of Kings sheweth vs of all famous acts from Achab the king vnto the ransacking of Samaria the captiuating of the people and Hosea their last king here is also the destruction of Ierusalem and the people carried to Babilon The Argument of the 1 and 2 of the Cronicles PAralipomenon in Greeke With the Hebrues both are one it signifieth omitted or things left the Latines call it Verba Dierum The words of daies meaning a Catalogue of things done in former ages it was composed by Iddo and Semeia 1 Cron. comprehendeth briefly all that was excellently done from the creation vnto the restoring of the people from Babilon it handleth exactly the genealogie of Christ 2 Cron. Comprehends chiefly all such matters as were from the death of Salomon vnto the captiuitie of Babilon Some things in these two books are more amplified than in the books of the Kings The Argument of Ezra HE was a priest and towards the law and the author of this booke It containeth the deliuerance of Israel out of Babilon with great fauour authoritie froÌ„ the king for the reedefying of the Temple at Ierusalem it was hindered by the people of the land yet it was finished according to the time foretold by the angel to Daniel This booke doth proue that God punisheth not the godly according to iustice but according to mercie The argument of Nehemiah HE was cup-bearer to Artaxerxes in such credit that he obtained in the twentith yeare of his raigne full authority with licence letters to commaund to the finishing of the decaied places of Ierusalem This booke is coÌ„monly called the 2 of Esdras because he was thought to be the writer and both were ioyned together the same time in the holy seruice of God And in the Hebrue both books are one both comprise the storie neare of 130 years vnto the last Darius There were three special men stirred vp by the Almightie for the comfort of his people hauing long lain in exilement the first was Zorobabel their captaine the setter forward of chiualrie the secoÌ„d was Ezra their priest the setter forward of religion the third was Nehemiah the setter forward of their building This booke sets out many particulars to weet the builders the manner of it their hinderance their religion c. This booke containeth a singular fauour of God towards them that trust for redemption by Christ for that he openly writeth their names in his holy citie that left Babel vpon Gabriels prophesie to build Ierusalem the citie for Christ the great king and therefore the old Hebrues bound Ezra next Daniel because it dependeth all vpon Gabriels prophesie Dan. 9. and all the nation still thence talked of Christ to be their redeemer The Argument of Esther 2 7. SHe was named Hadassa she was maried to Darius the son of Histaspis whose surname was Assuerus vpon the diuorse of queene Vasthi this booke was written by the chonicler of Assuerus it was taken out of the records of the Medes and Persians Xerxes the great warrior was hir sonne by the king it is consonant with the scriptures of God Some hath added to the same six other chapters of Hester which are not sound nor answerable to the rest This booke approueth the assurance of Gods mercies towards his elect in time conuenient euen when all worldly helpes faileth as by the example of Mardocheus and Hester may appeare who as instruments appointed of God did deliuer the Iewes from the decree and dedly sentence of the king moreouer it sheweth that pride hath a fall by the example of Haman The Argument of Iob. THis storie sheweth the religion of Abrahams other kinred thaÌ„ Israell how before the law they held faith and coÌ„science Abrahams kinred in the family of Nahor as Elihu was in Esaus as Eliphas was in his own better line as Bildad of his son Suach was whom many latins and all Greeks commonly make to be of Abraham by Esau because the land Vz in Ier. Lament is in Edom this kinred of hic Abraham in these families held religion and had these men prophets but prophets alwais had not visions for Gods particular dealings though for naturall knowledge and rules of vertue they be sinceare This booke in this argument is most rare containing a disputation of fiue prophets God in the end comming moderator The shortnes of speech the deapth of matter the discourse of Iob for his life of Elihu for naturall philosophie of the rest for the common plaguing of the wicked the thrise holie conclusion of God makes that booke better than all ophir-gold The storie fell out about Moses birth 777 yeres after the deluge Iob I hold to be of Abraham by Kettura and the land Vz to be not that of Esaus Vz but of Nachors whether Abrahams sonnes by Kettura went to seeke dwelling with their eldest cosine of those sonnes of the east And thence so Abrahams sons by Kettura be named Moses was dead before Iob for he liued but 120 yeares and Iob 140 after his temptation Dina is said to be Iobs wife but by men that in sadnesse follow the iests of the Iews who faigne for memorie of storie fables Dina hath in scriptures no husband named nor Iob a wife with hir proper name thereupon Iewes for teaching children readinesse in storie mary Dina that might be Iobs graÌ„dmother to him who followed them in sadnesse were deceiued Herein we are assured vpoÌ„ sufficient practise and proofe of Gods eternall fauour that when al desolations and hazards whatsoeuer are nearest euen then is that man nearest vnto God and in the greatest possibilitie of honor and maiestie Many great and excellent things are herein contained therefore I recommend them vnto your christian diligence The Argument of the Psalms IT is called in Hebrue Sepher Tehilim by the which the Graecians doe expresse musicall instruments It was gathered by Esdra The authors were diuerse as the Psalmes doe witnesse and some are vncertaine yet the matter is sound and good Dauid was the chiefest 2. Sam. 23 and therefore he was called the sweet Psalmist of Israel Moses wrote the 90 and 91 as a fourme of praier Ethan and Theman wrote the 88 and 89 who were men of great wisdome 1 Kin. 4 30 the holy Priests and Leuits wrote the 137. Dauid ordeined wise and skilfull men to make Psalmes and to prophesie with all sorts of instruments as Corah and his sonnes Asaph and his sonnes Ieduthum and his sonnes Heman and his sonnes there were ordained before the Arke of cunning musitiaÌ„ 2. Chro. 15 16.25 1.2 2. Esd 12 40. 288 the instruments were these Meginath Mehiloth Alamoth Gittith Ieduthum Susaâ—eduth Sosainum Salteries Harpes Organes Trumpets Cimballes c. and the Psalmes serue for diuerse purposes as you may easely see if you marke them some for musicke as you may know by then titles some for prayers some for thanksgiuing some for consolation some for doctrine some for prophesie and some for storie
like els where The seuenth Introduction THe sixteene Prophets and the Reuelation comprehendeth great and notable things past present and to come in reading whereof marke well these that follow called Propheticall 1 Vnder what king in Israel or in Iudah any such prophet did liue one or more good or euil 2 What were the manners of the people and their religion vnder such and such a king compare it with the doctrine of that Prophet 3 Whether such a prophesie were before the captiuitie or after 4 Whether it were before the incarnation of Christ or after Compare the books of the kings with the obseruation or the former inuētion with the books of the prophets and you shall thereby make plaine the one by the other for you shall find that the prophets did apply their doctrine according to their manners where they had to doe The first and second of Chro. will serue verie well for the interpretation of the prophets because it doth enlarge many things spoken in the books of Samuell and Kings The eight Introduction THus I haue aduisedly considered and briefly disposed few principall places how you shall after another sort make interpretation of holy scripture particularly by applying or comparing the old Testament with the new or the new with the old you must be very perfect in them and then make diligent examination which of them shall happen to be in any one place that you haue to vse for the time Consider whether the scripture that you haue in hand be set foorth by Commaundement Promise Ceremonie Type or figure Prophesie Similitude Example Phrase Contradiction Parrable Miracle Allegorie Sacrifice Sacrament Least you should misse by taking one for another I haue verie briefly composed and laid you downe their plaine definition with examples Commaundement Is an imposition a charging willing or requiring of a man frō his owne wil seeme it neuer so good to the accomplishment and doing of another mans wil. And the Lord commanded the man saying Gen. 2 16. Thou shalt eat freely but of the tree of knowledge of good and euill thou shalt not eat 17. Promise Is to assume to vndertake to couenant to indent bargaine and agree is all one thing and to one sence If thou wilt obay diligently the voice of the Lord then the Lord wil set thee on high aboue all nations and these blessings shall fall on thee Deut. 28 1.2.3.4 Blessed in the citie and blessed in the field c. Ceremonie Is an order a constitution disposition rite an element or tradition It is an outward representing vnder a materiall and earthly thing an infallible matter tending to religion and the seruice of God vrged and commaunded by the greatest of power as time place or person doth require hauing an end as Circumcision Being the outward cutting of the foreskin of the flesh representeth the mortification of carnall and earthly affections and lusts and the quickning of the spirit This had an end by Baptisme which is also a ceremonie and hath an end at the second comming of Christ Gen. 7 10.11 Tipe or figure Is that which can be referred neither to religion to manners nor to truth If it command any wicked thing or doe forbid any good thing then it is a type or a figure When it may be taken two manner of waies one way to good Gen. 9 26 14 8. Haeb. 7 1. to 15. Gen. 12 1. to 18.22 to 19. 2. Cor. 12 4. and another way to euill then is it a type or figure Sem or Melchisedech was a perfect figure or type of Christ Iesus both concerning his kingdome and priesthood Prophesie Is a diuining foretelling an interpreting an exorting or aedifying Exod. 7 1.2 1. Cor. 14.3.4 1. Thess 5 20. Eze. 13 1.39 1.2 Sonne of man prophesie against the prophets of Israel and say vnto them that prophesie out of their owne hearts thus saith the Lord. Similitude Is that which beares a resemblance proportion fashion likenesse shew distinction or more plaine manifestation of another matter A similitude is not the same in euerie particular as that which was likened vnto it but it is sufficient if it be like in one Similitudes are neuer set out to confirme or confute but to adorne or to make a matter more plain and it is euermore inferiour to the matter in hand as for example Psal 144. Man is like a thing of nought things of nought worth are still throwne out cast away not sit for any good purpose therefore to be cast out reiected and troden vnder feet so is man as a thing of nought My beloued is like a Roe or a yoong Hart. Cant. 2 9. Here you must consider the qualitie of a Roe or a yoong Hart then you shall see what the beloued of Christ is Like the lillie among the thornes Cant. 2 2. Luk. 13.19.21 Math. 20 1.2 so is my loue among the children of men Like the graine of mustard seed to leuen to vineyard so is the church Marke well the particulars or the sundrie propertie qualitie condition or effect of euerie similitude then apply it to this or that thing or to that matter and you shall be greatly delighted and enlightned Example Is a matter like in effect though not in substance It is the confirmation of another matter whē it hath the selfe same sence although not the selfe same wordes It is well said to be a fit example when a like matter being generall doth proue a particular An example is a matter done and extant in print and in writing Ensample Is that which we see with our eyes daily in the worke of God or conuersations of men which is not printed or written It is an ensample when we ourselues can witnesse the seeing of it and the performing of it An Example is that which hath an end or purpose either to exhort or to dehort from some thing and so is an Ensample The drowning of Pharao in the sea was an example of Gods iustice against obstinate sinners Exo. 14.21 persecuting the godly and resisting the will of God The falling of the tower of Siloh was an example that others should take heed Luke 13 4. The destruction of the cities of Sodome and Gomorrah Gen. 19 23. was an example that we should not delight in sinne Phrases The holy Ghost for our better capacitie and vnderstanding vseth to speake and to deliuer great and waightie matters after a phrase or common speech vsed in the world among ordinary men as thus Nathan said to Saule 1. Sam. 15. The Lord hath cast thee away meaning thereby as men doe cast away things of nought things good for nothing so God hath reiected and cast him off he hath giuen him ouer as a thing nought worth Men say of base and simple things We will cast it away Let not sinne raigne in your mortall bodies meaning by kings gouernement Rom. 6 12. that sinne should not gouerne nor haue dominiō
was called Simeon the son of Iohn the fisher Christ did name him Caephas which is Peter Marke 3. he was one of the Apostles and the chiefest for diuerse causes He spake of works after iustification as S. Iames doth he descendeth into the dueties of each degree and to the conuersation of the Gentils It was written vpon the occasion of Siluanus being long with S. Paule and trauelling to Babilon met with S. Peter who deliuered him this Epistle generall The Argument of the second of Peter HE exhorteth all men from day to day and from degree to degree to increase in the works of regeneration to beware of false teachers the state of the last times He thought his death to be at hand wherefore he wrote to the glorie of his maister Christ The Argument of the first of Iohn THis Iohn was one of the foure Euangelists he was the sonne of Zebedeus beloued of Christ he wrote the ReuelatioÌ„ he exhorteth to faith brotherly loue to trie and approue the spirits to auoid false teachers hypocisie and small offences and to decke themselues with godly liuing The Argument of the second of Iohn HEre he handleth mutuall loue the duetie of widowes to beware of false teachers a way to know them he did write especially to a godly widow who with hir children and hir houshold laboured after Christ The Argument of the third of Iohn HE exhorteth his familiar friends and his host Gains to diuerse points of doctrine and to good works thanking God for the great comfort receiued at his hands he commends him for a harberour of Gods people The Argument of Iude. HE was one of the Apostles he instructed the Godly to continue in well doing he shewes the iustice of God against sinners and reuolters as the Angels the Iewes The Argument of the Reuelation THis booke containeth all the doctrine of the prophets concerning Christ which was to be accomplished after his comming the comfort that comes by his death the marriage of the church with the sanctified members the prouidence of God and the force of his word The third Introduction WHat may be said of the other books called Apocrypha you may easely iudge by the consideration of the authours and especially by the matter not consonant with other scriptures The word Apocrypha according to the Aetymologie thereof signifieth a mysterie a matter hid secreat or kept close They are books to be read at home and not in the congregation The first and second of Esdras 1 Esd 7 6. 2 Esd 8 4.5.6 THis Esdras was a Scribe and an expounder of the law when the people went from Babilon vnder the gouernment of Zarobabell in the time of Cirus and Darius Histaspis sonne he was in great report and bare credite among all people Concerning the authoritie of these books the matter it selfe hath no certaine ground especially That in the first of Esd the third and fourth of the three yong mens sentences In the first of Esdras the 4 and 1. the Angell reproued Esdras for his curious searching he was purposed to sorow and fast him selfe to death 2 Esd 10 4. both which things argued an vnperfect spirite in him This and the rest proues the books not fit to be matched with the Canonicall whose spirite was neuer found guiltie of controlment Tobias Tobias liued in the daies of Salmanser and Zenacherib his sonne kings of Assiria and was taken captiue at Niniuie This booke was penned by some godly man not perfectly knowne it was found in the Hebrue Assyrian and Chaldean tongues very antient yet with many blemishes and imperfections In the twelfth and fifteenth it is said That the Angels did present the praiers of the saints which none can do but Iesus Christ himselfe for he is our Aduocate and high sacrificer In the 4 and 10 old Tobias saith that Alms deliuered a man from death which is a matter contrarie to all holy scriptures In the seuenteenth he exhorteth to giue bread for the dead which in deed is a shew of Idolatrie notwithstanding the man is to be taken for godly and religious and his booke so far to be taken for credit as it doth agree with the Canonicall Iudith THis booke seemeth toward the last part to haue been penned after hir death by whome it is vncertaine the storie is in the Hebrue and Chaldean tongues yet not so receiued as the Canonicall because of the sundrie imperfections thereof Cap. 11 6.16 8.1.11 1. She tooke Gods name in vaine she denied the power of God and the authoritie of his Saints yeelding all to Holophernes Nabucadnezer was Emperour of Persia and his seat was at Babilon but not in Niniuie as is here laid downe For these and such like this booke cannot be allowed for sound yet many good things are therein therefore iudge soberlie and charitably Hester THis booke was written by some Graecian not truely knowne it is very friuolous it is annexed vnto the true story of Hester the variety thereof shewes the contrariety Wisdome IT is called in Greeke Panareâ—on that is to say The booke of all vertues Ierome writeth that Philoiudeus enlarged it with great wisdome and learning into Greeke being left before as a remnant or peece by Solomon this Philoiudeus liued in the daies of the Apostles and he embraced christian faith We must graunt that there are many excellent things done and spoken herein the author being eloquent and learned but yet euerie learned and eloquent booke may not be admitted among the saints Read Aug. de doct Christ lib. 2. De ciuitat dei lib. 17 20. Iunius preface in Apocrypha Baruck HE was secretarie to Hieremie This booke is not in the Hebrue but in the Greeke therefore it was not reckoned among the Israelits who were of that language It is not reckoned in the chronicles of the kings of Iudah nor yet accounted among the prophets Susanna IT is not knowne who did write this booke Although hir chastitie be commended yet the matter is not approued northe author canonized Bell and the Dragon THe author is not to be found and the matter is not likely The praier of Manasses HE is the author thereof as it is generally receiued It was in Greeke which did disanull the authoritie thereof among the Hebrues The first and second of Machabees THe first was written in Hebrue in the time of Iohannes Hircanus the sonne of Simon Machabeus It was receiued as a storie but not of credit to be with the books of God The second was in Greeke very friuolous and out of order The third was entituled Simon the high priest penned by all likelihood by Philoiudeus at Alexandria in Greek Mark their authority Iudas Machabeus offered for the dead and praied for them that their sinnes might be pardoned which thing is against all scripture 12 42. c. The sin which he praied for was mortall and not veniall as they say who would haue this booke to be canonicall yet they pray
and sacrifice for them 2 Mach. 2 5. It is said that Ieremie hid the Arke of the Tabernacle in a caue and that Salomon sanctified the place 2 Mach. 8 9.10 which thing Salomon could not doe because it was no part of his office and he neuer did it the same prophet did euen then reproue the seekers after such places least there shold be any monument or relick of Idolatrie further the death of Antiochus is not agreed vpon for in 1 Mach. 6 5.6 16. it is said That he died with sorrow in the 2. Mach. 9 6.7 the maner of his death is reckoned to be far otherwise It is said that Iudas Machabeus was slaine in Demetrius armie 1 Mach. 9 18. but in the 2 Mach. 1 10.11 he writeth a letter after his death 36 yeares vnto Aristobolus 2 Mach. 1.10.11 he doubteth of his well doing Let the feare of God withdraw you from all vnreuerent handling and iudging hereof The fourth Introduction THe Argument or sum of all the Bible by books and chapters as they ly comprehendeth ten histories or generall matters chaining the scriptures to the saluation of one people in the seruice of God and to the destruction of an another wilfullie nelegcting and obstinatly gainsaying the same whereby you shall see as it were it one view what was most notably done and spoken in euerie age what difference and change there was and vpon what occasion you shall not light into any one booke or chapter but hereby you shal be able to say This or that matter belongeth to such a storie This is the effect of euery booke chapter Here this or that beginneth and there it endeth I haue set before the particular matter of euerie storie seuerally according to the age and continuance thereof which being once perfectly learned shall euer be remembred with the encrease of knowledge and with an admirable change in your selfe to your comfort and to Gods glorie Storie Bookes and Chapters Contents 1 From Gen. 1 To Gen. 7 The Flood 1656. years 2 Gen. 8 Gen. 12 The renouation of the creation 424. yea 3 Gen. 12 Exod. 19 The election in Abram and his seed 430. yea 4 Exod. 12. Ios 1 Their going out of Aegypt to Canaan 40. yea 5 Ios 1 Iudg. 1. Their quiet possession in the same 7. yea 6 Iudg. 1 1. Samuel Of Saul their first king 450. yea 7 1. Sam. Nehem. Their captiuitie in Babylon 490. yea 8 Nehem. Their restoring to libertie 70. yea Ezra Hester 9 Danie Their perpetuall libertie in Christ 490. ye 10 Reuel The birth of Christ to the worlds end by the computation of Elias 2000. ye NOw you must learne what euerie storie doth generally containe what is the sum or whole drift of the holy Ghost in the same which I haue set downe by particulars You must marke where and in what booke or chapter the substance of euerie storie lieth and how it is dispearsed in the Bible most principally note two things to weet what good men was in euerie age or in euerie such storie and what wicked men The particulars of the first storie Fathers Gen. 5. Adam Signifieth Earthly Seth. Setled Enos Sorrowfull Kenan Godly repentance Mahalalel Praise God Jared The lowly Henoch The Sabaoth keeper Methuselah Long life Lamech Heart wounded Noah The Comforter These were the tenne holy fathers before the floud which the holy ghost reckoneth in whom the religion and seruice of God was grounded these published ouer the world that thē was all such effectuall matters tending to religion as was deliuered afterward to Moses in two tables of stone to be continued and enlarged by sacraments and sacrifices by ceremonies and such like ordinances euen vnto the death of Christ there was nothing done in the time of Moses which might not wel be deriued from the law and profession of these men if you compare them by their special instances by them you shal finde true religion maintained and the false detected moreouer by them hard places are made plaine And if you reckon how long euerie of them liued the whole doth perfectly measure the age of that world from Adam to the floud 1656. And for these special causes I haue laid downe briefly their stories ADam was a passing and a most perfect creature disagreeing from all other creatures both in the magnanimitie of his soule and in the excellencie of his bodie in soule he was like to God himselfe for wisdome for innocencie and clearenes in bodie he did beare the fourme and fashion of the goodliest male and female kinde that was to be in the world He comprehended by the light of Gods spirite that the seede of the woman should restore him and all beleeuers into the fauor of God and therefore he called his wife Heua that is to say Life and he called his sonne Seth that is to say Setled and persuaded in the faith of Christ In the commemoration of which seed Adam offered continuall sacrifice the which in the allowance thereof was ordinarilie consumed by fire as was the sacrifice of Abraham in the time of the law By this he may well be called a king a prophet a priest or sacrificer As the original whence he came being earth had relation to what he should returne so the place where he was created being mount Moriah had relation to that place where Christ the high sacrificer should be crucified to the ioy of the world as by many other particulars afterwards was made plaine to be Ierusalem Gen. 22 2. where Isaac was offered as a figure of Christ where Sem or Melchisedech dwelt being the king of peace and iustice 14 18. where Noahs arke rested Gen. 8. where Salomon was commanded to build the temple in the honour of his name 2 Cron. 3 1. When God had chastned the woman and cursed the serpent he said vnto Adam The seed of the woman shall bruse the serpents head Gen 3 15. He liued to instruct Mathuselah in this promise concerning Christ 243 yeares Gen. 5 25.10 11. the rather because Methuselah was appointed of God to liue long and manie yeares after of purpose to teach others That Adam fell the day of his creation all must hold that loue not grosse ignorance our Lord telleth that Satan stood not in the truth Now his falling could not be knowne to vs to iudge of that speech but by the storie of the serpent which Moses ioined with the creation and it were irreligious boldnesse to thrust a practise of life betwixt in another kinde Moreouer our Lord telleth that satan was a murtherer from the beginning speaking vnto Hebrues They now his enemies not onelie graunt but proue by the testimony vniuersall of all their learned that the sixt day the serpent deceiued Eue. If Adam fell not same the day of his creation what did he then on the next seuenth day how bestowed he the sabaoth if he were idle then he gaue an ill president
TEN Introductions How to read and in reading how to vnderstand and in vnderstanding how to beare in mind all the bookes chapters and verses contained in the holie Bible With an Answer For Lawyers Physitions Ministers LONDON Printed by A. Islip 1594. To the right Worshipshipfull maister Tobie Wood Esquire and Councellor at Law dwelling neere her Maiesties Tower in London the true and vndoubted Patrone of this booke AS three speciall occasions moued S. Peter to offer his labour in building of three Tabernacles a Mat. 17 3.4 one for Christ one for Moses and one for Elias euen so right Worshipfull three speciall occasions moued me to offer this my labor in the building of a spirituall Tabernacle one for meere b 1 Cor. 12 12.13.14 to 25. Phil. 2 19.20.21 1. Cor. 10 24. care and c Act. 24 16. Rom. 9 1.2.3.4.5 conscience to my d Leuit. 25.25.48.49 Rom. 9 5. contrimen in Wales one to kindle my e 1. Sam. 16.2.20 2.4.9.12.13.17.12 10. faithfull affections towards you and one to satisfie the request f By his letters dated Ianuar. 20. Apr. 5. And one May 2. 1592. of a right worshipfull gentleman Sir William Herbert knight who would ioyne with me in this worke If the care of my countrimen might be vnsupplied and if the worthinesse of this learned and zealous knight might be as he is in the graue for euer silenced yet the heartie affections the bond of thankefulnesse and the christian duety I owe you can no way so effectually be discharged Wherein also I shall make cleare my good conscience towards the one and my humble duety towards the other which if you shall please to patronize whatsoeuer is found wanting by him which is dead shall be supplied I doubt not to your contentment by them which are aliue g Exo. 37 7. As the two Cherubins which Moses made tended to the preseruation of Gods people The Method and nine obseruations and therefore both were placed vpon the Arke as one euen so good worshipfull Sir the two former books which I made tended to the instruction of Gods people in the holie Bible and therefore I haue placed them both in one h Psal 62 11.12.13 As God spake once and twice that power and mercie belongeth vnto him so I will speake once twice and euer to his maiestie that power may be giuen by his spirit and mercie by his sonne to all that long with Zeale to the knowledge hereof These are to certifie i Ier. 9.17.18.19 you though not for news there was great k Ezech. 32.1.2.3 lamentation in Syon because of Gods iustice for their sinnes as there was great lamentation for Pharao in Aegypt because he was a lion in the land and a dragon in the sea and as there was great l Hest 4.3 sorrow fasting mourning and weeping among the Iewes because the king had decreed their deaths euen so there is great cause of lamentation fasting mourning and weeping here in England because m Ier. 9 21. death is scaling our windowes the n Eze. 32.4 beasts of the fields hungering to deuoure our bodies our bloud readie to water the land Eze. 32 6. and our o Mat 7 19.13 42.43.18.9 Iud. 9 Reu 19 20. soules as prepared for the fire of hell by reason of sinnes in the p Hos 4 1.2 common sort of horrible crueltie in many of them that are q Esa 3 12. Hos 7 3.4.5 great and of the generall ignorance of Christ according to his gospell in euerie sort If it please you to compare the raigne of r Kin. 20 21. Manasses sometimes king of Iudah with the raigne of Marie sometimes queene of England you shall finde little oddes in the innocent blood that the one shed at Ierusalem and the innocent bloud that was shed at London c. which God the righteous iudge hath not yet fully reuenged because that the vniformitie in the professiō of Christ these 36 years is not yet perfect the persecution of former times are not done away by repentance For notwithstāding the great s 2. Kin. 22.23 zeale of Iosias with the obedience of his people yet the former sinnes of Manasses would not be forgottē Therfore God knowes and most wise men sees we haue vrgent occasions mouing vs to pray yea to pray heartely vnto Iesus Christ the aeternall king for Elizabeth our queene and other hir subiects that either be will vtterly forgiue or at the least grant that the penaltie deserued doe not fall vpon vs nor vpon our children And albeit we cannot shake off the generall condemnation threatned and knowne to hang ouer England yet hir maiesty with vs and we with hir loathing our own sins and detesting the abhomination of others shall be singled and seuered to preseruation come the desolation neuer so terrible and suddaine Ierusalem which was sometimes the citie of the great king the keeper of the diuine oracles the receptacle of Angels and the continual presence of God himselfe is now become a place of sulphir and hellish flames inhabited with Oules Estriges and such like noisome creatures euen so they that haue eyes to see may yet see the tears and desolation of the great and famous citie of London they that haue ears to heare may yet heare the cries of hir children the pitious lamentation of hir women and the sighs of hir men in euerie street some for their parents some for their children some for their wiues some for their husbands some for mony and some for meat which the last years plague hath ruinated depriued and desolated Whether this were a reuenge of their sinnes yet liuing or a reuenge of their sinnes alreadie dead and yet vnrepented it is not knowne but sure it is many woes are past and many more are to come if the perusing and the examinatiō of our selues worke not in vs the consideration of that great zeale of Gods glorie the desire of building the Lords house and the practising of such an vpright life as was in the antient fathers of the church Wherefore I humbly intreat you and in Christ Iesus I desire you albeit your place be not to reforme these things so generally out of frame yet reforme and amend your selfe and your owne houshold ioyne with them that they may ioyne with you My good worshipfull and Christian friend as I cannot charge you nor any of yours for any disorder so I cannot leaue to intreat and desire you to walke warily and wisely in this crooked and froward generation ground your own foundation sure take heed to your selfe looke that noman t Reu. 3 11. take away your Crowne The deuill offreth violence hold therefore fast that which you haue watch and pray O pray continually powre out your supplications before God morning and euening both you and your hoshold v Psal 5 3. Morning and euening said Dauid will I direct my praiers vnto thee
the third are no people the first that sit vpon the mountains of Samaria the second the Philistins that dwell in Sichimis They that sit vpon the mountaines of Samatia repose themselues vpon the authoritie of Rome the Philistins represent the Turke Sarazens and other miscreants These are the sons of men said Dauid These are the generation of vipers said Iohn Baptist These are the children of darkenesse said S. Paule and these are they say all men that labor to ouer-run our countries to ouerthrow our churches to burne our houses to bereaue vs of our liues and to depriue vs of our queene and both hir and vs of the Gospell They conspire against God like Hipocrites against our quiet queen like traitors against our common weale like spoilers My good countriemen and kinsmen if you will adhibite any credite to my councell if you haue any comfort in the mercifulnesse of God and if you haue any bowels of Christian affection to your posteritie then now at the last get you Bibles leaue off your beads place learned preachers displace Ieroboams Priests walke in the light of the gospell extinguish the light of Tapers and Torches the one brings you the high way to heauen the other the ready way to hell As Ioab tooke hold on the horns of the Alter for the safegard of his life so now take you hold on Iesus Christ for the safegard of your liues All kind of creatures are in an vnitie praising God they call you to ioyne and to vnite your selues with vs in one religion Strange sights haue bin seen in the element and in the earth calling you to repentance fire hath come downe from heauen fishes haue throwne thēselues to land and beasts haue brought foorth vntimely monsters calling you to repentance the earth hath quaked vnder our feete and our houses haue shaken ouer our heads calling you to repentance O ioyne then with vs we wil now ioyne with you let vs goe togither into the house of God hād in hand heart in heart let vs sing one song as with one voice to the praise of our one only God Thus I haue boldly briefly admonished you in the Lord and that you may the better cōtemplate to your cōfort I haue here as you see comprised and composed my two former labors into one with some substraction and with some such addition as may best further you to the speech of his diuine maiesty in your owne person when occasion shal be offered for your selues for your houshold One quarter of a years pains as I haue pointed will bring you 40 years profit in earth and at the expiration thereof aeternall pleasure in heauen And when you haue obtained my promise I desire but your praiers and your meditations to God for me for the posteritie of the religious and magnanimious gentleman Sir William Herberd knight who for his owne part hath runne his race in the faith of Iesus Christ and finished his course according to conscience towards you as may appeare whose body is a sleepe in the Lord and whose soule is in ioy with Iesus Christ There are three sorts of professors that doe suffer great indignitie at the hands and from the hearts of many picke-thanke Parasites stily Sicophants too too hard yea heathenish or rather hellish censures are giuen in and granted out against them I know their obiections vpon long experience and I know that vpon small skill and little reading their turnesicke spirite of giddinesse may easily be quailed although through ignorance and wilfull stubbernnesse they will neuer be answered Good Christian countriemen and courteous Readers I am loath to offend you with tediousnesse about these matters hauing a great shew of indeuour and purpose to draw you to other matters of greater importance I haue therfore thought good and more conuenient to speake of them in the latter end of this booke The first doth partlie concerne this worshipfull gentleman to whom I write for protection The second doth concerne partly mine owne bodily health and the third doth concerne the earthly prosperity and the heauenly faelicity of all the elect and therefore I may not passe it neither may you in any case omit the learning of it that with him and me and with the rest of Gods inheritance you may be readie to defend it And thus for this time I humbly take my leaue and with such conueniencie as I may do now betake my selfe in the feare of God to the matter From Leonard Shordich and county of Middlesex nere London Yours if you be the Lords Edw Vaughan A briefe recitall of the generall heads or places of inuention contained in this booke 1 Away to know or to fetch readilie and roundly al the books in the booke of God either backward or forward in the old and new Testament 2 The Author the originall the occasion and the chiefe matter of euerie such booke 3 The books called Apocrypha how farre they are to be receiued and their imperfectiō when where and by whom found out among themselues 4 The principall stories chaining the whole scripture dispersed here and there in the old and new where euerie such storie doth begin and where it ends with a recitall of the principall matters therin 5 Sir William Herberts account vpon the tenth story of the age and time from the birth of Christ vnto the worlds end 6 Certaine principall obseruations or speciall matter to be marked for the reading and vnderstanding of all such books as are called Laegall 7 Certaine principall obseruations or speciall matter to be marked for the reading and vnderstanding of all such books as are called Sapientall 8 Certaine principall obseruations or speciall matter to be marked for the reading and vnderstanding of all such books as are called Propheticall 9 Other fourteene places and most direct rules how to read and vnderstand euery booke chapter and verse 10 Other foure and forty sure titles or matter supporting or agreeing with all the scriptures to be digested or framed into common places 11 The right vse of positiue Laws 12 The necessitie of Phisicke 13 The excellencie of the Ministerie 1 Introduction LEarne perfectly all the names of the Canonicall bookes as they are in order from Genesis to the Reuelation You must be able readily to render an account what booke is next before or next after any such booke taken in hand Then returne back and learne how many chapters is in euerie booke 2 Introduction NOw you must go ouer these books old and new by some proportion dayly either morning or euening after this maner wherein you shall see many profitable notes and especially the argument or summe of euerie booke it will pleasure you greatly by the report and iudgement of all antient authours The Argument of Genesis THis booke is called of the Hebrues Verescith that is to say Beginning Generation or Creation giuing vs to vnderstand that it containes the creation of all things Moses the son of Amram
Exercise will be easie The names or aetymologies of the twentie holy fathers of the twelue Patriarchs of the twelue standings or habitations where Israel pitched in their iourney from Aegypt to Canaan You must digest in a writing booke of two quires after the maner of common places one of the same places or titles must be at the vpper end of euerie second leafe in Quarto and be sure to place nothing vnderneath but such matter as the place and title requireth And when you haue so gone ouer and written all your booke then cast it aside and take another after the same order which being also finished compare it with the first and you shall see your selfe much amended in skill Thus doe once more in another booke and then you shall be able readily and roundly to speake artificially and diuinely of all things necessarie to saluation forgetting not the vse and helpes of the introductions aforesaid one quarter of a yeare will profit you more than forty yeares reading after the common and generall order 1 You shall not read any parcell of scripture but you may reduce them to some one of these 2 It will sharpen your conceipt and iudgement 3 It will shew you what place is most principall and necessarie in euerie booke and chapter 4 You shall know what matter belongs to Exhortatiō Reprehension Confirmation Confutation and Consolation 5 You shall know what matter belongs to the first Table and what to the second 6 Your memorie will be staid as in one sight or view wherby you shal haue in a readinesse all things You shall haue a briefe definition or interpretation of euerie one opposite least you take one for another or misse of the sence The names or aetymologies of the first ten Fathers Earthly Vanishing descending subiect to decay corruption Setled Constant vnremoueable persuaded resolute beleeuing determined Sorrowfull Perplexed vexed greeued hating loathing detesting Godly repentance Sorie for sinnes past greeued for displeasing of God and not for any worldly losse or discontentment whatsoeuer Praise God That is to be content in all estates to blesse God to praise him and to thanke him The lowly Not to be puffed vp with worldly conceipts nor to stand vpon our own merits but in humilitie and lowlinesse to expect after Christ The Sabaoth keeper Is he that dedicateth his body and soule to spirituall contemplation and to the sauing of needfull things Long life All gifts temporall and spirituall is signified Heart wounded Molested with the tribulations and miseries of the life The Cōmforter When all worldly helps faileth to the wicked then there is helpe and comfort to the Godly in Christ The names or aetymologies of the second ten Fathers Renowned Famous excellent in good credit with good men and with God Healing This is a close narration of our clensing Healing and restauration Peace Tranquillitie rest ioy and Peace quietnesse and ease Pilgrime When we ascend to God we descend from our selues and from all the pleasures of this life whence we are pilgrimes Deuided In the heat of our iournie to God we are deuided separated and sequestred from father and friends c. to serue God Breaking This shewes the parting the cutting off and disloialtie of the wicked for want of faith and patience Palm-trees As the Palm-tree the more it is pressed the more it springeth euen so the godly c. Angrie or drie The wicked is soon moued to wrath so drie vnfruitfull Wretch The sonne of such a father hardly proueth valiant euer he is wretched High father That is by a new begetting new regeneration to be godly and so in fauour The names or aetymologies of the twelue Patriarches Water Consider the nature of Water is to wash to mollifie to fructifie to drowne or destroie c. all is to one effect and must be vnder one Title Sword Consider the vse thereof Also it is to be taken for Crueltie Jrefull Booke Jt hath relation to Learning to Knowledge Skill Offices c. Lion Vnderstand Courage Valeant Mightie Kingly Victorious c. Adder The qualitie as to sting to hurt to defile to vex c. Hinde Swift speedie flying poasting and such like beast Banner Warriors fighters weapons armour Bread Food apparell and all such things as belong to the backe and to the bellie Asse Slouthfull sluggish and such like beasts Ship Seas-sailing ventring fishes Marchants Fruitful bough Prosperous powerfull encreasing spreading abroad Wolfe Extirping rooting and other beasts of that nature The names or aetymologies of the twelue Standings Worms meat Such are we in nature and in bodily substance Poore Cottages So are our habitations and continuance in this world Hard ground So are our worldly commodities hard and vnprofitable Bitternesse After a little ease and rest we fall into diuers trials Strong harts So God encourageth the weake and wearied seeking him Thornie The cares and pleasures of this life and lets and hinderances Temptation Riches and pleasures are prouocations to sinne Euerlasting temptation Hath the godly and prouocations to sinne Turning away As Cerah and the rest rebelled Declaring or shewing This hath relation to Mountains Shadow of a portion Riches and such like are Portions Of the Father To this you may refer Genealogies kinred or progenies An entrance to the answering of the three questions recited in the beginning of this booke I Haue heard many men of diuers trades callings and professions and some in the parish where I haue cure and charge vsing speeches derogatorie to the credite good estate and prosperous continuance of Lawyers Phisitions and of the Preachers of the word of God the plētie of which three sortes of learned and honest professors are the manifest arguments of Gods most speciall fauor towards his church yet notwithstanding I perceiue they are neither liked nor loued of the ignorant and enuious multitude wherein they do so much as in them lieth abuse the means of their cōfort reiect the graces of God which they daily pray for yet whē they by reason of their vngodly or distemperate behauior are brought to the hazard of their liberties their liuings or their liues then some of them maister and worship the Lawyer Others being but a little sicke post and hast their messengers to the Phisitions then they intreat them and entertaine them with diuers paiments promises And some of them though the smaller number when their wils be made and their soules bequeathed send for the minister vnto whom they then speake faire and crie God mercie I haue beene a sinner Master Parson pray forme or words to like effect I doubt me to small purpose Wherfore these things considered I thinke it not amisse good christian Reader to contriue their questions and my answers Dialogue wise as betweene the Pastor and Parishioner after this maner Parishioner WHat is your opinion and iudgment of Lawyers They are men generally hated and ill reported and as I thinke very iustly for they doe by delaies and shifts in law