XII 16. and Ch. XVI 5 23. and Ch. XXXV 2 3. And much more to do any maner of work upon it Neh. XIII v. 15 22. Jer. XVII 21 22. though for the making of the Tabernacle it self Exod. XXXI 11 12 13. or at any time in earing-time or harvest Exod. XXXIV 21. And that upon paine of death Exod. XXXV 2. For ever Many Legal Ceremonies verse 17 or Ordinances are enjoyned the Jewes to be observed throughout their generations for ever all which yet ended at the coming of Christ in the flesh And some such enjoyned in like termes yet ended in the year of Jubile Exod. XXI 6. Levit. XXV 40. Of this see more in the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. 430 years These do commence from the first Promise made to Abram verse 40 in Ur of the Chaldees whence 30 of the years are made up thus viz 5. in Haran 11 in Canaan when Ishmael was borne Gen XVI 3. And 14 years of Ishmaels age when Isaac was borne Gen. XVII 25. and Ch. XVIII 10. and XVI 16. and XXI 5. And the 400. begin from Isaacs birth as was shewed on Gen. XV. 13. By day in a Pillar of a cloud The Pillar of a cloud by day and of fire by night chapter XIII verse 21 may seem to be two Pillars Exod. XIII 21. 22. Nehem. IX 12 19. Num. XIV 14. Or rather seeme to be one Pillar Exod. XIV 19 20 24. Spread as a cloud by day to cover them from heat and gathered up into a Pillar of fire by night to guide them Out of which God spake unto them Psal. XCIX 7. Num. XII 5 10. Deut. XXXI 15. See the Annotations on Esay IV. 5. Migdol A strong City or Fort chapter XIV verse 2 situate in the territory of Bethshemesh in Egypt not farre from the Red-sea Num. XXXIII 7 8. Jer XLIV 1. Before the Testimony This command for Aaron to lay up the Pot of Manna before the Lord chapter XVI verse 34 was performed by him in laying it not before the Testimony not at this time of the Command here but after the Ark and two Tables of the Covenant were made Exod. XXXIII 29. and Ch. XXXVII 1 c. An Omer The Omer and Ephah here seeme quite altered in that Visionary New State of Israel chapter XVI verse 36 Ezek. XLV 11. Unlesse Gnomer and Chomer be two several measures which I rather incline unto and conceive the truth to be this That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exod. XVI 36. is the tenth part of an Ephah as is there set down whereunto accords that ver 16. it being the measure of the eating of Manna sufficient for a man by the day But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ezek. XLV containes ten Ephahs or Baths both being of the same measure v. 11. and 14. And hereunto accords that Esay V. 10. where one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the word is there written as it is in Ezek. XLV yeelds but one Ephah i. e. the tenth part of the seed it being a judgement of famine there denounced See also Levit. XXVII 16. And this may serve for the better explication of my Annotations upon that place of Ezekiel contained in the second Edition of the great Annotations printed 1651. Rock Rocks twice smitten chapter XVII verse 6 this Rock Exod. XVII 6. And that water going likely into the Red Sea and so failing them in the 32. Station at Ezion-gaber Upon their new murmuring another Rock was smitten 39 years after Num. 20. 1 13. And both called the waters of Meribah Went up Moses nine or ten times goes up to the Lord on Mount Sinai chapter XIX verse 3 See Exod. XIX 3 7 8 10 14 20 21 25. and Ch. XX. 21. and Ch. XXIV 3 12 13 15 18. and Ch. XXXII 7 15 30. and Ch. XXXIII 6 7 21. and Ch. XXXIV 2 29 34. Moses spake This speech verse 19 not mentioned what it was But seems to be that recorded Heb. XII 21. Priests So verse 22 v. 24. These Priests probably seeme to be the fathers of the families The young men Exod. XXIV 5. might possibly be of those Primogeniti or First-borne which God first challenged to himself within one quarter of a year before Exod. XIII 2. and Ch. XXII 29. And for them the Levites were taken in afterwards Num. III. 12 13 40 41 45. and Ch. VIII 18. Or else such as Moses pleased to imploy in slaying and dressing at least of these Sacrifices Called young men likely as those servants of the King of Assyria are called in the Original young men 2 King XIX 6. An Altar These Altars mentioned in this verse chapter XX verse 24 and v. 25 26. were allowed and appointed for the time much differing from those by appointment made when the Tabernacle and Temple were erected and builded Exod. XXVII 1 c. 2 Chron. IV. 1. Of Altars see more on Levit. XVII 3. In the seventh In the Seventh and Sabbatical year chapter XXI verse 2 beginning in September as the Iubile did The Book of the Law was to be read publikely and solemnly in the beginning of that year The Land was to rest from Culture Lendings vouchsafed to poor Hebrews and then due were to be released and intermitted if not clean remitted Luke VI. 35. Hebrew servants both men and women though bought if not redeemed before were to go out free if themselves would and that liberally furnished Exod. XXI 2 7. and XXIII 11 16. Levit. XXV 4 5 6 7 20 21 22. Deut. XV. 1 18. Jer. XXXIV 14. Who hath betrothed her to himself The Hebrew Text hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying Not chapter XXI verse 8 and so runs thus Who hath not betroathed her But the Hebrew Criticks commonly called Masorets put for
XVIII 9 10. or Enemessar Tobit l. 2 15. Sennacharib who came against Hezekiah 2 King XVIII 13. Esarhaddon or Asnapper Esay XXXVII 38. 2 King XIX 37. Ezra IV. 2 10. called also Sarchedonus Tobit I. 22. And another King of Assyria against whom Pharaoh-Necho King of Egypt fights at Carchemish by Euphrates in the last year of King Josiah 2 King XXIII 29. 2 Chron. XXXV But many leave out Iareb as no proper name of a King and make Sargon to be the same with Senna harib And some place Iareb before Pul and Sargon after Shalmanesar And no doubt there were many Kings of Assyria it being the first Monarchy before Pul though their names be not in Scripture Though the Assyrians take the name from Ashur the sonne of Shem Gen. X. 22. 1 Chron. I. 17. yet the Kingdome seemes to be raised among them by the posterity of Cush the sonne of Cham Gen. X. 6 11. a Singer Heman chapter VI verse 33 of Kohath stood in the middest Asaph of Gershom on the right hand Ethan of Merari on the left ver 38 39 44 47. See more of the Singers 1 Chron. XV. ver 16 22. All their Cities The Kohathites had twenty three Cities verse 60 63. The Gershonites thirteen The Merarites twelve In all fourty eight Cities reckoned Issachar a numerous Tribe chapter VII Ephraim The line from Ephraim to Ioshuah verse 5 is Num. verse 20 I. 10. and chap. XXVI 35 1 Chron. VII 20 26 27. Shephuphan verse 5 and Huram chapter VIII verse 33 Either of these had three names Ner Ner had Kish the father of Saul and another sonne Ner the father of Abner 1 Sam. XIV 50 51. genealogies This Chapter chapter IX verse 1 and chap. III. 19 24. are some parcels of the last passages for History of the Old Testament See more on Neh. XII 10 11. David and Samuel David and Samuel the Seer though he died in the time of Sauls reigne ordained and ordered the Priests verse 22 and Levites Singers and Porters in their set Offices and Courses See ver 10 14 22 and Chapters XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him 1 Chron. XXIV 19. by the Spirit and by God and Nathan 1 Chron. XXVIII 12 19. 2 Chron. XXIX 25. and VIII 14. and XXXV 4 15. And Solomon did according to him 2 Chron. XXXV 4. Neh. XII 45. day and night verse 33 verse 9 The Singers imployed in that work day and night tydings unto their Idols Idolaters ascribe their Victories chapter X and prosperous successes to their Idols so Iudg. XVI 23 24. 1 King XX. 23. 2 Chron. XXVIII 23. Hab. I. 11. They bring their Idols to their Camps 1 Chron. XIV 12. As the Israelits the Ark 1 Sam. IV. 3. castle of Zion David took the Castle chapter XI verse 5 or strong hold of Zion dwelt in it built round about it called it the Citie of David And Ioab repaired the rest of the Citie 2 Sam. V. 9. came to David There came to David to Ziklag a great hoast chapter XII verse 1 like the hoast of God And to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 340822. And among them very many Priests and Levites ver 26 27 28. besides others intimated ver 32. Jehoiada verse 27 the Leader of the 3700. Aaronites that came to David to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 1 Chron. XII 27. Jehoiada a chief Priest 2 Chron. XXIV 6. married Iehoshabeath or Iehosheba the daughter of King Iehoram and sister of King Ahaziah 2 King XI 2 3. 2 Chron. XXII 11. He caused usurping and murthering Athaliah the daughter of Ahab and Iezebel and wife of King Iehoram and mother of King Ahaziah 2 Chron. XXI 6. and XXII 1 2. to be murtheredher self 2 King XI 16. And caused Ioash grand-childe of Athaliah and his wives nephew and sonne and heir of Ahaziah to be crowned King when he was seven years old 2 King XI 11 12 21. 2 Chron XXIII 11. Of whom see more on 2 King XI 4. Iehoiada the sonne of Benaiah Davids Counseller next to Ahitophel 1 Chron. XXVII 34. bring again the Ark David so soone as ever he was setled upon his throne over all Israel chapter XIII verse 3 taketh the strong Fort of Zion from the Jebusites brings the Ark of God with all solemnity yet not after the due maner from Kiriath-jearim and the house of Abinadab And upon the death of Uzza by the way at the threshing floore of Nachon or Chidon he carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom where it remained three moneths 1 Chron. XIII Hiram sends to David messingers workmen and materials to build him an house in Zion And David takes more wives at Jerusalem and obtaines two victories against the Philistines chap. XIV And with great solemnity in the due maner he brings the Ark from Obed-Edoms house and sets it in the middest of the Tabernacle or Tent which he had prepared for it in the Citie of David in Zion chap. XV. where he offers Sacrifices Orders a Quire gives them a Psalme of Thanksgiving and appoints Ministers Porters Priests and Musicians to attend on the Ark continualy ch XVI In 2 Sam. V. David takes the strong Fort of Zion builds dwels in it hath messingers sent to him from Hiram King of Tyre with materials workmen for his building growes great takes moe wives and concubines at Jerusalem gets two victories over the Philistines in two set battels chap. V. And he brings up the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim and carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom and after three moneths he brings it thence into the Citie of David with great solemnity and joy 2 Sam. VI Now whether the things contained in 1 Chr. XIV and 2 Sam. V. after the taking of Zion did intervene in that three moneths space while the Ark was in the house of Obed-Edom or were acted before the Ark was removed from Kiriath-Jearim is a matter of conjectural probabilities on either side yet I rather incline to the later opinion from Shihor of Egypt This Shihor chapter XIII verse 5 or Shichor or Sihor hath a notion of blacknesse in it And is not that rill or drill of water called by forraine writers Rhinocolura but is much rather the same with Nilus otherwise not once named in Scripture anciently by the Ethiopians called Siris by the Greeks Melas by the Latines Melo from the blacknesse of the water or rather of the mud and slime that it brings downe with it or the black colour of the grounds and soils it passeth through It is called by way of excellencie the River Esay XXIII 3. Ezek. XXIX 3 9. and the river or flood of Egypt Amos VIII 8. and chap. IX 5. This River rising in the South from unknown heads runs in one intire streame Northward to the Head Delta in Egypt where it divideth it self into two maine Channels and afterwards brancheth into seven several streames Esay XI 15. Emptying themselves
one constant course in Nature and its actings Of the Sunne see my Observations on Psal XIX 5. See Job XIV 7 12. Here the earth stands and the Sunne moveth round about it The winde Thus whirleth verse 6 and returneth though in some parts of the world in some moneths of the year they have a very regular and uniforme motion Rivers Runne thither whence they come through pores and passages of the earth verse 7 whereby they lose their saltnesse Thus which way ever we cast our eyes we every where meet with evidences of inconstancie and mutability here below as testimonies of that vanitie which all things under the Sunne are subject unto so that man cannot finde fatisfaction and full content in them full of labour All these things are sweeter in the ambition verse 8 then in the fruition Prov. XXVII 7 20. After our utmost endeavours for plenarie satisfaction in the things of this world and this life we are still to seek because it is not in them we do so but seek for the living among the dead as Luke XXIV 5. And they tyre us in the search and toylesome labour after them and cloy us in the use man cannot utter it If not Solomon then surely no man chap. II. 12. As on the other side our happinesse in God to our joy is unutterable 1 Cor. II. 9. 2 Cor. XII 4. The thing Happinesse cannot be extracted out of the creature verse 9 never was nor ever can be no new thing Though some kinde of new inventions be as Gunpowder Printing the Mariners Compasse c. yet but of the old stamp as to this maine use and purpose they come still from defective and insufficient principles of happinesse chap. III. 15. no new thing out of which man can extract real content comfort and satisfaction or any principle of true happinesse and blessednesse more then out of old and former things And indeed Solomon speaks here of natural things and their natural actions This is new Such new things as may so farre surpasse the discoveries before verse 10 as to be able to satisfie the heart and make man happie They are indeed new-nothings There is no remembrance If some new things be found out verse 11 as many old things are forgotten How many things never Recorded How many ancient Records totaly perished How many fragments remaining And so shall it be of things hereafter No new thing is or shall be more pregnant of satisfaction to mans heart and happiness then hath beene heretofore No such thing on earth or in the creature can be found Only it is in God and in the new creature from him when he gives us a new heart and a new spirit Ezek. XXXVI 26. puts a new spirit within us Ezek. XI 19. and a new name upon us Esay LXII 2. I the Preacher None had more abilities verse 12 and helps to extract happinesse out of the creatures and these worldly things then Solomon had And therefore his verdict may be credited And I gave my heart Solomon made this point his task and that in the extent and utmost employment of his great wisdome chap. II. 3 9. chap. IX 10. verse 13 all things 1 Kings IV. 33. and chap. X. 23 24. the several kinds of them all natural causes and effects all humane counsel and events and vexation of spirit Active enough hereunto verse 14 far enough from making him truly happy Chap. XII 12. chap. I. 18. That which is crooked Chap. VII 13. verse 15 The most excellent natural knowledge will not do either the one or the other rectifie what is amisse or supply what is defective I communed And this without vaine boasting verse 16 1 Kings III. 12. and chap. IV. 30. and X. 7 23. 2 Kings III. and IV. and V. and X. none can out-do him herein and to know madnesse and folly Chap. II. 12. verse 17 and VII 23. experimental knowledge he did practise himself in He found by experience that neither course could quiet or settle the heart of man chap. XI 8 9. 1 Cor. I. 20. In much wisdome is much grief Many wayes verse 18 and upon manifold occasions Verse 14. I said The summe of this Chapter is well set down in the Great Annotations chapter II verse 1 I will prove thee with mirth Missing of his expected good from the knowledge of the creature he now resolveth to search what good may be found in the use and fruition of it And first in the sensual pleasure of it In mirth here Which most men count the only life to sing all sorrow and care away and melt in mirth jollity and jovizansses which emasculates the spirit and drawes out and draines away the very vigour and vivacitie of it when they indulge to themselves and give up their heart to it and make it the businesse of their life to pour out themselves in delights and wallow and drown themselves in them This sort of men after Epicurus was borne were called Epicureans mad And indeed many mad men are very merry verse 2 But it is but like the crackling of thornes chap. VII 6. and hath sorrow in the bottome of it wine yet acquainting He would trie verse 3 by mixing wisdome and wine together mitigating the grief of the one with the pleasure of the other till I might see This the end of his inquirie by this experiment whether this voluptuous course of living were best to sweeten the mortal life of man during all his dayes I made me great works He shewes what magnificent and royal provisions he made in order to his foresaid designe verse 4 Not trifling ones but adequate acts and objects to his person and state as Ester I. 4. These things he had as materials for his wisdome houses Besides what David had formerly built 2 Chron. II. 3. Vineyards Cant. VIII 11 12. Besides what David had 1 Chron. XXVII 27. gardens and orchards Cant. VI. 2. and chap. IV. verse 5 12 15. as paradises for amenitie and delight We read of Hortus pensilis a garden hanging in the aire made by an Assyrian King for the pleasure of his Queen pooles Chap. IV. 15. and VII 4. verse 6 These are Princely works 2 Kings XX. 20. Neh. II. 14. the wood Of Forrests and likely in those Gardens and Orchards which for their spaciousnesse might be called woods servants verse 7 and maidens See those servants mentioned Ezra II. 58. Neh. VII 60. cattel More then David had 1 Chron. XXVII 29 30 31. silver and gold In all abundance verse 8 2 Chron. I. 15. men-singers See 2 Sam. XIX 35. he laboured to take all pleasure in pleasures also my wisdome Verse 3. verse 9 by wisdome to minde what real good could be extracted from them Thus he heeds his maine end I with-held not Luke XII verse 10 19. cleane contrary to that Rom. XIII 14. Then I looked In the serious review he findes all to be but a feeding upon the winde verse 11 nothing but labour for his paines
useful Informer though a bad Judge Crackling of thornes Psal. LVIII 9. verse 6 Ovid. Trist. l. 5. Elog. 8. Flammáque de stipula nostra brevisque fuit Prov. XIV 13. Surely oppression Chap. IV. 1. and chap. V. 8. Deut. XXVIII 29 33. Psal. CXIX 134. Jer. VI. 6. and chap. XXII 17. Ezek. XXII 29. maketh a wise man mad To see it in the world upon others to undergo it himself No man is so wise but he is sometimes over-borne with passions and rage and indignation a gift Job XV. 34. Psal. XXVI 10. Prov. XVII 23. and the Observations upon it Deut. XVI 19. Exod. XXIII 8. Better is the end This maxime holds in many things verse 8 where the beginning is difficult the end sweet James V. 11. Psal. XXXVII 37. Many graces run in the race of a Christian course only perseverance to the end gaineth the prize crownes the enterprize and action Matth. X. 22. Heb. III. 6. Apoc. II. 10 26. Many seeme to set out for heaven with much eagernesse as Orpah from Moab but returne back put their hand to the plough but after look back as Lots wife run well but after fall off Gal. V. 7. leave their first love Apoc II. 4. begin in the spirit and end in the flesh But better they had never known the way of righteousnesse c. 2 Pet. II. 20 21. Heb. X. 26. 27 38 39. Some here understand the end of angry contention For so the Hebrew word sometimes signifies as Prov. XVII 9. And so the sense â—wil best agree with that which followeth the paâ—ient Prov. XIV 29. and XV. 18. 1 Thes. V. 14. James V. 7 8 11. Heb. XII 1. And patient therefore under oppression waiting on God till he bring both ends together not looking only on 〈◊〉 present face of things but hoping and expecting that they which sowe in reares may reap in joy Psal. LXXIII 17 18. Esay X. 12 24 25 26. 2 Sam XVI 11 12. Habak II. v. 3 â— the proud in spirit Exod. V. 2. Prov. XIII 10. angry Psal. verse 9 XXXVII 8. Anger is an evil counsellor hasty to prevent reason The angry man is like him that casteth firebrands like that demoniak Marke II. 3. Prov. XIV 17. and XVI 32. resteth It may rush in and be as a passinger for a while for a fit in a wise man as in David 1 Sam. XXV 21 22. and in the Disciples Luke IX 54 55. But it resteth remaineth lodgeth as an inmate abideth domineereth only in the bosome and breast of fools is there as in its proper place Yet in some cases anger is just and a dutie Ephes. IV. 26. Mark III. 5. But the sunne must never go down upon our wrath We must not then hastily be angry as to murmur at Gods Providence when things go not as we could wish when we see Oppression prevailing Psal. XXXVII 1 Prov. XXIII 17 18. and XXIV 19. We must be slow to anger James I. 19 20. Prov. XIX 11. and chap. XV. 18. Tit. I. 7. That the former dayes And yet this hath been a continual complaint in all dayes and ages verse 10 and specialy by them that would be thought wise and good Matth. XXIII 30. And yet the dayes are the worse because these men themselves are no better Acts VII 51. Truth is some dayes and ages are worse then others And we should be sensible of and sorry for the evil of our dayes yet not be unmindful of the good things of our present dayes that we do enjoy much lesse repine at Gods Providence in the ordering of the times a thing we are too prone to and the thing here checked but our wisdome should be to leave Gods work to himself and for us to serve God in our generation and walk with God as Noah did in the worst of times every one to amend one and so the dayes would be better Ephes. V. 15 16. Wisdome Good without it verse 11 but better with it Prov. XIV 24. and such to Gods glory and the good of himself and others Prov. III. 9. Luke XVI 9. 1 Tim. VI. 11 18 19. The poor mans wisdome is oft despised chap. IX 15 16. A defence Both verse 12 good and useful But Wisdome the more excellent Job XXVIII 15. Prov. VIII and XVI 16. giveth life Prov. III. 16. and IX 11. Whereas riches cannot Psal. XLIX 6 9. but sometimes taketh away the life of the owners thereof Prov. I. 19. Consider the work of God See verse 13 view and ponder the work of God his over-ruling hand and Providence in all the affairs of the world When thou art apt to complaine of the times and oppressions therein and the crooked courses and crosses thereof look up above the creatures and all second causes and acknowledge and acquiesce in Gods wisdome and justice infinite above ours who would not suffer or permit such things to prevaile if he were not so wise and powerful as to bring good out of evil light out of darknesse order out of confusion and to make all serve unto his own glory He can use crooked tooles to make streight work And we cannot set things streight or make the man streight that is borne crooked we cannot amend things amisse nor rectifie what he hath made crooked Job XXXIV 12. His purposes must stand and cannot be altered or resisted Esay XIV 24 27. Job IX 12. This consideration wrought upon Aaron Levit. X. 3. upon Eli 1 Sam. III. 18. upon David 2. Sam. XV. 26. Iohn XVIII 11. See Iob IX 4. we must make our own burden lighter by our patient bearing it In the day of prosperity Enjoy it verse 14 with a chearful and thankful heart and be mindful that the more wages requires the more work but in the day of adversity consider God intermingles both like checker-checker-work As the Physician ministers sometimes Corrasives sometimes Cordials sometimes lets blood even to swooning sometimes useth Restoratives We should consider this Lam. III. 28. 33 40. Heb. XII 3 12. Mic. VI. 9. Psal. XCIV 12. hath set the one That we should not either surfet in prosperity or despond in adversity Lam. III. 38. Esay XLV 7. finde nothing after him What shall after befal him whether prosperity or adversity or nothing better for him and his advantage then what God hath ordered and done All things have I seene He confirmeth the former point of Gods dark and wonderful Providence verse 15 as aforesaid by his own observation and experience in his life-time Esay XLV 15. There is a just man As Abel Zacharias Naboth Stephen and Martyrs all Matth. V. 10. Hab. I. 13. See 2 Kings XXII 20. Esay LVII 1. a wicked man Job XXI 7. Jer. XII 1 2. This is a sore stumbling block even to good and wise men But it should teach them and all That there is a just and righteous day of doome to come Acts XVII 31. Rom. II. 5. And if wicked men live long thereby they aggravate their sinne and God so shewes his
Whether thou wilt or no when thou shalt in vaine call to rocks to hide thee into judgement If not in this life yet at thy death thy doomesday and at the judgement of the great day Jude 6. called The terror of the Lord 2 Cor. V. 10. Acts XVII 30. See Esay XXVIII 17. Therefore remove sorrow Sinne verse 10 which is the true cause of sorrow as the end will prove Prov. XIV 13. and the true cause of Gods indignation Or particularly this sinne of thy indignation and all inordinate passions thy swelling and storming at the will and wayes of God or at any serious advice given thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remember 1. Chron. XXVIII 9. Prov. XXIII 17. thy Creator Heb. chapter XII verse 1 Creators Father Sonne and Holy Ghost So God my Makers Job XXXV 10. The Makers of Israel Psal. CXLIX 1. thy Makers is thy husbands Esay LIV. 5. Gods created Gen. I. 1. youth Youth is slippery prone to lusts and sensual pleasures apt to put off the evil day farre from them to look on death and judgement as at a great distance as evil men use to do Ezek. XII 27. Amos VI. 3. 2 Pet. III. 3 4. Solomon here calls on them to remember themselves better to minde God in the Spring of their age to present the first-fruits to God as young Samuel Jeremy and Timothy did and not to leave and reserve the dregs and snuffs to God while the evil dayes Old age is very unfit to begin so great a work in Old age will bring evils enough of its own besides While the Sunne Before the sight of thine eyes grow dimme Or verse 2 before thy most delightful and pleasant things begin to grow unwelcome unpleasant to thee The darknesse of lights about them as of the Sun candles torches c. Whence we need Spectacles Returning of the clouds after the raine alludes to the winterly state of old age In summer after raine the clouds break up and fair weather comes Not so in winter So in youth Not so in old age nor the clouds return One grief comes upon the neck of another as the billows of the sea wallow and tumble upon the back one of another A proverbial speech as Psal. XLII 7. the Keepers of the house The hands and armes verse 3 Some here take in the head and ribs and outward senses and inward faculties but not so properly strong men Thighs and legs Here some take in the feet Grinders The teeth They come not with us into the world And they commonly leave old men before they go out of the world look out of the windows The eyes out of the eye-lids darkened A further degree of dimnesse then that ver 2. And the doores Old men shall shut the street-dooers shall stay within doores because the weaknesse of their appetite and digestion when the sound of the grinding with the teeth was low and doth cause them to eat little and so weakens their bodies to stir abroad Others by streets here understand those Pipes and passages which are for the meat to go down to the stomach and for the breath and aire to go down to the lungs which passages have doores and covers which open and shut And these being weakened in old age breed weaknesse of the body and difficulty of swallowing and of speaking Those which stretch the words to the Hearing or to the eye-lids or to all the senses seeme to misse most of the true meaning doores Lips When for want of teeth the meat is rolled and ravelled in the mouth and hath need of shut lips to keep it from falling out of the mouth at the voice of the bird Shall wake out of sleep at every little noise through the badnesse of sleeping and wearines to lie long in bed by reason of little ease and much paine and akings daughters of musik That we can neither sing our selves nor be delighted with the musik of others 2 Sam. XIX 34 35. afraid of that which is high To go up it verse 5 being weak and short-winded And fear stumbling at every little stone in the way Both heights and hollows in the way annoy their goings almond-tree The gray-hairs which some call the white flowers of the Church-yard grashoppers Every light thing shall be a burthen to them who are now already become a burthen to themselves and desire shall faile The lust of the flesh libido As also the lust of the eye and the pride of life In decrepit age all these desires die though they reigned and raged in him before long home The grave his own house and long home Nox est perpetua Vna dormienda Esay XIV 18. never to returne hither again Job VII 10. But long to abide there till the Resurrection-day mourners Jer. IX 17. verse 6 and XXII 18. Amos V. 16. See Job III. 8. silver cord The marrow of the back-bone be loosed or lessened and contracted whence old men grow crooked and bending in the back Some take this for the sinewes which are the ligaments of all the members and are loosened by cold humours and palsie-distempers golden bowle The heart the blood of it or the pericardion or the brain pan pia-mater and pericranion Some understand this of the cista fellis the gaul and choler which easily breaks out in old men Some of the skull parted in the sâ—tures and seams of it diseases grow round as a bowle-golden for the colour and precious use of it in preserving the brains or the pitcher be broken at the fountain By fountain we may understand those principal parts as the Heart Head Liver from whence the vital supplies of spirit heat blood sense and motion are drawn into the body By Cisterne the same aforesaid or those places of the body whereinto those vital supplies are drawn and conveyed By the pitcher and wheele the veins arteries and sinewes which as subservient instruments do conveigh those supplies into the several parts of the body Some understand by the pitcher the bladder and by the cisterne the belly that neither duly performe their office by the fountaine or spring the issuing forth of the water the retentive faculty of the muskle at the neck of the bladder being broken so that water the urine issueth from him insensibly without stay the wheele broken at the cisterne The Lungs broken off from their motion of inspiration and respiration by phlegme from the stomach stopping and stifling the Lungs The Lungs are as the wheele transmitting the aire in and out up and down and when this free course is stopped then follows ratling in the throat and death after The stomach is the cisterne from all the body And the spirit shall returne Gen. II. 7. Joh XXXIV 14 15. verse 7 And even the wisest Heathen have avouched the immortality of the soul and a life of joy or paine after this life ended according to our carriage here So Socrates Plato Cicero Plutarch Epicharmus Euripides Lucretius Heraclitus Virgil and others