i. e. I will clear his wronged innocency Psal 37.6 and grant him a glorious resurrection Dan. 12 3. Verse 29. He that hath an ear See the Note on Verse 7. CHAP. III. Verse 1. I know thy work SApiens nummularius Deus est nummum fictum non recipiet Bern. Though men may be deceived God is not mocked He knows that many cry The temple of the Lord that yet nothing care for the Lord of the temple Deifica professio diabolica actio Ambros God likes not such creaking and cracking And that thou hast aname Many content themselves with a name of Christians as if many a ship hath not been called Safeguard or Good speed which yet hath fallen into the hand of Pirats And art dead All thy specious works therefore are but dead works thou canst not serve the living God Verse 2. Be watchfull Rouse up thy self and wrestle with God shake thee out of sins lethargy as Sampson went out and shook him when the Philistims were upon him That are ready to die Because tainted with the infection of hypocrisie that pernicious mar-good Perfect before God Gr. Full without halting or halving Tacitus Omnis Sarmatarum virtus extra ipses All the hypocrites goodnesse runs out ward it is shored up by popularity or other base respects Verse 3. And thou shalt not know Calamity the more sudden the more terrible for 1. It amates and exanimates a man as an unexpected storm doth a Mariner and as Satan intended Iobs messengers should do him 2. It can as little be prevented as Eglon could prevent Ehuds deadly thrust Verse 4. Thou hast a few names Though no thank to the Pastour who was a mercenary eye-servant Here the peoples praise is the Pastours shame They shall walk with me in white That is they shall be glorified with perfect righteousnesse purity clarity dignity and festivity For they are worthy In Christs account and acceptation Like as those were not worthy that came not when called to the participation of his benefits Mat. 22.8 Verse 5. Clothed in white See the Note on Verse 5. The book of life Wherein the just that live by saith are written But I will confesse his name His well-tried faith shall be found to praise honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.7 See the Note there Verse 6. See the Note on Chap. 2.7 Verse 7. That is holy And therefore to be sanctified in righteousnesse Isa 5.16 True And therefore to be trusted That hath the key of David And is therefore to be sought unto for a door both of utterance and of entrance Col 4.13.2 Cor 2.12 Act 16.14 Verse 8 An open door A fair opportunity of doing thy self good which those that go about to deprive thee of shall be sure to lose oleum operam their toil and tallow A little strength A little grace well improved may do great matters and set heaven open to a soul The vine is the weakest of trees but the most fruitfull Philadelphia with her little strength is discommended for nothing she made all best use of it Verse 9. I will make them The coversion of the Jews shall be the wonder of the Gentiles Which say they are Iews and are not The perverse Jews at this day pretend but maliciously that those few Jews that turn Christians are not of them Bâ—unts voiage p. 1.2 but poor Christians hired from other places to personate their part That I have loved thee The Church is the dearly-beloved of Gods soul Jer. 12.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or as the Septuagint render it his beloved soul Verse 10. The word of my patience So called 1. Because we must suffer for the truth of it 2. Because hid in the heart it worketh patience I will keep thee From the hurt if not from the smart of it from the common distraction if not from the common destruction Which shall come upon all the world So the Romans in their pride called their Empire To try them that dwell sc By that sharp and sore persecution under Trajan the Emperour Verse 11. That no man take thy crown Not that crown of eternall life for that is unloosable but that honour that God hath put upon thee ver 9. A Christian may by falling into reproachfull courses lose what he hath wrought 2 Joh. 8.1 In respect of the praise of men 2. In respect of inward comfort 3. In respect of the degrees of glory in heaven He may misse of being a pillar in the temple of God as ver 12. Verse 12. Which is new Ierusalem It was a pride in Monâ—nns to over-ween his Pepuza and Tymium two pelting Parishes in Phrygia and to call them Hierusalem Eusâ—◠〈…〉 17. as if they had been the only Churches And surely it is nothing else but pride in the Brownists to avow that their Churches are nothing lesse then the now Ierusalem coming down from heaven See Mt Bâ—y'y his 〈◊〉 sive p 27. that the very crown scepter and throne of Christs kingdome consists in them c. My new name viz. That which he received from his Father in his exaltation Ephes 1.20 Phil. 29. Verse 14. And unto the Angel Archippus it may be for he was a Pastour here and began to cool long before this Col 4.17 These things saith the Amen The God of Amen as Isaiah calleth him faithfull in performing his promises to the remnant that he reserved in this lukewarm Church among so carelesse a multitude To these Christ became a beginning of the Creation of God so the new birth is here called as being of no lesse fame and wonder then the making of the world Verse 15. That thou art neither cold Such are our civil Justiciaries politike professours neuter-passive Christians a fait day mends them not and a foul day pairs them not peremptory never to be more precise resolved to keep on the warm side of the hedge to sleep in a whole skin suffer nothing do nothing that may interfere with their hopes or prejudice their preferments I would thou wert Better be a zealous Papist then a luke-warm Protestant Campian rat 10 Bâ—â—stow mot 36 Coster ad Osâ—and A zealous Papist saith one dare tell us to our heads that our religion is errour our selves heretikes our end destruction that one heaven cannot hold us hereafter one Church now that our damnation is so clearly set down in our own bibles that there needs no more to assure us thereof then to open our eies and read it that if we be not damned he will be damned for us c. This is better then forlorn wretchlesnesse in right religion and that detestable indifferency above-specified Verse 16. I will spue thee out I will please my self in thy just punishment Ah saith God as one ridding his stomack I will case me of mine adversaries I will avenge me of mine enemies Isa 1.24 Now the basest places are good enough to cast up our gorge in The
too So upon the news of the French Massacre Thâ—an a Jubilee was proclaimed at Rome the Cardinall of Lorrain gave a thousand crowns to the messenger The Pope caused the Massacre to be painted in his Palace those of Ireland he will surely pourtray in his Chappel or Oratoury These two Prophets tormented them As Elias did Ahab Jeremy and Ahab their slagitious countrey-men and as the Martyrs here did their persecutours Dr Fuller came to William Wolsey his prisoner and said Thou dost much trouble my conscience wherefore I pray thee depart and rule thy tongue so that I hear no more complaint of thee and come to Church when thou wilt c Act and Mon. fol. 15â—7 The end of carnall joy is sorrow saith Mr Bradford Martyr in a certain letter Now let the whoremonger joy with the drunkard Ibid. 475. swearer covetous malicious blinde buzzard Sr John For the Masse will not bite them not make them to blush as preaching will Now may they do what they will come devils to the Church and go devils home for no man must finde fault and they are glad of this Now have they their hearts desire as the Sodomites had when Lot was gone c. Verse 11. And they stood upon their feet That is they set themselves stoutly and vigorously to fight against Antichrist As William Oâ—kam Tu me gladio desende a Papâ—e injurin ego te verbis ac scriptis desendaÌ„ who being excommunicated by the Pope for writing some things against him fled to Ludovicus the Emperour who was likewise excommunicated and said unto him Defend thou me with arms and I will defend thee with arguments The Bishops also of those times that sided with the Emperour though they were none of the best yet they resolved and avowed never to yeeld to the Pope Sed si excommunicaturus veniret excommunicatus abiret cum aliter se habeat antiquorum canonum authoritas Verse 12. To heaven in a cloud As Christ did See the Note on Verse 7. And their enemies beheld Not without rage and regret to see how they were crossed and the truth more and more propagated Trucidabantur multiplicabantur saith one The Church as the Lilly is increased by its own juice Totum mundum sanguine oratione convertit saith Luther She converts all the world by her sufferings and supplications Verse 13. A greate earthquake Since the Reformation what stirs and broils have there been all over Christendomâ—â— Gods sword hath ridden circuit Ezek. 14.17 and is not yet sheathed nor can it Jer 47 6 7. as being still in commission And the tenth part c. Ruit alto à culmine Roma Lewis the twelfth King of France threatned that he would destroy Rome and coined money with an inscrâ—ption to that purpose Se perditurum Baâ—y 〈…〉 est â—â—vet Hist of the Coâ—nâ— of Trent 43. George Fransperg a Generall under Charles Burbon that sacked the City of Rome caused a halter to be carried near his colours saying that with that he would hang the Pope encouraging his souldiers who were most of them Lutherans with the great opportunity they had to get spoils But the sins of the City are not yet full Gave glory to the God of heaven Confessed their sins as Achan and changed their mindes as those Mal. 3.18 It is said of the Burgundians that being afflicted and oppressed by the Hunnes they applied themselves to Christ the God of the Christians Alsted Chron. 3 â—5 whom after a long debate they concluded to be the Almighty God Verse 14. The second woe is past Visionally past not eventually The third woe Woe to the wicked but joy to the Saints At once the Sun rises upon Zoar and the fire fals down upon Sodome Abraham stands upon the hill and sees the Cities burning Verse 15. Great voices in heaven i. e. Great joy and triumph in the Church militant Are become the kingdomes They have renounced Popery given up their names to the Gospel and received the Reformation For ever and ever Not for a thousand years only as the Millenaries hold Verse 16. And the four and twenty Elders See the Note on Chap. 4.9 Verse 16. Because thou hast taken Thou hast slain and subdued those thine enemies that sent messengers after thee saying We will noâ— have this man to rule over us Verse 18. Were angry Sed vanae sine viribus irae the wrath of these men turned to the glory of God That they should be judged According to their praier and thy promise Chap. 6.10 11. And shouldst destroy them God usually retaliates and proportions jealousie to jealousie provocation to provocation Deut. 32.21 frowardnes to frowardnes Psal 18.26 contrariety to contrariety Lev. 26.18 21 destruction to destruction as here He paies them home in their own coyn Verse 19. And the temple of God Abundance of light shall be diffused in the Church and heavenly mysteries more clearly revealed and more commonly understood And there were lightnings Utter destruction to the wicked as there was to Iericho at the sound of the seventh Trumpet Josh 6.16 CHAP. XII Verse 1. And there appeared THis and the two next following Chapters are an Exposition of the former vision A great wonder As shadowing out and shewing great wonders In heaven That is in the Church or according to some in the visible heaven where Sunne Moon and Starres are A woman Alma mater Ecclesia The Church is called a woman for her 1. Weaknesse 2. Fruitâ—ulnes 3. Lovingnes 2 Sam. 1.26 Clothed with the Sun With Christs own comlines Eze. 16.14 She is also conspicuous Mat. 5.14 and scorched with persecution Cant. 1.6 All which notwithstanding she is comely Vxor fulges radijs mariti saith the Civilian And the Moon under his feet She treads upon the worlds trash bears patiently all changes and chances and though the curs of the world bark at her she shines still En peragit cursus surda Diana suos A crown of twelve stars A crown in token of victory And of twelve stars Those white horses chap. 6 2. the twelve Apostles and their successours in and by whom mysticall Christ goeth forth conquering and to conquer Verse 2. Bodin Theatr. Nat. pag 350. And she being with childe And so soon smelt out by the Bears of the world Vrsa praegnantem mulierem non solùm teri gravitate notam sed eaâ— etiam quae pridiè conceperit solam ex omni turba consectatur Cried travelling Being hard beset with cruell persecutours she longs to be delivered of a Christian Emperour that might put her out of her pain and misery Verse 3. A great red Dragon A Dragon the devil is called for his sharp-sightednesse the Dragon hath a very quick eye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sâ—aâ—g and is said to sleep with open eyes as also for his mischievousnesse to man-kinde and lastly for his serpentine subtilty Gen. 3. The comfort is That as the devil is a Lion so is
O what mad men are these that bereave themselves of a room in that City of pearl for a few carnall pleasures amp c. Pope Sixtus the fifth sold his soul to the devil to enjoy the Popedome for seven years Verse 17. He was rejected Or Repulsed For Isaac 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he saw that he had done unwilling justice in blessing Jacob he durst not reverse the blessing for he feared an exceeding great fear Gen. 27.33 Neither naturall affection nor Esau's importunity could make him repent and repeal what he had done Though he sought is carefully with tears Tears they were of discontent for he cries and at same time threatens his brother Jacob. Some weep for sin some for misery some for joy some for compassion some for revenge and in hypocrisie as Esau here who rued his deed but repented not his sin Vetse 18. For ye are not come c. q. d. You are not under the law but under grace beware therefore of prophanenesse and licentiousnesse For think you that God hath hired you to be wicked Are you delivered to do all these abominations Jer. 7.10 Ought you not to walk Gospel-high Phil. 1.27 Will not the Angel Christ that goeth along with you destroy you after that he hath done you good if ye turn not and repent according to the rules of his Law the Gospel Exodus 33.2 3 4 c. Verse 19. And the sound of a trumpet Shewing the nature of Gods Law to manifest Gods will mens sins and to warn them of the wrath deserved likewise to summon them to appear before the Judge The voice of Words That is The delivery of the Decalogue called the words of the Covenant Exodus 33.28 the ten words Verse 20. For they could not endure This shews the nature and use of the Law contrary to that of the Gospel It is a killing letter written in bloud holding forth justice only and no mercy Verse 21. Moses said I exceedingly This Paul might have by tradition or rather by revelation unlesse he gathered it from Exod. 19.19 compared with Dan. 108 16 17 19. Verse 22. But ye are come to Mount And the blessings that come out of Sion Grace and peace that come by Jesus Christ are better then all other the blessings of heaven and earth Psal 134.3 The heavenly Jerusalem As Jerusalem was distinguished into two Cities the superiour and the inferiour so is the Church into triumphant and militant yet both make up but one City of the living God To an innumerable company Gr. To Myriads or many ten thousands of Angels Some have said that they are 99. to one in comparison of the Saints grounding their conceit upon the Parable of the lost sheep Luk. 15. Verse 23. To the generall Assembly Or publike meeting of a whole Countrey as at a great Assize or some solemn celebrity The Roman Emperours raised up ample Amphitheatres in a circular form that the people sitting round about might have a commodious sight of such pleasant spectacles as were set before them That which Pompey erected was of such extent that it was able to receive 40000 men as Pliny witnesseth But O what a glorious Amphitheatre is that of heaven What a stately Congregation-house O praeclarum diem cum ad illud animorum concilium caetumque proficiscar cum ex hac turba colluvione discedam Cic desenectâ—te Surely if Cicero or some other Heathen could say so how much more may we exult and say O that dear day when we shall go out of this wretched world and wicked company to that generall Assembly of holy and happy souls And how should we in the mean while turn every solemnity into a school of Divinity as when Fulgentius saw the Nobility of Rome sit mounted in their bravery it mounted his meditation to the heavenly Jerusalem And another when he sat and heard a sweet consort of musick M. Esâ—y Art of Meditat. by D. Hall seemed upon this occasion carried up for the time before-hand to the place of his rest saying very passionately What musick may we think there is in heaven Which are written in heaven In Jerusalem records were kept of the names of all the Citizens Psal 48.3 so in heaven And as the Citizens of Rome might not accept of freedom in any other City so neither should we seek things on earth as those whose names are written in the earth Ier. 17. Verse 24. That speaketh better things Every drop whereof had a tongue to cry for vengeance whence it is called blouds in the plurall Gen. 4.10 Verse 25. See that ye refuse not c. Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That ye shift him not off by frivolous pretences and excuses as those Recusant guests did Mat. 22. It is as much as your souls are worth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Look to it therefore That speaketh from heaven By his bloud Word Sacraments motions of his Spirit mercies c. If we turn our backs upon such bleeding embracements and so kick against his naked bowels what will become of us And mark that he speaketh of himself as one Verse 26. Whose voice then shook c. viz. When he gave the Law What shall he do when he comes to judgement Not the earth only c. Not men only but angels who stand amazed at the mystery of Christ As for men they will never truly desire Christ till they are shaken Hag. 2.7 Gods shaking ends in settling it is not to ruine but to refine us Verse 27. And this word Yet once more The Apostle commenteth upon the Prophet whom he citeth and from that word of his Yet once concludeth the dissolution of the present frame of the world by the last fire and the establishing of that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousnesse 2 Pet. 3.12 13. The force of Scripture-words is then well to be weighed by those that will draw there-hence right consequences And they have done singular good service to God and his Church that they have emploied their time and their talents for the finding out the sense of the Text by fishing out the full import and signification of the Originall words In which kinde learned Mr Leigh by his Critica Sacra upon both testaments hath merited much commendation Verse 28. A kingdome which cannot be moved As the mighty Monarchies of the world could for those had their times and their turns their ruine as well as their rise so that now they live but by fame only Not so the Kingdome of heaven You may write upon it the Venetian Motto Nec fluctu nec flatu movetur Neither windes nor waves can stir it With reverence Gr. With bashfulnesse as in Gods holy presence See Deut. 23.13 Verse 29. A consuming fire viz. To profligate professours ungirt Christians Isa 33.14 CHAP. XIII Verse 1. Let brotherly love continue IT shall continue in heaven pity therefore but it should on earth No such heaven upon earth next unto communion
stronger then all none therefore can take you out of my handâ— sith I and the Father am one Joh. 10. Verse 6. If need be ye are in heavinesse When our hearts grow a grain too light God seeth it but needfull to make us heavy through manifold temptations When our water as it were looks but a little too high our heavenly father a Physitian no lesse cunning then loving saith one doth discern it and quickly sits us Baynes letters whom he most tendereth with that which will reduce all to the health some temper of a broken spirit Verse 7. that the triall of your faith If affliction which is the triall of our faith be so exceeding precious what is faith then and the promises whereon faith laies hold There are that by the triall of faith understand here a well-tried faith which is called gold tried in the fire Rev. 3.18 Verse 8. Paraeâ—â— Whom having not seen They had not been belike at the feast of the Passeover at which time our Saviour suffered but came up to the feast of Pentecost and were converted Act. 2. And full of glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gr. Glorified already a piece of Gods Kingdome and heavens happinesse afore-hand O the joy the joy the inexpressible joy that I finde in my soul said a dying Saint Verse 9. The end of your faith The period and perfection the reward and meed of it in all fulnesse See Psal 19.12 Prov. 22.4 Verse 10. The Prophets have enquired This highly sets forth the weight and worth of it sith such men took such pains about it Base spirits are busied about light matters Numb 14.24 as Domitian spent his time in catching flies Artaxerxes in making knive-hafts Not so Caleb who had another spirit and followed God Wholly So did the ancient Prophets as Isaiah whiles the merry Greeks were taken up at their Olympick games in the year 1540. Buchol Chron. from the floud the Prophet Isaiah seeth that heavenly vision of Christ sitting on his throne and heareth that thrice happy Trisagion Isa 6.1 2 3. Verse 11. Searching What c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 With greatest sagacity and industry as hunters seek for game and as men seek for gold in the very mines of the earth The sufferings of Christ c. Macarius was utterly out in saying that the prophets knew that Christ should be born for mens redemption but that they knew nothing of his death and sufferings Isaiah writes of them more like an Evangelist then a Prophet and is therefore called the Evangelicall Prophet Verse 12. Not unto themselves In regard of the accomplish-of those oracles that they uttered And yet to themselves in regard of their right and interest therein They did minister None must hold themselves too good to serve the Saints The Angels desire to look into To look wishly and intently as the Cherubims of old looked into the Mercy-seat 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Prono capite propenso collo accuraâ—e â—â—rospicere Exod. 25.18 19. Verse 13. Wherefore gird up c. We are seldome comforted but we have need to be exhorted So apt are our hearts to security and so apt is Satan to interrupt our joyes with his base injections Gird up the loins of your minde Gird your selves and serve God Luk 17.8 A loose discinct and diffluent minde is unfit for Gods service Girding implies 1. Readinesse 2. Nimblenesse handinesse handsomenesse Hope to the end Gr. Hope perfectly or entirely q. d Do not â—y halves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 let there not be any odde reckonings between God and you but work out your salvation Phil. 2.12 See the Note thâ—â—e For the grace That is for the glory That is to be brought unto you It must be brought unto us such is out duines we will scarce go seek it hardly be perswaded to live happily raign everlastingly Verse 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not fashioning your selves As a plaier is fashioned to the oâ— seene speeches and carriages of him whom he personateth In your ignorance Men may remain grossely ignorant amidst abundance of means as these Jews did Who is blinde but my servant or deaf as my messenger c Isa 42.19 20. Verse 15. In all manner of conversation Our very civilities must favour of sanctity and our common conversation rellish of religion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Pauls civil conversation was in heaven Phil. 3.20 Holines must be written upon our bridles when we war upon our cups when we drink Zach. 14.20 21. It is said of a certain Scotch-Divine that he did even eat and drink and sleep eternall life Verse 16. Be ye holy i.e. Separate from sin and dedicated to God in conformity to whom stands our happinesse See the Note on Mat 5 48. Verse 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Incoâ—â—tus conâ—â—â—oratio Of your sojourning Having your commoration on earth but your conversation in heaven Fugiamus ad coelestem patriam c. could a Heathen say In fear Those that fear of all others are likely to hold out Jer. 32 4â— Verse 18. Received by tradition Children are very apt to follow their parents example whether of good or evil Me ex ea opinione quam amajoribus accepi de cultu deorum nullius unquam movebit oratio saith Tully I will never for sake that way of divine service that I have received from my fore fathers Verse 19. Without blemish Of originall pollution And without spot Of actuall sin Verse 20. Who verily c. So carefull was God to make all sure concerning our redemption in Christ saith one here Verse 21. Might be in God And so in a safer hand then cur own He hath laid help upon one that is mighty Verse 22. Ye have purified Animabus vestris castificatis c. A metaphor from the legall purifications Verse 23. Born again A man shall never have occasion to curse the day of his new birth Verse 24. Aâ—â—flâ—â—sh is grasse To live is but to lie a dying Can a picture continue that is drawn upon the ice Verse 25. The Word of the Lord c. This sentence is the Motto of the Dukes of Saxony See Psal 119.89 Manlâ—â—ee coâ— 4 19. CHAP. II. Verse 1. All malice and all guile OUt with this leaven utterly 1 Cor. 5.7 Howsoever we otherwise fail let us not in these be found faulty at all These are not the spots of Gods children Deut. 32.5 Verse 2. Desire the sincere As in children all speaks and works at once hands feet mouth See Davids desire Psa 42. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 119.20 40 131. The sincere Gr. Guilelesse unmixed milk not sugred or sophisticated with strains of wit excellency of speech c. 1 Cor. 2.1 That ye may grow thereby After generation 1 Pet. 1.23 Augmentation That word which breeds us feeds us As the same bloud of which the babe is bred and fed in the womb strikes up into the mothers brests
q. d. As God hath given you all things pertaining to life and godlinesse and hath granted you exceeding great and precious promises so must you reciprocate by giving all diligence or making all haste that ye be not taken with your task undone Acti agamus Adde to your faith Faith is the foundation of the following graces Indeed they are all in faith radically Every grace is but faith exercised Adde Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Link them hand in hand as Virgins in a dance Or Provide your selves of this rich furniture one grace strengthneth another as stones do in an arch Verse 6 And to knowledge temperance That ye be Wise to sobriety not curiously searching into those things whereof ye can neither have proof nor profit Some are as wise as Galilaeus who used perspective glasses to descry mountains in the Moon Verse 7. Mar. 10.11 Joh. 11.3 And to brotherly kindenesse c. Love we must all men but especially the family of faith as our Saviour loved the young man but not so as he did Lazarus Verse 8. If these things be in you What God doth for us he doth by grace in us And it is the growing Christian that is the assured Christian Whilest we are yet adding to every heap we shall be both actuosi fructuosi and so get more abundant entrance and further in to the kingdom of Christ Verse 9 But he that lacketh these Those that adde not to their stock of grace shall have no comfort either from the time past for they shall forget they were purged from their sinnes or from thoughts of the time to come for they shall not be able to see things farre off to ken their interest in the kingdom of heaven Cannot see farre off Being pur-blinde blinking Lusciosi qui siquando oculorum aciem intendunt ut certiùs aliquid cernant minùs vident quam antè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Vives If weak-sighted men look wishly upon a thing they see it no whit the better but much the worse And hath forgotten As if he bad been dlpt in the lake of Lothe and not in the laver of baptisme Divers of the Spanish converts in America forget not only their vow but their very names that they received when they were baptized Verse 10. Give diligence Say not here as Antipater King of Macedony did when one presented him a book treating of happinesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am not at leisure But do this one thing necessary with all expedition Your calling and election We must not go saith one to the university of election T. Câ— on Colos before we have been at the grammar-school of Vocation First we are to begin below at our sanctification before we can climbe to the top of Gods counsell to know our election Sure Some copies have it Sure by good works and indeed these settle the soul 1 Cor. 15.58 as a stake the more it is struck into the ground the faster it sticks Ye shall never fall Stumble ye may but he that stumbles and fals not gets ground Verse 11. Ministered unto you abundantly Ye shall go gallantly into heaven not get thither as many doe with hard shift and much ado A ship may make a shift to get into the harbour but with anchors lost cables rent sails torne mast broken another comes in with sails and flags up with trumpets sounding and comes bravely into the haven so do fruitfull and active Christians into Christs Kingdome Verse 12. Act and Mon. fol 1â—89 I will not be negligent Ministers must carefully watch and catch at all opportunities of benefitting the people Dr Tailour the Martyr preached at Hadley his charge on any day as oft as he could get the people together and once a fortnight at least went to the almhouse and there exercised his charity both spirituall and corporall Verse 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To stir you up Gr. To rouse you and raise you ex veterno corporis teporis oblivionis Grace in the best is like a dull sea-coal-fire which if not stirred up though it want no fuell will yet easily go out of it self Verse 14. I must put off See the Note on 2 Cor. 5.1 What is this life but a spot of time betwixt two eternities Our tents shall be taken down Verse 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 After my decease Gr. Mine out-going or Passage to heaven The Apostle in this expression hath respect doubtlesse to that Luke 9.31 As Daniel 6.15 referres to Psal 2.1 To have these things alwaies c. Dilexi virum said Theodosius concerning Ambrose I could not but love the man exceedingly for this that when he died he was more sollicitous of the Churches then of his own dangers And I am in no lesse care saith Cicero Mihi non minori curae est c. Cicer. Lael what the Commonwealth will do when I am dead then whiles I am yet alive Verse 16. Cunningly devised fables Artificially composed and compiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not without a shew of wisdome and truth to deceive silly people The Jesuites confesse that the legend of miracles of their Saints is for most part false but it was made say they for good intention that the common-people the females especially might be drawn with greater zeal to serve God and his Saints Verse 17. This is my beloved Sonne See the Notes on Matthew 3.17 and 17.5 Verse 18. When we were with him Witnesses of his glory and the same were shortly after witnesses of his agony Envy not the gifts or honours of others sith they have them upon no other tearms then to undergo the sorer trials In the boly Mount Holy for the while as are our Churches during the publike assemblies Verse 19. A more sure word The authority of the Scriptures is greater then of an angels voice of equall command to Gods audible and immediate voice and of greater perspicuity and certainty to us for besides inspiration it is both written and sealed As unto a light As the Governour of a ship hath his hand on the stern his eye on the pole-star so should we on Christ the day-star Rev. 2.28 and 22.12 Verse 20. Of any private interpretation That is of humane interpretation Private is not here opposed to publike but to divine or to the holy Ghost The old Prophet may bring a man into the Lions mouth by telling him of an Angel that spake to him Verse 21. As they were moved Forcibly moved acted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 carried out of themselves to say and doe what God would have them CHAP. II. Verse 1. Who privily shall bring in OR Fraudulently soist in false doctrines under the title of truth and pretext of piety Some truths they shall teach 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the better to perswade to their falshoods Together with the gold silver and ivory of orthodox tenets they have store of apes and peacocks as Solomons ships had Sunt
hard with the Church as the Host at Nola in the story made it who when â—e was commanded by the Roman Censor to go and call the good men of the City to appear before him went to the Church-yards and there called at the graves of the dead O ye good men of Nola come away for the Roman Censor cals for your appearance Anton di Guevara for he knew not where to call for a good man alive In the very midst of Popery there were many faithfull Witnesses and more of such as like those two hundred that went out of Ierusalem after Absolom went on in the simplicity of their hearts and knew not any thing 2 Sam. 15.11 Verse 10. Salvation to our God Not to this or that Popish Saint or Mediatour of all whom these triumphers might say as that Heathen once Contemno minutos istos Deos modò Iovem Iesum propitium haâ—eam I care not for all those small-gods so I may have Jesus on my side Verse 11. And all the Angels See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 11. Verse 12. Amen Blessing and glory c. The Angels assent to what the Saints had said and adde much more according to their greater measure of knowledge and love to God Write we after this fairer copy Verse 13. And one of the Elders See the Note on Chap. 5. verse 5. Verse 14 Which came out of great tribulation It is but a delicacy that men dream of to divide Christ and his crosse The Bishop of London when he had degraded Richard Bayfeild Martyr kneeling upon the highest step of the Altar he smote him so hard on the brest with his Crosier-stâ—ff that he threw him down backward and brake his head so that he swounded Act. and Mon. And when he came to himself again he thanked God that he was delivered from the malignant Church of Antichrist and that he was come into the true Church of Christ militant and I hope shall be anon with him in the Church triumphant c. And made them white Other bloud stains what is washed in it this bloud of the spotlesse Lamb whitens and putifies Verse 15. Therefore are they Not for the whitenesse of their robes but because they are washed in the meritoricus bloud of the Lamb. Before the throâ—â— of God A good man is like a good Angel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alwaies standing before the face of God Shall dwell among them Gr. Shall pitch his tent or shall keep the feast of Tabernâ—cles amongst them or shall hover and cover over them as the cloud did over Israel in the wildernesse so that under his shadow they shall safely and sweetly repose themselves Verse 16. They shall hunger â—o more They shall be as it were in heaven afore-hard having Malorum ademptionem bonorum adeptionem freedome from evil and fruition of good here in part hereafter in all fulnessâ— Verse 17. Shall â—eed them and lead them An allusion to Psal 23.2 where David seems to resemble powerfull and flourishing doctrine to green pastures and the secret and sweet comforts of the Sacraments to the 〈◊〉 waters And Gâ—d shall Wipe away A metaphor from a nurse which not only suckleth her dear childe crying for hunger but also wipes off the tears CHAP. VIII Verse 1. The seventh seal THe businesse or parts whereof are the seven Trumpets that sound a dreadfull alarm against the Roman Empire ready now to be 〈◊〉 for the innocent bloud and upon the instant sait of the Martyrs Chap 6.10 There was silence in heaven That is in the Church on earth often called The kingdome of heaven This half-hours silence was either for horrour and admiration or for attent expectation or as some will have it for religious awe and devotion Christ the high-Priest being now about to offer incense those praiers of the Martyrs Chap. 6.10 there was in the Church as used to be in the Temple at such times Luk. 1.10 a deep silence So among the Romans the people in time of worship were enjoyned favere linguis to spare their tongues And in the Greek Church one stood up and cried 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 peace people leave off your discourses Verse 2. Which stood before God In a waiting posture ready prâ—st to do his pleasure Seven trumpets To be sounded at seven severall times to shew that God suffereth not his whole wrath to arise at once against his creatures but piece-meal and by degrees proving if peradventure they will repent and recover out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will Verse 3. And another Angel An Angel after another manner not by nature but by office Christ the Angel of the Covenant For I cannot be of his minde M Brightâ—â— who makes this Angel to be Constantine the odours given him to be the power of calling the Councel the golden Altar Christ in the midst of this holy Assembly the thick cloud of odours the whole matter brought most happily to effect which yet is a pious interpretation Much incense The merit of his own precious passion Heb. 9.24 13.5 Vpon the golden Altar viz. Himself as Chap. 6.9 Verse 4. The smoke of the incense The Saints praiers perfumed with Christs odours ascended that is were highly accepted in heaven Act. 10.4 Exod. 3.9 as well appeared by the answer they had here in the next verse The Church is said To ascend out of the wildernesse of this world with pillars of smoke Cant. 3.6 Elationibus fumi with raised affections and with strong supplications wherein how many sweet spices are burned together by the fire of faith as humility love c. All which would stinke worse in Gods nostrils then the onions and garlick of Egypt did not Christ perfume and present them Verse 5. And filled it with fire of the Altar Fire in token of fierce indignation and from the Altar for Christ came to send fire on the earth Luk. 12.49 Fire and sword Mat. 10.34 through mens singular corruption and obstinacy in not stooping to the scepter of this Kingdome Hence fire and brim-stone storme and tempest A fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries Heb. 10.27 From the same Altar Christ praiers go up vengeance comes down Verse 6. Prepared themselves Having got sign as it were by that which Christ did in the former verse they set too in order to sound their trumpets Verse 7. Hail and fire mingled with bloud In stead of the fire of love saith one mixed with the sweet rain of healthsome doctrine and spirit of Christian lenity the fire of contention M Forbes and frosty hail-stones of destruction ruled all Yea so far herein were the Bishops carried one against another as it is monstrous what malice falshood and cruelty they practised especially in the times of Constanâ— Constantius and Valens the Arrian Emperours And the third part of trees Men of maâ—k And all green grasse Meaner men
the motion of obedience to the first mover they passe along from the East unto the West The waters by their naturall course follow the center of the earth yet yeelding to the Moon they are subject to her motions So are Saints to Gods holy will though corrupt nature repine and resist CHAP. VIII Verse 1. There is therefore now NOw after such bloudy wounds and gashes chronicled Chap. 7. Though carried captive and sold under sin yet not condemned as might well have been expected This the Apostle doth here worthily admire Verse 2. For the Law of the Spirit That is Christ revived and risen hath justified me See the Note on Chap. 4.25 Verse 3. It was weak through the flesh Which was irritated by the law and took occasion thereby Verse 4. Might be fulfilled In us applicativè in Christ inhaesivè Verse 5. Doe minde the things For want of a better principle The stream riseth not above the spring Verse 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To be carnally The quintessence of the fleshes witinesse or rather wickednesse Verse 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Because the carnall minde The best of a bad man is not only averse but utterly adverse to all goodnesse Homo est inversus decalogus Job 11.12 an asses soal for rudenes a wilde asses for unrulines Verse 8. Cannot please God Their best works are but dead works saith the Authour to the Hebrews but silken sins saith Augustine Lombard citeth that Father De ver inrocent cap. 56. saying thus Omnis vitae infid lium peccatum est nihil bonum sine summo bono The whole life of unbelievers is sin neither is there any thing good without the chiefest good Ambrose Spiera a Popish Postiller censureth this for a bloudy sentence Crudelis est illa sententia saith he Verse 9. He is none of his As the Merchant sets his seal upon his goods So doth God his Spirit upon all his people Ephes 1.13 Verse 10. The body is dead Death to the Saints is neither totall but of the body only nor perpetuall but for a season only vers 11. Verse 11. Your mortall bodies As he hath already quickned your souls Verse 12. Not to the flesh We owe the flesh nothing but stripes nothing but the blew eye that St Paul gave it It must be mastered and mortified Drive this Hagar out of doors when once it grows haunty Verse 13. If ye live after the flesh We must not think to passe è coeno ad Coelum to dance with the devil all day and sup with Christ at night to fly to heaven with pleasant wings Beetles love dunghils better then ointments and swine love mud better then a garden so do swinish people their lusts better then the lives of their souls Horat ep 2. At Paris ut vivat regnetque beatus Cogi posse negat That carnall Cardinall said That he would not part with his part in Paris for Paradise But if ye mortifie the deeds c. Either a man must kill here or be killed Camdens Elis Aut for aut feri as Q. Elizabeth often sighed and said to her self concerning the Queen of Scots Valentinian the Emperour dying gloried of one victory above the rest and that was his victory over the flesh Inimicorum nequissimum devici carnem meam said he Be alwaies an enemy to the devil In vita Valentin and the world but specially to your own flesh said Rob. Smith Martyr in a letter to his wife Act. and Mon. fol. 1545. Verse 14. For as many as are led As great men suffer their sons to go along with them but set tutours to overlook and order them So dealeth God by his the Spirit leadeth them into all goodnesse righteousnesse and truth Ephes 5.9 and fetcheth them again in their cuâ—straies Verse 15. The spirit of bondage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as 2 Tim. 1.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The law will convince the judgement but 't is the Gospel that convinceth the lust and the affection and so sendeth us to treat with God as a Father by fervent praier Verse 16. Beareth witnesse What an honour is this to the Saints that the holy Ghost should bear witnes at the bar of their consciences Verse 17. And if sonnes then heirs All Gods sons are heirs not so the sons of earthly Princes Jehoshaphat gave his younger sons great gifts of silver of gold and of precious things with fenced Cities in Judâ—h but the Kingdom gave he to Jehoram because he was the first-born 2 Chron. 21.3 Gods children are all higher then the Kings of the earth Ps 89 27. Verse 18. Are not worthy to be c. Heaven will pay for all hold out therefore faith and patience When Saul had the Kingdom some despised him but he held his peace though a man afterwards froward enough What is a drop of vinegar put into an ocean of wine What is it for one to have a rainy day who is going to take possession of a kingdom Pericula non respâ—cit Martyr coronas respicit saith Basil A Dutch martyr seeing the flame to come to his beard Ah said he what a small pain is this to be compared to the glory to come Act. and Mon. 813. Verse 19. For the earnest expectation Gr. The intent expectation of the creature expecteth an hebrew pleonasme and withall a metaphor either from birds that thrust a long neck out of a Cage as labouring for liberty or else from those that earnestly look and long for some speciall friends coming as Sisera's mother who looked out at a window and cried thorow the lattesse Why is his charet so long in coming Judg. 5.28 Verse 20. Subject to vanity The creature is defiled by mans sin and must therefore be purged by the fire of the last day as the vessels that held the sin-offering were purged by the fire of the Sanctuary Verse 21. Because the creature it self See Mr Wilcox his Discourse upon these words printed together with his Exposition of the Psalms Proverbs c. in Folio Verse 22. The whole creature groneth Even the very heavens are not without their feeblenesse and the manifest effects of fainting old-age It is observed that since the daies of Ptolomy the Sun runs nearer the earth by 9976. Germane miles and therefore the heavens have not kept their first perfection Verse 23. The first fruits Which the creatures have not and yet they grone how much more we The redemption Our full and finall deliverance Verse 24 For we are saved by hope Hope is the daughter of faith but such as is a staff to her aged mother Verse 25. Then do we with patience Religious men finde it more easie to bear evil then to wait till the promised good be enjoyed Heb. 10 36. The spoiling of their goods required patience but this more then ordinary Verse 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Beza Pareus Helpeth our infirmities Lifts with us and be fore us in our praiers Or helpeth
those postures unmanly Severall countreys have their severall customs Basiliades Duke of Muscovia shewed himself a tyrant in nailing an Embassadours hat to his head for not uncovering it before him Verse 5. Praying or prophecying That is joyning with the man that praieth or prophecieth and going along with him in her heart Thus the King and all Israel with him offered Sacrifice before the Lord 1 Kin. 8 62. And thus the unlearned sey Amen 1 Cor. 14.16 See the Note on Rom. 16.1 Verse 6. For a woman to be shore Our Hic-muliers hold it now no shame If Henry the sixth had seen such creatures he would have cried out as once he did at the sight of naked brests Daniels hist p. 198. Fie fie Ladies insooth you are too blame c. Verse 7. He is the image and glory of God Even as an image in the glasse doth look toward us from whom it is reflected So saith one doth Gods image in us make the eyes of our minds view him the authour of it in us Bayns letters And as the eye becometh one with that which it seeth and is after a sort in that light it beholdeth so are we by the vision of God which is begun in us one with him and in him The woman is the glory of the man Either because he may glory in her if she be good or because she is to honour him and give glory to him Verse 8. But the woman of the man Of a bone she was made and but one bone Nâ— esset ossea saith a Divine A bone of the side it was Vitia Palatina not of the head she is not to be his mistresse nor of the foot she is not to be his handmaid but of the side to shew that she is a companion to her husband A bone from under the arm to minde the man of protection and defence to the woman A bone not farre from his heart to minde him of dilection and love to the woman A bone from the left side to put the woman in minde that by reason of her frailty and infirmity she stands in need of both the one and the other from her husband Verse 9. For the woman sc To serve her unlesse it be some women As Artemisia Zenobla blandena Anna Atestina Guisiorum Memorous parens Thuan. biâ—t l. 124. Numb 5.18 specially called to and qualified for government Amongst whom Queen Elizabeth that female-glory is famous Of whom a great French Dutchesse said That she was Gloriosissima omnium quae unquam sceptrum gesserunt foelicissima faemina Besides her Sex there was nothing in her woman-like or weak Verse 10. To have power That is a veil called in Hebrew Radid of Radad to beat rule And indeed what was this subjection to the husband but a kinde of power and protection derived to the wife in respect of her fromer estate Because of the Angels Present in the Assemblies of the Saints This was set forth of old by the hangings of the Tabernacle wrought with Cherubims within and without Others understand this Text of Ministers frequently called Angels Hag. 1.12 13. Revel 2. and 3. Judg. 2.1 that Angel is thought to be Phintas Eccles 5.6 Neither say thou before the Angel i. e. before the Lords Priest it was an errour Verse 11. Neverthelesse neither is This is added for the womans comfort There must be all mutuall respects and melting-heartednesse betwixt married couples which being preserved fresh and fruitfull will â—fiâ—tely sweeten and beautifie the marriage-estate Love is a quom that must be exchanged betwixt them and returned in kinde Husbands love your wives Colos 3.16 He saith not Rule over your wives as he had said Wives submit your selves to your husbands but Love your wives yea let all your things be done in love for neither is the man without the woman he is not compleat without her he wants a piece of himself neither is the woman without the man she cannot subsist without him as the Vine cannot without a supporter The rib can challenge no more of her then the earth can of him c. Verse 12. But all things of God God consulted not with man to make him happy saith one As he was ignorant while himself was made so did he not know while a second self was made out of him Both that the comfort might be the greater then was expected as also that he might not upbraid his wife with any great dependance or obligation he neither willing the work nor suffering any pain to have it done Verse 13. Judge in your selves All Christs sheep are rationall able to discern of things that differ having their senses thereunto exercised Heb. 5.14 But some sins are condemned by common sense as here and religion is founded upon so good reason that though God had not commanded it yet it had been our wisest way to have chosen it But lust doth oft so bleer the understanding that a man shall thinke he hath reason to be mad and that there is great sense in sinning Verse 14. That if a man have long hair Bushes of vanity which they will never part with said Marbury untill the devil put a caudle into the bush But our Gallants object That the Apostle here intendeth such hair as is as long as womens hair Whereunto we answer That Homer calleth the Greeks hair-nourishing men who yet did not wear their hair long as women 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Homeâ— How Cromwell handled the shag-haired ruffian See Acts and Monuments of the Church folio 1083. How God hath punished this unnaturall sin by that loathsome and horrible disease in the hair called Plica Polonica See Hercules de Saxonia And out of him Mr Bolion in his four last things pag 40. It begun first saith he not many years ago in Poland It is now entered into many parts of Germany And methinks our monstrous fashionists both male and female the one for nourishing their horrid bushes of vanity the other for their most unnaturall and cursed cutting their hair should every hour fear and tremble lest they should bring it upon their own heads and amongst us in this kingdom Daniels Hist 67. Our henry 1. repressed the wearing of long hair which though it were a gaiety of no charge yet for the undecency thereof he reformed it and all other dissolutenesse See Mr Prins Vnlovelinesse of love-locks Verse 15. Her hair is given her Now it is a vile thing to go against nature Cyprian and Austin say That garish apparell is worse then whoredom because whoredom only corrupts chastity but this corrupts nature Verse 16. Seem to be contentious Adectore gloriâ—sâ— Pastore contentioso inutilibus quaestionibus liberet Ecclesiam suam Dominus said Luther From a vain-glorious Doctour from a contentious Pastour and from endlesse and needlesse controversies the good Lord deliver his Church We have no such custome viz. To strive about trifles but to submit to our teachers Bifield
ambitious of slavery of beggery v. 9. How many have we at this day that rejoyce in their bondage and dance to hell in their bolts Verse 22. For it is written It was enough of old to say It is written there was no need to quote Chapter and verse as now Men were so ready in the Scriptures they could tell where to turn to any thing at first hearing Verse 23. Was born aster the flesh In an ordinary way as all others are for Hagar was young and Abraham not old Was by promise i. e. By a supernaturall power by a divine miracle Verse 24. Which things are an allegory That is they signifie or import an allegory or they being the things that they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 represented and typed out the things that they were not So did the brazen serpent the deluge the red sea c. As for those allegories gories of Origen and other wanton wits luxuriant this way what are they else but Scripturarum spuma as one calleth them Scripture-froth Verse 25. For this Agar is mount The Arabian call Mount Sina Agar Twice Hagar sled thither Gen. 16. and 21. it being in her way home to Aegypt From her the Arabians are called Hagarens and since for more honour sake Saracens of Sarah Hagars mistresse Answereth to Jerusalem That is to the Jewish Synagogue born to bondage as Tiberius said of the Romans that they were homines ad servitutem parati Verse 26. But Jerusalem which is above that is the Christian Church the heavenly Ierusalem the Panegyris and congregation of the first-born whose names are enrolled in heaven Heb 12.23 The Hebrew word for Ierusalem is of the Duall number to show AmamainCoronide say the Cabalists that there is an heavenly as well as an earthly Ierusalem and that the taking away of the earthly was intimated by the taking away of the letter jod out of Ierushalaim 2 Sam. 5.13 Verse 27. Far it is written When these testimonies of the old Testament are thus cited in the new it is not only by way of Accommodation but because they are the proper meaning of the places Verse 28. Now we brethren as Isaac This the Jews to this day will not hear of but call us Maâ—zer Goi bastardly Gentiles Verse 29. Persecuted him By cruell mockings and reall injuries challenging the birth right and deriding the Covenant c. The Papists made way for their great project of perdition in 88. by dividing the people here under the rearms of Protestant and Puritan George Abbots â—of to D. Hiss 3 real and provoking them thereby to reall and â—unâ—uall both hate and contempt Even so it is new And to also it is now may we say at this day For what do Papists persecute us for else but because we reject their justification by works They poisoned their own Cardinall Contarenus for that he declared himself found in this point by a book that he set forth some four years afore the Councell of Trent Verse 30. Shall not be beirs No justitiary can be saved A Papist cannot go beyond a reprobate Pur us puâ—us Papistanon potest servani Rev. 19.21 Verse 31 We are not children c. q. d. We are in a farre better condition then Legalists I have blessed Ismael faith God twelve Princes shall be beget but my Covenant will I establish with Isaac Gen 17.20 21. And such honour have all his Saints CHAP. V. Verse 1. Be not again entangled AS oxen tied to the yoke Those that followed Iudas Galileus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 5.37 chose rather to undergo any death then to be in subjection to any mortall If civil servitude be so grievous Ioseph 1.18 c. 2 what ought spirituall to be Those poor misled and muzled souls that are held captive in the Popes dark dungeon have an ill time of it Ever since being reconciled to the Roman Church I subjected my self and my Kingdoms said King Iohn of England to the Popes authority never any thing went well with me Nulla mihiprospera sed omnia asversa evensrunt but all against me Verse 2. Behold I Paul q. d. As true as I am Paul and do write these things Christ shall profit you nothing For he profits none but those that are found in him not having their own righteousnesse which is of the law but that which is through the faith of Christ the righteousnes which is of God through faith Phil. 3.9 As Pharaoh said of the Israelites they are intangled in the Land the wildernes hath shut them in Exo. 14.3 So may it be said of Pharisaicall and Popish Justiciaries they are entangled in the fond conceits of their own righteousnesse they cannot come to Christ A man will never truly desire Christ till soundly shaken Hag 2.7 Verse 3. That he is a debtour viz. If he be circumcised with an opinion of meriting thereby Christ will be our sole Saviour or none he will not mingle his precious bloud with our pâ—â—ddle-stuff Verse 4. Christ is become of none effect Woe then to Popish merit-mongers William Wickum founder of New-colledge Parcâ—bist pro. fan medul D Vsher on Eph. 4.13 though he did many good works yet he professed he trusted to Jesus Christ alone for salvation So did Charles the fife Emperour of Germany So did many of our fore-fathers in times of Popery Ye are fallen from grace It cannot hence be concluded that the Apostle speaks conditionally and it may be understood of the true Doctrine of Gods free-grace Verse 5. Erigito scalam Acesi solâ—â—â—stendito For we through the spirit We Apostles hope for righteousnesse by faith If you will go to heaven any other way you must erect a ladder and go up alone as Constantine said to Acesius the Novatian heretike Verse 6. Neither circumcision Unregenerate Israel is as Ethiopia Amos 9.7 But faith that worketh Iustificamur tribus modis Effectivè à Deo apprehensivè à fide declarativè ab operibus Faith justifies the man and works justifie faith Verse 7. Ye did run well Why do ye now stop or step back Tutius recurrere Reusner Symb. quam malè currere was the Emperour Philips symboll Better run back then run amisse for in this case He that hasteth with his feet sinneth Prov. 19.2 But to run well till a man sweats and then to sit down and take cold may cause a consumption Verse 8. This perswasion Sectaries and seducers have a strange art in perswading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Colos 2.4 And although we thinke our selves able enough to answer and withstand their arguments yet it is dangerous dealing with them The Valentinian heretikes had a trick to perswade before they taught Arrius could cogge a die Tertullian and cozen the simple and needlesse hearer Verse 9. A little leven viz. Of false doctrine Mat. 16.6 See the Note there Verse 10. But he that troubleth you That heresiarch or ring-leader of the faction the Beast
here to relate Sed exorto Evangelij jubare sagaciores ut spero principes ad nutum Romani Orbily non solvent subligacula saith one Verse 5. Remember ye not Satan usually hides from us that which should help us But as the soul should be as it were an holy Ark so should the memory be as the pot of Manna preserving holy truths for constant use Verse 6. What with holdeth c. viz. The Roman Empire which had its rise raign and ruine whereupon the Popedome was founded and grew to that excessive greatnesse that it laboured with nothing more then with the weightinesse of it lest Verse 7. Doth already work In those ancient Apostates and Antichrists S. â—ohn complaineth of Tertullian condemneth the Bishops sprouting ambition in these words I hear that there is a peremptory edict set forth alate Pontisex scilicet maximus Episcopus Episcoporum dicit This he called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Thus saith the chief-Priest the Bishop of Bishops c. Odi fastum illius Ecclesiae saith Basil Vehicalis insidentes circumspecte vessiti epulas curantes prosu at c. I hate the pride of that Western Church Ammiaâ—us Marcellinus a Heathen Historian sharply taxeth the roman Bishops of his time for their pride and prodigality How stifly did Gregory the great oppose Iohn of Constantinople for affecting the title of Universall Bishop And yet how basely did the same Gregory collogue with Phocas the Emperour that himself might be so stiled Zonaras This Phocas a wilde drunken bloâ—â—y adulterous tyrant advanced the Bishop of Rome Gregories successour to the primacy and was therefore slaughtered by Heracliut who cut oft his wicked hands and feet and then his genitals by piece-meal Vntill he be taken out of the Way That is The Roman Emperour have removed his seat to Constantinople that Româ— may become the nest of Antichrist In mari bistor Ioannes de Columna writeth That Otho Emperour of Germany thought to have â—uated himself at Rome as former Emperours had done and began to build him there a stately palace But at the earnest importunity of the Romans he gave over that design the like had been attempted 300 years before by Constans nephew to Heraclius Theophanes Zonaras â—iâ—â—enuâ— Genebr Chron. but could never be effected This was by a singular providence of God saith Genebrard a Popish Chronologer that the kingdome of the Church prophecied of by Daniel might have it's seat at Rome If he had said that the kingdom of Antichrist prophecied of by S. Paul and S. Iohn might have it's seat in that City seated upon seven hils he had said the very truth he had hit the nail one the head Verse 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And then shall that wicked Gr. That lawlesse yokelesse masterlesse monster to whom in the Councel of Lateran 1516. one year only before Luther stood up to reform there was granted plenary power over the whole Church which was never setled upon him in any former Councel Pope Nicolas the first said Dist 96. That he was above law because Constantine had stiled the Pope God But the very glosse derides him for this inference With the spirit of his mouth i.e. With the evidence of his word in the mouths of his faithfull Ministers Vide catalogum Testium veritatis Bellarmine confesseth to his great grief Lib 3 de Papa Rom cap. 11. that ever since the Lutherans have declared the Pope to be Antichrist his kingdom hath not only not increased but every day more and more decreased and decaied With the brightnesse of his coming At the last day The holy City shall they tread under foot fourty and two moneths Rev. 11.2 that is as some compute it till the year of grace 1866. But that 's but a conjecture Verse 9. After the working of Satan Who as Gods ape works effectually in his and by his agents upon others By corrupt teachers Satan catcheth men as a cunning fisher by one fish catcheth another that he may feed upon both And lying wonders The devil is ashamed saith the Jesuite Gretser to confirm Luthers doctrine by miracles But he that now requireth miracles to make him to believe is himself a great miracle saith Austin Verse 10. And with all deceivablenesse Popery is nothing else but a great lie a grand imposture a farrago of falsities and heresies It is not without cause that the Centurists say Cent. 10. cap. 11 That all the old heretikes sled and hid themselves in the Popish Clergy Because they received not the love This is the great Gospel-sin punished by God with strong delusions vile affections just damnation Verse 11. Strong delusion Gr. The efficacy of orrour Wolph memâ—lect As in those at Genoa that shew the Asses tail whereupon our Saviour rode for an holy relique and perform divine worship to it And in those that wear out the marble crosses graven in the pavements of their Churches with their often kissing them Spec. Europ The crucifix which is in the city of Burgus the Priests shew to great personages as if it were Christ himself telling them that his hair and nails do grow miraculously which they cut and pare monethly and give to Noble-men and holy reliques The Jesuites confesse that the legend of miracles of their Saints is for most part false but it was made for good intention and herein that it is lawfull and meritorious to lie and write such things Spanish pilgâ— to the end the common people might with greater zeal serve God and his Saints and especially to draw the women to good order being by nature facile and credulous addicted to novelties and miracles Verse 12. That they all might be damned Levit. 13.291 Heresie is the leprosie in the head which is utterly uncurable and destroies the soul See Rev. 19.21 Had pleasure is unrighteousnesse These are delivered up to that dead and dedolent disposition Ephes 4 19. loosing at length all passive power also of awakening cut of the snare of the devil who taketh them alive at his pleasure 2 Timothy 2. ult Verse 13. But we are bound c. Lest they should be discouraged with the former discourse the Apostle tels them that being elect they cannot be finally deceived So the Authour to the Hebrews Chap. 6.9 Zuinglius after that he had terrified the wicked was wont to come in which Bone vir hoc nihil ad te This is nothing to thee thou faithfull Christian We cannot beat the dogs but the children will cry and must therefore be stilled and cheared up And belief of the truth That is of Christ the object in the glasse of the Gospel Verse 14 To the obtaining of the glory This is the end of faith as faith is of effectuall calling Verse 15. Stand fast Though never so many fall from the faith Falling stars were never but Meteors Hold the traditions Hold fast by these that ye may stand the faster Verse
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 My friends I have never a friend And as Plato A friend is a very mutable creature Verse 17. The Lord stood God is never so sweet and so seasonable to his Saints as in the day of their deepest distresse He loves to help those that are forsaken of their hopes The preaching might be fully known Or Soundly proved to be a divine ordinance by my constancy and contempt of death Out of the mouth of the lion Nero who first orientem fidem Romae cruentavit as Tertullian speaketh put Christians to death and made a bloudy decree That whosoever confessed himself a Christian should Dedicator dam nationiâ— chri li. anorum Teit. without any more ado be put to death as a convicted enemy of mankinde Tertullian calleth him The Dedicatour of the condemnation of Christians Verse 18. And the Lord shall deliver Experience breeds confidence Vnto his heavenly kingdom So David argues from temporals to eternals Psal 23.5 6. Verse 19. Salute Prisca c. See the Note on Rom. 16.3 Verse 20. At Miletum sick See the Note on Phil. 2.27 Verse 21. Do thy diligence c. The Apostle quickneth Timothy as Tully did his friend Quamobrem si me amas c. si dormis expergiscere si stas ingredere si ingrederis curre si curris advola Credibile non est quantum ego in amore fide tua ponam Make all possible haste hither for I rely much upon thy love and loialty Verse 22. Grace be with you Gods blessing be with you alwaies Amen Act. and Mon. 1365. Laur. Saunders Even now to ward the offering of a burnt sacrifice c. said that Martyr in a letter to certain friends A COMMENTARY OR EXPOSITION Vpon the Epistle of S. Paul to TITUS CHAP. I. Verse 1. The faith of Gods elect NOt the election of Gods faithfull ones as the Arminians make it And the acknowledging of the truth It is usuall with S Paul in the beginning of his Epistles to utter much in few and to set down the summe of the whole Gospel as here he doth Justification Sanctification and the hope of salvation and all by the acknowledging of the truth Verse 2. God that cannot lie The word of promise bindes God therefore it seems saith one that it is stronger then God for he can assoon deny himself as his promise Verse 3. Manifested his word As when he laid plainly He that believeth is the Son hath eternall life Verse 4. Common saith Common to the communion of Saints vers 1. and to them proper and peculiar for all men have not faith 2 Thess 3.2 Verse 5. Set in order 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coâ—sicias Gr. Set straight or make up the things that I left unfinished Verse 6. The husband of one wise Here the Apostle canonizeth saith an Interpreter Stultâ—t the marriage of Minâ—sters Verse 7. A Bishop must be blamelâ—sse As was Moses Samuel Paul Bradford Bucer c. who led convincing lives so that their foes could not many thing stain them nor their friends sufficiently commend them Not soon angry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bilâ—osus bellicosus testy and techy easily blown up inâ—o â—age that will not be laid down without revenge Verse 8. Temperate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No slave to his fleshly appetite but one that can master himâ—elf and give laws to his lusts See my Common place of Abstinence Verse 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holding fast c. As with tooth end nail against those gain-saiers that would snatch it from us Verse 10. For there are many unruly Lawlesse yokelesse masterlesse men untractable untameable that refuse to be reformed hate to be healed God will hamper these Belialists 2 Sam. 23.6 Verse 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose mouths must be stopped Gr. Muzzled as bandogs are Câ—c de divinat Laâ—rliâ—â— Fides puniâ—a Virgil. Cres semper mendax â—ala bellua bellâ—o deseâ— Camdeâ—s Eliz. fol â—04 Creâ—izâ—c â—â—â— Cretâ—â—â—â—hâ—â—â—de Frâ—en A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Casaub Frogs they â—â—y will leave croaking if but a light be hanged over the lake wherein they are Let but the truth come clearly in place and heretikes will be soon filâ—nced But if they will not another course must be taken with them Verse 12. Even a Prophet of thâ—ir own Epimenides the Poet who by his countrey-men the Cretians was counted a Prophet and had divine honours done to him after his death The Cretians are alwaies liers So were the Carthaginians Tyrijque bilingues The French had so often deceived the English that such as they mean to deceive they call by a common by-word Ias Aâ—â—lâ—â— The English The Cretians were loud liars even to a Proverb Of Delon Homer saith That he had an art in lying But Euâ—aemâ—a Joannes that Cretian Dae noniâ—ck wins the whetâ—onâ— one from all his countrey-men whiles he blusheth not to tell the world in print that these are the doctrines and practices of the Protestants to worship no God to frame our religion to the times to pretend the publike cause to our private lusts to break our words as we see good for our purpose to cover deadly hatred under fair flatteries to confirm tyranny by shedding the bloud of innocents c. Verse 13 Rebuke them sharply Gr. Precisely rigidly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— uttingly severely and to the quick A Metaphor from Chyrurgeons who must not be melch-hearted faith Celsus but pare away the dead flâ—sh Ne pars sincera trabatur Howbeit Chirurges misericordes esse non opartes that is a good rule given by a godly Divine that although there must be some warmth in a reproof yet it must not be scalding hot M Wbatcy in his Atchetyp Words of reviling and disgrace they scald as it were But words that tend to stir up the conscience to a duâ— consideration of the errour or evil reproved they be duly warm and tend to make the physick work more kindely Evangelizatum non maledictum missus es said Oâ—col â—mpadius to Farellus laudo zelum modò non dâ—sideretur mausuâ—tudo Vinuâ— oleum in tempore suo insund â—dum Evangelistam non tyrannicum leg sâ—atorem praestes Thou art sent to preach not to rail Thy zeal â— commend so it be mingled with meâ—knesse Wine must be poured into mens wounds one while Oecolamp epad Gul. Faâ—d and oil another Thou must shew thy self a peaceable preacher not a tyrannicall Law-giver c. Verse 14. Not giving heed to Jenish fables Wherewith their Talmud is full farâ—â— which whiles they hug over-hard as Cleopatra did the â—â—â—â—es that sucked her bloud they perish Verse 15. Vnto the pure all things c. This Piscator holds a sufficient warrant for us to use Ne forâ—â— and other Heathen-expressions like as the Apostles used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Piseâ—t in Mareâ—a 14 3. Pas praesat ad Lexic abused by the
with God as the communion of Saints Verse 2. Have entertained Angels As Abraham and Lot who pursued hospitality as the Apostle speaketh Rom. 12.13 and had such guests as they hoped not for The Galatians received St Paul as an Angel so did Cornelius entertain Peter Every childe of God is an earthly Angel and in entertaining them Angels also which are their Guardians are entertained The Philosopher told his friends when they came into his little low cottage The gods are here with me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God and his Angels are where the Saints are Verse 3. Remember them that c. Learn hence saith one That it is no new thing for the world to put bonds on them who seek to bring them out of bondage It is very probable that Micaiah was that disguised Prophet who brought to Ahab the fearfull message of displeasure and death for dismissing Benhadad for which he ever after hated him and held him in prison As being your selves also in the body Not the body of Christ or the Church as Calvin senseth it but in the body of flesh and frailty subject to like afflictions so Erasmus Beza Pareus others Verse 4. Marriage is honourable And yet say the Rhemists upon 1 Corinth 7.9 Marriage of Priests is the worst sort of incontinency Is not this to play the Antichrist And the bed undefiled Admonimus in ipso etiam matrimonio quandam esse scortutionis speciem Bâ—z Confess p. 194. siquâ— puro Dei dono purè sanctè non utatur ad eum finem cujus caiuâ est institutum saith Beza The Marriage-bed though lawfull may be defiled by excesse c. and a man may be an adulterer of his own wife God will judge The Anabaptists of Germany Joh. Manl. loc com p. 487. inferred from hence that therefore men ought not to punish adulterers for God reserved them to his own judgement Two of them Monetarius and Hetserus were notorious whoremongers being a pair of such Preachers as Zedekiah and Ahab were whom the King of Babylon roasted in the fire because they committed adultery with their neighbours wives and spake lies in Gods name c. Jer. 29.22 23. But what a bold man was Latimer Bishop of Worcester who presented to Henry the eight for a New-years-gift Act. and Mon. 1594. a new Testament with a napkin having this posie about it Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Verse 5. Be content with such things Not to be content is to be covetous If men cannot bring their means to their minde Clem. Alex. let them bring their minde to their means A little will serve to bear our charges till we come home to heaven Bonus pacis indiget See the Note on 1 Timothy 6 6.8 For he hath said Five times in Scripture is this precious promise renued that we may presse and oppresse it till we have expressed the sweetnesse out of it Isa 66.11 I will not forsake thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will not not not forsake thee Leave us God may to our thinking but forsake us he will not Only we must put this and other promises in suit by praying them over God loves to be bound by his own words to be sued by his own bond Verse 6. So that we my boldly say Having such a promise to build and found our faith upon we may well proceed to this holy gloriation against all opposition Verse 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Them which have the rule Gr. Your Captains your Guides so Ministers are called Your Chieftains and Champions that bear the brunt of the battle the heat of the day and upon whom as upon his white horses the Lord Christ rideth about conquering and to conquer Revelation 6.2 Verse 8. Jesus Christ the same This was the summe of their Sermons Act 9.11 and is the substance of their and your faith which therefore you must stick to standing fast in the street which is called Straight and not wherried about with divers and strange doctrines Verse 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Be not carried about Errour is a precipice a vortex or whirl-pool which first turns men round and then sucks them in With divers and strange doctrines That agree neither with themselves nor with the truth That the heart be established Ballasted as a ship balanced as the Bee with a little stone taken up by her when she hath farre to flie in a high winde Ne leve alarum remigium praecipitent â—â—abra ventorum as Ambrose observeth lest the bigger blast should dash her to the ground Not with meats As if they were holy or helpfull to salvation Verse 10. We have an altar That is A sacrifice even Christ our Passeover whose flesh is meat indeed John 6. but to believers only not to those that pertinaciously plead for Ceremonies and services of the Law Gal. 5.4 Hic edere est credore Verse 11. Are burnt without the Camp And so the Priests had no part of the sin offering to shew that they have no part in Christ that adhere to the Leviticall services See Levit. 16.27 Verse 12 Without the gate See how punctually the old Testament is fulfilled in the new Hardly could those before Christ divine what this meant till he had suffered it and the Apostle had opened it Event is the best key to types and prophecies Verse 13. Bearing his reproach The reproach of Saints is the reproach of Christ and their sufferings his Colos 1.24 And Nehem. 4.3 5. God is more provoked then Nehemiah He that saith Vengeance is mine I will repay repaies oft-times when we have forgiven when we have forgotten and cals to reckoning after our discharges Verse 14. For here we have none Improve this argument for the working our hearts off from the things of this world the beauty of all which is but as a fair picture drawn upon the ice that melts away with it But we seek one to come And here we must all turn Seekers Seek ye first the Kingdom of God c. Matth. 5.33 See the Note there Verse 5. The fruit of our lips Covering Gods altar with the calves of our lips Hos 14.3 This shall please the Lord better then an Oxe or Bullock that hath horns and hoofs Psal 69.31 This also is the seekers sacrifice v. 32. Verse 16. Forget not We very easily forget what we care not to remember The richer the harder usually For with such sacrifices How improvident are we that will not offer a sacrifice of alms when God sets up an altar before us Verse 17. That have the rule over you Gr. That are your Leaders or Captains But now as once in Alcibiades his Army most will be leaders few learners See the Note on Verse 7. Verse 18. Willing to live honestly Tantum velis Deus tibi praeoccurret David could wish well to the keeping of Gods Commandments Psal 119.4 5. and affect that which yet he could not effect Verse 19. That I may be
seven golden pipes thorow which the two olive branches do empty out of themselves the golden oils of all precious graces into the golden candle-stick the Church Zach. 4.2 3. So some interpret those seven eyes upon one stone Zach 3.9 concerning the Spirit in his severall operations upon Christ according to Isa 1.2 Verse 5. And from Jesus Christ Who is here set last of the three persons because more is to be said of him both as touching his three-fold office and a three-fold benefit there-hence redounding unto us That hath loved us See Ezek. 16.6 8 9. Christ that heavenly Pellican Pierij bâ—eroglâ—ph revived his dead young-ones with his own heart-bloud He saw the wrath of God burning about them and cast himself into the midst thereof that he might quench it Judah offered to be bound that Benjamin might go free Jonathan perilled his life and quitted his kingdome for love of David Arsinoe interposed her own body betwixt the murtherers weapons and her children But what was all this to this incomparable love of the Lord Jesus When the Jews saw him weeping for Lazarus Behold say they how he loved him When we see him weeping bleeding dying for us Shall not we much more say so Verse 6. And hath made us Kings To rule in righteousnesse to lord it over our lusts to triumph over and trample on all our spirituall adversaries being more then conquerours thorow him that loved us and laid down his life for us that we might raign in life by one Jesus Christ Rom. 5.17 And surely if as Peter Martyr once wrote to Q. Elizabeth Kings are doubly bound to serve God both as men and as Kings What are we for this spirituall kingdome Judg 5.28 And Priests uâ—to God To offer up to him the personall saer fice of our selves Rom. 12.1 the verball of praise 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and reall of alms Heb. 1.15 16. See the Note on 1 Pet. 29. Verse 7. Bel old he cometh He is already upon the way and will be with us shortly Let us hasten his coming and say â—s Sisera's mother Why are his chariots his clouds so long in coming Why tarry the wheels of his chariots Shall nail Gr. Shall smite their brests or thighes the elect as repenting the reprobate as despairing Iisdem quibus videmus oculis flemus so here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they shall look and lament Verse 8. Which is and which was The Father is called He that it Exod 3.13 The Son He that was Joh. 1.1 The holy Ghost He that cometh Joh. 16 8 13. as Aretas observeth Verse 9. In the kingdom and patience Christ hath a two-fold kingdom 1. Of power 2. Of patience Nec nisi per aâ—gusta ad augusta c. I have no stronger argument against the Popes kingdome saith Luther quà m quod sine cruce regnat Luth. T 2. then this that he raigns without the crosse The glory of Christs Church said George Marsh Martyr stands not in out ward shews Act. and Mon. fol. 1423. in the harmenious found of bels and organs nor yet in the glistering of mitâ—es and copes c. but in continuall labours and daily afflictions for his Namâ—s sake Was in the Isle Patmos He tels us not how he came thither he boasteth not of his banishment Virtus proprio contenta theatro Vertue is no braggard Verse 10. I was in the Spirit Acted by him and carried out of himself as the demoniack is said to be in the unclean spirit as being acted and agitated by him Sec the Note on 2 Pet. 1.21 On the Lords day The first day of the week the Christian Sabbath Mat. 24.20 called the Lords-day from Christ the authour of it as is likewise the Lords Supper and the Lords Church Kirk 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the very word here used To sanctisie this Sabbath was in the Primitive times a badge of a Christian For when the question was asked Servasti Dominicum Keepest thou the Sabbath The answer was returned Christianus sum interâ—â—ittere non possum I am a Christian I must keep the Lords-day And heard behinde me Not before me implying that the Spirit calleth upon us being secure passing by and not regarding those things it cals for As of a trumpet To teach us that the things here delivered to the Church must be ever sounding in out ears and hearts indwelling richly in us Col. 3.16 Verse 11. Greg. Mag. Send it to the seven As all holy Scripture so this piece especially may well be called The Epistle of Almighty God to his creature Verse 12. And being turned I saw It is well observed here by a learned Interpreter M. Brightman That every godly endeavour doth receive some fruit greater then a man can hope for John turned himself to behold the man and behold over and besides seven Candlesticks which he had not the least suspition of Verse 13. And in the midst Christ is in the holy assemblies in the beauties of holinesâ—c he walketh in his garden Cant. 6.1 he comes in to see his guests Mat. 22.11 The face of God is seen in Sion Psal 84.7 Agarment down to the fiâ—t As a Councellour Isa 9.6 And girt It implies readinesse nimblenesse handinesse and handsomenesâ—e We also must gird our selves and serve the Lord Christ Luk 17.8 About the paps This implies his entire love seated in the heart Verse 14. White like wooll Noting his antiquity or rather his eternity and unspeakable purity Thales one of the Heathen Sages called God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The most ancieâ—t of Beings Diâ—g Laeâ—â— As a flame of fire Sharp and terrible such as pierce into the inward parts Heb. 4.13 See the Note there Verse 15. And his fâ—et He stood firm then when he was cast into the fire of his Fathers wrath He trod the wine-presse alone and set his feet on the necks of all his and our enemies He lost no ground when he grappled with the devil on his own dung-hill Matth. 4. He will also bruise Saâ—â—â— under our feet shortly Rom. 16.20 As the sound of many waters Audible Som. Scip. terrible forcible Some Catadupes are deafâ—ed by the fall of this Nilus But the Spouse cries out O thou that dwellest in the gardens the companions hearken to thy voice cause â—e to hear it Cant. 8 13. Verse 16. And he had in his right-hand See heere the dignity and safety of a faithfull Minister Whiles a childe hath his father by the hand though he walk in the dark he fears nothing A sharp two-edged sword The word like a sacrificing sword slits open and as it were unridgeth the conscience Verse 17. I fill at his feet as dead The nearer any one comes to Christ the more rottennes entreth into his bones And be laid his right-hand The same right-hand wherein he held the seven starres verse 16. Christus sic omnibus attentus ut â—â—lli dotentus sic curat universos quasi singulos sic singulos quasi
solos Every godly Minister is Christs particular care Fear not Till rid of fear we are not fit to hear Verse 18. That liveth and was dead So can every regenerate man say Luk. 16.32 Ephes 2.1 See the Note there All Saints are heirs of the grace of life 1 Pet. 3.7 And have the keyes The Pope therefore is not key-keeper as he falsly boasteth telling us That God hath put under his feet the beasts of the field the fowls of the air and the fish of the sea that is as he interprets it all the souls in earth heaven and purgatory Verse 19. Write the things which thou hast seen That is the Gospel the history of Christ as some think which he wrote at Ephesus after his return from Pathmos above fourty years after our Saviours death Verse 20 The mystery In this whole book there are so many words so many mysteries which made Cajetan forbear to comment upon it though many Monks far lesse able then he thought it a goodly thing to be medling in these mysteries Apoca'yâ—â—im fatâ—or me nesciâ—e exponere juxâ—a sensum literalem exponat cui Deuâ— concesserit Cajet which they as little understod as he that derived Apocalypsis of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clipsor quod est velo quoth Faber the Augustinian Monk Are the Angels Ministers are fitly called stats which affect these inferiour things by motion light and influence Are the seven Churches Lighted by Christ the high Priest morning and evening continually and thereby as much differenced from the rest of the world as Goshen was from Aegypt in that palpable darknes CHAP. II. Verse 1Vnto the Angel THis was Timothy as some think who not stirring up the gift of God that was in him had remitted somewhat of his former fervour By the stile here given him Angel he is monished not more of his dignity then of his duty That Angel at Bochim Judg. Eccleâ— 56. 2.1 is thought to have been Phineas And some interpret that of Solomon Neither say thou before the Angel that it was an errour of the Priest It is good counsel to Ministers that one gives Ange'orum induist is nomâ—n induite naturam nesit â—â— dixit nonnemo nomen inanc crimen immanc Verse 2. I know thy works and thy labour Not thy works only but thy labour in doing them and what ends thou puttest upon them How accurately did our Saviour cast up and count how long the multitude had been with him how little they had to eat how ill it would fare with them if sent away fasting c. Mat 15.32 And how thou canst not bear Moved with a zeal of God and having a stomack for him Mihi sanè Auxentius nunquam aliud quà m diaâ—olus erit quia Arrianus saith Hilary I shall look upon Auxentius as upon a devil so long as he is an Arrian Verse 3. And hast born Beat the false Apostles thou couldst not but hast borne much from them Morientium nempe serarum violenâ—iores sunt morsâ—s Beasts bite hardest when to bite their last Verse 4. Thou hast left thy fiâ—st love Those first ripe fruits that Christs soul desireth Mâ—c 7.1 that kindenesse of youth that spousall-love that God so well remembreth Jer. 2.2 This Ephesus had left and so became Aphesis remisse and retchlesse possest with a spirit of sloth and indevotion And surely he is a rate and happy man that can say in a spirituall sense as it was said of Moses that after long profession of zeal his sight is not waxed dim his holy heat not abated that runs not retrograde as did Solomon Asa others with whom the end was worse then the beginning Verse 5. From whence thou art fallen viz From thy former feelings and present fitnes for Gods kingdom Luk. 9.62 Andrepent See the practice of this second repentance in the relapsed Spouse returning to her old husband Cant. 9. See the Note on 2 Cor. 7.11 See an excellent Letter of the Lady Jane to that apostate Harding sometime her Chaplain Act. and Mon. fol. 1292. and what sweet counsel Bradford afterwards gave the same Harding Ib. fol. 1564. besides the example of Mr Bartlet Green Martyr fol. 1680. And doe thâ— first works Begin the world again as the Nazarite was to do that had broken his vow Numb 6. and to let thee up afresh make a gathering of praiers and see that thy works be better at last then at first And remove thy Candlestick Sins are the snuffs that dim our Candlestick and threatneth the removall of it And surely if we repent not a removall thereof may be as certainly fore-seen and sore-told as if visions and letters were sent us from heaven as to these seven Churches Except thou repent Minatur Deus ut non puniat God therefore menaceth that men may be warned As a Bee stings not till provoked so neither doth God punish till there be no remedy a Chron. 36.16 Verse 6. But this thou hast That they might not say Jer. 2.17 18.12 when called upon to repent Nay but there is no hope Christ picks out that which is praise-worthy in them and commends it Despair carries men to hell as the devils did the swine into the sea Cast not away therefore your confidence c. Irenâ—us Theod. The works of the Nicolaitans Who taught a community of wives and that it was but a thing indifferent to commit adultery Verse 7. Let him hear Not with that gristle only that grows upon his head but with the ear of his heart Let him draw up the ear of his heart to the ear on his head that one found may pierce both Or Let him hear what c. that is Let him hear for himself hear and know that each member for his own good that was delivered to the whole Church To eat of the tree of life This tree is Christ The devil also as he loves to be Gods ape hath prompted Mahomet to promise to such as die in warre for the Mahometan saith delicious fare in Paradise pleasant walkes and other sensuall delights eternally to be enjoyed â— lunts voiage p 67. notwithstanding any former sinnes Verse 8. Of the Church in Smyrna Sweet-smelling Smyrna the poorest but purest of the seven Verse 9. I know thy works and tribulation Mark saith one the conjunction Works and tribulation Active stirting Christians are like to suffer much Of Sardis and Laodicea only we reade not of any troubles they had And poverty but thou art rich Poverty discommends not any to Christ money bears no mastery in his kingdome Thou art poor saith he here but that 's neither here nor there it s a matter of nothing that That say they are Iews That is right worshippers as the Turks at this day stile themselves Musâ—lmans that is the only true believers Cyprian Papists the only Catholikes Faciunt vespa favos simiae imitantur homines Verse 10. Fear none of those things Quit thy heart of that
murders treasons thefts c. they easily dispense with but none of their Ceremonies Let God say they see to the breach of his own Law we will look to ours The mother of harlots The Church of Rome to this day delights to be stiled holy-mother-Church Holy she is in the sense that the Hebrens call harlots And such a mother as bastards have for their mother by whose name they are called the Father is seldome mentioned by them Verse 6. Drunken with the bloud c. Bishop Bonner delivered Richard Woodman with four more requiring of them to be but honest men members of the Church Catholike and to speak good of him And no doubt saith Woodman he was worthy to be praised because he had been so faithfull an aid in the devil his masters businesse for he had burned good Mr Philpot the same morning In whose bloud his heart was so drunk as I suppose he could not tell what he did as it appeared to us both before and after For but two daies before he promised us we should be condemned that same day that we were delivered yea and the morrow after he sought for some of us again yea and that earnestly Act and Mon. sol 1800. He waxed dry after his great drunkennesse wherefore he is like to have bloud to drink in hell as he is worthy if he repent not c. It is wisdom said a certain unknown good woman in a letter to Bonneâ— It is wisdom for me and all other simple sheep of the Lord to keep us out of your butcherly stall as long as we can especially seeing you have such store already that you are not able to drink all their bloud least you should break your belly Ibid. 1672. and therefore let them lie still and die for hunger c. Thus I kept the bandogs at staves end said Shetterden the Martyr not as thinking to escape them Ibid. 1521. but that I would see the foxes leap above ground for my bloud if they can reach it I wondered with great admiration All things are portentous in the Popedome What monsters were Pope John 12 and Hildebrand as Luitprandus describes the one Lib. 6. de 〈◊〉 gest in Europ In vita Hilâ—eb and Cardinall Benno the other both of their own side Tertia clâ—ssis continet Papas vel potius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Alstedius After the thousandth year of Christ there was no where lesse piety then in those that dwelt nearest to Rome as Machiavel observeth Verse 7. Wherefore didst thou marvel Nil admirari propè res est una Numici We wonder at things out of ignorance of the causes of them Hinc admiratio peperit philosophiam Alsted Chron. Disput derep l. 1 cap. 12. Verse 8. Was and is not Was before the time of this Revelatian in the Roman government which was afterward usurped by the Pope A thing that the first Bishops of Rome dreamt not of And yet Tertullian taxeth the rising ambition of the Popes in his time thus I hear saith he that there is an edict set forth Libide pudicitia and that very peremptory in these tearms Pontifex scilicet maximus Episcopus Episcoporum dicit Thus saith the high-Priest Bâ—ron Annal. Tom. 4. the Bishop of Bishops c. Odifastum illius Ecclesiae I hate the pride of that Church of Rome saith Basil Go into perdition Go not run by degrees not all at once He now takes long strides to ward the bottomlesse pit which is but a little afore him and even gapes for him There stands a cold sweat on all his limbs already Shall wonder Admiration bred superstition and illumination draws men off it Julius Palmer Martyr was a most obstinate papist all King Edwards daies and yet afterwards in Q. Maries time suffered most cruell death at the Papists hands at Newbury Act. and Mon. 1755 1756. for the most ready and zealous profession of the truth His words to one Bullingham walking in Pauls after his conversion were these Oh that God had revealed these matters unto me in time past I would have bequeathed this Romish Religion or rather irreligion to the devil of hell from whence it came Believe them not Bullingham I will rather have these knees pared off then I will kneel to yonder Jackanapes meaning the rood And yet is In regard of that imperiall power then extant which the Pope should afterwards take to himself Verse 9. Here is the minde q. d. Here is work for wise men to busie their brains codicibus about 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sapientia est vel cordibus Seven mountains The Jesuites cannot deny but that Rome is here pointed at as being set upon seven hils So the ancient Rome was whereof the present Rome is but a carcase as retaining nothing of the old but her ruines and the cause of them her sinnes Verse 10. And there are seven Kings That is kindes of government Five are fallen Kings Consuls Dictatours Decemvirs Tribunes Oneâ—â— i.e. The Heathen Emperours And the other is not yet come scil The Christian Emperours A short space scil At Rome for Constantine soon translated the seat of the Empire to Bizantium calling it Constantinople and left Rome to be the Popes nest Zonaras Cedrenus Joh de co'umâ—â— in mari hist The Emperour Constans nephew to Heraclius and after him Otho had some thoughts to set up again at Rome but could not that so the kingdome of the Church fore-told by Daniel might there be seated saith Gâ—nebrard Geneb Chron. if he had said the kingdome of Antichrist fore-told here by John the Divine he had hit it Verse 11. He is the eighth viz. The Pontificality And is of the seven i.e. Shall exercise that monarchicall power that was before in the seven heads Verse 12. Are ten kings Of ten severall Kingdoms Naples Spain Portugall France Polony Bohemia Hungary Denmark Sweden and this of England which as it was the first of the ten that submitted to the Popes yoke so was it the first that shook it off again in Hen. 8. time Verse 13. These have one minde This is the unity or rather conspiracy of the Church of Rome The Spouse only is but one Cant. 6 9. Other societies are but as they clay in the toes of Nebuchadnezzars image they may cleave together but not incorporate one into another Verse 14 The Lamb shall overcome them 1. With a spirituall victory by a sweet subjection at least by a conviction of their consciences 2. With an externall victory as the imperialists in Germany the Papists here Verse 15. Are peoples Fitly called waters for their instability and impetuosity Verse 16. These shall hate As base fellows use to hate their harlots when they finde them false And shall make her desolate Shall deny to defend her And naked By denying her maintenance and laying her open to the world by their Remonstrances King Henry 8. Act and Mon. and the French King some
in London he ever heard of in nine years And that ye receive not of her plagues Musculi ruinis imminentibus praemigrant aranei cum telis primi cadunt saith Pliny Plin l 8 c. 28. Mice will haste out of an house that is ready to drop on their heads and spiders with their webs will fall before the house falleth Cerinthus the heretike coming into the Bath where S. Iohn was washing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lib. 4. c 14. the Apostle sprang or leapt out of the bath saith Eusebius as fearing lest being found in his company he should partake of his plagues It is dangerous conversing with wicked men 1. For infection of sin 2. For infliction of punishment Ambrose closing up the story of Ahab and Iezabels fearfull end fitly saith thus Fuge ergò dives bujusmodi exitum sed sugies hujusmodi exitum si fugeris hujusmodi flagitium Fly therefore O rich man A mb de Nab. Jezrael c. 11. such an end as Ahab had by shunning such evils as Ahab did Verse 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For her sins have reached Gr. Have followed thick or been thwacked one upon another thick and threefold as they say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there hath been a concatenation or a continued series of them Others reade Her sins are glewed and souldered together or they cleave and are glewed to heaven Matthew Paris speaking of the Court of Rome saith Hujus faetor usque ad nubes fumum teterrimum exhalabat Her filthinesse hath sent up a most noisome stench to the very clouds of heaven as Sodoms did therefore shall Babel the glory of kingdoms be as the destruction of God in Sodim and Gomorrah Isa 13.19 Verse 6. Double unto her double This is spoken to the good Kings that shall sack Rome that they do the Lords work thorowly not sparing Agag as Saul did to the losse of his kingdom not dismissing Benhadad as Ahab did to the losse of his own life Verse 7. She hath glorified her self As mother of Churches Queen of Nations Steuchus one of her Parasites saith That Kings have but the use and administration of their Kingdoms the right and property belongs to her Pope Boniface wrote thus to Philip the Fair King of France Volumus te scire te in temporali spirituali nobis subjacere c. Contra sentientes pro insanis habemus We would ye should know that ye are to be subject unto us both in temporals and spirituals and that none that are in their right mindes can be otherwise minded The King thus answered him again Sciat tua maxima fatuitas c. Alsted Chron. 359.395 I would your singular Foolishnesse should know that I acknowledge no such subjection c. It was tartly and trimly replied by one Leonard to Rustandus the Popes Legat claiming all the Churches here in England to be the Popes Omnes Ecclesias Papae esse tuitione non fruitione deâ—â—â—sione non dissipationâ— That if the Pope had such right to all Churches it was to defend them Jac Rev. de vit Pontif p 178. not to devour them Verse 8. Therefore shall her plagues Security ushereth in destruction God shall shoot at such with an arrow suddenly and fetch them off as he did the rich fool Luk. 12. Come in one day To confute their fond conceit of an eternall Empire See the like Isa 48.9 When the warres began in Germany anno 1619. it was reported that a great brasse Image of the Apostle Peter that had Tu es Petrus c. Thou are Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church engraven about it standing in Saint Peters Church at Rome there was a great and massie stone fell down upon it and so shattered it to pieces that not a letter of that sentence was left legible save these words Aedificabo Ecclesiam meam I will build my Church This was ominous to that tottering title of Rome and might have taught the Popelings That God is about to build his Church upon the ruines of their worm-eaten title The Lord thereby see med to say the same unto them Ezek. 7.6 that once he did to Israel by Ezekiel An end is come the end is come it watcheth for this behold it is come Sed surdis fabulam This hath been long and loud rung in their ears but they will not be warned Death That is Warre that deadly evil called an evil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 45.7 I make peace and create evil that is Warre a wofull evil that hews its way thorow a wood of men in a minute of time from the mouth of a murdering-piece and causeth thousands to exhale their breath without so much as Lord have mercy upon us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And mourning For the losse of dead friends And famine The usuall concomitant of war in sieges especially See the Note on Rev. 6.5 For strong is the Lord Full able to effect it seem it to Babels brats never so improbable or impossible Verse 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shall bewail her and lament As with the voice of Doves tabring upon their brests Naâ—um 2.7 The chief of these mourners shall be the Spaniard likely who yet hath no such great cause In respon Apol. 〈◊〉 Card Colum. if he look well about him for he is yearly excommunicated by the Pope for detaining from him the Kingdome of Sicily as Baronius witnesseth It were to be wished that he would intimate his Predecessour Charles the fifth who upon a displeasure conceived against Pope Clement the eighth Scultet Annal. Dâ—â—adâ—â— l. p. 2. abolished the Popes authority thorowout all Spain Exemplo ab Hispanis ipsis posteritati relicto posse Ecclesâ—asticam disciplinam â—itra nominis Pontifiâ—ij authoritatem conservari saith mine authour i. e. The Spaniards themselves setting forth to the world That the Church may be governed without the Popes authority Verse 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Atnâ—â—aeâ—â— l. 13 Standing afarre off As fearing their own safety they will not venture themselves for an old withered harlot that is now Lais-like ready to be extinct in the last act of her uncleannesse For in one hour God will make short work of it when once he begins Rom. 9.28 This should be an 〈◊〉 to Christian Princes and States to set upon the service The Pirats war was Incredibili celeritate temporis brevitate confectum saith Austin soon dispatcht Aug. de civ Dei so shall this Verse 11. And the merchants of the earth The Popes Indulgencers and other officers of his Exchequer John Manl. loc com p. 49 â— What huge sums of money did Tecelius and his companions rake together out of Germany The Pope had yearly out of England above nine tuâ—s of gold Polydor Virgil was his Collectour of the Peter-pence here Otto one of the Popes Muscipulatores Mice-catchers as the story cals him departing hence left not so much money in the whole Kingdom
even a milstone which he letteth not barely fall but casteth and with impetuous force thrusteth into the bottome of the sea whence it cannot be boyed up Thus is set forth to the eye also the irreparable ruine of Rome Verse 22. And the voice of Harpers c. Thine Organs and Sackbuts thy chaunting and Church musick shall cease And the sound of a milstone Anciently they used hand-mils which did make a great noise in the Cities as Diodate here noteth Verse 13. And the light of a candle The candle of the wicked shall be put out they that here love darknesse better then light 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall hereafter be thrust into outer darknesse where they shall never see the light again till they see all the world on a light fire For thy merchants were the great men The Pope creates his Cardinals by these words Estote fratres nostri Principes mundi Be ye brethren to us and Princes of the world They hold themselves Kings comperes Verse 24. And in her was found Rome hath ever been the slaughter-house of the Saints as Jerusalem was afore her Mat. 23. And of all that were slain For she hath a hand in all the wars of Europe besides all the Christian bloud shed by her instigation in those holy wars as they called them for the recovery of the Land of Canaan CHAP. XIX Verse 1. I heard a great voice IN obedience to that exhortation Chap. 18.20 Rejoyce over her thou heaven c. Saying Allelujah i. e. Praise the Lord. Was not he a wise man that gave this derivation of the word Al aâ—â—ssimus le levatus est lu lugebant Apostoli jajam resurrexit Acutum sanè decompositum This word is in the old Testament first used Psal 104.35 where consuming of sinners is mentioned as in the new Testament here where the destruction of Antichrist is fore-told Vnto the Lord Gr. Is the Lords as Psal 3.8 He is the true proprietary Verse 2. Which did corrupt the earth I read of one who journeying to Rome as soon as he came within the City shut his eyes and so kept them as resolving to see nothing in that City which he knew to be very corrupt and a corrupter of others but only the Church of S. Peter See the Note on Chap. 18.4 Suâ—inx 〈◊〉 p. 753. Verse 3. And again they said Allelujah As unsatisfiable in performing so divine a duty Some think that the Hebrew word is retained to import that after Rome is ruinated the Churches of the Gentiles shall by their uncessant praises provoke the Jews to joyn with them and concelebrate the mercy like as the Spouse by praising her beloved stirred up those dull daughters of Ierusalem to seek him with her Cant. 5.9 10 c. with Chap. 6.1 And her smoke rose up Like that of Sodom Yet wretched Romanists will not be warned whose judgement therefore is here revealed after that of the firing of Rome Verse 4. And the four and twenty Elders The former Allelujah was more privateâ— every good heart being lifted up with joy and thankfulnes when first they hear the good news of Antichrists overthrow Now this is the joint Allelujah of the publick Congregation praising and magnifying God This may bea further means to move the Jews to come in Verse 5. And a voice came out This is the Lambs voice his all-quickning voice which shall rouse and raise the dead and dedolent Iews powerfully pulling the vail from their hard hearts which yet were somewhat moved and mollified by the former Alleluja's so that now all the servants of God small and great Iew and Gentile shall praise him with one concent Verse 6. And I heard as it were the voice See how morigerous the Saints are and ready hearted to obey God No sooner are they bidden to praise God but they are at it dicto citius See the like Psal 27 8. Saying Alleluja This was the Hosanna Rabba as the Iews call it D. 〈◊〉 1 de 〈…〉 word p. â—â—2 the victoria Hallelujatica as the old Brittans called their victory over the Saxons The story is this Under the conduct of Germanus here in Brittain who came over from France to subdue the Pelagian heresie which then prevailed amongst us against a mighty Army of Saxons and Picts the Brittains prevailed only by the three times pronouncing the word Hallelujah which voice ecchoing and redoubling from the acclamation of his followers among the mountains nigh to which the enemy had encamped frighted them and wonne the conquest upon which it was called victoria Hallelujatica Raigneth i. â— He now maketh it appear that he raigneth which Averroes and some other of the worlds wisards doubted of yea denied because they saw bad men prosper good men suffer Verse 7. Hath made her self ready Being first made ready by the grace of Christ Certum est nos facere quod facimus sed ille facit ut faciamus The bowles of the Candlestick had no oil Aug. but that which dropped from the Olive-branches Zach. 4. Verse 8. And to her was granted It is here clear saith an Interpreter that there shall be as great difference between the state of Gods Church now and that which is to come after Romes â—uine Bernard as between the time of honourable persons only betrothed and the high joyfull and glorious day of their publick marrying and as between the time of a King coming on to his Kingdome and his actuall and powerfull raigning as King indeed That she should be arraied This also is given her as well as her rich raiment which she can no more put on by her self then she can purchase it Clean and white Or Pure and bright Pure saith one because imputed righteousnesse is pure indeed and hath no spot in it M Cotton but not bright you can see no great matter in it it maketh no great shew before men as in herent righteousnesse doth Mat. 5 16. but before God A man may be very much defiled and subject to many scandals and yet be clothed with the garment of imputed righteousnesse The righteousnesse of Saints Gr. Righteousnesses that twofold righteousnes imputed and imparted Verse 9. Write To wit this ensuing sentence for the use of posterity worthy to be written in letters of gold Blessed are they that are called So they have hearts to come at Christs call and not shew themselves unworthy to taste of his Supper by framing excuse as those recusant guests did Luke 14. These are the true sayings of God q. d. This fore-going sentence is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation 1 Tim. 1.15 Verse 10. And I sell at his feet So taken he was with the joyfull tidings of his Countrey-men the Jews conversion that he fell down as Abraham did upon the good news of Isaac's birth Genesis 17.17 And it may be he took this Angel to be Christ the Angel of the Covenant Euphâ—r But that was his errour Triste
he ever consented to their Wicked perswasions In Thomas Whittle Martyr who could never be quiet till he had gone to the Bishops Office Ibid. 1632. and torne the bill of his recantation for the which Bonner first buffeted him soundly and then burnt him In Thomas Benbridge who feeling the intolerable heat of the fire cried out I recant and subscribed to certain Popish Articles at the stake upon a mans back and so was led back to prison But soon after he retracted what he had subscribed and the same-day-seven night he was burnt indeed or rather broiled by the vile tormentours Ibid. 1857. The like befell Richard Sharp a Weaver of Bristow who likewise suffered for that truth which he had recanted saying Ibid. 1861. I am sorry that ever I denied my Lord God c. But besides all these that recovered of their relapses What shall we thinke of Pendleton who resolved that as he came not frying into the world so he would not goe out frying Ibid. 1504. but roared upon his death-bed and full fore repented if it were not too late that ever he had yeelded to Papistry and been so sparing of his fat and flesh whereof he had vowed to Saunders he would see the uttermost drop molten Ibid 1363. and gobbet consumed to ashes before he would forsake God and his truth What shall we thinke of Steven Gardner who cried ouâ— upon his death bed That he had denied his Master with Peter but never repented with Peter and so both stinkingly and unrepentantly died Of Mt West Chaplain to Bishop Ridley Ibid. 1904. who refusing to die in Christs cause with his Master said Masse against his conscience and was so vexed by his conscience that soon after he pined a way with sorrow What shift Shaxton and Harding made to die I know not Ibid. 1558. 1570. A couple of apostates I know they were a Thess 2. and fair warning they had but that God had given them up to the efficacy of errour to believe a lie because they would not receive he love of the truth whereof they could not but be convinced Harding a little before King Edward died was heard openly in his Sermons in London to exhort the people with great vehemency That if troubles came they should never shrink from the true doctrine of the Gospel that they had received which yet he himself soon after did The Lady Jane whiles she was prisoner wrote an excellent letter to him wishing him to remember the horrible History of Julian of old and the lamentable case of Spira of late Ibid. 1292. Return to Christ saith she who now stretcheth out his arms to receive you ready to fall upon your neck and kisse you and cast off all to feast you with the dainties and delicates of his own precious bloud which undoubtedly if it might stand with his determinate purpose he would not let to shed again rather then you should be lost Thus sought that sweet Lady to charm and reclaim this adder but he turned the deaf ear to her and died an obstinate Papist a Prebend of Gaunt Shaxton was somewhat more toughly handled but with no better successe for evil men and seducers wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived This Shaxton in King Henry the eights daies being Bishop of Salisbury at the coming in of the six Articles resigned up his Bishoprick Ibid. 1578. together with Latimer rather then to forgoe the peace of their consciences and so remained a great space unbishoped till King Edwards time who restored them But when Queen Mary came in and changed religion Latimer suffered but Shaxton turned not only a Papist but a persecutour and perswader to Popery When William Wolsey Martyr and some others were brought before him Ibid. 1558. Good brethren said he remember your selves and become new men For I my self was in this fond opinion that your are now in but I am now become a new man Ah said Wolsey are you become a new man Woe be to thee thou wicked new man for God shall justly judge thee And so he did I doubt not it being his usuall course to hang up such notorious apostates in gibbets as it were for example to others He that betraied the Rhodes was well served For his promised wife and portion were presented But the Turk told him that he would not have a Christian to be his son-in-law but he must be a Musulman that is a believing Turk both within and without And therefore he caused his baptized skin as he called it to be taken off Speculum belli sacri p. 157. and him to be cast in a bed strawed with salt that he might get a new skin and so he should be his son in-law But the wicked wretch ended his life with shame and sorrow Theoderick an Arrian King did exceedingly affect a certain Deacon although an orthodox This Deacon thinking to ingratiate and get preferment became an Arrian which when the King understood he changed his love into hatred and caused the head to be struck from him affirming That if he kept not his faith to God what duty could one expect from such a person King John of England being overlaid in his Barons wars sent Embassadours to the Monarch of Morocco for aid offering to hold his Kingdom of him Heyl Geo p. 714 and to receive the law of Mahomet The Moor marvellously offended with this offer grew into such dislike of our King that ever after he abhorred the mention of him Solyman the great Turk seeing a company of many thousand Christians fall down before him and hold up the sore-finger as their manner of conversion to Turcisme is he asked them Voiâ—ge into the Levant p 111. What moved them to turn They replied It was to be eased of their heavy taxations He disdaining that basenesse rejected their conversion and doubled their taxations The form they use when they turn Turks is this I confesse that there is but one God only Melch Adam in vit Gerlaâ—hij and Mahomet his servant I confesse also that I am come from the false to the true religion and I utterly renounce my former faith together with all the adherent Articles After this they are circumcised and doe put on a new turbant as a badge of a Musulman or right believer We reade of two Dutch-men the one a Divine the other a Baker that became Mahometans not many years since upon what discontent or other motive I know not Ibid p. 816. The Ministers name was Adam Neusserus once a Pastour of Heidelberg who fell off first to Arrianisme and then to Tureisme He died miserably at Constantinople Octob. 12. Anno 1576 much in the same manner as Arminius did at Leyden who was grievously tormented with a cough gout ague and incessant pain in his belly Hist of Low-countrey with a great binding and stopping under the heart which caused much difficulty of breathing
and there by a further concoction bebecometh white and nourishethe it And as milk from the brests is more effectually taken then when it haâ—h stood a while and the spirits are gone out of it So the word preached rather then read furthereth the souls growth Verse 3. If so be ye have tasted As babes taste the milk they take down Isa 66.11 We are bid to suck and be satisfied with the brests of consolation to presse and oppresse the promises till we have expressed and even wrung the sweetnesse out of them This will make us even sick of love our sleep will be pleasant unto us and our hearts filled with gladnesse The Saints taste how good the Lord is and thence they so long after him Optima demonstratio est a sensibus as he that feels fire hot and that tastes honey sweet can best say it is so Verse 4. As unto a living stone Living and all quickning as Act. 7.38 Lively that is life-giving oracles He that hath the Son hath life 1 Joh. 5.12 Disallowed indeed of men for the Cock on the dung-hill knoweth not the price of this jewel And precious In vita Apol. l 3. c. 14. Alsted Chronel p. â—09 Far beyond that most orient and excellent stone Pantarbe celebrated by Philostratus or that precious adamant of Charls Duke of Burgundy sold for 20000 duckets and set into the Popes triple-crown Verse 5. Ye also as lively stones Gods house is built of growing stones of green timber Cant. 1. To offer up spirituall sacrifices Such as are praiers Psal 141.2 Praises Heb. 13.5 Alms Heb. 13.16 Our selves Rom. 12.1 Our Saviour whom we present as a propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 2.1 laying our hands on his head seeing him bleed to death and consumed in the fire of his Fathers wrath for our sins Verse 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wherefore it is contained The Jews were so well versed in Scripture that in quoting of texts there was need to say no more to them then It is Written It is contained c. they could tell where to turn to the place presently And this was a great furtherance to the conversion of many of them by the preaching of the Apostles Shall not be confounded the Hebrew text hath it Shall not make haste Isa 28.16 Haste makes waste as we say and oft brings confusion Children pull apples afore they are ripe and have worms bred of them Verse 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He is precious Gr. He is a price or an honour If you had not found all worth in him you would never have sold all for him Verse 8. And a rock of offence Like that rock Judg. 6.21 out of which comes fire to consume the reprobate Which stumble at the Word An ill sign and yet an ordinary sinne Verse 9. But ye are a chosen generation A pickt people the dearly beloved of Gods soul such as he first chose for his love and then loves for his choice Aroiall Priesthood Or as Moses hath it Exod. 20.6 kingdome of Priests Priests Gods people are in respect of God Kings in respect of men The righteous are Kings Mâ—â—ny righteous men have d fired c. saith Matthew chap. 13.17 Many Kings saith Luke chap 10 24. Indeed they are somewhat obscure Kings here as was Melchisedech in the Land of Canaan but Princes they are in all lands Psal 45.16 and more excellent then their neighbours let them dwell where they will Prov. 12.26 A peculiar people Gr. A people of purchase such as comprehend as it were all Gods gettings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his whole stock that he makes any great reckoning of Shew forth the praises Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Preach forth the vertues by our suitable practice the picture of a dear friend should be hung up in a conspicuous place of the house so should Gods holy image and grace in our hearts Verse 10. Which in time past Were not If Plato thought it such a mercy to him that he was a man and not a woman a Grecian and not a Barbarian a scholar to Socrates and not to any other Philosopher what exceeding great cause have we to praise God that we are born Christians not Pagans Protestants not Papists in these blessed daies of Reformation c Verse 11. As pilgrims and strangers Excellently doth Justin Martyr describe the Christians of his time â—pist â—â— Ding they inhabit their own countries saith he but as strangers they partake of all as Citizens and yet suffer all as forraigners every strange land is a Countrey to them and every countrey a strange land And strangers abstain Thoughts of death will be a death to our lusts Lam. 1.9 Her filthinesse is in her skirts and all because she remembreth not her last end As the stroaking of a dead hand on the belly cureth a tympany and as the ashes of a viper applied to the part that is stung draws the venome out of it so the thought of death is a death to sin From fleshly lusts Those parts in our bodies that are the chiefest and nearest both subjects and objects of lust and concupiscence are like unto the dung-gate 1 Chron. 26 16. whereby all the filâ—h was cast out of the Temple God hath placed them in our bodies like snakes creeping out of the bottome of a dung-hill and abased them in our eyes that we might make a base account and estimation of the desires thereof as one well observeth Which warre against the soul Only man is in love with his own bane beasts are not so and sights for those lusts Caâ—ell of temptation that fight against the soul And whereas some might say that other lusts fight against the soul as well as flâ—shly lusts it is answered that other lusts fight against the graces but these more against the peace of the soul Verse 12. Having your conversation honest Leading convincing lives the best arguments against an Atheist adversary 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They speak evil of you See the Note on Mat. 5.11 Which they shall behold Whiles they pry and spie into your courses as the Greek word imports to see what evil they can finde out and fasten on In the day of visitation When God shall effectally call and convert them See the Note on Ma 5 16. Verse 13. Full. answ to D Fern. Submit to every ordinance That is Although the Ordinance or Government in the manner of its constitution be from man yet because of the necessity of its institution it is from God submit to it though of man for the Lords sake Verse 14. Or unto Governours In the kingdome of Christ this is wonderfull Miseel â—p ded saith Zanchy that he wils and commands all Princes and Potentates to be subject to his Kingdome and yet he wils and commands likewise that his Kingdome be subject to the Kingdoms of the world Verse 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ye may put to silence Gr. Muzzle
or halter up button up their mouths as we say See the Note on Mat. 22.34 Verse 16 As free See the Note on Gal. 5.13 Verse 17. Honour all men As made in the image of God as capable of heaven and as having some speciall talent to trade with Honour the King i.e. The Roman Emperour who disclaimed the name of a King to avoid the hatred of the people and yet sought the full right of Kings and so to destroy the liberty of the people But Kings that will be honoured must be just Ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam â—3 3. Tortuosis curvis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verse 18. To the froward Crosse crooked frample foolish The Greek word comes of an Hebrew word that signifies a fool Verse 19. This is thank-worthy God accounts himself hereby gratified as it were and even beholding to such sufferers this being the lowest subjection and the highest honour men can yeeld unto their maker Verse 20. For What glory is it In peace-offerings there might be oil mixt not so in sin-offerings In our sufferings for Christ there is joy not so when we suffer for our faults Verse 21. Leaving us an example Gr. A copy or patern 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christs actions were either morall or mediatory In both we must imitate him In the former by doing as he did In the later by similitude translating that to our spirituall life which he did as Mediatour as to die to sin to rise to righteousnesse c. and this not only by example as Petrus Abesardus held of old and the Socinians at this day but by vertue of Christs death and resurrection working effectually in all his people Anton. Tract 17 cap 1 paragr 5. not as an exemplary cause only or as a moral cause by way of meditation but as having force obtained by it and issuing out of it even the Spirit that kils sin and quickens the soul to all holy practice In vita ejus aâ—uâ— Suâ—â—um There is a story of an Earl called Eleazar a passionate Prince that was cured of that disordered affection by studying of Christ and his patience Crux pendentis cathedra docentis Christ upon the crosse is a Doctour in his Chair where he reads unto us all a lecture of patience The Eunuch Act 8.32 was converted by this praise in Christ It is said of Hierome that having read the godly life and Christian death of Hilarion he folded up the book and said Well Hilarion shall be the Champion whom I will follow Should we not much more say so of Christ Verse 22. Who did no sinne S. Paul saith He knew no sinne 2 Cor. 5.21 to wit with a practicall knowledge we know no more then we practise with an intellectuall he did for else he could not have reproved it Neither was guile found in his mouth Which imports that they sought it The wicked seek occasion against that godly Verse 23. But committed himself Or The Whole matter We also shall do our selves no disservice by making God our Chancellour when no law else will relieve us And indeed the lesse a man strives for himself the more is God his Champion He that said I seek not mine own glory adds but there is one that seeketh it and judgeth God takes his part ever that fights not for himself Verse 24. Who his own self Without any to help or uphold him Isa 63.5 he had not so much as the benefit of the Sun-light when in that three hours darknesse he was set upon by all the powers of darknesse Bar our sins Gr. Bare them aloft viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When he climbed up his Crosse and nailed them thereunto Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows Isa 53 4 He taketh away the sins of the world Joh. 1.29 That We being dead to sinne Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Separated from sinne or unmade to it cut off from it the old frame being utterly dissolved By Whose stripes Or Wales This he mentioneth to comfort poor servants whipt and abused by their froward Masters Sanguis medici fà ctus est medicina phrenctici The Physicians bloud became the sick mans salve We can hardly believe the power of sword salve But here is a mystery that only Christian religion can assure us of that the wounding of one should be the cure of another Verse 25. As sheep Then the which no creature is more apt to stray lesse apt and able to return The Oxe knoweth his owner c. CHAP. III. Verse 1. Be in subjection to your husbands YEt with a limitation Subject the wife must be to her husbands lawfull commands and restraints It is too much that Plutarch laies as a law of wedlock on the wife to acknowledge and worship the same gods and none else but those whom her husband doth Be Wonne by the conversation i. e. Be prepared for conversion as Austins father and himself were by the piety of his mother Monica Verse 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whiles they behold Curiously pry into Carnall men watch the carriages of professours and spend many thoughts about them Your chaste conversation When Livia the Empresse was asked how she had got such a power over her husband that she could doe any thing with him She answered Multâ modestiâ by my much modesty A prudent wife commands her husband by obeying Dâ—o in August Verse 3. Whose adorning Mundus muliebris See Isa 3.18 where the Prophet as punctually inveighs against this noble vanity as if he had viewed the Ladies wardrobes in Jerusalem Let it not be that outward Vestium curiositas deformitatis mentium morum indicium est saith Bernard Excessive neatnesse is a sign of inward nastinesse It was a true saying of wise Cato Cultus magna cura magna est virtutis incuria They are never good that strive to be so over-fine Superfluous apparel saith Cyprian is worse then whoredome Verse 4. But let it be the hidden Vestite vos serico pietatis byssino sanctitatis purpur â pudicitia Talitèr pigmentata Deum habebitis amatorem It is Tertullians counsel to young women Lib. de cult soeâ—â— Cloth your selves saith he with the silk of piety with the sattin of sanctity with the purple of modesty So shall you have God himself to be your sutor In that Which is not corruptible Or In the incoruption of a meek a quiet spirit c. a garment that will never be the worse for wearing but the better Of great price God makes great reckoning of a quiet minde because it is like himself He promiseth earth to the meek and heaven to the incorrupt or sincere and pure in heart Verse 5. Who trusted in God And therefore would not by unlawfull means seek to get or keep their husbands love and favour but trusted God for that So Hezekiah trusted in God and pulled down the brazen serpent 2 King 18.4 5. opposing his presence to all peril Verse 6.