great quantity of silver and gold to the oppression of their subjects otherwise they had need of great riches to preserve their Countries and their Kingly Majesty 165. Deut. 18. 10. There shall not be found amongst you an observer of time 1 Sam. 28. 7 Lev. 19. 13. Ch. 20. 17. Rom. 14. 6. He that regardeth a day regardeth it to the Lord. Moses condemns superstitious observation of dayes as if one day were more happy then an other The Heathens divided dayes into white and black fortunate and unfortunate The Apostle shews the liberty of Christians against those who by an opinion of sanctity would have the legall feast dayes observed 166. Deut. 18 11. You shall not consult with Wisards or seek truth from the dead Mat. 17. 3. Moses and Elias spake with Christ in Mount Tabor It is an abomination in the sight of God and a heathen superstition to consult with Wisards c. The appearing of Moses and Elias was of another way and their speaking with Christ was to confirm the Disciples in the doctrine delivered by Moses and the Prophets 167. Deut. 20 17. Thoushalt destroy with the edge of the sword the Hittites the Amorites the Canaanites the Perisites the Hivites and the Jebusites Josh 9. 15. Joshua made a league with the Hivites and the Jebusites Solomon spared the Amorites 1 King 9. 20. The Gibeonites craftily saved their lives laying down their high spirits and Solomon made the Amorites tributaries the other enemies of God and his people who continued stubborn in their wickednesse were destroyed 168. Deut. 20. 19. When you besiege a City you shall not destroy the trees 2 King 3. 19. You shall fell euery good tree Those trees that bear fruit the Israelites could feed on were not to be cut down in the promised land but in the Country of the Moabites God would shew a peculiar example of his just anger for their sins 169. Deut. 21. 16. The sons of the hated being first born must be acknowledged for the first born Gen. 48. 5. Jacob assigned the right of primogeniture to Joseph the son of his beloved Rachel and gave two tribes to his children Jacob lived before the promulgation of the Law Joseph was his first born of his beloved Rachel to whose children he wisely assigned two Tribes as he made to Judah born from Leah the primogeniture and gave him the dominion over his brethren Gen. 49. 8. 170. Deut. 21. 21. If any man beget a stubborn child he shall bring him to the Elders of the City to the gate of judgement and he shall be stoned with stones till he die Prov. 19. 18. Instruct thy son and despaire not of him Moses speaks of the incorrigible son Solomon concerning fatherly correction whilst there is hope of the sons amendment and warns him that he shall not set his mind to destroy him 171. Deut. 23. 2. A bastard shall not enter 2 King 14. 6. 2 Chron. 26. 4. into the Congregation of the Lord. Ezek. 18. 20. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father God would not suffer bastards to be admitted to publick offices for the disgrace of their births and the honour of Matrimony lest the Common-wealth should grow contemptible by such but that exclusion is not to be taken for a punishment but an affliction which God in the next life will reward with more glory if they be pious and penitent 172. Deut. 23. 6. Thou shalt make no peace with the Ammonites and Moabites Rom. 12. 18. If it be possible as much as lyeth in you live peaceably with all men Those Nations did not only lay snares for the Israelites temporall life but also for their eternall life we so farre as we are able and where piety is not indangered must hold and embrace peace with all men 173. Deut. 23. 15. Thou shalt not deliver to his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee Philemon vers 13. Paul sent Onesimus who was fled from his Master to his Master again The fugitive servant was not to be sent back to his angry master who was ready to kill him There was a difference amongst the servants of the Jews for he that was to serve seaven years if he ran away after he had served six years he was not to be sent back to his Master but the Gentiles were bond-servants all their lives 174. Deut. 24. 1 If a man have taken a wife and married hor and she find no favour in his eyes because he hath found some uncleannesse in her let him write her a Bill of divorcement and give it 1 Cor. 7. 15. in her hand and send her out of his house Mat. 5. 32. Chap. 19. 7. Whosoever shall put away his wife saving for the cause of fornication causeth her to commit adultery and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery The law of divorcement of wives was nothing but a concession of Moses for the hardnesse of the hearts of the Jewes and the danger of the lives of the women Christ abrogated that custome by the divine Law and a precept from the beginning and corrected the false glosses upon the Divine Mal. 2. 6. Law 175. Deut. 24 2. She that was sent away from her husband might marry an other husband Rom. 7. 3. Whilst her husband liveth she shall be called an adulteress if she be married to an other man Divorce by a bill of divorcement doth not dissolve matrimony therefore they that are unlawfully parted must not attempt second marriages because they that are once marryed are made one body 176. Deut. 24. 16. The children shall not be Gen. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 15. 35. put to death for the parents Rom. 5. 12. By one men sin entred into the world The innocent children are not punished for the sins of their fathers but in Adam we all sinned and we are dayly polluted with many actuall transgressions 177. Deut. 25. 3. Forty stripes he may have given him and not exceed 2 Cor. 11. 24. I received of the Jews five times forty stripes save one The Jews to seem more mercifull subducted one stripe 178. Deut. 25. 4. Thou shalt not musle the Ox Jos Ant. â—â— 4. c. 8. which treadeth out the corn 1 Cor. 9. 9. Doth God take care for Oxen The former place doth not properly appertain to Oxen but it is a figurative speech In the latter the Apostle speaks tropologically of the Ministers of the Church as if he would say if God take care for Oxen then much more doth he care for men and the Ministers of his Church 179. Deut. 27. 15. Cursed be the man that maketh a mâ—lten Image Rom. 12. 14. Blesse and curse not The former place must be understood to proceed from duty and zeal to the glory of God not out of desire to revenge So Moses and Paul did curse Let us follow the example 1 Cor. 4. 12. of Christ who being reviled reviled not again when he suffered
into Egypt Matthew passeth by the father of Ieconias 267. 2 King 23. 30. Iosias was buried at Ierusalem before the Babylonish captivity Mat. 1. 11. Iosias begat Ieconias and his brethren in the captivity of Babylon Iosias in his posterity begat Iechonias and his brothers kindred who lived when that miserable carrying captive into Babylon began 268. 2 King 25. 29. Iechonias or Ioachin died in Babylon Mat. 1. 12. After the transmigration unto Babylon Iechonias begat Salathiel That was done after the beginning of the captivity but not after the confirmation of it when the time was that Evilmerodach lifted up the head of Ioachim in the 37 year of his reign over Babylon when the time of deliverance drew on The two Books of CHRONICLES THey are called Paralipomena from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is from being passed by Things that are passed by in the Books of the Kings are contained here In Hebrew they are named Dibre Hajamin that is Words of dayes of Chronicall Annals because they contain Annals and Histories The first sets down the Genealogie of Adam of the Patriarchs and Tribes of Israel with the reigns of Saul and David The latter hath the History of Solomon and of all the Kings of Iudah and Israel to the Babylonish captivity and their enlargement by Cyrus which is done in the year of the world 3435. They were both written by Esdras 269. 1 Chron. 2. 9. The sons of Ezrom Ieramuel and Ram. Matth. 1. 3. Ezrom begat Aram. Ram and Aram were but one in Hebrew Ram in Syriack Aram signifies Noble or High 270. 1 Chron. 3. 11. Ioram begat Ochozias of whom came Ioas. Matth. 1. 8. Ioram begat Ozias Ochosias Joas and Amasias are left out by the Evangelist because they reigned not well and to observe the 14 generations that is the 14 persons of Kings in the genealogie of Christ 271. 1 Chron. 3. 18. The son of Salathiel Pedajah of Pedajah Zorobabel Ezd. 3. 2. Mat. 12. 2. Salathiel begat Zorobabel Zorobabel was the nephew to Salathiel which he begat by his son Pedajah 272. 1 Chron. 10. 6. Saul died and his three sons and all his house died together 2 Sam. 2. 8. Abner made Isbosheth the son of Saul King over Israel Isbosheth after his fathers death though he had for a time the name of a King at last he was miserably slain in his bed and Mephiboseth was by favour in the Court of David without any rule so the family of Saul perished rightly with him nor ever could aspire any more to any eminent dignity 273. 1 Chron. 18. 12. Abishai smote Edom in the valley of salt 18000. 2 Sam. 8. 13. It was David Psal 60. 2. That Victory is imputed to Joab Abishai with Joab having the Army divided conquered the enemy at the first assault he overcame 6000 of the Edomites Joab killed 12000 of those that fled away but the victory is imputed to David as their King 274. 2 Chron. 2. 14. Hiram was the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan whose Father was of Tyre 1 King 7. 14. He was the son of a widow of the trihe of Nephtalim The Father of Hiram was of the tribe of Nephthalim who lived many years in Tyria and had a wife of the tribe of Dan. 275. 2 Chron. 8. 1. Solomon built those Cities which Hiram restored to him 1 King 9. 11. Solomon gave to Hiram twenty Cities in the Land of Galilee Solomon gave to Hiram those Cities for twenty years that he might have a yearly revenue from them untill the charges were paid to him then Hiram restored them to Solomon and he built them and made the children of Israel dwell in them 276. 2 Chron. 19. 2. Josaphat because he lent help to the wicked and made friendship with those that hated God deserved Gods wrath Gen. 14. 13. Abraham and Isaac were in league with heathen Kings and Gentiles Leagues in civill affaires are granted but otherwise there can be no firme league made with them So was David at peace with his Neighbours and Abraham with the Cananites 277. 2 Chron. 35. 18. There was not the like Passover in Israel from the dayes of Samuel the Prophet 2 King 23. 22. There was not the like passover from the dayes of the Judges which judged Israel nor all the dayes of the Kings of Judah Samuel was the last of the Judges the meanning therefore of the words is this there was no passover like that from the time that Kings began in Israel 278. 2 Chron. 35. 34. Josias was killed in battail by the City of Megiddo by the Archers of the Egyptians Chap. 34. 38. I will gather thee to thy Fathers and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace Josias his reign death and buriall were peaceable though he were wounded in the war fighting against Pharaoh Necho contrary to Gods word yet there is no doubt of his salvation EZDRAS two Books THey were both written by Ezdras and contain the return of the Jews from Babylon to Judea and the building of the Temple and of the City Jerusalem the correction of the people and restitution of religion With the History of 200 years 279. Ezd. 1. 5. There rose up the chief of the Fathers of Judah and Benjamin the Priests and the Levites with all them whose spirit God had raised 1 Chron. 9. 3. The Israelites the Priests Levites the Nethinims went up to Jerusalem the children of Judah Benjamin Ephraim and Manasses There came to Jerusalem in their return not onely the children of Judah but of other tribes and they restored the worship of God amongst themselves who were before time transported out of Judea with them into Babylon 280. 1 Ezd. 2. 5. The sons of Arah returned 775. Neh. 7. 10. They are recorded 652. First are set down those that gave up their names to return then those that came into Judea the rest remaining in Babylon or perishing in the journey so also is reconciled the unequall number of other families 281. 1 Ezd. 2 6. The children of Pabath-moab 800 and Joab of the children of Joshua and Moab 280 2. Neh. 7. 11. The children of Pahath-moab of the children of Joshua and Moab 2818. There was a lesse number of some of those families but at length it grew greater by the dignity of those that went forth and greatest of all when others joyned themselves to them that had not set down their namâ—s 282. 1 Ezd. 6. 3. Cyrus the King decreed that the house of God should be built at Jerusalem and let them lay the foundations the height thereof 60 cubits and the breadth thereof 60 cubits 1 King 6. 2. The house which King Solomon built for the Lord the length thereof was 60 cubits the breadth 20 cubits the height 30 cubits The structure of Solomons Temple was more 2 Chron. 3. 3. Agg. 2. 3. 1 Eld. 3. 12. beautifull then this therefore the Elders that saw this wept
of wrath Since God hath ordained the wicked for the day of wrath he hath ordained him for his own glory for when he punisheth wicked men with temporall or eternall punishments he justifieth himself in his own glory God created wicked men also but he created not their wickednesse 380. Prov. 16. 6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged Heb. 9. 22. And without shedding of bloud there is no remission Mercy and Truth are understood of God 1 Joh. 1. 7. himself who is the primary cause of the remission of sins nor doth this contradict the meritorious effusion of Christs bloud for us whereby we are cleansed 381. Prov. 17. 15. He that justifyeth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are abominable to the Lord. Rom. 4. 5. God justifieth the ungodly He that justifieth the wicked against the law of God or man without satisfaction made by himself or one for him is abominable unto God But God justifieth the wicked not that is so now but was so freely by faith for the merits of Christ and his full satisfaction 382. Prov. 20. 9. Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sin Psal 24. 3. He that hath pure hands and a clean heart shall stand in the holy place We are all unclean in the sight of God and corrupt by nature yet our hearts are purified by his grace through faith in the bloud of Christ 383. Prov. 21. 20. There is desirable treasure in the dwelling of the wise Mat. 6. 19. Treasure not up for your selves treasures upon earth Pious wisdome in honest gain is not reproved by Christ but covetousnesse and confidence in worldly wealth is forbidden since we lose thereby the heavenly treasure 384. Prov. 22. 28. Remove not the ancient I and-marke which thy Fathers have set Ezek. 20. 18. Walk not in the statutes of your fathers neither observe their judgements Solomon speaks of the bounds of Land and Inheritance Ezekiel concerning the statutes of their Fathers about the worship of God and the profanation thereof Let us not imitate those who oppose themselves against Gods law but let us walke in his laws and keep his statutes 385. Prov. 24. 17. Rejoyce not at the fall of thine enemy Psal 137. 8. Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast rewarded us The Godly do not rejoyce for the destruction of their enemies and for revenge of wrongs but for Gods glory and the edification and good of the Church So Moses after the drowning of Pharaoh in the Red sea by his great zeal for Gods glory sang a song of praise 386. Prov. 26. 4. Answer not a fool according to his folly lest thou be like him Vers 5. Answer a fool according to his folly The art of dealing with fools is necessary that we speak not foolish things with a fool foolishly for if a fool that is an ungodly person blinded profane speaks with scorns and evill speaches and derisions we must not answer him likewise but when Gods glory is questioned if there be danger we must reprove his folly and his arrogancy lest he proceed to please himselfe and corrupt others ECCLESIASTES Heb. Coheleth The Preacher SOlomon in this book convinceth the vanity of the world and the foolishnesse of men Shews that there is nothing better then to fear God and to keep his Commandements And he maintains that there shall be a future judgment He wrote this book after his falling from God in token of true repentance 387. Eccl. 1. 4. The earth abides for ever Isai 40. 8. Luk. 21. 33. Heaven and earth shall passe away In the opinion of men the earth abides for Rom. 822. 2 Pet. 3. ever but in respect of God and the future change and purgation from corruption and vanity it shall passe away 388. Eccl. 1. 9. That which was shall be and there is no new thing under the sun Gen. 1. 1. The world was once created Heb. 9. 25. Christ once offered himself Ecclesiastes speaks not of all things none excepted but of the vanity of naturall and artificiall things which is collected from the naturall corruption and change of things 389. Eccl. 1. 10. There is no new thing under the sun Revel 21. 5. Behold I make all things new Ecclesiastes purpose is not concerning a creation of new kinds of creatures but concerning their change and vicissitude in the world and concerning the malice of men and the Devill that men by the instinct of the Devill from the beginning after man had sinned being defiled with much wickednesse proceed to covet after evill unlesse God renews their hearts and they become a new creature in Christ 390. Eccl. 2. 2. I said of laughter It is mad and of mirth What doth it Prov. 17. 22. A merry heart doth good like a medicine In the first place is meant naturall laughter and rejoycing in prosperity and the goods of Nature and Fortune as the Gentiles do and this Ecclesiastes condemns as folly But in the Proverbs is commended that joy only which proceeds from the holy Ghost 391. Eccl. 2. 15. What doth it profit me that I laboured to attain more wisdome Prov. 8. 35. He that findeth me findeth life Politick wisdome is indeed a singular gift of God but if any man abuseth it and dependeth on his wisdome it profits not but is all vanity Divine wisdome which teacheth us to wait all events from God and to pray to him for his direction in all confers eternall life 392. Eccl. 2. 23. The dayes of man are full of labour and sorrow Psal 128. 2. Of the labour of thy hands thou shalt eat and happy shalt thou be Ecclesiastes condemns not labour which God hath laid on men for that is good and necessary having great promises but because riches are purchased by much travell and no man knows whether he shall be a wise man or a foole that he must leave them to 393. Eccl. 3. 19. There is one event to man and beast as the one dieth so dieth the other Chap. 17. 7. The spirit of man returns to God that gave it him In the former place is shewed the opinion of carnall men concerning man and beasts who compares them by the likenesse of their deeds and events In the latter place is taught what is the excellency of mans soul above the beasts and the difference after death But a naturall man cannot perceive these things 394. Eccl. 4. 1. I saw the oppressions done under the sun and behold the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter Joh. 14. 26. 15. 26. I will send unto you the Comforter from the Father the Spirit of Truth Ecclesiastes compares the oppressed with the oppressours in that which happens in the world for oppressours are rich mighty men they have their Abetters and their Clients The oppressed are alone and defend themselves with tears Christ sheweth how true comfort comes to those that are oppressed namely
shall no more passe through thee 2 King 24. 1. Chap. 25. 1. Nebuchadnezzar invaded the land of Judah and spoyled it The Prophet speaks of Senacherib that he should come no more into the land of Judah for he was killed by his own sons Also the words of the Prophet may be understood concerning the perfect blessednesse of the next world HABAKKUKS Prophesie HE foretels to the Jews when they sinned their destruction by the Caldeans He comforts the faithfull with the coming of the Messias and the destruction of the Babylonians He prays for the ignorant He prophesied in the year 3290. 506. Heb. 1. 5. Behold you amongst the heathen and regard for I will work a worke in your dayes which you will not believe though it be told you Act. 13. 41. Paul refers these words to the resurrection of Christ. The Apostle compares the resurrection of Christ with the wonderfull deliverance of the Jews from the bondage of Babylon which though their forefathers would not believe yet they found it to be true so their posterity must needs acknowledge that Christ was raised from the dead 507. Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith Mat. 9. 2. Jesus seeing their faith Every one shall live by his own faith to eternall life but an other mans faith or prayers may obtain from God for us temporall benefits or deliverance In the latter place Christ speaks not only of their faith who brought the man to him that was sick of the Palsie but of his faith also 508. Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith Luk. 10. 28. Do this and live We live and are justified by faith not for our faith but because by faith we lay hold on Christ Do this saith Christ to the Lawyer that from the Law he might learn to know his own weaknesse and not that by observing the Law he might deserve life for by the law no man is justified in the sight of Rom. 3. 9. Gal. 3. 24. God ZEPHANIAHS Prophesie THe son of Chushi he prophesieth to the unbelieving Jews their destruction by their neighbour Nations and to those Nations their extermination by other Nations But deliverance to believers He prophesied about the year 3451. 509. Zeph. 1. 5. He prophesied in the days of Josiah of the evills which should come upon Judah 2 King 23. 3. Josias and all the people made a covenant with the Lord that they should walk after God with all their heart The Prophesie by a legall commination moved both King and people to manifest their zeal But he frighted the wicked Hypocrites and such as were averse from God by threatning them that so they might forsake their sinnes 510. Zeph. 1. 7. The day of the Lord is at hand 2 Thess 2. 3. Be not terrified as though the day of the Lord were at hand In the former place by the day of the Lord is understood the neernesse of the Babylonish captivity In the latter the coming of the Lord to Judgement the time whereof is not for us to know 511. Zeph. 3. 7. I said surely thou wilt fear me Vers 7. But they corrupted their own doing I said the Lord useth that word after the manner of men not as though he had failed of his hope for all things are known to him before they be but as if he should say Who would thing you should be so hardned that my very threatnings should not move you HAGGIES Prophesie HE upbraids the Jews for that they did not rebuild the Temple and exhorts them to build it and he describes the magnificence of the second Temple He prophesied after the captivity of Babylon under Darius Hystaspes in the year 3444. 512. Hagg. 1. 8. Bring wood and build the house Isai 66. 1. Thus saith the Lord Heaven is my seat and the earth is my footstoole what house is that you will build unto me The rebuilding of the Temple was accepted with God for the holy convocation and the worship in it to Gods glory that was with the Priesthood and Leviticall rites a type of Christ unto whose coming onely it was to endure 513. Hagg. 2. 3. You that saw this house in its firstglory and how do you see it now Is it not in comparison of it as nothing Vers 9. The glory of this latter house shall be greater then that of the former house saith the Lord of hosts The structure indeed of this house did not answer the Majesty of the first house built by Solomon Yet the spiritual glory of this latter house shall be greater then the former house because the Lord himself came into it and preached in it disputed and wrought great miracles there 514. Hagg. 2. 4. Do so for I am with you saith the Lord of hosts Zach. 1. 12. O Lord of hosts how long will it be ere thou have pity on Jerusalem In the first place the Prophet comforts the people by the hope of promises in Christ promising that God would be present there with his people after the captivity of Babylon In the latter Christ intercedes for his Church which hath sinned against God and was punished by a just judgement of God with a Babylonian captivity for 70. years 515. Hag. 2. 6. Yet a little while and I will shake the heaven and the earth and the desire of all Nations shall come This Prophesie was fulfilled after 500 years under Augustus Caesar Luk. 2. 11. With God 1000 years are but as one day or one watch in the night ZECHARIAS Prophesie THe son of Barachiah He warns the Jews to repent to build the Temple he makes mention of his visions and explains them by the effusion of the Spirit of grace and prayers He prophesied after the return from Babylon in the year of the world 3456. 516. Zech. 1. 3. Turn unto me and I will turn unto you Joh. 6. 44. No man comes unto me unlesse my Father draw him The first place is legall requiring of us what we ought and not what we can do The latter is evangelicall for no man comes unto God unlesse God draw him by his Spirit Therefore we must pray diligently Convert me O Lord that I may be converted because Jer. 31. 18. thou O Lord art my God 517. Zech. 1. 17. Chap. 2. 10. The Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet choose Jerusalem Eph. 1. 4. God the Father chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world The election of a certain people to be a visible Church in the first place is taken metonymically for by that deed God sheweth that he hath confirmed the election of Jerusalem In the latter God speaks of our election unto eternall life 518. Zech. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye Isai 3. 1. Behold the Lord of hosts doth take away from Jerusalem the whole stay of bread In the first place is contained the promise of God to the faithfull that keep his Covenant In the latter is the pronouncing
of judgement against the obstinate Jews God is said to have kept his people as the apple of his eye so long Deut. 32. 10. Psal 17. 8. as they were obedient But temporall punishments inflicted on the wicked do not infringe the truth of his promise and of divine performance 519. Zech. 3. 9. I will remove the iniquity of his land in one day Revel 13. 8. Christ is slain from the beginning of the world In one day is the performance of Christs passion who dying for our sins restored us unto life But he was slain from the beginning of the world in Gods determinations by election virtue efficacy and acceptation and in respect of the fruits of it which redounded to the Church under the old Testament 520. Zech. 6. 13. He shall sit and rule upon his throne Isai 9. 7. He shall sit upon the throne of Daaid and upon his Kingdome Luk. 1. 33. Christ in respect of his divine nature hath his throne from everlasting to everlasting But in respect of his humanity being he is born of the seed of David according to the flesh the Lord God hath given him a throne that he may reign over the house of Jacob forever 521. Zech. 11. 12. They weighed for my price 30 pieces of silver Mat. 27. 9. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet they took 30 pieces of silver the price of him that was valued whom they did value Eusebius saith that Jeremiahs name was put De Demonstraâ—â— l. 10. c. 4. for Zecharias name by the errour of the Scrivener Out of Jeremiah some make the computation where he makes mention of 17 shekels which make 30 pieces of silver Jer. 32. 9. 522. Zech. 13. 7. Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered Joh. 10. 10. No man takes away my life from me The Prophet mentioneth God the Father commanding in the name of the whole Trinity whose words outwardly are common to the three Persons and undivided that his shepheard namely Christ should be slaine that contradicts not Christs words who willingly laid down his life for us 523. Zech. 13. 7. The sheep shall be scattered Joh. 17. 12. Those that thou gavest unto me I have kept them Chap. 18. 9 10. I have not lost one God the Father speaks of the scattering Christ of the keeping That scattering takes not away Christs keeping because none of the Apostles which his Father gave to him perished but the son of perdition MALACHIES Prophesie HE complains of the wickednesse of the people of the Jewes and the Priests He comforts the godly Threatens the wicked Exhorts all to repentance and faith in Christ He was the last that prophesied before Christs incarnation In the year of the world 3513. 524. Mal. 1. 2. Was not Esau Jacobs brother saith the Lord yet I loved Jacob and hated Esau 2 Chron. 19. 7. There is no accepting of persons with God God is a most free agent and doth all things that he doth according to his own good pleasure he respects not the externall quality of the person nor his condition nation sex riches poverty hatred c. so he loved Jacob revealed himself unto him gave to his posterity the land of Canaan He neglected Esau who was Isaacs eldest son and most beloved of his Father nor was he bound by any laws to do otherwise unto him 525. Mal. 1. 8. If you offer the blind the lame the sick for sacrifice is it not evill Psal 50. 8. I will not reprove thee for thy burnt sacrifices The Prophet speaks of sacrifices the Psalmist of the sacrificers Sacrifices were to be offered unto God without spot or fault not blind or lame but without scars scabs or blisters for Christ of whom they were but types was an Lev. 22. 22 25. oblation most pure and absolute and free from all spots for our sins 526. Mal. 2. 7. The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth Mat. 22. 29. You erre not knowing the Scriptures of God The first place is concerning the office of the Priests who were bound to keep knowledge that the people might seek for knowledge at their mouth and they were to answer the people Lev. 10. 11 that inquired concerning the law The latter is concerning the ignorance of the Priests who fit upon Moses chair contrary to Gods commandement and their own duty which was the cause that the people together with the Priests and the Scribes ran to errour Hitherto we have described the Reconciliations of appearing contrarieties in the Canon of the old Testament for the space of 4000 years from the creation of the world from Adam Noah Abraham and Solomon untill the time that Christ came Now follow those of the new Testament from Christs Nativity to the end of the world RECONCILING Of Places of the NEW-TESTAMENT THe Scripture of the New-Testament is the Word of God written after Christ was revealed by the Apostles and Evangelists in the Greek tongue some few things were written in Hebrew namely St. Matthews Gospel and the Epistle to the Hebrews It is divided Euseb l. 3. c. 26. l. 6. c. 11. 19. Jeron in Catal. Scriptorum into Evangelical and Epistolical books Those are the Evangelical books which contain a part of the glad tidings or the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with the History from his Nativity to his Ascension into Heaven at the thirty fourth year of his age The Gospel of St. MATTHEW IT contains the Genealogy of Jesus Christ his birth education his Prophetical Office in Preaching Miracles his Priestly Office in the oblation of himself for our sins and his Kingly Office in his rising from the dead and the government of his Church 527. Mat. 1. 1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 1. 4. Tit. 3. 9. Avoid foolish and endlesse genealogies The knowledge of Christs genealogie is more profitable that we may know Jesus to be the true Messias promised of the seed of Abraham and David Paul condemns the madnesse of those who tell mens fortunes by their Nativities and such as move unprofitable questions concerning genealogies which the Jews addicted themselves much to neglecting the study of godlinesse those he bids us to avoid as vain and idle and Heathenish fancies 528. Mat. 1. 1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David the son of Abraham Luk. 3. 23 38. Who was the son of Heli Nagge Matthat c. of Adam of God Matthew and Luke differ not Matthew describes the genealogie of Christ by the line of Solomon to Joseph Luke by Nathan another son of David from Josephs Father in law who was called Eli to David and so far as Adam the father of mankind 529. Mat. 1. 6. David the King begat Solomon Luk. 3. 31. Who was the son of Nathan who was the son