must begin it at the Evening But if we will begin it according to that alledged Alteration we finde in our Saviours time Then we must Begin it in the Morning which later is favoured the more by our Saviours Resurrection very early in the morning Matth. 28. 1 6. Marke 16. 2 6. Luke 24. 1 6. John 20. 1. To the memory and honour of whose Resurrection as the day of Rest was changed so it accords well and suitably seems to require the same change for the beginning of that day agreeing therin with the aforesaid Alteration However the Point Material is That it must comprehend twenty four hours V. 6. Firmament By Firmament here generaly by all is understood whatsoever is to be seene in that vast space above the earth from the surface of it to the uppermost visible Orbs As conceiving and that justly That the Aire or lowest region of it betwixt the Earth and the Clouds were alone too smal a thing for the whole work of the second day In the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters the waters which are under the firmament from the waters which are above the firmament Divers ancient and learned Fathers have conceived hereupon and upon the words of the Psalme 148. 4. That a great or the greatest part of those waters that covered the face of the 〈◊〉 verse 2. were lifted up and spread as an Orbe of waters above and about the highest part of the starry heavens and so there remaine And from those windowes of heaven opened some would fetch the greatest part of those waters in the Deluge that covered all the high hills that were under the whole heaven fifteene cubits upwards Yet all this seemes too weak a foundation whereon to build that Orbe of supercelestial waters For plaine it is that the lowest region of the aire is called heaven and the firmament of heaven even that wherein the winds clouds and fowles do flie verse 20. Jer. 51. 16. Dan. 7. 2 13. And indeed as every part of the water is truly called water so every part of the heaven and firmament may be and is called heaven as well as the whole or the highest parts of it the starry heaven and the third heaven chap 1. verse 14 15 16 17. Gen. 22. 17. 2. Cor. 12. 2. And if such a division were meant as they pretend to where then would be the division betweene the waters of the seas and the watery clouds without which division and the use of it the earth could not bring forth sustenance for Man or Beast And as for the windowes of heaven they are understood of the region of the aire as Psal. 78. 23. Mal. 3. 10. And the same God who rained down fire and brimstone on Sodâ—m and made or multiplyed the widowes oyle 2 Kings 4. 2. V. 8. the firmament heaven All above us so called And the Angels this day most likely were created considering the words of the Lord Job 38. 4 5 6 7. that all the sonnes of God shouted for joy when he laid the foundations of the earth Though Moses mentions not their creation as puposely intending to relate only the creation of things corporal and visible and that haply a having regard therein to the rudiments and weaknesse of that Infant-Church of the Jewes to whom immediately he wrote this History second day Without that approbation And God saw that it was good which yet is doubled on the third day haply because the separation of the waters begun this day was not perfected till the third day And it is once repeated on each of the other four dayes with the addition of very good in the end of all V. 20. and fowle Out of the waters and the ground also chap. 2. 19 V. 26. Let us Intimates a Plurality of Persons in the Unity of the Divine Essence And so pluraly chap. 3. 22. 11. 7. Esay 6. 8. V. 27. created he them Both this day chap. 5. 2. though the maner of her creation be more fully related chap. 2. v. 18 to 23. V. 29. to you it shall be for meat Living things are not here mentioned for meat till after the flood anno mundi 1657. and no more are corne bread drink and other things named which yet no doubt were in use before the flood Cain being a tiller of the ground And â—el being a keeper of sheep was not likely to leave their flesh to be devoured of wilde beasts or to rot either above or under ground And mans body being in a dying condition since the Fall stood in more need of nourishing meats then whiles he abode in Innocencie Neither were the herbs trees ground after the Curse of that vertue and vigour for his nourishment and sustenance as formely It is nothing likely then that man should want so needful a nourishment as flesh or fish for so long a time so many ages of the world because they were not haply so necessary for him in the time of Innocency or not expressed by name for food at the time of his Creation But after the Fall being killed for cloathing and offered in sacrifices to God even by Abel himself It is not to be imagined but that they did eate of the flesh of them as in sacrifices was ever usual And therefore also for those ends and uses the distinction of them into cleane and uncleane was made even before the flood And seven of the Cleane reserved for sacrifice and food whereas two sufficed as in the Uncleane for preservation of Seed Gen. 7. 2. And the words of our Saviour noting the old world for their eating and drinking before the flood came on Matth. 24. 38. implies rather an abuse in the excesse then an abstinence from the use of flesh and other delicacies V. 30. Every green herb for meat But after the Fall of man beasts and birds of prey and fishes eate and devour one another CHAP. II. Ver. 3. BEcause that in it This being alledged as the Reason of the Sabbath Exod. 20. 11. 31. 17. shews it to be here instituted before the Fall And then no doubt but Gods people had more need or the same Ordinance and Help in Religion ever since the Fall And the Rulers Narrative to Moses speech or question Exod. 16. 22 23. seems to me to imply the keeping of the Sabbath by the Jewes before the giving of Manna in the Wildernesse Exod. 16. 5. not appearing to be made known to the people till after the Rulers relation of sin And Gods direction to Moses And apparently it was kept before the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai V. 4. the Lord God Here first the word Jehova is used And after often in this Chapter Gen. 15. 7. 22. 14. 26. 24. 27. 20. 28. 13. and in many places more And therefore Exod. 6. 3. But by my Name Jehova was I not known to them is spoken comparatively not known so fully in making good my promises by answerable effects as now
third moneth Exod. XIX 1. where the Law was given Exod. XX. And their making and erecting of the Tabernacle in the next year first moneth first day Exod. XL. 1. And so the summe of 141 years and few dayes doth arise which containes the whole History of Exodus Whereof 140 years within few dayes are comprised in the two first Chapters And one year and few dayes are spent in the rest of the Book His sister His sister chapter II verse 7 that is Miriam who was elder then Moses or Aaron And Aaron elder then Moses by three years Exod. VII 7. All three were the children of Iochebed the daughter of Levi by Amram the grand-son of Levi Exod. VI. 16 18 20. Num. XXVI 59. 1 Chron. VI. 3. Moses Moses chapter II verse 11 His age of 40 years when he went to visit his brethren and flew the Egyptian As also his skill in all the wisdome of the Egyptian 3 are not mentioned in the Old Testament But by Saint Stephen Acts VII 22 23. Iethro Iethro who is likewise called Iether chapter III verse 1 in the Original Exod. IV. 18. and Hobab Num. X. 29. Judg. IV. 11. were the names of Moses his father-in-law And Kenite Judg. I. 16. seemes to be his name Patronymical And Revel and Raguel seeme to be the names of Jethros father Exod. II. 18. Num. X. 29. Horeb Horeb here and Sinai Exod. XVI 1. and XIX 11. are the same mountaine or two tops of the same mountain called Sinai from the bush Exod. III. 2. or bushes growing there and thereabouts in that wildernesse Ch. XIX 1. As Mount Sion and Mount Moriah were much alike A Token This token or signe was to come to passe afterwards verse 12 yet is given to confirme a Promiser made afore it And the like is Esay VII 14. and XXXVII 30. Ier. XLIII 9 10. and Ch. LI. 63 64. Among other reasons to assure there the truth of the Promise by the quality of the Promise foretelling such events No lie No lie in this Petition to Pharaoh verse 18 nor in that assertion Ch. V. 3. Will not The foreknowledge of God doth not impeach or trench upon the Free-will of Pharaoh verse 19 Borrow No wrong in that borrowing and spoyling the Egyptians Exod. verse 22 III. 22. and Ch. XI 2. and Ch. XII 35 36. The Magicians The Magicians of Egypt chapter VII verse 11 are none of them named in the Old Testament yet Iannes and Iambres the two prime of them are named in the New 2 Tim. III. 8. The Red-sea And so in the Greek Erythraeum chapter X verse 19 Acts VII 36. Heb. XI 29. signifying red And so the Latines from them So called either from the seeming colour of the water from the abundance of reddish bulrushes therein or the red sand and gravel in it or red Corall growing in it or red sandy mountains adjoyning to it or why not from Edom as the Edomean Sea 1 King IX 26. He being called Red from his red colour and the red Pottage Gen. XXV 25 30. But the likeliest reason is from the Hebrew appellation calling it the sea of weeds or sedge mare algsum of flag or rush or tange rack or reet in Latin alga Ionah II. 5. which reddish weeds in abundance grew in it being but shoaly and specially about the bancks of it Neither rose The Plague of Darknesse in Egypt seemes to obstruct both Candle-light and Fire-light verse 23 This moneth The beginning of the year being here changed from the time wherein formerly it was chapter XII to the moneth wherein the Israelites came out of Egypt a little before our Easter and about our Vernal Equinoctial as it then stood This argues the Creation of the World to have been at that time when the Jewes yeare formerly began And the time of Noahs Flood to begin the 17 th day of the second month of that year Which year is known to commence its Beginning from the Autumnal Equinoctial as it then stood From whence even after this Change the year of Jubile and Sabbath-year and year for some Civil accompts did continue still to have and enjoy their former Beginnings as we see Levit. XXV 8 9 10. Exod. XXIII 11 16. and Ch. XXXIV 22. In the evening The Paschal Lamb is appointed here to be kill'd and eaten chapter XII verse 6 and so the Passeover to be kept at Even or as it is in the Hebrew at or between the two Evenings And so Num. IX 3. Lev. XXIII 5. And so kept by our Saviour at Even Matth. XXVI 20. Now the better to know the Even and two Evenings we must first know That the Artificial Day is divided from Sunne-rising to Sun-setting into twelve hours John XI 9. Matth. XX. 6 12. Acts II. 15. which hours are sometimes longer sometimes shorter as the course of the Sunne measures them And again that day seemes to have a division into three equal parts allotting four hours to each part Or into four equal parts allotting three hours to each part And so the first part is from their Sunne-rising to our ninth hour the second from our ninth to our twelfth or Noone and Mid-day the third from that to our three in the after-noone the fourth from that to Sun-setting And sometimes there is taken into the first of these the time from Day-light to Sun-rising And into the last of these the time from Sun-setting to night and darknesse as Matth. XVI 2. and XXVII 57. John XX. 19. And both these comprise the whole dayes Fasting 2 Sam. I. 12. Now the Even in Scripture is most properly and usually expressed and defined strictly by the Going down or Setting of the Sunne So in the purifying of the Unclean Levit. XXII 6 7. Deut. XXIII 11. And so in that case of the King of Ai Iosh. VIII 29. And of Ahab 2 Chron. XVIII 34. And of those five Kings in the Cave of Makkedah Iosh. X. 26 27. And so in Mark I. 32. And so it is expressely for the Passeover it self Deut. XVI 6. To which acceptation of the Even agrees that Psal. CIV 23. Mark XI 11 19. Luke XXIV 29. Acts IV. 3. and XXVIII 23. Yet in Scripture the Evening is sometimes taken in a larger extent and latitude for the latter part of the Day beginning from the declining of the Sunne at Mid-day or from the abating of the heat and force of it at our three in the after-noone As may be clearly gathered from Mat. XIV v. 15 23. Mark VI. 35 47. Luke IX 12. And as it is usual taken with us in our ordinary salutations Now at or between the two Evenings is mentioned as for the yearly Passeover so for the daily Evening Sacrifice Exod. XXIX 39. Num. XXVIII 4. And for the daily burning of Incense on the Incense-Altar And for the daily dressing and lighting of the Lamps in the Tabernacle Exod. XXX 8. So that in these four cases the meaning of the phrase seemes to be the same Noting out
one certain time and these two Evenings in the larger or stricter signification to be contiguous or continued rather to be that Communis terminus which couples the end of the day and the beginning of the night together or the two extremities of our Evening-tide whereof the former belongs to the end and shutting up of the natural day preceding and the later to the beginning of the night which leades on and ushers in the natural or civil day following as the first part of it So that this time is a participle of both or a Borderer betwixt both as the large Annotations fitly expresse it Two side-posts In this first Passeover each Head of a family served as a Priest verse 7 divers Rites were enjoyned which were not observed or required afterwards And the second moneth also allowed for it Num. IX 11 And other seven dayes 2 Chron. XXX 23. No maner of work On divers Feast-dayes of the Jewes it was not lawful for them to do any servile work verse 16 On others any kinde or maner of work save that which every man must eate But on the Sabbath day and so likely on the day of expiation that it self was unlawful or to kindle a fire on it Exod. XII 16. and Ch. XVI 5 23. and Ch. XXXV 2 3. And much more to do any maner of work upon it Neh. XIII v. 15 22. Jer. XVII 21 22. though for the making of the Tabernacle it self Exod. XXXI 11 12 13. or at any time in earing-time or harvest Exod. XXXIV 21. And that upon paine of death Exod. XXXV 2. For ever Many Legal Ceremonies verse 17 or Ordinances are enjoyned the Jewes to be observed throughout their generations for ever all which yet ended at the coming of Christ in the flesh And some such enjoyned in like termes yet ended in the year of Jubile Exod. XXI 6. Levit. XXV 40. Of this see more in the Observations on Deut. XV. 17. 430 years These do commence from the first Promise made to Abram verse 40 in Ur of the Chaldees whence 30 of the years are made up thus viz 5. in Haran 11 in Canaan when Ishmael was borne Gen XVI 3. And 14 years of Ishmaels age when Isaac was borne Gen. XVII 25. and Ch. XVIII 10. and XVI 16. and XXI 5. And the 400. begin from Isaacs birth as was shewed on Gen. XV. 13. By day in a Pillar of a cloud The Pillar of a cloud by day and of fire by night chapter XIII verse 21 may seem to be two Pillars Exod. XIII 21. 22. Nehem. IX 12 19. Num. XIV 14. Or rather seeme to be one Pillar Exod. XIV 19 20 24. Spread as a cloud by day to cover them from heat and gathered up into a Pillar of fire by night to guide them Out of which God spake unto them Psal. XCIX 7. Num. XII 5 10. Deut. XXXI 15. See the Annotations on Esay IV. 5. Migdol A strong City or Fort chapter XIV verse 2 situate in the territory of Bethshemesh in Egypt not farre from the Red-sea Num. XXXIII 7 8. Jer XLIV 1. Before the Testimony This command for Aaron to lay up the Pot of Manna before the Lord chapter XVI verse 34 was performed by him in laying it not before the Testimony not at this time of the Command here but after the Ark and two Tables of the Covenant were made Exod. XXXIII 29. and Ch. XXXVII 1 c. An Omer The Omer and Ephah here seeme quite altered in that Visionary New State of Israel chapter XVI verse 36 Ezek. XLV 11. Unlesse Gnomer and Chomer be two several measures which I rather incline unto and conceive the truth to be this That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exod. XVI 36. is the tenth part of an Ephah as is there set down whereunto accords that ver 16. it being the measure of the eating of Manna sufficient for a man by the day But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ezek. XLV containes ten Ephahs or Baths both being of the same measure v. 11. and 14. And hereunto accords that Esay V. 10. where one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the word is there written as it is in Ezek. XLV yeelds but one Ephah i. e. the tenth part of the seed it being a judgement of famine there denounced See also Levit. XXVII 16. And this may serve for the better explication of my Annotations upon that place of Ezekiel contained in the second Edition of the great Annotations printed 1651. Rock Rocks twice smitten chapter XVII verse 6 this Rock Exod. XVII 6. And that water going likely into the Red Sea and so failing them in the 32. Station at Ezion-gaber Upon their new murmuring another Rock was smitten 39 years after Num. 20. 1 13. And both called the waters of Meribah Went up Moses nine or ten times goes up to the Lord on Mount Sinai chapter XIX verse 3 See Exod. XIX 3 7 8 10 14 20 21 25. and Ch. XX. 21. and Ch. XXIV 3 12 13 15 18. and Ch. XXXII 7 15 30. and Ch. XXXIII 6 7 21. and Ch. XXXIV 2 29 34. Moses spake This speech verse 19 not mentioned what it was But seems to be that recorded Heb. XII 21. Priests So verse 22 v. 24. These Priests probably seeme to be the fathers of the families The young men Exod. XXIV 5. might possibly be of those Primogeniti or First-borne which God first challenged to himself within one quarter of a year before Exod. XIII 2. and Ch. XXII 29. And for them the Levites were taken in afterwards Num. III. 12 13 40 41 45. and Ch. VIII 18. Or else such as Moses pleased to imploy in slaying and dressing at least of these Sacrifices Called young men likely as those servants of the King of Assyria are called in the Original young men 2 King XIX 6. An Altar These Altars mentioned in this verse chapter XX verse 24 and v. 25 26. were allowed and appointed for the time much differing from those by appointment made when the Tabernacle and Temple were erected and builded Exod. XXVII 1 c. 2 Chron. IV. 1. Of Altars see more on Levit. XVII 3. In the seventh In the Seventh and Sabbatical year chapter XXI verse 2 beginning in September as the Iubile did The Book of the Law was to be read publikely and solemnly in the beginning of that year The Land was to rest from Culture Lendings vouchsafed to poor Hebrews and then due were to be released and intermitted if not clean remitted Luke VI. 35. Hebrew servants both men and women though bought if not redeemed before were to go out free if themselves would and that liberally furnished Exod. XXI 2 7. and XXIII 11 16. Levit. XXV 4 5 6 7 20 21 22. Deut. XV. 1 18. Jer. XXXIV 14. Who hath betrothed her to himself The Hebrew Text hath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying Not chapter XXI verse 8 and so runs thus Who hath not betroathed her But the Hebrew Criticks commonly called Masorets put for
the words a Nation meting out and treading down arrogating so much to themselves and acting accordingly the rivers have spoiled The forces of the King of Assyria say some thus should spoile the land of the Ethiopians The others understanding here the land of the Assyrians conceive it here to be thus described by the rivers and the abundance and violence of them and their streams in it All ye inhabitants Esay calls all the world to observe verse 3 how remarkable and conspicuous Gods judgements and the execution of them by the Assyrians should be upon the Ethiopians say some Gods judgements upon and against the Assyrians say others And accordingly they apply what is set down in the 4 5 and 6. verses following the one for the Assyrian executing the judgement upon the Ethiopian the other for God executing his judgement upon the Assyrian asserting to himself the defence and security of his owne people In that time A prophecie of the Conversion of the Ethiopians to Christ verse 7 in the dayes of the Messias Acts VIII 27 39. As most hold shall the present be brought By the Ethiopians a present of their spiritual services Others expound it a present of the prey of Sennacheribs armie chap. XXXIII 23. consecrated to Gods service and in way of Thanksgiving to him Jer. LI. 44. of Egypt Of Egypt see the Observations on Gen. chapter XIX verse 1 XII 10. Of this burden of Egypt see likewise Jer. XLIII 10. and XLIV 30. and XLVI 2 13. Ezek. XXIX and XXX and XXXI 2 18. and XXXII swift cloud Swiftnesse for expedition cloud in an extraordinary manner for clouds are not ordinarily seen in Egypt Psal. CIV 3. a cruel Lord and a fierce King Which some understand of Sennacherib verse 4 some of Nebuchadnezzar some rather of one of their own Kings as namely Psammetichus who had beene a pettie King of one of the two Provinces into which Egypt had beene divided after the death of Sethon who had beene King of the whole Countrey before But this Psammetichus at last overpowering the rest made himselfe Lord of all Egypt and was the father of Nechoh who slew the good King Josias 2 Kings XXIII 29. See Herodotus lib. 2. Diodor. lib. 1. And the waters shall faile from the Sea This may imply the impeaching of their trade and traffick by Sea verse 5 and the river shall be wasted Nilus upon which the wealth and felicitie of Egypt did depend The miseries which should ensue upon the wasting and drying up of it are set downe in the five verses following of Zoan See Num. verse 11 XIII 22. Psal. LXXVIII 12. Land of Judah shall be a terror Judah's overthrow shall fright Egypt verse 17 left the like befall them and their own turne come next In that day five Cities A gracious prediction of the conversion of Egypt to God verse 18 and his service which principaly hath reference to the dayes of the Messias So againe Jer. XLVI 26. see the like comfortable closes chap. VI. 13. and XVII 7. and XVIII 7. and XXIII 17 18. one shall be called the Citie of destruction Or of Heres Or of the Sunne See the Observations on Josh. XIX 38. at the border thereof Alluding to that verse 19 Josh. XXII 10 24 25 27. a Saviour and a Great one Principaly the Lord Jesus verse 20 Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians Both serve the Lord. verse 23 And Israel be the third All three serve the Lord ver 24 25. In the yeare chapter XX The time when this Prophecie was delivered chapter I that Tartan One of the three that Sennacherib sent to Ezekiah 2 Kings XVIII 17. came to Ashdod Of Ashdod see the Annotations on Amos III. 9. When Sargon Of him see the Observations on 2 Kings XV. 19. and took it Some say in the twelfth year of Ezekiah some in the fourteenth some in the fourth But most likely about the eight or ninth year of Ezekiah after Shalmanezers decease And the Egyptians and Ethiopians coming to the relief of Ashdod were by the Assyrians defeated and carried captives in such scornful and despiteful manner as is described ver 4. the sackcloth Not here a mourning weed verse 2 but such an upper garment made of course and hairy stuff as the Prophets ordinarily were wont to weare 2 King I. 8. Zech. XIII 4. Mat. III 4. naked Not stark naked But stript of his Prophetical mantle As 1 Sam. XIX 24. Joh. XXI 7. Mic. I. 8. Act. XIX 16. As captives are wont to be led three yeares And well might the siege of Ashdod continue three yeares verse 3 as well as that of Samariah most likely the Prophet went so three dayes so fourty dayes for fourty years Num. XIV 33 34. Ezek IV. 4 5 6. upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia Judgements denounced upon them before severally upon Ethiopia Chap. XVIII upon Egypt Chap. XIX Here now upon them joyntly so shall The explication of the signe verse 4 It shall be so at the end of three yeares from the beginning of the siege of Ashdod And they shall be afraid both the Ashdodites verse 5 and Jews that relied so much upon their aid Isle See the Observations on Gen. X. 6. verse 6 of the desert of the sea chapter XXI verse 1 Another Sermon and prophecie against Babylon And so there are many Sermons against the Assyrians and also against the Egyptians by this Prophet Babylon and Caldea is here called the desert of the sea a desert because a large desert or wide Wildernesse lay between Caldea and Media or it self should be made so by the judgements ensuing Or the word here used signifieth a Plaine and in a plaine Babylon was built Gen. XI 2. And called a sea because of the great river Euphrates on the banks whereof Babylon was built and because of the vast lakes made out of the river And hence is Babylon said to sit upon many waters Jer. LI. 13. and ver 36. I will dry up the sea As whirlwindes such shall the violent irruptions be of the Medes and Persians breaking into Chaldea The treacherous dealer hath now his match verse 2 is now paid in his own coine Or the treacherous dealer dealing treacherously which some apply to the Chaldeans some to the Medes and Persians and the spoyler spoyleth Some apply only these words to the Medes and Persians O Elam The Persian all the sighing Wherewith Babylon made my people sigh Therefore loines Spoken in the person of the Babylonians verse 3 The night of my pleasure Even in their sestival night was Babylon taken by Cyrus Dan. verse 4 5. 1 30. hath he turned Though it were done about 170. years after This is an usual Prophetick phrase Prepare the table Most likely K. Belshazzars words verse 5 for the Feast and for the Watch. arise ye Princes Cyrus and Darius set a watchman Gods word to the Prophet verse 6 And that as if God willed him to stand as on a watch-tower to see what he
of the Ark to be fully sufficient to hold whatsoever was required to be contained in it specially if we understand here where no kinde is nominated the sacred cubit V. 18. My Covenant For thy preservation Typifying our spiritual preservation and salvation by Christ from the deluge of Gods wrath 1 Pet 3. 21. Thou Eight in number 1 Pet. 3. 20. V. 19. Two of every sort Paires of every sort And here only the kindes are named the number in chap. 7. v. 2 3. V. 20. Shall come unto thee Of their own accord by my instinct not else so freely as ch 2. 19. V. 22. Thus did Noah By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with feare prepared an Ark to the saving of his house by the which he condemned the world and became heire of the righteousness which is by faith Heb. 11. 7. So Exod. 39. 43. and 40. 16. CHAP. VII Verse 1. ANd all thy house Thy children specified v. 13. No doubt but he had more of his family men-servants and maid-servants But they and the Shipwrights all drowned in this generation Called by St. Peter the world of the ungodly 2 Pet 2. 5. V. 2. Of every clean beast Here is the distinction of clean and unclean beasts and fowles in Noahs time and before even soon in all likelihood after the fall of man Long then before Moses time In Moses time the distinction of beasts and fowles clean and unclean for sacrifice was this that of all beasts only Beeves Sheep and Goats were counted clean for sacrifice and of Fowles only the turtle-Doves and Pigeons Levit. 1. And the Sparrow was used in the clensing of the Leper and Leprous house Levit. ch 14. 4 5. But for meat to the Jewes there was a further distinction of clean and unclean beasts fishes fowles and creeping things Lev. 11. The distinction here at the flood is not particularized and therefore we cannot be so certain but guesse only by Moses which were clean which unclean by sevens Not two sevens The use of the seventh is set down for sacrifice ch 8. 20. of other foure likely for meat and of the other two for preservation of seed as is here commanded concerning the unclean beasts and fowle Or more then two of the seven might be for the greater increase of those which were of most use and comfort to mankinde and the rest for present food and for sacrifice V. 10. Were Began to be V. 11. In the second moneth Bull about our October 1 Kings 6. 38. which is the eighth moneth of the yeare according to the Ecclesiastical account first commanded by God to the Jewes at his miraculous bringing of the children of Israel out of Egypt Exod. 12. 2. The civil account and the civil yeare even then and still after continuing with them the same beginning as it ever had from the beginning in the moneth Tizri or Ethanim about our September 1 Kings 8. 2. I can see no just cause why we should not follow the civil Account of the yeare here in Noahs time Though the other reckoning of the moneths be most followed in Scripture after the time of the change aforesaid 1 Kings 6. 1537 38. Nehem 2. 1. 6. 15. Esther 2. 16. 3. 7. 9. 15. Zach. 1. 7. 7. 1. V. 17. And the flood was fourty dayes c. It rained so long till the twenty seventh day of the third moneth Chisleu which is the nineth moneth according to the Ecclesiastical Account Zach. 7. 1. and falls in with or about the middle of our December and it prevailed upon the earth 150 dayes v. 24. V. 20. Fifteen cubits upward Above all the high hills that were under the whole Heaven whatsoever we heare true or fabulous by Writers or reports of the height of the hills of Olympus Atlas Athos Caucasus Pike in Tenerif or any other V. 22. Died But yet small charity to judge the Infants and all of them to be damned C ham in the Ark cursed and many out of it in the time of the lingring deluge might repent and be saved though not from the temporal death yet from that which is eternal V. 24. One hundred and fifty days Reckoning from the first day of the raine falling viz. seventeenth day of the second moneth to the seventeenth day of the seventh moneth whereon the Ark rested on the mountaines of Ararat ch 8. 4. are one hundred and fifty dayes Heathens in the deluge of Deucalion shew they had some inckling and hint of this sacred history CHAP. VIII Ver. 1. A Winde To asswage not inrage V. 4. Rested in the seventh moneth Called Nisan by the Chaldees and Abib by the Hebrewes answering to part of our March and April On the seventeenth day About the beginning of our April where ended the one hundred and fifty dayes mountaines of Ararat An hilly tract of land in Armenia the greater not far from the Caspian sea and near to Assyria and Mesopotamia 2 Kings 19. 37. Esay 37. 38. Jer. 51. 27. Some take these for the Gordean or Cordean mountaines Some for the hills of Taurus or Caucusus V. 5. In the tenth moneth on the first day Called Thamus answering the middle of our June beginning still the reckoning from September the beginning of their civil yeare Thus after seventy three dayes since the Ark first rested and two hundred twenty three dayes since the flood first began were the tops of the mountaines seen To determine the gradual abatements of the waters day by day is vain curiosity and foolish presumption upon uncertain grounds V. 6. At the end of fourty dayes After the mountaine-tops were first seen This makes up the number of two hundred sixty three dayes since the flood began and one hundred and thirteen days since the Ark first rested and falls on the eleventh day of their eleventh moneth called Ab and towards the end of our July and not as the great Annotators have it on this place on the eleventh day of the eleventh moneth called Sebat Zach. 1. 7. the same which we call January But to reckon thus were to reckon the yeare according to the Ecclesiastical Account contrary to their own minde set down in their Annotations upon the fourth verse of this same chapter V. 8. A Dove seven dayes after the Raven v. 10. on the eighteenth day of their eleventh moneth about the beginning of our August The sending out of the Dove is mentioned in Dcucalions history V. 9. Found no rest Though the tops of the mountaines were seen fourty seven dayes before V. 10. And again he sent On the twenty fifth of their eleventh moneth called by some Ab about the tenth of our August V. 11. In the evening Spending the day abroad pluck't off Not floating on the waters so now growing trees were discovered The Dove found a place of rest to her feet but not yet food fit for her V. 12. Yet other seven dayes On the second day of the twelfth moneth called Elul
ch 19. 1. stood yet before the Lord Jehovah This Abraham now knew V. 23. Drew near A signe and fruit of saith in prayer Heb. 7. 19. 10. 22. V. 24. Within the City Implying the like for the other three Cities V. 25. That be far from thee That the righteous should be as the wicked taken away in justice wrath and vengeance as the wicked Sodomites here were though in publick calamities they are sometimes taken away as the wheat is thrashed with the chaffe yet it is in mercy to them V. 32. Ten Jer. 5. 1. God offers mercy if there were but one Esay 65. 8. sometimes again he forbids his Prophets to pray for such Jer 15. 1. Ezech. 14. 14. CHAP. XIX Verse 1. TWo Angels Two of the three chap. 18. 2 22. in the gate As Abraham in the tent door ch 18. 1. Both entertain Angels at unawares Heb. 13. 2. V. 2. Behold now Now that the night is come on Nay To try his affection and haply they would have done so otherwise to see the behaviour of the people and their carriage ch 18. 21. V. 3. They turned in Upon his pressing of them A sleight invitation may be seriously refused and yet that which is pressing be accepted afterwards so Luke 24. 28 29. and this without Popish equivocation or mental reservation unleavened For haste And so unleavened is to be understood ch 18. 6. See Exod. 12. 39. V. 4. But before they lay down Likely the rare beauty of the two men Angels being soon noted and spread abroad occasioned this all the people So vile were they all V. 5. called unto Lot Esay 3. 9. proclaim their sin impudence know them Hence that sin is called Sodomy or Sodometry as from Simon is the name Simony Acts 8. 18. Jude v. 7. Rom. 1. 23 to 27. V. 7. Brethren In nature Act. 17. 26. Esay 58 7 Gen. 29. 4. 1 Sam. 30. 22 23. And in neighbourhood V. 8. Two daughters Virgins yet betrothed v. 14. This sinful in Lot Rom. 3. 8. Neither had he such power over his daughters nor ought they to have yielded to him herein Haply he might think and hope by this strange offer to take off their mindes qualifie their present heat by some delayes and alter them from their whole purpose by degrees As Reuben sought by his strange offer Gen. 42. 37. to alter his fathers minde and so indeed brought him at last to let Benjamin go with them chap. 43. 9 10. V. 9 Stand further Spoken in disdain as Esay 65. 5. needs be a Judge Now and heretofore 2 Pet. 7. 8. pressed sore To impudence they joyne violence as Judg. 19. 22. 20. 5. Their other sins are mentioned elsewhere as Ezech. 16. 49. V. 11. With blindnesse Such as they could not see the door though likely the house and the way to their owne houses so dazled such a blindnesse likely as that of those Aramites 2 Kings 6. 18. which could see to follow the Prophet though they could not distinctly discern who he was nor the way they went nor the City whereto they came v. 20. Mar. 8. 24. Luke 24. 16. wearied themselves Infinite impudence in sin V. 14. Which married Shortly should being about to marry them and already betrothed Deut. 22. v. 23 24. Mat. 1. 18 20 23 24 25. V. 15. Which are here Possibly he had other daughters which were married and were dead or else refused and perished with their husbands But this not so likely V. 16. Laid hold John 6. 44. V. 17. That he said Jehovah most likely by the passages in the ensuing verses He had now left Abraham met them and made himself known to Lot Look not Thou or any in thy company v. 26. Luke 17. 22. See Luke 9. 62. Mat. 24. 16 17 18. Phil. 3. 13 14. V. 19. I cannot escape to the mountain In so hasty a flight make so long a journey lest ere I get thither the judgement poured out should overtake me His infirmity of faith and fearfulnesse out of which he left Zoar also v. 30. V. 22. I cannot Mar. 6. 5. Exod. 32. 10. Deut. 9. 14. Gen. 32. 26. Zoar Little before Bela ch 14. 2. V. 23. The Sun was risen Hasty flight from break of day v. 15. to Sun-rising and speedy execution of justice V. 24. Then the Lord Jehovah from Jehovah Suites well with a plurality of persons in the unity of the Deity brimstone and fire Luke 17. 28 29 30. Fit judgement for their stinking burning lusts and fire unnaturally descending to punish their unnatural lusts And this but a forerunner of their everlasting punishment in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone for ever Rev. 21. 8. Jude v 7. V 25. Overthrew these Cities Deut. 29. 23 Esay 13 19. Jer. 50. 40. Amos 4. 11. V. 26. From behinde him Either Lot going before and she following behinde him looked back or Lot coming hindmost to haste them forward she looked back behinde and beyond him a pillar of salt A statue of salt not such salt as will melt with raine and turne into water but a kinde of rockie mineral salt which will endure all weathers and serve for a lasting monument Numb 18. 19 2 Chron 13. 5. This place of this Plaine is called the salt sea ch 14. 3. Salt to season us with better wisdome Luke 17. 32. 9. 62. V. 27. Stood Ch. 18. 22. V. 28. The smoak Before it was as the Garden of the Lord ch 13. 10. but now fearfully destroyed Psal. 107. 34. V. 29. Remembred Abraham Ch. 12. 1. 14. 14. 16. 18. 23 c. yet this excludes not a regard had to the righteousnesse of Lot 2 Pet. 2. 7 8. V. 30. In the mountain Whare the Lord appointed him first v. 17. so now he findes it had been best to have followed Gods Will at the first feared to dwell in Zoar and he dwelt in a cave Weaknesse of faith and other causes might occasion this feare two daughters Maidens v. 8. V. 31. In the earth She knew there were people in Zoar and saw the judgement to be particular not universal over the earth or Canaan and that Abraham and his family were not far off But she complaines as for the present mured up in a cave and in this solitary life without society of any but themselves like to be deprived of all hope of marriage and this feare and passion blinding her drives her to this desperate damnable course V. 32. Wine Which they had brought from Zoâ—r conceiving that unlesse drunk he would never sin so foully perceived not Drunkennesse drownes all understanding sense and conscience He did prostitute their chastity v. 8. They overthrow his This just as from God though evil in them He righteous in Sodom and almost Sodomitical here seed of our father They seem to be greedy of having children of their own kin and not of the faithlesse and cursed Nations And by giving the names of Moah and Ben-ammi v. 37 38. even to boast of
of birth or Circumcision V. 9. Mocking Laughing to scorne mocking him as their young Master and he that must forsooth be heire of all And likely his mother Hagar had some hand in it as being not free from an envious eye and repining at the jollity of this feast and therefore she is cast out too So ch 19. 14. Ezech. 23. 32. Nehem. 2. 19. 4. 1. This mocking here was in some malignant bitter way which so highly incensed Sarahs wrath St. Paul calls it a persecution Gal. 4. 29. So C ham his mothers Progenitor derided his own father ch 9. 22. V. 10. She said By the Spirit of God and God confirmes it v. 12. And Paul saith not that Sarah but the Scripture speaks it Gal. 4. 30. Her saying was not only passionate but prophetical this bondwoman and her sonne Gal. 4. 22 23 24 25 30 31. not be heire Under this inheritance Heaven was figured Gal. 3. 18 29. V. 12. And God said By night v. 14. God approves Sarahs minde and Will it was not then only her passion that ruled her the lad Ishmael was now about seventeen or eighteen years old chap. 17. 24. 25. 21. 5. in Isaac shall thy seed be called And not from Ishmael The promised seed and spiritual prerogatives shall be entailed upon him Rom. 9. 7 8. V. 14. Bottle of water Scant in those dry deserts and the childe See Annot. on v. 12 wandered Lost her way in those deserts towards Egypt of Beersheba So first called v. 31. V. 15. Cast the childe Being sick and fainting for thirst V. 16 The death Such extremity they were come unto in the wildernesse V. 17. And God heard In accomplishment of his Promises ch 16. 10 12. 17. 20. where he is Though he be cast out of his fathers house and here in such misery V. 18. And â—old him in thy hand Not lay him on thy back V. 19. Opened her eyes Withheld before from seeing it by grief or some other reason or as it was with the two disciples going to Emmaus Luke 34. 16 31. and Elishaes servant and the Aramites 2 Kings 6. 17 18 20. V. 20. Dwelt in the wildernesse Ch. 16. 12. archer And so a Warriour shooting with the bowe being used in war ch 48. 22. 49. 23 24. Psal 44. 6. Josh. 24. 12. 2 Sam. 1. 22. 1 Kings 22. 34. V. 21. Paran Nigh to Sinai through which the Israelites went Numb 10. 12. A part of thâ—t wildernesse is called Kedar from one of Ishmaels sons of that name ch 25. 13. Ps. 83. 6. his mother The mothers right in marrying her childe she chose an Egyptian as her self was one V. 22. At that time While Abraham dwelt at Gerar ch 20. 1. and after Isaacs weaning that Abimelech Ch. 20. 2. V. 23. If thou shalt lie unto me Gen. 14. 23. An imperfect speech implying an imprecation if he should deal deceitfully with him For an oath calls God both as a witnesse of the truth and an avenger of the untruth This imprecation is sometimes expressed as Ruth 1. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 23. V. 24. I will swear Heâ— 6. 16. Abrahams right to the land of Canaan was but for the future after foure generations ch 15. 13 16. V. 25. A Well of water Of great use in that dry Southerne part of Canaan And therefore such strife about them v. 30. ch 26. 15 18 19 20 21 22 2â— 32. V. 27. And Abraham took sheep Likely gifts were in use at the making of Covenants Or he did it in requital of Abimelechs gifts ch 20. 14. V. 30. That they may be a witnesse To prevent future controversie about this Well v. 25. so an heap of stones is made a witnesse ch 31. 46 48. V. 31. Beersheba The Well of the oath or of seven with relation to the seven lambes It was afterward in the Southerne part of the lot of the tribe of Judah toward the coast of Edom Josh. 15. 21 28. 1 Xings 19. 3. Nehem. 11. 25 27. yet seemes to be allowed to the tribe of Simeon which was within the inheritance of the tribe of Judah Josh. 19. 1. 2. 1. ch 4. 24 28. It is oft opposed to Dan as to the Northerne part of Canaan There is a Well Wildernesse and City of this name all joyning together As Abraham dwelt here and made this Covenant and digged this Well so after Isaac dwells there makes a Covenant and digs again the Well and renewes the name chap. 26. 23 33. And Jacob dwelling there with his father went thence to Laban in Haran and going into Egypt with all his family comes thither there sacrificeth and hath a vision And yet at last in the dayes of King Uzziah or sooner it became a seat of some solemn idolatry Amos 8. 14. 5. 5. V. 32. a Covenant Such Covenants lawful with Heathens and Idolaters so ch 31. 44. V. 33. Grove Of Oakes as intending long to dwell here Abraham dwelt under the shadow of trees in the Plaine of Mamre ch 18. 4 8. Here it seems he intends it for a religious use for the place of prayer and exercise of Gods Worship as not being a thing yet forbidden But after in Moses time when God had chosen a place of Worship God strictly forbids this not to planâ— a grove of any trees near the Altar of the Lord and commands such groves to be cut down and threatens grievously such offenders yet hardly were Gods people kept from this sin and idolatry but they planted groves placed their idols served them even as the Canaanites and other Heathens did Deut. 12. 2. Thus it was in the times of the Judges ch 3. 7. In the times of the Kings of Israel throughout 2 Kings 17. 16. specially in the reignes of Joroboam 1 Kings 14. 15 and of Ahab whose Queen Jezabel had foure hundred Prophets of the groves that did eare meat at her table yea and in the reignes of some Kings of Judah specially of Ahaz and Manassâ—h But the godly Kings of Judah cut them down pluck't them up or burnt them as Jehoshaphat Hezekiah and Josiah And Asa put down his Grandmother Maachah from being Queen because she had made an idol in a grove V. 34. Many dayes Till Isaac was offered ch 22. 19. And how long after we know not CHAP. XXII Verse 1. AFter these things How long a time it is not certain But that Isaac was then able to bear the wood of the burnt-offering v 6. I know not why any can fix it upon the thirty third yeare of Isaacs age God did tempt Abraham Not by seeking to seduce him to evil so God tempts no man Jam. 1. 13. But so our own lusts and Satan do Jam. 1. 14. 1 Cor. 7. 5. who is therefore called the Tempter Mat. 4. 3. 1 Thes. 3. 5. God doth it to try by experiment what is in man what faith in Gods Promises what obedience to his Will as men sometimes use to make experiments of the faithfulnesse of their friends Not yet
11 12 17 18 26. and Ch. XIV 22 26. And this second Tythe seems every third year to be distributed to the poor Or rather a third Tythe every third year not carried to Jerusalem and eaten there But gathered for these charitable uses onely and to be eaten any where throughout the Land Deut. XIV 28 29. and XXVI 12 13. And this third year is therefore called the year of Tything Deut. XXVI 12. Amos IV. 4. Of Tythes see more 2 Chron. XXXI 4 19. Nehem. X. 32 39. and XII 44 47. and XIII 5 12 13. Mal. III. 8 10. Luke XI 42. and XVIII 12. Heb. VII 2 9. The great maintenance of the Levites appears in that the whole Tribe of Levi being three or four times lesse in number then any other Tribe yet had they distinguished from all the Priests the Tythes of all the Tribes and so more then any one other Tribe Besides their thirty five Cities and Suburbs whereof five were Cities of Refuge Josh. XXI one belonging to the Kohathites Levites two to the Gershonites and two to the Merarites In all twice at least more Cities then some other Tribes had that were twice their number See also that Num. XXXI 30 47. The greater maintenance of the Priests appears in that being but three persons at first at least of ripe and mature age yet they had the Tythes yearly of all the Levites Tythes which were at first 8580 of thirty years old and upwards and so about the hundred part of all the fruits and increase of all Israel And as the numbers of the Priests multiplied afterwards so did in all probability the number of the other Tribes They had also all the First-fruits of all things from all persons throughout the twelve Tribes even of their doughs and bakings Deut. XVIII 4. Num. XV. 20 21. which as some think exceeded their Tythes aforesaid They had also all the First-borne of Oxen Sheep and Goats which were given to them in kinde And the Redemption money of the First-borne of Men and of unclean Beasts and cattell Num. III. 46 52. Exod. XXXIV 19. 20 and Ch. XXII 29 30. Deut. XV. 19. They had also all Oblations both Voluntary and by Vow And the Redemption of Things and of Persons Devoted to God And all Sacrifices for Sinnes and for Trespasses and the Meat and Drink Offerings and Heave-offerings And the Breast and Shoulder in Peace-offerings Deut. XVIII 3. And the Skins of the whole Burnt-offerings And all their Tythes First-fruits and Oblations were to be of the best and choisest sorts Num. XVIII 12 29. Besides these they had thirteen Cities and Suburbs and Priviledges belonging to them whereof one was a City of Refuge Josh XXI 13. See Num. XVIII 8 19. And that also Num. XXXI 28 29 37 38 39 40 50. Levit. X. 12 13 14 15. and Ch. XXVII 21 28. See the Annotations on Num. XVIII 29. Rock At Rephidim by Mount Sinai chapter XX verse 8. 13. Exod. XVII 1 7. being the eleventh Station of the Israelites Num. XXXIII 14. Moses with his miraculous Rod struck the Rock in Horeb in a due obedience to Gods commandment and waters came forth And he named the place Massah and Meribah Exod. XVII 5 6 7. But at Kadesh in the Wildernesse of Zin where Miriam died being the thirty third Station Num. XXXIII 36. Moses with Aarons miraculous Rod for he took it from before the Lord as he commanded him having his spirit provoked by the rebellious people smiles the Rock twice without any such command or commission to smite at all And he and Aaron likewise speak unadvisedly with their lips uttering words of passion and incredulity and so rebelling against Gods commandment And thereupon they not sanctifying the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel He was sanctified in them by his excluding them from entrance into the Land of Canaan And this also is called the water of Meribah or Strife as here so Ch. XXVII 14. Psal. CVI. 32 33. Aaron Aaron chapter XX verse 28 whose name may seem to signifie an Ark or Chest dies seven moneths and seven dayes before Moses at Mount Hor the Place called Mosera Deut. X 6. in the thirty fourth Station For Aaron dying in the fourtieth year fifth moneth first day Num. XXXIII 38. And that compared with the moneths mourning for Moses Deut. XXXIV 8. and three dayes preparation to passe over Jordan Josh. I. 1. and Ch. III. 2. And their coming out of Jordan on the first moneth tenth day Josh. IV. 19. Do shew that Moses died in the twelfth moneth seventh day And so seven moneths and seven dayes after Aaron In which short interval of time many and mighty things were done and atchieved as among other things Sihon and Og and their Kingdomes conquered the Midianites almost destroyed among whom Balaam was slaine Josh. XIII 22. and the book of Deuteronomie written Num. XXI and XXXI Deut. I. 1 3. Fiery Serpents onely in the later part of the fourtieth year chapter XXI verse 6 after Aarons death Heshbon Heshbon a chief City in Moab verse 26 afterwards of Sihon King of the Amorites Deut. I. 4. afterwards of Gad and out of that Tribe given to the Merarites Josh. XIII 26. and XXI 38 39 40. 1 Chron. VI. 80 81. Afterwards recovered by the Moabites and wasted by Shalmanesar Esay XV. 4. and XVI 8 9. and after by the Babylonians Jer. XLVIII 45. There may seeme to be another Heshbon of the Ammonites Jer. XLIX 2 3. And one in the Tribe of Reuben Num. XXXII 37. Josh. XIII 15 17. Heshbon signifies Devises And an allusion is made to the name Jer. XLVIII 2. in the judgement there denounced against it like to this is English There is mischief devised against the Devises the name of a town with us Balak Balak needed not to have hired Balaam chapter XXII verse 2 and feared Israel Num. XXII and XXIII and XXIV if he had known the prohibition of God to Israel Deut. II. 9. which they obeyed Judg. II. 15 17 18 25. 2 Chron. XX. 10. Yet that part which was great of the Lands of Moab which Sihon had lately conquered from Vehab King of Moab as Tremelius translates Num. XXI 26. the Israelites conquering Sihon in that right possessed it Num. XXXIII 49. Deut. I. 5. and XXXIV 1 5 6 8. and it was given to the Reubenites and Gadites Josh. XIII Unicorne So Deut. chapter XXIII verse 22 XXXIII 17. Job XXXIX 9 10. Psal. XXII 21. and XXIX 6. and XCII 10. Esay XXXIV 7. Yet the translation of the word is doubted of or at least the nature of the beast such as the Pensil of our Painters doth portray out unto us because no such beast was known or seen by any man And the Unicornes horne so deemed is of some strange Fish not of any known Beast Some learned render the word Bufale or Buff or else the wild Oxe called by the Latines Urus eminent for bignesse strength hornes and untamable fiercenesse
and Bathshebah are mentioned Now there being four hundred and eighty years from the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Building of the Temple in the fourth year of Solomon 1 Kings VI. 1. whereof fourty years were spent in the wildernesse and seventy in Davids life time 2 Sam. V. 4. and four in Solomons reigne The Remaining time between Rahabs receiving the Spies and Davids Birth must be 366. which may and must be made up in some such reckoning as this viz. Supposing Rahab to be eighteen years old when she received the Spies and sixty six when she did bear Boaz to Salmon then of necessity must Boaz beget Obed and Obed beget Iesse and Iesse beget David each about the age of 106. Which well considered evidenceth and evinceth these two things 1. That the years of the six Oppressors in the times of the Judges Ch. III. 8 14. and IV. 3. and VI. 1. and X. 8. and XIII 1. which amount to 111. years cannot be reckoned distinct and apart But are to be included within the years of the Judges and of the Rest of the Land For otherwise the years between Rahabs receiving the two Spies and Davids birth would rise to 477. which cannot be true And secondly that the years 480. which is that famous Link of time 1 King VI. 1. cannot possibly be forced to any more then 480. much lesse to 580. as some learned men of late would have it and contrary to that sacred text 1 King VI. 1. which never received any veriâ—â—s Lection and contrary to the clear evidence and notation of paâ—â—â—cular times set down in Scripture which exacty make up that summe of 480. as was now shewed viz. fourty in the Wildernesse seventeen in Ioshuah's Government 299. in the Judges times eighty in Eli Samuel and Sauls times fourty in Davids and four in Solomons Ark The Ark here leads the way before the hoast chapter III verse 3 into Iordan and Canaan without any more mention of the Pillar of Cloud and Fire Two thousand Cubits The distance of two thousand Cubits from the Ark verse 4 Josh. III. 4. was on either side of it and seemes to be the same distance that was kept from it in their Campings or Pitchings and in their Journeyings in the Wildernesse And may well be deemed to be the Sabbath-dayes journey mentioned Acts I. 12. Comparing together John XI 18. and Luke XXIV 50. Rose up upon an heap When the Israelites passed through Jordan verse 16 the waters were not as a wall unto them on the right hand and on the left as likely they were when Elias and Elizeus divided them with a mantle 2 King II. 8 14. And as certainly the waters of the red-red-sea were Exod. 14. 21 22. But God stopped the waters of the river that came down from above and they stood and rose upon an heap very farre from the City Adam And thereupon those waters that came down from Adam to the Salt and Dead Sea and Lake of Sodom and Asphaltites did run away failed were cut off Midst The often mentioning the midst of the river of Iordan to be the place where the Priests feet stood bearing the Ark of the Lord verse 17 the place where twelve stones were erected and the place whence twelve stones were taken to be set up in Gilgal Iosh. III. 17. and IV. 3 5 8 9 10 18. doth induce me to take the word midst in its proper signification having no maner of inconvenience in it for so doing rather then to transferre it to the Channel close by the further side and banck Passed over The place of their passage over Jordan chapter IV verse 1 may seeme to be called afterwards Beth-barah in the Tribe of Reuben beyond Jordan Judg. VII 24. And Bethabara John I. 28. not Bethania as the Trent-Bible erroneously there hath it where John baptized Jesus as well as others And Betharabah seemes to be a City not farre from the Passage on the other side a City of Benjamin bordering upon Judah Josh. XV. 6. 61. and XVIII 22. Though some not so rightly place the foresaid town higher upon the river more then twenty miles above Adam and farre off from the border of Judah At this Passage the Altar Ed seemes to be builded in the Tribe of Reuben Josh. XXII 11. Twelve men Reuben verse 2 and Gad are here included in the twelve though their Possessions were beyond Iordan And of these two Tribes and half Manasseh about fourty thousand armed men passed over Iordan to the warre ver 13. which were yet but a few more then one third part of their military men Num. XXVI 7 18 34. The rest stayed behinde for their many necessary occasions Came up They came over Iordan verse 19 on the tenth day of the first moneth were Circumcised the eleventh And did eate the Passeover on the fourteenth Ch. V. 2 10. Both which were omitted in the wildernesse at least since the Returne of the twelve Spies and after that Passeover at Mount Sinai Num. IX 5. See Iosh. V. 5 7. And on the XVI day Manna ceased ver 12. The second time Not that these were Circumcised once before chapter V verse 2 See ver 7. It was neglected or omitted many years for some reasons And at this time upon many reasons renewed and again injoyned by God See the Annotations upon this text Gilgal Of this place verse 9 see the Annotations on Hos. IV. 15. A man This Captain of the Lords hoast verse 13 was not Gabriel or any other created Angel but Michael the Archangel Iude 9. Michael the great Prince of Gods people Dan. X. 21. and XII 1. the Angel of the Covenant Mal. III. 1. Christ the Sonne of God Appearing here and sundry other times in the shape of man as a foregoing presage and prologue to typifie his future Incarnation And this appeareth by Ioshua's Adoration of him as his Lord Jehovah Ch. VI. 2. and by His acceptance of it which an Angel would have refused Apoc. XIX 10. by his Commanding Joshua to put off his shoes because the place was holy like to that Exod. III. 5. Not that the Place was capable of any inherent holinesse in it self but hallowed by Gods holy presence in it and in that relation onely so esteemed and which ceased so to be when his Presence was withdrawn from it This Captain instructs Joshua about the maner of besieging and conquering Jericho Ch. VI. 2 5. Seventh day chapter VI The Sabbath-day must needs be one of the seven wherein the Camp of Israel did march round about the walls of Jericho verse 4 if not the seventh wherein they compassed the Citie seven times and took it And this by the command of him who is the Sovereigne Lord of the Sabbath Priests shall blow with the Trumpets Priests not Levites And Priests not Levites carry the Ark. See the Observations on Num. X. 8. and on Ch. VII v. 1 9. Achan Achan is called also Achar chapter VII
VII 8. 13 and of Saul slaine by them This deliverance was not perfected till Davids dayes Drink no Wine The mother is thus forbidden verse 7 ver 14. Likely because the infant was to receive hutriment and suck from her If the Lord A good plea and comfort verse 23 And a good example for our imitation to comfort us in sundry cases and conditions Sampson Sampson's Birth hath relation to that verse 24 Ch. X. 7. where the Philistines are mentioned before the Ammonites And he began to deliver Israel being young and died about fourty To move him Inspire him with magnanimous verse 25 heroical thoughts and indow him with miraculous strength Timnath In the Tribe of Dan chapter XIV verse 1 East from Ekron of the Philistines Here Sampson intended to have his first wife And Judah had his sheep-shearing Gen. XXXVIII 12. This Citie was given to the Tribe of Judah Josh. XV. 57. And after out of that Tribe to Dan Josh. XIX 43. But the Philistines most what possessed it And in the dayes of wicked Ahaz we read that they took it from him 2 Chron XXVIII 18. Some make this in Dan and that in Judah to be divers Cities Sampson Sampson by extraordinary motion of the Lord the lawfull Dispenser with his own Law seeks a marriage though a Nazarite with a Philistine had thirty of the Philistines brought as companions to be with him at the nuptial feast to honour him in shew but more in jealousie and fear of him seeing and noting some things extraordinary in his person His wife weeping before him the seven dayes while the Feast lasted but more after the third day and most upon the seventh and last day he expounds his Riddle to her and she to the companions He performes what he had promised thereupon And in anger for their fraud and her treachery he went away leaving them and her too behinde him Foxes The Lanâ— was full of them chapter XV verse 4 And besides his own art and industry by sundry meanes to take them he was not debarred the help of others and above all Gods providence eoncurring therein Hip Sampson hip and thigh verse 8 pell-mell haply with his leg and foot onely slew the Philistines with a great slaughter And afterwards slaying one thousand of them with Lehi that is the jaw-bone of an Asse upon that occasion he called the place jaw-bone or Lehi And at his prayer had a Well of water which he therefore calls En-hakkore springing in that place of Lehi to revive his spiri being near dead with thirst Rock Etam We read of a Citie of that name 1 Chron. IV. 32. Called also Ethar Josh XIX 7. in the Tribe of Simeon as it joynes to the Tribe of Dan and Judah in the North-East corner of Simeon and not very far from Zorah in the South-East corner of Dan where Sampson was borne ver 2. not meaning that Dan or that so farre distinct portion of Dan that lay in the North-bounds of the Land of Canaan Of Judah Iudah joyning to Dan verse 11 on the East-side of it Twenty years These twenty years verse 20 in the just computation of the times do fall in with the former half of Eli his fourty 1 Sam. IV. 18. Gaza See the Annotations on Amos I. chapter XVI 6. Harlot Sampsons sinne yet upon repentance pardoned and he registred among those Worthies Heb. XI 32. Took the doores His strength came up to a miracle verse 3 Before Hebron Not so farre as Hebron Of Hebron see the Observations on Gen. XXIII 2. Sorek The river or torrent of this name divides Dan verse 4 and Simeon Delilah The chief Passages of this part of the History are these That Delilah had a very great summe payed in hand for betraying of Sampson ver 5 18. whose strength yet lay not in his haire in the having of it or in the growing of it again the haire being but a ceremonial signe of it But in Gods presence with him And so his weaknesse not in the losing of his haire which here he lost unwittingly and unwillingly But in the Lords departing from him for his sinnes ver 20. The shaver might easily have cut his throat being asleep But Gods Providence was in and over all And blinde Sampson coming at last to see his sinnes and repent And being brought into the magnificent house and Idol-temple containing about three thousand persons spectators upon the roof of it verily a wondrous building is moved by an extraordinary instinct of Gods Spirit in his last act not to murder himself but to undervalue his own life so as he might therewithal as a Judge and publike person execute Gods mighty vengeance upon his own and Gods peoples enemies and oppressors ver 30. wherein many make him a Type of Christs victorious conquest over our spiritual enemies at and by his death Or at least do take an occasion to use an Allusion from the one to the other Dagon Dagon seemes to have his name from Dag verse 23 signifying a Fish in Hebrew And was portraied in the likenesse of a Fish from the middle downward and of a man from the middle upward 1 Sam. V. 4. A sea-Idol worshipped by them of Gaza and the Philistines that dwelt on the sea-coast as the Heathens did their Neptune or Triton And the Idolaters do here ascribe it to this Idol their god that he delivered Sampson into their hand and therefore offer a great sacrifice to him In his most stately Temple they fastened the head of King Saul 1 Chron. X. 10. And at Ashdod by Dagon in the house of Dagon for he had many Temples they placed the Arke of God 1 Sam. V. 2. Of this again you may see more in the Observations upon that text 1 Sam. V. 2. These five last Chapters of Iudges containe Histories of things done soone after the death of Ioshua chapter XVII and those Elders that out-lived him chapter XVIII Iudg. chapter XIX XX. XXI II. 7. soone after the Idolatry and Apostasie of the People mentioned Ch. II. 11 12 in the times if not before the times of all the Judges whose times and Histories are recorded Ch. III. and along to the XVII Chapter without any interruption And this appears by very many Passages in these five last Chapters Cursedst So Prov. chapter XVII verse 2 XXIX 24. That is didst adjure with an execration if an answer were not made in truth and fidelity Thus 1 King VIII 31. Levit. V. 1. Num. V. 21. And so it is expounded 1 Thes. V. 27. And so put to our Saviour Matth. XXVI 63. And so used 1 Sam. XIV 24. 2 Chron. XVIII 15. Neh. XIII 25. The Lord Micha's mother dedicated this silver to the Lord Jehovah verse 3 to make both a graven and a moulten Image Ch. XVIII 18. to worship Jehovah in and by them and not any false god For in this point of the Object or Thing worshipped the Idolatries of the Jewes and of the Heathens most what differed See
in the Ark and Dedication of the Temple and Solomons sacrifices and his solemne Prayer upon his brazen scaffold might then and thereby become the greater and more illustrious 1 King VIII 1 66. 2 Chron. V. and VI. and VII chapters It began the seventh or eighth day of that moneth for on the fifteenth day began the Feast of Tabernacles And in relation to these two Feasts are those fourteen dayes mentioned 1 King VIII 65. 2 Chron. VII ver 8 9. And on the twenty third day of that moneth the people were dismissed 2 Chron. VII 10. the eighth day of the later Feast 1 King VIII 66. House of the Forrest of Lebanon This was built in Jerusalem chapter VII verse 2 See ver 6 7 8. His dwelling House and Throne not farre from it and golden shields in it 1 King X. 16 17. And there seazed on by the King of Egypt 2 Chron. XII 9 10. It seemes so called as being a kinde of abridgement of that famous Forrest afarre off from Jerusalem and containing in it and in the Groves and Gardens about it all the delights and pleasures of that Forest in solitary walks sweet smels musick of birds and sight of wilde-beasts c. See my Annotations on Zech. XI 1. where conceiving this House to be built in that Forest not in Jerusalem upon further consideration I think good to retract that opinion here Two thousand Baths Bath the measure of Liquid things verse 26 as Epha of Dry Both of the same capacity This Sea had ordinarily put into it two thousand Baths or five hundred Barrels reckoning eight gallons to the Bath and four Baths to the Barrel But this Sea being filled up to the brim it might containe three thousand Baths 2 Chron. IV. 5. or seven hundred and fifty Barrels with water drawn out of it by Cocks or otherwayes the Priests washed c. Ten Lavers But one in the Tabernacle verse 38 Exod. XXX 18. Here are ten Lavers besides the Sea And so of the Candlesticks and Tables there were ten in the Temple to one in the Tabernacle 1 King VII 49. 2 Chron. IV. 8. Each Laver contained fourty Baths Bowles of pure Gold Of Gold belonging to the Altar of Incense verse 50 1 Chron. XXVIII 17. Some of Silver 1 Chron. XXVIII 16. And as those given by the twelve Princes Num. VII 13 85. Some of Brasse for the Brazen Altar Exod. XXXVIII 3 Num. IV. 14. 1 King VII 45. And for the Vessels of the Temple See on Jer. LII 17 23. Pleased him not King Hiram chapter IX verse 12 though displeased with the twenty Cities given him by Solomon in the Land of Galilee yet pleaseth to restore them to him in love 2 Chron. VIII 2. A tribute of bond-service These here mentioned verse 21 and their posterity seeme to be called Solomons servants Ezra II. 55 58. Neh. VII 57 60. and XI 3. Gold from Ophir So gold from Uphaz chapter X verse 11 Jer. X. 9. and Gold of Ophir Psal. XLV 9. and Gold of Uphaz Dan. X. 5. and Gold of Sheba Ps. LXXII 15. and Gold of Parvaim 2 Chron. III. 6. And these are taken for the finest Gold 1 King X. 18. compared with 2 Chron. IX 17. Job XXII 24. But whether these places be Peru in America or Fez in Africa or Sumatra or Taprobane or in Arabia or elsewhere according to our moderne names is in these dayes altogether doubtful Tarshish The name of one of the sonnes of Javan verse 22 Gen. X. 4. whose posterity as some imagine planted in that part of Spaine where a Citie and Region adjacent thence took the denomination of Tartesus and Tartesia afterwards Or rather as others conceive they seated themselves in Cilicia and gave this name of Tarshish as to the whole Region so specially to the chief City and Port-towne there afterwards called Tarsus the place of Pauls birth Acts XXI 39. and XXII 3. And that thence the Midland Sea which bordered upon that port and territorie was called Tarshish and the ships either belonging to that Port or trading to and fro in that Sea were thence called ships of Tarshish Esay II. 16. yea sometimes Tarshish seemes to denote the Arabian and Persian Gulphs the Ocean either Westerne or Easterne Ezek. XXVII 12. or any great Sea as likewise Pontus doth in Latine And ships of Tarshish to be vessels of great bulk and burden fit to traverse and traffick in any such Sea 1 King X. 22. Silver to be in Jerusalem as stones The Israelites ripe for Rebellion verse 27 complain so much of their Oppressions in Solomons peaceable rich glorious reigne 1 King X. 27. and XII 4. 2 Chron. I. 15. and VIII 8 9. Loved many strange women Wise Solomons chapter XI verse 1 or Jedidiah's Fall is wonderful yet his Repentance not to be doubted of as appears in the Book of Ecclesiastes in 2 Sam. VII 14 15. 1 Chron. XXII 10. and XXVIII 6. and XVII 13 14. 2 Chron. XI 17. 2. Pet. I. 21. One Tribe Not one whole Tribe verse 32 but that of Judah only did stick to Rehoboam and the House of David after Solomons reigne 1 King XI 32 36. and XII 20. 2. King XVII v. 18. Yet see 2 Chr. XI 13 17. And hence begin those three hundred and ninty dayes in Ezek. IV. 5. See the Annotations there Rehoboam Rehoboam is the only sonne we read of that Solomon had verse 43 for all his shameful number of Wives and Concubines And there is mention made only of two of his daughters 1 King IV. 11 15. set down in that chapter by Anticipation This Rehoboam is said to be young and tender-hearted 2 Chron. XIII 7. young in experienced wisdome when yet at that time he was fourty one years of age 2 Chron. XII 13. being borne in the first year of his young wise father Solomons reigne He foolishly forsook the counsel of the old men 1 King XII 8 13 14. to the losse of the ten parts of his Kingdome Yet afterwards he is said to deal wisely 2 Chron. XI 23. In Bethel chapter XII verse 29 and the other put he in Dan In the South and North borders of his kingdome And yet Bethel being in the Tribe of Benjamin Bethel was taken from him in his own dayes by Abijah 2 Chron. XIII 19. And Dan was smitten by Benhadad in the dayes of Asa and Baasha soone after 1 King XV. 20. Bethel Though Bethel be sometimes called Bethaven in the Prophets verse 32 as Hos. IV. 15. and V. 8. and X. 5 15. and Aven chap. X. 8. As Mount Olivet of Mount Mischa is called Mount Maschith 2 King XXIII 13. Yet were there Bethel and Bethaven two distinct neighbouring townes or Cities Josh. VII 2. and XVIII 12. 1 Sam. XIII 5. and chap. XIV 23. a childe Fulfilled 2 King XXIII 15 16 17. Samaria Samaria so called by Anticipation chapter XIII verse 2 as Bethel Gen. XII 8. And sundry other places in Scripture verse 32 Not that they had
those names in those times first mentioned But in after-times when the writers of those Histories lived 1 King XVI 24. It seemes of old to be called and belong to Shimron-Meron Josh. XI 1 5. and XII 20. Book of the Chronicles chapter XIV verse 19 After the division of the Kingdomes The Books of the Kings do often cite the Books of the Chron of Israel and of Judah as 1 King XIV 19 20. XV. 7. 23 31. 2 King I. 18. and VIII 23. and X. 34. Not meaning thereby our Canonical Books of Chron. for they were not then written before but after the Books of Kings and therefore they could not be cited before they had a Being But meaning thereby Civil Chronicles or Rolls now not extant Like those Ezra VI. 1 2. Esther VI. 1. Maachah Abijahs mother chapter XV verse 2 and her Father had both of them two differing and various names 1 King XV. 2 10. 2 Chron. XI 20. and XIII 2. His marriages and children 2 Chron. XIII 21. were all or almost all in his fathers reigne Save only in the matter of Vriah In this sin David did lie long without repentance verse 5 2 Sam. XII 14. And to cover this sin he made Uriah drunck and after murthered him yet afterwards upon his repentance he publisheth it and his shame and sorrow for it in the LI. Psalme and commits it to the chief Musician to be sung publickly in the Congregation But besides this there are many other sins recorded of David As his speech and lyes to Jonathan 1 Sam. XX. 6. to Ahimelech 1 Sam. XXI 2. to Achish 1 Sam. XXVII 10. the slownesse of his kindnesse to Mephibosheth compare together 2 Sam. IV. 4. and chap. IX 11 12. And after his ill-managing of it 2 Sam. XVI 4. and chap. IX 29. his many Wives and Concubines the sparing of his sons Ammon and Absolom his numbering of the people Yet by reason of the upright intention of his heart and his singular rare graces gifts and qualifications are the rest not reckoned and this Praise here given him by the indulgency of God Fourty and one years Asa reigned in Judah in the times of the reignes of eight Kings in Israel verse 10 viz. Jeroboham Nadab Baasha Elah Zimri Tibni Omri Ahab 1 King XV. 9 and XVI 29. and XXII 41. In which time the Kingdome of Israel was changed into three several stocks and families Maachah Maachah was wife to Rehoboam verse 13 mother to Abijah and grandmother to Asa 1 King XV. 2. yet called the mother of Asa 1 King XV. 13. 2 Chron. XV ver 16. And as mother used for grandmother so daughter for grandchilde 2 Kings VIII 26. Brethren for Kinsmen 2 Kings X. 13. Matth. XIII 55 56. And many like phrases are frequent in Scripture See Gen. XIII 8. Exod. II. 18. 20 21. Dan. V. 10 11 13 22. these years Not this place chapter XVII verse 1 nor chap. XVIII 1. nor any place in the Old Testament do shew that the drought was brought at Elias his Prayer or continued three years and six moneths But Saint James first recordeth it Jam. I. 17. Four Barrels with water Elijah got this water in the time of that wonderful drought for three years and a half chapter XVIII verse 33 out of the sea Mount Carmel joyning to the sea Jer XLVI 18. The brook Kishon at the foot of Carmel being dryed up as well as the brook Cherith thine Altars Formerly erected to him chapter XIX verse 10 thought not so warrantably See ver 14. thy Prophets As chap. XVIII 4 13. I only am left In his own apprehension Yet was there then a flowrishing Church in Judah anoint By another verse 15 viz. Elisha 2 King VIII 7. And likewise Jehu was anointed by a young Prophet at the command of Elisha 2 King IX 1. Thirty two Kings Petty Kings chapter XX verse 1 As those Gen. XIV Josh. XII Judg. I. 7. Aphek A Citie whose Kings was slaine by Joshuah verse 26 Josh. XII 18. Fell by lot afterwards to the Tribe of Asher Josh. XIX 30 31. Where the Philistines pitching in battel against Israel got the victory and took the Ark of God 1 Sam. IV. 1. And again gathering their armies in Aphek went up to Jezreel near the Mount of Gilboa and overthrew Saul and his hoast 1 Sam. XXIX 1 11. and chap. XXX And here the Syrians under Benhadad fought against Ahab and were slaine even one hundred thousand footmen in one day And the rest fled to Aphek into the Citie and there a wall fell upon twenty seven thousand of the men that were left 1 King XX. 26 29 30. And here again the Syrians were smitten and consumed by Joash King of Israel 2 King XIII 17. Proclaime a Fast chapter XXI verse 9 It seemes on Fast-dayes they were wont to try and execute heynous offendors and stoned him The blood of his sons is mentioned verse 13 2 Kings IX 26. Which is in Samaria verse 18 behold he is in the Vineyard of Naboth Or will be in Jezreel in the Vineyard of Naboth In Samaria when the message was given in charge to Elias in the Vineyard at Jezreel when Elias met him even thine Verified for the substance in himself verse 19 in his wife Jezebel and in his son Jehoram 2 Kings IX 25 26. not bring the evil in his dayes That evil verse 29 ver 21 24. that totally in the Poole of Samaria Which might extend chapter XXII verse 38 or run into Jezreel or another poole of that name be there or the armour washed there where his chief armory was made peace Made peace with Ahab verse 44 and his two sons Ahaziah and Jehoram 2 Kings III. 6 7. 2 Chron. XIX 2. and chap. XX. 35 36. and is reprehended justly therefore would not Would not at first verse 49 but yeelded afterwards 2 Chron. XX. 35 36 37. II. Kings THE second Book of Kings or fourth rather containes the History of 321 years to the lifting up of the head of Jehoiachim In the reignes of 16 Kings of Iudah counting in Athaliah 12 King of Israel So that the number of Kings from the first division of the Kingdomes to the extirpation of them both were twenty in each Though the Kingdome of Israel did expire in Hoshea by Shalmanasar before the Kingdome of Judah did expire in Zedekiah by Nebuchadnezzar the space of one hundred thirty and three years not one hundred thirty and five The twenty of Judah were all of Davids line excepting Athaliah the Queen The twenty of Israel were of ten several stocks Ahaziah Joash Amatziah Kings of Judah and Athaliah the Queene all succeeding one another were all slaine Amon likewise and his son Josiah both slaine And ten Kings of Israel the half of all their number were likewise slaine For the times of the reignes of Ahab Ahaziah Jehoram Kings of Israel and of Iehoshaphat Iehoram Ahaziah Kings of Judah take this as followeth Ahab reigned twenty two years 1 King XVI
XVIII 9 10. or Enemessar Tobit l. 2 15. Sennacharib who came against Hezekiah 2 King XVIII 13. Esarhaddon or Asnapper Esay XXXVII 38. 2 King XIX 37. Ezra IV. 2 10. called also Sarchedonus Tobit I. 22. And another King of Assyria against whom Pharaoh-Necho King of Egypt fights at Carchemish by Euphrates in the last year of King Josiah 2 King XXIII 29. 2 Chron. XXXV But many leave out Iareb as no proper name of a King and make Sargon to be the same with Senna harib And some place Iareb before Pul and Sargon after Shalmanesar And no doubt there were many Kings of Assyria it being the first Monarchy before Pul though their names be not in Scripture Though the Assyrians take the name from Ashur the sonne of Shem Gen. X. 22. 1 Chron. I. 17. yet the Kingdome seemes to be raised among them by the posterity of Cush the sonne of Cham Gen. X. 6 11. a Singer Heman chapter VI verse 33 of Kohath stood in the middest Asaph of Gershom on the right hand Ethan of Merari on the left ver 38 39 44 47. See more of the Singers 1 Chron. XV. ver 16 22. All their Cities The Kohathites had twenty three Cities verse 60 63. The Gershonites thirteen The Merarites twelve In all fourty eight Cities reckoned Issachar a numerous Tribe chapter VII Ephraim The line from Ephraim to Ioshuah verse 5 is Num. verse 20 I. 10. and chap. XXVI 35 1 Chron. VII 20 26 27. Shephuphan verse 5 and Huram chapter VIII verse 33 Either of these had three names Ner Ner had Kish the father of Saul and another sonne Ner the father of Abner 1 Sam. XIV 50 51. genealogies This Chapter chapter IX verse 1 and chap. III. 19 24. are some parcels of the last passages for History of the Old Testament See more on Neh. XII 10 11. David and Samuel David and Samuel the Seer though he died in the time of Sauls reigne ordained and ordered the Priests verse 22 and Levites Singers and Porters in their set Offices and Courses See ver 10 14 22 and Chapters XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him 1 Chron. XXIV 19. by the Spirit and by God and Nathan 1 Chron. XXVIII 12 19. 2 Chron. XXIX 25. and VIII 14. and XXXV 4 15. And Solomon did according to him 2 Chron. XXXV 4. Neh. XII 45. day and night verse 33 verse 9 The Singers imployed in that work day and night tydings unto their Idols Idolaters ascribe their Victories chapter X and prosperous successes to their Idols so Iudg. XVI 23 24. 1 King XX. 23. 2 Chron. XXVIII 23. Hab. I. 11. They bring their Idols to their Camps 1 Chron. XIV 12. As the Israelits the Ark 1 Sam. IV. 3. castle of Zion David took the Castle chapter XI verse 5 or strong hold of Zion dwelt in it built round about it called it the Citie of David And Ioab repaired the rest of the Citie 2 Sam. V. 9. came to David There came to David to Ziklag a great hoast chapter XII verse 1 like the hoast of God And to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 340822. And among them very many Priests and Levites ver 26 27 28. besides others intimated ver 32. Jehoiada verse 27 the Leader of the 3700. Aaronites that came to David to Hebron to make him King over all Israel 1 Chron. XII 27. Jehoiada a chief Priest 2 Chron. XXIV 6. married Iehoshabeath or Iehosheba the daughter of King Iehoram and sister of King Ahaziah 2 King XI 2 3. 2 Chron. XXII 11. He caused usurping and murthering Athaliah the daughter of Ahab and Iezebel and wife of King Iehoram and mother of King Ahaziah 2 Chron. XXI 6. and XXII 1 2. to be murtheredher self 2 King XI 16. And caused Ioash grand-childe of Athaliah and his wives nephew and sonne and heir of Ahaziah to be crowned King when he was seven years old 2 King XI 11 12 21. 2 Chron XXIII 11. Of whom see more on 2 King XI 4. Iehoiada the sonne of Benaiah Davids Counseller next to Ahitophel 1 Chron. XXVII 34. bring again the Ark David so soone as ever he was setled upon his throne over all Israel chapter XIII verse 3 taketh the strong Fort of Zion from the Jebusites brings the Ark of God with all solemnity yet not after the due maner from Kiriath-jearim and the house of Abinadab And upon the death of Uzza by the way at the threshing floore of Nachon or Chidon he carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom where it remained three moneths 1 Chron. XIII Hiram sends to David messingers workmen and materials to build him an house in Zion And David takes more wives at Jerusalem and obtaines two victories against the Philistines chap. XIV And with great solemnity in the due maner he brings the Ark from Obed-Edoms house and sets it in the middest of the Tabernacle or Tent which he had prepared for it in the Citie of David in Zion chap. XV. where he offers Sacrifices Orders a Quire gives them a Psalme of Thanksgiving and appoints Ministers Porters Priests and Musicians to attend on the Ark continualy ch XVI In 2 Sam. V. David takes the strong Fort of Zion builds dwels in it hath messingers sent to him from Hiram King of Tyre with materials workmen for his building growes great takes moe wives and concubines at Jerusalem gets two victories over the Philistines in two set battels chap. V. And he brings up the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim and carries it aside into the house of Obed-Edom and after three moneths he brings it thence into the Citie of David with great solemnity and joy 2 Sam. VI Now whether the things contained in 1 Chr. XIV and 2 Sam. V. after the taking of Zion did intervene in that three moneths space while the Ark was in the house of Obed-Edom or were acted before the Ark was removed from Kiriath-Jearim is a matter of conjectural probabilities on either side yet I rather incline to the later opinion from Shihor of Egypt This Shihor chapter XIII verse 5 or Shichor or Sihor hath a notion of blacknesse in it And is not that rill or drill of water called by forraine writers Rhinocolura but is much rather the same with Nilus otherwise not once named in Scripture anciently by the Ethiopians called Siris by the Greeks Melas by the Latines Melo from the blacknesse of the water or rather of the mud and slime that it brings downe with it or the black colour of the grounds and soils it passeth through It is called by way of excellencie the River Esay XXIII 3. Ezek. XXIX 3 9. and the river or flood of Egypt Amos VIII 8. and chap. IX 5. This River rising in the South from unknown heads runs in one intire streame Northward to the Head Delta in Egypt where it divideth it self into two maine Channels and afterwards brancheth into seven several streames Esay XI 15. Emptying themselves
and oppressed chap. V. 11 12 13. And his heat and wrath against sinne chap. XIII 25. And his wonderful bounty chap. V. 14 15 17 18. are all very remarkable a time Twelve years verse 6 chap. V. 14. and XIII 6. Sanballat As the Samaritanes opposed and hindered Zerubbabâ—l in the Building of the Temple Ezra IV. So the Moabite Ammonite and Arabian disturbed Nehemiah in the building of the walls of the Citie Neh. II 10 19. and IV. 1 c. and VI. 1 c. Which were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 m is used in the end of a word which never useth so to be And again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 m proper to the end of a word is found in the middle in the beginning of Esay IX 7. Eliashib Eliashib the son of Jojakim chapter III grandchild of Jeshua which Jeshua came up with Zerubbabel Neh XII 10. Ezra II. 2. and lived to finish the Building of the Temple Hag. I. 14. was High Priest in the Beginning of Nehemiah's twelve years Government in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus Neh. III. 1. 20. as was said before about sixty years after the Temple was finished gate For the Gates of the Citie of Jerusalem we read of the Citie-gate 2 Chron. XXXII 6. the first Gate Zech. XIV 10. the Gate of Benjamin Jer. XXXVII 12 13. and XXXVIII 7. Zech. XIV 10. situate in the wall of the Citie in the Tribe of Benjamin Northward Yet said to be in the House of the Lord Jer. XX. 2. that is by it as the particle Beth is used Num. XXXIII 37. Josh. V. 13. and chap. XXIV ver 25 26 32. Jer. XIII 5. and XXXII 7. the Gate of Ephraim 2 Kings XIV 13. Neh. XII 39. the Corner Gate 2 Chron. XXV 23. and the Valley Gate 2 Chron. XXVI 9. the Fish Gate 2 Chron. XXXIII 14. The New Gate Jer. XXVI 10. because repaired new by Jotham 2 Kings XV. 35. 2 Chron. XXVII 3. Yet some make it the East Gate some the West Gate of the outer Court of the Temple wherein they will have the Sanhedrin to sit The Gate between two walls by the Kings Garden if this be a Gate of the Citie 2 Kings XXV 4. In Nehemiah's time at his new building of the Walls of the Citie we read of the Sheep Gate of the Fish Gate the Old Gate the East Gate Jer. XIX 2. the Valley Gate the Dung-Gate the Gate of the Fountain the Water Gate the Horse Gate the Gate Miphkad or Judicatory the Gate of Ephraim the Prison Gate Neh. II. 13 14. and chap. III. 1 3 6 13 14 15 26 28 31. and chap. XII 39. Zech. XIV 10. Besides Towers upon the Walls of both Cities the Tower of Meah the Tower of Hananeel Neh. XII 39. Zech. XIV 10. on the East side of the Citie between the Tower of Meah and the corner gate Neh. III. 1. the Tower of the Furnaces Neh. III. 1 11. and Ch. XII 38 39. and others And Valleys about it as Jer. XXXI 40. the Valley of the dead bodies under Mount Golgotha West-North-West of the Citie and the Valley of Ashes likely that came from the Altar of Burnt-Offerings the Valley of Jehoshaphat on the East and the Valley of the sons of Hinnom also the Valley of Savey or the Kings Vale or Dale on the South and the Valley of Rephaim or Gyants on the South-West And Fields mentioned about it the Fullers field on the South Esay VII 1. and the Porters field or Acheldama on the South-East Jer. XVIII 2. and XIX 2. and XXXI 40. Matth. XXVII 7. And Hills about Jerusalem were Mount Olivet on the East Mount Calverie or Golgotha on the West-North-west Mount Gihon West Mount Gareb North Ier. XXXI 39. The Brook Kidron did runne on the East-side of Jerusalem And the Fountain of Siloam or waters of Gihon on the West Pooles two of note were near Jerusalem Neh. III. 15 16. The upper Poole of Siloah called also the old Poole and Kings Poole on the South 2 Kings XVIII 17. Esay VII 2. and XXXVI 2. or South-West corner receiving its water from the river Gihon And the Lower of which Esay XXII 9. 2 Chron. XXXII 30. which was made long after Neh. III. 16. on the West and drew water from the upper sanctified it This sanctification of this Sheep-gate built by the High Priest and his brethren is deemed by some to be extraordinarily ratified and graced with that miraculous gift of healing from this time vouchsafed to the Poole of Bethesda close by this Gate of which mention is made John V. 2. cover not their iniquity See the Observations on Psal. chapter IV verse 5 CIX and the Annotations on this text of Nehemie unto the half Of the height of the Wall verse 6 a great cry Of Oppressions in three sorts chapter V set down in the three vers following Their needs and wants which made them liable to these oppressions being the more occasioned by their labours so much imploied in the publick work of the Walls usury Ver. 10. Of this see the inhibitions verse 7 Exod. XXII 25. Lev. XXV 36 37. Deut 23. 19 20. Ezek. XVIII 8. 13 17. And Gods judgements against it Prov. XXVIII 8. Ezek. XXII 12 13. Psal. XV. V. Yet the word is used sometimes in a larger sense and lawfull way as Matth. XXV 27. Luke XIX 23. And so Esay XXIV 2. Jer. XV. 10. And to a stranger the Jewes might lend upon usury Deut. XXIII 20. even this day Without delay verse 11 as Gen. XVII 23. hundreth part Which seemes to be that which they received for use and interest likely the hundreth part by the moneth of what they lent require nothing Here is more then was asked verse 12 or rather nothing more then what thou askest an oath See the Observations on Hos. IV. 15. Shook my lap See such like Rites used Luke IX 5. Acts XIII 51. and XVIII 6. 1 Kings IV. 29 30. verse 13 fourty Shekels Five pounds haply each day verse 15 taken and gathered from among them all daily Yet Solomons exceeded farre verse 18 1 Kings IV. 22 23. Ono A Valley chapter VI and a Citie in Benjamin chap. XI 35. 1 Chron. VIII 12. not farre from Jerusalem the fifth time Thinking to prevaile by impudent importunity verse 5 their King A charge of high treason verse 6 So Ezra IV. 12 13. John XIX 12. Shemajah His vile hypocrisie verse 10 false prophesie corruption by bribery so attempting strongly to hinder or destroy Nehemiah and his godly proceedings Elul About our August verse 15 in fifty and two dayes Wondrous speed See the Annotations This was in the twentieth or one and twentieth year of Artaxerxes and first year of Nehemiah's Government Nobles of Judah Guilty likely some way in the matter of marrying strange wives verse 17 ver 18. These are the children See the Observations on Ezra chapter VII verse 6 II. 2 60. And some These Contributions differ
own afflictions See Ier. XII 1. and Hab. I. 12 13. covereth them as a garment They wear it verse 6 and shew it openly as their garment See the like phrase of cursing Psal. CIX 18 19. But the meek and godly cover and array themselves otherwise Ephes. IV. 24. Col. III. 10 12 14. Phil. IV. 5. Gal. III. 27. Rom. XIII 14. Ephes. III. 17. cum Gal. IV. 19. Their eyes stand out Stand out in the Hebrew is in the singular number verse 7 Whereupon the plural number is here to be understood distributively for either or each of their eyes The like is Gen. XLIX 22. Exod. XVII 12. and XXXI 14. Josh. II. 14. Job XII 7. Prov. III. 18. and XIV 1. and XXVII 9. Joel I. 20. Therefore his people returne hither Gods own people turne to these thoughts and tentations following verse 10 when they see withal their owne mournful miseries verily I Thus subject to these dangerous tentations verse 13 As a dreame when one awaketh Job XX. 8. verse 20 Like to that John XVI 21. and to that Acts XII 9. and to that Psal. CXXVI 1. when thou awakest To judgement Psal. LXXVIII 65. and VII 6. and XXXV 20. thou shalt despise their image their pageant of worldly pomp and pride make it to be despised Yea in their owne eyes if God awake their consciences Maschil An instructing Psalme chapter LXXIV of Asaph See on Psal. L in the Title This Psalme most likely was committed to some of Asaphs posterity long after Davids time to tune sing and play it The time of desolation which this Psalme mentions and bemoanes seemes not to be that in the dayes of Antiochus Epiphanes who prophaned and polluted much the Temple of Jerusalem but did not cast it downe and burne it to the ground And he himself was long after the Canon of the Old Testament was concluded But that rather in the dayes of Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuzaradan 2 Kings XXV 8. the rod Or tribe verse 2 which thou hast measured out for thine owne inheritance as with a line or rod Jer. X. 16. Deut. XXXII 9. thy congregations Meaning the Temple where the holy Congregations assembled verse 4 And verse 7. it is in the Hebrew thy Sanctuaries in the Plural number meaning the Temple The Plural number being used discretively to note out and designe one of many And so is that Gen. XXIII 6. Judg. VII 10. and XII 7. 2 Kings V. 13. 2 Chron. XXIV 25. Iohn VI. 45. Acts XIII 40. Zech. IX 9. Mat. IV. 3 compared with Luke IV. 3. And so we may understand that Matth. XXVII 44. compared with Luke XXIII 40 And that 2 Chr. chap. XXVIII 3. compared with 2 Kings XXVIII 3. And that Matth. XXVI 8. compared with Iohn XII 4. no more any Prophet Ezekiel verse 9 and Jeremie were now dead Others haply not so well known or regarded Lam. II. 9. Dragons The Princes of Pharaoh Leviathan Pharaoh verse 13 gavest him to be meat Him verse 14 and his drowned and cast upon the shoar to be meat to the wilde beasts and fowles of prey called a people as Prov. XXX 25 26. Or their spoile as meat to the Israelites Or gavest meat that is Manna to him that is thy people in the Wildernesse When I shall receive This Psalme seemes to be penned by David chapter LXXV verse 2 for Asaph to use and likely at the time and upon the occasion of the State of affairs at and upon the murder of Abner by Joab 2 Sam. III. which being then much shaken and shattered he promiseth to uphold and rectifie And rebuking the foolish proud and presumptuous opposers of his Promotion he renueth his resolution to proceed in judgment towards the wicked and the righteous uprightly the pillars of it He did so verse 3 by erecting and sustaining and maintaining good Magistrates and chiefly Religion and righteousnesse the maine pillars of a Kingdome See Gal. II. 9. cup See Esay LI. 17. verse 8 Ezek. XXIII 32. Ier. XXV 15. Apoc. XIV 10. In Salem Of Salem chapter LXXVI verse 2 see the Observations on Iosh. X. 1. There brake he This likely was done in the Assyrian Cam Gods Angel verse 3 in the dayes of Hezekiah 2 Chron. XXXII 21. â—â—p by then the mountains of prey A proverbial expression of greatest glory verse 4 See Esay IX 3. and LIII 12. Or from the mountains of prey where the Assyrian armies were preying upon thy people and now slain by thy glorious power and given by thee as a prey to thy people their sleep of death verse 5 shall praise thee Turne to thy praise verse 10 the remainder Keep within compasse the further attempts of our enraged enemies to Ieduthun Psal. chapter LXXVII XXXIX and LXII 1 Chron. XXV 2 3. my soar ran Or my hand was stretched out verse 2 that is in Prayer and was troubled Or verse 3 made a troubled noise Thy way verse 13 O God is in the Sanctuary Or in sanctity most holy And thy maner of administration and proceeding is to be learned in thy Word which is taught in the Sanctuary Psal. LXXIII 17. The waters saw thee Psal. CXIV 3 5. verse 16 the waters of the red-red-Sea The clouds Exod. XIV 24. verse 17 Psal. LXVIII 7 8 9 33. and XVIII 13 14. Thy way is in the Sea The red-Sea verse 19 Exod. XIV 21. footsteps are not known Before or after the waters returned and hid that way Exod. XIV 27. Or more generaly Gods wayes are unsearchable Iob XXVI 14. Psal. CVII 23 24. Rom. XI 33 34. in a parable Matth. chapter LXXVIII verse 2 XIII 35. cited there by the Evangelist in an allusion only to the word parable and therefore with some alteration of the words of the Psalmist And that forme of allegation is usual with the Evangelists as well in allusive and indirect as in more direct and proper applications Of Parables see more in the Observations on Psalme XLIX 4. The children of Ephraim Some make this relate to that verse 9 1 Chron. VII 21 22. while their father lived in Egypt Others to the Ephramites flight before Jephthah Judg. XII 46. Others understanding all the Israelites under that name referre this to their flight before the Philistines 1 Sam. IV. 10. Or before Abijah 2 Chron. XIII 17. And others understanding by Ephraim the ten Tribes whereof Ephraim was the head make it to relate to the final extirpation of that Kingdome 2 Kings XVII 7. c. whereof Hosea prophesied chap. X. 11 14. So various expositions may these general words admit By sending evil angels As Iob I. 12 16. verse 49 as executioners of his fierce anger Or angels i. e. messengers of evils which may be understood either of good Angels or of Moses and Aaron hinder parts 1 Sam. V. 1 6 9 12. verse 66 and VI. 4. he refused Shiloh verse 67 in the tribe of Ephraim the sonne of Ioseph The Ark never came thither again his Sanctuary Temple verse 69 by Solomon By this
bones Davids verse 7 and his followers they are in such like present danger when he was in the cave Psal LVII 1 Sam. XXIV 4. The later part of this prayer seemes chapter CXLII as spoken in the cave Yet it all might be composed after his deliverance out of it As that Prayer Jonah II. prison This Cave verse 7 wherein I am shut up as in a close prison faithfulnesse chapter CXLIII verse 1 For performance of thy faithful and true promises made to me righteousnesse To maintaine and defend a righteous cause Enter not Though my cause be just verse 2 yet my person is sinful and unjust not able to abide thy judgement Rom. III. 20. So Job XXII 4. and XIV 3. Gal. II. 16. no man living Heb. not all living i. e. not any living As Mat. XXIV 22. 1 John II. 21. 2 Pet. I. 20. Psal. LXXVI 5. is desolate Or wondrously amazed verse 4 upheld only by Gods power cause me The work is Gods verse 8 He the actor of it And therefore to him he lifts up his soul. So verse 10. good lead me Or verse 10 by thy good Spirit lead me Thus prayer-wise or shall lead me spoken in way of assurance of David It seemes composed after he came to the crown chapter CXLIV verse 3 and had got some victories over his enemies and yet other enemies were ready to invade him 2 Sam. V. VIII what is man Psal. VIII 5. Job VII 17. Heb. II. 6. Bow the heavens Shew thy self present on earth verse 5 for my help and my foes ruine who are like mountains in comparison of other men 1 Sam. XXII 10. a right hand of falshood Though they shake hands verse 8 yet they keep not promise whose God is the Lord This is opposed to all the other worldly wealth verse 15 as farre more then over-poising it all of praise His Hymne chapter CXLV And the whole book in Hebrew is called the book of Hymnes or Praises This is an Alphabetical Psalme Only the letter Nun is wanting See the Observations on Psal. XXV 1. and on the beginning of the book of Psalmes over all his works Or verse 9 towards upholdeth all that fall Psal. verse 14 CXLVI 8. all whom he in his goodnesse knows are to be upholden without whom and his goodnes none are upholden But some fall and never rise wait upon thee Psal CIV verse 15 27. 28. in truth This in Prayer requireth sincerity verse 18 without hypocrisie faith repentance earnestnes and constancie the desire Or will We pray that Gods will may be done verse 19 Matth. VI. 10 Here he doth his servants will So he honoureth them that honour him 1 Sam. II. 30. And their will agrees with his 1 John V. 14. Praise ye the Lord Heb. chapter CXLVI verse 1 Halelu-jah And thus do begin and end likewise the rest of the Psalmes that follow In the Greek it is Alleluia Apoc. XIX 1. Halelu-jah is in Psal. CIV and CVI. and CXXXV and in many others which executeth judgement Who succours and relieves all verse 7 in and according to their several necessities He it is that doth it But that when and how in his wisdome and goodnesse it seemeth to him best out-casts Deut. chapter CXLVII verse 2 XXX 4. telleth the number Esay XL. verse 4 26. though to man they are innumerable Ier. XXXIII 22. at least in common opinion and of him indeed cannot be all seene The number of the stars is counted by ancient Astronomers And all within and without their several Constellations in their several magnitudes are reduced by all much under the number of two thousand Yet their number in Scripture-phrase is marshaled with the sands of the sea as innumerable Which is spoken according to vulgar opinions and apprehensions as that of the Sunne and Moone Gen. I 16. And divers other things are in Scripture in like sort spoken of And yet the innumerable multitude of them appears the more in our times Wherein Galileus and others after him by their new instruments and Tubi Optici have made such strange discoveries of many many numbers of them never seene before young ravens Iob XXXVIII verse 9 41. Psal. CIV 27 28. Matth. VI. 26. fat of wheat Psal. verse 14 LXXXI 16. Deut. XXXII 14. runneth Psal. verse 15 XXXIII 9. snow like wooll accordingly the phrase is verse 16. 17. 19. fleeces of snow his yce like morsels Frost or frozen hailstones his word unto Jacob This is singular mercie and peculiar to his Church farre beyond all those formerly mentioned for which his Church is so bound to praise him stars of light Job XXXVIII chapter CXLVIII verse 3 7. havens of heavens The heaven of heavens is the highest heaven verse 4 called the third heaven 2 Cor. 2. XII The sky where the starres are is the second heaven And the aire under it and next us is the first heaven In the upper part whereof are the waters here mentioned For this Text and Gen. I 6 7. yeeld not a sure foundation whereon to build an Orbe of supercelestial waters above the starry heavens nor from the windowes of that Orbe came the waters in Noahs flood But from the lowest region of the aire called Heaven and the firmament of Heaven wherein the winds clouds and fowles do flie and do divide between the sea-sea-waters and the watery clouds which moysten the earth and make it bring forth fruit for the sustenance of man and beast See Gen. I. 20. Jer. LI. 16. Dan. VII 2 13. Psal. LXXVIII 23. Mal. III. 10. a decree Statute verse 6 Rule and Ordinance whereby every creature is bound to his set time place and function Job XIV 5. and XXVI 10. and XXXVIII 33. Jer. XXXI 35. and XXXIII 25. the horne of his people Psal. verse 14 LXXV 10. the power glory and Kingdome of his people and Church and that by Christ who is the horne of salvation Luke I. 69. him that made him Heb. chapter CXLIX verse 2 his makers Likely relating to the Trinity of persons as Gen. I. 26. and III. 22. and XI 7. Job XXXV 10. Eccles. XII 1. Esay VI. 8. LIV. 5. King Christ of whom King David was a Type As Mat. XXI 5. Cant. I. 4 upon their beds Night and day verse 5 Psal. LXIII 6. Job XXXV 10. and a two-edged sword Heb. verse 9 two-mouthed This chiefly at least aimes at the spiritual sword Ephes. VI. 17. Heb. IV. 12. Apoc. I. 16. which is the Word of God coming out of Christs mouth To execute vengeance upon the heathen Chiefly in and by the power and preaching of the Gospel verse 7 2 Cor. X. 4 5 6 8. See Esay XLI 15 16. John XVI 8 9. To binder their Kings Psal. verse 8 II. 2 3 9 10. Esay XLV 14. Mark VI. 20. Acts XXIV 25. Apoc. XXI 24. Matth. XVI 19. the judgement written This may have reference to that Law verse 6 Deut. VII 1 2. Or to the exact rule of Gods Word without any addition or diminution Deut.
doth supply and minister the former yea and hath the dominion in humane affairs above all other things money is the measure of all things buyeth all things Money is the sinewes of warre beares the masterie in matches and marriages and Law-suits effecteth all things Curse not the King Notwithstanding his errours in government verse 20 or miscarriages in living or wrongs done to thee Exod. XXII 28. 2 Pet. II. 10. no not in thy thought Or conscience or heart Thought is not free Jer. IV. 14. Esay LIX 7. Psal. LXII 4. It will likely break forth for a bird of the aire The danger if thou mutter it in hugger-mugger God can reveale it by brute creatures birds and beasts by inanimate creatures See Gen. IV. 11. Esay XXVI 21. Hab. II. 11. As Luke XIX 40. So in this case However Kings themselves have long eares Yea we say walls and hedges have ears See that Ester II. 22. And consider the discovery of our hellish Powder-plot Cast thy bread It must be thine chapter XI verse 1 well gotten Ephes. IV. 28. upon the waters Where it may seeme clearly cast away as if it were throwne into the Sea lost because the poor cannot recompence thee againe Luke XIV 12 13 14. Yet lend in that manner looking for nothing againe Luke VI. 35. God will repay it Prov. XIX 17. Esay LVIII 7. Yet some by water here do understand moist and fertil soile well watered or grounds on the sides of waters such as on the banks of Nilus which yeeld increase very abundantly And that so plentifully God will reward thy almes to the poor In the former Chapter as the Great Annotations do well observe Solomon shewed the excellent use of true wisdome as a means of tranquility of minde and Remedy against the vanity and vexation of outward things in Ordering our behaviour aright toward Superiours for prevention of those dangers which their displeasure might subject us unto In this Chapter he further discovereth the use thereof unto the same end of comfortable living so still pursuing his principal argument touching tranquility and comfort of life in Ordering our behaviour towards Inferiours those especially that are in want shalt finde it after Gal. VI. 9. Prov. XI 25. and XIX 17. James V. 7. 2 Cor. IX 6 10. Matth. XIX 21. Deut. XV. 9 10. to seven and also to eight Micah V. verse 2 5. To many as waters formerly in the plural number may likewise intimate The necessity of a man may require it when his person doth not deserve it And thy ability must guide thee to Give with discretion Psal. CXII 5. Luke VI. 30. Prov. XXXI 20. thou knowest not what evil Therefore sowe whilest thou hast it work while the toole is in thy hand James IV. 14. Prov. XXVII 1. By bounty evil of punishments and judgements is prevented by unmercifulnesse to the poor it is procured If the clouds They emptie themselves in showers for the good of the earth verse 3 So should rich men do Psal. CXII 9. And the showers fal upon all the ground this as well as that And so should the full and rich not too solicitously enquire who it is to whom they give He is a man and needie man and if the tree fall Fall it must and man must die And as death leaves him judgement findes him and sentence goes upon him for the right hand or the left according to his carriage towards the poor Matth. XXV 33 46. Or This seemes a vulgar Proverb touching things of small concerment care or choise And to imply that our ordinarie almes should fall upon any this or that poor and be distributed as it were with a blinde hand or hood-winkt eye without any over-curious choise He that observeth the winde We must not stand scrupling and casting perils and objections and pretences to hinder or delay our Alms-giving and come with our Talent tied up in a napkin Whereas any pertext serves the covetous miser not to give What is the way of the Spirit Of the winde verse 5 say some John III. 8. Of the Soul rather how it comes into the body and quickens it Nor how the bones Psal. CXXXIX 14 15 16. Job X. 8 13. Knowest not the works of God The works of his Providence how he may dispose of thy life and state and ability of doing good And therefore thou must take the present season and opportunity and not delay and defer it lest the Lord haply will put thee out of all capacitie and meanes to do it Neither knowest thou by what secret and wondrous wayes he may recompence thy liberality In the morning At all times verse 6 upon every occasion and opportunity chap. IX 10. John IX 4 Begin betimes and continue to the end lose not a day Whether shall prosper Though sometimes thy bounty prove misplaced and it be ten to one if any cured Leper returne to give thanks yet thy reward is sure from God Heb. VI. 10. Matth. X. 41 42. 1 Kings XVII 13 16. The light is sweet The light of life as appears in the opposition verse 7 verse 8. And specialy a lightsome joyful life is such Job II. 4. 1 Kings XX. 32. Esther VII 3. Life was given as a prey and reward to Ebedmelech and Baruc Jer. XXXIX 18. and XLV 5. Yet consider it will end in death dayes of darknesse will come Therefore unto compleat happinesse there is yet more to be done not only to gaine and secure the comforts of this life and tranquility of minde here amidst all the vanities and vexations of it In which search and point Solomon had hitherto laboured But also to get the assurance of a better life after this which is the businesse of Solomon in the remaining part of this Book But if a man live And sit in the worlds warme Sun-shine verse 8 and say he shall never be moved Job XXI 7 13. yet let him remember That the light will be turned into darknesse the dark dayes will come of old age and death chap. VI. 4. Job X. 21. Psal. VIII 12 13. and CXLIII 3. and they so many as that the lightsome days of life will seeme but a warm gleame a momentanie glance which remembrance should coole our hot desires after the vanites of this life and lay our lusts a bleeding and a dying at our feet 1 Pet. II. 12. All that cometh every man every thing that hapneth is vanity Rejoyce O young man No encouragement verse 9 but a scoff and ironie derides his folly Like that of Elias to the Baalites and many more in Scripture and walk in the wayes Go on in the choise and chase of thy hearts desires But know thou To thy cost though such would faine baffle their knowledge and blinde the eye of their understanding yet it will not be As Esay XXVI 11. 1 King XXII 25. 2 Pet. III. 5. that for all these things This mars the mirth leavens all is sowre sauce to his sweet meats God will bring thee
VII 8. 2 Sam. XV. 30. Job IX 24. Ezek. XII 6 12. Eliakim Invested verse 20 after the devesting of Shebna they shall hang upon him As things are wont to be hanged on a pin verse 24 his fathers house the off-spring and the issue All his kindred and allies as well small as great shall partake of his honour one way or other Or there should be nothing in the Kings house but should be under his power and have dependance on him fastened in a sure place As Shebna accounted himself to be verse 25 â—e cut downe Meaning Shebna Tyre Of Tyre See the Observations on Josh. XIX 29. And the Annotations on Amos I. 9. See the like Prophecies against this Towne and State Ier. XXV 22. and XLVII 4. Ezek. XXVI XXVII XXVIII chapters Amos II. 9. Zech. IX 2 4. Tarshish Of this see the Observations on 1 Kings X. chapter XXIII verse 1 22. from the Land of Chittim it is revealed to them It is revealed and the report is come unto them that formerly traded with Tyre how it fared with her that she is sacked so that now all harbour in Tyre or entrance into it is denied unto them Who these of the land of Chittim should be there are variable conjectures but little certainty inhabitants of the Isle Ye verse 2 Tyrians the seed of Sihor Tyre described here verse 3 by her traffick with Egypt as formerly with Sidon See Ezek. XXVII 7. By the great waters of the midland Sea the graine of Egypt and all the trade and commodities of it of Sihor that is Nilus were brought to Tyre Of this Sihor or Shichor and that it is Nilus see the large Annotations upon this Text. the Sea hath spoken Tyre verse 4 The Lord of Hoasts hath purposed it By his Agents to do it verse 9 By Nebuchadnezzar who spent thirteen years in the siege of it as Josephus against Appion lib. 1. doth testifie And by Alexander the Great long after in his rage as Curtius in his fourth Book IV. Chapter doth witnesse He The Lord. verse 11 Behold the Land of the Chaldeans This is verse 13 or shall be brought to ruine And therefore it is not impossible but Tyre may be so in that day Wherein Tyres calamities here foretold shall be accomplished by Nebuchadnezzar Ezek. verse 15 XXVI 7. seventy years During the same time of the Jewes captivity in Babylon dayes of one King One Kingdome as Dan. VII 17. and VIII 21. to wit in the dayes and reignes of Nebuchadnezzar and his sonne and his sonnes sonne Jer. XVII 7. sing as an harlot To renew her lovers her traders and traffickers turne to her hire Of trading and traffick with all the Kingdomes The amplitude of her commerce and trade ver 8. Holinesse to the Lord The conversion of the Tyrians to God verse 18 in the Kingdome of the Messias it shall not be treasured nor laid up Not reserved for any common or prophane use publike or private for themselves or their posterity that dwell before the Lord The Lords Ministers for their plentiful maintenance in food and clothing the earth empty Another Sermon or Prophecie chapter XXIV verse 1 continuing to the end of Chapter XXVII This is more General then those going before And comprehends Judea and the neighbouring Nations on every side And the judgements herein denounced to be executed partly by the Assyrians and partly by the Chaldeans and afterwards also by others upon them See the like Jer. XXV 15 38. and XXVII 2 8. as with the people c. All estates verse 2 and conditions should fare alike is defiled The reason of the former denunciations verse 5 The new wine He proceedeth in particular verse 7 to instance in some specialties of judgements The Citie Taken collectively as verse 10 chap. XXV 2. and XXVII 10. every house is shut up So as there is no going out or in as the shaking of an Olive-tree Few shall be left verse 13 yet this remnant shall be to praise the Lord ver 14. from the Sea The transmarine lands verse 14 and Sea-coasts in general God in the fires In the fires of tribulations verse 15 glorifie God by patient sufferings and depending upon him for deliverances uttermost The generality of the joy of this Remnant left verse 16 my leannesse my leannesse The Prophet breaks off here his relation of the gladsome joy and praises of the foresaid Remnant And falls into a passionate bemoaning of himself and regret for the miseries that were the mean while for their sins to befal the others the windows from on high are opened Gods vengeance surprizing them verse 18 both from above and from beneath as well over their heads as under their feet and as no shelter for them against the one so no steady standing for them against the other To amplifie which hyperbolies are here used the hoast of the high ones Such as the Assyrian verse 21 and Chaldean Monarchs were and after many dayes shall they be visited In favour and mercy verse 22 Verified of sundry States and Nations in the Gospel-times under the Messias Then the Moone c. Esay closeth this first part verse 23 after his wonted manner with a passage concerning the spiritual yet illustrious glory and majesty of Gods reigning in his Church in the times of the Gospel the brightnesse and splendor whereof should be such as no light of Sunne or Moone no glory or magnificence of any worldly estate should be comparable thereunto O Lord chapter XXV verse 1 c. Esay falleth into a solemne celebration and praising of God for his foresaid wonderful works as well of judgement as of mercy the Citie Collectively verse 3 of the terrible Nations That were a terrour to others shall then stand in awe of thee when the blast Even in times of most need verse 4 and greatest dangers And in this mountain Mount Zion verse 6 a Type of the Church unto all people As well Gentiles as Jewes wines on the lees Pure and strong wines The face of the covering That ignorance and obstinacy verse 7 wherewith the minds and hearts of the Gentiles were formerly possessed veil 2 Cor. III. 14 16. death The second benefit accrewing to the convert Nations verse 8 a freeing them from the power of death of death spiritual in victorie Or unto victory i. e. until an utter conquest be made of him So the LXX which the Apostle retaineth 1 Cor. XV. 54 because the sense is good and sound though it do not exactly render the letter for the Hebrew is for ever wipe away A third benefit accrewing to the godly converted ones fulfilled partly in this life and perfectly in the next Shall be said Their thankful and joyful acknowledgement for those his mercies and favours verse 9 For A reason of their rejoycing and triumphing verse 10 in this mountain Verse 6 7. Moab Put for the enemies of Gods people in general And he The Lord. verse 11 Swimmeth Stretcheth out his armes with
last of Babels Monarchs Jer. XXVII 7. Dan. V. 28 30 31. Though he be called the sonne of Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadnezzar be called his father Dan. V. 11 13 18 22. The Romane Empire is none of the four Beasts chap. VII But the Greeks are the Dealers in the end of wrath Antiochus Epiphanes the last of the ten Hornes of the fourth Beast was the most furious Persecutor of the Jewes and their Religion See of him largely Dan. VII v. 8 11 20 21. and chap. VIII v. 9 14. and v. 23 24 25 26. and chap. XI 21 45. and chap. XII He raged terribly for two thousand three hundred dayes chap. VIII 14 24 25 26. that is six years three moneths and some twenty dayes viz. from the one hundred fourty second year of the Kingdom of the Greeks when after wicked Jason worse then Menelaus had got of Antiochus to be High Priest having in him the fury of a cruel Tyrant and the rage of a savage beast 1 Macc. I. 11. and v. 20 53. 2 Macc. IV. 25. from this time Antiochus continuing his rage until the one hundred fourty eighth year ninth moneth twenty fifth day 1 Macc. IV. 52 53 54. But raging most of all for a time times and the dividing of time Dan. VII 25. and chap. XII 7. that is three years and ten dayes from the time he took away the daily Sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation till the restoring of Gods worship againe 1 Macc. I. 54 57 59. and chap. IV 52 53 54. Or three years and a half beginning so at 1 Macc. I. 30. And againe from that time of taking away the daily Sacrifice and setting up the abomination of desolation were one thousand two hundred and ninety dayes to the end of those sad times of the Churches troubles But the one thousand three hundred thirty fifth day which was fourty five dayes after the former was the last end of the indignation the Blessed time perfectly to finish those furious persecutions by Antiochus by the death of Antiochus himself Dan. XII 6 7 8 11 12. 2 Macc. XI 33. 1 Macc. VI. 16. And at the end of the Kingdome of the Greeks subdued soone after by the rising up of the Romane Empire Christ came and erected his everlasting Kingdome and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Dan. II. 34 35 44 45. and Chap. VII 9 10 13 14 27. But of these things see more in my Annotations upon Daniel in the large Annotations upon the whole Bible printed Anno 1651. Gabrieal the only Angel in Scripture that hath a proper name Dan. VIII 16. and chap. IX 21. Lâ—ke I. 19 26. Michael being understood of Christ. Darius the Median the sonne of Ahasuerus Dan. V. 31. and VI. 28. and Cyrus the Persian Dan. IX 1. seeme fellowes in Empire and Cyrus the Survivor and sole Monarch Messiah a proper name Dan. IX 25. And hence famous in the New Testament John I. 41. and IV. 25. The Abomination of Desolation hath reference to Antiochus Epiphanes Dan. VIII 13. and chap. XI 31. and chap. XII 11. And to the Romanes Dan. IX 27. Matth. XXIV 15. like the Sonne of God Or rather like a sonne of the gods chapter III verse 25 For a Heathen King utterly ignorant of the Mystery of the Trinity could not dreame of the second Person the Sonne of God And so is that to be understood Psal. LXXXIX 6. As a phrase not unlike is in Judg. VIII 18. Many of the Ancient Fathers being desirous to get proofs of the Mystery of the Trinity and of Christs Humanity out of the Books of the Prophets did catch at all occasions and made use of any thing in them that might have the least shew and shadow to look that way And so they have wrested though not rightly this speech of Nebuchadnezzar to that purpose great Babylon The compasse of it within the walls was about four hundred furlongs chapter IV verse 30 or sixty miles The walls of it fifty foot if not Cubits broad so as two Charets with four horses on breast might easily meet on them And high at least fifty Cubits See my Annotations on this place And the learned Annotations on Jer. LI. 53 58. It is said to sit upon many waters Jer. LI. 13. to have a Sea ver 36. Esay XXI 1. by reason of the great river Euphrates whereon it was seated and the vast lakes meeres and pooles that were made out of it in that great plaine of the Land of Shinar and Babylon Gen. XI 2. This is an ancient Citie built by Nimrod Gen. X. 10. And was under the Assyrian Empire Manasseh King of Judah was carried hither by Esar-haddon the Assyrian Monarch 2 Chron. XXXIII 11. The Kings of it when it came from under the Assyrian Empire we reade in Scripture to be these Merodach Baladan Nebuchadnezzar Evilmerodach Belshazzar Esay XXXIX I. 2 Kings XXV 27. Dan. V. 1 11. Jer. XXVII 7. Yet some interpose one Assur and Labarssardach before Belshazzar for short times But not out of Scripture This Citie of Babylon is called Sheshach Jer. XXV 26. and LI. 41. though a King of Egypt was of the like name 2 Chron. XII 2. And likely this name is from some Babylonian Idol whence Michael might by the Babylonian Chamberlaine be termed Meshach Dan. I. 7. And haply hence the Sacean Festival in Babylon for eleven dayes together which â—erosus and Ctesius do mention took that name A Feast not unlike the Greek and Latine Saturnalia and our Christmas And in the time of which Feast probably was Babylon taken by Cyrus as Herâ—dote and Xenophon do report And the Prophet Jeremie himself by naming it Sheshach may seeme to point as it were with the finger to the very time of that Feast wherein Babylon and that State was to receive its fatal blow See Dan. V. 1. V. 30. to the Medes and Persians Medes coasted upon the Caspian Sea chapter V verse 28 Persians lay upon the Persian Gulph Esay XIII 17. Medes descended from Madai the sonne of Japhet Gen. X. 2. 1 Chron. I. 5. They and the Persians in some sort one people as well for vicinity as affinity and acknowledging one King Esay XXI 2. Jer. LI. 11. Dan. V. 28. and IX 1. like the sonne of man Rather like a sonne of man chapter VII verse 13 For Christ is not there likened to himself but to a man in general As Ezekiel is called a sonne of man and as men in Scripture are usualy called the sonnes of men And so is that place to be understood Apoc. I. 13. Like a sonne of man And againe chap. XIV 14. Like unto a sonne of man Province of Elam Elam is Persia chapter VIII verse 2 from Elam the sonne of Sem and brother to Asshur and Arphaxad Gen. X. 22. 1 Chron. I. 17. The Province of Elam is that part of Persia that bordered upon the Medes whereupon Elamites and Medes are joyned together Esay XXI 2. Jer. XXV 25.