A SVMMARY OF THE BIBLE: VVherein the generall heads of the seuerall Bookes thereof are so methodically set downe, as may be a helpe to the vnskilfull Reader. By Robert Bruen, Minister of Gods Word.
LONDON, Printed by G. P. for John Budge, and are to be sold at his shop, at the Greene Dragon in Pauls Church-yard. 1623.
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, and most vertuous Lady, the Lady Lucy Countesse of Bedford.
RIght Honorable: At what time the Tabernacle, an outward representation of GODS presence among his ancient people of Israel, was erected in the wildernes, [Page] euery hand was busied and heart addicted toward it. And so great was the zeale of the people of that time therein that Moses was moued to bid them forbeare to bring any more offerings ere they would desist. As was then the Tabernacle, so is the Word of God vnto vs now. Happines or misery befalleth either where it is planted or wanting. And therefore euery one of an ability should be ymployed one way or other to promote the welfare thereof, either by learned expositions [Page] of the more difficult and mystical parts, or in familiar manner setting downe, for the capacity of the weaker sort, such things therein as concerne faith and good life; or by painfull and powerfull preaching so carue the Word, as euery soule that commeth with hungry and prepared affections, may haue it portion. And happy he that either so teaching it, or taught by it, is found walking in the light and rule thereof; and shall be sure to heare Christ pronounce vnto him in the [Page] great day of Retribution, Well done, good seruant and faithfull. And therefore although the argument of this little booke (great for the matter) had deserued a farre better and more skilfull Pen-man thenmy selfe: Yet as one who desireth the general benefit of all, and vnwilling that any vacuum should be in that remainder of time which God shall giue; I haue endeauoured (though in much weakenesse) to set downe the briefe of such things, as are at large scattered and diffused [Page] through-out the body of the sacred Scriptures. A worke which (if effectually and elaborately performed) would bee worthy the view and reuiew of all such as desired to reade the SCRIPTVRE with profit, and would profit by reading. And because when wee haue done the best wee can, yet detraction will follow the penne, euen as the Crowes doe the sower, or the Fowles that fell vpon Abrahams sacrifice; in which regard, as there is need of Patronage to shelter writing [Page] from Calumny: So for my owne part, I haue humbly submitted these my poore and weake endeuors, vnder the wings of your Ladiships Honorable protection, partly out of my opinion, That the fruits of the Gospell should first bee offered to such (your Ladiship a principall one) as are the Patrons or patronesses of the Gospell. And secondly, in lieu of my true and vnfained affection, and in remembrance of that Honorable Saint now with GOD, in her life time the subiect of [Page] many excellencies, and patterne of true Nobility, namely, your Lady mother: By whose bountie I haue fared the better: So not knowing whither to direct my thoughts better, then by way of thankfulnesse, I haue reflected them vpon your Ladiship, as the proper obiect, and heire of her possessions & vertues. If your Ladiship shall please to accept these my small endeuors in good worth, I haue my desire, and shall dayly pray the Lord to establish your Noble heart [Page] more and more in the truth of that profession, which maketh you gracious with God, and those that truely loue & feare him. From my house at West Markham, the fift of May.
To the Christian READER.
COurteous Reader, thou hast here in a narrow roome set before thee some helpes (as I conceiue) for thy better and more easie vnderstanding in some poynts, the Contents of the sacred Bible. It is the Booke of bookes, and so sweete to all that conceiue the mysterie [Page] of godlines, that Saint Iohn is said to eate it. And Dauid a King, to prize it aboue al riches, and to spend the day and night in the meditation of it. And S. Paul professeth himselfe to estimate it, and the fulfilling of his course therein aboue his life. Here is the wel from whence the waters of life doe plenteously flow: which who so drinketh shal neuer be more athirst. Here he that is spiritually sicke, may be recouered, according to the power of God that worketh thereby: here the simple may haue vnderstanding aboue the learned [Page] Scribe, & such as by a singular proprietie, may make him wise vnto saluation. The treasure thē being discouered and knowne wherein to consist, the next thing worthy of our search, should bee how to attaine it; to which we should endeuour, as we do in matters of farre lesse importance. The Carpēter hath his Rule, the Phisitian his preparatiues. In Arts there are bookes directiue for the attainment of them. And therefore as we commonly lanch forth into the main Ocean, beginning at the Riuers that run therunto: And Children are [Page] led by the hand, before they get the vse of their feete: Euen so, although the Spirit of God, by which the Scriptures were written, be the inward and Master-teacher, yet as oftentimes we take the benefit of the staffe to walke with, to helpe the body; so is it in the study of good things, Method being as the mindes-waggoner, and that order best, when by generall heads (as markes in the way) we may bee kept the better from erring. Which thing is the ayme of this small ensuing tract, wherein the Reader may see in a [Page] generall manner, what euery seuerall Booke of the sacred Scripture principally intendeth, set downe in methodical manner, for the more easie vnderstanding and better retaining of the same in the Readers memory.
And although all Scripture be giuen by inspiration from God, and euery part of it be of vse for the heauenly building: yet as some roomes are of different sort in the materiall edifice, so is it in the sacred Story, wherein some parcels are recommended vnto vs, not onely as excellent in [Page] themselues; but as seruiceable, and keyes to vnlocke other places of Scriptures, and make them more familiar to the godly disposed Reader. Such as are the Bookes of MOSES, to all those that come after; the Bookes of Samuel, to the Psalmes of DAVID; those of the Kings, to the Prophets: The Acts of the Apostles, to their Epistles. And according to this direction I haue been purposely more prolix and large in setting downe some things in all or most of the forenamed Bookes. As concerning the particuler [Page] parts of euery Chapter, (although in some places I haue not been wanting that way) because the same in sundry learned Commentaries of some, & abbreuiations of others is set down, I haue forborne to labour therein. If thou hast better helpes in this kind, in the feare of GOD vse them to the improuement of sauing knowledge. If these of mine may any thing auaile thee, here thou hast them before thee: And the Lord blesse them vnto thee, and thee vnto himselfe.
A SVMMARY of the BIBLE.
ALTHOVGH GOD, who is goodnesse and fulnesse it selfe, needed not to create any thing, yet hath vouchsafed to make man, and out of the masse of mankind [Page 2] reserued a peculiar people vnto himselfe, called the Church.
The Church is but one, though consisting of many members, and in diuers times and places of the world produced and made visible, euen as the water running thorow many Countries, is but one Sea in respect of the Element, but hath diuers appellations according to the places it passeth by.
The Church of God is considerable according to the institution and ordering thereof, and operation [Page 3] of it so ordered.
The Institution of the Church consisteth in it framing and inspiring.
In respect of the frame, it is called a Body; Ephes. 4. 4. of which Christ is the head, and the Word the immortal seed wherby it is begotten.
The inspiring of it, is by the Spirit which createth the instrument of faith, and knitteth the beleeuer inseparably to Christ.
The operation of it appeareth in seuerall instances shewed heereafter in the Children of the [Page 4] Church in the seuerall ages of the world.
The Ages of the world are in number eight, in the account of some.
The first Age. The first age is reckoned from Adam to Noah, containing yeeres, 1656. and the History thereof is set down from the first Chapter of Genesis to the seuenth, wherein are to be considered of persons and actions by them performed.
The persons are considered generally or particularly.
Of the first, are all the Patriarkes or chiefe Fathers [Page 5] that were before the Flood, as Adam, Sheth, Enosh, Kenan, Mehalaleel, Iered, Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech, & Noah.
The persons among these of especiall note for the building of the Church of God were:
1 Adam, as the roote of the Church.
2 Habel, the first figure of the Church, Genesis 4.
3 Sheth, the third son of Adam, the second person for building of the Church in Abels roome.
4. Henoch, the first figure [Page 6] of the Church taken vp body and soule into heauen, the sonne of Iared, chap. 5. 18. and not of Cain, chap. 4. 17.
5 Noah, the second figure of the Church preserued in the Arke.
So that although Religion decayed in the dayes of Enosh, yet God would not haue his Church vtterly ruined: without which the world would not stand; and therefore Christ descended as well of the Fathers before the flood, as of those that came after.
The persons thus named, [Page 7] the Religious actions or operations doe follow by them performed; shewed, 1. in their Inuocation of GODS Name, Chap. 4. 26. Secondly, by sacrificing vnto GOD, which is knowne to bee a Religious act, Rom. 2. 15. and by Gods acceptation of the thing done, Gen. 8. Verse 20.
The 2. Age. The Second Age followeth from Noah to Abraham, containing y. 363. & 10. d. in the Patriarches after the Flood, which were, Shē, [Page 8] Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah & Abraham: set downe from the 6. of Genesis, to the 12. Chapter.
CONCERNING these persons, little is obserued of great note, saue of Sem, the second sonne of Noah, in whose Line the true Church remained, and Abraham, but rather, of the sinnes of those times, and punishments accordingly.
The sinnes by them committed, were either before the Flood, as of [Page 9] Crueltie and prophane marriages, Chap. 6. for which God brought the Deluge, Chap. 7. or after the Flood.
The sinnes most noted after the Flood, were of Noah sinning of infirmitie, and of Cham, his yongest sonne mocking his Father, Chap. 9. so that as before the Flood, Cains posteritie was called by name, The Sonnes of men, sauouring more of them then of God; so after the Flood, Cham, of Cain, was the first Author of Irreligion.
The punishment of [Page 10] Cham, is noted in a wicked Seede, and malignant Church, which should afterward molest the people of God, Cha. 10. verse 6. to 21. and the effects that succeeded in the world; namely, affectation of Monarchie, Chap. 10. and confusion of Languages, Chap. 11. verse 7, 8, 9.
Languages are considered, either in the vse or abuse of them.
Their vse, by obseruing what they were at first; the abuse, as they became afterwards.
The World at first was [Page 11] all of one Language, but afterwards was diuided into many; some thinke, 72. but the Hebrew was preserued in the Familie of Heber the sonne of Shelah, Chap. 11. 14. of whom came the Hebrewes.
The vse of Languages aright considered, is either in respect of the Teacher or Learner.
The Teacher best instructeth by his knowledge of the Tongues, in which the 2. Testaments were written, the old in Hebrew, the new in Greek the Mother-tongue, [Page 12] to a great part of the world, spred ouer the same by Alexanders Conquest: which blessing befell in Iaphets posteritie, for couering his Fathers nakednesse.
The Learner is best taught in the language hee best vnderstandeth, 1. Cor. 14. So that the gifts of tongues are now necessary to deale with all persons in their owne languages, holding in the diuersity of tongues the vnity of faith. And that as many were diuided by the multiplying of tongues, so now by the [Page 13] gift thereof many by Christ are vnited into one body.
The abuse of languages followeth, and that principally by the Romanists, in a twofold regard.
1 In that of long time they were carelesse of any translation, teaching that ignorance was the mother of deuotion.
2. When they were ashamed of that position they dimmed the Word with a barbarous translation of the Latine; which vulgar translation was made so authenticall by [Page 14] the Councell of Trent, that none might presume to reiect it. Whereas there was no Latine Seruice in England, within the first 600. yeeres after CHRIST.
The 3. Age. The third Age followeth, containing yeeres 430. from the departure of Abraham from Vr in Caldea, vnto the departure of Israel from Aegypt, set downe, Gen. 11. to 14. of Exodus.
HEre wee are to intreat of the famous [Page 15] Patriarches to whom GOD made promises; and these persons are either generally, or more particularly to bee considered.
1 Of Abraham, the Father of the faithull, to whom the promise was first made, from the 11. Chapter of Genesis to the 25. Chapter.
2 Of Isaac, in whom the promise was made, Chapter 25. to 28. saue of his age, and death, noted Chapter 35. vers. 28, 29.
Thirdly, Of Iacob, of whose seede consisted [Page 16] the greatest visibility of the Church both for multitude and potencie of Iewes, & Gentiles conuerted to the faith that came of him: the history of him from his birth to the history of Ioseph, from Chapter 25. to 37.
4 Of Ioseph, from chapter 37. to 49. and from thence to the end of the booke, of Iacobs Prophecie.
The particular consideration of these followeth.
1 Of Abraham and of Gods proceeding towards him, and that by [Page 17] obseruing both the promises made to him of God, the time when, and the confirmation of the things promised.
The promises were concerning persons and possessions.
1 Of a blessed seede in Isaack by Sarah, of whom came al the faithfull Iewes and Gentiles, Rom. 4. 6. or of outward greatnes, and multitude in the posterity of Ismael of Hagar an Egyptian Woman, Chapter 25. vers. 12. to 19. and likewise of his posterity by Keturah, of whom came [Page 18] the Midianites, and the Persian Magi, &c.
2 The time that these promises were made vnto him. 1. either iust before that Lot and hee were seuered, Chapter 12. Secondly, but principally after their separation, Chapter 13. vers. 14, 15. That neither Lot nor his posterity should make claime to any of the promises, which God had made in peculiar to Abraham.
3 The possession promised, was Canaā, which was assured to Abraham, Chapter 12. 7. and 17. [Page 19] 4, 8. And to Isaak, chap. 26. 4. and to Iacob, and his seede, Chap. 28. 13.
The confirmation followeth of the things promised, and that first, by exchange of Name from Abram a man worldly eminent, to Abraham a Father of multitudes, yea, of all beleeuers. Secondly, by Couenant of Circumcision; wherein the distinction of Iewes and Gentiles began. Thirdly, by visible signe of a heifer diuided, Chapter 15.
Concerning Isaak, we Isaac. are to obserue somewhat [Page 20] touching the breuitie vsed by Moses in penning the history, and of the history it selfe.
The breuity thereof in a twofold respect; 1. because the visibility of the Church was most in Iacob. Secondly, Iacob had more troubles then his Father, and therefore had need to be more large in setting them downe.
The history it selfe, in respect of his troubles or infirmities: his troubles either personall, as to be scoffed by Ismael, Chap. 21. to bee sacrificed in Mount Moriah, Chap. [Page 21] 22. to bee childlesse 20. yeeres after he was married, Chap. 25. To soiourne into Gerar, thorough famine, and there his life to be indangered through his wife, Chap. 26. 2. reall, as to haue his wels stopped.
2 His infirmities, first to lye to saue his life; Chap. 26. Secondly his desire to blesse Esau whō the LORD would not choose, and who would haue sold it as he did his birth-right, or haue contemned it, and so haue brought a curse vpon the world; in which regard, [Page 22] it was a speciall prouidence of God that Isaac wanted the sence of seeing, Chap. 27.
In Iacob, the Church Iacob. is cleerly represented, either in the visibility of it, or in the troubles that befall it.
The visibilitie of the Church set foorth in Iacob, is in the exchange of his name, and number of his troubles.
His name was changed from Iacob his naturall name, as Father of a familie, to Israel, which was giuen him by grace, Chap. 32. 28. and 35. 10. [Page 23] Secondly, his Children were eitherby his wiues, or his wiues seruants.
His wiues were Leah, and Rachel.
By Leah he had Ruben, Simeon, Leui, Iudah, Chap. 29. Issachar, Zebulon, and Dinah, Chapter 30.
By Rachel he had Ioseph, Chap. 30. and Beniamin, Chap. 35.
By Billah Rachels maid he had Dan, Chapter 30. vers. 6. and Napthalie, vers. 8.
By Zilpah Leahs maid he had Gad, vers. 11. and Asher, vers. 13. And [Page 24] of these came the twelue Tribes which were,
So that of Iacobs Sons of whom were the Tribes, some were excepted, and others inserted. The persons excepted, were either in this place, namely, Leui, and Ioseph; Leui for his crueltie, and Ioseph for his double portion: and the persons inserted in [Page 25] their roome, were Ephraim and Manasses. Secondly, or in other places of Scripture, and so Simeon is left out by Moses in numbring the Tribes, Deut. 33. because hee was without repentance; and Dan by Saint Iohn, Reuel. 7. 7. because that Tribe caused the first Idolatry when the Children of Israel came into the land of Canaan, Iudg. 18. 30. Whence also wee may conclude the Booke of Iudith Apocrypha, because she is said to come of that Tribe, which in Iacobs [Page 26] Will hath a curse: and yet Leui is inserted in the Reuelation, because that of Israel, in relation to CHRIST, were made Priests vnto God.
The representation of the Churches troubles in Iacob doth follow.
The troubles of Iacob were in his Iourneyes:
1 Into Mesopotamia to serue his vnkle Laban, where he had his wiues, Chap. 29. and his riches, Chap. 30.
2 Into Canaan, where he was troubled with his brother Esau, Chap. 32. and 33. and in his owne [Page 27] children during his life, Chapters 37, 38, 42.
3 Into Egypt, where of the troubles befalling his posterity after his death, with the cause thereof, namely, the selling of Ioseph to the Ismaelites, Chap. 37. 28.
In Ioseph, consider his Joseph. occultation in Egipt, and manifestation.
His occultation, for the space of 22. yeeres before hee was made knowne.
His manifestation, either in respect of Iacob, or of God.
Of Iacob, his necessity [Page 28] vrging him to send into Egypt twice to buy corn, Chap. 42. 2. and 43. 2.
Of God, the declaration of his prouidence to prouide for Iacob and his familie, Chapter 45. 7, 8. and for discouery of their sin against their brother, Chap. 42. 21, 22. And lastly, to manifest Ioseph a liuely type of Christ, sold of his Brethren, and afterwards aduanced: and setteth foorth the estate of the Church in it depression in this world by affliction, and exaltation by glory, sometime in this [Page 29] life, but most assuredly in the Life to come.
EXODVS.
Hitherto of the Church in the dayes of the Patriarkes: now of it, they being dead, and she left in Egipt, the house of Bōdage.
WHere we haue to consider of their inlargement, and the meanes thereof.
1 Their inlargement noted in the different number of the Israelites at their going out into Egypt, namely, but 70. and at their going forth, sixe hundred thousand, beside Children, Exod. 12. 37.
Secondly, the meanes, & manner of their comming out, are personally and instrumentally to be considered.
The persons or Commissioners for that office principally appointed, were two brethren, Moses (the Pen-man of these 5. Bookes) and [Page 31] Aaron the sons of two Leuites, Amram, and Iochabed, Chap. 2. and 6. Their commission was to let Pharaoh know what God would haue him doe, namely, to let his people goe out of Egypt, with their substance two dayes iourney into the wildernesse to serue him, Chapters 3. and 8. or what to suffer for not doing it.
The instrument or signe that was appointed for the effecting of Gods iudgement herein, was by a rod, sometime in the hand of Moses, otherwhile [Page 32] in the hand of Aaron, Chapter 7. vers. 9, 10, 19, 20. and 10. vers. 3, 13, 21, 22. and 8. 5, 16. but principally in Aarons hand, being the minister of the iudgement.
The Commission being shewed, the effects and issue doe follow, and they are either partiall or finall.
1 Partiall, of the waters turned into blood, Chap. 7. 22. Pharaoh promised to let them goe at the second plague of the frogges, Chap. 8. 22. promised absolutely at the thunder and haile, [Page 33] Chap. 9. 28. at the grashoppers confesseth his sinne, Chap. 10. vers. 16, 17. At the darknesse all should goe but sheepe & cattell, verse 24. at the tenth plague, to wit, the death of the first borne all must goe, and were thrust out, Chap. 12. 31, 32, 33.
2 The totall & finall iudgement followeth, where consider, the actions of the Egyptians that parted with their Iewels, Chap. 11. of God, who in iustice ouerthrewe them in the Sea, Chap. 14. Of the Israelites in [Page 34] their thanksgiuing for their deliuerance, Chapter 15.
The fourth Age followeth.
Hitherto of the Church in Egypt: now of it in the The 4. Age. Wildernesse, and of the fourth Age, from the departure of the Children of Israel foorth of Egypt, till the first building of the Temple, containing yeeres 480. The History whereof is from this place, to the latter end of the first booke of the Kings.
IN the narration of the people of Israel in the wildernesse, their nourishment there, and nurture is to be considered, in respect of their bodies and soules.
For their bodies, God in miraculous manner prouided Manna for their bread, Quailes for their meate, Chap. 16. & water by striking a rock, Chap. 17.
1 Their nurture by the benefite of good Lawes; and they either Morall & eternal, which God pronounced with his owne mouth, giuen [Page 36] the 50th. day after their going out of Egypt, written first in the hearts of our first Parents, afterwards in stone, Chap. 20. seruing to explaine the law of nature.
2 Ceremoniall, Chapters 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. for the outward seruice of GOD, peculiar to that people: all which rites had respect to the heart and mind, whereby God would be worshipped, Esay 58. Deut. 10. 12. and they ended in Christ. 3. Iudiciallr, especting ciuill gouernment, Chapters, 21, [Page 37] 22, 23, to vphold a right performance of the two former, by inflicting punishments on the transgressors: and both the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall lawes were written by Moses.
Hitherto concerning the Lawes: now followeth to shew what MOSES was commaunded to make.
THE things so commanded, were nine: The Tabernacle, Arke, Mercy-seate, Table of shew-bread, Candlestick, [Page 38] Chapters 25. 27. Altar of burnt-offering. Chap. 27. 1. Altar for perfume, Chap. 30. 1. Brazen Lauer, Chap. 38. and the Priests garments, Chapter 39.
1 The Tabernacle or Tents were certaine moueable Habitations, appointed by GOD in the wildernesse; That as great persons haue faire houses for their reputation; so God the Tabernacle for his worship, whither his people must resort to him, Leuit. 17. 4, 5. Deut. 12. 5, 6.
In this, the matter, mistery, [Page 39] and approbation of it, erected, is considerable.
The matter was of such things as the people had & freely offered. 2. The mystery was to represent Gods presence among his people, and couenant to them made, Act. 7. 44. in vse till the Temple was erected, and then it was set there with the Arke and holy vessels, 1. King. 8. 6. Secondly to set forth the Church militant, and the flitting estate thereof, Psal. 15. 1. as the Temple did the Church tryumphant. [Page 40] Thirdly, the approbation of it, and that was by God, after it was erected, and all things performed according as was commanded, Chap. 40.
2 The Arke was the principall part of the Tabernacle, which was in the most holy place of al wherein were put the Tables of stone; and a certaine place for the Israelites where to offer their sacrifices: for although they might offer, 1. before the Arke seuered from the Tabernacle 1. Sam. 6. 15, 17. 2. or [Page 41] before the Tabernacle when the Ark was away, Leuit. 17. 3. and extraordinarily in other places by Diuine dispensation, as did Samuel, 1. Sam. 7. 9. and Dauid, 2. Sam. 24. 25. and Elias, 1. King. 18. yet principally they sacrificed when the Tabernacle & Arke were both together.
3 Mercy-seate, as Gods place of audience, from which the Lord spake vnto Moses, Numb. 7. 89.
4 Table of Shrew bread, which for the matter was of Shittim, and durable [Page 42] wood, couered ouer with pure gold, whereon was set face bread before the Lord continually, whereof the Priests onely might eate.
5 Candlesticke, which was set in the holy place of the Sanctuary, whose lampes were dayly dressed, and oyle supplyed by Aaron, or by his sonnes the Priests at his appointment.
6 Altar of burnt-offring, which was but one made of brasse, and set in the Court of the Sanctuary onely, hauing a brazen grate; whereon the [Page 43] fire was put for sacrifice.
7 Altar for perfume, of Shittim wood ouerlayd with gold, whereupon onely the incense was to be offred, which was made of diuers spices beaten, and afterwards offered vp by the Priest in the holy place.
8 Brazen Lauer, which was for the priests to wash their hands and feete when they ministred before the Lord, and entred into the holy place, in their cleane garments.
9 The Priests garments, both for Aaron [Page 44] and his sons, Chap. 39. Aarons most remarkable garments were the Ephod, Exod. 28. 12, 21. The brest-plate of iudgment, vers. 15, 22. Vrim and Thummim, vers. 30. and a plate on his forehead, wherein was engrauen, Holinesse to the Lord, vers. 36.
LEVITICVS.
THE manner of performing religious seruice followeth, wherein of the [Page 45] Commander, or things commanded.
1 The Commander is God, who in this book commādeth such things as were done in the first moneth of the second yeere after their comming foorth of Egypt, at Mount Sinai.
2 The Commandement is touching actions and actors.
Actions are such sacrifices as were appointed by the Lord to Moses, wherein the seuerall sorts, matter and mystery of them is seuerally to be considered.
The sorts of sacrifices were either,
1 Burnt offrings, cha. 1. so called, because all was offered and consumed therein by fire that came from God; the skin onely was the Priests.
2 Meate offerings, Chap. 2. for acknowledgement that they did hold their meat and food of God: and because part therof went as meat vnto the Priest who offered it.
3 Peace offerings, Chap. 3. whereof one part was burnt, the other was the Priests, and the [Page 47] third part the offerers, & this was also called the sacrifice of prayse, or free-will offering for the obtainment of any blessing, Chap. 7.
4 Sin-offering, Chap. 4. for Ignorance, whether in the Priest, Congregation, Prince, or priuate person, with the seuerall oblations for each.
5. Trespasse offering, Chap. 5. for things done amisse, and afterward knowne and acknowledged.
The matter of the Sacrifices followeth.
- 1 Of things hauing life, Chap. 1.
- 2 Of things without life, Chap. 2.
The mystery of these Sacrifices.
1 To note our pollution, and that wee like beasts had deserued to dye. 2. To assure vs of the remission of our sins in Christs death, the variety of Sacrifices, shewing the aboundance of grace redounding vnto vs by the Sacrifice of Christ.
The persons sacrificing doe follow, and they were either publike or [Page 49] priuate. Publike, Chapters 8, 9, 10. Priuate, from the 11. to the end.
1 Publike and extraordinary, and so was only Aaron the high Priest.
2 Ordinary, and so all the Priests of the Tribe of Leui, whereof there were great numbers in the Iewish Church, 1. Chron. 23. 3. and the continuance vnder the Law, to the cleere manifestation of Christ vnder the Gospell. And as the High Priest typified Christ himselfe, so the other, the Pastors of the Christian Church, and Christians.
The manner of sacrificing followeth, either in speciall relation to the Priests alone, or in common obseruation of some things belonging both to the Priests and people together.
1 The duties belonging to the Priest, are particularly expressed, chapters 8. 9. and the manifestation of Gods blessing, & approuall of that which was done by thē, according to his commandement, Chap. 9. vers. 23, 24. and Chap. 26. Secondly, his iudgements executed vpon the [Page 51] transgressors, Nadab and Abihu, Chap. 10. and Chap. 26.
2 That which belonged to the Priest & people, were sanctification, and this either Ceremoniall or morall.
Ceremoniall, of priuate and particular persons, in the vse of some meats, & abstinence frō other, and likewise from some persons.
1 Of meats, Chap. 11. All were accounted cleane, from the fall to Moses time, but then certaine of them were pronounced vncleane: not [Page 52] that these things were faulty in themselues, being in that estate wherin God created them, who made thē all very good; but were appointed by Moses Law to distinguish the Iew and the Gentile, and forbiddeth grosse behauiours in men that oftentimes become sensuall like beasts.
2 Personall pollution, in regard whereof Ceremoniall sanctification was necessary. 1. Touching women in Childbearing, Chap. 12. Secondly, Leprous persons or houses, Chapters 13, [Page 53] 14. Thirdly, or by flux, Chap. 15.
Common sanctification followeth, which was both in respect of the Priest and people, Chapters 16, 17. where, of annuall rites concerning Aarons comming into the Sanctuary, his oblation, ornament, and time of purification for sinne.
Morall Sanctification followeth, and that either personall or reall.
1. Concerning our selues, Chap. 18. for marriage, which ought not to be in persons neer vnto vs in blood; nor [Page 54] with women in their disease.
2 Respecting God & our neighbours in negatiue precepts, Chapters 19, 20.
3 Speciall institution concerning the Priests, Chap. 21.
Reall;
Of abuse in eating and offering.
And concerning times of certaine festiuities euery yeer, & these either partly in their vnsettled estate in the wildernesse, Chap. 23. or after that they were stated in Canaan, euery seuenth yeer, [Page 55] and euery fiftieth yeere, Chap. 25.
Voluntary, concerning vowes, Chap. 27. and Numb. 30. but with this difference, that in this booke they are set downe, onely as they were to bee performed: but in Numbers, as they were to bee performed or redeemed.
The obsignation of all, by a diuers effect. 1. of blessednesse in a right performāce of the things commanded; or 2. of cursing, in the contrary, Chap. 26.
NVMBERS
THE Booke of Numbers hath it name of numbring, and either of persons or places that were numbred, by Moses and Aaron, and the Princes of the Tribes. The History contayneth Acts done, and Lawes made from the beginning of the second moneth after their going forth of Egypt, to the beginning of the 11. moneth of the fortieth yeere.
Concerning persons [Page 57] that were numbred, they are considered generally or specially.
The totall of all the people that came into Canaan, were six hundred and three thousand fiue hundred & fiftie, Chap. 1. 46. Leui exempted, vers. 47.
2 Persons in speciall are diuersly ranked and disposed.
Ciuill, as the chiefe of the seuerall Tribes, Cha. 2. and 7. and the Priests and Leuites who were numbred onely once, Chap. 3.
The disposing of these [Page 58] and the rest was by order Ciuill, sutable to warre, or sacred.
According to the former, the people marched according to their Tribes euery one vnder their chiefe Captaine, Chapters, 2. 10. The Priests office was to beare the Arke, when it remoued, on their shoulders, and to blowe the Trumpets, Chap. 10. The Leuites were to serue the Priests in the Tabernacle, but not to come neere the Sanctuary. 2. to helpe to carry the Tabernacle, when it was [Page 59] to be borne.
In their march, note the places from whence they went, the places whither, the manner how, and the effects.
The place where they were first numbred was at Mount Sinai in the wildernesse, Chap. 1. The second time at the time at the plaine of Moab, Chap. 26.
2 The number of their iourneyes or places of their remooue were 42. particularly layd downe, Chap 33.
3. The manner, or direction was by a cloud, [Page 60] Chap. 10. 34. and a set forme of prayer vsed by Moses, as they went or rested, vers. 35, 36.
4 The successe (as of all warre) was diuers, good or euill, so that although they might haue come into Canaan within a few dayes, in regard of distance of places, yet were they many yeeres in performing it, & that
1 In respect of Gods prouidence, that would thereby exercise and try them.
2 In regard of opposition made against them;
1 By others.
1 As Edom, Chap. 20. 14. and Sehon King of the Amorites, that denyed Israel passage. And by Arad King of Canaan, and Og King of Bashan, Chap. 21.
2 By Magicke Art, and subornation of Balack to haue Balaam curse Israel, Chapters 22, 23, 24.
2 By their owne sins, as of Murmuring.
1 For the tediousnesse of the way in the wildernes of Paran, hauing trauelled 3. dayes, for which fire came out against them, Chap. 11. 1.
2 For want of flesh at [Page 62] Kibroth-Hattauah; for which the plague came among them, Chap. 11. vers. 33.
3 At Hazaroth, Aaron and Miriam murmur against Moses, for which she became Leprous, ch. 12. 10.
4 At Rithma in Paran the spies were sent forth, Chap. 13. and their desperation, murmuring & impatience is punished, in that the Elders dyed in the wildernesse, their posterity wandered along time therein; and the spies were sodainely consumed, Chap. 14.
5 The earth opened and swallowed vp Corah and his Complices that rebelled against Moses and Aaron, and all their goods, Chap. 16. 31, 32.
6 And the people that would not acknowledge Moses the Lords Magistrate, and Aaron his Priest, were punished with death, to the number of foureteene thousand and seuen hundred, vers. 49.
7 At Kadesh, Moses, Aaron and the people murmur for want of water, for which they are denyed entrance into the [Page 64] land of Canaan, Ch. 20.
8 For murmuring through tediousnesse of the way from mount Hor to Punon in Zalmona, they were stung with fiery Serpents, Chap. 21.
Hitherto of their Murmuring, and the punishment thereof. 2. Of their Idolatry and Fornication at the plaine of Moab; where, of the manner & punishment, accordingly.
First, the manner by the wicked Counsell of Balaam, giuen, Chap. 24. 14. and embraced, Cha. 25.
2 The punishment following thereupon, was executed vpō the actors and authors, both of Israel and their enemies.
1 Of Israel for this sin, there dyed of the plague 2400. and all the heads of the people hanged vp, and Zimri thrust thorow, Chap. 25.
2. Of Midian was slaine Cozbi, Chap. 25. and Balak, and the fiue Kings of Midian. Balaam was controlled by his Asse, and afterwards slaine; and so likewise were al the males of Midian, and the women [Page 66] who had lyen by man, Chap. 31. Insomuch that of all them who were numbred at Mount Sinai, not any came into Canaan, but Caleb & Ioshua, Chap. 26. 64.
Hitherto of the ill successe that Israel had; that which fell out more prosperously after that God was appeased by the zeale of Phineas, followeth; wherein we haue to note, touching persons and possessions.
1 Persons were either such as deuided Canaan; or those to whom the diuision was made.
The deuiders were Eleazur, [Page 67] Ioshua, and one select person out of the seuerall Tribes, Chap. 34. whose charge it was to see, that no more were deuided then was right, nor any left out which appertained to them.
They whom this diuision concerned.
1 None but such as could deriue their discēt from Iacob.
2 Of Ciuill persons, the inheritance was to passe to the males, but in case of defect thereof, the daughters were capable, as in the example of Zelophehads Daughters [Page 68] of the Tribe of Manasseh, Chap. 27. who were to match within the familie of the Tribe of their Fathers, Cha. 36.
Of sacred persons were the Leuites, who had for themselues 48. Cities & their suburbes.
2 Possession, was either on this side Iordan, as of the Tribe of Ruben, Gad, and halfe Tribe of Manasseh, Chap. 32. or beyond Iordan, as of the other nine Tribes & half Tribe of Manasseh, all which were deuided by Lot.
Deuteronomie.
THIS Booke of Deuteronomy containeth a repetition of some things, & explication of other.
It was necessary that some things should bee explained, because they were obscure, and not obserued of the people, as of iourneying from Mount Horeb at GODS Comandement, and leading to the mountain of the Amorites. 2. Concerning the institution of Magistrates, and narration [Page 70] of things done at seuerall times, Chap. 1. Of warre and peace, & with whom, Chap. 2. and 3. This History then is of those things which were done from their being at Mount Horeb, and in the plaine of Moab, where (as is thought) this book was written by Moses.
The repetition is of the Law of God, Moral, Ceremoniall, and Iudiciall.
The Morall, enioyning constāt obedience to the Law of God, without addition or detraction; by many arguments, Ch. 4. [Page 71] Of blessing and cursing, Ch. 5. From their promise to obey it, Chap. 6. Continuall practice that should bee of the Law, Chap. 7. Of resolution, not to partake with Idolaters, Chap. 8. From Gods trayning them so long in the wildernes to fit them for Canaan, Ch. 9. Of Gods meere mercy to estate them there, Chap. 11. As of the former, and of the stablenes of Gods goodnesse towards them, Chap. 12. For caution, by reason of Idolaters among them, Chap. 13. From the seueritie [Page 72] to be vsed against seducers.
The Ceremoniall Law followeth:
Chap. 14. Against Heathenish customes, & legall pollution by eating.
Chap. 15. Of set times reserued for the benefit of the poore seruants and others.
Chap. 16. Of festiual times such as were,
1 Of Easter, in remembrance of their deliuery out of Egypt, Exod. 12. held in the first moneth, the foureteenth day of the moneth.
2 Of Pentecost, Exo. 19. Leuit. 23. & Numb. 28. In remembrance of the Law of God giuen on the fiftieth day after their comming forth of Egypt.
3 Of Tabernacles, to put them in minde how their Fathers dwelled in Boothes in the Wildernesse, the space of 40. yeeres. This Feast was kept on the 15. day of the seuenth moneth.
The Iudiciall Lawes follow:
1 Generall, concerning all.
Chap. 17. Of the punishment [Page 74] of offences by legall course.
2 Singuler,
Chap. 18. Constitutions for the Leuites maintenance, and against false Prophets. Chap. 19. The people are directed in Law cases, by due proceeding. Chap. 20. Rules for warre either within the Land of Promise, or out of it. Cha. 21. By other mens suffering for euill, to beware of doing euill.
Chap. 22. to 26. Of charity, which ought to be shewed in all our actions. Chap. 24. and 25. [Page 75] Of Matrimony. Chap. 26. Of iustice in the payment of first fruits and Tythes.
Confirmation of all these Lawes.
Chap. 27. By Signes and threatnings. Chap. 28. By blessings and imprecations; the like whereunto Leuit, 26. but here with inlargement. Chap. 29. A renewing of the Couenant with Israel, which had beene made with thē at Mount Horeb, where the Law was giuen, shewing what they should expect vpon breach of the couenant. [Page 76] Chap. 30. That their sins were pardonable on condition of repentāce, and not otherwise. Ch. 31. Teaching publike persons to leaue things well settled after their death, Chap. 32. In effect as the former, with a Prophecy of the Iewish people, and of their fall, punishment & restitutiō. Chap. 33. Moses farewell, and blessing by name of all the Tribes, Leui especially, Simeon onely excepted, whether for his sinne in selling Ioseph; or for cruelty, to the Sichemites, or being [Page 77] cause of Irreligion, &c. Chap. 34. Of Moses death and commendation; Which part (as some thinke) was set downe by Ioshua his successor.
IOSHVA.
HItherto of the Law, the Anteriour Prophets, now come in, so called because they wrote Histories, such as are contained in the Bookes of Ioshua, Iudges, Samuel, & the Kings.
The memorable acts done by Ioshua, and expressed in this booke, are of yeeres 18. or thereabouts, wherein is shewed the estate of the Childrē of Israel in Canaan, according to Gods promise with Ioshua their Captaine; where, of the Countrey of Canaan, & then of their settling therein.
The Countrey which Gods people inhabited, was diuersly styled in many respects.
1 Of the Gentiles, Canaan the Son of Cham, the Northerly part, Palestina, [Page 79] being deuided into three parts, Galile, Samaria, Iudea; Galile most northerly, Phaenicia Westerly, Caelosyria on the East, and Samaria with Arabia inclosing it Southerly; Iordan parteth it in the middest. Galile is called, of the Gentiles, Mat. 4. 15. because it was neere to Tyre and Sydon. Samaria is seated betweene Galile & Iudea, and much lesse then either of them.
2 After Ioshuas conquering of this Coūtry, it was called the land of Israel. After the renting [Page 80] of it in Rehoboams time, one part was called Israel, and the other, Iudah.
3 After the Captiuity, it was properly called Iudaea, & the people Iewes.
4 Of Christians, it was called the holy land, and for the ancient fruitfulnesse thereof, sayd to flow with milk & hony.
In the establishing of this Countrey, obserue, the planter, and manner of the plantation.
The planter was Ioshua, of Iosephs house, who giueth the pleasant soyle to Iudah, which Moses had so bequeathed [Page 81] by Prophecie, and Samuel by anoynting Dauid of that Tribe King. If Iudah had diuided it, the Heathen would haue thought it great partiality, but Ioseph doth it, planting Iudah in the best soyle.
2 Their plantation first by the remouing of their enemies, and settling in their places afterwards.
The places and Kings that were subdued, are noted, Chap. 12. the manner of their supplanting, either by weake meanes, as of Iericho, Chap. 1. without means, [Page 82] by astonishment, Cha. 2. 11. by miraculous means as staying the course of the waters, Chapt. 3. 16. and standing of the sunne & moone, Ch. 10.
2 Of the plantation in Canaan of all the Tribes, saue of Ruben, Gad, and halfe Tribe of Manasseh that were planted beyond Iordan, Cha. 13. and 14, &c.
IVDGES.
HItherto of the Israelits in vnsettled estate, and in war; [Page 83] now of them in peace, Ioshua their Captaine being dead, and they vnder the gouernment of Iudges (wherof this Booke hath it name penned by Samuel;) where, of their vocation and office.
The Iudges were persons extraordinarily stirred vp by God, and fitted as warriours for that time; not made by election, as the first Kings, nor by succession, as the latter, but by Gods immediate raising of them vp. Their office is implyed in their names, Iudges of iudging, and of persons iudged.
The names and time of gouernement of most of these Iudges were,
1 Othniel of Iudah, Chap. 3. vers. 9, 10, 11. that gouerned 40. y. and deliuered thē out of the hands of the Aramites.
2 Ehud of Beniamin, vers. 15.
3 Shamgar, who ruled 80. yeeres, vers. 30. & deliuered them from the Moabites, and also from the Philistims, v. 31
4 Debora of Ephraim, deliuered them from the Canaanites, Chapter 5. with Barak of Nepthali, vers. 10.
5 Gideon, 40. yeeres, & deliuered them from the Midianites, Chapters 6, 7, 8.
Abimelech of Ephraim, 3. yeeres, Chap. 9. Thola 23. yeeres of Issachar. Iair, of Manasses, yeeres 22. Chapter 10. Iepthe of Ephraim, yeeres 6. Ihsan of Bethlem in the Tribe of Iudah. Elon of Zabulon, yeeres 10. Cha. 10. Abdon of Ephraim, 8. yeeres, Chapter 12. Samson of Dan, yeeres 20. & deliuerd them from the Philistims, Chap. 16. Eli, and Samuel who was of Leui, recouereth the [Page 86] Ark to Iuda, both which are recorded in the 1. of Samuel, and iudged Israel 20. yeeres.
Concerning these, some had the preeminence for multitude, other for dignity.
1 Was Iosephs house, for which they despised Iudah, 1. Kings 12. 16. 2. Sam. 20. 1. which was the cause of his ouerthrow.
2 For dignity, and so was Iuda, because Christ came of that Tribe.
Hitherto of the Iudges; the persons iudged were their enemies; and they [Page 87] occasioned by their sins. Their fals were many, first, before their possession of Canaan. Secondly, and so after their reformation; and hauing many sinnes, had necessarily many enemies accordingly; who their enemies were, may appeare in the reading of this Booke.
RVTH.
THe Gentiles crums let fall from the Iewes Table, as [Page 88] appeareth in this Booke (made in the dayes of the Iudges) in the example of Ruth, of whom obserue what she was by birth, and new birth.
1 By the first, she was a Gentile of Moab. 2. By the second, she is honoured in the old and new Testament, ingrafted into the holy pedegree in the Tribe of Iuda, & married to Booz, of whom Christ came, Math. 1. So that Christ came a light to the Gentiles, wherof Rebeccaes womb was a token, out of which came two Nations.
The Gentiles of honorable note in Scripture, are, as Ruth here, so Iob in the land of Hus, Naaman in Syria, Rahab in Iericho of Chams house, the woman of Canaan. Naamah descended of Moab and Ammon, the incestuous sons of Lot, and great enemies to the Church, and yet from her came the Royall blood of the Kings of Iudah, 2. Chron. 12. 13. and Christ came of Thamar, Gen. 38. 14. neither were some others excluded that came of Ismael, Esay 66.
An Introduction followeth to the Bookes of the KINGS.
Hitherto of Gods prouidence in the preseruation of his people by Patriarkes, Captaines, & Iudges: Now of Kings, which are (or should be) nursing Fathers of the Church; where first, what they were, & of their Ordination.
KIngs are the Ordinance of God, set ouer people and Kingdomes for the gouernment thereof in [Page 91] wealth, peace and godlinesse, by good lawes framed according to the Lawes of God.
Of Kings, some were very ancient among the Heathen, Gen. 36. 31. and others more lately.
The Kings of the Nations had Crownes giuen them by the people; God putting it into their heads, to acknowledge them for their King.
Kings among Gods people, were immediately chosen by God himselfe, & the people only gaue obedience thereunto.
People therefore beeing precipitate in their courses, vnlesse that Lawes (the rule of good life, and restraint of euill) bee held in the hands of the supreame Magistrate (who is the keeper of both tables) sheweth the calling of Kings very expedient.
It was necessary that the estate of KINGS shold now come in, & other kinds of gouernmēt cease, to fulfill the Word and the worke of God.
1 His Word of Promise to Abraham, that Kings should come of [Page 93] him, Gen. 17. 6. the intaile thereof vpon Isaaks posterity, and Iacobs Prophecie, Gen. 49. 10.
That the Scepter should not depart from Iudah. And therefore though Saul were King, yet because he was not of Iudah, but of Beniamin the Lord crossed him, & the Machabees of Leui vsurping the Kingdome, were punished of God.
2 The worke of God, for building the glorious Temple of SALOMON; where commeth in the Fift Age containing 419 The 5. Age. yeeres, continuing vnto [Page 94] the Captiuity of Babylon, expressed in the second of Kings, Chap. 24. 25.
Salomons Temple could not conueniently bee builded by the Iudges, nor by Saul or Dauid: not by the Iudges, because of their weaknesse and pouerty, and their change of gouernment; nor by Saul or Dauid, because they had many troubles: therefore the worke was accomplished in the daies of Salomon, that were full of peace and plenty.
In the treaty of Kings, the bookes are to be considered [Page 95] where they are recorded, and the different manner of setting downe the history of them.
The bookes intreating of Kings, are considered according to their number and appellation.
In most Bibles there are sixe distinct bookes, that do principally make mention of KINGS: Whereof two are entituled of Samuel, two of the Kings, and likewise two of Chronicles; but the Hebrewes doe alwaies style the foure former bookes onely, by [Page 96] the name of Kings, and doe make the two Books of Chronicles but one, which the Grecians, because of the length, diuide into two.
The two former haue the name of Samuel, because they doe intreate of him and the 2. Kings that he anoynted, Saul, and Dauid.
1. SAMVEL.
COncerning Samuel, his birth & acts are considerable.
1 Was borne in Rama, where also he was buried, Chap. 25. 1. and 28. 3. the sonne of godly Parents, Elkanah, and Hanna, Chap. 1.
2 His acts, as they stand in relation to God, Eli, Saul, Dauid, and the people of Israel in generall.
1 Towards God, beeing attentiue to his call, Chap. 3. and obedient thereunto in the execution of his place.
2 Declareth to Eli Gods decree concerning his house, and Israel, Ch. 3. The effects whereof doe follow, Chapters 4, [Page 98] 5, 6, 7, &c.
3 The calling of Saul is foretold by Samuel, and confirmations of it, Chapters 9, 10, 11. after that, hee was desired of the people for their King, to their ruine, Chap. 8. The sinnes of Saul were many. He vsurped the Priests office, Chap. 13. spared Agag, Chap. 15. Iustified his sin, ibid. Slew the Lords Priests, Chap. 22. Consulted with witches. Ch. 28. And touching Dauid, hee enuied his vertues, and good successe; would haue murthered [Page 99] and betrayed him, chapters 18, 19. And would haue slaine his owne son for louing him, Chapter 20.
4 To Dauid, who was thrice anoynted King, first, by Samuel in Bethlem, 1. Samuel 16. 4, 13. afterwards by the Tribe of Iudah in Hebron, 2. Sam. 2. 4. by all the Elders of Israel in Hebron, 2. Sam. 5. 3. of whose persecution, and death of his persecutor to the end of this Booke.
5 To the people of Israel, for which he praied, and aduised, Ch. 12, 23.
2. SAMVEL.
HItherto of Dauids troubles in the daies of Saul, now of them afterwards, and they outward or inward; partly in the posterity of Saul, and afterwards in his owne Children, and others, & of Gods iustice and mercy to Dauid in them all, set forth by the metaphor of Gods rod and staffe, Psal. 23. 4.
1 The enemie of Dauid of the race of Saul, was Ishbosheth his Sonne, competitor for the Kingdome, [Page 101] Chapters 1, 2. Secondly, Gods staffe by the death of Ishbosheth, Chap. 4. the loue of his chiefe subiects, that anoynted him their King. His Marriages and conquest of his enemies, as of the Philistims twice, Chap. 5. and of them, & other enemies, Chap. 8. and of the Ammonites, and Aramites in the case of Hanun, Chap. 10. and by bringing backe the Arke, Chap. 6.
2 The more inward troubles of Dauid were occasioned by his owne sinnes.
1 Of Adultery and murther, Chap. 11.
Gods rod; the death of his childe, Chap. 12. The Conspiracy of Absalom, Chap. 15. the incest of Amnon, Cha. 13. The rayling & reuiling of Shemei, Chap. 16. the rebellion of Sheba, Cha. 20. Gods staffe; his childe was receiued to mercy, Chap. 12. Absalom is ouerthrowne, Chap. 18. Dauid is royally attended to Ierusalem, Cha. 19. The head of Sheba is cut off, Chap. 20. and afterwards the Philistims, that waged [Page 103] warre so often against him, are conquered, Ch. 21.
2 The same more immediate before Dauids death, was his pride to number the people, Ch. 24.
Gods rod, in the death of 70. thousand. His staffe; the plague ceased: and afterward, Dauid dieth in peace.
1. KINGS.
OF Kings by election, as 1. Sam. or by succession, [Page 104] as 2. Samuel, hath beene already spoken. Now of the estate of Monarchie set foorth in the Kingdome of Israel, and that either in the increase, or decrease thereof.
1 In the dayes of Salomon, before it was diuided, (as afterwards it was.) 2. In the decrease thereof either in Salomons time, or in those Kings that came after him.
In the increase, the person of Salomon is to bee considered as touching his Coronation & actions as they were performed, [Page 105] to Chapter 11.
1 His Coronation is set forth by the opposition of Adoniah his elder brother, the son of Dauid by Haggith, and frustration thereof, in that Salomon is made King, c. 1.
2 Salomons actions do follow in relation to God or man.
To God, whom hee petitioneth, first, for wisdome to gouerne Gods people, Chap. 3. Secondly, for a blessing vpon Gods house, Chap. 8. which he had builded in most sumptuous manner, Chapters 5, 6, 7. & [Page 106] the gracious answer that hee had from GOD in both, and aboue that hee desired.
To man, the improuement of his wisedome, in the execution of iustice, according to Gods Law, and his Fathers Testament, on malefactors, Chap. 2. and by decision of matters in controuersie, and applause of the people therein, Chap. 3.
The decrease of the Kingdome either in the dayes of Salomon, or in those Kings that succeeded him of Iudah or Israel.
The Kings of Iudah and of Israel, are first named, and then sorted, either as they were conditioned, or as they and other heathen Kings were in time together.
1 The Kings of Iudah were
Salomon, Rehoboam, Abiam, Asa, Iehosaphat, Iehoram, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ioash, Amasiah, Azariah, Iotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasses, Amon, Iosiah, Iehoahaz, Iehoiakim, Iehoiachin, Zedekiah.
2 The Kings of Israel were
Ieroboam, Nadab, Baasha, [Page 108] Elah, Zimri, Tibni, Omri, Ahab, Ahaziah, Iehoram, Iehu, Iehoahaz, Ioash, Ieroboam, Zacharia, Shallum, Menahem, Pekahiah, Pekah, Hoshea.
3 The Kings of Iudah, Israel, and other that then liued in time together, were,
Rehoboam King of Iudah, and Ieroboam King of Israel, 1. King. 12. 20. and Shishak King of Egypt, Chap. 14. 25.
Abiam and Ieroboam, 1. King. 15. 1.
Asa & Ieroboam, vers. 9. Nadab vers. 25. Baasha, 28. Elah, Chap. 16. vers. [Page 109] 8. Zimri, 10. Omri 16. and Ahab 28. all Kings of Israel.
Iehosaphat & Ahab 1. King. 22. 4. 41. and Ahaziah, 49. Iehoram 2. King. 3. 1. and Benhadad King of Aram, 1. King. 20. 12.
Iehoram King of Iudah, and Iehoram King of Israel, 2. King. 1. 17. Mesha King of Moab, Chap. 3. vers. 4. and King of Edom 9. and Benhadad, Chap. 6. 24.
Ahaziah King of Iudah, 2. King. 8. 24. Ioram son of Ahab 28. & Iehu that conspired against Ioram Ch. 9.
Athaliah and Iehu 2. King. 11.
Ioash King of Iudah and Athaliah, 2. King. 11. Iehu, Chap. 12. 1. Iehoahaz his son, Chap. 13. 1, 10. and Hazael King of Aram, Chap. 12. 18. who now vexed Israel, Chap. 13. 22.
Amaziah & Iehoash king of Israel, 2. King. 14. 1. & Ieroboam 23.
Azariah and Ieroboam 2. King. 15. 1. Zachariah his son, 8. Shallum, 10. Menachem, 14, 17. Pekahiah, 23. Pekah, 27. Pul King of Ashur, 19. Tiglath Pileser likewise king [Page 111] of Ashur, 29.
Iotham and Pekah, 2. King. 32. and Rezin the King of Aram, 37. Ahaz and Pekah and Rezin, 2. King. 16. and Hoshea, Ch. 17. 1.
Hezekiah and Hoshea, 2. King. 18. 1. Salmaneser King of Ashur, 11. Sennacherib. 13.
Manasses, carried away Captiue by the Captaines of the host of the King of Ashur, 2. Chron. 33. 11.
Ammon.
Iosiah & Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt, 2. King. 23. 29.
Iehoiakim, and Pharoah Necho, 2. King. 23, 34. Nebuchadnezzar, Chap. 24. 2.
Iehoiachim, and Nebuchadnezzar, 2. King. 24. 8.
Zedekiah, & Nebuchadnezzar, 2. King. 24. 25
4 Of the forenamed, some are set downe in the first, and others in the second bookes of the Kings. In the former, is the story of fiue Kings of Iudah, from Salomon to Iehosaphat, with the succession of Iehoram, his sonne, Chap. 22. 50. and of eight Kings of Israel, from Ieroboam to [Page 113] Achab; and namely, of Ahaziah his son, that succeeded him in his Kingdome, verse 40.
1 Salomon, (peaceable) called also Iedidiah, of the loue of God to him. Of whose posteritie afore; now, of the declining estate of the Kingdome in his time, considered in the cause and effect. The cause, his Idolatry by strange wiues. The effects are, the execution of Gods Iustice thereupon, either more immediately during his life, by enemies that came vp against him; as [Page 114] Adad the Edomite, Rezon King of Damascus, and Ieroboam his seruant, 2. King. 11. Secondly, after his death, in his posterity from Rehoboam his sonne, to Ieconiah, in whom the naturall line of Salomon endeth.
2 Rehoboam, (large among the people) 1. in possessions in the opinion of his father Salomon: but the contrary fell out; by the iustice of God, punishing the sinne of Salomon for his owne sinnes: and likewise hee being an Idolater, and [Page 115] improuident, by neglecting the aduice of his sage Counsellours, and listening to young men: the effects wherof were,
The losse of tenne Tribes, and commandement from God not to fight to bring them back againe, 2. Chron. 11. 4. his enemies spoile his treasures, the Citie, and the Temple, Chap. 12. he raigned 18. yeeres.
3 Abiah, his sonne, 1. King. 14. & 2. Chron. 12. (My Father is Iehouah) or Abiam, (my father is the Sea) proud tytles, and the latter (as [Page 116] is most probable) assumed after his great victorie obtained against Ieroboam, 2. Chron. 14. 17. but yet did neuer, neither could vnite the Kingdomes vnder one gouernment.
He was religious in shew, but without soūdnes, 2. Chron. 13. hee raigned 3. yeeres.
4 Asa, the sonne of Abiam, 1. King. 15. 8. 2. Chron. 16. (Destruction) whether of Idolatry, or outward enemies of his peace, or of both; which he did in part: for 1. he expelled the Sodomites. [Page 117] 2. deposed his Idolatrous mother. 3. & purged his Countrey of Idolatry. 4. fortifies his Territories.
But vnanswerable to his name afterwards.
1 Was strangely discouraged by Baasha King of Israel, that warred against him. 2. Couenanteth with Benhadad, who therevpon brake the League with Baasha. 3. Being reprooued for the same from the Lord; persecuteth the Prophet, and oppresseth his people. and 4. in his disease, preferres a Phisician before God.
He raigned 41. yeeres.
5. Iehosaphat, 1. King. 15. & 2. Chron. Chap. 19, 20. (The Lord iudgeth) to assure him of Gods protection & defence, relying vpon him: which he had experiēce of,
Abolishing Idolatry, building Cities, conquering enemies: But shewed his infirmities, by his affinitie with Ahab, warring with him, and ioyning with Ahaziah the sonne of Ahab, to the losse of his name, 1. Kin. Chap. 22. hee raigned 25. yeeres.
Hitherto of the Kings of Iudah, in this Booke: the Kings of Israel doe followe.
1 IEroboam, 1. King. Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14. the sonne of Nebat, a branch come out of Aegypt, of the house of Ioseph, by his marriage with an Aegyptian woman; a scourge to the people of God, and the wracke of Religion many hundred yeeres after. The vtter enemy of Iudah, by raising vp Shyshak against it. 2. by erecting two golden [Page 120] Calues for worship, and so prouoking GOD Dagainst them. He raigned 22. yeeres.
2. Nadab. 1. King. 15. an Idolater, slaine by Baasha. Raigned 2. yeers
3. Baasha, the sonne of Ahijah of the house of Issachar, 1. King. 15. 27. an Idolater. Raigned 24. yeeres.
4. Elah, the sonne of Baasha, 1. King. 16. 6. a prophane person, drūken, and murthered in his drunkennes by Zimrj his seruant; He raigned yeeres 2.
5 Zimri succeedeth in [Page 121] the place of Elah, his Master, 1. King. 16. slayeth all the house of Baasha, a murtherer of himselfe, by fyring his owne Palace: hee raigned seuen dayes.
6 Tibni, Chap. 16. slaine in opposition with Omri.
7 Omri, Chap. 16. 25. the worst of all before him, he raigned 12. yeres
8 Ahab, Chap. 16. vers. 30. 33. The worst of all before him, which appeareth in many particulars; first, in that hee was a notable Idolater himselfe. 2. In his marriage [Page 122] with Iesabel, the patronesse of Idolaters, and they both cruell persecutors and oppressors.
The persons persecuted by them, of speciall note, were Eliah, of whō from Chap. 17. to 21. & Michaiah, Chap 22. 27. the party oppressed was Naboth for his Vineyard, Chap. 21.
Eliah is set forth to be a Prophet of God, by that which God did for him, and against his persecutors; the former is manifest,
First, by miraculous preseruation of his life in [Page 123] the time of drought and famine, by the meanes of Rauens, Chap. 17. & by Angels, Cha. 19. Secondly, is secured against Ahab when he met him, Chap. 18. and obtaineth raine, ibid.
2 By that which at Eliahs appointment was executed vpō Baals Priests, Chap. 18. or that which by his prediction God would doe vpon the authors of Idolatry & murther, Chap. 21. vers. 21. &c. and the execution thereof vpon Ahab, Ch. 22. 38. and on Iezabel, 2. King. Chap. 9. and [Page 124] the euill that came vpon good Iehoshaphat for ouermuch familiaritie with him, 1. King. c. 22. He raigned 22. yeeres.
2. KINGS.
WHEREIN is intreated of the decrease of both the said Kingdomes, and the degrees thereof in the raigne of seuerall Kings, vntill the vtter desolation of Israel and Iudah.
In this booke obserue, [Page 125] concerning the remarkable actions of some Prophets and Kings.
The principall Prophets herein mentioned, are Eliah and Elisha, and of them ioyntly and seuerally.
First, of them together before Eliah was taken vp, & therein of Elishaes loue vnto him, and request made, and obtayned, Chap. 2.
2 Seuered, in the manifestation of Elisha to be a rare Prophet, Chap. 2. and by foretelling the successe of warre at Iehoshaphats request against [Page 126] the King of Moab, Ch. 3. And by many miracles wrought by him, Chapters 4, 5, 6 by prediction of wonderfull plenty in the time of extreme famine, Chap. 7. and also of 7. yeeres famine in the time of plenty, Chap. 8.
Of Benhadads death, and Hazaels raigne, and of the destruction of certain Kings of Israel foretold, Chap. 9. vers. 7. or executed, first, in part vpon Iehoram, vers. 24. Ahaziah, 27. Iezabel, 33. Second, totally, Chap. 10. vpon all the seede of [Page 127] Ahab his familiars, and Priests by the hand of Iehu; and the reason of all: To fulfill the Word of the Lord by Eliah, vers. 10. And lastly, by a dead man reuiuing, that was cast into the sepulcher of Elisha, ch. 13. 21.
Hitherto of the Prophets, the Kings doe follow.
Where, of their numbers and places where they are recorded.
1 The totall of the Kings intreated of in this booke, are 28. of which 12. are of Israel, and of Iud,ah 16.
2 The sorting of these, is either seuerally or apart, as of Ahaziah, Cha. 1. and of Iehoram the son of Ahab, Chap. 3. and of other Kings of Israel, to Chap. 14. from thence to the 18. of the miserable estate of both Kingdomes, with their mutuall contentions, and the subuersion of Israel first, and of Iudah afterwards, by other Nations.
The Kings of Israel after Ahab, were,
9. Ahaziah, 1. King. 22. 8. 2. King. 1. an Idolater, Moab rebelleth against him: hee consulteth [Page 129] with an Idol for the cure of his malady: sendeth in fury for Elishah, that telleth his doome: but the messengers were consumed with fire from God. Hee raigned 2. yeeres.
10. Iehoram, brother to Ahaziah, and sonne of Ahab, 2. King. 1. 17. & 8. 16. &c. An Idolater, & married Ahabs daughter; but was better than his father or mother, ch. 3. 2. was slaine by Iehu, Chapt. 9. 24. raigned 8. yeeres.
11. Iehu, the sonne of Nimshi. 2. King. Chapters [Page 130] 9. 10. whereof before, in the tract of Elisha: but of his condition further; either euill, or good, and the Reward of God for that he did well.
1 was an Idolater. 2. was the rod of God to punish the sinnes of Ahab, according as Baasha was to Ieroboam, 1. King. 15. 29. 3. His seruice thus performed according to Gods Command, was rewarded with establishing his posteritie vpon the Throne of Israel to the fourth generation, Chap. 10. ver. 30. He [Page 131] raigned 28. yeeres.
12 Iehoahaz, sonne of Iehu, 2. King. Chapters 10, 13. an Idolater: the Syrians preuaile against him, but he is restored. Reigneth 17. yeeres.
13. Ioash, the sonne of Iehoahaz, 2. King. chapters 13. 14. an Idolater; warred with Amaziah. Raigned 16. yeeres.
14 Ieroboam, the son of Ioash, 2. King. 14. an Idolater, restoreth the Coasts of Israel. Reigned yeeres 41.
15 Zachariah, Chapters 14. 15. an Idolater, slaine by Shallum, hauing [Page 132] raigned 6. months.
16 Shallum, the son of Iabesh, Chapt. 15. 15. slaine by Menahem, hauing raigned one moneth.
17 Menahem, Chap. 15. 14. Idolatrous and cruell, raised a great sūme of money of his people to giue to the King of Ashur to depart from him, raigned ten yeeres.
18 Pekahiah, the Son of Menahem, Cha. 15. an Idolater, slaine by his Captaine Pekah the son of Remaliah, after hee had raigned 2. yeeres.
19 Pekah, Chap. 15. 27. [Page 133] an Idolater, in his time the King of Ashur carrieth some of Israel captiue. Hoshea slayeth Pekah, after that hee had raigned twenty yeeres.
20 Hoshea the son of Elah, Chapters 15. 17. an Idolater, is treacherous to Salmaneser, who carryed him Captiue in the 9. yeere of his raigne: after that, Israel feared other gods; vsed heathenish fashions, and of wicked Kings before him, erected places of Idolatry, and performed seruice therein, and reiected the Prophets.
Hitherto of all the Kings of Israel with their names and condition, till the Captiuitie. The Kings of Iudah do follow in like manner, frō Iehoshaphat, to Zedekiah, according as they are set downe in this booke, and in the Chronicles.
6 Iehoram or Ioram (the Lord is high and mighty,) to argue the feare of God which his good father Iehosaphat would haue imprinted in him, 2. Ki. 8, 16. & 2. Chro. 21. but his actions were vnanswerable to his name; [Page 135] for, 1. he married Athaliah. Secondly, he was bloody (for hee slew all his brethren, and the Princes of Israel) Thirdly, and idolatrous; and liued without being desired. But the Lord was mighty and exalted against him; for hee made the Edomites, Philistims, and Arabians powerfull against him, his wife and children were all slaine, saue onely Iehoahaz his yongest son: yet being sencelesse stil of the hand of God, hee sent him a sore disease in his bowels, which afterwards [Page 136] fell out, after hee had raigned 8. yeeres.
7 Ahaziah the yongest sonne of Iehoram, otherwise called Ochosias, 2. King. Chapters 8, 9, 10. and 2. Chro. 22. an Idolater, corrupted by Athaliah his wicked mother, and her friends; goeth to warre with Ioram the son of Ahab against Hazael, Iehoram beeing wounded, Ahaziah goeth to see him, and warred with him against Iehu, to the destruction of himselfe, and all that appertained to him, and raigned one yeere.
8 Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah, and daughter of Omri, 2. Chr. Chapters 22, 23. and 2. King. 11. an idolatrous woman, and a vsurper of the Crowne of Iudah, who when Ahaziah was slaine, killed all the kings seed, saue only Ioash that was reserued by Iehoshabeath his Aunt, sister to Ahaziah, and was kept 6. y. in the house of the Lord, & by the direction of Iehoiada the priest was made King, and Athaliah slaine, after shee had raigned 7. yeeres.
9 Ioash, son of Ahaziah, [Page 138] 2. Chron. 24. and 2. King. 12. whose actions are distinguished either good or bad, according to seuerall times.
First, good, so long as Iehoiada a faithful Priest and prudent counsellour liued, when as there was commandement for the repayring of the Temple that was broken downe by Athaliah, and instrumēts for seruice of God prouided therein, collected by the Leuits at the charge of the people.
Secondly, euill, after the death of Iehoiada, when with the Princes [Page 139] he left the care of Gods house, and respect of the Prophets, worshipped Idols, and gaue commandement to kill Zachariah the sonne of Iehoiada, whose death the Lord required (according to his prayer) by sending the Aramites vpon those Princes, and his owne seruants that slew Ioash their King.
10 Amaziah, the son of Ioash, 2. King. 14. and 2. Chron. 25. vpright, but not perfect, numbreth many thousands of Iudah, & hired many of Israel, but these were dismissed [Page 140] by him at the instance of a man of God. Vpon the victory he had ouer the Edomites, hee worshipped the strange gods hee found among them. Ioash out-braueth him in termes, and afterwards brought him to Ierusalem, whose wals he brake down, and ransacked the Temple, and the Kings house; and was afterwards slaine, hauing raigned 29. yeeres.
Here note, that these 4. last named, Ahaziah, Athaliah, Ioash, and Amaziah, are not named by Saint Mathew, [Page 141] Chap. 1. in CHRISTS Genealogie.
11 Azariah (God hath helped me) or Vzzia, (the LORD is my strength) called also Hozia, and Ozia, the sonne of Amaziah, Cha. 15. & 2. Chron. 26. by all the said appellations wished his son the assistance of God: where, of the acts of him performed, and effects answerable thereunto.
First, of his well-doing in the dayes of Zachariah; the effect, he prospered in estate, was victorious in warres against the [Page 142] Philistims; grew famous in the world, was strong in munition, and had many valiant Souldiers.
2 Was proud in greatnesse, & tooke vpon him the Priests office; & was in conclusion a Leper, & cut off from the house of GOD, and raigned 52. yeeres.
12 Iotham, Chap. 15. and 2. Chron. 27. (The Lord is vpright and perfect.) In lieu of thankfulnesse to God for his Fathers victories, and for his encouragement to serue him, yet the high places stood. The effects [Page 143] of his seruice of God were, he preuailed against the Ammonits; he built much, and amongst other things, the gate of the Temple, called beautifull, and raigned 16. yeeres.
13 Ahaz, the son of Iotham, 2. Chron. 28. and 2. King. 16. (apprehending or possessing) to wit of such possessions as he had left him: but the issue was not answerable to his name, and that because of his sinnes: his sins were first, Idolatry, second, hardnes of heart, which was a great sinne [Page 144] in him, and likewise a punishment of his former sinne; the more heauy the hand of God was vpon him, the worse he euer shewed himselfe. The iudgements accompanying his sin, were multitudes of enemies; Aramites, Israelites, Edomites, Philistims; and the Kings of Ashur in whom hee trusted, playd false with him, he raigned 16 yeers.
14 Hezekiah, 2. King. Chap. 18, 19, 20. and 2. Chr. 29. & 30, 31, 32. (yy strength is the Lord.) The father praying for his sonnes better successe [Page 145] against his enemies then he had himselfe; and the successe was in three respects according to his name, in that God gaue him strength.
First, to set open the Temple of God which before was shut, and to purge out the corruption in religion, and to institute the Passeouer.
Secondly, to giue the proud insulting Assyrians the ouerthrow.
Thirdly, to recouer of his disease, and to prolong his life 15. yeeres, the same confirmed by the Sunne retrogradate, [Page 146] or going backe tenne degrees in Ahaz his Sun-Diall. Hee raigned 29. yeeres. In stead of thāksgiuing to God, he gloryed in his wealth.
15 Manasses, 2. King. 21. & 2. Chron. 33. (Forgetfull) because his father had forgotten his troubles after he was deliuered from his great sicknesse. The like, Gen. 41. 51. Secondly, to teach his son to forget the superstition of his fore-fathers: but contrarywise, hee established it in the highest nature: the sequell whereof [Page 147] was either in Iudgement or in mercy.
First for his sinne, hee was the first King of Iudah that was carried Captiue out of his owne Land.
2 Vpon his his humiliation and acknowledgment of his sinne, he was released, and sent backe into his owne Country, and was zealous for God and his truth. Hee raigned 55. yeeres.
16 Amon, 2. King. 21. & 2. Chron. 33. (Nursed) In Idolatry, by the appointment of Manasses his father, sinned like [Page 148] him, but did not repent as he did; hee was slaine by his owne seruants in his owne house, after he had raigned 2. yeeres.
17 Iosias, 2. King. 22. and 23. and 2. Chron. Chapters 34, 35. (The Lord is a fire:) but not as his father thought that God should assist his sonne, if he persiisted in Idolatry like his father; but the fire of Gods Spirit was in him, indeede the manifestation thereof. First; by pulling downe superstition and Idolatry and Idolatrous places. Secondly, in the [Page 149] defence of true Religiō, by repayring the Temple, causing the Law of God to be read, and ordaining the Passeouer.
The most noted sin of Iosias, was rashnesse in warring against Pharaoh Necho, in fauour of the Assyrians that had been kinde to his grandfather Manasses, as is most probable. Hee raigned 31. yeeres.
18 Iehoahaz or Iohanan, 2. King. 23. and 2. Chro. 36. the sonne of Iosias, displaced by the King of Egypt, after he had raigned 3. moneths, wicked [Page 150] as his fathers.
19 Eliakim, so called by Iosias, (My strong God will raise vp) called afterwards by Pharaoh Necho, Iehoiakim, (The Lord will raise vp) written somtimes Iakim. Of him, reade Ieremie, chapters 22, 26, 36. where his sinnes and punishments are recorded. Hee raigned 11. yeeres.
20. Iehoiachin, or Ieconiah, or Coniah, 2. King. 24. & 2. Chron. 36. in signification, (The Lord wil make ready) viz. to Captiuitie, although they beleeued it not at the [Page 151] preaching of Ieremie. He deliuered himselfe into the hāds of Nebuchadnezzar, & afterwards, both hee and his wiues; Princes, and men of actiuity, together with Ezekiel & Daniel, were carried into Babel, after hee had raigned three moneths and ten daies.
21. Zedekiah, or Matatniah, Captiuity. so called by the King of Babel, hee is called Ieconiahs brother 2. Chr. 36. 10. but 1. Chr. 3. 16. he is called Ieconiahs son; which is not legally to bee vnderstood, for Zedekiah was not his [Page 152] sonne naturally but his Vncle, 2. King. 24. 17. his sinnes and punishments are to bee considered.
- 1. An Idolater, as were his fore-fathers.
- 2. Of obdurate heart and incorrigible.
- 3. Falsified his Oath made to Nebuchadnezzar.
His punishment.
1. The chiefe Priests and the people were bad like himselfe, and they both mocked and abused the Messengers and Prophets of God sent to admonish them.
2. The incursion of cruell and implacable enemies, that put out the eyes of the King, after they had slaine his sons before his eyes, bound him in chaines, and carried him to Babel; the particulars of that Historie, 2. Kings 25. He reigned eleuen yeeres.
The Captiuitie of this [Page 154] people, is noted in a three-fold consideration of time, either
1. Past, when they were in Egypt, Exodus the first, to the fourteenth Chapter.
2. Then to come by the Romanes, the greatest persecutors, both by ciuill gouernment of their Emperours, and hierarchy of Popes.
3. Present, when the Iewes were captiues to the Babylonians, by Nebuchadnezzar, of Nimrod, of Chams house; and the same either forewarned by Moses, Deut. [Page 155] 28. 64. &c. and by most of the Prophets, or now executed vpon Israel and Iudah, and that either partially in the declining Estate of
1. Israel, in the dayes of Pekah, 2. King. 15. 25. of Iehoahaz, 2. Kin. 13. 3. In the hand of Hazael and Benhadad Kings of Aram.
2. Totally.
In the dayes of Hoshea, that was carried captiue into Ashur, in the sixt yere of Hezekiah, 2. Kin. 18. 10, 11.
2. Of Iudah, 1. partially in the raigne of Amasiah, [Page 156] when Ioash entred Ierusalem, 2. Chron 25. 23. of Manasses, as in the tytle of Manasses. Of Iehoiakim, seruant to Nebuchadnezzar, 2. King. 24. 2. Totally, in the dayes of Iekoniah and Zedekiah, as is before noted.
1. Chronicles.
CHronicles, or words of Dayes, or of Time wherein the memorable Acts were performed in the Common-wealth of Gods people:
Or, PARALIPOMEN, of things omitted in the books of the Kings written by Esdras, returned to Ierusalem after the Captiuitie of Babylon.
1. Chronicles intreateth of the Kingdome of Israel, deriuing it from particular persons and heads, mediate or immediate. 1. From Adam, so as Christ came, & is deriued as wel from the Fathers before the Floud, as after; and so hath euer beene the teacher of the Church, from the beginning to the end of the [Page 158] world. Secondly, from Iacob, in their 12. Tribes, and that vnder the Gouernment of Saul, Chap. 9, 10. And Dauid, from the eleuenth to the end. The Totall of all which, is about the number of two thousand, nine hundred, eightie and fiue yeeres.
2. Chronicles.
OF the increase of the Kingdome vnder Salomon, to the tenth Chapter, and the decrease therof in Kings [Page 159] succeeding, particularly laid down before, to the yeere of the Returne frō Captiuitie, mentioned in the Conclusion of this book, containing yeeres 472.
EZRA, & NEHEMIAH.
SO as the estate of the Iewes is hereafter to be considered, either in Babylon, or in their returne. The former, in the booke of Ester, and the latter in the books more immediately following, which are generally called by the first and second of Esdras, but of others Ezra, and Nehemiah, in which wee are [Page 161] to obserue, concerning persons and actions.
Persons, are either such as returned from Captiuitie; or that procured the same.
Persons returning, are considered generally and in grosse, or specially.
The totall, were two and forty thousand, besides their seruants and Maids, Ezra 2. 65. Of whom some are set downe in his booke of Ezra, the rest in the bookes following.
The parties among them of speciall note were,
First, Zorobabel their Prince or Gouernour, (because there were none called Kings of Iudah after the Captiuitie) hee was descended from Nathan, the sonne of Salomon.
Ieshua the Priest.
Ezra a Scribe, prompt in the Law of Moses, Chap. 7. 6. descended of Aaron; in great fauour with Cyrus K. of Persia, with the people of the Iewes, and with Gods: of him the booke hath it name, because of his carefulnesse to further the worke of God.
Nehemiah, highly fauoured of Darius, the Vnkle of Cyrus.
Daniel a Prophet, and so esteemed so long as that Common-wealth lasted.
Mordecai a Iew, carried captiue with Ieconiah, Hest. 2. 6.
Hester, in high esteeme with Ahasuerosh, Hest. 2. 9.
Persons by whom they were returned, were
Cyrus King of Persia, of the house of Sem, in the first yeere of his Raigne, answering to the 70. yeere of the Captiuitie, [Page 164] according to Ieremies Prophecie, Chap. 25.
Darius, of the Medes descended of Iaphet, Neh. 2. by whom the house of God was commanded to be finished in the second yeere of his Raigne though the Israelites that were in Samaria withstood it.
The matter in both these Bookes contained, is considered in the seuerall actions and imployments of the said persons; & the effects that God gaue by thē.
Zorobabel, to build the Temple. Ezra, to plant Religion, Chapters 3, 4, [Page 165] 5, 6. and for the commōwealth, Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10. Nehemiah, to build their wals, Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. and to prouide the Law of God to bee put in execution among them, from thence to the end of Nehemiah.
The effect, in that the businesse was furthered by the goodnes of God.
First, mouing Cyrus to set forwards this worke, Chap. 1. by giuing them leaue to go to Ierusalem, commanding others to relieue them, and by restoring what Nebuchadnezzar had carryed away, [Page 166] and by a decree for the effecting of the same, Chap. 6.
Secondly, By stirring vp Darius, who granted his Letters to Nehemiah, for prouision to build the Palace and the wals, Nehem. 2.
Thirdly, Inclyning the heart of the Prince, Prophets and people to further the work, & by disappointing the enemies, Ezra Chapters 4, 5. and Nehem. Chapters 4, 5, 6. so that this Temple had more spirituall ornamēts then the first, because all nations of the earth came [Page 167] vnto it, and CHRIST taught therein. And here endeth the glory of the Babylonians: & now Iaphet is perswaded to dwell in the Tents of Sem.
ESTER.
THis Booke hath it name of her, and she standeth in relation either to Assuerus, or to her kindred and people.
1. To Ahashuerosh, that was called Artaxerxes, [Page 168] which was the common name of al Kings of Persia; or Darius that raigned twelue yeeres after Cyrus, and in the third yeere of his raigne, the story of Ester began, who was married to Ester in the seuenth yeere of his gouernment.
Secondly, to her kindred and people of the Iewes, for whose good, first, shee aduentured her life, Chap. 4. endangered, Chap. 3. & 4. Secondly, procured their welfare; first, by pulling downe their enemies, principally as Haman, & [Page 169] his Complices, Chapters 7, 9. Secondly, by aduancing her friends, and they either principal, as Mordechai, Chapters 2, 6, 8 10. the supposed author of this booke.
Or genrally, as all the Iewes; so as this booke containeth things done vnder Ahashuerosh, the Iewes in exile vnder the Persians, Medes, Assyrians, Chaldeans.
IOB.
IN this booke, we may obserue the time wherin Iob liued, and the manner of his life.
1 He liued (as most do coniecture) in the time of the Israelites being in Aegypt, as the names of his friends doe import, conferring them with Gen. 22. 21. and therefore this Historie is most proper to the third Age.
2. In the course of his life, note his humiliatiō [Page 171] and exaltation.
1 That beeing a very godly man, and rich, was notwithstanding afterwards afflicted both in body and minde; indured the losse of goods, seruants, and children, Chap. 1. was tempted by his Wife, Chap. 2. disquieted in his minde by Satan, Chap. 6. argued by his friends of hypocrisie generally throughout the whole Booke.
2. His exaltation, wherein, of the manner precedent & consequēt.
1. In Iobs Confession [Page 172] of his error to GOD, Chapters 39. 42.
2. By God himselfe, who 1. pleadeth his cause, Chap. 42.
2 Restoreth him riches double to that hee had; so as this Story is Comicall: Sorrowes Ioy.
Marke the iust man, the end of him is Peace.
PSALMES.
A Psalme is properly taken for a Song or Hymne that is deliuered on a tunable Instrumēt; wherein are to bee considered, The Dittie, Tune, and the Singers.
1. The Dittie or matter [Page 173] of the Psalmes, consisteth for the most part, of Prayer and Thanksgiuing; fitting euery ones occasion and condition.
2. Secondly, the tune or manner of setting it downe; full of delectation by musicall notes, wherewith mans nature is much delighted, as the seuerall Titles do shewe; & there are some called Songs of degrees, as Psal. 120. to 134. in number 15. which name they had, in likelihood, because they were sung at their going vp the [Page 174] Staires of the Temple, whereof there were fifteene steppes.
3 The Singers are principall, or subordinate; first, Dauid, called by a certaine excellency, The sweet Singer of Israel, 1. Sam. 23. 1. Secondly, other godly men, as they are entituled of Ethan, Psal. 89. of Salomon, Psal. 71. of Moses, Psal. 90. and so of other; and of all that haue Dauids spirit, the duty commanded, Ephes. 5. 19. and practised by the godly in seuerall languages in ancient time, [Page 175] and shall be the exercise of the Saints in heauen, Reuel. 19.
PROVERBS.
A Prouerbe is an elegant manner of speech, comprehending much matter in small roome.
In these Prouerbs obserue, who wrote them, the time whē they were written; and the subiect matter of the writing.
First & principall was Salomon the Son of Dauid, [Page 176] whereof they haue the name: then other worthy men, the followers of that good King Hezekiah, as appeareth in the inscription of the 25. Chapter, and of Agur, Chap. 30.
Secondly, not long before his death; after his fall, and vpon his repentance.
Thirdly, concerning God or man; of GOD, touching such things as wee ought to embrace, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9. what we must beware of Chapters 5, 7. the secōd part is morall, and directeth [Page 177] in seuerall duties of piety and humanity to be performed towards man in the course of life.
Ecclesiastes, or the PREACHER.
WHEREIN wee may see, that after all our carke & care wherein we spend our time in this troublesome world, nothing remaineth in the reckoning, but vanity and vexation of spirit, instanced in the enumeration [Page 178] of particulars, of such things as the vaine world thinketh felicity to consist in, whereof Salomon had experience in the fruitiō of the best, Chapters 1, 2. and concludeth from his obseruation of other mens behauiours, the misery of all, Chapters 3. to the 10. And therefore determineth the point; That he is the only happy man, that feareth God, and keepeth his Commandements.
Canticles, or Song of Salomon.
WHEREIN,
- 1. Of whom it was made.
- 2. The matter whereof it consisteth.
- 3 Of mutuall affection of the parties.
- And 4 Of the happy consummation of all.
1 The parties interessed herein, are Christ the head of the Church, and euery faithfull soule.
2 The matter, is of holy communion and societie betweene them [Page 180] both set forth vnder the figure of a marriage, in which Christ is compared to the bridegroome, and the Church (which is but one) to the bride.
3 This league is made vp, and set forth in the mutuall affection either to other, made knowne by seuerall comparisons, first, of Christ and the Church ioyntly, Chap. 1. Of the Church and Christ, Chap. 2. he to a Tree, she to a Lillie and Rose, in many comparisons of Christ made to the Church, Chap. 4. & the Church to him, c. 5.
4 The making vp the match and conclusion of the same: that, in this life; this, in the life to come: and the same confirmed by certaine pawnes and pledges, giuen & receiued as loue-tokens betweene them both.
That which Christ hath giuen, is his Spirit within vs, which he hath sent vnto vs, and the Looking glasses of his Word and Sacraments left among vs.
The pledge or earnest that he hath taken of vs, is our nature, assumed [Page 182] into the person of the Godhead, and hath carried it vp with him into heauen: and vvhen the Roomes and Mansions there are prepared, hee will come againe gloriously for his Spouse.
An Introduction to the reading of the PROPHETS.
PRophets, were persons called of God to publish [Page 183] and expound vnto men the will of GOD, concerning things either present or to come.
1. Of Prophets, some were only in act, but not in Office, and so Dauid & some other that penned the sacred hymnes by the motion of Gods Spirit, without any noted change in the outward gesture. 2. In act and Office, as were the Reuelations, manifested to the holy Prophets, Pen-men of a great part of the Scriptures; such as Esay, Ieremy, and the rest, either in dreames, or [Page 184] wake, but in extasie; in which manner we are to vnderstand all, or most of them, that are hereafter mentioned.
The doctrine of the Prophets serueth to instruct, reprehend and to comfort; which order is generally obserued by all, or most of them.
Touching these, obserue the manner how their doctrine came first to be published; & then of the Prophets, and substance of their seuerall prophecies.
The summe of their doctrine was first set vpō [Page 185] the Temple doore for certaine dayes, and the Priests tooke it downe, and reserued it among the Registers, Isay 8. 1. 2. and Habakkuk 2. 2.
As for the time wherein all of them prophecied, is hard to bee gathered, but for distinction, so farre as is apparant, or probable, wee say, that some of them were onely before the Captiuitie; some in the Captiuitie, and others after that the same was expired; the particulars wherof hereafter follow in their seuerall places
Those that do follow, are called the posteriour Prophets, because they prophecied of many things that should come to passe to the comming of Christ; and of some things afterwards, as in Daniel.
And of these, some are called the greater Prophets; as Isay, Ieremie, Ezekiel, Daniel; and other the lesser, as all that came after them. In the setting downe whereof, all or most of these circumstances, are briefely deliuered.
1. What they were. [Page 187] 2. When they vvere. 3. Vnder what Kings raigne. 4. What was the effect of their seuerall prophecies. 5. What followed therevpon.
ISAIAH.
THe sonne of Amos, an Euangelicall Prophet setting forth many things of Christ, and by him interpreted, Luke 4. and by others, as by Philip, Act. 8.
2. Prophecied as is coniectured in the yeere of the world, 3198. and continued a Prophet about 64. yeeres.
3. Prophesied in the dayes of Vzziah, Iotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. So as hee was before the Captiuitie.
4. His message was directed to Iudah principally; the Tenour wherof is a Denunciation, and Consolation. The Denunciation, first against Gods people, from the 1. chap. to the 11. 2. Against their enemies, frō the 13. chap. to 24. The Consolation, is in regard of a Temporall or Spirituall deliuerance. 1. By Cyrus, c. 45. 1. Secondly, To the Gentiles, by the [Page 189] cōming of Christ, cha. 9.
5. The effect, in respect of himself, was to be put to death by Manasses.
IEREMIE.
FIrst, the sonne of Hilkiah, born in Anathoth a Citie within 3. miles of Ierusalem; began to prophecie in Ierusalem, about the yeere of the Creation, 3316. and prophecied about 40. yeres.
2. Prophecied in the daies of Iosiah, beginning in the 13. yeere of his raigne, and in the dayes of Iehoiakim, & Zedekiah; so as he was in the Captiuitie [Page 190] of Babylon.
3. His prophecie containeth a fearefull prediction of Gods Iudgement by the Captiuitie, with the Reasons & sins procuring it, as in seueral Chapters may be seene: his message was principally directed to the Iewes, in Iudea, vnder seuerall Kings thereof, to Chap. 42; Or in Egypt, with the destruction of their enemies fore-told.
Secondly, addeth consolation, in assuring them in diuers places of their returne from Captiuitie; From chap. 29.
4. He is cast into prison for prophecying the truth, and is basely vsed, Chapters 32. 37, 38.
LAMENTATION,
FOr the destruction of their Kingdome, foretold by Moses, Deut. 28. 64. &c. and now executed.
EZEKIEL. Chap. 1.
THe sonne of Buzi in Caldaea, where hee prophecied the same things that Ieremy did in Iudaea.
2. Began his prophecie, about the yeere of [Page 192] the creation, 3350. in the fift yeere of Iehoiachins captiuitie.
3. Intreateth of the sinnes of the Iewes, as of Idolatry, murdering of the Prophets, oppressing the Stranger, prophanation of the Sabbath, Dissension, Incest, Briberie, Vsury and Extortion, from chap. 20. to 37. for which they were carried captiue: and of their returne, Chap. 37. He prophecied likewise against other Nations, for delighting in the misery of the Iewes. From chap. 25. to 33.
4. Disobedience of the people to the admonition, chap. 3.
DANIEL.
FIrst, a captiue Iew carried away into Babel, in the third yeere of Iehoiakim King of Iudah, with Ezekiel about the yeere 3340.
2. Hee liued in the dayes of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus.
3. Prophecyeth of the succeeding estate of the world to the end thereof, in the change of gouernment, considered [Page 194] in foure Monarchies, and resemblances thereof, in the opinion of some: 1. the Babylonians to gold; Chap. 2. 32. the Persian, to Siluer; the Grecian, to Brasse; the Romane, as some vnderstand, Chap. 2. 40. to Iron and Clay: which others interpret of the declining Monarchy of Alexander of Iaphets kindred, and the miserable estate of the Iewes in that decaying Empire by the Syrians, and Egyptians: Insomuch as they called their children by such names as shewed the desires of [Page 195] their hearts for a temporall Sauiour, that might defend them. And in this sence the Apostles might aske Christ the question, Act. 1. 6. Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdome to Israel?
4. For his constancie in seruing God, and forsaking Idolatry, he is cast into a denne of Lyons, Chap. 6. 16.
HOSEAH.
FIrst, the son of Beeri,
2. Concerning the time, it was before the Captiuitie, like as the Prophet Isay, in the daies [Page 196] of Vzziah, Iotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Kings of Iudah, and in the dayes of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioosh King of Israel: with this difference, that Esays prophecy concernd Iuda principally; and Hoseas, Israel in the top of their prosperitie, when they thought themselues in Gods fauour.
3. To tell them of their sinnes, as of Idolatry, Chap. 1. Want of knowledge, (the cause of all manner of other sinnes) chap. 4. 6. surfetting in the King, chap. 7. flatterie in the people. [Page 197] For which, and other of their sinnes, they are threatened to haue their Kingdome taken from them by the Assyrians, Chap. 11. vsing consolation afterwards, if they did amend.
4. Continuance in their sins to their after-destruction: notwithstanding that Hoseah had beene their Prophet 70. yeeres.
IOEL.
FIrst, the sonne of Pethuel, most likely to be about the time of Ieroboam.
2. Hee prophecied to Iuda.
3 His exhortation is to repentance, and that for their sinnes of drunkennesse and surfetting, or else, that they were to expect, First, extreme plague of famine. 2. If they repented not therevpon, to looke for the sword of the King of Ashur.
AMOS.
FIrst, The sonne of a poore Heards-man, borne in Tecoa, a Towne of Iudah.
2 He prophesieth; first, [Page 199] against the Gentiles, cha. 1. then against the Iewes and Israelites. His argument is drawn from the lesse to the greater. If God punished those that had little or no knowledge, then, much more those that sinned vpon knowledge. The sinnes are taxed from the 2. Chapter to the 9. The sinnes are, Cruelty, Presumption, Securitie, lacke of pittie, hoording vp of Corne, and Couetousnesse.
OBADIAH.
THere is little obseruation of his time or Kindred: but by comparing of places, Ieremie 49. & Ezek. 25. it is most like, he liued in the time of both their Prophesies.
2 The Contents, hee comforteth the Israelites now in great miserie, against their brethren, the Idumeans, who came of Esau, that were great enemies vnto them, and reioyced in the spoyles.
IONAH:
FIrst, The sonne of Amittaj, borne in Gath [Page 201] Heper, a Towne in Zabulon, he liued in or about the time of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash.
2 He prefigureth the saluation of the Gentiles, sent for the conuersion of Niniueh, the chiefe Citie of the Assyrians, by 3. daies preaching; to conuince Israel, to which hee had preached many yeeres. 3. In conclusion, the Citie was spared, and the Prophet complaineth.
MICAH:
BOrne in a Towne that appertayned to [Page 202] Beniamin, but was originally of Gath.
2 Hee prophecieth against Iudah in the daies of Iotham, Ahaz, & Hezekiah, and so of Israel, Chap. 1. 1. for the space of 30. yeeres or thereabout.
3 The parties reprooued, are Princes, Chap. 3. Rich Merchants, cha. 6. corrupt Iudges, chap. 7.
NAHVM.
THe parentage of this Prophet is not certaine, nor the time of his prophecie, but coniectured [Page 203] to bee in the dayes of Iotham.
2 The argument, hee teacheth them of Iudah to be ware of reuolting from God, by the example of the Niniuits, that were afterwards for the same cause destroyed by the Caldeans, about 115. yeeres after the former Prophecie.
HABAKKVK.
IT is most like that hee liued about the end of Iosiahs raigne, or after.
2 Hee preacheth against the pride and tyranny of the Chaldeans, [Page 204] puft vp with their spoils, who were afterwards destroyed by the Medes and Persians.
ZEPHANY.
THE sonne of Cushi, in the dayes of Iosiah King of Iudah, hee foretelleth the Captiuity, and comforteth the godly.
HAGGAI.
HE and the two Prophets following, were after the Captiuity; Haggaj comforteth the people, and encourageth them to build the [Page 205] Temple, wherein some were slacke, but forward to build their owne house: he prophesied in the second yeere, and sixt moneth of King Darius.
ZACHARIAH.
HE prophesieth in the eight month of the second yeere of King Darius. Hee instructeth the people to auoyd the sinnes of their fathers, & to comfort the people in respect of CHRISTS comming, the manner whereof is described, Chap. 9.
MALACHIE
REproueth abuses and corruptions, now that the Temple was reedifyed, and Gods worship restored.
THE NEVV TESTAMENT.
BOTH the Testaments are but one in substāce, though different in name.
The substance of them both, is Christ, who as he is Alpha & Omega, the first and the last, and the same for euer; so the extent and merit of his sufferings are not bounden within the time of his Incarnation: but the [Page 208] Testaments are distinguished in the Letter & manner of Reuelation.
1 The former, called Old, in regard of the promises of Christ to come; the other New, wherein the same were fulfilled by Christ exhibited.
2 That whereas the Old was deliuered in Types, Shaddowes, and Ceremonies; in this, Christ is plainely & apparantly made knowne: otherwise, as the faces of the Cherubims were one towards another, and both towards the Mercy-seate: so both [Page 209] these Testaments beare witnesse one to another, and both looke vpon Christ.
In the old Testament there is the occultation of the New; and in the New Testament, is the manifestation of the old.
In the New Testament obserue, how the matter therein is sorted, and how Christ is propounded.
The matter, is either Legall, as of the foure Euangelists: or Historicall, as the Acts of the Apostles; doctrinall, as the Epistles: or Propheticall, [Page 210] as the Apocalypse.
The manner of Christ propounded therein, is set down diuersly; wherin obserue how the Euangelists doe varie, and wherein they agree.
1 The former: In that some of them principally intended to set downe the Manhood of Christ, others the Life of Christ, others his Diuinity.
The humanity of Christ is most cleerely expressed by Mathew, Chap. 1. 1. The Booke of the generation of Iesus Christ the Sonne of Abraham; and by Luke, [Page 211] Chap. 3. 23. with this note of difference, that Luke deriueth Christ vpwards to Adam, vers. 38. but Mathew downeward from Abraham: Luke followeth his naturall line without mention of any of them in Mathew, besides Salathiel and Zerubabbel, ver. 27. Mathew bringeth Christ to be the heire of Dauids throne, by a Legall succession from Salomon.
2 Marke setteth down the life of Christ, beginning with Iohn Baptist.
3 S. Iohn intreateth of [Page 212] his Diuinity, Chap. 1. vers. 1, 2, 3. &c. and that especially, because the same was opposed by some heretikes of that time.
Secondly, the agreement of them all in some particulers, or in the generall.
1 The former, as first, in the preparation that was made to his manifestation, Mat. 3. and 4. Mar. 1. Luk. 3. and 4. Ioh. 1.
2 The manifestation it selfe, by preaching and Miracles in Galilee, Mat. 4. to 19. Mark. 1. vnto [Page 213] the 10. Chap. Luk. part of the 3. and 4. Chapter, to the 17.
3. Of his comming into Iurie towards his passion, Math. 19. 20. Mark. 10. Luk. 17. vnto the 19. S. Iohn, is most copious in setting down his Acts it Iurie, and hath of the same in Galilee about the third Passouer, and after, Chap. 6. to the 12.
4. Of his Passion at Ierusalem, Mat. 21. Mar. 11. Luk. 19. &c. Ioh. 11.
2. The generall here briefly propounded in these words: CHRIST IESVS OVR LORD: [Page 214] which are heereafter expounded, and is the substance of both Testaments, old and new.
Wherein, first briefly and generally obserue the extent of the names of Iesus Christ.
Secondly, of the particular vnfolding of the same and the rest, to make the Testaments compleate.
First, the names of Christ Iesus are of seuerall Languages, Greeke and Hebrew, and do imply him to bee Sauiour both of Iewes and Gentiles, Rom. 1. 16.
So as neither Iew nor Gentile haue cause to complaine.
Not the Iew, because that Christ was borne among them, and sent vnto them; nor the Gentile, because Christ was light to them. And Dauid the Father of Christ according to the flesh, had much blood from the Gentiles, Mat. 1. In a word, Christ took blood of both, and shed it for both.
Secondly, the particular vnfoulding of Christ consisteth in the signification of his names, and [Page 216] diuine application of the same.
First, Christ is a name taken from oyling or anoynting, according to a threefold estate of men of ancient time, Kings, Priests and Prophets.
In oyle are considered, fragrancy and agility; the former in relation to sanctification, the latter, to ability in a ready and cheerefull performance of euery Christian and holy duty towards God, or his Image that is in man.
First, Christ is anoynted our King.
By the grace of vocation, out of the estate of nature; of Sanctification into the life of grace; of glorification, by raysing vp our bodies out of the dust in the resurrection, and by knitting soules & bodies together, and absoluing them from sin, and estating vs in perfect glory; which none but this King can doe. And hereto may be referred, whatsoeuer examples are recorded in the sacred Scriptures of this nature.
2 CHRIST is our Prophet;
And this is deriued [Page 218] from his Kingly office, and so hath hee manifested himselfe by teaching, the manner whereof is diuers, and that either more mediately, or of latter times.
The ancient manner of Christs teaching was, first, by his owne voyce from heauen. Secondly, by Angels. Thirdly, by Prophets, in whom his Spirit was long before he came into the world: or, fourthly, by himselfe.
The teaching of Christ is either personally, or instrumentally to bee considered.
1. Personally, when hee was vpon the earth, and in different manner, according to the condition of his Hearers, to some in Parables; That some might not vnderstand; and that others might more diligently enquire, or better carry away the things taught, and to his preaching, he added Miracles.
A Miracle is that which surpasseth the power and efficacie of any created nature, but is wrought by God against nature, and the common order of second causes.
Concerning these, obserue how they are differenced in the Old and New Testament. In the former, they were for the most part destructiue. In the New Testament otherwise, saue of the Gadarens, to punish their ingratitude.
The Miracles of Christ were,
1. Hee turned Water into Wine; Io. 2. 2. Fed 5000. with fiue loaues, Math. 14. and 4000. with seuen loaues, Math. 15.
3. He gaue hearing to the Deafe, and speech to the dumbe, Mat. 7. 32.
4. He gaue to the blind their sight, Mar. 8. as he went out of Ierusalem; to two blind men as hee went to Iericho, Mat. 20. 29. to one that was born so at Ierusalem, Ioh. 9. 1.
5. He restored the withered hand, Mat. 12. 10.
6. He healed the man that was lame 38. yeeres, Ioh. 5. 5.
7. He healed the Leprosie, Math. 8.
8. The Palsie, Math. 9. 1. Mar. 2. 11.
9. The Feuer, Mar. 1. 31.
10. The bloudy Issue, Mat. 9. 20. The Dropsie, Luke 14. 2.
11. Hee calmed the Seas, beeing in the Ship, Math. 8. 29. Walked on the waters, Math. 14. 25.
12. He raised from the dead the Rulers Daughter, Mark. 9. the Widdowes sonne, Luk. 7. 14. Lazarus, Ioh. 11. 12.
13. He deliuered from the possessiō of the diuel, at Capernaum, Lu. 35. 4.
The reason of all these, for the Confirmation of his doctrine, which being sufficiently confirmed, Miracles haue ceased; so as it is miraculous, that men should [Page 223] not now beleeue without them.
Of Christs personall teaching hitherto; now of his teaching by others, but in different manner. 1. The Heathen in secular knowledge of Arts & Sciences, which are of God, but of inferiour nature. 2. Of his people, but in different manner of dispensation thereof, and that either in extraordinarie or ordinarie manner.
1. Of Prophets as before, and of Apostles, whereof there were in number twelue, Mat. 10. [Page 224] 2, 3. of which Mathew, (otherwise called Leui) of a Publican was made a Disciple, then afterwards an Apostle, and made an Euangelist, and none but S. Iohn and hee had both those Titles.
2. Ordinarie, as Euangelists to write; Doctors to teach in some certaine Churches; Pastors to exhort, and administer the Sacraments; Elders to rule; Deacons to distribute.
3. IESVS Christ is our Priest:
Yea our Priest and sacrifice, Heb. 9. 9. and our [Page 225] Passeouer, 1. Cor. 5. 7. who in the fourth Passeouer, after he tooke vpon him the ministeriall Office, suffered death vpon the Crosse for vs.
Wherein first of his Humiliation, and then of his Exaltation.
1. His Humiliation made knowne by his sufferings, in body or in soule, and then in his birth, life and death.
1. Borne in Bethlem, Math. 2. 1. which place was onely honoured by the birth of Christ and Dauid. The time of his birth generally declared. [Page 226] When the fulnes of time was come, Gal. 4. 4. and about the yeere after the Creation, 3963. noted by Moses, Gen. 49. 10. Whē the Scepter should depart from Iudah, accomplished in Herod, complished in Herod, who being an Idumean of the kindred of Esau, had now wrested the Scepter out of Iudahs hand, set ouer the Iewes by Augustus Caesar, put downe the Sanedrim or 70. Elders of Iudaea, and was aduanced King of the Iewes.
Christs sufferings were either assumed, or imposed.
1. Of Christ himselfe, as of GOD to become man, to take the infirmities incident to our nature that were not sinful. Of wearinesse and thirst, Ioh. 4. 6, 7. Of hunger and temptation, Math. 4. Of feare, Luke 22. 42.
2. Imposed by the malice of some; and infirmitie of others.
Of the former were Herod the King, the high Priest, Pilate the Iudge, the Rulers; and their Assistants, the Scribes, Pharises and the people; and Iudas the Traytor.
Of the second sort, [Page 228] were Peter, and the rest of the Disciples that went off in his sufferings.
Of Herods there were three.
1. Herod Ascolonita, Antipaters sonne, whose hand was lifted vp against Christ at his birth, and martyred the children at Bethlehem.
2. Herod Antipas his sonne, confederate with Pilate in Christs death, Luk. 23. and killed Iohn the Baptist.
3. Herod Agrippa, that killed Iames, and imprisoned Peter, Act. 12.
The malice of the [Page 229] Iewes towards Christ appeareth in these circumstances.
1. Against the Law, to take away life of an innocent person by false testimony, and by partiall iudgement, Luk. 23.
2. Against mercy, to deny time of prepared death to him, whom they condemned as a Malefactor, Ioh. 19. 16.
3. Against ciuilitie, to scoffe at him in his sufferings, Mar. 15, 29. 36. He calleth for Elias, and to giue him Vineger calling for drinke, Ioh. 19. 29.
4. Against mercy and [Page 230] iustice, to adde more to his sufferings, then the Law commanded, which was onely to bee crucified, Math. 27. 29. &c.
Christ suffered in Soule
Combating with his Fathers wrath, feeling the withdrawing of his helpe, and want of the Diuinitie for a while to comfort his humanitie, Luk. 22. 39. to ver. 47.
And thus the bloud of so many Birds & Beasts shead in the old Law in their seuerall sacrifices, is fulfilled in Christ, who by this means is become ous Iesus, our Physicion, [Page 231] and our Physicke, sauing vs from the euill of Sin, and of Punishment.
1. Of sinne, by remitting it of himselfe perfectly; or destroying it, in part, by sanctification in this life; wholly, by glory in the life to come.
2. Of punishment, by taking away the sting and venome of it, and by confirming grace and glory.
LORD: CHRIST is LORD.
In his powerfull rising as a King from death, with the conquest of all his enemies. 2. By [Page 232] his Ascension: Thirdly, Intercession, and fourthly, in that hee shall come the second time in glorious manner to iudge the world.
1 The Resurrection, being a maine Article of Faith, had neede to bee proued, and his abode vpon earth for the space of fortie daies, was very necessary for vs.
The Resurrection is prooued by al the Euangelists, in the conclusion of all their Gospels, and likewise by many witnesses of those that saw him after his Resurrection.
The persons that saw Christ risen, were, Mary Magdalen, Mark. 16. 9. both the Maries, Mat. 28. 9. two Disciples, Luk. 29. 13. Peter alone, 1. Cor. 15. 5. all the Disciples together, except Thomas, Ioh. 20. 19. all the Disciples, Mat. 28. 16. Iames, 1. Cor. 15 his Disciples a fishing, Iohn 21. 1. the Disciples in the Mount of Oliues, Act. 1. Paul, 1. Cor. 15.
The abode of Christ vpon earth being risen, was necessarie; as to confirme the truth of his Resurrection, so to teach [Page 234] them in all poynts of Christian Doctrine, and those things that belong to the gouernment of his Church, Act. 1. 3.
2 Ascension, Act. 1. the manner, in a Cloud: so that we are not now to seeke to know further what is become of him, but must content our selues with that which GOD hath reuealed in his Word, Act. 1. 9.
3 Intercession, which is not meant of any Prayers proceeding in some manner of gesture from him on our behalfe, but [Page 235] the price of his Redēption, whereon the Father looking, is wel pleased in him, and with vs in him, Math. 3.
4 His second most glorious comming from Heauen in Maiestie with all his holy Angels, whē as he wil reunite the bodies and soules of his Saints, that they may for euer liue with him in glory, Acts 1. vers. 11.
CHRIST is (Our) LORD by faith, if we beleeue in him: which faith, the Word begetteth, the Sacraments doe confirme, [Page 236] Hope sustaineth, and Heauen crowneth, 1. Pet. 1. 9.
ACTS of the APOSTLES.
THis Booke is called The Acts of the Apostles, beeing a Chronicle of the first Church vnder the New Testament, set down by Luke, containing yeeres, about 31. In which, consider vnder what Romane Emperours, the principall things were done, spoken of either in this Booke, or in other places [Page 237] of the New Tastament: and then of the Apostles & their Assistants, as are recorded in this booke.
1 The Romane Emperours, in whose times the sacred Story of the New Testament was written, were, 1. Augustus Caesar, in whose raigne Christ was born, 2. Tyberius, vnder whom he was manifested, Luk. 3. and dyed, & persecutions grew hot, Act. 7. & 8. 3. Claudius, vnder whom the Church had some rest, but that Herod the deputy King was cruell, Acts 11. & 12. [Page 238] 4. Nero, vnder whom there was cruell persecution, in which, S. Paul and Saint Peter suffered Martyrdome: and 5. Domitian, by whom S. Iohn was banisht into Patmos, Reu. 1.
2 The number of them is set downe, either generally, as Act. 1. 13. with mentiō afterwards of Mathias, & of the admirable calling of Paul, Gal. 1. 1. and the manner, 2. Cor. 12. 1. &c.
2 Particularly, of such Apostles and their companions, as are expressed in this booke; as of Iohn, [Page 239] Chap. 4. Steuen, Chapters 6. 7. Philip, Chap. 8. Saul, afterward called Paul, Chap. 9. &c. Barnabas, Chap. 13. Silas, Chapters 15. & 16, Iames, Chapters 12. 15.
All which, are to bee cōsidered, either as they were together before their separation, or afterwards.
1 of them all in generall at Ierusalem, where they were to stay by Christs appointment, Chap. 1. 4. or particularly, as of Peter, Iohn, and others, Chapters, 3, 4, 5. Secondly, after their [Page 240] separation, and so there is speciall mention of Paul. First, with Barnabas, Chapters 13, 14. Secondly, with Silas, Chapters 15, 16.
The occasion of their separation was twofold. First, in regard of the persecution of Steuen, and so the Church became scattered, Chap. 8. 1. Secondly, by reason of the dissension betweene Paul and Barnabas, touching Iohn, Marke, which was the Euangelist, Chap. 15. 39.
In the separation note the Coūtries into which [Page 241] the Apostles in seuerall were disperst (as writers report,) and of those as they are set down in this booke.
The parts in which the Apostles were dispersed, are said to be, Andrew in Achaia, Iohn in Asia, Philip in Phrygia, Iames in Iurie, Bartholomew in Scythia, Thomas in India, Mathew in Aethiopia, Simon in Persia, Thaddaeus in Mesopotamia, the other Iames in Spaine, Matthias in Palestine.
In the Acts there is mention of Philip, Peter, [Page 240] Iohn and Paul, especially.
1. Of Peter, who planted the Gospell in Lydda, Chap. 9. 32. and conuerted Cornelius a Gentile, Chap. 10. 1.
2 Of Philip who planted the same in Samaria, which was by him conuerted, Cha. 8. vers. 5, 6. and of Peter & Iohn, who confirmed the plantation in Samaria, ver. 14. 17
3 Of Paul, whose trauels, troubles, cures and miracles are set downe from the 13. Chapter to the end of the booke; of whom wee may here say [Page 241] lesse, because there is so much of him in the many Epistles hee wrote to seuerall Churches, as hereafter followeth.
THE EPISTLES.
AN Epistle is a familiar manner of deliuering & signifying our minds to persons absent: which were necessary in the time of the New Testament, because the Gospell was preached to all, but the law was cooped vp within [Page 244] the wals of Iurie. Secondly, many persecutions were vnder the Gospell, and not vnder the Law; and therefore was the holy Ghost called the Comforter therin.
Of these Epistles, some were called Canonicall, or Catholicke, others not.
Epistles are called Catholique, either as written to the whole church, as the second Epistle of S. Peter, and that of S. Iude; or else, in respect of doctrine necessary, to all Christians, and so the [Page 245] 1. Epistle of S. Peter, & that of S. Iames is called Catholike. The other Epistles are directed to one Church or person, which the other are not, but Iohns two latter.
It was necessary the Apostles should write Epistles, because their libertie was oftentimes restrained, that they could not bee present in person.
It was expedient that S. Paul should write many Epistles.
First, because hee had done much hurt with his penne, and therefore [Page 144] should now labour to do good therewith.
Secondly, as hee had an admirable gift in writing, so hee imployeth the same to the glory of God, and benefit of his Church; in that hee suffered more then the rest of the Apostles, and wrote more. 1. Cor. 15. he is called the Apostle of the Gentiles.
The number of Epistles written by S. Paul, were 14.
1 To the Romanes, by them sometimes were vnderstood a great part of the world, otherwhile [Page 247] for whole Italy, whereof Rome is the chiefe Citie; and in this place (perhaps) for the Citizens thereof, who were great boasters of Righteousnesse by the Law.
To the Corinthians, a rich and famous Citie in Achaia, hauing it name from a man so called; the Inhabitants in the former Epistle are noted for certaine vices, and in the second for obstinacy, & incorrigeblenesse.
4 To the Galatians, or Inhabitants of Galatia, part of Phrygia, in Asia the Lesse, that intermixed [Page 248] S. Pauls doctrine with false doctrine.
5 To the Ephesians, reckoned amōg the famous Cities of Asia, famous for Dianaes Temple, and for S. Pauls teaching in that Citie; the argument thereof is, To confirme them in the Doctrine that he had taught them.
6 To the Philippians, a City of Thracia, bearing name of that famous King of Macedon that built it; this people were ioyfull for the benefit of the Gospel by the Plantation of S. Paul.
7 To the Colossians, a [Page 249] Town of Phrygia, where Archippus was Pastor: the argumēt, for the establishment of their faith against corrupt teachers.
8 To the Thessalonians, a famous Citie of Macedonia: The Citizens in the former Epistle are cōmended for their faith and obedience, 9 and in the second, for their valor in suffering for the same. 10
To Timothie, an Euangelist, descended of religious Parents, his father a Greeke, his mother a Iewesse, and hee himselfe left as a Bishop at 11 Ephesus by S. Paul. In [Page 250] the former Epistle, Timothie is incited and directed to bring forth the fruits of good profession, and in the second, to constancy in suffering.
12 To Titus, left at Creta as a Bishop by S. Paul, the argument, for the accomplishment of works well begun.
13 To Philemon, a person very rich and highly accounted of, perswading him to mercy towards Onesimus a fugitiue seruant.
14 To the Hebrewes, or Iewes, which were borne in Iurie, and for the most [Page 251] part dwelled there also, yet wrote in Greeke, because that tongue was well knowne vnto them; The Argument, To distinguish the Priesthood of Christ, from the Leuiticall.
ROMANES.
HE that would bee a Citizen of Heauen, may be assured of the decree of God, predestinating him thereunto, by the effects of his iustification by faith, and sanctification of the Spirit, moouing him to liue a godly and charitable life towards his brethren; [Page 252] without boasting of any thing in our selues, nor suffering our selues to be seduced by erroneous teachers; to which effect this Epistle directeth.
1. CORINTHIANS.
HEE that would reproue faction in the Church, and vnnecessary contentions in Law, vncleannesse of body, or would bee rightly informed touching the Sacrament and resurrection, is directed in this Epistle; where, by the reproof of things amisse in others, he that sinneth of [Page 253] ignorance or infirmitie may be infamous and reformed, and seducers confuted.
2. CORINTHIANS.
WHerein wee may see, what godly persons (Ministers especially) do reape at the hands of the wicked, false Teachers, and others, for their loue to dragge their soules out of the puddle of sin, and snares of Satan.
GALATIANS.
WHere wee may see the prioritie of faith aboue workes in the Act of Iustification; which precedēcy granted, faith and workes are hand-fasted, and doe necessarily concur in the practice of Christianitie, against such false Apostles as taught Circumcision, and Iustification by the workes of the Law.
EPHESIANS.
INtreating of the grace of God, in making of the Iewes and Gentiles one Church, Chapters 1, 2, 3. and shewing how Christians are differenced from that they were by nature; and also directed in their generall and particular Callings, and prepared for the spirituall combate in the Chapters following.
PHILIPPIANS.
IN which EPISTLE wee may plainely see, what good they doe [Page 256] get in spirituall things, that minister of their Temporals to the necessities of Gods afflicted seruants, Ministers especially, by their prayers, praise, and good aduice; and that none should be offended at the Crosse, but bee emboldened by seeing their constancy in their sufferings, considering the benefit that commeth thereby.
COLOSSIANS.
FRom the Contents of this Epistle, a Christian may learne his progresse in Christianity, in [Page 257] faith and knowledge of God, practice of good workes, & thanksgiuing; so as heauen must be still his ayme, & his thoughts raised vp thither.
1. THESSALONIANS.
IF wee would be comforted against the temptations of persecution, or would know how commendable it is for a Christian to suffer euill for good by persons neere vnto vs, wee are directed therein, Chapters 1, 2, 3. or would bee comforted in the death of our friends deceased, [Page 258] the latter part of this Epistle sheweth it.
2. THESSALONIANS.
THAT persecutions and afflictions are the touchstone of the faith of Gods elect, because that many shall fall away in the last time by the means of Antichrist, where, of him, and his pride and fall.
1. TIMOTHY.
IN the first Chapter, is as it were a Beacon of mercy, set vp for all Repentant sinners, in the example of Paul, to auoid despaire; and teaching them afterwards how to spend their time in godly liuing, Ministers especially, & that by reading the Word, and wisely rebuking sinne, chap. 5. and admonishing al sorts and sexes of their duties, Chap. 2. 3. 6.
2. TIMOTHY.
COntaining an exhortation to stedfastnes [Page 260] in grace, by fore-telling of back-sliding, and wickednes of the last times Necessary now for euery Christian to learne, that hee may know how to beare afflictions and wrongs patiently, by the directions of Gods Word, with the benefits that will come thereby.
TITVS.
A Direction for persons of either sexe, how to behaue thēselues accordingly, whether in priuate or publike place, and of the Minister especially, that hee may bee [Page 261] so qualified by Gods Word, as to bee able to direct others therby, and conuince the Refractory
PHILEMON.
BY example of Paul so earnest for Onesimus a Conuert, we ought to shew mercy, where God hath done it.
HEBREWES.
WHEREIH wee may see the dignity of the Gospel aboue Moses Law, with the Mediator between God and Man. Iesus Christ, according to his threefold [Page 262] Office, of King, Priest, and Prophet; and then of exhortations to the whole Church, to the end of the Epistle.
IAMES.
VVHerein all persons are instructed how to ioyne good life, with good profession, faith & good works; and to beware of euill language, and partiality, in preferring the wicked rich, aboue the godly poore.
1. PETER.
IN this Epistle is set forth the Royalty of Christians, and that their liues ought to be sutable therevnto, in their loue to Christ and his members; and then of their duties in their particular Callings.
2. PETER.
WHerein we are perswaded to maintaine the faith we haue, and to increase therein, and other graces, against Heretikes, Hypocrites, & Atheists, [Page 264] which swarme in the last dayes.
1. IOHN.
VVHerein, after that the Apostle hath shewed the nature of corrupt and worldly loue, he sheweth the loue of Charitie that should bee in Christians: who as they confesse one Christ for their Sauiour; so should they manifest their loue to him, in his Image, that is, in our neighbour.
2. IOHN.
VVHerein, they that are graced with outward Titles of honour, should striue to deserue it, by louing the Truth, and repressing Seducers.
3. IOHN.
FIrst, wherein all men may know to what regiment they belong, by their loue or hatred to good or euill.
IVDE.
VVHerein wee haue the satanical Impe vncased, who vnder the Maske of Religion, pretence of Christian Liberty, would foyle Magistracie, and make way to his own sensuality and auarice.
REVELATION.
OR the discouerie of things present, concerning the seuerall Churches that were in Asia the lesse; and future, [Page 267] concerning the Church, and the opposition made against it by Satan, the Romane Emperours, and the man of sinne: and the Churches victory ouer them; partly in this life, and totally in the life to come.
Amen.