known the Father in him 756. Joh. 14. 12. He that believeth on me the works that I doe shall he doe also and greater chap. 3. 2. No man can doe those Miracles that thou doest Christ means not works of divine Creation Redemption or Sanctification but of his mission such Miracles as he wrought in the world such and greater then they were wrought by the Apostles whose shadows cured sick men as they passed by after Christs Ascension and the wonderful conversion of the Gentiles followed 757. Joh. 14. 13. chap. 16. 24. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name that will I do Ask and you shall receive Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not We ought to ask in Christs Name in full confidence of his merits with true faith and without doubting spiritual or corporal blessings with exception of Gods will and our own salvation in all occasions and in all our prayers they that ask so receive and they that receive not ask amisse 758. Joh. 14. 23. If any man love me he will keep my words vers 23. The Word which ye hear is not mine The Word that Christ taught was his but not any invention of his but his Fathers Word which he was sent into the world to preach 759 Joh. 14. 23. And we will come unto him and make our abode with him Rom. 7. 20. Sin dwelleth in me vers 14. I am sold under sin The first place is concerning the inhabitation of the Sacred Trinity in the spiritual part of a regenerate man The latter is of the dwelling of sin in our carnal members 760. Joh. 15. 15. I call you not servants but friends Mat. 25. 21. Well done good servant The Disciples were Christs servants by right of creation redemption and vocation friends by right of adoption communication and patefaction Aug. tr 55. on John 761. Joh. 15. 15. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 16. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you In the Scriptures some things are said to be full which are to be fulfilled in the former place Christ speakes concerning the knowledge of God and the perfect worship of Christians in it self in the latter concerning the understanding of this Word which the Disciples by reason of their rudenesse could not bear before they had received the holy Ghost nor did they understand it 762. Joh. 16. 13. The Spirit of Truth shall guide you into all Truth Gal. 2. 11. Peter erred after he had received the holy Ghost The Apostles were led into all truth in parts and degrees of it After they had received the holy Ghost they erred not in doctrine in writing or teaching but in life and conversation such was the errour of Peter which was to be reproved whilest he conversed amongst the Gentiles 763. Joh. 16. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name Mat. 6. 9. Luk. 11. 2. He had given them the form of Prayer before The Disciples did indeed pray before but not so plainly with a clear knowledge of Christs Office that their prayers should be heard for the Messias that was sent 764. Joh. 16. 26. I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you Rom. 8. 26. He makes intercession for us Christ alone doth not pray for us but we also must come to the Father and in his Name at his command pray in full assurance which is necessary for our salvation 765. Joh. 17. 3. That they may know thee Father to be the only true God Act. 20. 28. The Son is God chap. 5. 4. The holy Ghost is God Onely here doth not exclude the Persons in the Divine Essence but creatures and Idols which are no gods 766. Joh. 18. 20. I speak openly to the world and in secret have I said nothing Mar. 9. 28. He taught his Disciples privately in the Desert In the first place he speaks of his doctrine which he brought from Heaven that he might reveal it to all men and teach it publickly and in the temple not in private corners In the latter place he taught privately explaining those things which he had taught publickly 767. Joh. 19. 9. Jesus answered not Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. Christ Jesus before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession To Pilates question first Christ did not answer because he stood before him to suffer and not to plead or excuse at length he gave testimony to the Truth in words and deeds for his passion and death were a sufficient testimony and sealing of his doctrine 768. Joh. 20. 1. Christ rose on the first day of the week Mat. 12. 40. The Son of Mâ—â— shall be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth untill the third day This is a Synecdochical computation of time for the least part of the day of the preparation is taken for a whole day and the beginning of the day after the Passeover or the Sabbath is taken also for a whole day Christ was three days in the grave but it was incompleatly three days so also he was two nights in the grave the night before being added to them 769. Joh. 20. 1. Mary Magdalen came early when it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher Mar. 16. 2. Very early they came to the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun When it was yet dark very early in the morning she went out of her house and the City waiting for the rest of the women with which afterwards she came to the Sepulcher at the Sun-rising 770. Joh. 20. 17. Touch me not Ver. 26. Reach hither thy finger Christ after the Resurrection would not be touched of Mary Magdalen who only sought him after a carnal way and thought of enjoying him no otherwise then she did formerly by his earthly presence amongst them But he commanded Thomas to touch him that his faith being confirmed he might be a more certain witnesse of Christs Resurrection The ACTS of the APOSTLES LVKE the Evangelist describes either in generall all the Acts of the Apostles or in speciall Peters Preachings Acts Visions Miracles Imprisonments the Conversion of Paul his Travels Disputations Miracles Bonds Imprisonments and the History of the Primitive Church after Christs Ascension from 26 years unto the 60 year from Christs Nativity 771. Acts 1. 1. Of all things that Jesus began both to do and teach Luke wrote John 21. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Luke in the first Book wrote of all things necessary for our salvation though not of all things but summarily concerning the conception of Jesus Christ his Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension into heaven August Christ did many things that are In John Tract 49. not written as John the Evangelist witnesseth but those things were chosen to be written which might suffice for the salvation
said to be for ever by reason of the long continuance of the Jewish polity but they are all abolished by one compleat sacrifice of Christ 114. Lev. 9. 24. Fire went out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt-offering c. Amos 5. 22. Though you offer me burnt-offerings and gifts I will not accept them neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts Offerings to God from a pious and sincere heart were accepted by him but the offerings of Hypocrites proceedings from a corrupt heart were an abomination to the Lord. 115. Lev. 11. 1. Vnclean beasts Gen. 1. 31. All things that God made were very good Unclean creatures in the old Testament were so in respect of the Jewish pedagogie of the ceremoniall Law and not by nature but because God was pleased to have it so whereas by goodnesse of the creation all things were good and clean to those that were clean 116. Lev. 11. 7. The Jews must eat no swines Tit. 2. 15. flesh Mat. 5. 11. The Gadarens of the tribe of Benjamin fed hogs Hogs flesh was not eaten by the Jewes but yet they were not forbid to apply the paunch the skin and the fat to other uses 117. Lev. 13. 46. The Leper and unclean lived alone without the Camp Mat. 8. 2. In the City a Leper craved of Jesus The divine Law was that the Leper set apart should dwell alone but this leper comes boldly to Christ not doubting to be free from his leprosie 118. Lev. 16. 3. The sacrifices were appointed by Gods commandement Psal 40. 7. Sacrifices and burnt-offerings thou wouldest not The sacrifices were appointed by God under the old Testament that they might shadow forth the sacrifice of Christ and foreshew his coming but God would none of them as the Jewes abused them for ostentation and placed the worship of God in the outward ceremonie without the internall devotion 119. Lev. 16. 6. Aaron shall offer his bullock and make an atonement for himself Heb. 10. 4. It is impossible that the bloud of Goats should take away sins The legall sacrifices did not expiate sins of themselves but as they were a figure of Christ his owne oblation surpasseth them all and is propitiatory for our sinnes 120. Lev. 18. 6. None of you shall approach to any that is neer of kin to him Vers 16. Thou shall not uncover the nakednesse of thy brothers wife Deut. 25. 5. The brother shall take his brothers wife The law of the nearnesse of bloud and not uncovering the brothers nakednesse is perpetuall and must be holily observed by us but that of raising seed to the brother was partly ceremoniall figuring the primogeniture of Christ partly judiciall lest the inheritance should depart to another family which doth not oblige us but is abrogated 121. Lev. 19. 18. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self 1 Joh. 2. 15. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him In the former place he understands the love that is due to our neighbour according to Law In the latter concerning unlawfull love of worldly things as those that prefer the things of this world as honours riches and pleasures before God himself 122. Lev. 22. 25. From a strangers hand you shall not offer the bread of your God 1 King 5. 10. Hiram gave to Solomon cedar-trees and fir-trees All strangers were not abominable in the sight of God but onely the enemies and persecutors of his Church so Cyrus King of the Persians promoted the building of the second Temple and restored to the Jews the golden and silver vessels 123. Lev. 24. 19. As he hath done so it shall be done to him Rom. 12. 19. You shall not revenge your selves In the former place private persons are forbidden to avenge themselves but the Magistrate is admonished of his office In the latter onely private revenge is forbidden 124. Lev. 27. 30. And all the tithe of the Exod. 22. 29. Deut. 1. 18. Land whether of the seed of the Land or of the fruit of the tree is the Lords Num. 18. 21. I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance for the service which they serve me The tenths are called Gods because they were commanded by him for a holy use and good of the Church they were given to the sons of Levi or to the Ministers of the Church for their service for an inheritance to support them because they being consecrated to Gods service had no inheritance amongst their brethren NUMBERS THis Book is so called from the numbring of the people of God Wherein Mansions and Offices were ordained for all the Tribes between the mount of Sinah and the promised land many transgressions and dangers of the people and punishments and benefits of God are numbred The History contains 28. years 125. Num. 1. 19. Moses numbred the people in the wildernesse of Sinah 2 Sam. 24. David offended God by numbring the people Moses and Aaron did that for good order as God commanded them but David sinned out of arrogancy by numbring the people without command 126. Num. 4. 3. The Levites stood from 30. years old to 50. years old to minister in the Tabernacle of the Covenant 1 Chron. 23. 3 24. The Levites did the work of the Ministry for the house of the Lord from 20. years old Num. 8. 23. from 25. years The younger Levites were newly instructed to 20. years then they were admitted to the office of doing service at 25. years from that time a kind of secondary service was committed to them till they came to be 30. years old from 30. to 50. years they did fully execute the Leviticall office 127. Num. 7. 89. Moses entred into the Tabernacle of the Covenant Exod. 40. 35. Moses could not enter into the Tabernacle of the congregation for a cloud abode thereon and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle First when the cloud covered the Tabernacle of the testimony and the glory of God filled that Moses could not then enter but when the cloud was removed then he went into it 128. Num. 8. 7. The Levites shall shave off all the hair of their flesh Lev. 19. 27. You shall not round the corners of your heads nor shave your beards In the time of the Leviticall pacification they did shave the hair of their flesh but otherwise to cut their hair of the heads or Ezek. 44. 22. shave their beards round was forbad them by Moses 129. Num. 10. 29. Hobab was Moses father in Law Exod. 2. 18. Raguel Chap. 3. 1. 4. 18. 18. 5. Jethro Hobab because he was the son of Raguel is thought by some to be Moses kinsman in the Scripture oft-times persons have two or three names so the father in law of Moses had many names 130. Num. 12. 8. God spake with Moses mouth to mouth Exod. 33. 20. Joh. 1. 18. No man hath seen God at any time The divine essence is invisible
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
the beginning and the Father of lyes Satan fals from heaven when he is cast out of our hearts by sound doctrine and loseth his light that is his authority by the preachiny of Gods Word here as it were by a Thunderbolt from heaven that is from the Kingdome of God in the heart of man is he cast down and trod under foot but he was a murderer and lyar from the beginning that he fell not from that he was created 681. Luk. 10. 22. No man knoweth who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son Joh. 15. 26. The Spirit of Truth he shall testifie of me Christ excludes not the Persons of the Deity but the creatures and the false gods for the Father by the Son from eternity infinitely Joh. 16 13. communicating his infinite wisdome revealed it to the holy Ghost and therefore Christ saith the Spirit shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear that shall hee speak 682. Luk. 10. 24. Many Prophets and Kings have desired to see those things that you see Joh. 8. 56. Abraham saw my day There are different manners of the Visions 1 Cor. 13. 12. of Christ and of God We see now in a glasse darkly but then that is in the next life we shall see face to face Abraham and the faithful in the Old Testament saw Christ promised that he should come the Apostles saw him manifested in the flesh The Prophets saw him of old in shadows and figures the Apostles and the Christians now see him clearly and manifestly 683. Luk. 10. 28. Doe this and live Rom. 4. 5. But to him that worketh not but believeth his faith is counted for righteousnesse The parts of Gods Word are the Law and the Gospel the Law promiseth life eternal to them that doe it the Gospel to them that believe Christ by the words Doe this doth not shew that the Lawyer was able to fulfil the law but only admonisheth him so that he might grow sensible of his own weaknesse 684. Luk. 10. 41. Martha Martha Thou art careful and troubled about many things 1 Tim. 5. 14. I will that the younger women marry guide the house Christ reprehends not Marthas care of her house but for presumption and false opinion because she preferred the care of her house before the Word of God 685. Luk. 11. 41. Give Alms and all things are clean unto you 1 Cor. 13. 3. If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor it profiteth me nothing Christ speaks of alms proceeding from faith and charity the Apostle speaks of hypocritical alms without Christian Charity 686. Luk. 12. 33. Sell what you have and give alms 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any provide not for his own especially those of his own houshold he hath denyed the faith Christ would not have us forsake our neighbour in his wants and necessities but rather to help him we should sell our possessions to declare our conpassion so far as we are able without doing injury to our family 687. Luk. 14. 23. Compell them to come in 1 Pet. 5. 3. Not as being Lords over Gods heritage There is used an internal compulsion spiritually when men are drawn to the knowledge of their sins by the law of God explained to them and are urged in thier consciences to fly to the mediation of Christ so from the dayes of John the Baptist untill now the Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take Mat. 11. 12. it by force an external compulsion is when men not sufficiently instructed and forced by carnal weapons to religion against their conscience such are made rather hypocrites then good Christians therefore the Apostle warns us well that no man should affect to Lord it over Gods people that is the Church and to use a tyrannical power over their consciences 688. Luk. 14. 24. None of those men which were bidden shall tast of my Supper 2 Pet. 3. 9. God is long suffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish The Gospel since it is the power of God to salvation to all that believe they that hear it being invited by God and receive it not dying in their sins without repentance they are the cause of their own ruine and not God 689. Luk. 14. 26. He that hateth not his Father and Mother and Wife and Children and Brethren and Sisters yea and his own life also he cannot be my Disciple Ephes 6. 2. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that it may be well with thee c. 5. 25. Husbands love your Wives 1 Joh. 3. 15. He that hateth his brother is a Murderer Christ is to be beloved above all creatures and rather our Parents brothers and sisters and our own life should be lost then we should deny the Gospel He that loveth his Father or Mother more then me is not worthy of me saith Christ otherwise we must honour our Parents and love our children 690. Luk. 16. 9. Make you friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnesse 1 Tim. 4. 4. Every creature of God is good Riches are good in themselves as they are a creature but because they are after got unjustly and many abuse them to injustice pride tyranny luxury gluttony c. therefore Christ cals them the Mammon of unrighteousnesse thorns Mat. 13. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 9. the Apostle cals them the snare of the Devil and will have us so to dispose of our wealth that we may reap fruit of them in another world 691. Luk. 15. 7. The righteous need no repentance c. 3. 8. Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance Repentance of those that stand which is spoken of in the first place must be distinguished from repentance of those that are fallen which is meant by the latter place and we are admonished to it and to bring forth the fruits of it 692. Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all those things which you are commanded say We are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to doe 2 Cor. 11. 12. Paul glorieth and reckons up his good works and divine Revelations In the former place Christ saith that no man can deserve any thing at the hand of God since we are all bound to obey God in all things unto the end so that we cannot boast before God In the latter Paul mentioneth his labours not of vain glory boasting but being compelled to it for the defence of his Ministry against all back-biters and false Apostles that unjustly reproached him 693. Luk. 18. 29. Verily I say unto you there is no man that hath left house or parents or brethren or wife or children for the Kingdome of Gods sake who shall not receive manyfold more 1 Cor. 7. 10. The wife must not depart from her husband and the man must not put away his wife For Christ his sake we may leave our Wives and al things when necessity constraineth us but we cannot leave our Matrimony Paul admonisheth the wife that she should not by
our hearts by the baptism of his Spirit and his own bloud pardoning our sins and purging our corrupt affections 707. Joh. 4. 13. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst Ecclesiasticus 24. 21. They that eat me shall yet hunger and they who drink me shall thirst yet Christ speaks concerning thirst and desire of a thing which a man that hath it not wisheth for Ecclesiasticus concerning a thing already acquired and of wisdome whose memory is sweeter then Honey and the Inheritance thereof better then Honey and the Honeys-combe as Lyra speaks on Ecclesiasticus 708. Joh. 4. 38. You have entred into others mens labours 1 Pet. 4. 15. Let no man be a busie-body in other mens matters In the first place Christ speaks of Apostles lawfully called who under the New Testament not drawn by curiosity but being divinely and immediately called entred on the labours of the Prophets in the latter an ill desire is forbidden 709. Joh. 3. 5. 19. The Son can doe nothing of himself c. 10. 18. No man taketh away my life from me but I lay it down of my self Christ as man can doe nothing of Gods works of himself but from the Father giving all honour and glory to the Father So the Phil. 4. 13. Apostle could doe all things through Christ In the latter place he treats of the divine power that he had of laying down his life for his sheep Joh. 10. 15. and of taking it up again 710. Joh. 5. 22. The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son c. 8. 15. I judge no man saith Christ to the Jews The Father judgeth by the Son and worketh all things for works external are common to the three Persons Christ judgeth no man with unrighteous Judgement as the Jews did rashly judge of him according to their carnal affections being led with hatred and malice 711. Joh. 5. 27. The Father hath given all power and judgement to the Son c. 3. 17. God sent not his Son into the world that he might judge the world but that the world should be saved by him The first place speaks of the coming of Christ in glory and of his Majesty or of the sending of the Son to Judgement the latter is concerning Christs coming in humility when he came not to judge the world but that the world should be saved by him 712. Joh. 5. 31. If I bear witnesse of my self my witnesse is not true c. 8. 14. Though I bear record of my self yet my record is true In the former place Christ speaks after the opinion of the Jews who would say to him thou bearest witnesse of thy self and no man that bears witnesse of himself is worthy to be believed and he urgeth them with it that if he testified of himself without the testimony of others then they should not believe him but he had John for a witnesse c. 5. v. 33. the Father vers 32. 37. his works vers 36. the Scripture vers 39. By the latter he defends the authority of his own testimony because he knew for what he was sent and to whom he should return that is to the Father and because he was not alone but the Father was with Vers 16. him 713. Joh. 5. 34. I receive not testimony from men c. 15. 27. And ye also shall bear witnesse because you have been with me Christ in respect of himself wanteth no mans testimony nor doth receive the testimony of men or glory from them chap. 5. 41. as the Jews did chap. 5. 44. But when Christ chooseth witnesses of his Truth amongst men he doth it by reason of our infirmity that believing Joh. 20. 32. Act. 10. 43. 1 Joh. 1. 3. we may have society with him and it may be for our salvation 714. Joh. 5. 39. Search the Scriptures c. 6. 45. They shall be all taught of God Christ speaks first of the manner and outward means but afterwards of the internal means for God teacheth us by the Scripture as an ordinary means for he will have us to search his will in and out of the Scriptures because he teacheth us by the Scriptures as he doth bring to passe other things by ordinary means 715. Joh. 5. 44. How can you believe who receive honour one of another and seek not the honour that cometh from God only chap. 12. 42. Among the Chief Rulers also many believed on him but because of the Pharisees they did not confesse him left they should be put out of the Synagogue The faith of the Rulers if it had been true and lively in Christ it would have shewed it self by confession and good works and would have brought forth good fruit it was therefore but an Historical or temporary faith for they loved the glory of man more then the glory of God 716. Joh. 6. 29. This is the work of God that you believe Rom. 3. 28. We are justified by faith without the deeds of the Law Faith is called the work of God because it is the effect and gift of God and pleasing unto him The work of faith as it is a gift of God infused into us and is an inherent quality so faith in this sense doth not absolutely justifie us but relatively as it apprehends Christ with his benefits and applyes them so we are justified by faith alone without works not for the inexistence inherence dignity or merit of faith but for the instrumental efficiency and application by it 717. Joh. 6. 37. And him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out Rom. 9. 16. It is not of him that willeth nor that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy To come to Christ that is to believe is not in our power but in the will of God because it is given from the Father so that it is not in mans will but in Gods mercy that we come to Christ and believe in him 718. Joh. 6. 53. Except you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his bloud you have not life in you Heb. 10. 1. The Fathers under the law had shadows of future good things Christ speaks of the spiritual receiving of his body and bloud by faith as believers are made partakers of his benefits In the Old Testament under figures in the New Tenament without figures yet so that the Fathers and we eat and drink the same spiritual meat and drink and we as they receive Christ by faith 719. Joh. 6. 54. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternal life v. 63. The flesh profiteth nothing In the first place is understood the flesh of Christ which giveth life in the latter the flesh of men taken in a carnal sense also the flesh profiteth nothing in that manner as the Capernaites dreamt concerning it 720. Joh. 6. 54. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud hath eternall life 1 Cor. 11. 28. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh his
Neither this Man sinned nor his Parents Rom. 3. 10. There is none righteous no not one none that understandeth The cause of his blindenesse was no notable and enormous wikednesse of himself or his parents though all men be sinners and for their sins infirmities and defects of nature are ohnoxious to temporal and eternal punishments 739. Joh. 9. 31. God heareth not sinners 1. Joh. 1. 9. If we confesse our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all our sins God hears not impenitent sinners obdurate in their wickednesse but to such as repent confesse and amend their lives he pardons their sins 740. Joh. 9. 39. For Judgment I am come into this world chap. 3. 17. chap. 12. 40. 47. I came not to judge the world but to save the world In the former place by Judgement is meant a benefit given to men by the coming of Christ by which he brought those things to good order that were out of order in the latter Christ speaks of his principal end of his coming into the world 741. Joh. 9. 41. If you were blind you should have no sin Rom. 11. 25. Blindnesse is hapned unto Israel In the first place Christs speak of the Jews according to the opinion they had of themselves for they did not acknowledge any blindnesse of their minds or their sins in the latter what was the truth of them indeed blindnesse hapned to them not that they should all perish but that many multitudes of the Gentiles might be converted and saved so well as the Jews 742. Joh. 10. 28. My sheep shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand chap. 13. 18. Judas was chosen to be of Christs sheep and yet perished Election in the first place is meant to eternal life in the latter to an Office Judas was Christs sheep only by outward vocation and profession 743. Joh. 10. 29. My Father is greater ver 30. I and my Father are one Christ is equal to God the Father according to his Divine Nature lesse then the Father according to his humane Nature and his Office of Mediatorship between God and Man 744. Joh. 10. 32. Many good works have I shewed you from my Father chap. 14. 10. The Father that dwelleth in me he doth the works In the former place Christ speaks not exclusively because the works of the Trinity outwardly are common to the three Persons there is no work of the Son which the Father doth not work in him In the latter he ascribing operation to the Father he asserts that it is done by the authority and counsel of his Father so speaking of the manner and order of working he takes not away the unity of essence Majesty and power 745. Joh. 11. 4. Lazarus sicknesse was not unto death vers 14. Lazarus is dead The sicknesse of Lazarus by reason of the event was not unto death because Christ raised him again and saith that his death was but a sleep for we are not so early awaked from sleep as Christ called Lazarus out of his grave and he shall raise us all at the last day 746. Joh. 11. 25. He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live vers 26. He that believeth in me shall never dye Death is temporal and eternal temporal in this world is corporal and spiritual Christ speaks of both in the former place Spiritual death is either of them who being dead have not Christs quickning Spirit and of this he speaks not here but of them that being quickned by Christs Spirit are dead to sin and the flesh in the latter is meant chiefly eternal death 747. Joh. 11. 26. Whosoever believeth in me shall never dye Heb. 9. 27. It is appointed for all men once to dye The faithful doe not dye a spiritual and eternal death but natural death is common to all men 748. Joh. 11. 34. Where have you laid him chap. 21. 17. Thou knowest all things Christ enquired of Lazarus his grave not as if he were ignorant thereof but that he might stir up a desire in his sisters and those that were present to consider and to see the Miracle of the Resurrection So God said to Adam Gen. 3. 9. Adam where art thou 749. Joh. 11. 50. Caiphas a wicked man prophesied by the instinct of the Spirit Rom. 8. 14. As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God The gifts of Gods Spirit are of Sanctification and Salvation and those are proper to the elect children of God or gifts of administration which are common to good and bad men amongst which is the gift of Prophesie 750. Joh. 12. 27. Father save me from this hour Phil. 2. 8. He became obedient unto death Christ feeling the sins of the world lying upon him feared death as he was man and desired rather to live then dye if that might have been granted without detriment to Gods glory and our salvation but because it was not possible that that Cup should passe from him he submitted himself to his Fathers will and said Therefore came I unto this hour 751. Joh. 12. 30. Now shall the Prince of this world be cast out Ephes 6. 12. We have yet war with the Prince of this world That casting out was out of the hearts of the faithful whom though the Devill doe tempt and oppose many wayes yet he cannot vanquish them but is cast out also Christ respects the casting out of the Devill whilest both Jews and Gentiles amongst whom the Devill reigned were called to the grace of Christ by his coming 752. Joh 13. 27. After the sop Satan entred into him Vers 2. And Supper being ended the Devill having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot The first place is of totall possessing when after so many admonitions from Christ and so many humane favours received Judas yet continued in his purpose of betraying Christ he is delivered to Satan to be ruled so that he could think on nothing that was sound and good 753. Joh. 13. 37. A new Commandement I give unto you that you love one the other Mat. 22. 37. This was the greatest Commandement in the Old Testament to love God and our Neighbour It is called a new Commandement not by reason of the substance but because Christ renewed it and the singular affection of love which Christ requires in his followers as he loved them and gave himself for them so he would that they should love one the other with singular affection 754. Joh. 14. 4. Whither I goe ye know and the way ye know vers 5. We know not They did know inchoatively and imperfectly but because they knew not that they did know the cause was their rudenesse and forgetfulnesse of Christs words 755. Joh. 14. 8. Shew us the Father vers 9. He that seeth me seeth the Father The Apostles did not perfectly know Christ therefore he taxeth them of ignorance for they ought to have seen and
of Beleevers 772. Acts 1. 9. Whilst the Disciples beheld Christ was taken up and a cloud received him John 3. 13. No man hath ascended up into heaven but he that came down from heaven The body of Christ was taken up visibly on high where Christ was personally before according to his Divine nature 773. Acts 1. 15. The number of names together were about an hundred and twenty 1 Cor. 15. 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once The number of an hundred and twenty must be restrained to the faithfull there at Jerusalem the rest were out of this gathering in other places Luke by calling the brethren that were present sheweth that there were no women present at the Election of Matthias 774. Acts 1. 18. Judas purchased a field with the reward of iniquity Matth. 27. 3. He repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief Priests and Elders Judas purchased a field not actually but by purpose and event for he hoped with those silver pieces to buy a field he acquired the money It is Metonymia adjuncti and the price wherewith the Priests bought the field 775. Acts 2. 23. Jesus being delivered by the determinate counsell and foreknowledge of God by wicked hands you have crucified and slain John 19. 11. He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The death of Christ is ascribed to God and men in divers respects God delivered him by his determinate counsell that he might procure life for us The Jews out of their diabolicall hate that they might blot out the memory of him 776. Acts 2. 33. Christ is exalted by the right hand of God John 17. 5. Christ was glorified with the Father before the world was The state of Christs humiliation and exaltation is in respect of right and profession Christ was as Mediator at the right hand of God also before his corporall Ascension but in respect of use after his Ascension 777. Acts 2. 36. God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ Luke 2. 11. He is called Lord at his Nativity by the Angell Christ by right of his personall union was made Lord at his Nativity by possession and use in his Glorification declared to be so by his sitting at the right hand of God according to the rule Then a thing is said to be done when it is manifested to be done 778. Acts 2. 38. And be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost In the first place there is the command and fruit of Baptism but not the form Some by the Name Christ understand the three Persons the Father anointing the Son anointed and the holy Ghost the unction Also in the Name of Christ is in the doctrine faith knowledge and obligation of Christ 779. Acts 3. 2. And a man lame from his mothers womb they laid daily at the gate of the Temple to ask alms chap. 4. 34. neither was there any among them that lacked They that carried the lame man to the Beautifull Gate of the Temple were not of the number of those who beleeved in Christ nor the lame man himself before he was healed 780. Acts 4. 31. And when they had prayed they were all filled with the holy Ghost chap. 2. 4. In the Feast of Pentecost the holy Ghost sat upon every one of them before The first place is of the increase of gifts and their boldnesse and confidence to professe the Gospel that casting away all sorrow they were full of rejoycing and preached the Word of God freely against the threatnings and interdicts of the High priests 781. Acts 7. 38. Moses received in mount Sinai the lively Oracles 2 Cor. 3. 7. Paul cals the Law the ministration of death The words of the Law were words of life because the Law hath life in it self and leads us to Christ it is not the Ministration of death in it self but in respect of mens infirmities and our corrupt nature 782. Acts 7. 2. Men Brethren and Fathers hearken vers 52. Betrayers and murderers In the former place he doth civilly use those compellation to the Jews in the later he shews what the truth is according to the Gospel they were enemies but according to Election they are beloved for the Fathers sake Rom. 11. 28. 783. Acts 7. 51. You do alwaies resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did Rom. 9. 19. Who hath resisted his will To resist the holy Ghost is not to hear him in the Word of God so the Jews rejected grace proferred unto them and despised it revealed in the Word and so were the cause of their own damnation The Apostle speaks of Gods absolute will according to that he doth all things to which we must be subject 784. Acts 7. 59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit Luk. 16. 22. Lazarus was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom All the godly and faithfull children of Abraham must commend their spirits into the hands of the Sonne of God who enlivens us there is that bosom and the soul of Abraham rests there 785. Acts 8. 1. And they were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judah and Samaria except the Apostles Mark 16. 15. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel The beginning of the Apostles preaching was at Jerusalem where they suffered persecutions building a Church unto Christ before they went to other Nations 786. Acts 9. 6. Go into the City and there it shall be told thee what thou must do Gal. 1. 15. Paul was not called by man neither from men to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ Saul was taught by Ananias concerning the means of his conversion but not concerning the Articles of his faith Ananias was sent to baptize him and heal him but not to call him to be an Apostle 787. Acts 9. 7. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechlesse ch 26. 14. and when we were all fallen to the earth I heard a voice The companions of Saul were first cast down then they stood speechlesse nor could they go forward untill Saul also rose from the earth 788. Acts 9. 7. They heard a voice but they saw no man ch 26. 14. They that were with me saith Paul heard not the voice Hearing the sound of the voice they understand not the meaning of it so a voice coming to Christ from heaven the company that heard John 12. 29. it said it thundred 789. Acts 9. 8. They led Saul into Damascus Gal. 1. 17. He went into Arabia Paul after his conversion was first at Damascus then he went into Arabia and so returned again to Damascus 790. Acts 9. 15 Paul bare the Name of the Lord before the Gentiles the Kings and the children of Israel Gal. 1. 16. He was separated to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of Christ He was the ordinary Apostle
5. Deuteronomie GENESIS THe Generation of the World is so called because of the Creation before the flood and the restoring of it after the flood and the administration of it by the Patriarchs unto the birth of Moses it containes the history of 2310. years The Places that are seemingly contradictory 1. Gen. 1. 22. And on the seventh day God ended his work Chap. 2. 4. All things were created in the day that the Lord God made the heavens and the earth Reconciling God created the world and all things therein contained in six days and not in one day altogether The first place therefore is meant of certain naturall and artificiall dayes The latter containes indefinitely the time of the Psal 95. 7. Heb. 3. 13. creation of things So this day is put for the time of grace 2. Gen. 1. 2. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters Joh. 7. 39. The Holy Ghost was not yet given In the first place the treaty is concerning the person and existence of the holy Ghost in the latter concerning the gifts of the holy Ghost and the miraculous powring forth thereof in the day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ 3. Gen. 1. 5. God called the light day before the Sun was Ecclus. 43. 2. The Sun when it appeareth declareth the day The light which first made the day was not an other light from the light of the Sun but that light which God had dispersed through the hemisphere which he collected afterwards into the body of the Sun 4. Gen 1. 27. 9. 6. God created man after his own image Chap. 5. 3. And Adam begat a son in his own likenesse after his image The Image of God after which God created man at the beginning was depraved by the fall of Adam and so he begat such a son as himself a corrupt sinner and blind in spirituall things 5. Gen. 1. 27. God created man c. in the image of God male and female created he them 1 Cor. 11. 7. The man is the image and glory of God but the woman is the glory of the man The woman was created in the beginning 1 Pet. 3. 6. Gen. 24. 9. after the image of God so well as the man Paul considering the distinction of sex saith that the man came nearer to the image of God in respect of his dominion and the end because the woman wes made out of the man and for the man 6. Gen. 1. 2. 9. 1. Be fruitfull and multiplie and replenish the earth Luk. 23. 29. Blessed are the barren and the wombes that never bare Children before and since the fall are a blessing from God absolutely Barrennesse is commended by Christ not simply but by reason of a judgement was to fall upon the Jews and of that heavy calamity to ensue wherein the flight would be easier for one alone then for a mother and her little ones so Woe be to them that are with childe and to them which give Mat. 24. 19. suck in those days 7. Gen. 1. 28. Multiply and replenish the earth 1 Cor. 7. 7. For I would that all men were even as I my self Whether Paul were then a Batchelor or a maried man is uncertain that he was maried his words imply where he saith Have not we power to lead about a Sister or a woman a wife as well as the other Apostles otherwise he had not been sure of a wife If he were a Batchelor he speaks conditionally unlesse the propagation of mankind and of the Church should be hindred 8. Gen. 1. 31. And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Eccles 1. 2. Vanity of vanities all is vanity All the Creatures are good in respect of the creation and their nature but Ecclesiastes condemns their vain and evill inclination which is not naturall to them but came upon them by the fall of man 9. Gen. 1. 31. All that God made was very good Rom. 8. 20. For the Creature was made subject to vanity not willingly but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope Before the fall every creature was in a better condition then after the fall for contrary to nature they are become subject to the lust of wicked men and so to many afflictions by reason of him who hath subjected the creature that is God under this hope that it shall be at last delivered from the tyranny of the wicked 10. Gen. 1. 31. God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good Mal. 1. 3. I hated Esau Every creature of God is good and so is Quaest ex Epist ad Rom. Man as he is a creature but not as a sinner saith August God therefore hated Esau for his sin and set him after his brother Jacob. 11. Gen. 2. 2. God rested from all his works Exod. 20. 11. Deut. 14. that he had made Joh. 5. 17. 14. 10. My Father worketh hitherto God rested from all the works of creation and of things that should be in nature but not from his works of Providence care and sustentation for without that all would return to Psal 104. Act. 17. nothing and perish 12. Gen. 2. 15. God put man into the garden of Eden to dresse it Chap. 3. 19. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread If Adam had continued in innocency labour should have been pleasant unto him but because he sinned therefore must we labour with much sorrow and trouble 13. Gen. 2. 18. It is not good that the man should be alone Mat. 19. 10. It is not good to marry 1 Cor. 7. To touch a woman In the first place God speaks of the good and profit of the whole Species and the Church which cannot be propagated by one person alone In the latter the Apostle speaks of the personall good and the more commodious kind of life in the time of persecution 14. Gen. 2. 24. Therefore shall a man leave his Father and Mother Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy Father and thy Mother To leave Father and Mother here is not to denie them the honour love and help that is due to them but to leave the house of his parents and to live with his wife and to set up a new family with her 15. Gen. 2. 24. A man shall cleave to his wife Exod. 21. 4. The servant going forth shall leave his wife to his master c. The generall Law pertains to all that is the first but the speciall law was granted to the Jews for the hardnesse of their hearts and so we understand the latter place 16. Gen. 2. 24. Mat. 19. 5. And they shall be one flesh 1 Cor. 6. 16. He that is joyned to a harlot is one body Married people are one body really and indeed by divine institution but carnall copulation with a whore without marriage though it be actually one body yet it is impure because it is not of divine
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
of wrath Since God hath ordained the wicked for the day of wrath he hath ordained him for his own glory for when he punisheth wicked men with temporall or eternall punishments he justifieth himself in his own glory God created wicked men also but he created not their wickednesse 380. Prov. 16. 6. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged Heb. 9. 22. And without shedding of bloud there is no remission Mercy and Truth are understood of God 1 Joh. 1. 7. himself who is the primary cause of the remission of sins nor doth this contradict the meritorious effusion of Christs bloud for us whereby we are cleansed 381. Prov. 17. 15. He that justifyeth the wicked and he that condemneth the just even they both are abominable to the Lord. Rom. 4. 5. God justifieth the ungodly He that justifieth the wicked against the law of God or man without satisfaction made by himself or one for him is abominable unto God But God justifieth the wicked not that is so now but was so freely by faith for the merits of Christ and his full satisfaction 382. Prov. 20. 9. Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sin Psal 24. 3. He that hath pure hands and a clean heart shall stand in the holy place We are all unclean in the sight of God and corrupt by nature yet our hearts are purified by his grace through faith in the bloud of Christ 383. Prov. 21. 20. There is desirable treasure in the dwelling of the wise Mat. 6. 19. Treasure not up for your selves treasures upon earth Pious wisdome in honest gain is not reproved by Christ but covetousnesse and confidence in worldly wealth is forbidden since we lose thereby the heavenly treasure 384. Prov. 22. 28. Remove not the ancient I and-marke which thy Fathers have set Ezek. 20. 18. Walk not in the statutes of your fathers neither observe their judgements Solomon speaks of the bounds of Land and Inheritance Ezekiel concerning the statutes of their Fathers about the worship of God and the profanation thereof Let us not imitate those who oppose themselves against Gods law but let us walke in his laws and keep his statutes 385. Prov. 24. 17. Rejoyce not at the fall of thine enemy Psal 137. 8. Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast rewarded us The Godly do not rejoyce for the destruction of their enemies and for revenge of wrongs but for Gods glory and the edification and good of the Church So Moses after the drowning of Pharaoh in the Red sea by his great zeal for Gods glory sang a song of praise 386. Prov. 26. 4. Answer not a fool according to his folly lest thou be like him Vers 5. Answer a fool according to his folly The art of dealing with fools is necessary that we speak not foolish things with a fool foolishly for if a fool that is an ungodly person blinded profane speaks with scorns and evill speaches and derisions we must not answer him likewise but when Gods glory is questioned if there be danger we must reprove his folly and his arrogancy lest he proceed to please himselfe and corrupt others ECCLESIASTES Heb. Coheleth The Preacher SOlomon in this book convinceth the vanity of the world and the foolishnesse of men Shews that there is nothing better then to fear God and to keep his Commandements And he maintains that there shall be a future judgment He wrote this book after his falling from God in token of true repentance 387. Eccl. 1. 4. The earth abides for ever Isai 40. 8. Luk. 21. 33. Heaven and earth shall passe away In the opinion of men the earth abides for Rom. 822. 2 Pet. 3. ever but in respect of God and the future change and purgation from corruption and vanity it shall passe away 388. Eccl. 1. 9. That which was shall be and there is no new thing under the sun Gen. 1. 1. The world was once created Heb. 9. 25. Christ once offered himself Ecclesiastes speaks not of all things none excepted but of the vanity of naturall and artificiall things which is collected from the naturall corruption and change of things 389. Eccl. 1. 10. There is no new thing under the sun Revel 21. 5. Behold I make all things new Ecclesiastes purpose is not concerning a creation of new kinds of creatures but concerning their change and vicissitude in the world and concerning the malice of men and the Devill that men by the instinct of the Devill from the beginning after man had sinned being defiled with much wickednesse proceed to covet after evill unlesse God renews their hearts and they become a new creature in Christ 390. Eccl. 2. 2. I said of laughter It is mad and of mirth What doth it Prov. 17. 22. A merry heart doth good like a medicine In the first place is meant naturall laughter and rejoycing in prosperity and the goods of Nature and Fortune as the Gentiles do and this Ecclesiastes condemns as folly But in the Proverbs is commended that joy only which proceeds from the holy Ghost 391. Eccl. 2. 15. What doth it profit me that I laboured to attain more wisdome Prov. 8. 35. He that findeth me findeth life Politick wisdome is indeed a singular gift of God but if any man abuseth it and dependeth on his wisdome it profits not but is all vanity Divine wisdome which teacheth us to wait all events from God and to pray to him for his direction in all confers eternall life 392. Eccl. 2. 23. The dayes of man are full of labour and sorrow Psal 128. 2. Of the labour of thy hands thou shalt eat and happy shalt thou be Ecclesiastes condemns not labour which God hath laid on men for that is good and necessary having great promises but because riches are purchased by much travell and no man knows whether he shall be a wise man or a foole that he must leave them to 393. Eccl. 3. 19. There is one event to man and beast as the one dieth so dieth the other Chap. 17. 7. The spirit of man returns to God that gave it him In the former place is shewed the opinion of carnall men concerning man and beasts who compares them by the likenesse of their deeds and events In the latter place is taught what is the excellency of mans soul above the beasts and the difference after death But a naturall man cannot perceive these things 394. Eccl. 4. 1. I saw the oppressions done under the sun and behold the tears of such as were oppressed and they had no comforter Joh. 14. 26. 15. 26. I will send unto you the Comforter from the Father the Spirit of Truth Ecclesiastes compares the oppressed with the oppressours in that which happens in the world for oppressours are rich mighty men they have their Abetters and their Clients The oppressed are alone and defend themselves with tears Christ sheweth how true comfort comes to those that are oppressed namely
goe and tell him his fault between thee and him alone 1 Tim. 5. 20. Them that sin rebuke before all Christ speaketh of our private duty toward our brethren that offend us without publick scandalt and wils that we shal not be too severe or soft examiners of our brothers faults The Apostle speaks of the publick office of the Presbytery against those who persevere in their sins as Theophylact expounds it 605. Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them Joh. 11. 15. I was not there Christ in the former place speaks of his personal and gracious presence in the latter of his common natural presence with other men in the earth for when he was in another place he was not truly and locally in Bethany 606. Mat. 19 17. There is no man good save one who is God Luk. 6. 45. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good God is good of his own infinite perfection by his Essence Nature and Beeing to whom evill is contrary Men and Angels are called good not from themselves but by communication by the goodnesse of God in their creation and restitution Christ attributes goodnesse to God only that he might draw him that called him good to acknowledge his doctrine to be divine 607. Mat. 19. 27. Behold we have forsaken all and followed thee What shall we have therefore Luk. 17. 10. When you have done all those things that were commanded you say We are unprofitable servants we have done onely that was our duty to doe Peter glories in the name of the Apostles that they had forsaken all for Christ though it was not much that they had so men are wont to reckon largely of their services toward God Christ opposeth against this ambition our duty we owe unto God all that we can and all we possesse is from God we are his servants and they that serve him not for himself deserve nothing in the sight of God doing our duty we doe not repay the thousandth part of what we owe unto him 608. Mat. 20. 16. Many are called and few chosen Rom. 8. 38. Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified Vocation is either external by preaching of Gods Word so God cals all men indifferently to partake of his grace or by the internal vocation joyned with the outward whereby God by his holy Spirit manifesteth to us our Rom. 8. election and declares us to be his children 609. Mat. 20. 20. The Mother of Zebedees children came to him and desired Mar. 10. 35. James and John the sons of Zebedee came to him The Mother spoken to by her children asked in their name for they supposed they should the more easily obtain it by mediaation of their Mother because she was Christs Cousin 610. Mat. 20. 23. To sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my Throne In the first place Christ maintains that at his first coming God the Father had given him no command to assign to any men any degrees of honour but that he should instruct the faithful concerning the Crosse and should promise unto them eternal life which is given to them who shall overcome by faith which is our victory 611. Mat. 20. 29. And as they departed from Jericho behold two blind men sitting by the way side Mar. 10. 46. As he went out of Jericho blind Bartimeus sat by the high way side Matthew was an eye witnesse that they were two but Mark mentions the most noted of them 612. Mat. 20. 29. As they departed from Jericho Behold two blind men Luk. 18. 35. As he came nigh to Iericho a certain blind man sat by the way side When Christ entred the City the blind man first cryed out and when he was not heard for the noyse he sat in the way where Christ went out and never left crying till Christ called and healed him Christ did defer his cure but did not wholly refuse it so he made proof of his faith and of many others 613. Mat. 21. 19. The fig tree was forthwith dryed Mar. 11. 20. In the morning as they passed by they saw the fig-tree dryed up from the root The fig-tree indeed withered forthwith but on the morning the day following the witherednesse was made manifest 614. Mat. 22. 32. God is not the God of the dead but of the living Rom. 14. 8. Whether we live or dye we are the Lords Christ denyeth not simply but comparatively and relatively from the hypothesis of the Sadduces that God was the God of the dead for they supposed the dead should never rise again Paul from another hypothesis affirms the same which depends on Christs resurrection on this wise God is the God of the dead because the dead bodies shall rise again 615. Mat. 23. 9. Call no man your Father upon the earth 1 Cor. 4. 15. If you had ten thousand instructors in Christ yet have you not many Fathers for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you Christ will have us place our filial confidence in God only not in men though they love us with fatherly affection and teach us the true Religion and so are called Fathers not by nature but by participation that they are so So Paul cals himself the Father of the Corinthians and of Timothy by reason of the Gospel not primarily but secondarily because he was an Instrument which God used to call and regenerate them by the Gospel that he preached to them 616. Mat. 23. 10. Be not called Masters 1 Cor. 4. 15. You have many Masters Christ is our only spiritual Rabbi Master and Joh. 1. Doctor others that have these titles are but servants to this great Master because they must teach no other but the Doctrine of Christ For of his fulnesse we have all received he is the way the truth and the life and it is enough to us that he said it 617. Mat. 23. 17. Yee Fools and blind c. 5. 22. Whosoever shall say Thou Fool shall be in danger of hell fire Christ by his Office and his charity was angry with the Pharisees and to make them repent he called them fools and blind but he forbids that out of a carnal reproachful desire and greedinesse of revenge or pride or mad anger any man should detract from his neighbour 618. Mat. 23. 37. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them c. 27. Jerusalem is called the holy City Jerusalem the City of Martyrs is there called the City of many Saints It is called the holy City for the most holy God by whom it was made choise of or for the Messias who taught them the sanctity of faith and life and offered himself for us for a price of redemption or for the Saints that were in it 619. Mat.
Kingdome is eternal and without end not as Davids earthly Kingdome was for a few dayes but it must be continued for ever in the Person of Christ and the faithful after a spiritual manner he shall deliver the Kingdome to the Father not that he shall no longer rule with the Father but because after this world is ended he will fully joyn us to his Father and will govern his Church otherwise then it is now governed 665. Luk. 1. 36. Elizabeth Maries Cousin ver 5. She was of the daughters of Aaron Luk. 2. 5. Mary was of the Tribe of Judah of the house of David In Scripture they are called Cousins though they are not all of the same family so vulgarly Anna is affirmed to be the Mother of Mary and the sister of Elizabeth 666. Luk. 1. 44. The babe leaped in my womb for joy that is John Baptist in the womb of his Mother when Mary came to her Joh. 1. 31. I knew him not saith John Christ was known to John before by internal and spiritual knowledge but John knew him externally and corporally in his baptism 667. Luk. 1. 67. Zacharias prophesied being full of the holy Ghost Joh. 7. 39. The holy Ghost was not yet because Christ was not yet glorified The first place is meant of the gift and Spirit of Prophesie the latter place is concerning the visible and wonderful effusion of gifts of the holy Ghost upon the Apostles after Christs glorification 668. Luk. 2. 11. There is born to you a Saviour in the City of David which is Christ the Lord. 1 Pet. 3. 21. Baptism doth save us Subalternates doe not disagree Christ makes his people safe from their sins principally as the efficient meritorious cause Baptism serves but instrumentally and not alwayes for it is not the want of baptism but the contempt which condemns us 669. Luk. 2. 33. His Father and Mother marvelled at those things Mat. 1. 8. Jesus according to his humanity no Father Heb. 7. 3. according to his Divinity had no Mother The Father of Jesus Christ Joseph was only so for his care but not really and naturally so for he was appointed by God to be a keeper of the Virgin Mary espoused to him and her Son and Christ being a little child gave him honour and reverence due to a Father The Virgin Mary was his natural Mother according to the flesh for he received his humane nature of her substance 670. Luk. 2. 34. Simeon blessed him Heb. 7. 7. The lesser is blessed of the better Simeon prayed well for Mary congratulating her concerning her happy and blessed Off-spring and by a Prophetique Spirit fore-shewing the hard successe she and her Son should have but he did not prefer himself before them 671. Luk. 3. 7. The Baptist cals the Pharisees a generation of Vipers Mat. 5. 22. He that saith to his brother Thou Fool shall be in danger of Hell fire John Baptist cals them not so reproachfully out of an ill affection but from his Office because such were full of poyson and malice working the Viperous works of the Devil the old Serpent So the Ministers of the Church must publickly complain of the sins of the people 672. Luk. 5. 10. Fear not from henceforth thou shalt catch men Joh. 1. 42. Andrew brought Simon his brother to Christ Simon is brought by Andrew to follow Christ and to professe the Gospel by a general call but Christ cals him by a special call to the Sacred Function about the matter of Fishing 673. Luk. 6. 1. And it came to passe on the second Sabbath after the first that he went through the Corn fields Mat. 12. 1. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn The Jews called the eight day of the great solemnity the second Sabbath after the first for some of their Feasts lasted for eight dayes and the first day with the eight day were the most solemn and the intermediate days not so much regarded moreover they were called Sabbaths 674. Luk. 6. 25. Woe to you that laugh now for you shall mourn and weep Joh. 16. 22. Your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you In the first place the pleasures and delights of the world are understood by the name of laughter the end whereof is alwayes sorrow in the latter place is meant joy in Christ by the holy Ghost which is heavenly and eternall 675. Luk. 6. 26. Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you Mat. 5. 16. 1 Pet. 2. 12. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Woe be to them who do only so that they may please the world and desire the praise of men flattering the wicked and winking at their sins that they may get favour But not to them who like a light are an example of good works and a godly life to others 676. Luk. 6. 30. Give to every man that asketh Eccles 12. 4. Give to the godly and help not a sinner hold back thy bread and give it not unto him Christ will have that we shall doe good to our friends and to our enemies though they be wicked and ingrateful by the example of our merciful heavenly Father and if we give not to the person yet give to his Nature as he is a man A place of Ecclesiasticus may not be opposed to Canonical Scripture who will have him that craves an alms to be humble shutting out the wicked and obstinate in malice who abuse the beneficence of good men 677. Luk. 7. 13. Weep not Eccles 38. 16. Let tears fall down over the dead Christ comforts the widow who wept for the death of her onely son because her son should suddenly live again But Christ disallows not moderate weeping for the death of our neighbour only we must not mourn as those that have no hope 678. Luk. 8. 39. Return to thy house and shew how great things God hath done unto thee c. 5. 14. He commands the Leper that he should tell no man Christ commanded him that was possessed with the Devil to tell what benefits God had done for him because the time the place and other circumstances required that but he sent the leprous party who was cleansed to the Priest that he might approve of the cure 679. Luk. 10. 4. Salute no man by the way Rom. 16. 16. Salute one the other with an holy kiss The Churches of Christ salute you Phil. 4. 22. The Saints Christ will have his Disciples diligent in dispatch of their Office that they should not hinder the course of their Ministery with long discourses and salutations but should fulfil their journey in a short time such a command gave Elias to his servant which denyeth not our Christian duty and humane good manners to salute one the other 680. Luk. 10. 18. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven Joh. 8. 44. The Devill was a Murderer from
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.
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