own damnation The flesh of Christ in it self giveth life because it is alwayes so also in respect of men because some are faithful which it doth actually give life to others Infidels who are not quickned in Christ the cause whereof is not from Christ but from their own Infidelity and unworthinesse for not discerning the dy and bloud of the Lord they draw on the judgements of God upon themselves 721. Joh. 7. 5. Neither did his brethren believe in him chap. 16. 27. Ye have believed that I came out from God The former place must be understood of his brethren and corporal kindred the latter of the Apostles and his Disciples which were not all kindred to Christ according to the flesh 722. Joh. 7. 7. The world cannot hate you chap. 15. 19. Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you In the first place Christ speaketh to his Brethren and Cousins according to the flesh that did not believe in him living carnally and after the manner of the world in the latter place he speaks of the Apostles who believed in him and were purged from all dregs of Infidelity and he assigns the causes wherefore they and other believers were hated of the world 723. Joh. 7. 8. I goe not not up yet unto this feast vers 10. He went up to the feast He went not openly with his friends that he might be seen but privately by this example of his he hath taught us not to venture our selves rashly amongst our enemies 724. Joh. 7. 16. My Doctrine is not mine but my Fathers who sent me chap. 17. 10. All mine are thine and thine are mine The Doctrine of Christ is said to be his Fathers and his in different respects the Father hath it from himself Christ from his Father also it is said to be the Fathers because he sent his Son for Christ was sent from the Father to publish it 725. Joh. 7. 26. Doe the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ 1 Cor. 2. 8. Had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory The knowledge of Christ is either carnal and historical so the Rulers of the Jews and the Devils knew Christ but this is nothing to salvation or a spiritual knowledge by faith which justifieth believers and which the Jews that crucified Christ had not Here the same thing is said in both places and what in the first place is explained by an Ironical Interrogation in it self negative that in the latter place is done affirmatively 726. Joh. 7. 34 36. Where I am thither ye cannot come chap. 17. 24. Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am Christ in the former place speaks to the Pharisees and carnal men rejecting his grace and he saith to them Where I am ye cannot come that is into heaven In the latter place he speaks of all the faithful which his Father hath given him 727. Joh. 8. 16. I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me chap. 16. 5. Now I goe my way to him that sent me In the first place Christ speaks of the unity of the Divine Nature and the inseparable conjunction of the Person in the latter concerning his Death and Ascension into Heaven to intercede with God the Father for us 728. Joh. 8. 23. Ye are of this world chap. 15. 19. Ye are not of this world To be of the world is to be in darknesse and to lead a wicked life not to be of the world is to acknowledge Christ and to live godly The first place therefore respects the unbelieving Jews and carnal men the latter respects all the faithful the children of God and elected to salvation 729. Joh. 8. 26. I have many things to say and to judge of you chap. 3. 18. He that believeth not is condemned already In the first place the present tense is put for Rom. 14. 10. the future For we must all of us appear before Christs Tribunal that every man may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. 730. Joh. 8. 28. I doe nothing of myself ch 10. 18. I have power c. Christ of himself that is without the Father or against his Fathers authority did nothing 731. Joh. 8. 33. We be Abrahams seed v. 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil There are sons carnal and sons spiritual the carnal Jews were the seed of Abraham in respect of corporal propagation Spiritual are such as are guided by a good or evill spirit sons by a good Spirit are all the faithful who are of the seed of Abraham by faith in Christ who gave to believing Abraham that he should be called the Father of believers Christ saith the Jews were from an evill spirit who did not the works of Abraham but of the Devil in respect of their malice and imitation and he that doth the works of another may be called his son 732. Joh. 8. 35. The servant abideth not in the house for ever 1 Thes 4. 17. We shall ever be with the Lord. In the first place is spoken of a servant of sin in the latter of the faithful who shall be delivered from all bondage being made free by the Son Joh. 8. 36. 733. Joh. 8. 36. Yee shall be free indeed Rom. 7. 23. Paul was a captive under the law of sin The faithful are free from sin in respect of condemnation dominion and perfect liberty which they shall enjoy in the next life they are said to be captive under sin by reason of inherent sin which begets ill desires in them against their wills 734. Joh. 8. 46. Which of you convinceth me of sin chap. 9. 24. We know that this man is a sinner Christ speaks of firm proof that no man could convince him of sin The Jews for despight and calumny said falsely that he was a sinner 735. Joh. 8. 50. I seek not mine own glory vers 12. I am the light of the world Hee meanes glory acquired from his Father not affected glory and he calls himself the Light of the world truly confessing what he is and not by hunting after vain glory 736. Joh. 8. 51. If a man keep my saying he shall never see death Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed unto all men once to dye Christ speaks of spiritual and eternal death the Apostle speaks of corporal and temporal death 737. Joh. 8. 58. Before Abraham was I am Heb. 2. 17. He took upon him the seed of Abraham There are three kind of speeches concerning Christ some things are spoken of him according to his divine Nature so he was before Abraham some things are spoken according to his humane Nature when he is called Abrahams seed or Davids and some things are spoken of both Natures that he is the Mediator between God and Man 1 Tim. 2. 5. 738. Joh. 9. 3.
sacrifices unto God by Jesus Christ God would none of the sacrifices of the Jews which were offered without faith The Apostle speaks of the spirituall sacrifices of Christians as the oblation of our body a contrite heart giving of thanks works of Charity which are acceptable sacrifices to God 331. Psal 40. 9. Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me that I might do thy will O God Mat. 26. 39. Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me yet not as I will but as thou wilt Christ that he might fulfill the will of his Father in redeeming mankind offered himself freely and though in the act he was sorrowfull as men are and would if it had been possible have escaped death without the detriment of mans salvation yet he submitted himselfe to his Fathers will 332. Psal 44. 23. Awake why sleepest thou O Lord rise 121. 4. The keeper of Israel sleepeth not So the godly being grievously afflicted speak after the manner of men not as if God slept or took no care of them but they crave of God that he would shew himself by his works of justice and mercy and would help them 333. Psal 45. 2. Thou art fairer then the children of men Isa 53. 2. There was no comelinesse in him he was despised and we esteemed him not In the first place is spoken of Christs exaltation and the glory of his Kingdome of which Solomon was a type not outwardly in the sight of men but inwardly and spiritually before God and the faithfull people In the latter of Christs humiliation and as carnall men judge of Christ 334. Psal 49. 8. The Brother shall not redeeme his Brother Heb. 2. 12. Christ our Brother offered himselfe for the price of our Redemption Because men could not satisfie the divine law Christ God and Man our Brother and our Saviour by his obedience and suffering fulfilled the whole Law for us his satisfaction is our Redemption for our sins and the sins of 1 Joh. 2. 2. Rom. 20. the whole world and he is the fulfilling of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that believeth 335. Psal 59. 11. Slay them not O Lord. Vers 13. Consume them in thy wrath First he prayes that the enemies of God may be tolerated a while for example to others and led captive in triumph then when others are taught better by their example let them be destroyed That destruction if it may not be understood of their lives yet it may be of their power dignities and wealth that so being brought down they may not be able to hurt the Church or oppose themselves against God 336. Psal 60. 3. O God thou hast cast us off Rom. 11. 1. Hath God cast off his people God forbid David speaks of temporall casting off Paul of eternall 337. Psal 62. 11. God spake once Heb. 1. 1. God spake by divers manners to the Fathers and Prophets God speaks once not by number but by counsell nor doth he deliberate the second time but he speaks divers wayes with a voice or without a voice to men waking or sleeping by himself or by his Angels In the former place the certainty in the latter the manner of divine Revelation is understood 338. Psal 69. 1. Save me O Lord. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Baptism saveth us God is the principall efficient necessary cause of our safety Baptism is the instrumentall cause and not absolutely necessary because many are saved without Baptism for it is not the want of it but the contempt of it that condemns us 339. Psal 69. 23. Let their table be made Mat. 5. 44. a snare unto them Rom. 12. 14. Blesse and curse not We may curse the enemies of God out of pious zeal not out of evill affection Christ bids us pray for our enemies rather then curse them 340. Psal 69. 25. Let their habitation be desolate Act. 1. 20. Peter applies that to Judas That which David speaks in generall of the enemies of Christ that Peter applies to the Captain of them Judas his habitation was desolate and his place amongst the Apostles untill an other took his Bishoprick 341. Psal 74. 12. God is my King of old working salvation in the midst of the earth Phil. 2. 12. Work out your salvation with foar and trembling God from eternity worked our salvation in respect of his decree in the midst of the earth freeing his Church from the beginning and defending it in us he works it when he draws us to him and gives us power to will and to doe that being so justified we may study for holinesse and walke in good works unto the accomplishment of our salvation 342. Psal 72. 8. He shall reign from sea to sea Joh. 18. 36. My Kingdome is not of this world Vers 36. It is not from hence The first place is concerning the power of Christs kingdome he reigns also powerfully amongst his enemies the latter is of the kingdome of grace for with his grace by faith he blesseth godly hearts therefore he saith My kingdome is not of this world yet he denied not but that it was in this world 343. Psal 79. 4. We are made a reproach to our neighbours a scorn and derision to them that are round about us Mat. 5. 10. Happy are they that are persecuted for righteousnesse sake Good men are more affected with scorns and reproaches then with blowes for saith Chrysostome a blow on the body is divided betwixt the body and the soul but a reproach wounds the soul only Yet the godly must valiantly endure injuries for the glory of God and safety of their neighbours but if that accrue not to Gods glory and is hurtfull we are to remit it to God by our just complaint and prayer for revenge on him that doth the injury 344. Psal 79. 6. Poure forth thine anger upon the Nations 1 Cor. 13. 7. Love endures all things The Psalmist asks this not out of a vitious affection and desire of revenge but from a just zeal kindled by the holy Ghost whereby he was inflamed for Gods glory against Blasphemers the incurable enemies of God 345. Psal 81. 13. He gave them over to their own hearts lust Act. 17. 28. In him we live and move and have our being The first place speaks of the ill affection proceeding from mans corrupt nature the latter of the work of God in men and the conservation sustentation and government of all his creatures 346. Psal 82. 6. I said Yee are Gods Joh. 17. 3. This is life eternall to know thee the only true God Jer. 9. 23 24. The Magistrates are called gods not by nature but from the Majesty communicated to them and their judiciary power that so men may be brought to obedience by them God is so by nature the Magistrate by his office hath a grant of part of divine power and being Gods Vice gerent he must do all according to Gods will and not according to his own will 347.
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
25. 32. He shall separate the Sheep from the Goats Joh. 10. 16. And there shall be one sheepfold The first place is concerning the future state of the Church after the day of Judgement that shall be otherwise then it is now for then shall there be a separation made Hypocrites now passe for Sheep then they shall be manifested to be Goats The latter place is of the faithful Eph. 2. 14. c. 5. 23. 1 Cor. 3. 11. who shall be gathered into one sheepfold that is the Church both Jews and Gentiles under one shepherd 620. Mat. 25. 34. Inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Ephes 1. 4. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy Christ by the beginning and foundation of the world understands eternity the Apostle looks to the first Creation for before the foundation of this world were laid God chose us in Christ to salvation 621. Mat. 25. 34. There is a Kingdome prepared for us before the foundation of the world Joh. 14. 3. I goe saith Christ to prepare a place for you There is a place by Gods decree provided for us from eternity according to predestination but not particular designation which is done after Christs ascension but the Devil Death and Hell and Malediction did not suffer us to come thither untill Christ had destroyed those impediments and by his death vanquished the Devil Death and Hell blotted out our sins and by rising again had restored life to us by his Ascension had opened heaven to us and going thither before us confirmed it that we should follow him thither 622. Mat. 26. 2. Ye know that after two days is the Feast of the Passeover v. 6. Jesus was in Bethany six days before the Passeover The Evangelist began to speak of what was done two dayes before the Passeover but repeating the matter higher he relates somethings were done in Bethany six days before the Passeover because the History of Judas the Traytor required that Therefore here is an Hysterosis 623. Mat. 26. 7. A woman poured Oyntment on our Saviours head Joh. 12. 3. Mary took a pound of Oyntment of Spikenard very costly and anoynted the feet of Jesus Some hold that these are different Histories yet it might be that when a greater quantity of oyntment was poured forth that his feet were anoynted also at the same time 624. Mat. 26. 8. The Disciples saw it and had indignation Joh. 12. 4. Then saith one of his Disciples Judas Iscariot The Evangelists usually ascribe to many the fact of one it their consent went along with him So the murmuring which Judas began is imputed to the rest who held their peace 625. Mat. 26. 11. You have the poor alwayes with you but me you have not alwayes c. 28. 20. And loe I am with you alwayes even unto the end of the world In the first place Christ speaks of his corporal presence and natural conversation with his Disciples in the state of humiliation that he should not be so alwayes with them In the latter of the assistance by his Person and his help that should be effectual in their Apostolical duty though it be difficult yet Christ would be present with them by a singular vertue of his Spirit dwelling in them The accomplishment of this promise was manifest in the Apostles and in all the faithful by the operation of the Spirit in us and shall be so to the end of the world 626. Mat. 26. 26. This is my Body c. 24. 23. If any man shall say unto you Loe here is Christ or there believe him not In the first place Christ asserts his presence in the sacred Supper In the latter he foretels that false Prophets should come and exhorts us that we should beware of those false Impostors and should not look for salvation in places times or persons contrary to Gods Word but only in Christ Jesus our Lord. 627. Mat. 26. 26. This is my Body Joh. 6. 63. The flesh profiteth nothing Christ in the first place understands his body that was given to dye for us In the latter flesh but not his own in special but in general the natural use of any meat whatsoever Not as the Capernaites dream that they should so eat his flesh who would eat him with their teeth but not with their heart 628. Mat. 26. 29. I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the Vine He puts these words after the Institution Luk. 22. 18. He puts those words before the Institution Christ once delivered the Sacramental cup to C. 3. de conv Evang his Disciples saith Augustine but Luke hath not made his Narration in a continued History nor alwayes observed the order of time so that here is an Hysterosis again 629. Mat. 26. 29. I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the Vine untill that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdome Act. 10. 41. We eat and drank with him after he rose from the dead Christ said he would not drink with his Apostles in his mortal body but after the Resurrection having put off the infirmity of his body he after conversed with his Disciples and eat and drank with them he cals it new because he is made immortal of mortal and the Devil and Death being destroyed he had opened a spiritual Kingdome 630. Mat. 26. 34. This night before the Cock crow thou shalt deny me thrice Mar. 14. 30. Before the Cock crow twice thou shalt deny me thrice Matthew briefly and in general without relating the circumstances but Mark relates the matter with more and more particular words 631. Mat. 26. 52. All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword Luk. 22. 36. He that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one A sword is taken properly in the first place for Christ will not that private men should use the sword for revenge and to resist evill but should overcome evill with goodnesse In the latter place a sword is taken metaphorically for the Word of God with which we must fight against Satan and our spiritual enemies and Rom. 12. therefore we must be armed with it 632. Mat. 27. 4. Iudas saith I have sinned betraying the innocent bloud Act. 1. 18. Falling headlong he burst asunder in the midst and all his bowels gushed out The confession of Iudas and the testimony he gave of Christs innocency was not with true repentance but only sorrow by the sense of his sin which led him not to conversion but to hand himself 633. Mat. 27. 32. They compelled Simon of Cyrenea to bear his Crosse Joh. 19. 17. Christ bearing his Crosse went forth into a place called the place of a skull At first going forth Christ himself carryed the Crosse and when he was grown too feeble in body the souldiers compelled Simon whom they met on the way to carry the Crosse 634. Mat. 27 44. The Theeves also who