5. Heb. 11. 9. And he gave him no inheritance in it no not so much as to set his foot on Prophesies and Promises are given to some and fulfilled to others nor are they alwayes fulfilled to those to whom they are given but in those for whose cause they were given So the Land was given to Abraham according to right but to his posterity for possession 50. Gen. 13. 16. I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth 2 Sam. 24. 9. And Joab gave up the summe of the number of the people unto the King The posterity of Abraham which were and are before the numbring David made cannot be numbred nor had David the compleat number of the people from Joab who gave the King a lesse number of the people then they were 51. Gen. 15. 6. Abraham believed God and he counted it unto him for righteousnesse Jam. 2. 21. Abraham was justified by works Abraham before God was justified by faith and was declared to be just by his works before men offering up his son Isaac upon the Altar 52. Gen. 15. 13. Thy seed shall be a stranger in a Land that is not theirs and shall serve them 400 years Exod. 12. 40. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt was 430 years In the Scripture the years are not alwayes precisely numbred the lesser number is omitted and here under the greater round number the lesse is comprehended 53. Gen. 15. 15. Thou shalt goe to thy Fathers in peace Josh 24. 2. Terah and his fathers served Chrys hom 36. in Gen. other Gods To goe to his Fathers that is to die it is an Hebrew phrase Also by the name of Fathers here may be understood Adam Abel Noah c. to whom he went by faith 54. Gen. 16. 9. The Angel of the Lord said unto Hagar Returne to thy Mistresse Chap. 21. 12. God commands Abraham to send Hagar away First Hagar flying of her own accord was commanded to return to her Mistresse then being thrust out by force she staid in the desert Gal. 4. 22. Chap. 31. the Apostle expounds that figure and applies it to the old and new Testament 55. Gen. 17. 12. God appointed circumcision 1 Cor. 7. 19. Circumcision is nothing Circumcision by divine institution in the old Testament was a sacrament to the coming of Christ but in the new Testament it is nothing nor is profitable to our salvation we must therefore distinguish the times of the old and new Testament 56. Gen. 18. 25. Thou shalt not kill the righteous with the wicked Ezek. 21. 3. I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked Abraham speaks of eternall destruction and cutting off God speaks of corporall and temporall affliction of the righteous with the wicked 57. Gen. 21. 9. Ismael plaid with Isaac Gal. 4. 29. He persecuted Isaac Jerom saith that Ismael challenged the primogeniture insulting over Isaac in words and deeds and he cals that the contention of the young ones It is certain if Ismael had not wronged Isaac he should not have been expelled from his Fathers house 58. Gen. 22. 1. God tempted Abraham Jam. 1. 13. Let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God The first place is concerning outward temptation sent from God to prove our faith patience and hope and for our good The latter is concerning internall temptations from the flesh Aug. l. 16. c. 32. Deciv Lei. and the devill who do allure us to sin or concerning temptations for our hurt Abraham was tryed to sacrifice his son that so his dutifull obedience might appear not to God but to the ages that should be for a mans minde oft-times cannot be known to himself unlesse he make tryall of his strength not by word but by deeds when he is examined by temptation 59. Gen. 22. 2. Thou shalt offer the son whom thou lovest for a burnt-offering Exod. 20. 13. Deut. 5. 17. Thou shalt not kill God gave the Law not to himself but us this is a command and example which is singular of the faith or obedience of Abraham or of his tryall neither is it contrary to the precept of the Decalogue of not killing our neighbour for the speciall dictates and commands of God do not derogate from his generall commands 60. Gen. 22. 2. God commanded vers 12. God forbad to offer up Isaac Jam. 1. 17. With God there is no variablenesse The decree of God which he will bring to effect is immutable those decrees that are not fulfilled are but conditionall and but for tryall such is this example of a command given to Abraham and then revoked 61. Gen. 22. 18. In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed Ephes 3. 5. The mystery of the incarnation of the son of God was not known to the sons of men as it is now revealed to his Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit In the former place God promised to Abraham that of his seed should be born Christ the Saviour of the world In the latter the Apostle speaks by comparison for that mystery was not known before the preaching of the Gospell for it was revealed to the Fathers in Heb. 1. 1. many parts and divers manners under shadowes and figures only but to us after the promises fulfilled in Christ plainly clearly and perspicuously 62. Gen. 23. 37. Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land Exod. 20. 5. Thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them Matth. 4. 10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God He gave civill adoration to the people which was an ordinary thing amongst those of the east but religious adoration is only due to God which he will not have to be given to an other 63. Gen. 25. 23. The elder shall serve the younger Chap. 33. 3. Jacob lowed himself seven times when he came to his brother Jacob gave civili honour to his brother Esau who was in great power and authority yet that takes not off from the force of the promise which was fulfilled in its time when David Psal 60. 1. conquered the Idumaeans and made them subject to the Israelites 64. Gen. 26. 34. Esau married two wives Judith the daughter of B eri the Hittite and Besamath the daughter of Elon the Hittite Chap. 36. 2. Esau tooke his wives of the daughters of Canaan Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite and Abolibama the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite Those wives were two or each of them had two names for the Hittites were in the borders of the Hivites 65. Gen. 27. 23. Jacob deceived his father Isaac Chap. 30. 41. His Father in law and his uncle Laban Mark 10. 29. Defraud not We must live by Gods law and not by examples 1 Thess 4. 6. Jacob did that by inspiration from God without injuring his Father or his Uncle Let us so live in mutuall conversation that we circumvent not our brother in any thing
own damnation The flesh of Christ in it self giveth life because it is alwayes so also in respect of men because some are faithful which it doth actually give life to others Infidels who are not quickned in Christ the cause whereof is not from Christ but from their own Infidelity and unworthinesse for not discerning the dy and bloud of the Lord they draw on the judgements of God upon themselves 721. Joh. 7. 5. Neither did his brethren believe in him chap. 16. 27. Ye have believed that I came out from God The former place must be understood of his brethren and corporal kindred the latter of the Apostles and his Disciples which were not all kindred to Christ according to the flesh 722. Joh. 7. 7. The world cannot hate you chap. 15. 19. Ye are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you In the first place Christ speaketh to his Brethren and Cousins according to the flesh that did not believe in him living carnally and after the manner of the world in the latter place he speaks of the Apostles who believed in him and were purged from all dregs of Infidelity and he assigns the causes wherefore they and other believers were hated of the world 723. Joh. 7. 8. I goe not not up yet unto this feast vers 10. He went up to the feast He went not openly with his friends that he might be seen but privately by this example of his he hath taught us not to venture our selves rashly amongst our enemies 724. Joh. 7. 16. My Doctrine is not mine but my Fathers who sent me chap. 17. 10. All mine are thine and thine are mine The Doctrine of Christ is said to be his Fathers and his in different respects the Father hath it from himself Christ from his Father also it is said to be the Fathers because he sent his Son for Christ was sent from the Father to publish it 725. Joh. 7. 26. Doe the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ 1 Cor. 2. 8. Had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory The knowledge of Christ is either carnal and historical so the Rulers of the Jews and the Devils knew Christ but this is nothing to salvation or a spiritual knowledge by faith which justifieth believers and which the Jews that crucified Christ had not Here the same thing is said in both places and what in the first place is explained by an Ironical Interrogation in it self negative that in the latter place is done affirmatively 726. Joh. 7. 34 36. Where I am thither ye cannot come chap. 17. 24. Father I will that they also which thou hast given me be with me where I am Christ in the former place speaks to the Pharisees and carnal men rejecting his grace and he saith to them Where I am ye cannot come that is into heaven In the latter place he speaks of all the faithful which his Father hath given him 727. Joh. 8. 16. I am not alone but I and the Father that sent me chap. 16. 5. Now I goe my way to him that sent me In the first place Christ speaks of the unity of the Divine Nature and the inseparable conjunction of the Person in the latter concerning his Death and Ascension into Heaven to intercede with God the Father for us 728. Joh. 8. 23. Ye are of this world chap. 15. 19. Ye are not of this world To be of the world is to be in darknesse and to lead a wicked life not to be of the world is to acknowledge Christ and to live godly The first place therefore respects the unbelieving Jews and carnal men the latter respects all the faithful the children of God and elected to salvation 729. Joh. 8. 26. I have many things to say and to judge of you chap. 3. 18. He that believeth not is condemned already In the first place the present tense is put for Rom. 14. 10. the future For we must all of us appear before Christs Tribunal that every man may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. 730. Joh. 8. 28. I doe nothing of myself ch 10. 18. I have power c. Christ of himself that is without the Father or against his Fathers authority did nothing 731. Joh. 8. 33. We be Abrahams seed v. 44. Ye are of your Father the Devil There are sons carnal and sons spiritual the carnal Jews were the seed of Abraham in respect of corporal propagation Spiritual are such as are guided by a good or evill spirit sons by a good Spirit are all the faithful who are of the seed of Abraham by faith in Christ who gave to believing Abraham that he should be called the Father of believers Christ saith the Jews were from an evill spirit who did not the works of Abraham but of the Devil in respect of their malice and imitation and he that doth the works of another may be called his son 732. Joh. 8. 35. The servant abideth not in the house for ever 1 Thes 4. 17. We shall ever be with the Lord. In the first place is spoken of a servant of sin in the latter of the faithful who shall be delivered from all bondage being made free by the Son Joh. 8. 36. 733. Joh. 8. 36. Yee shall be free indeed Rom. 7. 23. Paul was a captive under the law of sin The faithful are free from sin in respect of condemnation dominion and perfect liberty which they shall enjoy in the next life they are said to be captive under sin by reason of inherent sin which begets ill desires in them against their wills 734. Joh. 8. 46. Which of you convinceth me of sin chap. 9. 24. We know that this man is a sinner Christ speaks of firm proof that no man could convince him of sin The Jews for despight and calumny said falsely that he was a sinner 735. Joh. 8. 50. I seek not mine own glory vers 12. I am the light of the world Hee meanes glory acquired from his Father not affected glory and he calls himself the Light of the world truly confessing what he is and not by hunting after vain glory 736. Joh. 8. 51. If a man keep my saying he shall never see death Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed unto all men once to dye Christ speaks of spiritual and eternal death the Apostle speaks of corporal and temporal death 737. Joh. 8. 58. Before Abraham was I am Heb. 2. 17. He took upon him the seed of Abraham There are three kind of speeches concerning Christ some things are spoken of him according to his divine Nature so he was before Abraham some things are spoken according to his humane Nature when he is called Abrahams seed or Davids and some things are spoken of both Natures that he is the Mediator between God and Man 1 Tim. 2. 5. 738. Joh. 9. 3.
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.
because God is the revenger of all these things for all deceit is openly condemned in the word of God 66. Gen. 27. 28. God give thee of the dew of heaven and of the fatnesse of the earth and plenty of corn and wine Chap. 42. 2. Jacob for want of provision sent his sons into Egypt to buy corne Deficiency and temporall want doth not diminish the divine blessing and force of the promise As travelling did not hinder Abraham so Jacob did not lose the fruit of his Fathers blessing 67. Gen. 27. 38. Esan list up his voiee and wept Esa 12. 17. Esau found no place of repentance Esaus repentance was not true but hypocriticall for he did not aknowledge his sin but was sorry for his losse and would have killed his brother Nor could he by his tears move his Father to repent of the blessing given to Jacob. 68. Gen. 32. 3. 33. 14. Esau lived before Jacobs return in the Land of Seir. Chap. 36. 6. Esau took all that he had got in the Land of Canaan and went unto Seir from the face of his brother Jacob. Esau saith August after that his brother was departed to Mesopotamia would not live with his parents whether by reason of that commotion that he grieved that he was deceived of the blessing of his Father or whether it were by reason of his wives which he saw were hatefull to his parents or whatsoever the cause was and he began to live in the mountain of Seir then after that Jacob was returned peace being made betwixt them he went back to his Parents and when they both together had buried their Father he went again to Seir and there he propagated the Nation of the Idumaeans 69. Gen. 32. 30. I have seen God face to face saith Jacob. Exod. 33. 20. No man can see my face and live It was the common opinion of the Antients that if any man should see the face of God he must die the death so Gideon Manoah and the Israelites feared their lives but Jacob here Abraham Chap. 18. Isaiah Chap. 6. Daniel Chap. 7. by Joh. 1. 18. their example confute that opinion for they saw God face to face that is the glory of God was manifest to them but the essence and nature of Gods face no mortall man can see nor ever did see 70. Gen. 33. 19. Jacob bought a parcell of a field at the hand of the children of Hamor Shechems father Chap. 23. 16. Abraham bought the field with the cave of Ephron the Hittite Abraham bought the possession of the Cave with the ground about it for the buriall of the dead Jacob bought the greater part of the field to dwell there where he pitched his tents In the cave that Abraham bought was Sarah buried Gen. 30. 13. Chap. 48. Josh 24. 32. and he himself also Isaac and Jacob. But in the field that Jacob bought and gave to his son Joseph were Josephs bones buried brought thither out of Egypt 71. Gen. 33. 19. Jacob bought a parcell of a field where he had spread his Tents Chap. 23. 16. Abraham paid the money for the Cave and the borders round about Act. 7. 5. And he gave him no inheritance in it no not so much as to set his foot on The Patriarchs would not possesse themselves of the Land of promise before the time whose patrimony was not bought with mony but as we find it Act. 7. God gave it freely to their posterity 72. Gen. 42. 15. By the life of Pharaoh Mat. 34. Swear not at all Joseph sweareth not but he confirmeth his Deut 30. 19. 2 Cor. 1. 23. words by speaking after the usuall manner that the Egyptians did So Moses calleth the heaven and the earth and Paul calleth God to witnesse upon his soul Christ by the Evangelist forbids all vain and unnecessary oaths and forbids perjury 73. Gen. 46. 4. I will goe down with thee into Egypt and I will also surely bring thee up again Chap. 49. 33. Jacob died in Egypt Gen. 50. 13. Jacob returned out of Egypt in his posterity and his body also after his death was brought into the land of Canaan and buryed there 74. Gen. 46. 21. The tenne sonnes of Benjamin Chap. 44. 20. He was a childe a little one Jacob gave a wife to his youngest son Benjamin Dom. Mart. Luth. that Rachel might have seed by him and whilst God by a singular blessing gave him so many sons by that means he pacified Jacobs sorrow for Joseph 75. Gen. 46. 34. Every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians Chap. 47. 6. If thou knowest any men of activity amongst them then make them rulers over my cattle The Egyptians hated the shepherds of the Hebrewes not for their cattell but for their circumcision and religion because they sacrificed those things which the Egyptians worshipped for Gods 76. Gen. 47. 31. And Israel bowed himself upon his beds head Heb. 11. 21. Worshipped leaning upon the top of his staffe Jacob being lifted up at the head of his bed bowed himself upon the top of his staf and so worshipping God left an example of piety behind him to his children 77. Gen. 49. 10. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah not a lawgiver from between his feet untill Shiloh come 1 Sam. 10. 1. The Scepter was before David in the tribe of Benjamin Luk. 2. 1. And when Christ was born it was with Augustus Caesar The supreme power over the Jewes was in Moses and Joshua their leaders then in the Judges unto Saul under the Kings to the captivity of Babylon under the Priests untill Herod Now the accompishment of this Prophefie began not in the time it was pronounced but from the time the Kingly Government was confirmed in the tribe of Judah and the Princes of that tribe were in the Sanhedrim untill Christ came it was at last abolished by Herod 78. Gen. 49. 28. Jacob blessed all his sons with their proper benedictions Vers 7. Jacob cursed Simeon and Levi. That is he blessed them all in Christ but he foreshewed to every one of them blessings or cursings as the Holy Ghost inspired him EXODUS THis Book hath its name from going out for here is described the going forth of the Children of Israel out of Egypt the promulgation of the morall Law and the ceremoniall and judiciall in the wildernesse the raising of the Tabernacle with all things belonging to it It contains a History of 114 yeares 79. Exod. 1. 5. And all the sons that came out of the loynes of Jacob were 70 souls Gen. 46. 26. All the souls which came into Egypt with Jacob were 66. Act. 7. 14. Joseph called his father Jacob and his kindred 75 souls that went down into Egypt There descended with Jacob into Egypt the souls which came out of his thighs 66. if you adde to these Jacob and Joseph and his two sons they make 70. Stephen adds the four wives of Jacob and the two sons of Judah which were
dead excepting Jacob his whole family make 75 souls in number 80. Exod. 1. 19. The Midwives lyed to Pharaoh and God blessed them Chap. 3. 18. 5. 3. Moses said We will goe three dayes journey into the wildernesse and sacrifice unto the Lord our God Zach. 8. 16. Speak every one truth to his neighbour It is not certain whether the Midwives did 1 Pet. 21. lie or not it might be the Hebrew women were delivered before they came at them and God blessed the Midwives not for lying but because they feared him Moses spake the words of God unto Pharaoh and God is the God of truth 81. Exod. 2. 3. Moses was laid by the river in an arke of bulrushes Heb. 11. 23. Moses parents feared not the Kings commandement It is certain that the Hebrew parents feared God more then Pharaoh nor did they doubt in exposing of Moses but that God would deliver him 82. Exod. 2. 15. Moses feared and fled from the face of Pharaoh Heb. 11. 27. He feared not the wrath of the King Moses feared for killing the Egyptian whilst Pharaoh sought to slay him therefore he fled into the Land of Madian But upon his return when God sent him to Pharaoh he despised his threatnings being secure from all danger 83. Exod. 4. 21. 7. 3. 10. 27. 11. 10. But I will harden Pharaohs heart Chap. 8. 15. 8. 32. Pharaoh hardned his heart and was hardned c. God hardens permissively not effectively Ezeck 18. 23. 33. 11. Cont. Faust by no antecedent will for he will not the death of a sinner but by a consequent will when he punisheth by just judgment and useth evill to a good end Satan saith Augustine hardens by perswading Man by consenting God by forsaking 84. Exod. 4. 24. Moses had his wife with him in his journey Chap. 8. 5. And Jethro Moses Father in law came with his wife and his sons unto Moses Moses sent his wife Zipporah back to her father and then afterwards received her with her children brought unto him by his father in law 85. Exod. 5. 2. Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice and let Israel go I know not the Lord c. Rom. 1. 21. The Nations knew God and his power so that they are inexcusable Pharaoh was ignorant who Jehovah the God of Israel was nor had he a true knowledge of the true God that he might serve him onely 86. Exod. 7. 20 21. All the waters in Egypt were turned into bloud Vers 22. And the Magicians of Egypt did so with their inchantments when they came to the water That which the Magicians did with water digged out of the earth seemed to be the like for they are no true miracles of God which are done by the help of the Devill 87. Exod. 9. 16. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up for to shew in thee my power and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth Rom. 3. 8. We must not do evill that good may come of it The hardning of Pharaoh was a punishment of his former sins and of his tyranny shewed over the Israelites and this God directed for a good end that in Pharaoh his power glory and justice might appear 88. Exod. 9. 29. Moses prayed for Pharaoh that the plagues may cease 1 Joh. 3. 4. 5. 16. We must not pray for any that sinne unto death Moses prayed not for Pharaoh but for the taking away of the plagues farther to declare the power of God and to overcome the wickednesse and obstinacy of Pharaohs tyrannicall heart 89. Exod. 11. 5. And all the first born in the Land of Egypt shall die Chap. 12. 30. There was not a house where there was not one dead We must understand here not only the first-born by birth but such as were so by authority for it was so ordered by divine providence that there was a first born found in every house 90. Exod. 12. 36. The Israelires spoyled the Egyptians by borrowing of them Psal 37. 21. The wicked borroweth and payeth not again The Israelites had Gods speciall command for it to spoile the ingratefull Egyptians whom they had served for many years for no Gen. 15. 14. wages God foretold this to Abraham that his posterity should come out of slavery with great wealth 91. Exod. 14. 15. And the Egyptians which you have seen to day you shall see them again no more forever Vers 30. And Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shoar In the former place he means the Egyptians alive following the Israelites which afterwards the Israelites saw choked in the waters and cast dead upon the seashoar 92. Exod. 20. 5. I am the Lord thy God a jealous God visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation Deut. 24. 16. Ezek. 18. 20. The son shall not bear the Fathers iniquity God visits the fathers sins upon the children if they walk in the way of their fathers that is on them that hate him but it is otherwise if the children repent Also God punisheth the iniquities of the fathers upon the children with temporall punishments not with eternall unlesse they follow the footsteps of their wicked fathers 93. Exod. 20. 8. Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day Deut. 5. 12. Mat. 12. 5. On the Sabbath days the Priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath day and are blamelesse Legall ceremonies and their externall observations give place to charity and necessity morall duties are preferred before ceremonials God forbad those works which hinder his worship but Christ defends his Disciples plucking ears of corn on the Sabbath day against the Pharisee by the example of David and of the Priests killing sacrifices on the Sabbath day pulling off their hides and washing of them 94. Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy father and mother Luk. 14. 26. If any man come to me and hate not his father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be may disciple Christ forbids not the honour due to parents Mat. 10. 37 but he saith He that loves them more then me is not worthy of me for all things must be forsaken and hated too so far as they hinder our love of God and Christ for all things must give place to the love of God and that takes not away our duty or due honour to our parents 95. Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy Father Matth. 23. 9. Call no man Father upon the earth Christ forbids not children to honour their 2 King 2. 1 Chron. 4. parents or the hearers to honour the Preachers for Paul cals himself the father of the Corinthians but he forbids us to depend on humane authority in divine matters but we must depend on one God and have a filial confidence in him 96. Exod. 20. 13. Thou shalt not kill Mat. 5. 21. 18. 9. If thy eye hand foot
and dwels in 1 Tim. 6. 16. an unaccessible light that Moses in his mortality saw not perfectly yet we piously believe that the Son of God taking on him the shape of a man as he was afterwards to be incarnate did speak with Moses familiarly 131. Num. 14. 1. All the people with a loud voice murmured against Moses Vers 23. They shall not see the Land of promise except Caleb Josh 14. 1. The children of Israel possessed the land of Canaan which Eleazar the Priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the Fathers distributed to them Ch. 24. 7. Whose eyes saw what the Lord had done in Egypt Eleazar and Caleb and other faithfull people came into the Land of promise but those 1 Cor. 10. 5. that murmured were destroyed in the wildernesse for with many of them God was not well pleased 132. Num. 15. 38. Speak to the children of Israel that they make themselves fringes in the borders of their garments Mat. 23. 5. Christ condemns the Pharisees for enlarging their phylacteries and their borders The abuse of a thing doth not take away the use of it God commanded the Israelites that so often as they should look upon their garments they should remember the Commandements of God and do them But the Pharisees abused this commandement of God boasting hypocritically of their long garments and fringes as though there had been some holinesse in them therefore their hypocrisie is deservedly reprehended 133. Num. 16. 32. The earth opening her mouth devoured them all which belonged to Corah with their houses and substance Deut. 11. 6. Psal 106. 17. 26. 32. When Corah perished all his sons perished not The sons of Corah which escaped alive were in the Tabernacle of the Lord when the sedition began because they consented not to the Levites in the sedition of their Father 134. Num. 18. 16. The redemption of the first-born shall be from a moneth old for five shekels after the shekell of the Sanctuary Exod. 22. 30. Thou shalt give me thy first-born and with Sheep and Oxen thou shalt do the like seven dayes it shall be with the dam on the eight thou shalt give it me The first born of Man and of clean beasts were consecrated unto God the eighth day but the unclean beasts were redeemed after one month A woman after she brought sorch a male child must stay apart six weeks after a female twelve weeks in that time they were purged from their issue of bloud 135. Num. 18. 20. God said unto Aaron Thou shalt have no inheritance in the Land neither shalt thou have any part amongst the Israelites I am thy part Josh 21. 41. The 48. Cities of the Levites were within the possessions of the children of Israel The Levites had their habitation and food in those Cities with their families which Cities were as Schooles wherein they were instructed rightly in the Law and to performe their office in holy things as they should 136. Num. 20. 11. At the stroak of Moses on the rock of flint the waters came out abundantly and the congregation drank and their beasts also Psal 18. 1. 1 Cor. 10. 4. They all dranke the same spirituall drink for they dranke of that spirituall Rock which followed them and that rock was Christ Moses relates historically the water that came out of the flint for the use of the people and their Cattle The Apostle speaks after a spirituall manner and saith that Christs benefits to us were prefigured thereby 137. Num. 20. 18 21. Edom would not suffer the Israelites to passe through the Land Deut. 2. 29. Let me passe through thy Land as the children of Esau did unto me The children of Esau denied to let the children Jud. 11. 18 of Israel passe through the publick way through their Cities and Villages the King of Edom suffered them to passe about by his borders and through by-wayes 138. Num. 20. 28. Eleazar the high Priest was present at his fathers death Lev. 21. 11. The high Priest shall not go in to any dead body nor defile himselfe for his Father or his Mother Eleazar was not yet the high Priest actually and this was a singular example Augustine That time that the high Priest did his office of high Priest it was forbidden him that he should not come to his Parents being dead 139. Num. 21. 9. Moses made a Serpent of brasse and put it up for a signe and when they that were bitten beheld it they were healed Exod. 20. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likenesse of any thing in heaven or earth God gave an especiall command of setting up the brasen Serpent like to the fiery Serpents whose wounds and bites the Israelites could not endure that so looking on this they might be safe it was a figure of Christ crucified 140. Num. 22. 12. God said to Balaam Thou shalt not go with them Vers 20. Rise and go with them Vers 35. Go with the men God would not that Balaam should go to curse the Israelites at last he suffered him to go though he were displeased at it yet on this condition that he should speak nothing then what God commanded him 141. Num. 23. 10. Balaam prophesied to his owne disgrace 1 Cor. 12. 7. To every man the manifestation of the Spirit is given to profit withall The gift of Prophesie was not hurtfull to Balaam in respect of God that gave it him had he used it well but Baalam abused it False prophets also speak truth Joh. 11. 51. as Caiaphas did though it be against their will 142. Num. 25. 3. Israel joyned himself to Baal-poor and God was angry with Israel 1 Cor. 10. 8. Neither let us commit fornication as some of them committed Since Idolatry is spirituall fornication Lyra. Paul makes mention of it for the daughters of Moab would not admit the Israelites before they had eaten things offered to Idols 143. Num. 25. 9. There died of the plague 24000. 1 Cor. 10. 8. They fell in one day 23000. Moses collects the number of those which fell by sword and strangling but the Apostle counts onely those that fell by the sword 144. Num. 27. 12. Go up into mount Abarim and see the land Deut. 34. 1. Moses went up to mount Nebo to the top of Pisgah c. Abarim was the mountain but Nebo and Pisgah were the tops of that mountain so they differ but as a part from the whole 145. Num. 27. 21. The Priest shall aske counsell for him after the judgement of Vrim 1 Sam. 30. 8. And Abiathar brought to David the Ephod and he enquired at the Lord. The Ephod was properly belonging to the high Priest common to all sacrificing Priests which David made use of extraordinarily and was inspired by God with a propheticall spirit 146. Num. 31. 18. But all maids that have not known a man keep alive for your selves 1 Sam. 15. 3. Slay both man woman and infant
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
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
sacrifices unto God by Jesus Christ God would none of the sacrifices of the Jews which were offered without faith The Apostle speaks of the spirituall sacrifices of Christians as the oblation of our body a contrite heart giving of thanks works of Charity which are acceptable sacrifices to God 331. Psal 40. 9. Lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me that I might do thy will O God Mat. 26. 39. Father if it be possible let this cup passe from me yet not as I will but as thou wilt Christ that he might fulfill the will of his Father in redeeming mankind offered himself freely and though in the act he was sorrowfull as men are and would if it had been possible have escaped death without the detriment of mans salvation yet he submitted himselfe to his Fathers will 332. Psal 44. 23. Awake why sleepest thou O Lord rise 121. 4. The keeper of Israel sleepeth not So the godly being grievously afflicted speak after the manner of men not as if God slept or took no care of them but they crave of God that he would shew himself by his works of justice and mercy and would help them 333. Psal 45. 2. Thou art fairer then the children of men Isa 53. 2. There was no comelinesse in him he was despised and we esteemed him not In the first place is spoken of Christs exaltation and the glory of his Kingdome of which Solomon was a type not outwardly in the sight of men but inwardly and spiritually before God and the faithfull people In the latter of Christs humiliation and as carnall men judge of Christ 334. Psal 49. 8. The Brother shall not redeeme his Brother Heb. 2. 12. Christ our Brother offered himselfe for the price of our Redemption Because men could not satisfie the divine law Christ God and Man our Brother and our Saviour by his obedience and suffering fulfilled the whole Law for us his satisfaction is our Redemption for our sins and the sins of 1 Joh. 2. 2. Rom. 20. the whole world and he is the fulfilling of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that believeth 335. Psal 59. 11. Slay them not O Lord. Vers 13. Consume them in thy wrath First he prayes that the enemies of God may be tolerated a while for example to others and led captive in triumph then when others are taught better by their example let them be destroyed That destruction if it may not be understood of their lives yet it may be of their power dignities and wealth that so being brought down they may not be able to hurt the Church or oppose themselves against God 336. Psal 60. 3. O God thou hast cast us off Rom. 11. 1. Hath God cast off his people God forbid David speaks of temporall casting off Paul of eternall 337. Psal 62. 11. God spake once Heb. 1. 1. God spake by divers manners to the Fathers and Prophets God speaks once not by number but by counsell nor doth he deliberate the second time but he speaks divers wayes with a voice or without a voice to men waking or sleeping by himself or by his Angels In the former place the certainty in the latter the manner of divine Revelation is understood 338. Psal 69. 1. Save me O Lord. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Baptism saveth us God is the principall efficient necessary cause of our safety Baptism is the instrumentall cause and not absolutely necessary because many are saved without Baptism for it is not the want of it but the contempt of it that condemns us 339. Psal 69. 23. Let their table be made Mat. 5. 44. a snare unto them Rom. 12. 14. Blesse and curse not We may curse the enemies of God out of pious zeal not out of evill affection Christ bids us pray for our enemies rather then curse them 340. Psal 69. 25. Let their habitation be desolate Act. 1. 20. Peter applies that to Judas That which David speaks in generall of the enemies of Christ that Peter applies to the Captain of them Judas his habitation was desolate and his place amongst the Apostles untill an other took his Bishoprick 341. Psal 74. 12. God is my King of old working salvation in the midst of the earth Phil. 2. 12. Work out your salvation with foar and trembling God from eternity worked our salvation in respect of his decree in the midst of the earth freeing his Church from the beginning and defending it in us he works it when he draws us to him and gives us power to will and to doe that being so justified we may study for holinesse and walke in good works unto the accomplishment of our salvation 342. Psal 72. 8. He shall reign from sea to sea Joh. 18. 36. My Kingdome is not of this world Vers 36. It is not from hence The first place is concerning the power of Christs kingdome he reigns also powerfully amongst his enemies the latter is of the kingdome of grace for with his grace by faith he blesseth godly hearts therefore he saith My kingdome is not of this world yet he denied not but that it was in this world 343. Psal 79. 4. We are made a reproach to our neighbours a scorn and derision to them that are round about us Mat. 5. 10. Happy are they that are persecuted for righteousnesse sake Good men are more affected with scorns and reproaches then with blowes for saith Chrysostome a blow on the body is divided betwixt the body and the soul but a reproach wounds the soul only Yet the godly must valiantly endure injuries for the glory of God and safety of their neighbours but if that accrue not to Gods glory and is hurtfull we are to remit it to God by our just complaint and prayer for revenge on him that doth the injury 344. Psal 79. 6. Poure forth thine anger upon the Nations 1 Cor. 13. 7. Love endures all things The Psalmist asks this not out of a vitious affection and desire of revenge but from a just zeal kindled by the holy Ghost whereby he was inflamed for Gods glory against Blasphemers the incurable enemies of God 345. Psal 81. 13. He gave them over to their own hearts lust Act. 17. 28. In him we live and move and have our being The first place speaks of the ill affection proceeding from mans corrupt nature the latter of the work of God in men and the conservation sustentation and government of all his creatures 346. Psal 82. 6. I said Yee are Gods Joh. 17. 3. This is life eternall to know thee the only true God Jer. 9. 23 24. The Magistrates are called gods not by nature but from the Majesty communicated to them and their judiciary power that so men may be brought to obedience by them God is so by nature the Magistrate by his office hath a grant of part of divine power and being Gods Vice gerent he must do all according to Gods will and not according to his own will 347.
They that trust in the Lord shall not be moved Rom. 11. 17. Some of the boughs were broken off for their incredulity Christ makes fruitfull and barren Vines the Apostles boughs by which he represents the faithfull and Infidels those that were broken off it was for their unbelief 365. Psal 128. 1. Blessed are all they who fear the Lord. 1 Joh. 4. 18. There is no fear in love for love casts out fear Filiall fear proceeds from faith by which we apprehend God as present all the faithfull have this and consolation accompanieth it The Apostle speaks of the servile fear of the Infidels which proceeds from a sense of the presence of God as a Judge and there is no consolation in this but confusion 166. Psal 132. 13. God hath chosen Sion for his habitation this is my rest for ever here will I dwell because I have chosen it Act. 6. 14. We heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth should destroy this place and change the traditions of Moses In the first place is a promise of the conservation of the Temple and of the Jewish politie upon condition of their obedience if the Jews should do that which God commanded them and keep his holy Covenant In the last Stephen from the predictions of Christ and the Prophets concerning the ruine of the City and Temple at Jerusalem invites them to repentance 367. Psal 139. 1. O Lord thou hast proved me Gal. 6. 4. Every man shall prove his own work The Psalmist prayeth that God would prove him not that he was free from sinne but he desires by mercy to be cleansed The Apostle sheweth what is our duty namely to make our works approved to God which he will prove 368. Psal 136. 1 to 26. The goodnesse and mercy of the Lord is for ever and ever Tit. 3. 4. When the gentlenesse and love of God our Saviour appeared The Fathers under the old Covenant did no otherwise taste the goodnesse of God then we do by looking unto Christ to whom God commended his goodnesse and him that he promised to give our Fathers for their salvation he hath given unto us revealed in the flesh 369. Psal 145. 8. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion Exod. 33. 19. I will have mercy on whom I will Rom. 9. 15 19. God is gracious and mercifull so that he offereth his goodnesse to wicked men also and declares in them the effects of his grace and clemency he made them he gives them temporall goods he defers his temporall and eternall judgments though they are ungratefull to him but he sheweth mercy to whom he will not looking on our worth but he saveth us freely without being obliged he doth all of his own goodnesse and mercy The PROVERBS of Solomon WIthout doubt it was taken out of his 3000 Parables and his most wise sentences for the good of the Church teaching good men patience and wisdome and the fruit of it is to be imbraced and sinne to be fled from Relating the works of the wise and foolish he commends the manners of an honest woman 370. Prov. 1. 15. My son walk not with sinners remove thy foot from their paths Luk. 15. 1. All the publicans and sinners came unto him to hear him and he received them Solomon forbids us to run to evill with wicked men or to allow of their wickednesse Christ receiving publicans and sinners reproved their faults exhorted them to repentance by his great love toward them 371. Prov. 1. 26. I will mock at your trouble and laugh when your destruction cometh Ezek. 18. 32. I will not the death of a sinner for I take no pleasure in the destruction of a sinner God is delighted in his justice when he punisheth those which despise his grace and that will not hearken to his fatherly vocation but of his mercy he will not the death of sinner as death is the destruction of Nature The former place belongs to Gods consequent will the latter to his antecedent will that is ruled by justice this by mercy 372. Prov. 6. 6. Go to the Ant thou sluggard and consider her wayes Psal 55. 22. Cast thy way upon the Lord and he shall bring it to passe Solomon by the example of the Pismire would bring idle slothfull people to honest labour The Psalmist warns all to trust in God and his providence yet not so that we should omit any thing of our duty for so God doth govern all things that he will have us to use lawfull means and effect all our works by them So when Christ saith Be not carefull for the morrow he doth not forbid us to Luk. 12 15. Theoph. work but to give our selves over to care and to neglect Gods providence for we are commanded to till the ground and to take care to live 373. Prov. 4. 3. Solomon was the only son of his 1 Chron. 3. 5. Mother 2 Sam. 11. 27. Bathsheba bare sons to Davaid Simaa Sobab Nathan Solomon was so beloved of his Mother for the singular gifts of nature as though he had been her only son 374. Prov. 6. 30. It is no great fault for a man to steal to fill his hungry soul Exod. 20. 15. Thou shalt not steal Solomon compareth Theft with Adultery and he determines that the punishment and the offence is lesse in Theft then Adultery 375. Prov. 6. 31. A Theef if he be found shall restore seven fold he shall give all the substance of his house Exod. 22. 1. If any man steal an oxe or a sheep or have killed or sold it he shall restore five oxen for one and four sheep for a sheep If a man stole money or cloaths he must restore seven fold for the seventh number being perfect he must redeem his life by it Thefts which could be hid were more heavily punished then such as could not so well be hid as Cattell 376. Prov. 8. 23. I Wisdome was created from the beginning 2 Pet. 1. 19 21. Holy men spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost in time First is meant the essentiall wisdome of God that is Christ the Lord but the Apostle means wisdome revealed by the Prophets 377. Prov. 8. 35. He that findeth wisdome findeth life Eccl. 2. 16. There shall be no remembrance more of the wise then of the fool for ever In the former place we must understand divine wisdome which confers eternall life In the latter humane wisdome which profits nothing after death 378. Prov. 15. 27. He that hates gifts shall live Chap. 17. 8. A gift is as a pretious stone in the eyes of him that hath it Chap. 18. 16. A mans gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men A gift to corrupt covetous Judges is accepted and causeth that he that corrupts the Judges may attain his end that he desires for he that bribes oft-times obtains what his mind wished for 379. Prov. 16. 4. God made all things for himself Vers 4. The wicked also for the day
greatest part The root of the Jews was holy by reason of the Covenant because they were born from their Father who was in the Covenant and so were they confederate with God and separated from the prosane Gentiles 434. Jer. 10. 23. O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself it is not in man to direct his steps Mat. 23. 37. I would have gathered thy children together and thou wouldest not In spirituall matters that concern his salvation a man can do nothing that is good In politick and civill affaires he can indeed doe something but more inclining to evill then to good 435. Jer. 17. 5. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man Rom. 10. 11. He that believeth in Christ shall not be confounded Isai 28. 16. The Prophet speaks of bare mortall deceitfull man in himself The Apostle speaks of man subsisting in the person of the Son of God in whom the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelt bodily 436. Jer. 15. 1. If Moses and Samuel stood before me yet my minde could not be toward this people Mat. 18. 19. If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall aske it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven In the former place the speach is hypotheticall as if he should say though they were amongst the living and did stand before me and would turne away my wrath from this people yet would I not spare them Christ in the latter promiseth temporall good things upon condition of repentance 437. Jer. 17. 10. Chap. 20. 12. I the Lord search the heart I try the reins 1 Cor. 2. 11. Who knowes what is in man but the spirit of man which is in him God is not excluded from knowing what is in the heart but Angels and men are be they good or bad 438. Jer. 22. 11. Thus saith the Lord touching Sellum the son of Josiah 2 King 23. 30. 2 Chron. 3. 6. The people of the land took the son of Josia Joachaz and anointed him to be King Joachaz is called Sellum ironically because as King Sellum Israel was led captive into Egypt so Joachaz shall not return from the Babylonish captivity 439. Jer. 22. 30. Thus saith the Lord Write ye this man childlesse for no man of his seed shall prosper 1 Chron. 3. 19. Mat. 1. 12. Salathiel his son Jekonias died without children Salathiel the son of Neri was from Nathan the adopted son of Jekonias and by succession not his naturall son 440. Jer. 25. 1. The fourth year of Jehojakim the son of Josiah King of Judah was the first year of Nabuchadonoztr King of Babylon Dan. 1. 1. In the third year of Jehojakim King of Judals came Nabuchodonozor King of Babylon to Jerusalem That is in the end of the third year and the beginning of the fourth year of Jehojakims reign 441. Jer. 25. 11. And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment and these Nations shall serve the King of Babylon 70 years Act. 1. 7. It is not for you to know the times God by a Propheticall spirit revealed this to Jeremiah and so comforted his people but we must not curiously search to know the times contrary to Gods will that is the moment of the day of Judgement the destruction of the world which the Father hath reserved in his own power 442. Jer. 29. 11. I think toward you thoughts of peace and not of evill Vers 17. Thus saith the Lord of hosts I will send upon them the Famin. God gives peace to penitent sinners but punisheth sinners for their sins 443. Jer. 31. 15. A voice was heard in Ramah lamentation and Rachel weeping Mat. 2. 16. That was done at length in the killing of the children at Bethlehem The Prophets speak often in the present tense or time past of things which are to come for the certainty of the Prophesie So here he foreshews the lamentation of the Mothers for the children thae were slain at Bethlehem by Herods command 444. Jer. 31. 2. The Lord shall create a new thing on the earth Eccl. 1. 10. There is no new thing under the sun New things are made by creation so God the Father created all things new so we are a new creature in Christ by sanctification when we are regenerated by the holy Ghost by change so when Christ shall come all things shall be made new 445. Jer. 31. 31. Beheld the days come saith the Lord and I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah Mat. 5. 17. I came not to destroy the Law God promised a new Covenant when Christ should come yet such a one that should not differ from the former Covenant in substance but sanctified by the Messias The Doctrine of the Prophets and the Apostles was not changed by the coming of Christ but remains an eternall Law of leading our life the ceremonies are abrogated according to their use but their signification was more declared by his coming and illustrated and the Prophesies had their complement in him 446. Jer. 36. 30. Thus saith the Lord of Jehojakim King of Judah he shall have none to sit upon the throne of David 2 King 24. 6. And his son Joakim reigned in his stead Joakim did not sit that is he had no fast seat in the Kingdome for in the third month of his government Sedechias was put by force not by right into his place by Nebuchodonozor 447. Jer. 37. 14. Jeremie said I fall not away to the Chaldeans Chap. 21. 9. He that goeth out and fals to the Chaldeans shall live Jeremie taken in the gate defendeth his innocency that he fell not to the Caldeans nor was a betrayer of his Country but he said that he would go into the land of Benjamin 448. Jer. 52. 31. In the 37 year of the captivity of Jehojakim King of Judah in the 12 month in the 25 day of the month Evilmerodach lifted up the head of Jehojakim King of Judah 2 King 25. 27. In the 37 year of the captivity of Jehojakim he he was lifted up in the 12 month the 27 day On the 25 day Evilmerodach took counsell to deliver Joakim out of prison on the 27 day it was concluded and effected all things being disposed well for his enlargement The THRENES or LAMENTATIONS of Jeremiah THe Prophet bewails the destruction of Jerusalem and the Kingdome of Judah and the captivity of the people He comforteth himself and the people in the promises of God and commends the cause to God by his prayers 449. Lam. 3. 37. Who is he that saith and it cometh to passe when the Lord commandeth not Vers 38. Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not both evill and good Deut. 32. 4. The works of the Lord are perfect The evill of punishment not of sin is meant in the first place which is not ill in it self but in respect of men For all punishment in respect of God that
inflicts it hath the nature of good 450. Lam. 5. 7. Our fathers have sinned and are not and we have born their iniquities Ezek. 18. 20. The sons shall not bear the Fathers iniquities The children succeeding the Parents in their sins succeed them also in their punishments Godly and penitent children shall not beare the iniquities of their parents for ever though they be afflicted with temporall punishments 451. Lamen 5. 21. Turn thou us unto thee O Lord and we shall be turned Psal 119. ult Hosea 14. 2. Turn O Israel to the Lord thy God Conversion and Repentance is the worke Act. 11. 8. of God he gives it to the Gentiles and none but those that are enlightned in their hearts can truly turn unto God EZEKIELS Prophesie THe Priest the son of Buzi who was brought into Babylon under Jekonias and confirmed the Prophesie of Jeremiah and comforted the captives about the year 3350. by the river Chebar he had the visions from God He prophesied 20 years 452. Ezek. 8. 12. The Lord seeth us not Heb. 4. 13. All things are naked and open before the eyes of God The Prophet makes mention of what foolish men say who thought both by their words and deeds that God saw them not whose perverse judgement doth not hinder the truth which maintains that all things be they never so secret yea the thoughts of our hearts are open before God 453. Ezek. 18. 4. The soul that sins that shall die Rom. 5. 6. Christ died for us The first sentence is legall and teacheth what must be done by the law divine or humane legally The last is Evangelicall shewing that God for Christs sake freely gives us his grace and salvation 454. Ezek. 12. 13. I will bring Zedekiah into Babylon to the land of the Chaldees yet shall be not see it though he shall die there Jer. 34. 3. Thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the King of Babylon and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth Zedekias being taken saw the King of Babylon afterwards they put out his eyes that he could not see the Land of the Caldees nor Babylon in his captivity 455. Ezek. 18. 19. Walke in my precepts keep my judgements 1 Tim. 19 The law was not made for the righteous but for the wicked and disobedient The Prophet understands the law that teacheth and enlightens us The Apostle the law that condemns us For there is no condemnation Rom. 8. 33 to those that are justified in Christ Jesus 456. Ezek. 18. 21. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed he shall not die Heb. 6. 4. It is impossible for those that were once illuminated if they shall fall away to renew them again by repentance It is hard and impossible in respect of those who bar themselves out from Gods mercy and shut their hearts that they may not be enlightned by the Sun of righteousnesse but it is not so in respect of God who would have all men to repent and be saved yet he justly punisheth with finall impenitency all obstinate and malicious Apostates and such as sin against the holy Ghost 457. Ezek. 18. 23. 33. 11. God will not the death He hath no pleasure in the death of the wicked Rom. 9. 18. He hath mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardneth God will not the death of a sinner by his antecedent will but by his consequent will or his justice because he justly punisheth him who rejects the grace of God offered unto him He hardens therefore permissively not effectively 458. Ezek. 18. 23. I will not the death of him that dyeth Chap. 3. 18. Thou shalt die the death God as our Father will not by the Gospell but as he is our judge and revenger he will by the law that a sinner shall die 459. Ezek 18. 23. 32. I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth 1 Joh. 5. 16. A sin unto death God will not the death of him that repents for his mercy is over all his works A sin unto death is a sin against the holy Ghost and so it is called because it is iustly punished with finall impenitency 460. Ezek. 18. 26. When a righteous man turns away from his righteousnesse and doth iniquity he shall die in it Rom. 8. 30. Whom he justified them he glorified Righteous in the first place is not truly so but only in opinion so Christ came not to call the just but the Apostle speaks of Mat. 9. 13. those that are truly just who are justified in Christ and shall be surely glorified Or if the place of the Prophet be to be interpreted of him that is truly just it is conditionall and so proves nothing and the contradiction is reconciled 461. Ezek. 20. 25. I gave them also Statutes that were not good and judgments whereby they should not live Psal 19. 9. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether Precepts that are not good are either legall threatnings by which God menaces curses to the wicked or false doctrine when God by his just judgement suffers those that would not believe the truth but go forward in iniquity to believe lies 462. Ezek. 44. 9. No stranger uncircumcised in heart and flesh shall enter into my Sanctuary Gal. 5. 2. If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing The Prophet means spirituall circumcision by faith in Christ but the Apostle means nothing but corporall and legall circumcision which was that the Jews strove to be justified by Col. 2. 15. DANIELS Prophesie DAniel was carried young with Joakim to Babylon there he lived 70 years to the time of Cyrus in the year 3370. He interprets Nebuchodonozors dream of the image and writeth what was done under Nebuchodonozors reign Balshazars and Darius And describes the four Monarchies and the eternall kingdome of Christ he numbred also the weeks of years of the coming of Christ 463. Dan. 1. 5. The King appointed for Daniel and his fellowes a dayly provision that at the end of three years they might stand before the King Chap. 2. 1. In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar the King dreamed a dream wherewith his spirit was troubled Vers 16. Daniel went in and desired of the King that he would give him time That was done in the second year after these things were ended which were appointed for the education of Daniel and his companions under the government of Nabuchodonozor 464. Dan. 1. 21. 6. 28. And Daniel continued unto the first year of King Cyrus Chap. 10. 1. In the third year of Cyrus King of Persia a thing was revealed to Daniel In the former place the two following years are not excluded but it is noted that God prolonged the life of Daniel untill the time of the return of the people of the Jews from Babylon Daniel was in his office at Court to the first year of Cyrus then being grown old he led a quiet private life 465. Dan. 2.
shall no more passe through thee 2 King 24. 1. Chap. 25. 1. Nebuchadnezzar invaded the land of Judah and spoyled it The Prophet speaks of Senacherib that he should come no more into the land of Judah for he was killed by his own sons Also the words of the Prophet may be understood concerning the perfect blessednesse of the next world HABAKKUKS Prophesie HE foretels to the Jews when they sinned their destruction by the Caldeans He comforts the faithfull with the coming of the Messias and the destruction of the Babylonians He prays for the ignorant He prophesied in the year 3290. 506. Heb. 1. 5. Behold you amongst the heathen and regard for I will work a worke in your dayes which you will not believe though it be told you Act. 13. 41. Paul refers these words to the resurrection of Christ. The Apostle compares the resurrection of Christ with the wonderfull deliverance of the Jews from the bondage of Babylon which though their forefathers would not believe yet they found it to be true so their posterity must needs acknowledge that Christ was raised from the dead 507. Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith Mat. 9. 2. Jesus seeing their faith Every one shall live by his own faith to eternall life but an other mans faith or prayers may obtain from God for us temporall benefits or deliverance In the latter place Christ speaks not only of their faith who brought the man to him that was sick of the Palsie but of his faith also 508. Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith Luk. 10. 28. Do this and live We live and are justified by faith not for our faith but because by faith we lay hold on Christ Do this saith Christ to the Lawyer that from the Law he might learn to know his own weaknesse and not that by observing the Law he might deserve life for by the law no man is justified in the sight of Rom. 3. 9. Gal. 3. 24. God ZEPHANIAHS Prophesie THe son of Chushi he prophesieth to the unbelieving Jews their destruction by their neighbour Nations and to those Nations their extermination by other Nations But deliverance to believers He prophesied about the year 3451. 509. Zeph. 1. 5. He prophesied in the days of Josiah of the evills which should come upon Judah 2 King 23. 3. Josias and all the people made a covenant with the Lord that they should walk after God with all their heart The Prophesie by a legall commination moved both King and people to manifest their zeal But he frighted the wicked Hypocrites and such as were averse from God by threatning them that so they might forsake their sinnes 510. Zeph. 1. 7. The day of the Lord is at hand 2 Thess 2. 3. Be not terrified as though the day of the Lord were at hand In the former place by the day of the Lord is understood the neernesse of the Babylonish captivity In the latter the coming of the Lord to Judgement the time whereof is not for us to know 511. Zeph. 3. 7. I said surely thou wilt fear me Vers 7. But they corrupted their own doing I said the Lord useth that word after the manner of men not as though he had failed of his hope for all things are known to him before they be but as if he should say Who would thing you should be so hardned that my very threatnings should not move you HAGGIES Prophesie HE upbraids the Jews for that they did not rebuild the Temple and exhorts them to build it and he describes the magnificence of the second Temple He prophesied after the captivity of Babylon under Darius Hystaspes in the year 3444. 512. Hagg. 1. 8. Bring wood and build the house Isai 66. 1. Thus saith the Lord Heaven is my seat and the earth is my footstoole what house is that you will build unto me The rebuilding of the Temple was accepted with God for the holy convocation and the worship in it to Gods glory that was with the Priesthood and Leviticall rites a type of Christ unto whose coming onely it was to endure 513. Hagg. 2. 3. You that saw this house in its firstglory and how do you see it now Is it not in comparison of it as nothing Vers 9. The glory of this latter house shall be greater then that of the former house saith the Lord of hosts The structure indeed of this house did not answer the Majesty of the first house built by Solomon Yet the spiritual glory of this latter house shall be greater then the former house because the Lord himself came into it and preached in it disputed and wrought great miracles there 514. Hagg. 2. 4. Do so for I am with you saith the Lord of hosts Zach. 1. 12. O Lord of hosts how long will it be ere thou have pity on Jerusalem In the first place the Prophet comforts the people by the hope of promises in Christ promising that God would be present there with his people after the captivity of Babylon In the latter Christ intercedes for his Church which hath sinned against God and was punished by a just judgement of God with a Babylonian captivity for 70. years 515. Hag. 2. 6. Yet a little while and I will shake the heaven and the earth and the desire of all Nations shall come This Prophesie was fulfilled after 500 years under Augustus Caesar Luk. 2. 11. With God 1000 years are but as one day or one watch in the night ZECHARIAS Prophesie THe son of Barachiah He warns the Jews to repent to build the Temple he makes mention of his visions and explains them by the effusion of the Spirit of grace and prayers He prophesied after the return from Babylon in the year of the world 3456. 516. Zech. 1. 3. Turn unto me and I will turn unto you Joh. 6. 44. No man comes unto me unlesse my Father draw him The first place is legall requiring of us what we ought and not what we can do The latter is evangelicall for no man comes unto God unlesse God draw him by his Spirit Therefore we must pray diligently Convert me O Lord that I may be converted because Jer. 31. 18. thou O Lord art my God 517. Zech. 1. 17. Chap. 2. 10. The Lord shall yet comfort Zion and shall yet choose Jerusalem Eph. 1. 4. God the Father chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world The election of a certain people to be a visible Church in the first place is taken metonymically for by that deed God sheweth that he hath confirmed the election of Jerusalem In the latter God speaks of our election unto eternall life 518. Zech. 2. 8. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye Isai 3. 1. Behold the Lord of hosts doth take away from Jerusalem the whole stay of bread In the first place is contained the promise of God to the faithfull that keep his Covenant In the latter is the pronouncing
of judgement against the obstinate Jews God is said to have kept his people as the apple of his eye so long Deut. 32. 10. Psal 17. 8. as they were obedient But temporall punishments inflicted on the wicked do not infringe the truth of his promise and of divine performance 519. Zech. 3. 9. I will remove the iniquity of his land in one day Revel 13. 8. Christ is slain from the beginning of the world In one day is the performance of Christs passion who dying for our sins restored us unto life But he was slain from the beginning of the world in Gods determinations by election virtue efficacy and acceptation and in respect of the fruits of it which redounded to the Church under the old Testament 520. Zech. 6. 13. He shall sit and rule upon his throne Isai 9. 7. He shall sit upon the throne of Daaid and upon his Kingdome Luk. 1. 33. Christ in respect of his divine nature hath his throne from everlasting to everlasting But in respect of his humanity being he is born of the seed of David according to the flesh the Lord God hath given him a throne that he may reign over the house of Jacob forever 521. Zech. 11. 12. They weighed for my price 30 pieces of silver Mat. 27. 9. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet they took 30 pieces of silver the price of him that was valued whom they did value Eusebius saith that Jeremiahs name was put De Demonstraâ—â— l. 10. c. 4. for Zecharias name by the errour of the Scrivener Out of Jeremiah some make the computation where he makes mention of 17 shekels which make 30 pieces of silver Jer. 32. 9. 522. Zech. 13. 7. Awake O sword against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow saith the Lord of hosts smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered Joh. 10. 10. No man takes away my life from me The Prophet mentioneth God the Father commanding in the name of the whole Trinity whose words outwardly are common to the three Persons and undivided that his shepheard namely Christ should be slaine that contradicts not Christs words who willingly laid down his life for us 523. Zech. 13. 7. The sheep shall be scattered Joh. 17. 12. Those that thou gavest unto me I have kept them Chap. 18. 9 10. I have not lost one God the Father speaks of the scattering Christ of the keeping That scattering takes not away Christs keeping because none of the Apostles which his Father gave to him perished but the son of perdition MALACHIES Prophesie HE complains of the wickednesse of the people of the Jewes and the Priests He comforts the godly Threatens the wicked Exhorts all to repentance and faith in Christ He was the last that prophesied before Christs incarnation In the year of the world 3513. 524. Mal. 1. 2. Was not Esau Jacobs brother saith the Lord yet I loved Jacob and hated Esau 2 Chron. 19. 7. There is no accepting of persons with God God is a most free agent and doth all things that he doth according to his own good pleasure he respects not the externall quality of the person nor his condition nation sex riches poverty hatred c. so he loved Jacob revealed himself unto him gave to his posterity the land of Canaan He neglected Esau who was Isaacs eldest son and most beloved of his Father nor was he bound by any laws to do otherwise unto him 525. Mal. 1. 8. If you offer the blind the lame the sick for sacrifice is it not evill Psal 50. 8. I will not reprove thee for thy burnt sacrifices The Prophet speaks of sacrifices the Psalmist of the sacrificers Sacrifices were to be offered unto God without spot or fault not blind or lame but without scars scabs or blisters for Christ of whom they were but types was an Lev. 22. 22 25. oblation most pure and absolute and free from all spots for our sins 526. Mal. 2. 7. The Priests lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth Mat. 22. 29. You erre not knowing the Scriptures of God The first place is concerning the office of the Priests who were bound to keep knowledge that the people might seek for knowledge at their mouth and they were to answer the people Lev. 10. 11 that inquired concerning the law The latter is concerning the ignorance of the Priests who fit upon Moses chair contrary to Gods commandement and their own duty which was the cause that the people together with the Priests and the Scribes ran to errour Hitherto we have described the Reconciliations of appearing contrarieties in the Canon of the old Testament for the space of 4000 years from the creation of the world from Adam Noah Abraham and Solomon untill the time that Christ came Now follow those of the new Testament from Christs Nativity to the end of the world RECONCILING Of Places of the NEW-TESTAMENT THe Scripture of the New-Testament is the Word of God written after Christ was revealed by the Apostles and Evangelists in the Greek tongue some few things were written in Hebrew namely St. Matthews Gospel and the Epistle to the Hebrews It is divided Euseb l. 3. c. 26. l. 6. c. 11. 19. Jeron in Catal. Scriptorum into Evangelical and Epistolical books Those are the Evangelical books which contain a part of the glad tidings or the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with the History from his Nativity to his Ascension into Heaven at the thirty fourth year of his age The Gospel of St. MATTHEW IT contains the Genealogy of Jesus Christ his birth education his Prophetical Office in Preaching Miracles his Priestly Office in the oblation of himself for our sins and his Kingly Office in his rising from the dead and the government of his Church 527. Mat. 1. 1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 1. 4. Tit. 3. 9. Avoid foolish and endlesse genealogies The knowledge of Christs genealogie is more profitable that we may know Jesus to be the true Messias promised of the seed of Abraham and David Paul condemns the madnesse of those who tell mens fortunes by their Nativities and such as move unprofitable questions concerning genealogies which the Jews addicted themselves much to neglecting the study of godlinesse those he bids us to avoid as vain and idle and Heathenish fancies 528. Mat. 1. 1. The book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David the son of Abraham Luk. 3. 23 38. Who was the son of Heli Nagge Matthat c. of Adam of God Matthew and Luke differ not Matthew describes the genealogie of Christ by the line of Solomon to Joseph Luke by Nathan another son of David from Josephs Father in law who was called Eli to David and so far as Adam the father of mankind 529. Mat. 1. 6. David the King begat Solomon Luk. 3. 31. Who was the son of Nathan who was the son
Elias the Thishbite who lived in the dayes of Ahab for the Jews were of that opinion as some now adayes look for Enoch and Elias 589. Mat. 11. 18. John came neither eating nor drinking cap. 3. 4. His meat was Locusts and wild Honey Christ commends Johns austere life sobriety and temperance in the former place because he used not ordinary meat and drink Yet he did not exceed Christ in his austere life For bodily exercise 1 Tim 4. 8. profiteth but little 590. Mat. 11. 25. O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes Jam. 3. 13. Who so is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meeknesse of wisedome Christ speaks of the wisdome of this world and Diabolical wisdome which is contrary to divine wisdome James speaks of both divine and humane wisdome 591. Mat. 11. 28. Christ saith Come unto me all 1 Cor. 1. 26. You see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many noble are called The general vocation extends to all there is one general call of all men to the great Supper and another special cal of believers onely who Luk. 14. obey Christ and his Gospel 592. Mat. 11. 30. My yoak is easie and my burden is light Mar. 10. 25. It is easier for a Camel to goe through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of God The yoke of Christ is easie and his burden light to the spirit not to the flesh to those that are mild and humble by Christs example or the Gospel yoke is easie by the holy Ghost and in comparison of the unsupportable yoke of the law It is a hard matter for a rich covetous man to enter into the Kingdome of God not for that riches are evil but because he doth wickedly abuse them 593. Mat. 12. 10. The Pharises ask Christ if it be lawful to heal on the Sabbath days Mar. 3. 4. Christ asketh the Pharisees whether it were lawful to doe good on the Sahbath dayes To the question of the Pharisees Christ answered by inversion intimating that God was more pleased to help a miserable man then to Mat. 12 8. forsake him 594. Mat. 12. 32. Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh against the holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him Rom. 5. 20. Where sin hath abounded grace doth much more abound The unpardonable sin against the holy Ghost is not so in it self that it cannot be forgiven but for the malicious obstinacy of those that will not come to Christ by repentance and doe proudly seduce others 595. Mat. 12. 49. He stretched forth his hand towards his Disciples and said Behold my Mother and my Brethren Mat. 1. 10. Luk. 2. The Virgin was Christs Mother Christ denyeth not his kindred according to the flesh but prefers spiritual kindred before them and that speech depends on his Office who receives the faithful into the first degree of honour as though they were his neerest kindred 596. Mat. 13. 12. Hee that hath not Ver. 12. From him shall be taken away even that he hath He is said not to have who is more careful to seek after novelties then to believe Gods Word or look after his own salvation such a one because he thinks he hath the knowledge of God and disdains his Word shall fall away at last by his boasting and shall by his own Luk. 8. 18. Rom. 2. 17. Ap. 3. destruction understand how miserable naked and poor he is 597. Mat. 13. 16. Blessed are your eyes that see Joh. 20. 29. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet believed In the first place is understood the temporal blessednesse and felicity of those who conversed with Christ In the latter the heavenly and eternal felicity of believers 598. Mat. 13. 33. The kingdome of heaven is like to leaven 1 Cor. 5. 7. Purge out the old leaven The doctrine of the Apostles was like to leaven because of its sudden piercing into the whole world as the doctrine of the Pharisees was like to leaven which was to be avoided or all iniquity and filthinesse of nature and Mat. 16. 22. carnal desires of wicked men may be so compared therefore we may interpret this either for good or evill leaven in the first place is taken in a good sense in the second in an evill sense 599. Mat. 15. 22. A woman of Canaan Mar. 7. 26. A Greek a Syrophenissian She was of the posterity of the Cananites by kind a Syrophenissian in the borders of Tyre and Sydon she dwelt in the Countrey of Syria and Phenicia 600. Mat. 15. 24. I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel 1 Tim. 2. 5. There is one Mediator between God and man who gave himself a ransome for all In the former place Christ speaks of his Prophetical Office that is of teaching and working Miracles In his second of his Mediatorship of salvation and redemption that belongs and is extended to all believers 601. Mat. 16. 6. Take heed of the Leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadduces c. 23. 2 3. The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat All therefore whatsoever they bid you that observe and doe By the leaven of the Pharisees is here understood their perverse doctrine corrupting the purity of Gods Word Christ commands them to beware of this and their hypocrisie infecting the sincerity of manners for like leaven it penetrates puffs up and corrupts but the eyes of God respect sincerity only yet he bids them observe what they taught that sit in Moses Jer. 5. 5. chair out of the law of God For truth whosoever preacheth it must be received for it self but we must not depend on their false hypocritical glosses for God is worshipped in vain after the commandements of men 602. Mat. 17. 15. Lord have mercy on my son for he is lunatick Mar. 9. 17. I have brought unto thee my son who hath a dumb spirit He is lunatick who upon the wane of the Moon is sick of the Falling-sicknesse or a Vertigo which happens to many by imperfection of nature This man was said to be dumb and deaf not by nature but because Satan possessed his tongue and ears so that he added more diseases to his natural Infirmity 603. Mat. 18 8. If thy hand or thy foot offend thee cut it off and cast it from thee Ephes 5. 29. No man hateth his own flesh Christs speaks figuratively that we should crucifie the old man with his evill affections that bear rule in the members of our bodies that we must cast away the most dear and profitable things from us which set our sins on fire and foster them and offend us 604. Mat. 18. 15. If thy brother trespasse against thee
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
labour shall not be lost 963. Gal. 5. 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit Eph. 6. 12. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers Flesh is taken in the first place for our corrupt nature in the later for men whose nature is frail and weak nor is our chief conflict with those but with spirituall powers which use many deceits and make many incursions upon the faithfull 964. Gal. 5. 24. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections Eph. 5. 29. No man ever yet hated his own flesh The first place is not concerning the nature of the flesh but the desire of the regenerate man who cares not for the affections of the flesh will not serve his belly his pleasures the world or worldly delights the later is concerning self-love naturall to us all and the Apostle speaking of the wife useth the name of flesh because they are both made one flesh 965. Gal. 6. 2. Bear ye one anothers burdens ver 5. Every man shall bear his own burden In the first place is spoken of the faults and infirmities of our brethren which are indeed a burden to us yet we must bear them by sympathy and the rule of charity will have it so that all of us help our brethren and tolerate their infirmities to lift up such as are down to hide their faults so much as may be and is fitting Thou hast this fault and not that another Theoderez man hath another fault do thou bear his fault let him bear thine and so fulfill the love of charity be not curious in other mens faults for every man shall give account of his own 966. Gal. 6. 4. Let every man prove his works 1 Cor. 3. 13. The fire shall try every mans work In the first place is intimated what is our duty to make our works approved to God in the later place the fire signifies either the holy Ghost or afflictions by which we are tried The Epistle of St PAUL to the EPHESIANS HE commemorates the benefits of God which are part and recites our Election Redemption Sanctification Vocation into the Church Justification by faith our future inheritance of eternall life and our duties in generall of us all in speciall of married people and unmarried of Parents of Children of Masters and of servants It was written from Rome in the Year of Christ 59. and sent by Tychicus 967. Eph. 1. 7. In whom we have redemption Rom. 8. 18. We wait for future glory and the redemption of our bodies We have redemption in Christ from the guilt of sinne by our justification we expect a full redemption from inherent sinnes in our glorification for Christ shall transform our mortall bodies that he may make them like to his glorious body that as we are one with him here in soul and body by grace so we may be also in glory 968. Eph. 3. 5. The mystery of Christs incarnation was in other ages unknown to men Col. 1. 5. You have heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel It was unknown to the Fathers under the Law in respect of fulnesse and clearnesse of knowledge revealed since Christ came and it was made manifest to the whole world by the Ministry of the Apostles 969. Eph. 3. 15. All paternity is named from God the Father Joh. 8. 44. The devil is the father of lies God is the Father of heavenly and earthly paternity the devil is excluded from these for he hath no such paternity but as he is the Authour he is called the Father of a lie 970. Eph. 4. 19. The Gentiles gave themselves over to lasciviousnesse to work all uncleannesse Rom. 1. 28. God gave them over to a reprobate minde The Gentiles gave themselves over in regard of their sinnes God gave them over in regard of punishment 971. Eph. 5. 25. Husbands love your wives Luk. 14 26. Wives are to be beloved as they are wives but if they hinder us from following Christ they are to be hated with such a hatred as proceeds not from anger but zeal to Gods glory 972. Eph. 5. 33. Let the wife see that she reverence Deut. 6. 13. her husband Matth. 10. 28. Rather fear God Fear in respect of God must be guided the same way that love must God must be beloved above all not excluding fear which is due to others 973. Eph. 5. 1. Be ye followers of God 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of me The Apostle warns the Ephesians to be followers of God for by that they shall fructifie the more Ae exhorts the Corinthians to follow him that as he followed Christ so they would learn of him as if he would have said If you cannot follow Christ yet follow me at least that am his servant 974 Eph 5. 26. Christ hath cleansed his Church by the washing of water by the word 1 John 1. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins Christ purgeth away our spots with his blood as with water by the Word and Sacraments as by instruments he communicates to us the power of his death 975. Eph. 6. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood Gal. 5. 17. The spirit and the flesh are contrary In the former place mention is made of our principall and capitall enemy that is the devil in the later of the concupiscence of our corrupt flesh and the strife of it against the Spirit The Epistle of St PAUL to the PHILIPPIANS HE exhorts them to patience and not to be offended with his chains but that they should live patiently in mutuall love and take heed of false Teachers and study to lead a life unblameable Written from Rome by Epaphreditus 976. Phil. 2. 7. He was made in the likenesse of man and was found in fashion as a man 2 Cor. 5. 16. Henceforth know we Christ no more after the flesh The first place is concerning Christs true humanity who after his humiliation was exalted of God above all creatures and made to be Lord in the glory of the Father 977. Phil. 2. 9. God hath given him a Name which is above every name Matth. 1. 21. In his conception Luk. 2. 21. In his Circumcision they called his name Jesus By the Name above all names is understood Majesty and glory given from God the Father Mat. 1. 22. unto Jesus Christ our Lord. In his conception he was called Jesus because he shall save his people from their sinnes 978. Phil. 2. 12. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling 2 Tim. 1. 12. I am certain because the Lord is able to keep that which I committed unto him The Apostle means fear and trembling not that which is servile but filiall which is opposed to presumption and security least we should grow insolent upon the confidence of our gifts but that we should altogether depend on the mercy and goodnesse of God 979. Phil. 3. 12. Not as though I were already perfect ver 15. So many
about the Law In the first place he requires that Teachers by their Office shall rebuke those that are gainsayers with all long suffering and sobriety in the later that they avoid janglings about words that is contentious clamorous unprofitable Disputations and verball Discourse which tends not to edification either with Heretiques or others in the Church because they edifie none but rather confirm them in their sinnes 1007. Tit. 2. 15. Rebuke with all authority 1 Tim. 3. 3. A Bishop must be no striker Titus was gentle by nature therefore he is warned to rebuke with authority He inculcates to Timothy modesty and mildnesse that when he rebukes he should not strike but should rebuke diversly according to the diversity of mens faults offices ages degrees otherwise old men otherwise young men otherwise those that sinne of malice otherwise those that sinne of infirmity otherwise those that were ready to obey and otherwise those that were obstinate as there were in Crete many despisers of the Ministry The Epistle of St PAUL to PHILEMON HE intercedes for Onesimus who was runne from his Master Philemon and would have his Master receive him again 1008. Philem. v. 5. He had love and faith toward all the Saints Mark 16. 16. John 3. 16. Whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall be saved Philemon did testifie to all men by his works of love toward the Saints that he had a lively faith in Christ The Epistle to the HEBREWS is also thought to be St PAULS but his Name was left out least the Jews should be deterred from the reading of it HE describes the person of Christ according to his Divine and humane Nature and he confirms his Offices Priestly Kingly and Propheticall and exhorts the Jews to faith constancy and good works by the example of the Fathers 1009. Heb. 1. 3. Christ sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Acts 7. 55. Steven saw the son of man standing at the right hand To sit at the right hand is to have all Glory Majesty Kingdom and Power both in heaven and in earth The Lamb standing at Gods right hand which was slain for us and intercedes as a Priest on our behalf stands as Aaron stood with his Censer of old betwixt the living and the dead to turn away the wrath of God 1010. Heb. 2. 3. The Gospel was confirmed unto us by those that heard Christ Gal. 1. 12. I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ In the first place it is spoken of the Apostles who were with the Lord into which number Paul was taken after Christs resurrection and he was more confirmed after his admission communicating with them those things that he had learned by revelation from Christ 1011. Heb. 7. 19. The Law made nothing perfect James 1. 25. The perfect Law of liberty The first place is concerning the Ceremoniall Law which the Jews abused separating the Law from Grace and the Spirit of Christ and opposing the Law to the Gospel The later place is concerning the whole Doctrine divinely revealed comprehended in Gods Word which contains not only in writing Morall Precepts but also Promises concerning Christ of all which Christ is the soul recreating our souls by his Spirit and enlightning our eyes 1012. Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that he is Rom. 2. 6. God shall render to every man according to his deeds We must beleeve because faith is the means and the instrument of our Justification God shall render to every one according to his works because works are the outward testimoniall and mark of our Faith and Justification before God 1013. Heb. 11. 13. The Patriarchs all died not having received the promises ver 33. Obtained promises Acts 2. 39. The promise is made unto you The promise made to the Fathers was temporall concerning the possession of the Land of Canaan which Abraham Isaac and Jacob Act. 7. 5. obtain'd not by themselves but by their successours but the promise was spirituall concerning Christ to be sent and that by faith in Joh. 8. 56. him they should obtain eternall life so the Fathers obtained the promises because they saw Christ afar off and rejoyced that Christ should come they did not obtain the promises because he came not in their daies yet they beleeved he should come 1014. Heb. 12. 17. Esau found no place for repentance though he sought it carefully with tears Acts 2. 38. Repent for the remission of your sinnes Repentance if it be taken passively is referred to Esau's father whose minde could not be changed with his prayers that so he might revoke the blessing conferred upon Jacob but Gen. 27. 33. v. 45. take it actively concerning Esau's repentance and that was not serious but hypocriticall who intended to kill his brother The Canonicall Epistle of St JAMES HE warns them who boasted of their faith without works that they should shew their faith by their works in the Divine Law and flee from sinnes that are forbidden and embrace virtues that are commanded 1015. James 1. 5. If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God 1 Cor. 3. 18. If any man amongst you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise The first place is concerning spirituall and heavenly wisdome the Authour whereof is God the later concerning vain earthly worldly wisdome and carnall which is foolishnesse with God 1016. James 1. 25. ch 2. 12. The perfect Law of liberty Gal. 4. 24. Which gendreth unto bondage In the former place not only the Morall Joh. 8. 36. Law according to which whosoever liveth is free but also the Doctrine of the Gospel whence true liberty results is to be understood in the later in respect of us and by accident it is called the Law of bondage 1017. James 2. 24. A man is justified by works and not by faith only Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law The sayings of the Apostles Paul and James Aug quest 76. are not repugnant one to the other the one saith that a man is justified by faith without works the other saith that faith is dead without works those works that go before faith are vain but he speaks of those works that follow faith Paul considers a man justified before God James a man justified before men Paul speaks of true internall faith which justifies in the sight of God James of the outward profession of faith historicall knowledge and the effects and testimonies of it The two Epistles of the Apostle St PETER THe former commemorates Gods benefits exhorts all men in generall to the duties of piety and honesty toward God themselves and their neighbours but in particular in their Domesticall Politique and Ecclesiasticall condition c. the later warns the faithfull that they proceed in godlinesse and fly from false teachers deriders and such as deny the