5. Deuteronomie GENESIS THe Generation of the World is so called because of the Creation before the flood and the restoring of it after the flood and the administration of it by the Patriarchs unto the birth of Moses it containes the history of 2310. years The Places that are seemingly contradictory 1. Gen. 1. 22. And on the seventh day God ended his work Chap. 2. 4. All things were created in the day that the Lord God made the heavens and the earth Reconciling God created the world and all things therein contained in six days and not in one day altogether The first place therefore is meant of certain naturall and artificiall dayes The latter containes indefinitely the time of the Psal 95. 7. Heb. 3. 13. creation of things So this day is put for the time of grace 2. Gen. 1. 2. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters Joh. 7. 39. The Holy Ghost was not yet given In the first place the treaty is concerning the person and existence of the holy Ghost in the latter concerning the gifts of the holy Ghost and the miraculous powring forth thereof in the day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ 3. Gen. 1. 5. God called the light day before the Sun was Ecclus. 43. 2. The Sun when it appeareth declareth the day The light which first made the day was not an other light from the light of the Sun but that light which God had dispersed through the hemisphere which he collected afterwards into the body of the Sun 4. Gen 1. 27. 9. 6. God created man after his own image Chap. 5. 3. And Adam begat a son in his own likenesse after his image The Image of God after which God created man at the beginning was depraved by the fall of Adam and so he begat such a son as himself a corrupt sinner and blind in spirituall things 5. Gen. 1. 27. God created man c. in the image of God male and female created he them 1 Cor. 11. 7. The man is the image and glory of God but the woman is the glory of the man The woman was created in the beginning 1 Pet. 3. 6. Gen. 24. 9. after the image of God so well as the man Paul considering the distinction of sex saith that the man came nearer to the image of God in respect of his dominion and the end because the woman wes made out of the man and for the man 6. Gen. 1. 2. 9. 1. Be fruitfull and multiplie and replenish the earth Luk. 23. 29. Blessed are the barren and the wombes that never bare Children before and since the fall are a blessing from God absolutely Barrennesse is commended by Christ not simply but by reason of a judgement was to fall upon the Jews and of that heavy calamity to ensue wherein the flight would be easier for one alone then for a mother and her little ones so Woe be to them that are with childe and to them which give Mat. 24. 19. suck in those days 7. Gen. 1. 28. Multiply and replenish the earth 1 Cor. 7. 7. For I would that all men were even as I my self Whether Paul were then a Batchelor or a maried man is uncertain that he was maried his words imply where he saith Have not we power to lead about a Sister or a woman a wife as well as the other Apostles otherwise he had not been sure of a wife If he were a Batchelor he speaks conditionally unlesse the propagation of mankind and of the Church should be hindred 8. Gen. 1. 31. And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Eccles 1. 2. Vanity of vanities all is vanity All the Creatures are good in respect of the creation and their nature but Ecclesiastes condemns their vain and evill inclination which is not naturall to them but came upon them by the fall of man 9. Gen. 1. 31. All that God made was very good Rom. 8. 20. For the Creature was made subject to vanity not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope Before the fall every creature was in a better condition then after the fall for contrary to nature they are become subject to the lust of wicked men and so to many afflictions by reason of him who hath subjected the creature that is God under this hope that it shall be at last delivered from the tyranny of the wicked 10. Gen. 1. 31. God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Mal. 1. 3. I hated Esau Every creature of God is good and so is Quaest ex Epist ad Rom. Man as he is a creature but not as a sinner saith August God therefore hated Esau for his sin and set him after his brother Jacob. 11. Gen. 2. 2. God rested from all his works Exod. 20. 11. Deut. 14. that he had made Joh. 5. 17. 14. 10. My Father worketh hitherto God rested from all the works of creation and of things that should be in nature but not from his works of Providence care and sustentation for without that all would return to Psal 104. Act. 17. nothing and perish 12. Gen. 2. 15. God put man into the garden of Eden to dresse it Chap. 3. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread If Adam had continued in innocency labour should have been pleasant unto him but because he sinned therefore must we labour with much sorrow and trouble 13. Gen. 2. 18. It is not good that the man should be alone Mat. 19. 10. It is not good to marry 1 Cor. 7. To touch a woman In the first place God speaks of the good and profit of the whole Species and the Church which cannot be propagated by one person alone In the latter the Apostle speaks of the personall good and the more commodious kind of life in the time of persecution 14. Gen. 2. 24. Therefore shall a man leave his Father and Mother Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy Father and thy Mother To leave Father and Mother here is not to denie them the honour love and help that is due to them but to leave the house of his parents and to live with his wife and to set up a new family with her 15. Gen. 2. 24. A man shall cleave to his wife Exod. 21. 4. The servant going forth shall leave his wife to his master c. The generall Law pertains to all that is the first but the speciall law was granted to the Jews for the hardnesse of their hearts and so we understand the latter place 16. Gen. 2. 24. Mat. 19. 5. And they shall be one flesh 1 Cor. 6. 16. He that is joyned to a harlot is one body Married people are one body really and indeed by divine institution but carnall copulation with a whore without marriage though it be actually one body yet it is impure because it is not of divine
were crucified with him cast the same in his teeth Luk. 23. 39. And one of the malefactors which were hanged rayled on him Matthew ascribes to both that which was proper to one as the murmuring before amongst the Apostles or if both at first did rayl on him one of them at last confessed his sin and acknowledged Jesus to be the Messias 635. Mat. 28. 8. The Maries departed from the Sepulchre with fear and great joy Mar. 16. 8. They fled from the Sepulchre for they trembled and were amazed That fear and amazement was joyn'd with joy as it fals out in sudden accidents 636. Mat. 28. 9. The women came and held him by the feet Joh. 20. 17. He saith to Mary Magdalen Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father Christ suffered the women to touch him to confirm the certainty of his Resurrection that they might be more sure witnesses to his Disciples and others he forbad Mary Magdalen to touch him because she rejoyced too much with carnal affection and therefore he would have her rather touch him by faith that is believe in him to be the Son of God the Lord of glory salvation life and death 637. Mat. 28. 18. All power is given to me both in heaven and in earth Mar. 13. 32. But of that day knoweth no man no not the Son but the Father onely All power is given unto Christ the Mediator because he is made Lord in the glory of God the Father In the day of his humiliation he knew not as man the day of Judgement or not for himself that he knew not but for us saith Augustine because it behoved not us to know 638. Mat. 28. 18. All power is given to me in heaven and in earth Rom. 9. 5. Christ who is over all God blessed for ever Power is given to Christ as man for nothing can be given to him as God for as God he had al things before in his power but the humanity of Christ hath not that power of it self but from the Divine Nature with which the humane nature is personally united 939. Mat. 28. 19. Teach all Nations Mar. 16. 15. Preach the Gospel to every creature Mat. 7. 6. Psal 19. 5. Rom. 10. 5. Give not that which is holy to the Dogs nor Pearls to Swine In the first place by the Nations and the Creatures are understood the Jews and Gentiles for the sweet voyce of the Gospel was to sound to all through the whole earth and the seed of the Word to be sowen that Infidels might be left unexcuseable In the latter holy and Pearls signifie the same It must not be given to Dogs and Swine that is to persecutors scoffers despisers profane For he that reproveth a scorner Prov. 9. 7. getteth himself shame and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blet St. MARKS Gospel IT containeth briefly the sayings and deeds of Christ in Galilee Judea and Jerusalem which Matthew wrote more at large some will Nicephor l. 2. c. 48. Eus l. 2. c. 15. have it dictated and approved by Peter whose Scholar Mark was Irenaeus saith it was written after the death of Peter and Paul 640. Mar. 1. 1. The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ v. 3. The voyce of one crying in the Wildernesse Mat. 1. 1. Luk 1. 2. In the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ his Conception and Nativity are described Mark understands the beginning of the Gospel to be the time of the promulgation Matthew begins the Evangelical History thirty years before the Preaching of John Baptist but Mark begins from his preaching because the Law and the Prophets prophesied until John Matth. 11. 15. 641. Mar. 1. 2. As it is written in the Prophets Luk. 3. 4. In the Book of the words of Isaiah the Prophet Mark understands Malachi and Isaiah the Prophets Isa 40. 3. Mat. 3. 1. Isa 43 4. Luke means Isaiah only 642. Mar. 2. 7. Who can forgive sins but God only Joh. 20. 23. Whose sins you remit they are remitted unto them God above remits sins by his own authority The Apostles and Pastors of the Churches only testifie in the Name of Christ that upon condition of faith they are remitted But God speaks to us by his Ministers that we should be sure of his grace and should have the Sacred Function in honour since it is confirmed in Heaven what the Ministers declare on Earth 643. Mar. 5. 20. The man that was possessed with the Devil published in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him Luk. 3. 39. He went through the City publishing He published it first in the City of the Gadarens and afterwards in other parts of Decapolis 644. Mar. 5. 30. Vertue went forth of Christ to cure the woman v. 34. He said unto her Daughter thy faith hath made thee whole By vertue from Christ was the woman restored to her health which she applyed to her self by faith and so her issue of bloud staid 645. Mar. 6. 5. Christ could doe no mighty works in his own countrey Mat. 28. 18. All power is given to me in heaven and in earth Christ was not destitute of vertue but for their incredulity for faith is the hand that receives Christs benefits and to those that believe all things are possible that he could not is meant here he would not for that is Gods will to be able saith Tertullian 646. Mar. 9. 2. After six dayes Jesus taketh with him Peter James and John Luk. 9 28. And it came to passe about eight dayes The first place must be understood exclusively in respect of the day in which Christ speaks and was transformed The latter includes both those dayes and he numbereth not precisely but about eight there were not so many whole dayes 647. Mar. 9. 35. And he sate down and called the twelve Mat. 18. 1. The Disciples came unto him saying The Disciples on the way disputed who should be the greatest of them Christ therefore at home called the twelve and they being called came unto him 648. Mar. 10. 19. Christ answereth him that asked of him about eternal life Thou knowest the Commandements Doe not commit adultery doe not kill doe not steal Rom. 3. 20. By the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in the sight of God Gal. 2. 16 c. 3. 10. To him that asked What shall I doe Christ answering his question that he might make him know his weaknesse he sends him back to the rule of works or the law of God and so would have him to seek salvation in Christ and not in his own works 649. Mar. 11. 7. They brought the Colt to Jesus Mat. 21. 7. They brought the Asse and the Colt Matthew is an eye witnesse that the Asse and Zach. 9. 9. the Colt were both brought according to the prophesie Fear not O Daughter of Sion behold thy King cometh sitting upon an Asse and the foal of an Asse Some make this an embleme of the
of hypocrites but he hears the prayers of penitents 313. Psal 19. 4. Their line went out into the ends of the earth Rom. 10. 18. Their sound went out into the whole world Paul interprets the Psalme concerning the Doctrine of the Gospell and saith that it is the Canon of the holy Ghost and rule of faith and manners of Christians appointed by God by the sound and voice of the Prophets of Christ and his Apostles in which the will of God is revealed and therefore it is called the Canonicall Scripture 314. Psal 19. 8. The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart 2 Cor. 3. 7. The law is the ministration of death engraven in stones In the Psalme by the Law is understood all the will of God revealed from above The Apostle speaks only of the morall law not as it is in it self for so it is the perfect law of righteousnesse and brings life but in respect of us who are transgressors of the Law and obtain nothing but death by it 315. Psal 19. 11. And in keeping of thy commandments there is great reward Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all ye were commanded ye shall say We are unprofitable servants we have done nothing but what we are obliged to do David commendeth the Law of God and that there is great reward in the keeping of it In which the goodnesse of God is commended who may of right require obedience from us yet he freely gives a reward unto us which he oweth not Christ sheweth that we and all that we have are due unto God therefore we can aske nothing for a reward and it is presumption to think that we can deserve any thing at Gods hands 316. Psal 22. 1. My God my God wherefore hast thou forsaken me Joh. 14. 10. Chap. 16. 32. I am not alone for the Father is with me In the first place is signified the sense of Gods wrath and the effect thereof in Christ who taking upon him our person is made sin for us though he complained that he was forsaken as man yet he was not forsaken as the Son of God nor was the divine nature separated from the hnmane nature but supported it In the latter place when Christ saith I am not alone he hath respect to the flight of the Apostles and fortifyeth himselfe against it by the presence of his Father 317. Psal 22. 3. My God I cryed by day and thou heardest not Joh. 11. 42. I knew because thou hearest me alwayes Christ was not heard in his passion because he was to die In the latter place he speaks of his prayer for believers he gives thanks to his Father that he was always heard 318. Psal 24. 1. The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof Luk. 4. 6. I will give to thee saith Satan unto Christ all this power and glory Satan being the spirit and father of lying Joh. 8. 44. Mat. 28. Psal 23. 8. doth falsly appropriate to himself the power of the world Christ being appointed by his father King of Kings to whom was given all power in heaven and earth he rules in heaven and earth from sea to sea from the rivers unto the ends of the earth 319. Psal 24. 2. The Lord hath founded the earth upon the seas Exod. 20. 4. The waters are under the earth The earth hath its stability from the first creation the foundation thereof is the power of God which is the center of the whole and it doth as it were move upon the waters above and beneath it hath the waters on the sides so that the sea is higher then the earth it is therefore the wonderfull work of God that he preserveth mankind from drowning in the midst of the waters 320. Psal 26. 2. Prove me O Lord. 1 Cor. 11. 28. Let a man prove himself God because he proves our thoughts words and deeds therefore we must prove our selves that we may make our selves approved to God 321. Psal 32. 3. When I kept silence my bones waxed old Vers 3. Through my roaring all the day long Silence respects the suppression of sinnes Crying the complaints and lamentations for grief of mind 322. Psal 32. 10. Many sorrowes shall be to the wicked 73. 5. The righteous are punished more then the wicked Punishments internall and sempiternall are for the wicked but externall and temporary are understood by the last place 323. Psal 34. 5. They lookt unto him and were lightned 1 Tim. 6. 16. He dwels in a light that no man can approach unto God is said to dwell in light not properly but metaphorically for by this his glory and manifest presence is understood 324. Psal 34. 10. There is no look to them that fear God 2 Tim. 3. 12. All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution The Godly suffer no want in spirituall good but in corporall and temporall good yet their persecutions are good for them and are rewarded with eternall life 325. Psal 34. 22. None that trust in the Lord shall be desolate Rom. 3. 23. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God In the first place is understood delinquency to death and eternall destruction but they that believe in Christ their faults shall not be imputed to them unto death 326. Psal 35. 6. Let their way be made slippery and dark and let the Angell of the Lord persecute them Mat. 5. 44. Love your enemies In the first place are meant the incorrigible and obdurate enemies of Christ and his Gospel In the latter place those of whose conversion we have hope 327. Psal 36. 8. Thou shalt preserve both man and beast O Lord. 1 Cor. 9. 9. Doth God take care for oxen Under the generall care of God are comprehended all creatures but under his speciall care Men for whose sake God hath made the beasts Ambrose saith God cares not for beasts for themselves but for our sake for which he created all things and therefore his principall care is for us 328. Psal 37. 21. The wicked borrowes and payeth not again Luk. 6. 35. Lend looking for nothing again If the Debter be fallen into extreme want that he cannot pay we must not kill him or forsake him in his utmost necessity 329. Psal 37. 25. I have been young and now am old yet saw I never the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging their bread Luk. 16. 20. Lazarus a begger desired to be satisfied with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans Table Beggery is a punishment to the wicked but to the godly a fatherly punishment and it is found in the unlawfull begging of Monks sturdy obstinate and idle people which refuse to work but the lawfull begging is for the members of Christ which are brought to extream poverty by banishment war fire water sicknesse c. 330. Psal 40. 7. Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ye as living stones are built up a spirituall house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall
as are already perfect Mans perfection is in heaven to which we bend our course that he means in the first place but our perfection on earth must be conformable to Christ our head in doing well and suffering The Philippians are called perfect not simply so but comparatively in respect of those that are weak who are to be born withall by those which are strong in respect of whom also Col. 3. 6. Heb. 5. 13. they are termed children 980. Phil. 3. 21. Christ shall change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like to his glorious body Heb. 1. 4 5 13. The Angels shall not be like him Our bodies shall be conformable to Christs glorious body which he had in his resurrection but not by reason of his Majesty and power he hath by the Hypostaticall union The Epistle of St PAUL to the COLOSSIANS HE exhorts them to embrace the Doctrine of the Gospel and to fly from the teaching of false Apostles and he warns them to live godly putting off the old and putting on the new man that in Oeconomicall Government the men old men and Masters should observe humanity and equity women children and servants should live in obedience that all should be watchfull in prayer It was sent from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus 981. Col. 1. 24. I fill up that which is behinde of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body sake which is the Church Heb. 10. 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified The Passions of Christ as to merit and satisfaction are perfect for his Church the Apostles Zach. 2. 8. Mat. 25. 2 Tim. 3. 12. and Martyrs fill up in their flesh what is behinde of the afflictions of Christ enduring miseries wherein Christ himself suffereth for they are his Members He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye What you do to any of these little ones you do it unto me it is added for the Church not to redeem the Church but to edifie and strengthen the Church by our example of constancy and patience 982. Col. 2. 3. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Matth. 24. 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man no not the Angels in heaven but the Father only Christ in the state of exaltation hath a perfect knowledge of all things because all power in heaven and earth is given to him and he sits at the right hand of God In the state of humiliation he knew not when the last day should be not in respect of himself saith Augustine but in respect of us 983. Col. 2. 9. In Christ dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily Heb. 2. 17. It behoved him to be like unto us in all things sinne excepted He is like to us in all things in respect of the essence of humane nature not in respect of his subsistence in the person of the Word and of his Hypostaticall union Glory and Majesty 984. Col. 3. 2. Set your affections on things above and not on things on the earth Rom. 11. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God To set our affections on things above is to elevate our mindes to heaven above all earthly things unto our Country where we wait for our happinesse yet so that we be not high-minded and desire to know that which God will not have us to know for some things are to be beleeved and soberly to be searched into but other things which exceed the measure of our faith must not be searched unto he is overwhelm'd with Glory that seeks into Gods Pro. 25. 2. Majesty 985. Col. 3. 2. Set not your affections on earthly things 1 Tim. 5. 8. He that provideth not for his own houshold is worse then an Infidell The first place forbids us to search after earthly things neglecting spirituall and heavenly things for so far must we take care for earthly things as they may serve to Gods glory and our use for our salvation The two Epistles of St PAUL to the THESSALONIANS IN the first he commends their faith and constancy and exhorts them to an honest life and a serious expectation of Christs last coming In the second he comforts them against persecutions and foretels the last day the Kingdom of Antichrist defection from the Gospel He exhorts them to good words and works These two Epistles were written from Athens 986. 1 Thess 1. 3. Remembring your work of faith and labour Rom. 3. 28. Gal. 3. 10. Faith is opposed to works Faith is a work but not ours or proceeding Joh. 6. 29. from our own strength for then it would not justifie us but it is the work of God and a quality in us respecting the merits of Christ therefore the Apostle cals not faith it self so much a work as he doth that which proceeds from faith 987. 1 Thess 2. 20. For you are our glory 1 Cor. 1. 31. He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. Our glorying hath its foundation in God in the mean while if any thing be done amongst the auditory by the work of the Ministry we must say with the Apostle It is not I that laboured but the grace of God which was 1 Cor. 15. 10. with me 988. 1 Thess 4. 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord. 2 Tim. 4. 6. I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand In the first place is spoken of the company of the faithfull by reason of the most near communion and uniting of the body of Christ for we are all one spirituall body so many as believe in Christ so that what happens to one member may seem to happen to all the rest 989. 1 Thess 5. 5. Ye are all children of the light and of the day not of the night Rom 8. 19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the Sons of God We are here with Paul children of light and the day in grace not yet in glory The Apostle expected not to be made the Sonne of God because he was so already actually but only to be revealed to be so for it appears not so yet what we shall be for though we be heirs we do not yet actually possesse the Kingdom we must therefore distinguish sonnehood acquired here by grace from that which shall be in our Country by glory 990. 2 Thess 1 5. The persecutions and tribulations which you endure are a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you also suffer Ephes 2. 8. You are saved through faith and not of your selves it is the gift of God The faithfull are worthy not by their own worthinesse but Christs also the word worthy Col. 1. 13. is the same here with convenient 991.
institution 17. Gen. 3. 6. The woman saw that the tree was good for food Vers 7. And the eyes of them both were opened First she saw with the eyes of her body the tree and the fruit that was good to eat but at length both their eyes were opened spiritually when they knew their sin and transgression of the law of God 18. Gen. 3 12. The woman gave to the man of the tree and he did eat 1 Tim. 2. 14. And Adam was not deceived but the woman The woman became for prevarication to the man for by her he was deceived and not by the Serpent as she was Aug. l. 11. de Gen. ad lit c. ult 19. Gen. 3. 16. Thy desire shall be to thy husband and he shall rule over thee 1 Cor. 7. 4. The 1 Cor. 11. 2. husband hath not power over his own body but the wife The woman is under the power of the man in oeconomicall government whilst she obeyeth and is subject as the body is to the head but in conjugal union the man hath not power of his own body 20. Gen. 3. 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread Mat. 6. 11. Give us this day our dayly bread In the first place punishment and a laborious Prov. 10. 22. life is denounced against man idlenesse is condemned and Gods blessing is promised because a man is born to labour as a bird to Deut. 8. 3. Mat. 4. 4. flying nor is it repugnant to honest labour to desire those things which are necessary for the sustentation of our life for it is not labour but the blessing of God which maketh rich God can feed us without bread as he sed Moses Elias Christ but bread cannot feed us without God 21. Gen. 3. 19. For dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return Ecclus. 10. 12. A man when he dyeth shall inherit creeping things beasts and wormes c. A man though he be consumed by Serpents Job wormes beasts toads yet at last he is brought into the dust of the earth 22. Gen. 4. 1. Eve bear Gain and said I have gotten a man from the Lord. 1 Joh. 3. 12. Not as Psal 128. Cain who was of that wicked one Eve in childbearing acknowledged Gods blessing and by way of thankfulnesse she offered the first fruits of her labours to God John speaks not of the person of Cain which was created by God but of his wickednesse that came from the Devill 23. Gen. 4. 4. And Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock Chap. 4. 26. Seth began to call upon the name of the Lord. Adam with his sons before Seth offered sacrifice and called on the name of the Lord in his family but publick invocation began in Seth in whose posterity the Church remained the Canaanites being rejected 24. Gen. 4 7. Vnto thee shall be his desire and thou shalt rule over him Psal 37. 23. Prov. 16. 9. Jer. 10. 23. The way of man is not in himself In the first place it is said what a man ought Rom. 6. 12. to do Let not sin raigne in your mortall body In the latter place it is declared that a man of himself can do nothing in divine and saving mateers 25. Gen. 4. 15. Whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him seven fold Chap. 9. 6. Whosoever sheddeth mans bloud by man shall his bloud be shed God is the wisest and freest law-giver therefore he would not have Cain killed by reason of propagation of mankind after the flood he gave the law that the Magistrate should punish a Murderer with death 26. Gen. 4. 16. And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord. Psal 139. 7. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence Cain being made a runnagate left his parents and their habitation and the place where they worshipped God In the Psalm Gods omnipresence is maintained 27. Gen. 5. 24. And Enoch walked with God for God took him Rom. 8. 8. They that are in the flesh cannot please God Enoch walking with God lived according to Gods will the Apostle by the flesh here understandeth men that walke after their carnall lusts 28. Gen. 5. 24. Enoch was not for God took him Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed for all men once to die Enochs translation was a work extraordinary it was to him in the place of death as the 1 Cor. 15. 53. 1 Thes 4. 17. taking away of Elias and the translation of those who in the last day shall be saved alive But the Apostle sheweth what must ordinarily befall all men the consequence is not good from a singular priviledge to a generall rule 29. Gen. 6. 3. His dayes shall be 120 yeares Chap. 11. 13. Arphaxad and others after the flood lived above 400 years In the first place the space of time betwixt manifest impiety and the flood and not the age of man is to be understood as if he had said unlesse the world repent they shall perish within Aug. l. 13. De civ dei 1 Sam. 15. 11. 120 years 30. Gen 6. 6. It repented the Lord that he had made man 1 Sam. 15. 29. God is not a man that he should repent Repentance as it is an argument of mans weaknesse so can it not fall upon God but the Scripture often speaks of God after the manner of men and where it is said that it repented God there is meant the change of Aug. l. 1. c. 7. De civ dei Psal 131. things God still remaining unchangeable 31. Gen 6. 9 Noah was a just man and perfect 2 Pet. 2. 5. Psal 13. 3. There is none that doth good no not one Rom. 3. 12 Heb. 11. Noah was just before God by faith and unblameable in the sight of men he is said to be perfect not as though he were without sin but in comparison of others he had his conversation holy and without hypocrisie 32. Gen. 7. 2. Of every clean beast thou shalt take Lev. 11. 1. Moses divided the clean beasts from the unclean The Patriarchs before the flood had a distinction in their sacrifices between clean and unclean living creatures By the Mosaicall law not onely for sacrifices but for meat the use of the unclean was forbidden 33. Gen. 7. 6. Noah was 600 years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth Chap. 5. 32. Noah when he was 500 years old made the Arke in 120 years The 500 years of Noah were not yet compleat when he began to make the arke the Scripture useth oft times to reckon the times though the years be not yet compleat as Exod. 40. 17. Num. 1. 1. Deut. 1. 4. Ezek. 1. 1. 8. 1. 20. 1. 34. Gen. 8. 1. God remembred Noah Esa 49. 1 Joh. 3. 20. 15 I will not forget thee In the fight of God all things are naked and open he knows all things remembrance and forgetfulnesse are attributed to him by
Anthropopathy he remembers when he sends help and hears our prayers as Gen. 30. 22. 1 Sam. 15. 19. Psal 13. 2. 42. 10. Also he is said to forget when he defers to help and seems not to hear us 35. Gen. 8. 13. In the year 601 the first month the first day of the month the waters were dryed up Chap. 8. 14. And in the second month the 27 day of that month was the earth dryed The diminishing of the waters and the superficies of the earth yet soft and plashy is intimated vers 13. 14. The earth is dryed and perfectly solid 36. Gen. 8. 21. Nor will I any more smite Psal 103. 13. every living creature Chap. 6. 13. 7. 21. And all flesh dyed Chap. 19. 24. Sodom overthrowne Before the flood God judged the world and he judged Sodom also as a just judge and revenger after the flood he promised he would do so no more as a father who taketh pity of his children 37. Gen. 8. 21. I will not again curse the ground for mans sake Deut. 28. 16. Thou shalt be cursed in thy house and cursed shalt thou be in the field c. A generall malediction doth not take away a speciall malediction neither did God oblige himself that he would not send his speciall punishments and calamities on those who refuse to hear his voice 38. Gen. 8. 22. Seed time and harvest as long as the earth endureth 1 King 17. 1. Jam. 5. 17. And it reigned not for three yeares and six months Barrennesse and drynesse was sent from God on the earth in the dayes of Elias by reason of the Idolatry of the Israelites He took not away seed-time and harvest in other places The ordinance of God though it was not observed in one place for mans transgression yet it found place in an other 39. Gen. 9. 2. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth Job 39. 9. Will the Vnicorne be willing to serve thee In the former place the dominion over the creatures is partly restored to man after the fall and God hath cast a fear on them that they should not dare to hurt man but should be afraid of mans countenance But if the Unicorn or any beast do violence to man they do but put him in mind of his fall 40. Gen. 9. 13. I do set my bow in the clouds and it shall be for a token of a Covenant between me and the earth Revel 4. 3. And there was a rainbow round about the throne in sight like to an emerald The first place is concerning the ordinary place of the rain-bow the second of the extraordinary rain-bow and the seat of God 41. Gen. 10. 8. Nimrod began to be mighty in the earth Vers 10. And the beginning of his Kingdome was Babel Rom. 13. 1. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers The tyrannicall power of Nimrod was with violence and violation of government in families yet not without Gods ordination nor doth every unlawfull attaining take away the lawfull power from ill beginnings and manners good lawes and profitable thins proceed also The beginning of the Kingdome of Judah was the wantonnesse and wickednesse of the people The beginning of the Kingdome of Israel the sedition of Jeroboam yet they were afterwards lawfull Kingdomes 42. Gen. 10. 22. The children of Sem were Elam Assur and Arphaxad Chap. 11. 10. Sem begat Arphaxad two years after the flood In History the order of nature and time are not alwayes observed therefore though Elam and Assur are named Chap. 10. before Arphaxad yet it followes not that they were elder then he and Sem is said to have begotten sons and daughters after Arphaxad was born and not before 43. Gen. 11. 7. Let us goe down and there confound their language 1 King 8. 27. Jer. 23. 24. Do not I fill the earth God is not moved from place to place because he is all every where saith Augustine but L. 16. c. 5. De civ dei he is said to descend when he doth any thing for the ordinary and usuall course of nature and so he sheweth his presence in respect of us not that there is any thing that he doth not see and know or doth change his place but this is attributed to God after the manner of men and in respect of our sense as Gen. 18. 21. Psal 14. 2. 44. Gen. 11. 12. Arphaxad begat Salem Luk. 3. 36. Which was the son of Sala which was the son of Cainan c. The name and the generation of Cainan in Beda in Luk. 3. Genesis and the words of the days according to the truth of the Hebrews is not found but Arphaxad is said to have begotten Sala there being none betwixt him Luke took this Genealogie from the edition of the 70 Interpreters 45. Gen. 11. 26. Terah lived 70 years and begat Abram Nahor and Haran Chap. 12. 4. And Abram was 75 years old when he departed out of Haran Terah did not beget three sons in the same year but he began to generate at 70 years old and he lived in Haran to 205 years old it may be Abraham was the younger son but because he is so commended in the Scriptures he is set down first before his brethren as Jacob Mat. 1. 3. Judas 1 Pet. 4. 1. 46. Gen. 12. 5. Abraham took Sara his wife and Lot his brothers son Chap. 13. 8. 14. 14. Abraham said to Lot we are brethren c. Brothers are called by bloud Gen. 27. 13. of alliance Chap. 14. 4. of gentility Deut. 15. 3. of affection 2 Sam. 1. 26. of unity of confession of faith Jer. 31. 34. We are brethren saith Abraham to Lot perswading him not to contend with him but seeing that he is joyned with him in the band of religion and consanguinity he wisheth him to avoid occasion of quarrell and not to give scandall to the infidels 47. Gen. 12. 3. 18. 18. All the Nations of the earth shall be blessed in him Gal. 3. 14. The blessing of Abraham came on the Gentiles through Christ This promise was made to the seed and posterity but not to the person of Abraham so the promises made by God to the Fathers Gen. 22. 18. Heb. 11 8. are fulfilled in their children and in individuals 48. Gen. 12. 18. Abraham told a lie Psal 5. 7. Thou shalt destroy all those that speak leasing Seing that the Devill is the Father of lying Abraham denying his wife sinned against God by distrust against Sara and Pharaoh by injustice Mat. 26. Psal 32. for he sought to save his life by wrong means as Peter did by denying Christ God will destroy impenitent lyers but not whose lies and offences are pardoned in Christ and covered as Abrahams Isaacks and Peters were who repented 49. Gen. 12 7. 13. 15. 15. 38. This land which thou seest will I give to thee and thy seed c. Act. 7.
but the wicked to eternall death 298. Job 19. 25. In the last day I shall rise out of the earth Vers 26. And I shall be clothed again with my skin and in my flesh shall I see God 1 Cor. 15. 49. It shall rise a spirituall body We shall rise with this nature and body that Mat. 22. that we now carry about us and shall enjoy eternall felicity it is called a spirituall body by the Apostle not in respect of the substance but the qualities virtues and proprieties we shall have no need of meat drink or wedlock we shall be like the Angels 299. Job 19. 17. Whom I shall see for my self and my eyes shall behold and not another Rev. 1. 7. Every eye shall see him Job speaks confidently that in his flesh he should see God to his salvation face to face as he is after this ordinary seeing by faith so 2 Cor. 13. 1 Joh. 3. 2. shall the godly see God a gracious father the wicked shall see him as a just and a revenging judge 300. Job 31. 30. Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin 1 Joh. 1. 10. If we say we have no sin we make God a liar Job was not without sin before God but his conscience did not accuse him of manifest sin and wickednesse towards men 301. Job 42. 10. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before Vers 13. He had seven sons and three daughters His faith of the resurrection is here commended because his children were not doubled but only were as many as before saith Augustine Ep. 120. c. 10. for these did signifie that those children which Job had lost should rise again and so joyned together they are doubled The PSALTER from singing HEb Sepher Tehilin the Book of Praises It 2 Sam. 23. 2. is called the Book of Psalms the small Bible The Psalms are in number 150. The most are Davids who was an excellent Psalmist and is called the sweet singer of Israel All of them were wirtten by the dictate of the holy Ghost The most before and some in the time and after the Babylonish captivity unto the times of the Macchabees Some are Didacticall some Propheticall some Eucharisticall containing Instructions Doctrines Exhortations Consolations 302. Psal 1. 2. In the law of the Lord is his delight Rom. 6. 14. Ye are not under the Law Godly men have a singular delight in the Law and in the holy Commandements of God Yet they are not under the yoak and curse of the law which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we hope to be saved as well Act. 15. 10. as they 303. Psal 1. 5. The ungodly shall not stand in the judgement 2 Cor. 5. 10. We shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ The first place is to be understood of temporall judgements which wicked men cannot endure when they are examined according to Gods judgments because they are convinced of their sins The latter speaks of the last judgment when all good men shall rise to life eternall and wicked men to eternall death 304. Psal 2. 9. Thou shalt break them with an Iron rod like a potters vessell Isa 42. 3. He shall not break a bruised read The Son of God will break the wicked with an iron rod and the blast of his mouth but he receives the weak in faith into favour and he perfects his strength in their weaknesse 305. Psal 2. 10. Serve God in fear 1 Pet. 2. 18. Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear c. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdome and before all it is necessary to have that yet we must obey earthly Masters next under God 306. Psal 5. 5. Thou hatest all workers of iniquity Rom. 9. 18. Whom he will he hardneth God since he is just and mighty will and can punish all iniquity though he suffer the deceit and violence of the wicked for a time Hardning is imputed to God not as if he Aug. cont Faust Exod. 4. 21. 7. 3. 10. 27. 11. 10. were the author of it as it is evill but as it is a punishment and God useth evill to good ends and governs the wicked for good 307. Psal 5. 6. Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity Luk. 16. 8. Christ praysed the unjust steward because he dealt wisely God hates all iniquity and deceitfull persons are an abomination unto him God praised the unjust Steward not for his wickednesse deceit or wealth but he admired his subtilty and craft so we use in criminall things to commend the cunning of men though we detest their wickednesse 308. Psal 7. 8. Judge me O Lord according to my righteousnesse and my innocency Psal 143. 2. Enter not into judgement with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified In the first place he speaks of the justice and the judgment of the good cause of David which he upheld against the enemies of God who oppressed him with their false calumnies and violence and therefore he appeals to God the judge of his just cause that he would defend his innocency In the latter he speaks of the justice of man and so no man is just in the fight of God if God should try him according to the rigor of his justice 309. Psal 7. 12. God threatens and God is angry every day Ephes 4. 31. Let all bitternesse and wrath and anger be taken from you Anger is commendable when we are angry for our sins and detest evill justly and as we should so God is dayly angry with us for our sins But damnable anger and unlawfull is joyned with sin of those who for every light offence do maintain their anger reckoning more of what is committed against them then against God 310. Psal 9. 8. God shall judge the world in righteousnesse 1 Cor. 6. 2. Know ye not that the Saints shall judge the world The manner of judging of the world is either by authority so the whole Trinity will judge or of subordinate authority so Christ as Mediator and man will judge or of assertion so the Apostles will judge the world or of approbation so all the Saints and Angels shall allow of the sentence pronounced by the supreme judge Chrysostome the Saints shall judge the world by exemplary judgement because by example of their faith the infidelity of the world shall be condemned 311. Psal 14. 1. The fool said in his heart There is no God Psal 19. 1. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handy work Wicked men if not in words yet in their deeds and actions they deny God and as much as in them is they wish there were no God and no hell 312. Psal 18. 42. They cryed unto the Lord and he heard them not Jer. 29. 12. Ye shall call upon me and I will hearken unto you God doth not hear the prayers
Psal 89. 7. O Lord God who is like unto thee 1 Joh. 3. 2. We know that when he appears we shall be like him The Psalmist speaks of the mighty men of the earth who living wickedly and ungodly are not like to God And John speaks of the faithfull who though they are here strangers and pilgrims seeing only in a glasse by faith yet when the time of perfection shall come we shall see him face to face as he is and reign for ever with him 348. Psal 90. 9. We passe away in thy wrath Joh. 3. 36. He that believeth not the Son the wrath of God abideth on him God is angry for a time not against the persons of the godly but against their sins and he chastneth them here not for ever for their good and not for their hurt but unbelievers shall never see Gods gracious face unto life 349. Psal 92. 16. There is no iniquity in God Rom. 11. 32. God hath concluded all under unbelief that he might have mercy upon all God being free from all iniquity hath concluded that it argueth all men to be guilty of sins not as the cause thereof but as a judge whilst he declares them guilty for sinne if he would deal according to rigour of divine justice 350. Psal 102. 26 27. Heaven and earth shall passe away as a garment shall they wax old and as a vesture shalt thou change them 104. 5. The earth Eccles 1. 4. shall not be removed for ever c. The earth shall endure to the time appointed by God and what is corruptible of it shall be burnt with fire in the end of the world For ever here signifies not eternity but a long time 351. Psal 103. 10. Dealt not with us after our sins nor rewarded us after our iniquities Deut. 7. 10. I will repay to them in time God rewards believers not according to their iniquity nor doth he deal with us after our sins for when we were his enemies he was reconciled to us by Christ and gave us life but he rewards the unbelievers according their works and condemns them by just judgment 352. Psal 104. 5. Thou laidst the foundations of the earth 2 Pet. 3. 5. The earth standing out of the waters and in the waters by the word of God The basis of the earth is the power of God that supports all this Universe the earth is called the Centre of the Universe and is said to subsist in the waters and out of the waters because it is compassed by the waters like an Island 353. Psal 104. 15. Oyle that maketh a chearfull countenance Isa 3. 18. The Lord will take away the bravery of their tinckling ornaments their caules and their round tires God will not have people to paint their faces for that is reprehended in Isaiah but because God fore-knew by the fall that most grievous diseases would afflict us he gave power of healing to plants and art to Physitians and Apothecaries to make oyles and unguents Chymically to cure and refresh men of this the Psalmist speaks 354. Psal 105. 37. There was not one feeble person amongst them Deut. 25. 18. Amalek slew all that were feeble behind thee The Israelites going out of Egypt were sick of no disease but there were women with childe and old people who were weary in the way and sat down to rest 355. Psal 106. 31. Phinehas slew two of them in their fornication and that was counted to him for righteousnesse Rom. 4. 3. Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousnesse This just heroicall act of Phinehas pleased God To Abraham believing in Christ grace and righteousnesse is imputed Therefore to be imputed for righteousnesse signifies diversly as it is applyed to different persons 356. Psal 108. 9. He curseth his enemies Mat. 5. 44. Love your enemies blesse them that curse you c. Christ in the person of David by a propheticall spirit wisheth horrid punishments to the enemies of God and his Church In Matthew he exhorts to sincere and ardent charity to our enemies 357. Psal 110. 3. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power Mat. 11. 12. The kingdome of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force We are willing to do good when the holy Ghost doth his work in us and renews us The Evangelist means a spirituall violence of men with a burning zeal entring into the Kingdome of God and taking of it as it were by force obeying the Gospell forsaking legall ceremonies and embracing salvation by Christ 358. Psal 112. 6. The righteous shall not be moved for ever Prov. 24. 16. The righteous man shall fall seven times a day Job 5. 19. Psal 34. 10. The righteous in Christ founded on him by a true faith shall not be overthrown though the World and the Devill rage against him but if at any time by infirmity of the flesh he do fall yet he riseth again by Gods grace nor doth he despair or cast away his trust in God but by repentance he returns into favour with God again 359. Psal 115. 4. The Idols of the heathens are silver and gold Isa 41. 45 46. 1 Cor. 8. 4. An Idoll is nothing in the world Idols for their matter are things created by God but an Idoll is nothing privatively not negatively because it is not that which it is called namely God it hath nothing of God it can do neither good nor hurt 360. Psal 216. 11. Every man is a lyer Rev. 14. 5. There was found no guile in their mouth The first place sheweth what we are by nature of our selves the latter of what we are by grace after we apprehend Christ by faith and are led by the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of truth 361. Psal 119. 13. With my lips have I shewed all the judgements of thy mouth Rom. 11. 33. The judgments of God are unsearchable The Psalmist speaks of the judgements of Gods mouth revealed in his word Paul of the secret and unscrutable judgements or the reason why God doth this or that to make one man rich an other poor 362. Psal 119. 13. I have hated the wicked Rom. 12. 14. Blesse those that persecute you and curse them not Godly men must not hate mens persons Mat. 5. 2. Act. 7. but rather their faults not those that sin of weaknesse but those that sin of obstinacy and rather to pray for them both by the example of Christ and Stephen c. then to curse either 363. Psal 119. 155. Health is far from the ungodly Mat. 9. 13. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance The Psalmist speaks of wicked men obstinate and such as are hardned in their sins rejecting the grace of God and Christ the author of salvation Christ speaks of penitent sinners who being convinced with the sense of their own sins flie to the mercy of God and seek health in Gods grace onely through Jesus Christ 364. Psal 125. 1.
known the Father in him 756. Joh. 14. 12. He that believeth on me the works that I doe shall he doe also and greater chap. 3. 2. No man can doe those Miracles that thou doest Christ means not works of divine Creation Redemption or Sanctification but of his mission such Miracles as he wrought in the world such and greater then they were wrought by the Apostles whose shadows cured sick men as they passed by after Christs Ascension and the wonderful conversion of the Gentiles followed 757. Joh. 14. 13. chap. 16. 24. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name that will I do Ask and you shall receive Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not We ought to ask in Christs Name in full confidence of his merits with true faith and without doubting spiritual or corporal blessings with exception of Gods will and our own salvation in all occasions and in all our prayers they that ask so receive and they that receive not ask amisse 758. Joh. 14. 23. If any man love me he will keep my words vers 23. The Word which ye hear is not mine The Word that Christ taught was his but not any invention of his but his Fathers Word which he was sent into the world to preach 759 Joh. 14. 23. And we will come unto him and make our abode with him Rom. 7. 20. Sin dwelleth in me vers 14. I am sold under sin The first place is concerning the inhabitation of the Sacred Trinity in the spiritual part of a regenerate man The latter is of the dwelling of sin in our carnal members 760. Joh. 15. 15. I call you not servants but friends Mat. 25. 21. Well done good servant The Disciples were Christs servants by right of creation redemption and vocation friends by right of adoption communication and patefaction Aug. tr 55. on John 761. Joh. 15. 15. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 16. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you In the Scriptures some things are said to be full which are to be fulfilled in the former place Christ speakes concerning the knowledge of God and the perfect worship of Christians in it self in the latter concerning the understanding of this Word which the Disciples by reason of their rudenesse could not bear before they had received the holy Ghost nor did they understand it 762. Joh. 16. 13. The Spirit of Truth shall guide you into all Truth Gal. 2. 11. Peter erred after he had received the holy Ghost The Apostles were led into all truth in parts and degrees of it After they had received the holy Ghost they erred not in doctrine in writing or teaching but in life and conversation such was the errour of Peter which was to be reproved whilest he conversed amongst the Gentiles 763. Joh. 16. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name Mat. 6. 9. Luk. 11. 2. He had given them the form of Prayer before The Disciples did indeed pray before but not so plainly with a clear knowledge of Christs Office that their prayers should be heard for the Messias that was sent 764. Joh. 16. 26. I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you Rom. 8. 26. He makes intercession for us Christ alone doth not pray for us but we also must come to the Father and in his Name at his command pray in full assurance which is necessary for our salvation 765. Joh. 17. 3. That they may know thee Father to be the only true God Act. 20. 28. The Son is God chap. 5. 4. The holy Ghost is God Onely here doth not exclude the Persons in the Divine Essence but creatures and Idols which are no gods 766. Joh. 18. 20. I speak openly to the world and in secret have I said nothing Mar. 9. 28. He taught his Disciples privately in the Desert In the first place he speaks of his doctrine which he brought from Heaven that he might reveal it to all men and teach it publickly and in the temple not in private corners In the latter place he taught privately explaining those things which he had taught publickly 767. Joh. 19. 9. Jesus answered not Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. Christ Jesus before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession To Pilates question first Christ did not answer because he stood before him to suffer and not to plead or excuse at length he gave testimony to the Truth in words and deeds for his passion and death were a sufficient testimony and sealing of his doctrine 768. Joh. 20. 1. Christ rose on the first day of the week Mat. 12. 40. The Son of Mâ—â— shall be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth untill the third day This is a Synecdochical computation of time for the least part of the day of the preparation is taken for a whole day and the beginning of the day after the Passeover or the Sabbath is taken also for a whole day Christ was three days in the grave but it was incompleatly three days so also he was two nights in the grave the night before being added to them 769. Joh. 20. 1. Mary Magdalen came early when it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher Mar. 16. 2. Very early they came to the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun When it was yet dark very early in the morning she went out of her house and the City waiting for the rest of the women with which afterwards she came to the Sepulcher at the Sun-rising 770. Joh. 20. 17. Touch me not Ver. 26. Reach hither thy finger Christ after the Resurrection would not be touched of Mary Magdalen who only sought him after a carnal way and thought of enjoying him no otherwise then she did formerly by his earthly presence amongst them But he commanded Thomas to touch him that his faith being confirmed he might be a more certain witnesse of Christs Resurrection The ACTS of the APOSTLES LVKE the Evangelist describes either in generall all the Acts of the Apostles or in speciall Peters Preachings Acts Visions Miracles Imprisonments the Conversion of Paul his Travels Disputations Miracles Bonds Imprisonments and the History of the Primitive Church after Christs Ascension from 26 years unto the 60 year from Christs Nativity 771. Acts 1. 1. Of all things that Jesus began both to do and teach Luke wrote John 21. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Luke in the first Book wrote of all things necessary for our salvation though not of all things but summarily concerning the conception of Jesus Christ his Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension into heaven August Christ did many things that are In John Tract 49. not written as John the Evangelist witnesseth but those things were chosen to be written which might suffice for the salvation