A Method or briefe instruction verie profitable and speedy for the reading and vnderstanding of the old and new Testament * ⎠* The one expounding the other according to the sence and meaning of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Veritas Blessed is that man whose delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth exercise himselfe both day and night Psalm 1.2 1. He shall be like a tree planted c. 2. His leafe shall not weither c. 3. Whatsoeuer he dooth shall prosper LONDON Imprinted by T. Orwin for W. Holme 1590. Vitam orna docendo Vaum hoc gestit Doctrinam Orna Giuendo Ne ignorata damnetur Teipsum Consule Memento Mori Iusuâ—â—andum serua Praemonitus Praemunitus Iesu esto mihi Iesus The Preface To Theophilus the vnfeyned louer of Iesus Christ Act. 1 1. and To Lydia his wife the painefull instructer of her houshold Act. 16.15 THE euill of ignorance how great a sinne it is not rightlie to knowe God the common course of all Creatures in their order duo partlie teach that by endeauour we may in knowledge excell them seeing by nature they excell vs. And for experience if the soules and consciences of ignorant men were set open but one houre to the world it would be a world and a warning for euer to see their desolation their feare their sorrowe and resolute condemning of themselues to that place of perdition of bodie and soule prepared for the diuell and for them not knowing which way to winde out beeing brought in by Ariadnes thread or rather by a corruptible seed that although the light shineth in the darkenes of their hearts yet they cannot comprehend it because they eyther dispise or neglect the knowledge of their Creator which is not to be known to any but by the knowledge of the holie Scriptures What Father or Mother would not sigh and sowne for hartie sorrowe to see their Children preparing themselues to hell what Master so vnmercifull that would not pittie to see their seruants hearts bleeding for sorrow And what Pastor would not willinglie resigne all to redeeme one of his charge although all the rest were saued Beholde then how carefull ought Parents to bee in teaching their Children the instruction of the Lord and how watchfull euerie Pastor to giue them their meate in due season The Diuell hath receiued many into his Kingdome by ignorance of the Scriptures and hee seeth it is the way to enlarge it therefore he laboreth bodilie Ghostly night and day by craft and by crueltie to holde men in that miserable thrall of darkenes how necessarie the knowledge of holy Scriptures is for all people to comfort themselues and to confirme other many places doo testifie Leu. 19 17. Deu. 3.12.13.2 Kings 23 2 3. Neh. 8 2. Psal 1 1.2.3 Prou. 1 1.2 c. 19 2.29 18. 1. Cor. 14 20. Gal. 6 1. 1. Thess 5.14 1. Tim. 2 4. 2. Tim. 2 24.25.26 Heb. 3.13 Iam. 5 19.20 1. Pet. 3 15.16 Beware of false Prophets Math. 7 15. Trie all things and keepe that which is good 1. Thess 5 21. But how can these things be performed without the knowledge of holy Scriptures How shall a seruant doo the will of his Master when he knoweth it not How shall a sonne rightlie obey his Father wherein he is not taught And how much lesse shall the Master the seruant the Father or the Sonne be seruiceable to the Lord and Father of all things or by obedience please him when his will is not knowne by his word who in deede is to be serued and obeyed according to the line and leuell thereof and not according to mans fleshlie inuention or worldlie reason Obiection Yet for all this many obiect and lay for themselues that the studie of Gods word dooth onelie appertaine to Diuines and men that are not busied with the affaires and cares of this world Alas they are altogeather deceaued by Sathan who worketh in them that bee ill alwaies to doubt their ill by preferring ignorance before knowledge carnall things before spirituall and earthlie before Heauenlie But Parents must needes haue the knowledge of Scriptures to teach their Children Gen. 18 18.19 Exod. 12 26.27.13 8.9 10. Deu. 4 9.10 Psal 78 5. c. And it is also the duetie of euerie householder to instruct their families Gen. 18 18.19 Act. 10 2.16 14.15 Romans 15 5. Colloss 4.15 Phil. 2. Obiect Some doo holde themselues well excused as touching this account by hard trauaile and paines taking in their vocation and calling Obiect Some by catechising in little Bookes some by their worshipfull and honorable offices in the common weale and some by frequenting Sermons earlie and late Obiect Some doo thinke themselues well exercised and their time well spent in examining searching other mens Bookes for faults and errours thereby to get praise and profit if they finde none then they hew and strike fiercely at their manners and conuersations alwaies bearing armour defensiue to defend their owne euill and armes offensiue to assaile the good manners of others whiles they should bee occupied in searching their owne errors and faults by the holy Scriptures Obiection Some doo spend the remainder of their liues in Enuie and Arrogancie enterprising impression against impression Bookes against Bookes Sermon against Sermon And thus they bring some to neglect the studie of the sacred Bible some to doubt of the trueth and dignitie thereof and some to hate or to despise the professors of the same If these Calummators and busie bodies were as readie to put in practise their preaching as they be to followe after a fault in their liuing there should be no such neede of Prisons for Malefactors of Bridewells for Libellors nor of Hatchets for traitors Obiect Another sort there is in their kinde worse then all these who by their learning doe disswade the vnlearned from that study and order of reading the Bible which is prescribed priuatlie and publiquelie by a man whose life is vnrebukeable whose learning counteruaileth the best learned whose good will to all men hath been published in his Preaching freelie whose vndeserued and vnanswerable paynes hath beene set foorth by Printing and whose godlie zeale and care doth plainelie appeare in those whom he hath taught in the knowledge of Gods most holie word who are in deed as testimonies of his truth infallible argumeÌ„ts to proue the experience of his Method order of teaching which many ignorant men doo controule secretly to be principall And what should I say more I doubt not of mildenesse of constancie and of the vertue of Gods holy spirit in him so as he may liue bouldlie euen at the faces of his aduersaries still prospering in Gods busines and verie well in his owne In the meane time he is honored among them that bee honored that fortune abateth without fault and hee is ashamed among them that bee ashamed that fortune enhaunceth without merit honorable honour resteth not in the dignitie that men
It teacheth vs to tread in the steps and pathes of the true Church whose affections are enflamed with pure bountie loue of the Messiah who is become ours by taking our nature vpon him and by accomplishing al things necessarie to our Saluation and Redemption The Contents or somme of the fourth part THe 4. part which is Propheticall interpreteth the lawe contained brieflie in two Tables It foretelleth manie notable things touching the promise of the Messiah his office his kingdom the fauor of God towards his Church and the perswasion that is vsed with Iaphet to dwell in the house of Sem as God had said vnto Noah It directeth all men to the assurance of Gods eternall prouidence by the consideration of things present past and to come whereof the Prophets are plentifull By obseruing this order you shall be able to iudge neerelie where euerie matter that commeth in your hearing doth lie in the Bible or what scripture soeuer you shal read elsewhere For all things profitable to our instruction and saluation is contained in the foure parts before recited therefore marke how they are distinguished First learne how the whole is diuided into 9. Periods or stories SecoÌ„dlie where euerie Period or storie doo begin and end in the Bible Thirdlie that you learne to say some thing as the holy Ghost vttereth concerning the Creation in Gen. 1 2 3 4. The Flood Gen. 7 8. The Promise Gen. 12. The giuing of the law Exod. 19 20. The going out of Aegypt Exod. 12 13 14. Their entrance into Canaan Iosua 1 2 3. Their possession 14 15 16 17 18 19. The first King 1. Sam. 9 10. The Captiuitie the booke of Daniel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. Their libertie in Christ Matth. 1 2 27 28. The continuance of euerie period or storie I haue laid downe at the end of euerie one such Be sure to obserue this order 1. From the Creation to the Flood Gen. 1. to Gen. 7 a storie of 1656. yeares 2. From the Flood to the promise first to Abram Gen. 8 to Gen. 12 a storie of 427. yeares 3. From the Promise made to Abram to the giuing of the lawe Gen. 12. to Exod. 19 a storie of 430. yeares 4. From their going out of Aegypt to their entrance into Canaan Exod. 12 to Iosua 1 a storie of 40. yeares 5. From their entrance into Canaan to their quiet possession Iosua 1 to Iudges 1 a Storie of 7. yeares 6. From their quiet possession to Saule their first King Iudg. 1. to the 1. Sam. 1 a Storie of 450. yeares 7. From Saule their first King to the Captiuitie 1. Sam. to Nehemiah a Storie of 490. yeares 8. From their captiuitie to their libertie these bookes Nehemiah Ezra Hester a Storie of 70. yeares 9. From their libertie vnto Christ the euerlasting libertie the booke of Daniel a Storie of 490. yeares These things being well perfectly settled in your minde then consider what is coÌ„tained in euerie Period particularly I meane what the Argument or Summe of euerie â—uch Storie is whereby you shall see whereâ—pon the Bible doth depend what Religion was in euerie Age the cause of the alteration which you must doo aduisedly in this order 1. PERIOD In euerie Period marke what is said of God the Creator in this order The Creator called himselfe in the Hebrue tongue Iehouah whom in our language we cal God Gen. 1 1. Deu. 6.4 It is a name of wonderfull weight vnsearchable consideration and yet not answerable to the greatnes of his Maiestie in respect of his deuine person and godly essence It conteineth fiue vowells which are the ground and perfection of all languages for as without the same no tongue can be distinct or vnderstood so without the true knowledge and loue of his eternall Maiestie no man can speake vnto him rightly all will be but babling or as though hee vnderstood it not This name hath in it also 2. h. h. which in all languages are nothing els but aspiratioÌ„s or breathings thereby making vp the number of 7. letters being the full number of the Sabaoth alluding to this saying From him wee haue our breathing in him we liue moue and haue our being For we are his generation Act. 17.28 And also to teach that the praising of God is a part of the sanctification of the Sabaoth without the which no soule hath rest or peace with God Iehouah our God Marke the force of this word Our It is not attributed to the Father nor to the holie Ghost but directly to the Sonne of the Father who is become ours we his Cant. 2.16 by taking our nature vpon him For the vse and interest of all his Creatures together with the worke of redemption he hath left this exercise for euer in his Sanctuarie saying Praise me the eternall God which is the signification of this holy name Iehouah assuring vs also thereby of his aeternall fauor in whom is no shadow of change for what he was the same he is and will be to come He hath many other names in respect of his qualitie rich liberalitie towards his Saints and in regard of his iustice towards the reprobate As Palmoni Michael c. Of the same number of letters but of three vowels pointing closely to the vnitie of the Trinitie The one signifieth that he numbreth finisheth the liuings and liues of al men that he weigheth all mens words and workes in a ballance or waight of the Sanctuarie that he diuideth and giueth how he wil and to whom it pleaseth him Dan. 5.26 27 28. Michael signifieth verie God and sheweth that there is no other he is God alone Michael is only thrise repeated in Scripture Dan. 10.21 Dan. 12.1 Iudg. 1.9 There is no Angell of that name Wherein we are to consider 4. things His Wisedome in creating all good His Power in gouerning all his creatures His Prouidence in prouiding all good things for his His Iustice in destroying all the wicked In euerie storie or Period you shall see these particulars which will further your purpose and put you in mind of diuers other such like concerning GOD whereby you shall bee perfect in that accompt which is the first and principall poynt required of euerie Christian Then obserue wheresoeuer you reade what is spoken of GOD whether he be 3. in one Gen. 1.26 27.18.2 3 9 10.13.16 17 20 21 22 23 26 27. Ioh. 10.30 1. Timo. 3 16. Ephe. 4 5.6 Or 1. in 3. distinct Father Gene. 1.1 2 3. Matt. 3.16 17. Sonne Gen. 1 3. Mat. 3.16 Holie Ghost Gen. 1.2 Matt. 3 16. The Argument or somme of this first Period Reade Gen. the 5. there you shall see 10. holie Fathers which I haue laid downe in their order in whom the Church of GOD stood who as skilfull Musitians did sweetly sing one song making a heauenlie sound ouer all the world whose liues were ended at the flood whose holie Religion hath ende with the fire the reward of whose
labours hath eternall memorie with GOD and his Angells which are these that followe with their significations and yeares Fathers Significations Yeares Adam earthlie 930 Gen. 5.5 Seth setled 912 8 Enos sorowfull 905 11 Kenan godly repentance 910 14 Mahalael praise God 895 17 Iared the lowly 962 20 Henoch the Sabaoth keeper 365 24 Methuselah long life 969 27 Lamech heart wounded 777 33. Noah the comforter 950 Gen. 9.29 This number of 10. Fathers wherin God hath measured his Church serueth very necessarily to expound hard sentēces in scripture of the same nūber But you must marke that 10. sometimes standeth in good part as in Tithes Leui. 27.32 Nu. 18.25 26 27 28. In the 10. moneth the flood abated Gen. 8.5 God would haue spared manie thousands for 10. sake Gen. 18.42 c. Sometimes 10. is taken in accompt of euill as Numb 14.22 Esai 5.10 Againe 10. hornes of the Beast which Daniel saw signifieth 10. wicked persecuting Kings Dan. 7.24 The Pope hath 10. statelie Kingdomes to assist him Reuel 13.1 Thus must you compare one 10. with another as you reade Now marke brieflie the storie of euerie Father particularlie in the which you may by comparison expound other places of like qualitie in Scriptures ADam his originall or kinred was the red earth of Moriah nere the garden of Eden a mount in Ierusalem Where Isaac was offered as a figure of Christ the holie of holiest Gen. 22 2. Where Sem or Melchisedech dwelt which place was called Salem but vppon Isaac his offering it was called Ierusalem Gen. 14.18 Where Noahs Arke rested in the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite 2. Sam. 24. 16 17 18 to 25. Where Salomon was commanded to build the Temple 2. Chro. 3.1 Where was the Oratorie of God the law and the spirit Where Christ in the sulnes of time died as a high Sacrificer Marke euerie Moriah as you reade and conferre one with another by particular questions Adam was in soule a Saint for wisedome and will So are all his posteritie in Christ He was a King a Prophet and a Sacrificer So was Christ And it is certain that he beleeued the promise concerning Christ in whose commemoration he offered continuall sacrifice the which was consumed by fire from heauen in the allowance thereof as was the sacrifice of Abram c. in the time of the Lawe In the assurance whereof he named his wife Heua that is to say life And he called his Sonne Seth setled or perswaded in Christ Hee brought vp his Sonnes Abel and Cain in the same profession By faith Abel offered a greater sacrifice than Cain by the which he obtained witnesse that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts Hab. 11.4 God cloathed Adam his wife with the skinnes of those beasts which hee had sacrificed The first promise concerning Christ When God had chastened the woman and cursed the serpent He said vnto Adam The seed of the woman shall bruse the serpents head Gen. 3.15 He liued with Methusalah to instruct him in this promise and in the right vse thereof 243. yeares as in Gen. 5.25 26 27 32.6.6.11.10 11. He was skilfull in all Sciences the first day and 30. yeare of age by the vse of nature as men are now So was Christ at the end of Daniels last weeke 9 when he was baptized Lu. 2.23 And it must needes stand by manie arguments and plaine narrations that he fell the the same day of his creation His Wife was a goodlie faire and beautifull Queene So is the Wife of Christ the Church all glorious and there is no spot within her Thus by particular obseruations you may make your comparison fit with other places of the same sense out of the olde or new Read Mat. 19.4 5 6. Mark 10.3 4 5 c. Christ comes of Adam Rom. 5.1 1. Cor. 15. A comparison betweene Christ and Adam 1. Tim. 2. Reuel 12. SEth was the 3. sonne of Adam begotten in the likenes of his Father when hee was 130. yeare olde All the world is bound to take instruction of him to be setled in Christ the Rocke All places of Scripture that import the Rocke Christ setled faith and constancie may be reduced vnto this The number 130. in which he was begotten serueth verie well to remember you of al places of the sam◠number in scripture As Terah begat Abram a newe Stablisher of Religion when he was 130. yeare olde Jaacob came to Aegipt a Reuiuer of Religion when he was 130. yeare olde You shall reade seldome or but once in Luk. 3.38 of Seth in the New Testament ENos was verie zealous and sorrowfull for the corruption of Religion and good manners which was like to ensue vppon the marriage of the sonnes of GOD with the daughters of men who regarded beautie and worldlie preferment rather than the promises of life and euerlasting glorie by seruing and praising God in true Religion To this you may referre the zeale of Moses Elias Paule Iohn c. who wept for the people that sinned and desired rather to bee razed out of the booke of life than that so manie thousands should perish in the wrath of the Lord. To this you may referre all vnequall and inordinate mariages and the inconueniences that commeth thereof KEnan had sorowfulnes and withall godlie repentance furnished with a care of amendment of life To this you may reduce all penitent sinners as Dauid Peter c. MAhalael had a name verie answerable to that acceptable Sacrifice which the Creator imposed vppon his creation according to the signification of his owne name both which I haue told you To this may be reduced all places of thanks giuing and praising of God So Leah named her fourth sonne Iudah signisying praise the Lord. This ought to be imitated of all men throughout the course of Religion and trade of life Psal 47. The reason why is shewed Psal 19.102 105. IAred had the vertues of his forefathers which induced him to great humilitie and lowlines To this you may referre all such like places how God exalteth the lowlie and meeke As Joseph out of the pit of slyme to be Lord and ruler in all the Land of Aegipt Dauid a poore simple Shepheard to be a renowmed king ouer his inheritance and Daniel Peter c. This must needes call you to remember the proud and their ouerthrow vppon the dunghill HEnoch walked with God in holie life he was a man wholly dedicated to the Lord by his name in the trade of his life wherin was seene his fathers zeale and sound Religion in bringing him vp meete for the seruice of the great God as Abram did Jsaac as Anna did Samuel c. He was faithfull Read Haebr 11.5 He was a Prophet Iude. 1.14 15. He is the seauenth from Adam his yeares are agreeable with the number of the Sabaoth putting all men in minde of the sixe dayes creation and the seauenth dayes Rest or redemption Seauen is an holy and an infinite
more were depriued of their beautie and glorie They were at the first heauenlie bodies but vpon their fall they were turned into the qualitie of the ayre These were called by diuers names answerable to their kinde and qualitie Whereof 4. are in the 12. chap. and .9 vers of the Reuelation 1 a Deuill For that hee is a quareller a callenger and a backbiter 2 a Dragon In respect of his wonderfull crueltie and speedie spoile 3 a Sathan For that hee is a Tempter Matth. 4.10 Aduersarie or enemie Luke 22.31 32. 2. Cor. 4 4. 1. Thess 2 18. 1. Thes 3 5.2 Thes 2.9 10. Reu. 2.13 4 a Serpent For his subtiltie and craft 2. Cor. 11 3. Behemoth is likened to an Oxe for that he laboureth and enforceth all his power to drawe men to destruction Iob. 40 10. Leuiathan a great mightie fish not to be ruled with line and hooke so the Diuell cannot bee meeked and tamed by the nature of man Iob. 40.20 Lion who is verie rauening and alway sleepeth with his eyes open most watchful and vigilant so the diuell seeking whō he may deuoure 2. Pet. 5.8 Boare for his rooting extirpation vtter subuersion and destruction Psal 80.13 Now I will speake briefly of those Angels which were left in heauen and continued in their first Estate of whom you shall read much in holy Scriptures and of their sundrie names in respect of their seuerall sundrie offices in the Church and in heauen which I pray you diligenly to marke AN Angell is a name of office not of kinde He is of a spirituall immortall substance and of great puritie by reason whereof he perceiueth in him selfe all formes shapes intelligible wherby he is stirred to heauenly contemplations The likenesse of GOD shineth in him Haeb. 1.7 Angels haue three things in them 1 Essence by the which they haue beeing of puritie of discretion and godlinesse 2 Vertue by the which they haue power to vnderstand to liue and to continue for euer 3 Working by the which they are exercised to doo all things swistly willingly and profitably to Gods glorie and to the benefite of his Church Angels called Seraphins BEcause they are manie they are inflamed with the cleare light and brightnesse of God their office is to kindle and inflame others in the loue of God This fire wherewith they are kindled burneth and not wasteth Haeb. 1 14. Angels are called Cherubins A Companie or a multitude higher than the Seraphins these haue the gift of fairnesse in the first vertue that worketh For by the light of wisedome they be drawen into the fairenesse of GOD himselfe Haeb. 9 5. Angels called Thrones THe Maiestie of God sitteth in and vppon these Their offices is to set foorth GODS Iustice against vnpenitent sinners Reuel 1.4 Reuel 14.17 18 19 20. Psalm 80.1 Cherubins and Thrones are one Angels called Dominations THese are aboue the rest in power they haue Iustice in force libertie in godlinesse and they conforme all their actions to The rule and direction of their President Haebr 1 6. Angels called Principalities THeir office is to bring and reduce others to God They are ouer other Angells Some of them serue and some waite Dan. 7.9 10. Psal 68.7 Angels called Powers FOr that they haue power ouer euill Angels and wicked spirites Their office is to keepe comfort the Saints on the earth These haue equal might with those Angels which are called Dominations Reuel 16.1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10. 1. Pet. 3 22. All these are said to be cloathed with fire and with Light as with a garment Psal 104. They are girded with a golden Girdle signifying might and courage Dan. 10 5. Reuel 15 6. They beare in their hands swords scepters A sword to rule and a scepter to magnifie Gen. 3.24 Numb 22.31 Iosua 5 13. Reuel 6.8 warlike weapons fighting for the Church spiritually They haue Trowels Measures and all sorts of working tooles to worke men a new vnto God They haue Trumpets for that they warne and excite men to heare the voyce of God and to prepare themselues against the spirituall enemie Reuel 8 2. They haue Instruments of Musique comforting and refreshing the weake wearied as was signified by the Leuites 2. Cron. 7 6. Reuel 5.8 18 22. They are likened to Horses of all coulours to Chariots and to Eagles for that they are poasts and speedie messengers betwixt Christ and his Church Ierem. 4 13. Zachar. 1.8 9. 6.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Reuel 9.16 17. They are likened to Warders and vnto Watchmen for that they forewarne the Church of perills Psal 141 3. Esa 21.6 7 8 9. Ierem. 51 12. Dan. 4 10. They are likened to Haruesters and Laborers for that they gather men into the Lordes Barne as wheate Ierem. 50 16. Mich. 7 1. Math. 9.37 38. They are called by manie other names and likened to diuers naturall things thereby to make vs the better to discerne them the plainelier to see them and the easier to auoide that which maie dislike them Marke them well and reduce them by particulars into memorie which will greatly profite you THE particular Ages and Yeares of the ten Fathers Gen. 5. before recited serueth as an exact rule to knowe howe long the first Storie or Period and the world of olde did last The same manifesteth vnto all Nations the louing kindnesse of the Lord who as yet in the dayes of Noah hee gaue them one hundred and twentie Yeares Repentance and withal the seueritie of God in making the earth voide and emptie as it was in the beginning because of sinne in not suffering the posteritie of Noah to liue halfe their former yeares which was a noate of Gods Iustice to the wicked in breaking their earthly imaginations and a testimonie of his loue towards his elect by hastening their kingdome and glorie 2. PERIOD The Argument or summe of the 2. Period REade Gen. 11. there God in the number of other 10. holie Fathers beginneth to multiplie a new Church ouer whom he was verie carefull and prouident as of a peculiar and speciall people dedicated to his owne glorie and sequestred from ill and prophane vses which I haue laide downe in their order with the significations of their names and yeares which you shall perceiue serueth to great purpose Fathers Significations Yeares 1 Sem renowmed 600. Gen. 11.11 2 Arphaxad healing 438. Gen. 11.13 3 Sale peace 433. Gen. 11.15 4 Heber pilgrime 464. Gen. 11.17 5 Peleg diuided 209. Gen. 11.19 6 Regue breaking 207. Gen. 11.21 7 Sarug palme trees 200. Gen. 11.23 8 Nahor angrie or drie 119. Gen. 11.25 9 Terah a wretch 70. Gen. 11.26 10 Abram a high father 175. Gen. 25.7 Now you must learne what may be said particularlie of these Fathers Sem was Melchisedech King of Salem who liued 600. yeres who was Noahs Sonne SEm was a perfect figure of Christ without father without mother in respect of his great age whose kindred was vnknowne to
any man when Lot was taken prisoner for he was before the flood and liued a Graundfather in Abram his time of eight degrees At the slaughter of the Kings he might well bee renowmed for when all Nations were at variance round about him he was vnto them at Salem a sight of peace he ruled with great wisedome and dexteritie like the Sonne of God he outliued all that knew him None of Chams house could resemble the Sonne of God nor any of Iaphets house whose Religion came from Salem The 2. promise concerning Christ SAint Paule ment when he said that Melchisedech was without father and without mother nothing els but to call the Iewes to minde who in their Storie was the true figure of Christ without father and without mother Sem liued vntill 50. yeares of Jsaac his age to teach Religion Blessed be the God of Sem. Gen. 9.26 Saint Paule chargeth men to consider of him to compare him with Abram which cannot bee if he bee indeede without father and mother Read more Luk. 3. Haebr 5.6.7 Heber was a rare man 2. seuens from the creation a double Henoch he was the 4 after the flood So is Judah the 4. from Iaacob of whom Christ came Marke alwaies the number 4. and make your comparison The Hebrew tongue remained in him whence he had his name at the confusion of tongues which enlarged his glorie Againe none that euer were before him liued after him In his time Babel was built by the curse of Cham there they lost the glorie of their name which was turned to shame Thence they were scattered ouer the world into 70. companies where afterwards they were in bondage 70. yeares There their ages were againe halfed the 2. time To this you may referre the fall of Angells who by pride surmounted aboue their Creator seeking to enlarge their glorie but thereby it was diminished greatlie The like may be said of Adam who coueted to be ouer wise became a verie foole and coueting all lost all The like of Jsrael who not contented with the Lord desired to be gouerned by man had an hypocrite for their King Abram was a new setter vp of Religion in his time as was Seth in the old world he was the 10. from Noah and the 7. before Moses shewing therein that in 10. he was on earth the highest accompt and in 7. the holiest by Christ Here marke 10. and 7. and conferre them elsewhere with the like numbers He ouercame foure Kings with his owne household To this you may call to mind the conquest of Iosua who with a small companie subdued mightie Nations and especiallie to Christ Iesus who by himselfe conquered all the world and the power of Sathan to deliuer the Captiue He had the Promise concerning Canaan and concerning Christ to come God changed his name Abram a high father to Abraham a father of manie Nations declaring thereby the vnsearchable riches and mercies of the father in Christ Here Ages were the third time halfed Reade more Ioh. 8. Luk. 16. Act. 7. Rom. 4. Haebr 7.11 Matth. 1. Abram had two sonnes Ismael and Isaac Isaac was a sonne by the free woman which was borne by promise who being offered not slaine is a figure of Christ who was killed and behold aliue Reuel 5.6 Abram is a figure of God the Father who spared not his only sonne Jsaac is the longest liuer after Heber and liued longer than his father to shewe that he was the child of promise and by relation closelie to 〈…〉 the aeternall ioy appoynted to euerie one of the same couenant Rom. 9. Ismael was borne of the bond woman and both brothers hath a great relation to the 2. Testamēts the calling of some freelie of his mercie and the reiecting of many other according to vpright iustice which was signified by casting Jsmael and Hagar out of Abrams house Reade Gal. 4. yet he became a Nation of 12. Dukedomes in the land of Chush Isaac had two sonnes at one time Iaacob Esau who did import and signifie two Nations to wete the Jewes and the Gentiles the one was chosen by the free mercie of God the other left to condemnation that the purpose of God might stand Rom. 9.11 Of Iaacob which is called Israel Reade Matth. 1. Luk. 1.2.4 Joh. 1.4 Rom. 9.11 1 Cor. 10 11. Gall. 6. Act. 2.13.21 The other Fathers are not recited in the newe Testament nor in the olde but onlie to prooue the line of Christ whole from Noah to Abram of whom he should come according to the flesh The 3. promise concerning Christ IN the 10. Age from Sem Abram liued to whom GOD said Jn thy seede shall all the Nations of the earth be blessed Gen. 12. Sem liued 150. yeares in Abrams time to teach him in the right vse of that promise which God had made vnto him many yeres before Gen. 11.10 to 27. Terah was 130. yeares when he begat Abraham 11 32.12.4 c. Act. 7.4 and he liued vnto the 50. yeare of Jsaacs age Abram being 110. yeares old Gen. 21.5 liued to teach Isaac 75. yeres after Gen. 25.7 Isaac being 60. yeares old was borne Jaacob Gen. 25.26 Abram was then aliue and liued 15. yeares to teach Jaacob These sons of Sem with their posteritie are cast out of the holie line who were deadlie enemies to their kindred Gen. 10.22 23. Elam their issue and posteritie Elamites or Persians Asshur Assirians Lud Lidians Aram Aramites or Sirians IAphet the sonne of Noah and his sonnes of these were the Iles of the Gentiles euerie man after his tongue and familie Genesis 10.2 5. Gomer their issue or posteritie Tartarians Magog Turkes Scythians Madai Medes Iauan their issue posteritie read Ezech. 38 1 2 3 etc. 39.1 2 People of Asia and Graecia Tuball Read Ezech. 27.12 13. Mesech Tiras C Ham the Sonne of Noah and his Sonnes Genesis 10.6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 c. Chush their issue posteritie Nimrod a mightie hunter the builder of Babel Gen. 10.8 Misraim Egyptians in Hebrue Misraims Pút Blacke Moores Canaan Canaanites Perizites so foorth as Gen. 10. Here may you see the great wisedome of GOD by ruling the hearts and tongues of these Fathers to giue their Children such names as might in it teach a true forme and proportion of his Church as hee did by the other 10. Fathers before the floud which being laid chained equally together maketh vp a short accompt of Faith and summe of Religion It sheweth to all the world the prouidence of God and it enforceth men of good conscience to giue their children significatiue names for imitation and examples sake Noah hauing found fauour with GOD aboue manie thousand generations perceiuing by a spirite of Prophecie that his sonne Sem the eldest in accompt should be blessed of great fame with God men he named him Renowmed Sem perceiuing the purpose of his father to be fallen true in him and knowing that perfect