decorative border A plain And Familiar EXPLICATION( by way of Paraphrase) OF ALL THE HARD Texts of the whole Divine Scripture of the OLD and NEW TESTAMENT. BY JOS. EXON. LONDON, Printed by MILES FLESHER, for NATH: butter at the sign of the Pyde' Bull at S. Austins Gate. MDCXXXIII. TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY MONARCH CHARLES BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT britain, FRANCE AND IRELAND, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH. MOST GRATIOVS AND DREAD sovereign, NOthing can so much concern a man to seek for, as life eternal; the onely means to find this eternal life, is the knowledge of God; there is no means to know God,( to purpose,) but by his Word; this word, though plain, and clear in the main truths, yet wants not some difficulties, in other expressions; the explication of these difficulties, is( for a great part) the occasion, and matter of our Sermons, Lectures, Commentaries; every man holding it both an high honour, and an happy service to be Gods trucheman to the world; the clearest and shortest way of explication, is by Paraphrase: many learned Interpreters, both of our Church, and the Roman, have undertaken this task by parcels, the use and benefit whereof, is, and should no less, be universal: My meanness hath therefore boldly endeavoured this great work; which, as I durst not undergo, without the aid of the best Commenters, both ancient and modern; so I do in all humility subject it to the grave and holy judgement of this renowned Church: it is so far from my thoughts, peremptorily to prescribe senses unto any, as that I am ready upon better information, to amend my own errors: Onely my desire, and ambition is, to give some light to weaker apprehensions; wherein I hope to do a service, not utterly unbeseeming your Majesties gracious Patronage; and unspeakably beneficial to many thousands of souls; who shall bless God for the least glimpses of illumination in these divine Oracles. The work, such as it is, I most humbly cast down, with myself, at your Majesties feet; for who but Gods Vice-gerent upon earth could seem proper to challenge the protection of a business, so highly importing the honour of the God of heaven; and amongst Kings,( besides the relation of a sovereign Master) who but the Defender of that true faith, which is infallibly grounded upon these holy Scriptures: eminent no less in goodness and piety, then in greatness and power; the great pattern of devotion, twice every day( even in public view) constantly busied in this book of God: In so many names, I have presumed through your Majesties royal hands, to tender it unto Gods Church; not without the vows of my most fervent prayers to God for the enlargements of his blessings upon your sacred person, family, government, as who am ever justly obliged to be Your Majesties most loyal and faithfully devoted servant IOS. EXON. TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. Reader, I Cannot be so weak, as not to presuppose, that so great, and bold a work must needs undergo variety of constructions: There will not want some, I doubt not, who will be of opinion, that this labour might have been better spared; as thinking the Scriptures to lye already too open to vulgar hands; with whom it is not now seasonable to argue that beaten question concerning the expedience of the free allowance of Gods book to laic readers; wherein the Church of England( our dear and blessed mother) hath sufficiently declared her judgement( besides words) by her ingenuous practise; onely therefore taking this liberty for granted, I shall easily from hence evince the usefulness of some such plain and orthodox explication; For, since the Scriptures are through the liberal bessing of God, promiscuously allowed to all hands, I ask whether it bee not much better they should bee put into the way of being rightly understood by the simplest, then to lye under the danger of an ignorant mis-construction; Neither do I hereby endeavour to make them more common, but better conceived; that, where the letter is in use, the sense may not be mis-taken; The inconveniences that are pretended to have followed upon the open, and free permission of Scriptures in vulgar languages, have sensibly arisen from the mis-understanding of them; remove that peril,& the frequency and universality of thē can be no other then a blessing; This service I have here indevored to perform; having commonly in the passages of this work, trod in the steps( as I have judged) of the best interpretations:& seldom when, gone alone: Neither do I offer to obtrude these my explications upon any reader, as magisterial, and peremptory; Who am I that I should take upon me to govern, and command other mens thoughts? but modestly and humbly propound them to Gods Church, as probable helps to weaker judgements: leaving my reader free, in the mean time, if my sense satisfy not, to his own further disquisition: Onely, since all men have not choice of commenters, nor leisure to compare them, nor skill to judge of the fairest sense, I have undertaken this pains for the ease and advantage of my plain reader, to cull out, and commend unto him, the most safe, and likely interpretations. In the historical part, he shall need little help, in the poetical, or Sapientiall, more; in the prophetical most of all; in many passages whereof, every line is a riddle; I should bee vain to brag of my fidelity herein; as who have not knowingly omitted any clause, wherein there seemed to be any show of difficulty; nor clogged the volume with glosses that I conceived unnecessary. Some perhaps will imagine it might have been much better, to have taken the whole text before me, then to have thus selected some noted periods of harder construction; Who may be pleased to consider how much vastness might so have accrued to this labour, and how little use; To paraphrase easy texts, had been to set up a candle before the sun; and to publish the whole Text, with a partial explication( if leave might possibly have been obtained for so bold a project) had been to raise the bulk, and to lose the vigour and benefit of the work: Since there be some historical books of Scripture, wherein there is very little use of any Paraphrase; and some( as those of the Chronicles) wherein there is none at all; Herein therefore I have done that, which I judged to avail most to the use and profit of my Christian Reader; whom I must suppose furnished with a Bible at home; and willing to help his understanding in places of more obscurity. To fore-mention the particularities of that benefit which may arise to Gods Church in the use of so plain an enarration of the meaning of his holy Spirit, were both too much to distrust the judgement of others; and to seem to set forth the glory of my own endeavours; the infirmities whereof, if they may receive pardon from God, and my superiors; and amendment from more able hands, to whose aid and correction I do humbly submit myself, and them, it shall bee the utmost of my aim, and ambition. That good God, who hath graciously enabled me, notwithstanding the throng of other occasions, to go through with this well-meant work, bless it to the behoof of his Church, and the glory of his own Name. Amen. A PARAPHRASE VPON THE HARD TEXTS OF THE WHOLE DIVINE SCRIPTURE. GENESIS. CAP. I. IN the beginning of time, 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. God the Father, son, and Holy Ghost, made, of nothing, the whole great, and goodly frame of the world; both the heaven and the earth, and the other elements, with all the furniture and inhabitants of them all. Yet not all together, and at once, nor in this perfect form, at first, 2 And the earth was without form, and voided, and darkness was upon the face of the deep:& the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. wherein we now see them, but by leisure& degrees; for both the earth and elements, in their first being, were a rude and confused heap, by him newly created without any matter preceding, or without any fashionable shape at all; it being not distinguished, fashioned, beautified, as afterward, neither had this vast mass of water and earth intermingled, as yet any light, either for distinction or ornament, but even in this their confusion, the holy Spirit( the preserver of all creatures) upheld, cherished, and gave fit succour to this imperfect beginning of all things. Then God willed, 3 And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. and in this point brought his eternal decree to execution, that there should be light, not of the sun, or stars, which were not yet created; but a common brightness onely, to distinguish the time, and to remedy that former confused darkness and it was accordingly made. And God approved this light, by him created, 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and and God divided the light from the darkness. to be of excellent, and necessary use, and established it, by his allowance, as fit to continue, and to be interchanged with darkness. 5 And God called the light day, and the darkness he called night: and the evening and the morning were the first day. And God set to either of them their due times and courses; appointing that the light should serve for day, darkness for night, and that man afterwards should so call them; and so was the first natural day, consisting of evening and morning, fully finished. 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Then God willed that there should be a large clear airy distance betwixt those upper waters, which are gathered into clouds, and these below. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters, which were under the firmament, from the waters, which were above the firmament, and it was so. Therefore God caused this large extent of air, to spread itself high and wide, and thereby made a separation betwixt those airy, and these lower earthly waters, and it was done. 8 And God called the firmament heaven, and the evening and the morning were the second day. And this dilated air( as also that above) he taught man, after, to call heaven, and established the due use, and course therof, and thus was the second natural day, consisting of evening and morning, finished. 9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear, and it was so. Further, God willed that these lower waters should be gathered into one common place of receipt, and that the dry land, which was till now covered over therewith, should appear, and it was so done. 10 And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering together of the waters called he seas: and God saw that it was good And God taught to call this dry land( according to the nature of it) earth: and the common receptacle of waters, seas: and God allowed this second dayes work also as of necessary and excellent use for his purposed creatures. 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit three yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself upon the earth: and it was so. Then God willed that by his immediate power, even before the sun was created, the earth should bring forth all manner of vegetables: both those that do voluntarily sprout up, and those which do since require the art, and labour of man: all buds, blossoms, herbs, trees, which both may, and do bear fruit according to their kind; and whose fruit by his appointment containeth in it the seed of their own kindes, and it was so done. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the three yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the earth brought forth,( as God commanded her) all manner of vegetables in very great variety, according to the several kindes, both of herbs that yield their own seed as the means of their future increase, and all trees that bear fruit, and whose fruit by his appointment, containeth in it the seed of their own kind:& God allowed them as of necessary, and excellent use,& established the benefits therof to his future creatures. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day. And thus was the third natural day, consisting of morning and evening, also finished. And God further willed, 14 And God said, Let there bee lights in the firmament of the heaven, to divide the day from the night: and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for dayes, and yeares. that in the highest part of the air, which wee call heaven, there should bee made the stars, which are so many glorious lights, in the firmament, partly to make a perpetual and constant division betwixt day and night, and partly to be certain and natural signs for mans direction in his course of judgement, and practise, for sowing, planting, sailing, and such other common affairs, and partly to make a distinction of seasons: summer, winter, spring, harvest, autumn, yeares, months, weekes, dayes, houres. Lastly( which is their chiefest use) he willed that they should serve to give lively heat, and light, 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven, to give light upon the earth, and it was so. from those high places, wherein he set them to his creatures here upon earth, and it was so done. And now God made amongst the rest, 16 And God made two great lights; the greater to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. two great lights greater then the rest, not in body, but in glory, the greater to rule the day; to which purpose he gathered into all that light, which hitherto was diffused through the air; the lesser, together with the other smaller stars, to rule the night. Thus God( I say) made these heavenly lights, 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. and placed them in the highest part of the air, that they might the better give light to the earth. And that they might interchangeably govern the day and night, and distinguish the light from the darkness, 18 And to rule over the day, and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good the dawning and twilight from the clear day; and God allowed them, as of excellent, and necessary use for his other creatures. So the fourth natural day consisting of morning and evening, was fully finished. 19 And the evening and and the morning were the fourth day. Now, 20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowle that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. that God had thus made fit room and place for his creatures, he willed that they should in their several ranks, and orders be framed; and first( as the least perfect) he decreed that the waters should abundantly bring forth all swimming and creeping things( proper to itself) that have life; and, that of the lighter and more airy part thereof, should be made all kind of fowles, that fly upon the earth, and waters, in the open space of the air. Then God of the same Element, 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowle after his kind: and and God saw that it was good. made the mighty Whales, Whirlpooles,& all other those huge& strange forms of creatures; and all kind of fishes, that live and move in the waters; he framed of the same matter, in great variety and abundance, according to their kinds, and every flying fowle according to his kind: and God allowed them to be of excellent use. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Bee fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas; and let fowle multiply in the earth. Then God gave a real and sensible blessing unto them, willing and decreeing by an● everlasting Law, that these watery creatures should naturally multiply themselves by generation, in an especial manner, and measure; so as they should plentifully store both the Sea and Rivers, and that the fowles also, should by a natural form of generation, multiply their numbers, and successions upon earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fift day. So the fift natural day, consisting of morning and evening, was fully finished. 24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping things and beasts of the earth after his kind: and it was so. Furthermore, God appointed that of the earth( by his almighty power) should bee made all other living things according to their kinds; all cattle that should be for more familiar use to man; all those creeping things, which live and move in, and upon the earth; and those wild beasts of the forest, which live apart from the sight and service of man, each of them according to his nature, and kind, and it was so done. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind: and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God accordingly made the wild beast of the field according to his kind, and all those creeping things which move in and upon the earth, according to their several kind, and the tamer cattle, according to their kind, and God allowed their use as commodious and necessary. 26 And God said, Let us make man in our Image after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the Sea,& over the fowle of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Then God( when all helps, and ornaments were thus prepared) decreed, and after a divine manner consulted with himself, the Father with the Son, and holy Spirit, concerning the Creation of his chief creature, Man; as it were to this effect: We have made our several creatures, in great variety; having given to them, being, life, sense and motion; but now, let us make that creature, for whose sake the rest have been created; consisting as of a material body; wherein he shall partake with other creatures, in being, life, sense, and motion; so also, of a spituall nature& substance, wherein he shall be like to us; being endued, as with all the faculties of a reasonable soul, so also with perfect knowledge, holinesse, righteousness: And let them have dominion over all the creatures, over the fishes of the Sea, and over the fowles of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing, that creepeth on the earth. 27 So God created man in his own Image, in the Image of God created he him, male and female created he them. So God, accordingly, created man, after his own Image, both in respect of his spiritual soul, and of this integrity, and holinesse, and righteousness, wherewith he was endued; he created them in both sexes, both male and female; forming the male of the matter of earth, and the female afterwards of the male. And God gave a special blessing unto them; and said, 28 And God blessed thē, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,& subdue it:& have dominion over the fish of the sea. Be ye( through that power of propagation, which I give you) fruitful; and multiply and replenish the earth with your seed; and be ye possessors and rulers of the earth, &c. And God said, Behold, as I have made you, 29 And God said, Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every three. and given you life, so am I careful to provide and grant you fit sustenance for the continuance of that life, which I have given you: Take ye liberty therfore to eat of every plant, that groweth upon the earth, whether herb or three, &c. CAP. II. THus were the heavens, and the earth, and sea, 1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. and all the hosts of heaven( both the Angels, and stars,) and all the furniture of the earth and water( both plants, and beasts, and birds, and fishes) finished, by the mighty power of God in the space of six dayes. And on the seventh day, 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work, which he had made: and he restend on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. God having finished the the great work of his creation; ceased from any further act of this kind, rejoicing in the view of his glorious workmanship, and never since ceasing to preserve, order, and govern that world, which he then created. And thereupon God gave a special blessing to the seventh day, and honoured it with this privilege, 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it he had restend from all his work which God created and made. that it should be a day set apart to rest and holinesse; that so by this means, men might be put in mind of the wonderful work of his creation, and might celebrate that rest of their creator. This is the story, 4 These are the generations of the heavens, and of the earth, when they were created, in the day that the Lord God mad the earth, &c. or just report of the making of the heavens, and the earth, in that beginning of time, wherein the Lord God( who hath eternal being in himself) gave a being to the earth and the heavens. And to every plant of the field, when as before it had no being in the earth, 5 And every plant of the field, before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field, before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth: and there was not a man to till the ground. and to every herb that had not as yet been, nor could have been, as by any natural means: for there had been as yet no rain( which is the ordinary means of fruitfullnesse,( sent down from God upon the earth, neither was there any man( as yet) to till the ground, and by his industry and art to draw forth any fruit therefrom. Onely God caused a mist or vapour, 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. to rise up from the earth, and to fall down again, upon the whole face of the ground; whereby the earth was watered, and the fruits thereof refreshed, till he thought good to sand the ordinary and natural helps of her fruitfulness. 7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the Lord God formed the body of man, of the mould of the ground, and inspired and animated him, with a living and reasonable spirit, which is immortal, immaterial, separable from the body: and so man, consisting of body and soul, became a perfect creature, endued with life and reason, and such qualities, and motions as were fit to proceed from both. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put man whom he had formed. And the Lord God planted an orchard, and garden of pleasure, in the eastern tract of that goodly and fruitful country of Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every three, that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food: the three of life also, in the midst of the garden, and the three of knowledge of good and evil. And the Lord God furnished, and adorned that garden with all variety of goodly and pleasant plants, that might be delectable either to the eye, or to the taste, or wholesome for nourishment: and amongst the rest caused to grow there, that flourishing and sacramental three of life; which as it had virtue to preserve the natural life, so served to signify both that eternal life of glory, and blessedness in heaven, and the onely author of that eternal life, Jesus Christ; and therewith also, that fatal three of knowledge, the eating whereof should cause man( who before knew onely good) to have a woeful knowledge and experience of evil. 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from thence it was partend, and became into four heads. And for the commodity of the place, God had so seated it, as that a river came down out of Eden; to water the garden; and from thence it partend itself into four several streams. 11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold: The first is that channel of Euphrates which is called Pischon, which washeth upon the land which afterward took the name of Havilah( one of the grandchidren of Eber) where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good, there is Bdellium and the Onyx ston. And the gold of that land( as likewise of his brother Ophirs) is very pure and fine; and there is store of rich gums, or pearls, and precious stones 13 And the name of the second river is Gihon, the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. The name of the second stream, or channel, is Gihon, which floweth along by desert Arabia; the inheritance afterwards of Cush, the son of Cham. 14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria: and the fourth river is Euphrates. The name of the third stream is Hiddekel, or Tigris, which floweth eastward to Assyria: And the fourth, retaining the appellation of the whole main river, is called Euphrates. Then the Lord took man from the place where he was created; 15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it, and to keep it. and placed him in this goodly paradise of Eden, not that he should be idle, and there spend his time in vain pleasure; but that he might sow, plant, prune, keep and dress it, not in any toiling, or afflicting labour, but only for his voluntary, and delightful exercise. And God prescribed man a Law for his diet, 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying; Of every three of the garden thou maiest freely eat. to this effect; Thou seest with what plenty, and delicacy of fruit I have stored this garden, for thee; all which I leave to thy free choice, and full liberty: feed on which soever thou likest. Onely one three there is, 17 But of the three of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. which for the trial of thine obedience, I forbid thee, and thine to taste of; the three of experience so good& evil; so termed in regard of the event, for so soon as ever thou eatest the fruit therof, thou shalt surely bee in the state of mortality, and shalt sensibly feel evident proofs of thy frailty; and besides this bodily death, thy transgression of this my Commandement, shall be punished( if I should deal with thee in the rigour of my Justice) with the separation of thy body and soul from my presence for ever. Now before this time, even in the sixth day, 18 And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should bee alone: I will make him an help meet for him. the Lord had thus determined, concerning man; It is neither so comfortable an estate, nor fit for the natural propagation of mankind, that the man should live alone, in one onely Sex: I will make him an helper, of his own nature, meet for him, in both regards. For when the Lord had formed of the earth every beast of the field, and every fowle of the air, 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowle of the air, and brought them unto Adam, to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. of their own fit matter, and had brought them to man( who was their lord) to aclowledge his sovereignty, and to receive from him their names( for howsoever Adam, out of the knowledge of their several nature, thought good to call them, so was their names.) And when Adam had given fit names to all the creatures; to all the tamer sort of cattle, 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowle of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. all the fowles of the air, all wild beasts; all this while, among so great choice, Adam found not a meet helper of his own nature, and form, with whom he might converse for comfort, and generation. Wherefore the Lord God had cast man into a deep sleep or ecstasy, 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep, to fall upon Adam,& he slept, and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. that he might not be sensible of what he suffered, and whiles he thus slept, he took out one of his ribs from his side, and closed up the breach with flesh in the room thereof. And of this rib, thus taken from Adam, 22 And the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. God framed the woman, in a most comely proportion, and brought her thus framed immediately to Adam, as a fit match to join with him. Then Adam lovingly and cheerfully receiving her, 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: shee shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. gladly acknowledged; this indeed, is she whom I sought among all the creatures, and found not: now have I obtained of the Lord, a fit helper for me, for lo, this is not onely of the same nature, but( as I well see) of the same flesh, blood, and bone, with myself. She shall be therefore called woman; because she is taken out of the man, that as she received her substance from me, so she may take her name also. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shal cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Seeing therefore such was the creation of woman, and the first institution of marriage; it is the everlasting will of God, that there shall be an entire and loving conjunction betwixt the man and wife: and, whether in their habitation( if occasion so require) or whether in the danger of the dissolution of this bond, the man shall rather leave father and mother, and his duty to them in this case, for his wife, thē neglect her due satisfaction;& they two shall be so nearly knit together, both in body and mind, that they shall be but as one flesh; like as at their first creation. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. And such was the purity, simplicity, and perfection of their mindes and bodies, as that both Adam and his wife were naked; and found not this estate, either unwholesome, or unhonest, or uncomely: for as yet there was no lust in them, which might breed their shane either before God, or themselves. CAP. III. NOw the Serpent was, by nature, 1 Now the Serpent was more subtle then any beast of the field, which the Lord God had made, and he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every three of the garden? more subtle then any beast of the field, which God had made; and therefore the fitter to be employed, as an instrument of satan, to betray mankind: Him therefore did satan make choice of; and in him thus spake in double sense to the woman; as the weaker vessel: Is it so indeed that God hath forbidden you to eat of any three of the Garden? And the woman said unto the Serpent; 2 And the woman said unto the Serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: We have free liberty given us to eat indifferently of the fruit of the Trees of the Garden, in great variety of diet. Onely from one three in the midst of the Garden, 3 But of the fruit of the three which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall Ye touch it, lest ye die. hath God restrained us, and hath charged us; ye shall not eat of that one three, nor touch it, upon pain of death. Then the Serpent said to the woman; Tush, there is a farther matter in this prohibition; fear not; 4 And the Serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. there is no danger of dying any death at all. But herein God rather envies your further felicity; for he well knows, on the contrary, 5 For God knows, that in the day ye eat therof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. that whensoever ye shall eat of that fruit, the eyes of your understanding( which are now half shut) shall be fully opened, and ye shall be full of divine knowledge, like your Maker: for( as the name of that three may inform you) whereas now you know by halves onely, that which is good; then you shall know evil also. So the woman, being won by satan, 6 And when the woman saw, that the three was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a three to be desired to make one wise, shee took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. to fix her eyes upon that fruit, and being persuaded that it was like by the outward show of it, to be fit for use; and finding it to be exceeding pleasant to sight, And hearing it to be a fruit of such admirable benefit, for the obtaining of further knowledge, took thereof, and did eat it; and because she would have her husband partaker with her of such happiness, she commended it to him; and he seduced by her, did eat of it also. Then the eyes of their understanding were opened indeed as Satan had foretold, 7 And the eyes of them both were opened,& they knew that: they were naked: and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. to discern between the good which they had lost,& the evil into which they were fallen; opened therefore to their own misery, and shane; for now the impurity of their mindes caused them to see, and aclowledge the deformity of their bodies, which before their sin, were no other then comely: to the hiding whereof, they fastened together fig leaves, and made themselves, a cover for those parts, wherein now their corrupted nature told them their chief shane lay. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hide themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the Garden. And now, after the conscience of their sin; God who is the Judge, and revenger of it, gave some sensible tokens of his presence, about that time, when the heat of the day was abated, in the Garden; and therefore Adam and his wife( who had wont to delight in the presence of their God) now ran away, to hid themselves, among the thickets of trees, from the sight of him. But God( from whom he could not be hide) audibly called him forth; 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? and said unto him, in the person of both, Adam, where art thou? Who answered, I heard thy voice in the Garden, and was afraid of thy majesty, 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the Garden: and was afraid, because I was naked, and I hide myself. & in regard of myself, I saw that my nakedness had in it shane, and deformity, Therefore I hide myself. Then God saith, thou hast heretofore appeared before me boldly, 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the three, whereof I commanded thee, that thou shouldst not eat. and not complained of thy nakedness, Whence therefore is thy shane, and conscience of deformity? It is a wrong cause which thou pretendest: the own mouth evinceth thee as guilty of the breach of my law, speak out therefore more plainly, against thyself; Hast thou not eaten of that fruit, whereof alone I charged thee, upon so fearful a pain, that thou shouldst not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the three, and did eat. Then Adam, still desiring to put off the blame from himself, said, It is true, I have eaten indeed; but the fault was not so much mine; for, Lo, the woman, which was of thine own choosing, and giving, she drew me to this sin; which of myself I should not have easily yielded to. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the Lord God said unto the woman; How is it that thou hast committed so heinous a crime, both to eat thyself, and to draw thy husband into sin with thee? And the woman said, Alas, Lord, how did I think that any of thy creatures would have thus betrayed us; behold, the Serpent, a creature of thine own making, beguiled me with false promises, and induced me, in simplicity, to eat of it. 14 And the Lord God said unto the Serpent, Because, thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat, all the daies of thy life. Then God, not examining any farther, began to pronounce sentence upon the Serpent; and said, Because thou hast been used, as an instrument to destroy mankind; thou shalt be most execrable, and detestable, above all, either cattle, or wild beast, and where as thou didst lift up thyself to deceive the woman; now thou shalt for ever crawl upon thy belly, in an ugly and horrible fashion, and, as thou hast brought man back again to the dust, so thou shalt eat the dust of the earth, while thou livest. Unto the woman, 16 unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children: and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. which was the next instrument of this sin, God said, I will greatly increase those sorrows, which are proper to thy Sex, and those especially, which shall follow upon thy conceptions. And whereas thou shouldst have had children born without sin, and born without pain, now( seeing thou hast sought too much unlawful pleasure) thou shalt in much anguish, and sore throws of travel, bring forth Children; and as thou hast won thy husband, in this new act, to follow thee; so for ever thine appetite shall be subject to thine husband;& kerbed by him at pleasure, and he shall with more command,& inequality rule over thee, in all thine actions. Also, to Adam he said; 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkned unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the three of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake: in sorrow shalt thou eat of it al the daies of thy life. because thou hast yielded to the evil persuasions of thy wife, and not to me, and hast eaten of that three, whereof alone, I so deeply charged thee not to eat, behold, that earth which I made, and fitted for thy use, shall now, because of thy sin, be accursed to thee, with barrenness, and evil fruit; with much toil, and pain, shalt thou procure, and eat the fruit thereof, all the dayes of thy life. And when thou hast done thy best to it, it shall deceive thy hope, and, in stead of wholesome grain, 18 thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee: and thou shalt eat the herb of the field. shall yield thee thorns and thistles; and thou that hast thus pleased thy taste, shalt no more eat of the pleasant fruit of this Garden; but shalt be fain to take up with the herbs and fruit of the field, else where. And not onely with vexation of mind, 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground: for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. but with wearisome and extreme labour of body, shalt thou procure thy sustenance; and that not for some short time, but till thou return to the earth; for, what proud conceit and hope soever the Serpent put into thee, of not dying, I tell thee, that as of the dust of the earth thou wert formed, so now thou art in the state of certain mortality, and to dust shalt thou return. And Adam, now looking for that perpetuity in his seed, 20 And Adam called his wives name Eve, bebecause she was the mother of all living. which he saw he could not have in himself, called his wives name, Hevah, because she was, and should be the mother of all living men, the posterity whereof he saw would be large, and manifold. And God the Lord, partly for wholsomnesse of body, 21 unto Adam also, and to his wife, did the Lord God make coats of skins,& clothed them. and partly to put them in mind of their corruption, which had made nakedness shameful, prepared skins for Adam and Eve, and taught them both to fashion those skins into garments( whereby their whole bodies might be covered) and also to put them on. 22 And the Lord God said; Behold, the man is become as one of us to know good and evil. And now lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the three of life, and eat and live for ever: Then the Lord God upbraiding man with his folly, said; See now how well satan hath performed his promise to man: Is he not think you, become like one of us? Hath he not gained a goodly measure of knowledge, both of good and evil? And now heed must be taken lest he should farther profane the sacrament of that other three of life, and double his sin, by hoping as vainly, to obtain an eternal life, by the fruit thereof, as he hoped for the perfection of knowledge by the other. 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence he was taken. Therefore the Lord forced man to go forth of the Garden of pleasure, as being unworthy to abide in so godly a place any more, and let him to till the other base Earth whence he was taken. 24 So he driven out the man: and he placed at the East of the garden of Eden, Cherubims, and a flaming sword, which turned every way, to keep the way of the three of life. And when God had thus, in disgrace, cast man out of Paradise, that he might utterly cut off all hope of his return, he placed on the East side of Eden( where the entrance was,) Angells with flaming swords, continually shaken, to be guarders thereof, which until the defacing thereof by the flood, duly kept it from all possibility of reentring; as in regard of the whole Garden, so especially of the three of life, which God would not have touched by man, in this estate of his corruption. CAP. IIII. 1 And Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. THen Adam, after his banishment out of Paradise, had carnal knowledge of Evah his wife; which conceived and bare a son, whom shee( acknowledging the performance of Gods promise and blessing) called Cain, that is, Possession, because, said she, I have obtained a man, even after my fall, by the gift of the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof, and the Lord had respect unto Abel, and to his offering. And Abel also himself brought of the first fruits of his flock; and of the fattest, and best of them; with a faithful and cheerful heart, and the Lord shewed by some visible testimony, that he did graciously accept both Abels person, and offering. And Cain was exceeding wrath, and his countenance fell. He was exceedingly moved with anger, and envy against God, and his brother: and bewrayed extreme discontentment in his countenance, which was now churlish and dejected. 7 If thou do well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou dost not well, sin lieth at the door: and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. If thou do well, and offer in faith, is there any doubt but thou shalt be accepted, as well as thy brother? but if thou do amiss, both the conscience of thy sin, shall be ever ready to afflict and torment thee, and the due revenge of sin shall continually wait upon thee; and, as for thy brother, there is no cause of heart burning towards him; for both by nature, and his own will, he is subject unto thee, and thou, as the elder brother, mayest command him. 9 Am I my brothers keeper? Am I to wait upon my younger brother, or should not he rather attend upon me? Why shouldst thou ask an account of him from me? again, God said: 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brothers blood crieth unto me from the ground. What villainy is this that thou hast done? behold how silent soever thou be in the confession of thy sin, the blood of thy brother( which thou hast shed) cries loud in mine ears, out of the Earth, for vengeance against thee. Now therefore cursed be thou both in thy pains which thou bestowest upon the ground, 11 And now art thou cursed from the Earth which, &c. and in thy flight from this earth which hath, &c. And wheresoever thou shalt bestow thy pains in tilling the ground, 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not hence-forth yield unto thee her strength: A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the Earth. it shall not henceforth yield thee her wonted increase; neither shalt thou be able to settle thyself any where; for thine unquiet conscience shall not suffer thee to rest, but shall drive thee from place to place, so as thou shalt be a miserable vagabond, and runagate in the earth. Then Cain said unto the Lord, 13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater then I can bear. Alas how shall I abide this curse? The punishment which thou inflictest upon me is intolerable. For behold, thou castest me out of this earth, 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the Earth, and from thy face shall I be hide, and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth: and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me, shall slay me. and out of thy protection and grace, wherein alone is all safety, and I, driven with the horrors of mine own conscience, shall be a vagrant, and runagate, upon earth, I know not whither; and whosoever findeth me( though of mine own loins) shall kill me, as I have done my brother. Then the Lord said unto him, fear not, 15 And the Lord said unto him; Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sever fold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him, should kill him. this danger of thy death, I would have it the chief part of thy punishment to live long& miserable, for fearful example unto others: whosoever therefore shal kill Cain( though so bloody a murderer) he shall be punished by many degrees more severely then Cain himself, for the blood of his brother. And God set a visible and conspicuous mark upon the body of Cain, that whosoever met him, might hereby be warned not to lay hands upon him, notwithstanding his just desert of death. 16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord,& dwelled in the land of Nod, on the East of Eden. Then Cain was shut out from the protection of God, and that place where were visible signs of Gods presence, and means of his worship: and dwelled after his uncertain and wandering manner, in that Land which was afterwards from his aberration, called the land of Nod, toward the East side of Eden. 23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah& Zillhah, hear my voice, ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. And Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillhah: what tell you me of any dangers and fears? hear my voice O ye faint-hearted wives of Lamech, and harken to my speech; I pass not of the strength of any adversary: For I know my own valour, and power to revenge, if any man give me but a wound, or a stroke, though he be never so young, and lusty, I can, and will kill him dead. 24 If Cain shall be avenged seven-fold, truly Lamech seventy and seven fold. And if the murderer of Cain shall find it avenged upon him sevenfold, how then shall the violence offered to Lamech escape the revenge of seventy times seven fold? 26 Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord. Then, after all the dissoluteness and profaneness of Caines posterity, men began to gather themselves into Congregations for public service of God, and to make open, and solemn profession of Religion. CAP. V. 1 This is the book of the generation of Adam: in the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him. THis is the Roll or Catalogue of the generations of Adam, In that sixth day wherein God created man, he made him after his own Image, in holinesse and righteousness. 3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty yeares and begot a son in his own likeness, after his Image; and called his name Seth. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty yeares when in the ordinary course of generation, he begot a son in the same state of corruption, and mortality, wherein himself was after his fall, and he called his name Seth. 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. And Henoch acknowledged the Lord in all his ways, and studied in all his life to approve himself to God, having his affections and conversation above: therefore he had no more being upon Earth: For God took him from amongst men; and after no ordinary manner translated both his body and soul into his glory. 29 And he called his name Noah; saying, This same shall comfort us, concerning our work' and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord hath cursed. And called his name Noah: because of the consolation which should arise from that rest which the world should enjoy through him; saying, whether by revelation, from God, or upon the confidence of his good hope, this same shall by the blessing, wherewith his Justice shall be rewarded, comfort us concerning that toil& sorrow, which our sins have procured; and this earth which the Lord hath cursed for our iniquities, shall through his holinesse, and integrity, in some measure, recover her strength, and yield due increase. CAP. VI. SO when the world began to be much peopled both of men and women: 1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the Earth, and daughters were born unto them: Then even the professors of Religion the seed of the righteous Seth and Henoch, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were faire, and they took them wives, of all which they choose. saw the daughters of the profane and godless generation of Cain, and Lamech; that they were faire, and being overtaken with their beauty, yielded so much to their lust, that without all respect had to religion, and godliness, they matched themselves carelessly in marriage with them. 3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his daies shall be an hundred and twenty yeares. Therefore the Lord decreed thus with himself. I have used means enough to have reclaimed the world from their wickedness: I have taught, admonished, threatened them, all this prevails not, I will no more strive with the perverseness of Man, in this kind: For, when I have all done, they are still but carnal; I will therefore set him a stint of yeares, before his common destruction, unless therefore within an hundred& twenty yeares he repent him of his sins: I will then surely destroy him. In those dayes were men monstrous both in stature and conditions, 4 There were Giants in the Earth in those dayes: and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them: the same became mighty men, which were of old, men of renown. and not the parents onely but their children; for after that the seed of the righteous had thus lawlessly joined themselves with the daughters of the wicked: and they had born them children, even these also were men of the same hugeness and disposition, which were in those past ages much spoken of for their strength and tyranny. Then God( like as a man that repenteth him of his work, 6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him at his heart. purposeth to undo that which he hath wrought) by the effect seemed to our weakness, as if he repented him of mans Creation, in that he now determined to destroy him, whom he had made,& now was both grievously displeased with their sins, and yet loathe to revenge. 11 The Earth also was corrupt before God, &c. Then not onely the men, but the very Earth itself was defiled with their abominations in the presence of God. 14 Make thee an ark of Gopher wood: rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within& without with pitch. Make thee by the help of workmen, an ark of the tallest Pine or Cedar trees, framed and planed for that purpose, thou shalt make many several partitions in the ark, and shalt cause it to bee pitched within and without. 15 And this is the fashion, which thou shalt make it of: the length of the ark shall bee 300 Cubits, the breadth of it 50 Cubits, and the height of it 30 Cubits. And this shall be the proportion wherein thou shalt make it; the length thereof shall be three hundred of the largest Cubits, such as the tall stature of men in thine age affordeth; and the breadth fifty of the same Cubits, so as the length may bee six times the breadth, and Ten times the height. 16 A Window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above: and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof: with lower, second, and third Stories shalt thou make it. Thou shalt make a clear light of windows in the ark, and in the space of a Cubit above them, shall be the rising of the roof thereof; the door of the ark shalt thou make in the one side thereof, not in either of the ends, and thou shalt frame it in three lofts, or floors one above another. CAP. VII. 1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark, for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. NOw when an hundred and twenty yeares after that first warning given to Noah, were expired; the Lord said to Noah: Enter thou and all thine house into the ark, for thee onely haue I found, in this corrupt and depraved age, free from the common infection of wickedness, and sincere-hearted towards me. 2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts which are not clean by two the male and his female. Of every clean beast( whereof there shall bee great use for meate and sacrifice) shalt thou take unto thee seven; of each kind; the one half whereof shall bee male, the other, which is the greater half, female: all which shall by pairs come unto thee( as I formerly promised) being sent by instinct from me for their preservation; but of unclean beasts( whereof there is less use) thou shalt take but onely a couple of each; the male and his female. In the end of the six hundredth year of Noahs life in the second month of the Spring, 11 In the 600. year of Noahs life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day, were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of Heaven were opened. the seventeenth day of the month; even in that same day, began the issues of the lower waters( which are gathered within the earth) to gush forth above their banks, and those which God had bound in the Clouds of Heaven to power down vehemently, like as if some full vessels had been at once cast out of the windows of the air. And the Lord by whose instinct all these Creatures were brought thither, 16 And the Lord shut him in, &c. when all were entered which he meant to preserve, closed up the door fast and sure, that he might be safe from the waters. And the waters violently overwhelmed all the whole Earth( counting from the beginning of those forty dayes wherein the rain fell, 24 And the waters prevailed upon the Earth an hundred and fifty dayes. unto the end of an hundred and fifty dayes) for the full space of five moneths. CAP. VIII. THen God who cannot forget his mercy to his, shewed by the effect to Noah, 1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was within the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the Earth, and the waters assuaged. that he remembered him, and for his sake, all the wild beasts, and tame cattle, that were with him in the ark; therefore God by his immediate power caused an extraordinary drying or driving wind, to pass about the earth, thus covered with waters, and the fury of the waters began by little and little to decrease. And God made way for the Channels of the earth to receive in the waters, which they had sent forth, 2 The fountains also of the deep, and the windows of Heaven were stopped, and the rain from Heaven was restrained. and shut up the lower waters into their former receptacles, and closed up the passages of the Clouds above, and so the fall of the rain was restrained, when it had continued forty dayes and nights. And after the end of the hundred and fiftieth day from the beginning of the flood, 3 And after the end of the hundred& fifty dayes the waters were abated. the waters sensibly abated. And in the seventh month, 4 And the ark restend in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountaines of Ararat. and in the seventeenth day of the month, the ark which had hitherto floated uncertainly, and was carried up by the force of the waves, that it could feel no ground, now, in the ebbing of the waters, stayed upon one of the high mountaines of Ararat, the ledge whereof passeth along from armoniac Eastward towards India. And from this resting of the ark, 5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: and in the tenth month, on the first day of the month were the tops of the mountaines seen. in the space of seventy three dayes, which was till the first day of the tenth month, the waters so far abated, that the tops of the mountaines were seen. And forty dayes after the first of the tenth month( which fell upon the eleventh day of the eleventh month) Noah opened one of the windows of the ark, 6 And it came to pass at the end of forty dayes, that Noah opened the windows of the ark which he had made. which he had made. And he let forth a Raven( because that foul was of a good sent; 7 And he sent forth a Raven, which went forth too and fro until the waters were dried up from off the Earth. and used to feed on carcases, which might be found lying upon the mountaines) thereby to have perfect knowledge of the decrease of the waters; which continued fluttering up and down, too and fro, not far from the ark, till the waters were dried up upon the earth. 8 Also he sent forth a Dove from him to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground. again, since he could have no information hereof, by the Raven, about seven dayes after, he sent out a Dove from him, a bide that was both more tame and domestical; and which was wont to seek her food in the plains, that by this second messenger, he might see, if the earth were yet lightened of her burden of waters. 9 For the waters were upon the face of the whole Earth. For the waters were still over all that part of the Earth, where he should have restend, and still covered all the plains. 13 And Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry. And Noah removed some part of the roof of the ark, that he might look round about him, and viewing it, found that the upper part of the ground, even of the plains appeared dry, that is, not covered over with waters; though still soft, and moorish, with the continuance of that former moisture, that it was not yet fit for habitation. 14 And in the second month on the twenty seventh day of the month was the Earth dry. And in the second month, in the twenty seventh day of the month( which was a year and ten dayes after the beginning of the Flood) was the Earth fully dry, and firm, and habitable again. 20 And Noah builded an Altar unto the Lord, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean foul, and offered burnt offerings on the Altar. Then Noah, moved thereto by the godly example of his forefathers, and by warrant from God, built an Altar to the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean foul, one,( for God had appointed him one odd of each of these for this purpose) and, partly for expiation, partly in token of his thankfulness, offered them, as a burnt offering consumed to ashes unto God, for preservation of them and all their fellow-Creatures. 21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour, and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground for mans sake: for the imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth: neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. And the Lord, who was before offended with Mankind, now was pacified toward the remainder of them; and pleased graciously to accept this obedience of Noah; and as he had eternally decreed, so he uttered his counsel to Noah, I will not from henceforth sand any more such general curse upon the Earth for mans sake; for I see that if I should judge him according to his deserts, I should every day bring upon him a new Deluge, for behold, all the thoughts and the whole fashion of mans heart is altogether evil, even from his Infancy; my mercy therefore shall exalt itself above his sins, neither will I any more smite all living things, as I have now done, with an universal destruction. Hereafter the course and use of the seasons of the year, the Harvest, the Spring, Winter, and Summer; 22 While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and could add heat, and Summer, and Winter, and day, and night shall not cease. and their tempers of heat, and could, and the differences of the night, and day,( which now in the thick and gloomy darkness, could not well be observed) shall no more generally cease, over all the whole Earth, at once, so long as the Earth remaineth is this state. CAP. IX. THe outward privileges of your first Creation, 2 And the fear of you, and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth,& upon every fowle of the air, and upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. I do now( though imperfectly) renew to you, let the fear and dread of you be planted naturally in every beast of the Earth, whether tame or wild,& in every foul of the air, and generally in all that treadeth upon the Earth; and in all the fishes of the sea; all these, my will is, shall be subject to your pleasure and command; that as by you, and for you, they were preserved, so they accordingly serve to your use. Yea, in respect of your diet, 3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you: even as the green herb have I given you all things. I do now whether give or renew unto you, more ample privileges, for now, sith that the strength of all herbs,& plants are decreased with the deluge, I allow you every thing that moveth,& liveth to be meat for you; of all which you will wisely make choice for yourselves, of those Creatures which are wholesome, and fit, even as freely do I now allow you to eat thereof, as I formerly did allow the green herb for them and you; so do I now allow them unto you. But so do I give you the liberty to eat of the flesh of all other Creatures, 4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall you not eat. as that you abstain from eating the blood of thē; whether with the flesh, or severed from it; whether they be alive, or dead, for in the blood is the seat of life, which cannot without cruelty be devoured. Further, 5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require: at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man, at the hand of every mans brother, will I require the life of man. know ye that I have great respect as to the eating, so to the spilling of blood, wherein the vital spirits are seated, but especially of man, which is my principal Creature; and so do detest cruelty in shedding his blood, that if a very brute beast shall be guilty of this fact, I will have his blood shed again for it; much more will I have this satisfaction from a neighbour, or brother, for the life of a man. 6 Who so sheddeth mans blood, by man shall his blood, be shed: for in the Image of God made he man. Whosoever sheddeth mans blood, unless by lawful authority from God, his blood shall be shed again; for in his own Image hath God made man: some remnants whereof there are still in our depravedness: therefore follows it, that both a man may not shed his brothers blood, and that the magistrates in Gods name may and must revenge it. 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant, between me& the earth. I will and ordain, that the rainbow which you have seen appear in the watery Cloud, shall be, from henceforth, set apart for the sign of a covenant, made on my part betwixt me and the Earth, of never drowning it again, which may the more fitly represent thus much unto you, for that it naturally is wont to foresignify the ceasing of the rain, by the appearance thereof. 15 And I will remember my covenant which is between me and you, and every living creature of all flesh: and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. You shall then know, by this sign, that I remember my purpose of never drowning the world, &c. And Noah began again, according to his former trade, 20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a Vineyard. to exercise himself, in tilling the earth,& of those vines, which were found here, and there, sprouting out of the earth, he with much industry, planted a whole Vineyard; and by this means devised the use of wine. 21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken, and he was uncovered within his tent. And he drank of that his wine, and( whether through Ignorance, or weakness) was drunk therewith; insomuch that forgetting himself, and all shane, and comeliness, he lay immodestly uncovered, and that openly in the floor of his Tent. 22 And Ham the father of Canaan saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And when Cham the youngest son of Noah, had unnaturally sported himself in gazing upon his fathers nakedness, he told his two brethren, without, that they might also take part with him in this wicked derision of their father. 24 And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done unto him. Then Noah awoke from his wine, and by inquiry upon occasion of his sons garment, which he found upon him, knew what his youngest son had done unto him. 25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan: a servant of servants he shall be unto his brethren. And in the spirit of prophesy said; The sin of Cham is so great, that the punishment of it shall not rest in him alone, but shall be derived to his posterity: Even Canaan his son, amongst the rest, shall be accursed, he shall be in most slavish servitude even to his own brethren. 27 God shall enlarge( or persuade) japhet, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall persuade the posterity of japhet, by the voice of his word, to come home into the bosom of the true Church, and Canaans Issue shall be servants unto theirs. CAP. X. ANd Cush begot Nimrod, 8 And Cush begot Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. who began to usurp much rule,& by oppression to enlarge the bounds of his dominions. He was a cruel tyrant, both in his usurpation, 9 he was a mighty hunter before the Lord: Wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. and in the manner of his government, without all awe of God, or care of men, wherefore it is ever since grown into a proverb; As great a tyrant as Nimrod. CAP. XI. THen all the men upon the whole earth, 1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. had but one Common language, and one fashion of speech. And as they spread themselves from that eastern mountainous Country, where the ark first stayed: 2 And it came to pass as they journeyed from the East, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelled there. they found a large, and fruitful plain( since called Shinar) now Mesopotamia, and there they settled their abode. And some yeares after they had there well seated themselves, they said one to another, Come, 3 And they said one to another; go to, let us make brick,& burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for ston, and slime had they for mortar. let us make brick, and burn it in the fire; so they had brick for ston, the fittest matter that this fat plain would afford, for building; and a cleaving-pitchy slime( which that soil yeeldeth) in stead of mortar. Then Nimrod, as their ring-leader, and the rest of his followers, 4 And they said, go to, let us build us a City& a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. said thus in consultation among themselves, go to, let us build us a large City, and a tower therein, of an exceeding height; partly that we may make ourselves famous, and partly that we may unite our power and society, and prevent the danger of being dispersed one from another. But the Lord, who is every where, 5 And the Lord came down to see the City, and the tower, which the children of men builded. and seeth all things( to speak of him after the manner of men) as if he should come down, and look upon the City& tower, which these vain men, in the pride of their hearts had begun to build, so took notice of what they did and meant to do: And the Lord decreed thus with himself, Behold, 6 And the Lord said; Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language, and this they begin to do: and now nothing will bee restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. the people is one in heart, joining together in one common resolution of this work; and they all have one language, that they may the better perform it, and this they have through our permission, begun, and proceeded to do, and now, nothing appears which may stop them in all that vain project they have imagined to themselves. 7 go to, let us go down,& there confounded their language, that they may not understand one anothers speech. Come, let us( as if we should go down amongst them) so from Heaven cause their languages to bee confounded, &c. CAP. XII. 2 And I will make of thee a great Nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. THou shall lose nothing by the change, for in stead of a small kindred which thou shalt leave, I will cause thee to be the father of a great, and populous nation: And I will prosper thee both outwardly, and spiritually, and make thy name famous and reverend; And thou shalt be ever mentioned in the form of all blessings. 3 And in thee shall all families of the earth bee blessed. And in, and by that holy seed, the messiah, which shall come of thy loins, all the people of the earth shall be blessed. 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a faire woman to look upon: And when he drew near to enter into egypt; in his infirmity, consulting with flesh and blood, he said to Sarai his wife, Behold now, while I look upon the Southern women, and compare them with thee, thy colour and complexion is much more beautiful then theirs: Therefore it will( I fear) come to pass, that the egyptians making no conscience of their ways, 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. but being altogether lead by their lust, when they see thee, they will say, Shee is his wife, there is no hope of enjoying her while he is alive: so they will kill me, that they may with more liberty enjoy thee, and live with thee. CAP. XIII. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beholded all the plain of jordan, that it was well watered, every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the Garden of the Lord, like the land of egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. SO when Lot had taken a view of all that country, he saw that part of the plain of jordan to be well watered every where; and therefore very rich and commodious for pasture; for before the Lord destroyed Sodom,& Gomorrah; with those other three bordering Cities, it was a goodly and fruitful land; like unto the Garden of Eden, for pleasure; or like unto the land of egypt watered with the streams of Nilus: especially that part that is toward Zoar, as it is now called, thē Bela. 11 Then Lot choose him all the plains of jordan: &c. Then Lot being lead onely by his eye, not at all enquiring into the quality of the people, choose to himself( although the younger) all that part of the plain of jordan. Seeing thou hast so willingly yielded to thy Nephew, 14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, Northward, and Southward, and Eastward, and Westward. thou shalt sustain no loss by it, Lift up thine eyes now, and look round about thee, from this high place where thou art, Northward, and Southward, &c. For all the land which thou seest, and all that pertains unto it, will I give to thee in right, and to thy seed after thee, in possession, for many ages. 15 For all the land, which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will increase thy seed, both carnal and spiritual, unto a very exceeding great number, 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. so as they shall not be counted for multitude. CAP. XIIII. TIdal King of a mixed people, 1 Tidal King of Nations. which dwelled near unto them. When Abram heard that his Nephew Lot was taken captive, 14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundreh and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. he brought forth into the field and armed three hundred& eighteen persons of them that were born& brought up in his house, besides them that he had bought, and procured to his service, yea, besides the companies of his confederates, and pursued them to the farthest point of that land, which God should give to his posterity, even to Dan. And Melchizedek, King of Salem, 18 And Melchizedek, King of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, &c. brought forth store of provision for the entertainment of Abram, and his company; which as he did royally like a King, So as he was a Priest of the most high God, 19 And he blessed him, and said; Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth. by virtue thereof he blessed him, saying, Blessed be thou Abram, &c. And Abram acknowledging his office, 20 And he gave him Tithes of all. voluntarily offered to him the Tithe of all the goods that were taken. I have solemnly sworn by the Lord the most high God, &c. And in token thereof lift up my hand unto him, 22 I have lift up my hand unto the Lord, &c. ere I went to this fight. Wishing all evil to myself, 23 That I will not take from a thrid even to a shoo-latchet, &c. if I shall take from thee so much as a thrid, &c. CAP. XV. ANd Abram which hitherto had onely heard Gods promises to him, now said; Alas Lord, 2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus. all the blessings that thou shalt personally give me, cannot much avail me, seeing I go childless, and the man, whom I shall leave heir of my house, is but a stranger in blood, and country, this Eliezer of Damascus. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, look now towards Heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them. And he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. Moreover, he brought him forth of his house in the Evening, after he had spent the day within, in the exercise of his faith, and said: look up, now, to Heaven, and count the stars thou seest there, if thou canst possibly number them; so far shalt thou be from barrenness, that thy seed, both spiritual and carnal, shall be as infinite in number, as they. 6 And he believed in the Lord: and he counted it to him for righteousness. And Abram believed in God, and steadfastly relied on these gracious promises, which were made unto him; And therefore upon his faith God accounted him truly just, and righteous in his sight. 8 And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And Abram said, O Lord God, I do believe that my seed shall( as thou sayest) inherit this land; but yet I desire thee to give me some further confirmation and assurance of my faith in this point. 12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram: and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And when the sun was set, there fell, by the appointment of God, a dead sleep upon Abram, and his mind was troubled in his dream, with much fear and unquietness. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety, that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them, and they shall afflict them four hundred yeares. Then the Lord said to him,( for the declaring of these doubtful visions of his sleep) know for certain, that thy seed shall be a stranger in egypt, and Canaan( which as yet also is not thine) for the space of four hundred yeares; in a great part whereof they shall serve, and be evill-entreated. And in the fourth succession of men they shall come forth to this place again( which then shall be theirs) for the wickedness of the Amorites( who must be driven out hence, 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. to give room to thy posterity) is not yet come to their full ripeness for my intended judgments. 17 And it came to pass, that when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. Also yet somewhat longer after the going down of the sun, there was represented unto him a great darkness, and behold, A smoking furnace, in which God would foreshow to Abram the affliction, and servility, of his posterity, and withall there was a clear lamp betokening his deliverance, both which passed between the pieces formerly divided. CAP. XVI. THen Sarai Abrams wife( being past all hope of Issue, 3 And Sarai, Abrams wife, took Hagar her maid the egyptian, after Abram had dwelled ten yeares in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. seeing she was now seventy five yeers old) took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, after she had waited ten years for the performance of Gods promise, concerning Abrams seed( so long had Abram now dwelled in Canaan) and by consent of all sides( out of her weakness and distrust) gave her to her husband to be his wife, in regard of all the rights of the marriage bed, though not of household government. And he shall be a wild and savage man, 12 And he will bee a wild man: his hand will be against every man, and every mans hand against him: and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. of a fierce and untameable disposition; he shall be ready in the height of his courage, to fight with every man, and every man shall be as ready to wage war with him; all which notwithstanding, his success shall be such, that he shall live, and rule far and wide in all the Coasts of his brethren. For she said; have I not here also, 13 For she said, I have also here looked after him that seeth me. even in the waste desert, and not only in the house of Abram, seen that good God of mine, which hath first graciously looked upon me, and mine affliction? CAP. XVII. ANd when Abram was ninety and nine yeares old, 1 And when Abram was ninety yeares old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him; I am the Almighty GOD, walk before me, and bee thou perfect. and had now waited thirteen yeares after the birth of ishmael, the Lord by some visible representation of his presence appeared unto Abram, and said to him, I am God Omnipotent, and therefore able to fulfil all my promises which may seem delayed; onely carry thou thyself holily and awfully( as ever in my sight) and let thy heart be still sincere and upright towards me. And I will renew, 2 And I will make my Covenant between me& thee. and by a sensible sign confirm and ratify my covenant between me and thee. But the man-child which at due age shall through his own default be uncircumcised, 14 And the uncircumcised man-child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised: that soul shall be cut off from his people: he hath broken my Covenant. contemning mine ordinance, even that person shall be cut off from the fellowship of my people, both on earth and in heaven; because he hath( in neglect of the sign) broken and despised my Covenant. Then Abram fell upon his face, and partly for joy, partly for admiration and astonishment, 17 Then Abram fell upon his face,& laughed,& said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred yeares old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety yeares old, bear? laughed in himself, and thought thus in his heart; Shall a Child be born to meat an hundred yeares of age; and( which is more wonderful) shall this son be born of Sarah my wife, after her ninety yeares barrenness? seeing our youth could raise no seed, shall our old age be blessed with posterity? 18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee. And Abraham said to God; I believe, O Lord, as thou sayest, that my old age shall be blessed with further Issue, for which also thou wilt( in all likelihood) reserve thy special& highest favour; but let not the son thou hast given me already, even Ishmael, he cast out, and neglected by thee; let it please thee to continue him to me also with much prosperity. CAP. XVIII. 2 And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him, &c. ANd as he looked about, behold, three Angels in the appearance of men( though not yet so known of him,) stood within view of him. And he noting one of them to carry some extraordinary Majesty above the rest, 3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant. as being indeed the son of God, spake especially to him, not excluding the rest; Lord, if I have now found favour in thy sight, go not, I pray thee, hastily away from me thy servant; but be content that I may give thee some entertainment. 10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son, &c. And he said, I will most certainly return again to thee at that time, when the conception, by course of nature, may have life and being, and Lo, then Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son. 11 And it ceased to bee with Sarah after the maner of women. That disposition of body which naturally( in their moneths) is necessary for child-bearing women, was through dryness of age long ago ceased in Sarah. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure, my Lord being old also? Therefore Sarah distrustfully laughed in the secret of her heart, and said in herself? After I am waxed old( above the course of nature in those that are capable of conceiving) and my husband Abraham also; shall I have the pleasure of the marriage bed, which in my younger dayes I could not find? 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation,& all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. Seeing that I have purposed to honour Abraham so, as that of his loins a great and mighty Nation shall rise; and in that seed which shall come of him, namely the Saviour of mankind, all the nations in the earth shall be blessed, and all solemn benedictions shall still be under the name of Abraham. 12 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me: and if not, I will know. I will now take some public course, whereby the world may see, and know, that I take notice of their sins: I will therefore call their sins to examination, and judge them according to the shamelessness of their wickedness, and if their iniquity hath been less heinous then it hath appeared, I will inflict some less grievous punishment upon them. And the two destroying Angels turned from Abraham, and went towards Sodom, 22 And the men turned their faces from thence and went towards Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. but Abraham stood still before the third, whom now he knew to be the son of God, suing to him for mercy. If there be fifty sincere, upright, 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the City, wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? and innocent men in all the five Cities( whereof Sodom is the chief) wilt thou destroy them notwithstanding? If there shall lack five of fifty righteous in all the five Cities, wilt thou for the want of five destroy them? 28 Peradvenrure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous; wilt thou destroy all the City for lack of five? CAP. XIX. WHo crying unto Lot, said, 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. where are the men which came unto thee this night, whose goodly form and beauty we noted; bring them forth to us, that we may use them to our lust. For seeing they are come to my house as my guests; 8 Onely unto these men do nothing: for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. by the law of common equity and hospitality, they may well look to be safe guarded by me. Then they smote all the Sodomites, 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house, with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. that were at the door, both small and great, with such dizzinesse of brain, and dimness of sight; that they went up and down, groping for Lots door, till they were weary, and could not find it. Then Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, &c. which were contracted to his daughters. And when they had brought them( as it were) by strong hand out of the City; the angel said, 17 And it came to pass when they had borough thē forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life, look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. now escape for thy life; do not,( whether for distrust, or curiosity, or pity) once look towards sodom, and think it not enough that thou hast voided the City, unless thou make speed also out of the whole plain, which hath been defiled by these abominations; hast thee therefore up to the next hill, lest thou be destroyed. See now this town which is hard by, 20 Behold now, this City is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh let me escape thither( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. and therefore easy for me to flee unto; and is withall a little one, and therefore not much for thee to grant, and by all likelihood not so notoriously evil as these other, that are more frequent and populous: O let me go thither for shelter, behold, it is no great thing that I ask of thee, and yet such as may be to my safety and preservation. 22 hast thee, escape thither: for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither: therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. hast thee then, and be thou there preserved; for such is my merciful respect to thee, that it holds my hands so, that I cannot take revenge on these wicked Cities, till thou be in safety: Therefore upon this occasion of Lots argument from the smallness of the City, it was ever after called Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah, brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven. Then God the son rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah, and the other two Cities of the plain, fire and brimstone, from God the Father out of Heaven. Now his wife, that stood lingering behind him, whether through love or pity of the place, 26 But his wife looked back from behind him,& she became a pillar of salt. or expectation of her sons in law, or distrust, or curious desire to see the manner of the judgement, looked back towards Sodom,& therfore was enwrapped in the judgement,& through the extreme rage of that fire and brimstone, wherewith she was overwhelmed, was miraculously made a pillar of a white or saltish kind of ston. 30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelled in the mountain,& his two daughters with him: for he feared to dwell in Zoar,& he dwelled in a cave, he and his two daughters. But he feared to tarry in Zoar, through the weakness of his faith, notwithstanding Gods promise to him, whether for that it was so near to Sodom; or whether for the manners of the place, but choose rather to dwell solitary in a Cave, in the mountain, both he and his two daughters. 31 And the first born said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth, to come in unto us, after the manner of all the earth. And the elder said to the younger, Our father is now old, and cannot long be in any possibility of Issue, and in all these parts there is not left a man which might converse with us, for generation. Come, we know well that our father will never by sober persuasions be drawn to this Act; let us make him drunk with wine, 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lye with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. and so lye with him; not so much for any lust, as for the preservation of some seed of our father. And he being oppressed with wine, was drawn unawares unto this filthiness, 33 And they made their father drink wine that night, and the first born went in, and lay with her father:& he perceived not when she lay down nor when she arose. not considering what he did; and not perceiving either when he lay down or rose up. CAP. XX. ANd Abraham, through his weakness, 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: And Abimelech King of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. seeing how his excuse had sped in egypt; renewed it now again, and concealing part of the truth, said, she is my sister; Then Abimelech, a King in that country of Canaan, upon the report given of her, sent, and took her into his house. And he said, Lord wilt thou punish not me onely, 4 Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation. but my whole nation and people, in me, which are utterly innocent in this business. Now then deliver the man his wife again, 7 Now therefore restore the man his wife: for he is a Prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live, &c. for he is a man dear unto me, and one whom I have in an especial manner graced with my presence, and promises; and therefore, whose prayers shall be much available for thy safety and life. What motive didst thou raise unto thyself from any lightness in me, or injury done to thyself by me, 10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing. that thou shouldst do this thing? Yet in very dead I have not merely lied, in saying, 12 And yet indeed she is my sister: she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. she is my sister; but onely dissembled, and concealed some part of the truth; for she is very near of blood to me, my niece, as being the daughter of that brother of mine, whom my father had by a second wife. Likewise, to Sarah, he said, Behold, I have given to him whom thou calledst thy brother, 16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved. a thousand pieces of silver; behold he is thy protection, from all injuries, wheresoever thou comest; thine eyes& desires shall content themselves with him alone;& he shall stand betwixt all others eyes, and thee, as thy lawful husband; that they may not thus inordinately desire thee: and by this speech and event she was thus secretly reproved. For the Lord had punished all the women in Abimelechs house with a sudden barrenness; 18 For the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abrahams wife. so that they could not conceive; because of Sarah Abrahams wife. CAP. XXI. WHo could ever have thought or believed, 7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? much less would have told Abraham, that Sarah, after this age, should both bear him a son, and have this strength and vigour of body continued to her, to give suck also,& c? 14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning,& took bread,& a bottle of water,& gave it unto Hagar,( putting it on her shoulder) and the child, and sent her away, &c. He took bread, and a bottle of water, so much as he thought would suffice till they came to the place he enjoined them; and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and committed the boy to her hand, and sent her away, &c. And now God caused her to see a well of water which was there before her, 19 And God opened her eyes,& she saw a well of water,& she went and filled the bottle with water,& gave the lad drink. but, through her grief, or the closeness of the place, was not before seen of her. And he answered; My desire is that thou shouldst receive from my hands these seven lambs, as a pledge or confirmation of this covenant of peace, made between us; 30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this Well. and an earnest of the recovery, and free grant of this Well, which I have digged; in the receipt whereof thou shall disclaimed all right and title unto it for ever. CAP. XXII. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine onely son from me. THen he said, do not( as thou art about) sacrifice this thy son unto me, neither do any bodily hurt to him; for now thou hast sufficiently approved by thine act and forwardness, that thou hast an heart truly religious towards God, seeing, at my Commandement, thou hast not forborn to have slain thine onely son, in whom the promise of blessing was made unto thee. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place, Iehovah-jireh, as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. And Abraham name the place( God will provide) whereupon the Jews have a proverb still continued amongst them; God will make provision in the Mount, when all means fail. 17 And thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies. Thy posterity shall be victorious over their enemies. Of thy seed shall come that Saviour, in whom all believers through the world shall be blessed, 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; CAP. XXIII. 2 And Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. ANd Abraham entred into the Tent of Sarah, that he might solemnly mourn for her, in the sight of the Corps. 6 Thou art a mighty Prince amongst us, &c. Thou art a great Prince, and one whom God hath much honoured amongst us. 15 The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver: what is that between thee and me? The Land is worth some hundred and eleven ounces of silver; about fourscore crownes between friends; how small a sum is that to stand upon? CAP. XXIIII. ACcording to the common rite used in the oaths of inferiors to their superiors. 2 Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh. To Charran in Syria. 10 To Mesapotamia, unto the City of Nahor. To rest under their burdens. 11 To kneel down. Which is the ●●ight of near three ounces. 22 Ten shekels weight of gold. CAP. XXV. WHy have I conceived, 22 If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord, &c. if I must feel such painful unquietness within me? And she sought to God in her prayers, to know the reason and issue of this inward strife. The twins which are struggling within thee, 23 Two nations are in womb, &c. shall be the fathers of two opposite nations, the Israelites, and Edomites. Make over to me all the privileges of thy birthright: 31 Sell me this day thy birthright. the consecration, the honor, the double portion that belongeth thereunto. CAP. XXVII. THe smell of the garments of my Son, 27 See the smell of my son is as the smell of a field, which the Lord hath blessed. is as the sweet perfume which is sent up from a field richly furnished with all manner of pleasant and fragrant flowers, and herbs. And Isaac was exceedingly astonished in himself at the thought of the conveyance of the blessing upon a person that he intended not. 33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, &c. The course of thy life shall be troublesone,& unquiet, 40 By thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother. And thou shalt uphold thy state by warres: and though thy person shall be free, yet in thy posterity thou shalt be subject to the issue of thy brother jacob. If Esau should in his fury kill thee; 45 Why should I bee deprived of you both in one day? the Law will justly kill him, and so we lose both at once. These heathenish wives of Esau, are a perpetual and intolerable vexation to my soul, 46 I am weary of my life, because of the daughters of heath. by reason of their Idolatry, and viciousness. CAP. XXVIII. 16 Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. SUrely the Lord hath in a divine dream, or vision, represented himself to me inexpectedly in this place. 17 How dreadful is this place? this is none other, then the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven. How full of awe and reverend respect is this place, which God hath thus sanctified by his presence, having so familiarly manifested himself to me here, as men do in their dwelling houses to their friends; this is no other then a representation of Gods spiritual house, his Church, by which we enter into the glory of heaven. 22 And this ston which I have set for a pillar, shall be Gods house. The place where I set up this ston shalbe dedicated to the worship and service of my God, where I will build an Altar to his name. CAP. XXIX. 12 Her fathers brother &c. HEr fathers Cousin or Nephew. 17 Leah was tender eyed, &c. Leah had an unbecoming weakness in her eyes. 27 fulfil her week,& we will give this also, &c. do thou celebrate the consummation of Leahs marriage seven dayes, according to the custom, and then when this former marriage is fully ratified, and complete, I will give thee her other sister to wife. 31 That Leah was hated, &c. That Leah was less regarded or disesteemed in comparison of Rachel. CAP. XXX. 1 Give me children or else I die, &c. grief and impatience will kill me, if I have not children from thy loins, as well as my Sister Leah. 3 Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her, and she shall bear upon my knees; that I may also have children by her. Behold my maid Bilhah, go retire thyself into her chamber, and lye with her, and I shall have children by her, which I shall bear upon my knees, and in my bosom, as my own. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife. Then she gave him Bilhah her maid to converse with as a wife. 14 And found Mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. And found mandrake apple in the field, which he had perceived his mother to esteem for their medicinable use, and brought them therefore to her. 18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband. Then said Leah, God hath repaid me my reward for the good office which I did to my husband, in giving him my hand-maid for his Concubine. And God heard her prayers, 22 And God harkened to her, and opened her womb. and gave her power to conceive. And turned the faces of those sheep which were in the flock of Laban, towards the particoloured, 40 And jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks towards the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban. and black, which were of his flock, that the sight thereof might cause those colours in their conception. CAP. XXXI. BUt your father hath deceived me, 7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, &c. and changed my wages agreed upon, very often, but God hath so ordered it, that his changes have been no loss to my estate. For, in ramming time, 10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold the rams which leaped upon the cattle, were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled. God premonished me in a dream, of this course of enriching myself, by the particoloured goates male and female; and of this means to effect that diversity of colour. Hath he not dealt with us as strangers? for he hath sold us to thee for thy service, in stead of a Dowry, 15 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us,& hath quiter devoured also our money. and since he hath thus used us, shall we stay still, that he may prey upon us, and consume that substance which wee have. Then Rachel, 19 And Rachel had stolen the Images that were her fathers. whether out of some superstition of her own, or in some purpose to bereave her father of those means of his Idolatry, stolen the Images which her father had wont to worship. Then jacob stolen away secretly without the knowledge or consent of Laban, his father in Law. 20 And jacob stolen away unawares to Laban the Syrian. He took his kinsfolk with him, &c. 23 And he took his brethren with him. The accustomend infirmity of women is upon me, 35 Let it not displease my Lord, that I cannot rise up before thee, for the custom of women is upon me. and makes me unfit for these outward duties of courtesy; I beseech thee hold me excused in the forbearance of this ceremony of my due respect to thee. If the God of my father, 42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. I mean the God of Abraham, and the same God whom Isaac my father feareth, and worshippeth, had not been with me, and prospered me, &c. And Laban in the Syrian tongue, and jacob in the Hebrew called it, The heap of the witness. 47 And Laban called it Iegar-Sahadutha, but jacob called it Galeed. The God which once Abraham worshipped, and the gods of his predecessors, be judge between us: but jacob swore by the true God whom his father Isaac feared. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father judge betwixt us: but jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. CAP. XXXII. 1 And jacob went on his ways: and the Angels of God met him. ANd the Angells of God appeared to him in the way, in the form of heavenly souldiers. 5 And I have sent to tell thee my Lord, that I may find grace in thy sight. And I have sent to give thee my Lord Esau notice both of my purpose of passing through thy country, and of my estate. 11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him. Deliver me from the revenge of my brother, even my Brother Esau, for I fear lest he will come and put all to the sword, without regard of sex, or age. 13 And took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother. And took of the choicest of that substance he had for a present for Esau. God the Son appeared to him, and wrestled with him in the likeness of a man, exercising both his bodily and spiritual strength. 24 And there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he had proved the strength of his faith such, as that it could not be daunted, &c. lest jacob should have been puffed up with the opinion of his strength, 25 And when he saw, that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Iacobs thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. Christ left him a bodily affliction to humble him by, such as might testify, it was not the hand of a mere man that striven with him. And he as yet concealing himself from jacob, said( after the manner of men) as if the violence of jacob had compelled him, 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh: and he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Let me go, for the morning appeareth: but jacob now perceiving some more then human matter in this his wrestler, answered, Let me be importunate with thee, not to depart from me, till thou have blessed me. 27 And he said unto him? What is thy name,& he said, jacob. Then asked he( not as being ignorant, but as desirous to take occasion from Iacobs own report of his name, to pronounce his purpose of the alteration of it) What is thy name? 28 For as a Prince hast thou power with God& with men, and hast prevailed: Because thy faith and importunity hath prevailed with God, much more shalt thou prevail with Esau, and with whatsoever adversary. 30 For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. I have seen the son of God in the assumed shape of a man, face to face, and have escaped death, both from this sight, and also from the danger of Esau. 32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank. Therefore the children of Israel, in a reverend remembrance of this act and event, concerning jacob, eat not of the hinder sinews, &c. CAP. XXXIII. SO he went before them, 3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. and bowed himself in an humble manner sundry times, while he was within the sight of Esau. It is unspeakeably comfortable to me, that I have seen thy face thus loving and friendly to me. 10 For therefore have I seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God. And he consecrated there, anew, that Altar, which was set up by his Grandfather Abraham, which he called, 20 And he erected there an Altar, and called it, El-Elohe-Israel. The altar of the mighty God of Israel. CAP. XXXIIII. SO his affections were set upon Dinah. 3 And his soul clavae unto Dinah the daughter of jacob. Then will we take our sister away out of your custody, and depart. 17 Then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone. It shall not be onely a matter of pleasure and contentment to us, but also of great profit unto you all, For shall we not have a right in all their substance and strength? 23 Shall not their cattle, and their substance, and every beast of theirs be ours? &c. All that dwelled within the city. 24 All that went out of the gate of his city. And on the third day when they were sore and stiff of the wound of their circumcision, &c. 25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, &c. Ye have put me to much unquietness in unsettling my estate, and have made me odious to the inhabitants. 30 And jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me, &c. CAP. XXXV. CAst away those false gods of the heathen, 2 Put away the strange gods that are among you, and change your garments. which you learned to worship in Syria, the idols of Laban, or Shechem, and cleanse both your souls and bodies: and by the change of your very apparel, testify the change of your hearts. Moreover, God said unto him, 10 And God said unto him, thy name is jacob: thy name shall not be called any more jacob, &c. in a confirmation and reiteration of the same favour, which he had formerly shewed to jacob: Thy name shall no more bee called jacob, &c. Many Tribes shall arise from thy seed, 11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply &c. And Kings shall come out of thy loins, &c. and out of them shall many exercise Princely authority both over their own Nations, and others. So jacob according to his vow formerly made, set up a Monument of a ston in that place where God had talked with him, 14 And jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him. and both by pouring out of water and oil consecrated it to God. 18 That she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin. She called his name, The son of my sorrow; but his father( as not willing to have so sad a remembrance of his loss, evermore before him, in the name of his son) called him( to signify his dearness, with a little change of the word) The son of my right hand. CAP. XXXVI. 6 And went into the country from the face of his brother jacob. ANd fully removed his whole family and substance unto mount Seir, where he had before sojourned. 24 This was that Anah, that found the mules in the wilderness. This was that Anah, which first found out by mixture of the seeds of two kindes, the generation of mules in the wilderness. 31 Before there reigned any King over the children of Israel. Before there was any ordinary Ruler or Magistrate in Israel. CAP. XXXVII. 2 And joseph brought unto his father their evil report. ANd joseph brought unto his fathers care the evil rumors and reports that went of the misbehaviour of his brethren. 3 And he made him a coat of many colours. And he made him a particoloured coat, which was held to be of more pleasant show, and, by reason of the mixtures, more curious. 27 And let not our hand be upon him. Let us not lay violent hands upon him, and be defiled with his blood, in suffering him thus wilfully to perish with hunger. 28 Then there passed by Midianites, merchant men. The Midianites( or Ismaelites so called, indifferently, because they bordered upon each other, and were near both in place, and blood) passed by. 30 And I, whither shall I go? And I, which way shall I turn me, or what shall I do? since both I have already provoked my fathers displeasure by my incest, and at my hands especially( as being eldest) he will require my brother. 32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father, and said, this have we found. So they sent that particoloured coat, and caused it to be brought unto their father with this message. 35 For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Surely I will not cease mourning for my son, until I go down to my own grave. Unto Potiphar, one of Pharaohs chief Courtiers, the captain of his gard. 36 Unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaohs, and captain of the gard. CAP. XXXVIII. go according to the custom of our people, 8 go in unto thy brothers wife, and mary her, and raise up seed to thy brother. and converse with thy deceased brothers wife, and do that office to her which appertains to the next of blood: that the issue which shall come of thee, may be imputed unto him, to take away the reproach of his barrenness. For he thought, it is not safe thus to bestow my son, 11 For he said, lest peradventure he did also as his brethren did. neither hath this match been hitherto so prosperous, that I dare adventure my third son, yet will I put her in hope hereof for her present contentment. When Judah saw her sitting thus openly, alone, 15 When judah saw her, he thought her to bee an harlot: because she had covered her face. by the way side, he judged her an whore; for he could not discern her who she was, because her face was covered with the vail. Let her keep these pledges; 23 Let her take it to her, lest we be ashamed. and let us take no notice of them, nor make any inquiry, lest the filthiness of this my fact may hence be known, to my shane. CAP. XXXIX. HE took care of nothing, 6 And he left all that he had, in Iosephs hand: and he knew not of ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. save onely to eat and drink, and follow his own contentments; referring the oversight of all things to joseph. Cast wanton eyes and affections upon joseph. 7 That his masters wife cast her eyes upon joseph. See, he hath taken in this Hebrew, to offer this villainy and violence unto me. 14 See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us, to mock us. CAP. XL. WHat do you looking after sinister means, 8 do not interpretations belong to God? or why are ye grieved for the want of means? Hath not God given power of interpreting all secrets to some of his servants? Within three dayes shall Pharaoh advance thee to thy former dignity. 13 Yet within three dayes shall Pharaoh lift up thine head. Within three dayes shall Pharaoh put thee to death, 19 Yet within three dayes shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee,& shall hang thee on a three, and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. and after, for the greater ignominy, shall hang thee upon a three, till thy flesh be consumed. CAP. XLI. 16 It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. I Can do nothing of myself in this business, but God shall by me give an answer to the contentment of Pharaoh. 34 And take up the fifth part of the land of egypt. And take up the fifth part of the fruits of the Land,& keep it in meet store-houses for future use. 43 And they cried before him, Bow the knee? And the heralds cried before him, that the people should bow their knees to him, &c. 44 I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot, in all the land of egypt. I only reserve unto myself the place& title of being King of egypt, in the rest I will have thee to be next me; So that no man shall attempt any thing at all in the public government of the State, without thy advice and consent. 45 And Pharaoh called Iosephs name, Zaphnath-Paaneah, and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah Priest of On? And Pharaoh called his name, The discloser of secrets, and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of another Potipher, which was governor of Heliopolis. CAP. XLII. 6 And he it was that sold to all the people of the land. ye are spies, and are come to mark what parts of the land are least defenced. 13 Thy servants are twelve brethren, &c. And behold the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not. It need not seem suspicious to thee that we come thus so many together of a Company; for the cause is, that we are all so many brethren, &c. And one is dead. 16 Or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. Or else, as sure as Pharaoh liveth, ye are but spies. 36 joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. joseph is dead, and Simeon is in danger to miscarry in prison, and now you will take benjamin from me; all these are heavy afflictions, which you have brought upon me. CAP. XLIII. 14 If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. I Am determined to put it to the hazard, relying on God for the event; if therefore I shall be robbed of my sons, let me be robbed, go you on, and do as the necessity of the business requireth. 2 Because the egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrewes. Because the egyptians held it unlawful to eat with the Hebrewes; chiefly for the differences of their Religion; for the Hebrewes were wont to sacrifice those creatures which the egyptians worshipped. CAP. XLIIII. up, follow after them, 4 Up, follow after the men, and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? and when thou dost overtake them, make this merry and officious lye for my sake: ask them, in dissimulation, Why have ye, &c. Is not that which you have stolen, the cup of special note and use for my master, both for his table, 5 Is not this it, in which my Lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? and( according to the manner of the egyptian Magicians) for divination, and sooth-saying? Could you think any otherwise of me, being a peer of egypt, 15 Wote ye not, that such a man as I, can certainly divine? but that I could by divination find out your offence? CAP. XLV. GOd hath made me not onely a counselor of State to Pharaoh, 8 And he hath made me a father to Pharaoh. but a means of preservation of his Court and kingdom, &c. You see and perceive by my language, 12 That it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. that I am your brother joseph, that speak unto you. I will give you the most commodious and fruitful part of the land of egypt, to dwell in, 18 And I will give you the good of the Land of egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the Land. and ye shall be partakers of the best profits of the country. And jacob swooned with sudden astonishment at this news of joseph, and the mention of his name. 26 And Iacobs heart fainted, for he believed them not. CAP. XLVI. ANd joseph shall close up thine eyes, when thou diest. 4 And joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes. For every sheep keeper, not out of pride, but superstition, is abominable to the egyptians. 34 For every shepherd is an abomination unto the egyptians. CAP. XLVII. TAke thee the choice of the whole Land of egypt. 6 The land of egypt is before thee. If thou knowest that there be any amongst them of skill and strength: 6 And if thou knowest any man of activity among them; The whole time of my life, which to me hath been as a continued pilgrimage, 9 The dayes of the yeers of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty yeers? both in respect of my many habitations, and of that one fixed habitation which abides for me above, &c. 31 And Israel bowed himself upon the beds head. And jacob raised himself upon his Pillow to give thankes to God. CAP. XLVIII. 5 Ephraim& Manasseth which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt, before I came unto thee into egypt, are mine. MAnasseth and Ephraim shalbe, not as my grandchildren, but even as my own, and shall have a portion of inheritance among their brethren, as if they had come immediately out of my own loins. 6 And thy issue which thou begettest after them, shalbe thine,& shalbe called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. But thy other children, if any shall be since born unto thee, shall carry thy name, and look for their portion under the title of the Tribes of Ephraim, and Manasses. And joseph took them away from his fathers knees, to set them in that order wherein he desired the blessing might be given them, 12 And joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. which done, he bowed himself to the ground, in a reverend and humble manner to crave this blessing from his father. That angel of the Covenant, the Son of God, which hath delivered, &c. Let them be numbered among the Patriarkes of Gods people, 16 The angel which redeemed me, &c. And let my name bee name on them. as my sons, &c. I give thee one Portion( according to the privilege of the birth-right) above thy brethren: the city and territories of Shechem, 22 I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite. which after that my sons had taken from the Hivites, I maintained by strong hand against the Amorites. CAP. XLIX. 1 That I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last dayes. WHat shall come to pass in the following times, both soon upon my departure, and many ages after. 3 Thou art my first born, my might, and the beginning of my strength. Thou wert both begotten in the prime of my strength, and wert the first of my sons in whom my strength consisteth: having as then all the privileges of the first born; pre-eminence over thy brethren, and a double portion above them. 4 Thou shalt not excel. Thou art run abroad as water, that is spilled, which cannot be gathered up; thou shalt no more be eminent above thy brethren, &c. 5 Simeon and Levi are brethren, instruments of cruelty are in their habitations; Simeon and Levi, which have too well consented together to do mischief: and were instruments of much cruelty in their agreement against the Sichemites; 6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret: unto their assembly mine honour bee not thou united: for in their anger they slay a man, and in their self-will they digged down a wall: Let not my soul join with them in their consultations: neither let my reputation depend upon their meeting, which my heart abhorred; f●r in their wrath they slay the Shechemits, and in their theirselfe-will self-will broke down the walls of their city. They shall have no certain habitations allowed to their Tribes, 7 I will divide them in jacob, and scatter them in Israel. but shall be mingled with their other brethren. judah, 8 judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise. according as thy name imports, thou shalt have praise from thy brethren, who shall aclowledge thy princedom, in thy posterity, over them, &c. Judah shall have a known distinct Tribe amongst his brethren and governours in the kingdom, 10 The sceptre shall not depart from judah, nor a law giver from between his feet, until Shilo come; and unto him shall the gathering of people be. of the same Line, to bear rule until the time of messiah coming: and the people shall yield their obedience to him. He shall so abound with wines, 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his asses colt unto the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. that he shall load his Asses with grapes, and even wash his garments with the juice of them. His posterity shall be abundantly furnished with wine and milk, Vineyards and Pastures. 12 His eyes shall bee read with wine, and his teeth white with milk. Zebulun shall be commodiously situated for his traffic, by the Sea side towards Zidon. 13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea, and he shall be for an haven of ships. Issachar shall be laborious and strong, more fit for subjection then command; 14 Issachar is a strong ass, couching down between two burdens. and shall yield himself willingly to all impositions of labour, and tributes. Dan, though he be the son of a bondwoman, yet shall attain unto the dignity of ruling amongst the Tribes of Israel: 16 Dan shall judge his people, as one of the Tribes of Israel: and shall afford some that shall sway the government. His posterity shall enlarge their bounds, 17 Dan shall be a Serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth his horse heels. and prevail more by subtlety, then strength: and therefore shall bee like the Serpent, &c. And though this Tribe shall pass through many oppressions& grievances, yet, O Lord, 18 I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord. I do constantly expect thy gracious deliverance of him. Gad shall be sore amnoyed with the Ammonites, 19 Gad, a troope shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last? and other neighbouring nations, but shall at last prevail. Concerning Asher, 20 Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties. he shall be seated in a place of great fruitfulness, and delicacy. Nepthali shall be both swift to war, and yet gentle, 21 Nepthali is a hind let loose; he giveth goodly words. and friendly to embrace and maintain peace. joseph shall be as a fruitful Bough, 22 joseph is a fruitful Bough, even a fruitful Bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall. set beside a fountain, whose branches shall run upon the wall, and have benefit of the reflection. 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him,& hated him. His enemies bent themselves against him( as an archer doth his bow to shoot at a mark:) and wrought all the mischief they could against him. 24 But his bow abode in strength, &c. Of the mighty God of jacob: from thence is the shepherd, the ston of Israel. But his strength was able to match them in their own kind, &c. The God of jacob, of whom and by whom joseph was appointed, as a nourisher and refuge unto Israel. The blessing of me thy father shall be the stronger upon thee, 26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors, unto the utmost bound of the everlasting Hills. by being added unto the blessing of Abraham, and Isaac, which all do light upon thee: and shall continue as long as there are hills upon the earth. Benjamin shall be fierce and terrible in his warres, devouring his enemies as a wolf his prey, and shall have his whole time taken up with the division, 27 Benjamin shall ravine as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. and improving of the spoil. CAP. L. 3 And the egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten dayes. ANd the egyptians bewailed him seventy dayes, whereof the forty dayes of embalming were a part. Forgive the trespass of them, which, besides the bonds of nature, 17 Forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. are tied unto thee with so near bonds of Religion, &c. 19 fear not: for am I in the place of God? fear not: for is not all this done by the will and disposition of that wise, and holy God, which ordained this to good? 23 The children also of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were brought up upon Iosephs knees. The sons of Machir were a comfort to joseph, their grandfather, in their education; Who brought them up, and took pleasure in them. 25 And ye shall carry up my bones from hence. Ye shall, when ye depart out of egypt, carry my bones hence with you, and bury them in the promised Land, &c. EXODVS. CAP. I. A New King, 8 Now there arose up a new King over egypt, which knew not joseph. for his laws and manner of government, which unthankfully forgot the great service which joseph had done to the kingdom, and crown of egypt. Therefore did they set over them taskmasters, 11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters, to afflict them with their burdens. of their own nation, that their cruelty might have the better pretence. God therefore prospered the midwives, because, 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives. out of a religious fear, they refrained from that cruel practise enjoined them, &c. CAP. II. HIs sister miriae stood afar off, &c. 4 And his Sister stood afar off. And in those dayes when Moses was now grown up to his best age, and was forty yeares old, &c. 11 And it came to pass in those dayes, when Moses was grown, And, 12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slay the egyptian, &c. 2 though he knew he had a secret calling to deliver the Israelites, yet because it was not publicly known, he carried himself warily in this business, and looked round about, &c. Revel their grandfather. 18 And when they came to Revel their father, Then, in process of time, this Pharaoh from whom Moses fled, died, and the children of Israel, 23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the King of egypt died, and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage. now in the change of the Prince, hoping for some ease, bemoned themselves earnestly to God. CAP. III. THen Christ the angel of the Covenant appeared, 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him. &c. In token of reverence,& respect unto so holy a place, and in token of laying aside all carnal thoughts, 5 Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest, is holy ground. and affections, put off thy shoes. Then, Moses in humility and awful adoration of the glory of God, 6 And Moses hide his face: for he was afraid to look upon God. which he held himself not worthy to behold, hide his face. 8 And to bring them up out of that land, unto a good land, and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. Therefore, have I thought good to show some testimonies of my presence, and intention of delivering them, and bringing them out of Goshen, into a land which in comparison thereof is large, and exceeding fruitful in all useful commodities, both for necessity, and pleasure, &c. 13 Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you. If the Israelites shall curiously inquire concerning thee; How, and in what terms shall I describe thee unto them? I am constantly and eternally unchangeable, being of myself, and that one, and the same, for ever; even thus shalt thou describe& express me to my people; 14 I am that I am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel. the children of Israel, &c. CAP. IIII. 6 Behold, his hand was leprous as snow; ANd behold his hand was as white with leprosy, as any snow. 10 O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech,& of a slow tongue. I am not ready in speech, nor ever have been, neither hath thine appearance,( which of all other things should be most effectual) altered me any whit at all: but I am naturally slack, and heavy of utterance. Who hath given to man the faculty of speech? or who is the author of these infirmites, 11 Who hath made mans mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? whereof thou complainest? dost thou not consider that I the Lord who now sand thee, cause these where I will, for just and holy purposes, and give ability of all parts and senses, at my pleasure? 13 O my Lord, sand I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt sand Oh my Lord, sand I pray thee by the ministry of some other fitter man, then I am, whoso ever it be. 16 Even he shall bee to thee in stead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him in stead of God. Aaron shall speak to the people, as from thee: and thou shalt give direction and counsel to Aaron, as from God. And Moses took his wife, and his two sons, Gershom and Eleazar, 20 And Moses took his wife, and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of egypt,& Moses took the rod of God in his hand. & caused them to ride toward Egypt: and Moses took that rod, which God had given so miraculous experiments of, in his hand. But I will withdraw and withhold my grace from Pharaoh, so as he shall through his own corruption turn all those occasions, which I shall offer him for his repentance, 21 But I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. unto the hardening of himself in a greater obstinacy of sinning. 22 Israel is my son, even my first born. The children of Israel are my chosen and adopted people, both before all other and above all other nations, &c. The Lord appeared visibly unto him, 24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him. and sensibly afflicted him with some sudden and violent disease, which he knew to be done, in regard of his neglect of his sons circumcision. And with indignation she cast the foreskin at his feet, and said: It is for thy sake, 25 And cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. that I am fain thus to shed the blood of this my child: therefore art thou to me a bloody husband, &c. CAP. V. O Ye Elders of Israel, 4 Get you unto your burdens. which join with Moses& Aaron in this suite, Get you to your burdens. Behold, the Israelites are a great people; 5 Behold the people of the Land now are many, and you make them rest from their burdens. should so many thousands leave their work, and go idle for your pleasure? Ye shall give the Israelites no more straw, 7 ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore. whether to mix with their day, or to burn their bricks withall, &c. Ye have brought us into hatred with Pharaoh, 21 Because you have made our savour to bee abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. and his servants, and have stirred them up to a further tyranny against us, by giving them this occasion of vexing us. CAP. VI. I Appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name jehovah was I not known to them. as that God which was still able and powerful to effect that, which I promised, and they lived still in the hope and exepectation of my powerful performance: but now I do appear to thee, as ready to make good and execute, and give a being to that which I promised to them. But they were so over-pressed, 9 But they harkened not unto Moses, for anguish of spirit,& for cruel bondage. and grown heartless with the cruelty of that bondage, that they regarded not the words of Moses. How then shall Pharaoh regard me, 12 How then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips? which am of a stammering, and hindered utterance? The sons of Reuben, who was in order of nature the first born, though he lost the privileges thereof. 14 The sons of Reuben the first born of Israel. CAP. VII. 1 See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy Prophet. BEhold, I have made thee a terrible means to execute my judgements upon Pharaoh: which he shall take as wrought by me, through thy hands: and Aaron thy brother( for his readiness of speech) shall deliver thy mind, and my message to the egyptians: so as thou shalt act, and he shall speak. 2 For they cast down every man his rod,& they became serpents, but Aarons rod swallowed up their rods. For they cast down every man his rod, and they were in appearance turned into Serpents; but not truly: for that Serpent into which Aarons rod was turned, devoured theirs. CAP. VIII. 3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house. THe river Nilus shal crawl full of frogs, which, against their natural use, shall leave the water, and creep up into thine houses. 7 And the Magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of egypt. And the sorcerers did likewise, for experiment sake, and brought frogs, whether in appearance onely, or true frogs( by secret conveyance) into some part of egypt, that was freed for this trial. 19 This is the finger of God. This work is done by the immediate and over-ruling power of God. CAP. IX. 15 For now I will stretch out my had, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence, and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. Or, I had stretched out my hand, that I might have smitten thee. FOr now, when I stretched forth mine hand, I might have smitten thee, and thy people, as well as I did thy cattle, with the pestilence: and so thou shouldst have perished from the earth. 16 And in very dead for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power. Or, But indeed. But indeed I have in my secret counsel reserved thee for a further manifestation of my glorious power. As for thee, and thy servants, I know, and find upon the experience of your former obstinacy, that you will not, 30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the Lord God. as yet, fear before the face of the Lord, &c. CAP. X. 1 For I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants. FOr I have withdrawn my grace from him, and his servants, that their heart should not relent at my judgement, yea, I have punishe●h their former sins with hardness of heart, and obstinacy in sinning, &c. How long shall Moses be a means of punishment and destruction to us? 7 How long shall this man be a snare unto us? I wish you might have no more favour of God then you are like to have of me, 10 Let the Lord do so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones; look to it, for evil is before you. in this suite of dismissing you and your children: look to it, go if you will, at your own peril. That he would take away from me but this one deadly plague wherewith we and our land are thus hurt, 17 That he may take away from me this death onely. and spoyled. CAP. XI. ABout midnight, 4 About midnight will I go out into the midst of egypt. I will by my destroying angel go through the midst of egypt. But, as for the children of Israel, there shall not be so much as the least danger of any slaughter towards them, 7 But against any of the children of Israel, shall not a dog move his tongue against man or beast. or any unquietness amongst them. CAP. XII. NOw, before the last plague, 1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, &c. the Lord had spoken to Moses, &c. This month shall be unto you both a month of principal account, as also, the first in number, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of moneths. in all your religious computations; so that from this you shall count the year to begin. Let every Master of a family within his several household take unto him a lamb, &c. 3 In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb. Ye shall celebrate your passover for this once, 5 ye shall take it out from the sheep or from the goates. ( in respect of those straits, wherein you are) either with a lamb, or a kid, whether can most commodiously be provided. Every one of the Congregation, whom it concerns, 6 And the whole assembly of the Congregation of Israel, shall kill it in the evening. shall kill the lamb, betwixt the ninth and eleventh hour of the day. And thus shall you eat it, for this first time, 11 And thus shall you eat it, with your loins girded. for the greater hast; with your loins girded. That person shall be separated from the Communion of the Church, and lye open unto bodily judgements. 15 That soul shall bee cut off from Israel. So they left the egyptians destitute of their Jewels, 36 And they spoiled the egyptians. and rich furnitures, who by their own censent, and will, partend with these things, ●o hire the Israelites unto a more speedy hast, for their own safeguard. 43 There shall no stranger eat thereof. None that is a stranger in religion shall eat of it. CAP. XIII. 2 sanctify unto me all the first born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel. THat which first cometh out of the womb, set it apart to me, and consecrate it to my name, whether it be of man, or of any serviceable beast, among the Israelites: for it is mine by a peculiar right, I having well deserved it in my preservation from the common destruction. 9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lords Law may be in thy mouth. This Passover shall be as full a remembrance unto thee of Gods mercy in thy deliverance, as if thou shouldst by any signet upon thy hand, or frontlet between thine eyes, recall any business, or favour which thou wouldest ever think upon; yea, thou shalt keep some record, or memorial of this blessing also, in those scrolls which thou shalt bind upon thine arm and head. 13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck. But the first foal of the ass, because it is an unclean beast, since it may not be sacrificed, thou shall redeem it with a lamb: or else, because it is not fit that whatsoever is consecrated to God, should be put to profane uses, thou shalt break the neck of it, &c. 18 And the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of egypt. And the children of Israel went up well furnished out of the land of egypt, both with provision, and munition. CAP. XIIII. 4 And I will harden Pharaohs heart, that he shall follow after them. ANd I will in just judgement so besot Pharaoh, that forgetting the experiments of my power, he shall, in hope of prevailing, follow after you. 8 And the children of Israel went out with an high hand. But the children of Israel went out by strong hand, under the miraculous guidance and protection of the Almighty. 15 Wherefore criest thou unto me? Why dost thou thus earnestly importune me in thy secret prayers, which are as so many loud cries in my ears? 19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them. And the Angel of the Covenant( which was Christ) removed the signs of his presence from before the Israelites, behind them. 24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the egyptians. Now in the morning watch, when the Lord, out of the pillar of fire( who had seemed all this while to wink at the enterprises of the egyptians) began, according to our apprehension, to take notice of this their pursuit, &c. CAP. XV. THe troops of horses and their riders hath he overthrown in the Sea. 1 The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the Sea. I foresee by that spirit of prophesy which he hath given me, 2 He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation. that he shall have a Tabernacle reared up for him by his people. The Lord is a noble warrior indeed. 3 The Lord is a man of war. And the Lord directed him unto a three, 25 And the Lord shewed him a three, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: to which he gave such miraculous power, that it being cast into the waters, the wood thereof changed the whole stream from the former bitterness. There he, in general, gave them rules and advice of holy obedience before him, 25 There he made a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them. to prepare them for that exact Law which he meant afterwards to deliver, &c. CAP. XVI. GEnerally there was a murmuring over the whole camp, of the most part of the Israelites, &c. 2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured, &c. Behold, 4 Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. I will cause that which shall be in stead of bread, to rain, as it were, out of the clouds upon you. For as much as you have murmured, both for flesh, 8 This shall be when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat,& in the morning bread to the full. and for bread, therefore you shall be filled with both: in the evening shall quails, the daintiest flesh fall upon your tents, and in the morning Manna. And the glory of God shewed itself in an extraordinary manner in the cloud that was wont to appear to them. 10 And behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. They said one to another, 15 This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat. This is a strange food prepared and given us from above: for they knew not particularly what it was, or what to name it. And having put their common gatherings together, 18 And when they did meet it with an Omer, he that gathered much, had nothing over, and he that gathered little, had no lack. into one heap, it was equally divided amongst them: so as he that had gathered much, had no more then an omen, and he that gathered little, wanted nothing of it. So Aaron, in process of time, 34 So Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept, &c. when the Tabernacle was erected, laid it up before the ark( which testified Gods presence to his people) to be reserved for a monument of Gods miraculous provision for Israel. 36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an Ephah. The omer is the tenth part of the Jewish bushel, which contained about three pecks. CAP. XVII. 12 But Moses hands were heavy,& they took, &c. ANd Moses grew faint in body, with long continuance of that earnest prayer, in so much as his hands grew weary and remiss with lifting up: and they took, &c. 15 And called the name of it Iehovah-Nissi. And he called the name of the place, The Altar of Jehovah my banner. CAP. XVIII. 12 They came to eat bread with Moses father in law, before God. THey came to feast with Jethro the father in law of Moses, in that place, where God declared his presence by the cloudy pillar. 13 And the people stood by Moses, from the morning unto the evening. The people stood before Moses, to call for justice in their several causes, and resolution in their doubts, &c. Even all the day long. 15 Because the people come unto me to inquire of God. Because the people come to me in all weighty causes, to consult with God by me. 19 Be thou for the people to God-ward: that thou maiest bring the causes unto God. do thou propound the doubts and demands of the people to God, as also their suits, in thy prayers: and report Gods answers back again to them. If thou shalt do this thing( which yet I would not draw thee unto, 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure. without the good liking and approbation of God) then thou shalt be able to sustain this burden. CAP. XIX. 3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain. BUt Moses went up the hill unto God, whose voice had called to him, and bidden him to ascend, &c. 4 And how I bare you on Eagles wings, and I brought you unto myself. And how I carried you( as it were) aloft, above the reach of all dangers, like as an Eagle carrieth her young ones, supporting and helping them with her wings. 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of Priests, and an holy nation. Ye shall be in a special manner a people devoted peculiarly to my worship. go to the people, 10 go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes. and by due preparation set them apart these two dayes, for their holy appearance before me, and, in a representation of that inward cleannesse which I require of them, let them wash their very clothes, which they brought with them out of egypt. And thou shalt set limits unto the people, 12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about. how far they shall go, and how near they shall dare to come to the Hill, &c. When the Trumpet, 13 When the Trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. which the angel shall sound to call the people, shall sound long, then shall the people go up towards the mountain unto the place limited unto them. Set yourselves apart from your wives, for a time, 15 Come not at your wives. that your hearts may not be distracted with any carnal delight, now that they are to be fixed upon God. And let those which do the office of the Priesthood, 22 And let the Priests also which come near to the Lord, sanctify themselves, lest the Lord break forth upon them. namely the first born of the families, who are wont to offer sacrifices to God, see that they specially be devoutly, and holily prepared for this great appearance of God. CAP. XX. I Am so affencted to you my people, 5 For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children; unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. as a loving husband to his wife, whom he cannot endure to set her affections upon any other: where I see, therefore, a succession of iniquity from the fathers to children,( both which hate to be reformed) I punish it not only eternally in themselves, but temporally in many generations after them. Honour those which are any way set over thee, 12 Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy dayes may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. and give them due reverence, and obedience for Conscience sake: that God may give thee a long and happy life in this thy promised land upon earth, and an eternal life( figured by the other) in that true land of rest, which is above. Thou shalt not entertain so much as the very first motions of unlawful desires towards ought that is thy neighbours, &c. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbours wife, &c. But shalt rest well contented with thine own. You shall not make( in competition with me) gods of silver, &c. 23 ye shall not make with me gods of silver. until the time of your settling, 24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me,& shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep and thine oxen. and the set residence of God in his Tabernacle and Temple, you shall onely make your altars of earth, that may not continue, and thereon, in an homely manner, shall you offer all your sacrifices, whether those which you offer up in acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God, or those which you offer in svit of further favour, or thankfulness, for a favour received. CAP. XXI. 1 Now these are the judgements which thou shalt set before them: NOw these are the Civill, or judicial laws which thou shalt appoint for the government of the Israelites. 2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six yeares he shall serve, and in the seventh he shall go out for nothing. Howsoever thou keep a seruant of the Gentiles in a perpetual bondage, yet thou shalt not have that power over an Hebrew; But in the year of liberty and intermission, which is the seventh year, thou shalt release him without any Composition. 4 If his master have given him a wife. If his Master upon his own liking, or desire, shall allow him to mary with a foreigner, which is his maid servant. 6 And his master shall boar his ear through with an aule, and he shall serve him for ever. His master shall boar through his ear, to the door, whether as a reproachful mark of his perpetual servitude, or as a signification of his fastening himself unto that house, so as he will not, nor may not pass from it, without the liking of his master. 7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maid servant, she shall not go out as the man-servants do. Likewise, if a man sell his daughter, as yet under age, with intention that she should mary him that buys her, if she be dismissed, it shall be upon better conditions, then an ordinary servant. 8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed, &c. If she please not her master, so far, as that he betroths her to himself, then shall he suffer another, one of her friends to redeem her of him, but he shall have no power to sell her to a stranger, seeing he hath deceived her expectation of marrying him. 9 He shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. He shall so deal with her, in giving her to marriage, as if she had been a free woman. 11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money. But if he do not allow unto her food, raiment, and house room convenient for her, then shall she go out free, at the time of liberty, or of such his denial( upon judgement) without any repayment of the money for which she was sold. 13 And if a man lye not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand. If a man have not laid wait for another, but casually without any purpose of his, shall by Gods disposition do some act which might procure the death of another. 21 He shall not bee punished, for he is his money. For he bought him with his money, therefore not purposely striking him, to kill him, he shall not be punished: since he is already punished in his loss. CAP. XXII. IF a thief be found breaking into thine house by night, 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die; and be smitten in the act by thee unto death, &c. They shall be put to swear by the name of God, &c. 11 Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both. If thou lend money to an Israelite, those especially which are poor, and borrow upon need, 25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer. thou shalt not take any increase for the use of it. If thou take of thy poor neighbour any of his necessary raiment whether for the day or night as a pledge for money borrowed of him. 26 If thou at all take thy neighbours raiment to pledge, &c. Of all kind of thy fruits, whether dried in their kind, 29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquours. or strained into liquour, thou shalt pay d●ly thy tithes and first fruits unto God. Neither shall you eat any part of that beast which was torn in pieces by any other beast, 31 Neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field. whether clean or unclean. CAP. XXIII. THou shalt not give thine assistance or countenance unto a wicked man, in a false testimony. 1 Put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not suffer the regard of poverty itself to make thee partial in a case of judgement. 3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. Thou shalt not pronounce a sentence of death upon an innocent man: For if thou do, 7 The innocent and the righteous slay not, for I will nor justify the wicked. and herein deal wickedly, howsoever thou mayst escape the censure of men, yet my judgement thou shalt not escape. Thou shalt not take any bribe to draw thee unto partiality in any cause. 8 And thou shalt take no gift. Ye shall not, with any approbation, 13 And make no mention of the names of other gods. so much as mention the names of other gods. Three times in the year shall all thy men children, 17 Three times in the year all thy males shall ppeare before the Lord a odd. of sufficient age, whether bond or free, present themselves in the place of Gods public service, which is his Tabernacle. During these solemn times of sacrificing unto me, 18 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. ye shall not eat any leavened bread. Thou shalt not be so cruel in thine oblations, as to seeth a Kid, in that milk of the dam, 19 Thou shalt not seeth a Kid in his mothers milk. which was given it for nourishment. Because my power and divinity is in him. 21 For my name is in him: And that I may herein approve myself the God of 28 And I will sand hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite,& the Hittite, from before thee. hosts, I will by small means confounded thine adversaries, for as I afflicted the egyptians with frogs and lice, so will I vex the Canaanites with hornets, which shall sting them to death, &c. 31 And from the desert unto the River. From the wilderness of Sur, unto the great River Euphrates. CAP. XXIIII. 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. ANd Moses wrote all these words of the Lord, which concern either the Civill government of the Jews, or the Ceremonies of Gods service. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel. And he sent some chosen young men, of the first born of the several Tribes, which offered, &c. 7 And he took the book of the Covenant, &c. After Moses took the book, wherein he had written that Covenant betwixt God and his people, in the judicial and ceremonial laws, &c. 8 Behold, the blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you. Behold, that blood whereby the Covenant made betwixt God and you is signified to be confirmed. 10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet, as it were a paved work of a sapphire ston, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And they saw some visible signs of the presence of God, and at the lower part of that brightness, there was a clear shining blew pavement, as it were of sapphire, or like to a sky when it is clear. They saw God in these signs of his manifestation, and yet lived in health, 11 They also saw God, and did eat and drink. and soundness of body. CAP. XXV. 5 And Shittim wood. OF a precious and durable wood, which grows not far from Sinai. 16 And thou shalt put into the ark the Testimony which I shall give thee. So thou shalt put into the ark the two Tables of the Law, which I shall give thee, as a witness of my Covenant with my people. Thou shalt make a cover for the ark of pure gold: which shall serve also as an Oracle, 17 And thou shalt make mercy-seat of pure gold. from which God shall give answers to thee upon all occasions. 23 Thou shalt also make a Table of Shittim wood. Now in the outward sanctuary also, thou shalt make a Table of costly and sweet wood, &c. 30 And thou shalt set upon the Table, showbread before me alway. And thou shalt set upon the Table twelve loaves of bread, which because they shall be ever presented before my face, are termed justly, The bread of presence. CAP. XXVI. THe length of each curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, 2 The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain, four cubits. that so ten may be for the breadth of the roof of the Tent, and nine, on each side, may hang down, within one cubit of the gound, &c. Also thou shalt make another rank of curtains, 7 And thou shalt make curtains of goats hair, to be a covering upon the Tabernacle. of a meaner value, namely of goates hair woven into cloth, &c. Moreover, to defend the Tabernacle from weather, 14 And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams skins died read, and a covering above of badgers skins. thou shalt make a third covering for it, of rams skins died read; and a fourth yet above that, next to the weather, of badgers skins, which are yet stronger and courser. And two shalt thou make in the corners of the Tabernacle lined with other boards for more strength of carriage, on each side of the Tabernacle. 23 And two boards shalt thou make for the corners of the Tabernacle in the two sides. And thou shalt make five rows of bars, 26 And thou shalt make bars of Shittim wood, five for the boards of one side of the Tabernacle. to go through the boards on each side of the Tabernacle. Moreover, thou shalt make a vail for the Holy of Holies of blew silk, &c. 31 And thou shalt make a vail of blew and purple and scarlet. CAP. XXVII. THou shalt make the inner part of the altar of Shittim wood, 1 And thou shalt make an altar of Shittim wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. the outward part whereof shall be all covered on both sides, with brass. The Altar shall be for length and breadth four square. 1 The altar shall be four square. The four corners shall have, as it were, four horns( of the same matter whereof the altar is made) upon the tops thereof. 2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof. Vessels to carry away the ashes, 3 And thou shalt make his tyrants to receive his ashes, and his shovels. and shovels to take them up. Thou shalt make the Altar hollow with boards, like unto a boarded coffer, without either bottom, or cover. 8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it. And thou shalt make a court to compass in the Tabernacle. 9 And thou shalt make the court of the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons shall dress, and tend them every morning, and evening: kindling them in the evening, 21 Aaron and his sons shall order it from Evening to morning, before the Lord. and cleansing them in the morning. CAP. XXVIII. THou shalt make garments consecrated to the holy uses of my service. 2 And thou shalt make holy garments. 3 Whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Whom I have endued with an extraordinary skill for these exquisite works. 4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an Ephod, and a rob, and a broidered coat, a mitre and a girdle. These shall be the garments thou shalt make proper to the high Priest: a breastplate for his breast, a rich Ephod for his shoulders, a rob with bells and Pomgranats for the whole body, a rich embroidered coat under that, a mitre for his head, a Girdle for his loins, &c. They shall make a peculiar Ephod to the high Priest, of gold, 6 And they shall make the Ephod of gold, &c. &c. As a sign whereby the children of Israel may know that their memory is presented to God, 12 For stones of memorial unto the children of Israel. and that they are had in remembrance of God. 15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgement. And thou shalt make the breastplate which thou shalt wear in thy consultations with God, in the causes of judgement. 16 four square it shall be, being doubled. Thou shalt make it of the same stuff, doubled for the more strength, and better convenience of holding the stones. 30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgement, the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be upon Aarons heart &c. Also thou shalt enclose within the breastplate, wherewith thou shalt consult with God, these two secret signs of knowledge and holinesse, which shall bee upon the heart of Aaron, to signify what is required to be within his heart. 35 And his sound shall be heard, when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not. His sound shall be heard when he goeth in, and cometh forth of the holy place, and thus addressing himself and the people, with awful reverence, and devotion to the service of God, he shall not die, whereas, if he abruptly entering into the place, shall be an occasion of the peoples negligence, and his own profanation of Gods service, he shall die for it. 38 And it shall be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, &c. So shall it be upon Aarons forehead, that Aaron hereby may show, that, in signification of the perfect high Priest, which was to come, he took upon him the expiation of all those sins, and infirmities, which the Israelites should be guilty of in their offerings to God. 41 And shalt anoint them, and consecrate thē, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the Priests office. Thou shalt anoint them, and prepare their persons for this service of mine. CAP. XXIX. 4 And shalt wash them with water. ANd shalt wash them all the body over, with the water of the laver. 9 And the Priests office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. And the Priests office shall be thus continued to Aaron and his sons, until the time that all these legal rites shall be finished by him, whom they serve to signify. And Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands upon the head of the calf, 10 And Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock. to signify their interest in that satisfy, and to aclowledge their worthiness to die, in that beast, which in the signification of the true sacrifice, was put to death for them. So after this calf is offered as a sacrifice and expiation for the sins of Aaron and his sons, 15 Thou shalt also take one ram, and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram. then thou shalt cause them to offer a ram for a burnt offering. Whatsoever toucheth the altar, 37 Whatsoever toucheth the altar, shall be holy. shall thereby be sanctified, so as it may not be any more put to any ordinary or profane use. Where I will( as it were) appoint to meet thee familiarly, and to declare my will to thee by my servants. 42 Where I will meet thee to speak there unto thee. And I will make a clear manifestation of my gracious presence among the children of Israel, both to direct, 45 And I will dwell amongst the children of Israel, and will be their God. and preserve them. CAP. XXX. AFter thou shalt set it close before the vail, 6 And thou shalt put it before the vail. that distinguishes the holy place from the holiest of all. Ye shall offer no incense of any other composition, 9 ye shall offer no strange incense thereon. &c. And the high Priest shall once a year put the blood of the sin offering upon the horns of the altar, 10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it, once in a year, with the blood of the sin offerings of atonement. to make an expiation of the defects, which had passed that year, in Gods service. When thou takest an account of the number of the children of Israel, 12 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel, after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numbrest them, that there be no plague amongst them, &c. then shall they give every man half a Shekel, to testify that he holds his life of that God, whose service that shall be used to maintain: which shall be paid of every man upon pain of the displeasure of God, who shall plague the contempt of whosoever refuses thus to contribute to his service. half a sickle( that is according to our current money the value of fifteen pence sterling) according to the standard which shall be kept in the Sanctuary. 13 half a shekel after the shekel of the Sanctuary. He shall die the death, whether by the immediate hand of God, or by the sword of the magistrate. 33 shall even be cut off from his people. CAP. XXXI. 2 I have called by name, Bezaleel the son of uri. I Have singled out( as if I had by his name called him from others) Bezaleel the son of Uri, and &c. 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. Whom I have endued with this gift of the spirit of God, to be able both perfectly to conceive, and curiously to work all these things which belong to the Tabernacle. 6 And in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted, I have put wisdom, that they make all that I commanded thee. And in the hearts of all those that are apt for these businesses, have I put a greater apprehension, and dexterity of working all these things that I have commanded. Although I could be willing that these works of the sanctuary should be finished, 13 speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep, for it is a sign between me and you, &c. yet I would not have them so followed, as that ye should work them upon the Sabbath day: for that day is a common sign betwixt us, of your holding me for your Creator, and of my special interest in you above all other people. 18 Two tables of testimony, tables of ston, written with the finger of God. He gave him two tables of the Law, which testified unto the people the will of God which spake and wrote it. CAP. XXXII. 1 up, make us gods which shall go before us, for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of egypt, wee wote not what is become of him. stir up thyself, and make some visible Image, that may bring to our mindes the presence of God: and may give us a sensible representation of his going before us, and assisting us; sithence both Moses is gone, and the cloud which was wont to direct us, hath stood still thus long. 4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graved tool, after he had made it a melted calf, and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of egypt. Who received them at their hands, and according to the peoples desire, cast it in a mould framed for that purpose, and polished it afterwards with tools, and the people said to each other: this is a representation( O Israel) of that God of thine, which brought thee out of the land of egypt. When Aaron saw the importunity of the people, he yielded to have an altar built before the calf; 5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it, and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord. and proclaimed publicly: To morrow shall be the day, wherein ye shall solemnly worship God in this calf, which is made. Now therefore do not thou, after thy wonted manner, 10 Now therefore let me alone that my wrath may wax hote against them, &c. pray so instantly for their remission: which if thou do, so great is my respect unto thee, that my mercy will not suffer a revenge to light upon them; onely be thou silent, for whose sake I forbear them, and then shall my wrath show itself, &c. Then the Lord, at Moses his request, 14 And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. did not go on to bring that evil upon the Israelites, which he had conditionally threatened against them. Therefore now, if thou wilt pardon this their sin, thy mercy will be so much more magnified, 32 Yet now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin: and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book, which thou hast written. by how much their sin is more heinous; but rather then thou shouldst not, since I know thy glory with men doth so much depend upon it, I could be for thy sake contented even to be cast away myself from thee, at least to bee wiped out of the catalogue of living men, here upon earth. I will give them the same protection by my Angel, 34 Behold, mine Angel shall go before thee, nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them. which they have had, but I will notwithstanding find a time to correct them for this their offence. CAP. XXXIII. I Will sand a created Angel to safeguard and direct thee, 2 And I will sand an Angel before thee. &c. For I will not in that familiar manner, that I was wont, 3 For I will not go up in the midst of thee. converse with thee, and work wonderfully for thee, &c. Therefore now put off thy costly raiment, 5 Therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. and humble thyself before me, that according to the measure of thine humiliation, or obstinacy, I may proportion out my dealings with thee. Then Moses took a special Tent wherein public service should be done to God, 7 And Moses took the Tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the Congregation. and pitched it without the host, afar off, and called it the Tent of the Congregation, &c. And the Lord gave unto Moses most familiar tokens and representations of his presence, 11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. speaking by audible voices unto him, as one friend imparts his counsels to another. I have taken special notice of thee above all others. 17 And I know thee by name. CAP. XXXIV. SO the Lord in some sensible signs of his presence passed before him. 6 And the Lord passed by before thee. 10 Before all thy people I will do marvailes, &c. And will do strange miracles for thy sake both in the wilderness, and in Canan, &c. Thou shalt make thee no Images to represent God, whether melted, 17 Thou shalt make thee no melted gods. or carved, or painted, or howsoever framed for this purpose. 19 Verse. See Exodus 13.12. 29 That Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone, while he talked with him, &c. Now Moses knew not that his face had a certain bright shining and majesty imprinted in it, by God, in his conference with him. CAP. XXXV. 3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day. unless it be for a necessary use, ye shall not so much as take pains to kindle a fire for the dressing of any provision on the Sabbath day. 5 Verse. See Chapter 25. in the whole sequel. 10 And every wise hearted among you, shall come and make all that the Lord hath commanded. And all to whom the Lord hath given dexterity of working in these kinds, shall set themselves to make all that the Lord hath commanded concerning the Tabernacle. 30 Verse. See Chapter 31.2, 3. &c. CAP. XXXVI. See Chapter 26. in the whole. CAP. XXXVII. See Chapter 25. in the whole, CAP. XXXVIII. See Chapter 27. in the whole. 8 And he made the Laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking glasses of the women, &c. Also he made a great laver to wash the Priests, and to cleanse the sacrifices, and both the foot and frame of it was made of that brass, and shining mettall, whereof the womens looking glasses were made, which now devoutly gave these instruments of their vanity, to holy uses. 21 This is the sum of the Tabernacle, even of the Tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandement of Moses, for the service of the Levites, &c. These are the parts of the Tabernacle, that is, the Tabernacle that witnesseth the presence of God, to his people: all the parts whereof by the Commandement of Moses was at the taking down, and erecting, committed to the charge of the Levites, by Ithamar, the son of Aaron, which was set over the Levites. CAP. XXXIX. See Chapter 28. in the whole. CAP. XL. SO Moses at that time could not for reverence of the place enter into the Tabernacle of the Congregation, 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the Tent of the Congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. because God now at the first consecration of it, did so gloriously manifest himself, not onely in the sign of the cloud, upon the Tabernacle, but also, of exceeding glory and brightness within the Tabernacle. LEVITICVS. CAP. I. IF any of you offer an ordinary sacrifice unto the Lord, 2 If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. ye shall offer your sacrifice of those cattle which are most common for their use, namely, beefs, and sheep, or Goates. If it be a sacrifice to be consumed by fire, of beefs from the herd. 3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd. And the Priest shall kill the bullock, 5 And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord. before the Lord for him. CAP. II. WHen any man will voluntarily, 1 And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord: besides the set occasions, offer a meat offering unto the Lord. In this oblation of the first fruits onely, 12 As for the oblation of the first fruits, ye shall offer them unto the Lord, &c. ye shall offer leaven unto the Lord, in the two loaves which shall bee for the shake offering. Whereof see Levit. 23.17. &c. CAP. III. 1 And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd. ANd if his oblation be a peace offering, that is, such as whereby the offerer doth thankfully present himself to God, acknowledging to have received all blessings from him, &c. 3 And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering, an offering made by fire unto the Lord, the fat that covereth the inwards. So the Priest shall offer of the peace offering, the fat that covereth the inwards, &c. as a sacrifice to be consumed by fire unto the Lord. CAP. IIII. 3 If the Priest that is anointed, do sin according to the sin of the people, then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish. IF the Priest, which is anointed, and thereby consecrated to God, shall sin, so as occasion may be given therfore unto the people to offend, then shall he according to the greater eminence of his place, offer for his sin, a young bullock, &c. He shall put his hand upon the bullocks head, in token that that sin of his is transferred to him, 4 And shall lay his hand upon the bullocks head, and kill the bullock before the Lord. that is the true propitiatory sacrifice for sin, &c. So he shall cause all the rest of the bullock, besides the blood, the fat, the kidneys, and the caull, to be carried out of the host, 12 Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp, unto a clean place where the ashes are powred out,& burn him on the wood with fire, &c. into some clean place, to be consumed; both to show detestation unto the sin, for which it is offered, and to signify, that the true sacrifice must be offered without the gates. CAP. V. 11 He shall bring for his sin offering a tenth part of an Ephah of fine floure, he shall put no oil upon, it neither shall he put any frankincense thereon, for it is a sin-offering. HE shall bring the quantity of a pottle of fine flower, as an offering for his sin; he shall put neither oil, nor frankincense upon it; for these two are figures of grace, and obedience, wherewith sin hath no affinity. If a man shall through ignorance do any act, whereby he offends, in the use of any thing that is consecrated to God, 15 If a soul commit a trespass through ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord, then shall he bring for his trespass unto the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. whether in the omission of any due circumstance concerning it, or in misemploying it to any other purpose, then that whereto it is set apart; he shall bring to the Lord, as an offering for such trespass, a ram without any blemish, out of the flocks, worth, in the Priests valuation, two Shekels of silver at the least; according to the largest proportion of the Shekel; which is that of the Sanctuary; weighing three hundred and twenty grains. CAP. VI. IN the court of the Sanctuary where these holy Oblations were dressed. 16 In the holy place, in the court of the Tabernacle of the Congregation they shall eat it. Every one that toucheth them shall be before hand sanctified, and free from all legal pollutions. 18 Every one that toucheth them shall bee holy. The pieces of the cake, which shall be broken for the use of the meat offering, by the Priest. 21 And the baken pieces of the meat offering. CAP. VII. HE shall receive no benefit by it. 18 It shall not be imputed to him. Shall suffer the punishment of his iniquity that hath not taken the prescribed course for the expiating of his uncleanness. 20 Shall bear his iniquity, that hath his uncleanness upon him. CAP. VIII. HE put in the breastplate those two precious stones, 8 He put in the breastplate the urim and the Thummim. which signified light and perfection; by the means whereof the people should receive answers from God. That it might be duly prepared to receive those sacrifices, 15 To make reconciliation upon it. by which reconciliation might be made for the sins of the people. To signify that the hearing of his ears, 23 On the tip of Aarons right ear, &c. and actions of his hands, and motions of his feet, are, and should bee sanctified. It was the portion appointed for Moses in the right of that Priesthood, 29 It was Moses part &c. which he did yet extraordinarily execute. Therefore ye shall not go out of the bounds of the court-yard of the Tabernacle, 35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, day and night seven dayes, and keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not. for the space of seven dayes, and seven nights, and shall duly keep all these observations, which the Lord hath enjoined you; that so God may not be provoked to strike you with death. CAP. IX. THe Lord shall give you some visible, 6 And the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you. and glorious sign of his presence. 23 And the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. And in the sight of all the people there came a fire, whether out of the Tabernacle, or from heaven, and fell upon the Altar, and consumed the sacrifice of burnt offering, 24 And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the Altar the burnt offering. which lay ready upon it. CAP. X. 1 And offered strange fire before the Lord. ANd took up in their censers common and unsanctified fire, whereon they burnt the holy incense to the Lord. 6 uncover not your heads, neither rend your garments, lest you die. Give no testimonies of a repining grief, and discontentment at this just judgement of God, lest in his displeasure he consume you also, &c. 9 When ye go into the Tabernacle. When ye are to go into the inner Court of the Tabernacle, there to do your service to the Lord. 14 In a clean place. In a place free from legal pollution; or within the compass of the camp of Israel, or that selected City, where God will have his worship to be fixed. 19 Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering, and their burnt offering before the Lord, and such, &c. Behold, the children of Israel have this day offered their sin offering, and their burnt offering before the Lord, but as for me, you do well know what cause of just sorrow I have had this day in that heavy judgement, which hath befallen my sons, and if in this mourning, and sad dejectednesse, I had eaten of the sin offering, how could it have been well taken of that God, who requires cheerfulness in all that thus partake of his holy things? CAP. XI. 2 These are the beasts, &c. I Would have your diet a figure of your conversation; beasts to be figures of men, those men which put just differences betwixt their actions, 3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof,& cheweth the cud among the beasts, that shall ye eat. and that do meditate and chew upon the Law of God continually, those are fit for you to converse with, and to be received of you into your entire fellowship, these are represented to you by beasts that divide the hoof, and chew the cud. The sins of the fish are for steering of their motion, the scales are for smoothness of passage, 10 All that have not sins& scales in the seas, &c. shall be an abomination to you. for safeguard, for ornament; those men that have no knowledge and faith to guide them, no good dispositions to set them forward, nor good works to set them forth, are not for your entire conversation. CAP. XII. THat sickness which in ordinary course is every month incident to her sex. 2 Her infirmity. CAP. XIII. IF the whole flesh be so covered over, 13 If the leprosy have covered all the flesh, he shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague, all is turned white: he is clean. that there is no appearance of difference in the skin, it is a sign that the strength of nature hath wholly driven out that inward matter, which was the cause of the leprosy, and therefore it argues, that the party is delivered from his disease. In sign of mourning for this judgement, 45 He shall put a covering upon his upper lip. and for restraint of that breath, which is infectious, he shall muffle up himself. CAP. XIV. unto some place which is in itself unhallowed, 45 unto an unclean place. and is now polluted by these unclean materials, that are cast upon it. There shall be the same ceremonies for the cleansing of the house, that are appointed for the man; such, 49 And he shall take to cleanse the house, two birds, and Cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop. as are clear types of the blood of the messiah cleansing the soul from the leprosy of sin. CAP. XV. WHen any one hath an ordinary and insensible passage of seed, in the running of the reins. 2 When any man hath a running issue out of his flesh. Thus shall ye teach the children of Israel to separate themselves, each from other, 31 Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleannesses. in cases of their legal uncleannesses, and to cleanse themselves from their pollutions. CAP. XVI. 2 That he come not at all times unto the holy place within the vail, before the mercy-seat, which is upon the ark. THat he presume not to come ofter then once a year, into the Holy of holies, which is within the vail; where God in a special maner manifesteth his presence, between the Cherubims, in the mercie-seat, the Cover of the ark. 19 And hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. The sins and infirmities of Gods people in their devotions, do in a sort defile the holy place, and Altar; the high Priest shall thus expiate those sins of the people, which have polluted the place, and vessels of Gods service. 22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities, unto a land not inhabited. As the slain goat shall represent Christ dying for sin; so the escaping goat shall represent him freed from death, for our full justification, and taking away the sins of the world, so, as that they shall not appear in the sight of God to their condemnation. 29 On the tenth day ye shall afflict your souls. It shall be a day of great and solemn humiliation in fasting, and all kind of sad and penitential devotion. CAP. XVII. 3 That killeth an ox or lamb. THat killeth an ox or lamb with an intention of sacrifice unto God. CAP. XVIII. 6 To uncover their nakedness. TO lye with them, or to have carnal knowledge of them. 8 It is thy fathers nakedness. That nakedness is proper for none but thy father to uncover. 18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, &c. Having one wife, thou shalt not take another wife besides her, during her life; that the emulation, which will thereupon arise, may not be a perpetual vexation to her, whom thou hast by lawful wedlock made one flesh with thee 21 Thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech. Thou shalt not give up any of thy sons, or daughters as a sacrifice to Molech, the Idol of the Ammonites; either to pass between his two fires, as in way of consecration to him; or to be consumed by the fire of that Idol, as a burnt offering to him. CAP. XIX. THou shalt not be any cause, 16 Neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour. or furtherer of shedding the blood of thy neighbour; neither willingly forbear to hinder any act done against his life. To teach thee how God loveth simplicity of heart, 19 Neither shall a garment mingled of linen& woollen come upon thee. in all thy carriage and disposition, thou shalt not be allowed mixtures, and compositions, so much as in thine outward apparel. During the first three yeares after the plantation thereof, 23 Three yeares shall( the three) be as uncircumcised to you. the fruit of those trees shall be unlawful to be eaten, or to be put to any other profitable use. Ye shall not imitate the heathen fashion of your idolatrous neighbours, in cutting your hair round, 27 ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. neither shall you, after their maner in their mournings, deform your faces, by shaving off the hair of your beard. Ye shall not( according to the heathen manner) cut your flesh, whiles ye mourn for the dead; 28 Ye shall not make any cuttings of your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you. nor make any impression in your skin and flesh, as marks of your Idolatry, and superstition. CAP. XX. WHosoever revileth or speaketh reproachfully of either father or mother, let him be put to death. 9 Every one that nurseth his father, or mother. CAP. XXI. NOne of the inferior Priests may either touch a dead corps, or come into the room where it is, 1 There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people. if it be the corps of one not near allied to him. Vid. 19. verse 27. 5 They shall not make, &c. However it may bee lawful for the inferior Priest to mourn for, or to be present ●ith the corps of those, 11 Neither shall he go in to the dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother. which in pensiveness of blood, or alliance they have relation unto, yet the High-priest shall not condescend to any act, or sign of public mourning, no not for his very parents; nor go into the the room where their corpes are laid. If he shall mary with any of these forbidden persons, 15 Neither shall he profane his seed amongst his people. the issue which he shall have by her, shall be accounted as unhallowed; and shall not be capable of succeeding him in executing the Priests office. 18 Or any thing superfluous. Or that hath any part, or limb more then he should, or monstrously excessive in the proportion thereof. CAP. XXII. 14 If any man eat of the holy thing unwittingly then he shall put the fifth part unto it, and shall give it to the Priest. IF any Israelite, that is not of the Priests family, shall ignorantly eat of those holy things, that are appropriated by Gods ordinance, to the Priests, he shall pay the price of that whereof he eateth, and add withall a fifth part more of the full worth, by way of satisfaction to the Priest. 15 Neither from a strangers hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these. Not onely shall ye refuse to offer blemished, and unperfect sacrifices from the hands of Israelites; but if any heathen man, who is a stranger from the commonwealth of Israel, shall offer to present any such blemished, or unworthy oblation to you, ye shall also reject it, as that which is unlawful to be offered to God. CAP. XXIII. Verse 27. Vid. 16. verse 29. 39 Shall be a Sabbath. ON the first and on the eight day ye shall rest from your labours. CAP. XXIV. 14 Let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head. LEt all that heard him, as in way of ratification of their testimony, lay their hand on his head; as thereby professing that the blood of the blasphemer shall be upon his own head, as who doth most worthily suffer for his sin. CAP. XXV. 6 And the Sabbath of the land shall bee meat for you, &c. ANd that fruit( of what kind soever) which groweth upon thy land, in the seventh year shall serve indifferently for meat and drink for the servant and stranger, as well as the owner; and shall be freely taken, and used accordingly. 29 For the land is mine, &c. The land is mine, in a more peculiar manner; as that which I have set apart to be the inheritance of my chosen people on earth, and to be a figure of their happy, and glorious inheritance in heaven. In all the land which ye possess, 24 And in all the land of your possession ye shall grant a redemption for the land. ye shall suffer a redemption to be given by him that sold or mortgaged it;& shall accept thereof in the appointed year of Jubilee. If the Levites might sell their houses, in their Cities, yet the fields which are about the suburbs of the City, 34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold. three thousand cubits in extent from the walls thereof, may not at all be aliened, or sold. CAP. XXVI. YOu shall have a continued succession of blessings, 5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage. and variety of increase of al kinds of fruits, one in the neck of another; so as no sooner shall the threshing of your corn be finished, then your vintage shall come in hand. I will bring divers and frequent judgments upon you for your sins. 24 I will punish you yet seven times. And when I have brought upon you, 26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread. famine and scarcity, and have bereaved you of that which is the staff of your life, bread, &c. Then shall the land be quiet; 34 Then shall the land enjoy her Sabbaths. as being delivered from those wicked inhabitants, which brought a curse upon it; and from those busy labours, wherewith it was worn out, and torn up continually. CAP. XVII. ANd if a man will consecrate unto the Lord some part of that field, 16 And if a man shall sanctify to the Lord some part of a field of his possessions, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: An Homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty Shekels of silver. which by inheritance is descended to him, and would redeem it: it shall be valued according to the proportion of that seed, which is fit and sufficient to be sown in that parcel, every ten bushels of barley seed shall be ranted at fifty shekels of silver. See Levit. 5.15. 25 Shekel of the Sanctuary. No creature, which under a solemn vow, or curse, shall be devoted to destruction, 29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall bee redeemed. shall be redeemed by any price whatsoever, whether it be man, or beast, but shall undergo that death to which it was solemnly devoted. NVMBERS. CAP. I. 51 The stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. ANy Israelite whosoever, being not of the Tribe of Levi, if he offer to meddle with the ark, shall surely die, either by the immediate hand of God, or by the hand of human justice, and authority. CAP. II. 2 far off about the Tabernacle THe measure, of at least two thousand cubits, shall be the distance betwixt the tents of Israel, and the holy Tabernacle of God. CAP. III. 7 And they shall keep his charge. THey shall do that service which Aaron, as from the Lord, shall appoint unto them. 9 Thou shalt give the Levites to Aaron and his sons. Thou shalt design and appoint the Levites to attend upon Aaron, and his sons, in the holy ministration. 12 I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel, in stead of all the first born, &c. Whereas, before, the first born of the family was ordained to execute the office of the Priesthood, and to offer sacrifices for the rest, now I have confined this office to one tribe alone, so as onely those of Levi shall( in stead of the first born) be set apart for this work. CAP. IIII. 7 The continual bread shall be thereon. THat showbread which is appointed to be continually set upon the Table before the Lord; being every Sabbath to be renewed in a perpetual succession. CAP. V. WHen a man, 6 Shall commit any sin which men commit. or woman shall commit any sin of frailty or infirmity, which is commonly incident to every man. By way of recompense, 7 He shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fift part. he shall pay the price of that thing which he hath taken away, or wherein he hath done the wrong, and add moreover a fift part of the worth, as a satisfaction to the party wronged. If any mans wife shall leave off the conversation of her husband, and offend against his bed. 12 If any mans wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him. That water which shall prove bitterly afflictive and deadly to her, if she be guilty. vid. Vers. 27. 18 The bitter water. CAP. VI. TO signify the continuance of his holy consecration and his subjection to God, 5 Shall let the locks of the hair of his head to grow. he shall suffer his hair to grow unto the length. This offering he shall make to the Lord, 21 For his separation: besides that that his hand shall get. for his Nazariteship, besides that voluntary oblation, which he shall moreover make upon any other occasion unto God. Laying their hands upon the children of Israel, 27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. they shall call upon my name for a blessing; and it shall be given by me according to their prayers. CAP. VII. THe Princes of Israel by their several gifts, 2 The Princes offered. testified their joyful celebration of the dedication of the Tabernacle, and the Altar. To the sons of Merari( whose charge was the heaviest carriage that belonged to the Tabernacle, 8 four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari. as the boards and pillars thereof) he gave a double proportion of wagons, and oxen, for the more easy removal thereof. When Moses was gone into the Tabernacle of the Congregation, to attend upon the Lord, 89 When Moses, &c. to speak with him. and to receive his commandements. CAP. VIII. 2 The seven lamps shal give light over against the candlestick. THe seven lamps shall give light round about the bulk or shaft of the candlestick on all sides. 11 Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord for an offering of the children of Israel. Aaron shall present the Levites before the Lord, as persons consecrated to God: whom the chief of Israel in the name of all the rest shall devote to the holy service of God, in their behalf as designed,& allowed by them to offer up their oblations. 24 From the age of twenty five yeares and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the Tabernacle. From the age of twenty five yeares they shall so enter into the Tabernacle, as to inform themselves, and to learn both by institution, and practise, how to perform the services; and at the age of thirty yeares they shall enter upon the execution of their charge. 25 After fifty yeares, &c. they shall serve no more. They shall not serve any more, after the age of fifty, in any of the painful and laborious works of carriage or attendance; although for over-sight, and aid of advice, no age ought to be exempted. CAP. IX. 15 And on the day that the Tabernacle was reared up, the cloud covered the Tabernacle: namely the tent of the testimony; and at even there was upon the Tabernacle as it were an appearance of fire until the morning. IN the day that the Tabernacle was perfitly set up, God gave visible testimony of his presence therein; appearing in the day time as a cloud in the Holy of holies, over the ark; and in the night time as a lightsome fire over the same. Upon the will of God signified really to them by the stay, 18 At the commandement of the Lord the children of Israel journeied. or removal of the cloud, they disposed of their journey, or abode. CAP. X. 2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of one whole piece shalt thou make them. OF one entire piece beaten out into length, and breadth, shalt thou make each trumpet; and not of several parcels beaten together; of silver, for the purity of the metal; of one piece, for the unity and perfection of the sound. 31 Thou maiest be to us in stead of eyes. By reason of thy knowledge and experience, thou mayest be a good direction for us. CAP. XI. ANd the people murmured, 1 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled: and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them in the uttermost parts of the camp. and were discontent at their three dayes journey in the wilderness, ere they settled in a resting place; and the Lord took notice of their repining; and his anger was kinled against them, and shewed itself in a sensible judgement upon them; for he sent forth a visible fire amongst them, and consumed those that were in the outer skirts of the camp. And the multitude, 4 And the mixed multitude that were among them fell a lusting; and the children of Israel also wept again, and said; Who shall give us flesh to eat. which was a mixed company of native Israelites, and of strangers that came along with them, out of egypt, fell to an earnest longing, and lusting after their old diet; and said, Oh that some body would now give us flesh to eat. The Manna was in fashion and quantity, 7 The Manna was as Coriander seed; and the colour thereof as the colour of Bdellium. like to Coriander seed, and the colour of it was, as of a clear white gum. If I shall be put to bear the charge, and burden of this busy and troublesone people alone; 15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me I pray thee. rather take me away. I will due them with the same spiritual gifts, 16 I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them. and abilities, that I have furnished thee withall for the wielding of this great administration. Make yourselves by due preparation, 18 sanctify yourselves against to morrow. of believing and thankful hearts, apt and capable to receive this new and marvelous blessing from God. until you be over-cloyed with it. 20 Till it come forth at your nostrils. CAP. XII. IT is my manner when I would honour any man with the calling and employment of a prophet, 6 If there be a Prophet, among you, I the Lord will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. to reveal my will to that man either by dreams, or visions, which are the two usual means whereby I am wont to impart myself unto men. But, as for my servant Moses, 7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all my house. he is none of the ordinary rank of Prophets; him( as whom I have found faithful in all the service, that I have committed unto him) I have thought good to grace with an especial favour and entireness. With him will I speak in a more familiar manner, 8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches. then with the rest of mankind, even as a man would talk with his friend, by an immediate revelation of myself unto him; here shall need no dreams, or visions, wherein to convey my will and pleasure unto him, but his very senses shall apprehended, and perceives the pain and clear demonstration of my presence, and the notice of my will, by a familiar and sociable conference. CAP. XIII. 23 And when they came to the brook of Eshcol. ANd when they came to the valley, or brook, which afterward upon this occasion was called Eshcol, from the cluster of grapes which here they cut down. 32 It is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof. Either the air is unwholesome, and wasts the inhabitants with diseases, or the soil is so stubborn and harsh to work upon, that it spends their bodies with the difficulty of their labours. 33 Wee were in our own sight as grasshoppers. For stature, and strength, there seemed to be no less difference betwixt them and us, then between grasshoppers and men. CAP. XIV. 8 Floweth with milk and hony. HAth abundance of all provision, both for sustenance, and pleasure. 9 For they are bread for us. We shall consume them with great ease, and feed upon their rich provisions. 10 And the glory of the Lord appeared in the Tabernacle. And the Lord gave an apparent sign of his glorious presence in the cloud, that covered the Tabernacle, in the sight of Israel. 21 All the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. The whole earth shall take notice of my righteous judgements, which I will execute upon this people; and give unto me the praise, and glory of my justice. 33 Your children shall bear your whoredoms. Your children( though they shall at last enter into the promised land) yet in the mean time they shall smart for your sins; that you may be punished in them. 34 You shall know my breach of promise. Since you have thus shamefully broken your covenant with me, ye shall know& feel that those promises, which I made to you upon your obedience, shall now be reversed. 40 We will go up to the place which the Lord hath promised, for we have sinned. We will now, without any farther mutiny, go forward to the promised land, and fight with our enemies; for we do well see, and confess, wee have sinned against our God, in this our murmuring, and backwardness. CAP. XV. THat man that sinneth in an arrogant, 30 But the soul that doth ought presumptuously, &c. the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. and presumptuous manner, as it were daring God, and despighting heaven, he shall be destroyed by an immediate hand of God; as having wilfully affronted the Lord, and called his Iustice into question. CAP. XVI. YE take too much state and greatness upon you; 3 ye take too much upon you; seeing all the congregation is holy, every one of them; and the Lord is among them. as if you onely might, or ought to engross the Lord to yourselves; since there is none of the congregation, but is capable, and fit to do those holy actions, which ye have appropriated to yourselves; and the Lord would be as ready to testify his acceptation of them. In a deep sorrow for this presumptuous sin of these princes, and in an humble invocation upon God, 4 Moses fell upon his face. who onely could right these proud challenges, Moses cast himself down upon his face. To morrow the Lord will give a visible proof, 5 Even to morrow the Lord will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto him whom he hath chosen. whether he hath set us apart to these his highest services; and whether he bee well pleased, that ye should, without any special calling thereunto, approach unto his presence to offer sacrifices to him? Rather thou, O konrah, being one of the tribe of Levi, 7 ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. takest too much upon thee and thine, thus to encroach upon the Priests office; which thou shalt well find in the sequel. Canst thou hope so to blind the eyes of these people; 14 Wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? that they shall not discern thy fraudulent, presumptuous, and false dealing with them. God had begun to strike the people with a sudden death. 47 The plague was begun among the people. CAP. XVII. WE do well see how deadly a thing it is for us to offer to meddle with any of the sacred businesses of the Tabernacle; But, O Lord, 13 Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the Tabernacle of the Lord, shall die. Shall we be consumed with dying? what shall become of us? Some of us are swallowed up of the earth, others of us are consumed by fire, others by the sudden stroke of thy hand; O God, wilt thou not be entreated to take off thy revenging hand from us, till we be all utterly consumed? CAP. XVIII. 1 Thou and thy sons and thy fathers house with thee, shall bear the iniquity of the Sanctuary. THou( and thy posterity, that is descended from the loins of Levi) shalt be answerable for any abuse that is done in the Sanctuary. 7 I have given the Priests office unto you, as a service of gift. I have of my free choice, and gift, designed you to the office and service of the Priest-hood. 19 It is a covenant of salt for ever. It is an incorruptible and everlasting covenant. 22 Lest they bear sin. Lest they suffer death, as the due punishment of their sin. 24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave-offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inrite. The tithes of the children of Israel, which they set apart and consecrate to the Lord, by lifting them up in way of oblation to God, I have given to the tribe of Levi, as a constant and perpetual inheritance, to claim and enjoy for ever. 27 And this your heave-offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the come of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress. And this tenth part, which you shall offer out of your tithe, shall be no less imputed to you, or accepted from you, then if it were raised out of your own corne-floore, or your own winepress. CAP. XX. 9 It shall be kept, &c. for a water of separation. IT shall be kept for the cleansing of those that are separated upon occasion of legal uncleannesses. 10 hear now ye rebels, must we fetch you water out of this rock? hear now ye rebells; Is it likely that we shall fetch water out of this hard rock, to satisfy your thirst? this wee are required to do; but is this a thing possible to be done? 12 Because ye believe me not to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, &c. Because ye doubted of the performance of my word; and in a weak distrust stroke the rock twice, as not being confident of the issue, whereas ye were onely bidden to speak unto the rock, to yield forth these waters, &c. CAP. XXI. 5 Our soul loatheth this light bread. WE are weary of this Manna, as that which wee find a light and unsatisfying food, in comparison of that solid, and substantial diet, which we had in egypt. Serpents, which wheresoever they stung, 6 Fiery Serpents. caused a deadly inflammation in the body. CAP. XXII. ANd God who seeth the heart, 22 And Gods anger was kindled, because he went. and knew the sinister affections, and intentions wherewith Balaam went, was sore displeased at his so going. And God caused the ass miraculously to speak with the voice of a man, 28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass. to reprove the foolishness of the Prophet. The eyes of Balaam, which before were held, 31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel. that they could not see the visible shape which the angel had taken upon him, were now freed, and enlightened to behold that sight. I have done ill in smiting my beast causelessly. 34 I have sinned. CAP. XXIII. I Am set upon this high rock and mountain; 9 From the tops of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him, Lo; the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. on purpose, that upon the sight of Israel, I might curse him; I do indeed behold him, but I have no power to curse him; Lo, this people shall be an entire nation within themselves; and shall be a peculiar people, severed, and set apart to God, from all other nations upon earth. This people shall through the blessing of God so multiply, 10 Who can count the dust of jacob,& the number of the fourth part of Israel? that a man may as soon count the several moats of dust on the whole face of the earth, as reckon their number; yea, one of those four squadrons into which they are divided, shall for their multitude be past the sum of any computation. God hath already spoken a word of blessing, 19 God is not as man, that he should lye, neither the son of man that he should repent. and hath accordingly decreed a large benediction for Israel; do not therefore hope vainly, that he will upon any entreaty reverse his word, and do contrary to what he hath determined and revealed. God in his great mercy and favour to Israel, 21 He hath not beholded iniquity in jacob: neither hath seen perverseness in Israel. will not impute their sins unto them; he will not take notice of their offences, to punish them according to desert. As God is now their King to govern, 21 The shout of a King is among them. and protect them, so he hath ordained that they shall have Kings out of their own loins, to rule over them; whom they shall receive with great joy, and acclamation. 23 Surely there is no enchantment against jacob, nor any divination against Israel. In vain do ye carry me from place to place, that I might by my incantations procure some mischief to Israel, for certainly this people is so strong, and safe in Gods protection, that no enchantment, or any other evil art can prevail against them. 23 According to this time it shall be said of jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought? Even at this very time I cannot but with astonishment record what great and wonderful things the Lord hath wrought for Israel. CAP. XXIIII. 1 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not as at other times to seek enchantments. NOtwithstanding all the faire pretences of Balaam, he had( together with his former consultations of God) used all kinds of sorcery, to hurt Israel, but since he saw that none of his wicked plots would succeed, he surceased to practise his enchantments upon them, any more. 2 And the Spirit of God came upon him. God who knows how to use evil instruments well, and is wont indifferently to bestow these kinds of gifts, caused the spirit of prophesy to come upon Balaam. 3 The man whose eyes are open hath said. The man whose eyes( how ever formerly shut) yet now are by the spirit of prophesy so opened, as becomes Gods Seer. 4 Falling into a trance but having his eyes open. Falling into a trance, so as all his outward senses were shut up, yet the eyes of his mind were opened, to behold the visions of God. 6 As the trees of Lign-Aloes, which the Lord hath planted, and as Cedar trees beside the waters. As the most sweet and flourishing trees which the Lord himself hath planted, in a most fruitful soil. 7 he shall poure the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; and his King shall be higher then Agag. He shall have a plentiful and rich progeny, his issue shall spread abroad over fruitful regions, and the Kings that shall come of his loins, shall be more mighty then the most flourishing Kings of the Amalekites. 9 He couched, he lay down as a Lion, &c. Who shall stir him up? He shall rest in fullness of courage, strength, and victory, so as no enemy shall dare to provoke him. 17 I shall see him, but not now, I shall behold him but not nigh: There shall come a star out of jacob; and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Seth. I do by the spirit of prophesy descry afar off the state and glory of the people of Israel; There shall arise out of Jacob, a glorious King, bright as the morning star, which shall not onely rule over Israel, but shall powerfully subdue all the enemies of his Church, round about. 19 Him that remaineth in the City. That sheltreth himself in any of the Cities of Edom. 21 And he looked on the Kenites, &c. strong is thy dwelling place, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. Ye Kenites, the posterity of Jethro, may please yourselves in your security, for that ye are settled in strong and well fortified places; and according as your name signifieth, have built your nest, high, and impregnably. But your hopes shall, at the last, fail you; for when the Assyrians shall prevail against Israel, then shall they also root you out of your land, 22 nevertheless the Kenites shall be wasted until Ashur shall carry thee away captive. and carry you away captive with your neighbours. What grievous and intolerable calamity there shall be, when God shall bring this judgement! 23 Alas, who shall live when God doth this! And ships shall come from the coasts of Greece, and Italy,& shall afflict both the Assyrians,& the Hebrewes, 24 And ships shall come from the coasts of Chittim, and shall afflict Ashur, and shall afflict Eber; and he also shall perish for ever. but when they have done, these rods that scourged others, shall themselves be burnt; and feel that destruction which they brought upon others. And Balaam rose up, and being frustrated of his wicked plots, in cursing Israel, 25 And Balaam rose up and went, and returned to his place. addressed himself towards his return, but in the way was overtaken with the just revenge of God. CAP. XXV. ACcording to the wicked project of Balaam, 1 And the people begun to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. the people of Israel began to commit fornication with the women of Moab. And the Israelites joined themselves both in spiritual, and bodily fornication, 3 And Israel joined himself to Baal-Peor. with those which worshipped Baal Peor. The Captaines, and ring-leaders of this wickedness. 4 The heads of the people. Brought into the camp of Israel, 6 Brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman. with an open profession, and purpose of commtting fornication with her, a Midianitish woman. Behold, 12 Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace. his zeal hath turned away my wrath from Israel; so as now, I will be reconciled with them; and for this cause I do decree to make and everlasting covenant with Phinehas, that he, and his posterity shall serve me in the priest-hood. CAP. XXVI. Howsoever konrah perished in that insurrection against Moses and Aaron, yet his sons, 11 Notwithstanding the children of konrah died not. as being free from their fathers conspiracy, perished not with him, but were employed in the service of God, with very gracious approbation. CAP. XXVII. 3 He dyed in his own sin. HE was not one of them which was an author of sin unto others, but as other un-noted Israelites, he died in the wilderness, without any public offence or censure. 11 A statute of judgement. A judicial law that shall continue unto Israel for ever; which as it is grounded upon just reason, so shall stand in due force upon all occasions hereafter. 12 Get thee up into this mount Abarim. Get thee up into this mount Nebo, which is one of the hills called Abarim. 14 For ye rebelled, &c. vid. Num. 20.12. 18 A man in whom is the spirit. A man whom I have endued with more then an ordinary measure of my spirit of wisdom, and courage. 20 Put some of thine honour upon him. Let him have the same titles, and respect from the people, that thou hadst. 21 He shall stand before Eleazar the Priest, who shall ask counsel for him, after the judgement of urim. The high Priest shall upon all weighty occasions, ask counsel of God for him; and he shall receive directions from the breastplate of judgement in all his doubts. C. 28. and 29. Are the laws of the sacrifices repeated, after the long intermission of them since their first delivery. CAP. XXX. 5 The Lord shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. IT shall not be imputed to her, as a sin; that she performed not that which her father denieth allowance unto; since she is not in her own power to dispose of. 13 Every vow and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it voided. Every vow, which the wife maketh( though she bind it with an oath also) tending to any act of humiliation, by abstinence, or any other penitential exercise, the husband( who hath power over the wife) may, according to his own judgement, and will, either estabish, or frustrate. CAP. XXXI. 23 ye shall make it go through the fire. YE shall cleanse by putting it into the fire; that as by fire it received that form, so thereby it may receive a new purity. 23 nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation. The water of purification which is appointed for all holy vessels shall be sprinkled upon it, beside and above that cleansing by fire. That ye may aclowledge all your success and victory to come from the Lord, 28 And levy a tribute unto the Lord of the men of war which went out to battle, one soul of five hundred both of the persons, and of the beefs,& of the asses, and of the sheep. the soldiers shall present to God the five hundreth part of both the persons, and beasts which they have taken. CAP. XXXII. ON this condition that ye will go armed in the front of the battle, before the people of the Lord; 20 If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the Lord to war. and by this means testify your courage, and forwardness, that all Israel may know, it is not out of any cowardice, or fear, that you take up your stations on this side Jordan, but onely for the greater convenience of the place; I shall yield that your portion shall light where you have desired. CAP. XXXIII. THose whom ye shall suffer to remain amongst you, 55 Those whom ye shall let to remain of them, shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides. shall be a continual vexation to you, both in spiritual, and bodily respects; procuring much sorrow and mischief to you. CAP. XXXV. BEsides those six Cities of refuge which shall be given to the Levites for their possesson, 6 And to them shall ye add forty& two cities. ye shall also add two and forty Cities more, to be the peculiars of the said Levites, so as forty eight Cities shall be allotted to them, for their inheritance. That whosoever hath committed man-slaughter, 12 That the manslaier die not, until he stand before the Congregation in judgement. may for the time shelter himself there, till he may have a faire and judicial trial before the Elders of that City, where the fact was done, and may not be surprised by the avenger of blood, ere his cause be fully heard. The revenger of blood( to whom lawful authority shall commit the execution) shall slay the murderer; 21 The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer when he he meeteth him. when he is delivered into his hand by a legal judgement, he shall be his executioner. CAP. XXXVI. 6 Let them mary to whom they think best; Only to the family of the Tribe of their father shall they mary. LEt them not bee forced to mary where they like not; it shall be free for them to take their own choice; but so, as that they keep themselves within the compass of their own Tribe; they may not therefore mary with any man of any other Tribe of Israel. DEVTERONOMIE. CAP. I. 9 I am not able to bear you myself alone. I Am not able to wield the government of so great and mighty a people, alone. 37 Also the Lord was angry with me for your sakes. The Lord was displeased with me; for that being moved by your provocations, I offended, both in my unadvised speeches, and distrust. CAP. II. 30 For the Lord thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate. THe Lord thy God gave him up to his own thoughts; and he put on stubborn resolutions against Israel. CAP. III. 11 After the cubit of a man. ACcording to the usual and received measure of a cubit. CAP. IV. 5 I have taught you statutes and judgements. I Have given you laws both civill and sacred. 32 ask now of the dayes that are past. Inquire of those events and proofs of actions, which have been in ancient times. 34 By temptations. By several trials of their obedience. CAP. VI. YE shall not provoke the Lord your God by distrusting, 16 Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, &c. or straining his power for the satisfying of your own carnal desires. CAP. VII. THe Lord will not plague thee, 15 The Lord will put none of the evil diseases of egypt upon thee. with those contagious& deadly diseases, which he inflicted upon the egyptians, when they withstood his will in your departure. vid. Exodus. 9.14. The Lord thy God, 20 The Lord thy God shall sand the homet among them, &c. who is able by smallest means to confounded the mightiest, shall sand venomous flies amongst them, which shall not onely gull them, but shall sting them to death. CAP. VIII. A Land, 9 A land where stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou maiest dig brass. whose face is not better furnished with all kind of fruits, then her bowels are stored with rich, and useful metals. CAP. IX. I took that melted calf wherein you had sinned, 21 I took your sin, the calf which ye had made. idolatrously worshipping it in stead of the true God. CAP. X. CVt off therefore all that superfluity of wickedness, 16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your hearts. which is in your nature, and practise; and be ye spiritually clean and holy unto God. CAP. XI. THe Land of Canaan, 11 But the land whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills& valleys; and drinketh water of the rain of heaven. which ye are now going to possess, is not an even, and low plain, as egypt was, from whence ye came, but full of pleasant and wholesome mountaines; and therefore is not, nor cannot be watered with the overflowings of a river( as egypt was with Nilus) but is moistened with the rain that fals from the clouds. 14 I will give you the first and the latter rain. I will give you seasonable rains, both the first rain after your seed time, to suppling and fruiten the earth, and the later rain before your harvest, to swell up, and fill the ears. 18 For a sign on thine hand and a frontlet between thine eyes. Vid. Exodus 13.9.& 26. Not onely shalt thou lay up my law in thy heart, but thou shalt have certain scrolls tied both to thy forehead, and to thy hand, for a memorial thereof. CAP. XII. 22 Even as the row buck and the Hart is eaten, so shalt thou eat them, the unclean and clean shall eat of them alike. So also verse, 15. THou mayst freely eat of thy beefs, or sheep, or goates, though these kindes of creatures are wont to be of use for sacrifice unto God; yet mayst thou with no less allowance eat of them, then of the row, and Hart, which are unfit for sacrifice, and yet fit for the use of thy table; neither shall there be any difference of persons, in respect of legal cleannesse, or pollution, at these thy civill meales; but all shall partake of them alike. CAP. XIII. 6 Or thy friend which is as thine own soul. OR if it bee possible that a friend should be dearer to thee then all these, as being no less one with thy soul, then thy wife is with thy body. 9 Thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him. Thou shalt certainly procure his death by thine information and testimony; and as his just accuser, thou shalt throw the first ston at him. 17 And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand. Thou shalt suffer nothing to bee reserved of all that spoil which is devoted to destruction. CAP. XIV. 1 Ye shall not cut yourselves, &c. See Leviticus 19.28. and Ierem. 16.6. 6 Every beast that parteth the hoof. See Levit. 11.2.3. CAP. XV. 4 Save when there shall be no poor; or, that there be no poor among you. THou shalt thus release, that thou mayst not by thine exaction impoverish thy brother; that so there may be no needy person among you. Compare this verse with the eleventh. CAP. XVI. AFter thou hast thus eaten the Passover on the Evening, 7 And thou shalt turn in the morning, and go to thy tents. thou shalt in the morning return to the place of thine abode. Thou shalt not receive a bribe to pervert justice. 9 Thou shalt not take a gift. Thou shalt not so far conform thyself to heathen Idolaters, 21 Thou shalt not plant thee any grove of trees near to the Altar of the Lord. as to plant any grove of trees near to the altar of the Lord. CAP. XVII. IF there arise a matter for thee too hard to decide in cases of murder, and manslaughter, 8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgement betwe●●● blood and blood, between plea and plea, between stroke and stroke, &c. in questions of difference betwixt parties, whether in civill affairs, or business of violence offered. Nor sand his people down into egypt, to fetch thence such multitude of horses, as whereon he may trust for success of victory. 16 Nor cause the people to return to egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses. CAP. XX. IF any man have mind to make excuses of occasions whereby his heart may be drawn homeward, 5 What man have built a new house and hath not dedicated it, let him return, &c. so as he cannot hearty intend the service of the war; whether it be in matter of purchase, or marriage, or plantation, let him have free liberty to return; for God requires a free and cheerful resolution in those which go forth to fight his battles. Except they accept of conditions of peace, 16 Thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth. when they are tendered unto them, thou shalt leave none of the persons, or beasts alive. Thou shalt not destroy any of the trees that beareth fruit for the sustenance of man. 19 Thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof. CAP. XXI. unto some obscure valley that lies neglected, 5 unto a rough valley. and utterly uncultured. Thou shalt take those courses with her, 12 Shee shall shave her head, and suffer her nailes to grow. that may most set off thy affections from her; both by the shaving her head close, and by the deformed growth of her nailes. 14 If thou have no delight in her; then thou shalt let her go. But if by these means of deformation thy heart shall be set off from her, before thy marriage to her, then thou shalt dismiss her, &c. 17 The beginning of his strength. He is the first of that issue, which is a strengthening and defence unto him. 23 For he that is hanged is accursed of God. As all that are put to death as malactors, are, in regard of the cause of their death, accursed of God, so in an especial manner, those that are put to this painful and shameful death of hanging upon the three; as their offence is more heinous, and detestable. CAP. XXII. 1 Thou shalt not hid thyself from them. THou shalt not forbear to give help to the ox or sheep of thy brother, in bringing it home from straying. 7 But thou shalt in any wise let 〈◇〉 dam go, &c, Thou shalt avoid all cruelty towards those creatures which God hath given to thy use; thou shalt not therefore at once kill the damme sitting on her nest: since the lives of the young depend on hers. 27 And the betrothed damosell cried. It is to be supposed that the betrothed damsel cried. 30 Nor discover his fathers skirt. See Levit. 18.8. CAP. XXIII. 1 Shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord. SHall not bee admitted to bear office, in the state of Israel. 8 The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the Lord in the third generation. After they have been in three successions incorporated into Israel, they may have the privilege of being admitted to the administration of the common-wealth. Thou shalt have a place set apart for thee without the camp, whither thou shalt go for the discharging of the necessities of nature. 12 Thou shalt have a place also without the camp whither thou shalt go forth abroad. If an Heathenish servant shall be a convert to thy true religion, and shall in this regard, for the liberty of his conscience, 15 Thou shalt not deliver unto his master, the servant which is escaped from his master to thee. flee unto thee, thou shalt not deliver him back to his Master. 18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of an whore. An harlot shall not offer to God that money which was given her for the hire of her whoredom. To him that is a stranger from the blood, and religion of Israel, thou maiest carry thyself strangely; and therefore thou art not bound to lend unto such a one freely. 20 unto a stranger thou mayst lend upon usury. Thou mayst for the satisfying of thy present hunger pluck the ears of corn with thine hand. 25 Then thou mayst pluck the ears with thine hand. CAP. XXIV. IF a man shall find any soul, 1 Because he hath found some uncleanness in her, then let him writ her a bill of divorce. or shameful matter in the behaviour of his wife; or any intolerable imperfection in her body; a divorce in such case is, for the hardness of your hearts, tolerated; which divorce is to bee signified by a formal writing, to that purpose. For that which he taketh to pledge is a necessary instrument of preparing that bread, 6 For he taketh a mans life to pledge. whereby mans life is sustained. he maketh account of it as the means of his liveload. 15 He setteth his heart upon it. However the Magistrate may deal in case of mulcts, 16 The father shall not be put to death for the children, &c. and forfeitures, yet he may not inflict death upon the child for the fathers offence, nor on the father for the crime of the child. CAP. XXV. THey shall absolve and acquit the innocent. 1 They shall justify the righteous. He that is next in blood to her husband, shall retire himself to a conjugal familiarity with her. 5 Her husbands brother shall go in unto her. Shall be reputed as the son of that brother which is dead. 6 Shall succeed in the name of his brother. And shall spit upon the ground, before him; and shall say; So shall the man be defied, 9 And shall spit in his face ( or presence) and shall answer and say; So shall it be done to the man that will not build up his brothers house. or spat out of the congregation, as justly worthy of contempt, who refuseth to raise up seed to his dead brother. CAP. XXVI. A Distressed sojourner in Syria that fled from a cruel brother to the service of a cruel uncle, 5 A Syrian ready to perish was my father. was that ancestor from whom we are derived. I have not eaten thereof uncomfortably, 14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning. and dejectedly, but with that cheerfulness of heart, which thou requirest. I have not superstitiously bestowed any part thereof in furnishing the exequies of the dead. 14 Nor given ought thereof to the dead. CAP. XXVII. NO iron tool shall be used in hewing and squaring of the stones for Gods altar. 5 Thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. 9 This day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. This day by renewing thy covenant with God, thou art anew interested in him, and acknowledged for his peculiar people. 12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim, and bless the people. six of the tribes which are more noble( by the mothers side) then the rest, shall, upon mount Gerizim pronounce the blessing on the people. 24 Cursed bee he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. Cursed be he that by secret practices procureth the blood of his neighbour to be shed. 26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. Cursed be he that doth not in his practise conform, and frame himself to the whole Law of God, and continue in the careful observation thereof, all his dayes. CAP. XXVIII. 5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. BLessed shalt thou be in the fruits, which thou gatherest, and layest up; and in those victuals which thou preparest, or reservest. 12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain to thy land, &c. The Lord that hath treasured up his rich and fruitful showers, in the clouds, shall open them seasonably unto thee, causing the rain to fall from heaven upon thy land, &c. 13 The Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail. The Lord shall give thee a superiority above other nations, and not put thee beneath them in honor and reputation. 23 The heaven that is over thy head shall bee brass, and the earth that is under thee shall bee iron. The moisture of the clouds shall be utterly restrained from thee; and the earth shall with the drought thereof be barren and fruitless. 24 The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust. The air shall be filled with a dry dust, in stead of the drops of a comfortable, and refreshing rain. The Lord shall smite thee with those grievous boiles, and blains, 27 The Lord shall smite thee with the botch of egypt. wherewith he plagued the egyptians, when they refused to let you go out of their land. Exod. 9. 34 Thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes. The view and sense of those judgements which shall be inflicted upon thee, shall utterly distracted thee of thy wits. 48 He shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck. He shall put thee under an hard and intolerable bondage. 54 His eye shall bee evil toward his brother, &c. He shall grudge to his brother; or to his wife any part of the flesh of his own children, &c. An heart full of dejectednesse and dismay, and an utter disappointment of all hopes of delivery. 65 A trembling heart, and failing of eyes. 68 The Lord shall bring thee in to egypt again with ships. The Lord shall cause thee to bee carried captive in ships through the Mediterranean Sea into that land of egypt, where thou wert once in bondage. CAP. XXIX. I Make this covenant, as with those that are now alive, 15 But with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day. and here present this day, so with those of your posterity, which as yet have no being. Lest there be amongst you any wicked person, who by his Idolatry may poison Gods people, 18 Lest there should be amongst you a root that beareth gull and wormwood. and bring many bitter and grievous judgements upon you. To draw on one sin upon another; making one sin but a beginning and provocation of the next. 19 To add drunkenness to thirst. And that the whole land thereof shall be Sodom-like covered over with brimstone,& salt, 23 And that the whole land thereof is brimstone and salt,& burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth. which shall scorch and dry up the earth, that it shall not be capable of seed, or fruit. CAP. XXX. THe Lord thy God will by his spirit reform and renew thy heart. 6 The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart. CAP. XXXII. I Wish that my doctrine may so fall upon your hearts, 2 My doctrine shall dorp as the rain, &c. as the sweet and gentle showers fall upon the herbs and flowers of the earth; which cause them to spring forth and flourish. He is a strong and sure refuge to his Church. 4 He is the rock. This people of Israel hath corrupted themselves with their Idolatry; 5 They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. the blemishes of their actions are not such as may stand with the profession, which they make of Gods children, errors of infirmity; but such as justly argue them to bee a rebellious and wicked generation. The Lord hath chosen out Israel to be his share, 9 For the Lords portion is his people. and peculiar possession, among all the nations of the world. He made him to subdue, 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth. and triumph over the most defenced Cities, and most impregnable places of the earth. He caused the most craggy and barren parts to yield unto Israel much pleasure, and store of delicacies. 13 He made him to suck hony out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock. But my people, whom I styled righteous, have abused my bounty, and turned my grace into wantonness; 15 But jesurun waxed fat and kicked, &c. for being pampered by my merciful provisions, they have carried themselves rebelliously towards me. 21 I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people. This people of Israel shall be moved to anger and envy, by the sight of those mercies which( diverting from them) I shall bestow upon the Gentiles, whom now they scorn as no people of God. 22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell. Those judgements, which I will inflict in my wrathful displeasure, shall be most vehement, and unconceiveably fearful. 24 They shall be burnt with hunger. Their skins shall turn black with famine. If God, who was wont to be their refuge, had not given them up into the hands of their enemies, 30 Except their rock had sold them. to bee bought, and sold as slaves. 31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. For the gods in whom the heathen trust, are not like unto our God, even in the judgement of our enemies themselves, who have had experience of the wonderful power of God, both in his judgements, and our deliverances. 32 Their vine is of the vine of sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gull, their clusters are bitter. The fruits that they yield are unsavoury, and unwholesome, such as were yielded by those wicked cities of Sodom, and Gomorrah: So abominably evil are their lives, as were those of the cities accursed and consumed from heaven; their works are most distasteful, and odious in the judgement of the Almighty. 33 Their wine is the poison of dragons. Their best actions are to God, as the deadliest poison is to the taste of men. 34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? Are not these wickednesses taken notice of, and kept in perpetual remembrance by me; and in my eternal decree reserved to a most certain judgement? 40 I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. I swear by myself, and say, As I live for ever, I will be avenged on mine enemies. I will by my revenging hand work an exceeding great slaughter amongst mine enemies. 42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood. It is that, which if ye do, ye shall live in performing it. 47 It is your life. CAP. XXXIII. 2 The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shineth forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of his Saints: From his right hand went a fiery law for them. GOd, like a glorious sun, imparted his beams unto Israel; beginning his course at their first entering into the wilderness, and rising still up to them by the proof of his goodness, in their passage through the land of Edom; he shined forth brightly as at noon day to them, when he blessed the elders of Israel with a large measure of his spirit; and he guarded his people with ten thousands of his powerful Angells; in whose attendance he did, in fire, deliver his law majestically, and terribly to Israel. O God, 3 All his Saints are in thine hand; and they sate down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. all thine holy and chosen people are in thy safe, and blessed protection; They attended upon thee at the foot of the mount Sinai, and with awe and reverence received the words of thy Law, which thou spakest unto them. Moses was the Prince and governor of Israel. 5 He was King in jesurun. Bring him home from his warres with victory and peace, let his hand be so strengthened by thee, 7 And bring him unto his people; let his hands be sufficient for him. that it may be able to subdue all his enemies. Be gracious to the tribe of Levi; and furnish thou thine High priest, whom thou hast chosen out of it, 8 Let thy urim and thy Thummim be with thine holy one whom thou didst prove in Massah. with those excellent graces, which thou hast figured in his breastplate, with perfection of knowledge, and sanctity; Thus do thou bless the son of that thy servant Aaron, whom thou provedst at Massah, &c. God shall take up his dwelling in that chief City, 12 He shall dwell between his shoulders. which, in part, pertaineth to the Tribe of Benjamin, even the holy City jerusalem. For the due that falleth from above, 13 For the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath. and for the water-springs that fruiten his plants from below. And for those precious fruits, 14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious fruits put forth by the moon. which are brought forth by the warmth of the sunbeams, and by the kindly moisture of the night,& by the influence of the moon. And for those choice fruits, 15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountaines, &c. which ripen best upon the mountaines; those eminent mountaines, which have so continued ever since their first creation; and are now famous in the inheritance of Joseph. For the gracious favour and benediction of that God who appeared to me in that bush which consumed not. 16 For the good will of him that dwelled in the Bush. The Tribe of Ephraim shall be glorious, and lusty, 17 His glory is like the firstling, of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of Vnicornes, with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth;& they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. full of beauty and courage, like to a faire young bullock in his best strength; and his power shall be great and unresistible, wherewith he shall conquer far-remote nations; Lo, thus successful and victorious shall bee both the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, but especially Ephraim, who shall exceed his brother no less then ten degrees. Much cause of joy mayst thou have, O Zebulun, 18 rejoice Zebulun in thy going out; and Issachar in thy tents. in all thy goings out, whether for traffic, or for war; and thou, Issachar, his elder brother, in thy quiet habitations at home. Gad shall dwell commodiously for spoiling his enemies; of whom he shall make his pray, 20 he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. like to strong fierce lion, which teareth the head from the shoulders of that beast which he seizeth upon. He made a wise and early provision for himself, 21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there in a portion of the Lawgiver he was seated. in planting himself on this side Jordan, in that portion, which upon his svit was allotted him by the ruler, and law-giver of Israel. 22 Dan is a lions whelp, he shall leap from Bashan. Dan shall fly upon his enemies, like some fell and fierce young lion, that is bread in the mountain of Bashan. He shall dwell in a rich soil, and shall abound with the plenty of all earthly blessings. 24 Let him dip his foot in oil. 25 Thy shoes shall be iron ard brass. The earth whereon thou shalt tread shall be stored with all useful metals, as iron and brass, and the like of those kinds. CAP. XXXIV. 6 And he butted him in a valley in the land of Moab. GOd did this honor to his servant Moses, that he did, without the aid of any mortal hand, provide a grave for him, and there inrerred him accordingly. 8 Face to face. See Numbers 12.8. IOSHVA. CAP. V. 9 I have this day rolled away the reproach of egypt off you. I Have taken away from you that your uncircumcision, which you have kept all this while, out of that irreligous carelessness which your fathers brought with them out of egypt. 14 Nay, but as captain of the host of th● Lord am I now comne. It is far from me to be for thine adversaries; no, I am that angel of the covenant who am comne to led, and protect the troops of Israel. 15 Loose thy shoe, &c. See Exodus 3.5. CAP. VI. 17 The city shall bee accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord. THe City shall be devoted to an absolute destruction, and all the living creatures that are in it; and sequestered to a revenge, and extirpation, from the Lord, 26 He shall lay the foundation thereof in his first born, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it. When he lays the first ston in the foundation, let his eldest son die, and when he hath finished it, and set up the gates, let his youngest son die; so let him be left utterly childless, that will go about to re-edify that city, which God would have lye waste. See 1 Kings. 16.34. CAP. VII. THey began to be dis-heartened, 5 The hearts of the people melted, and became as water. and their courage and spirit began to fail them. As thou hast offended, and dishonoured God, 19 My son, I pray thee give glory to the Lord, &c. by thy sin, so now give honor to his omniscience and justice, who hath found thee out in thy sin, by acknowledging this heinous offence, whereby thou hast provoked Gods anger against his people. CAP. IX. ANd the men took their relation upon trust, 14 And the men took of their victuals,& asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. at the sight of their moldy victuals; and did not consult with the High Priest, who in all doubtful cases was to return them the answers of the Lord. Ye are of that nation, whom God amongst the rest hath cursed, and appointed to be rooted out; 23 Now therefore ye are cursed. and besides you have deserved a just punishment of this your guile. CAP. X. O God, 12 sun stand thou still upon Gibeon,& thou moon in the valley of Ajalon. let it please thee to command the sun to stand still, whiles we are fighting in, and for Gibeon; that we may have light to do full execution upon thine enemies; and let the moon forbear to bring on the night upon us. So Joshua smote all that part of the country, 40 So Ioshua smote all the country of the hills,& of the South, and of the vale, and of the springs. which lay to the South; both those cities which were built on the hills, and those which were seated in the plains. CAP. XI. AS for those cities which yielded themselves up to Joshua, 13 But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burnt none of them. ere they were defaced by a violence of a siege, Israel burnt none of them. It was the wise counsel and just decree of the Almighty, that the inhabitants, 20 For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle. being left to their own thoughts, should take up stubborn resolutions to stand out in battle against Israel. CAP. XV. 19 Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a South-land, give me also springs of water. out of the bounty of a parent, give me this addition to my childs-part; thou hast already bestowed upon me a parcel of mountainous and dry land, give me also some other ground that lies low, and well watered. CAP. XVII. THou shalt take all the passages to, and from, and about it; 18 And the out-goings of it shall be thine. and the bordering places adjoining to it. CAP. XXII. 17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us; from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the Congregation of the Lord? WAs it not enough wickedness in us, that heretofore through the enticements of the Moabitish women, we were joined to Baal-Peor, and were drawn into horrible idolatry,( the remainders of which sin and judgement do still stick by us, although God sent a grievous plague amongst us, in regard thereof) but that ye must now again this day, 18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the Lord; &c. sin against God, in a new point of will-worship, and Idolatry. If there bee any taint of Idolatry in the very place, whereby it is made unholy, 19 If the land of your possession be unclean, thē pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, &c. and infectious; then leave that your possession beyond Jordan, which is separated from the rest of the inheritance of Gods people, and pass over hither to us. CAP. XXIV. 12 And I sent the hornet before you. See Deut. 7.20. he will no suffer your willing, and presumptuous sins to go unpunished. 19 He will not forgive your transgressions, nor your sins. This ston shall bee a monument of this dayes covenant, 27 Behold, this ston shall be a witness unto us, for it hath heard all the words of the Lord, &c. which you have renewed with the Lord, for as much as in the view, and presence thereof, ye have spoken the words of this Covenant, mutually agreed upon, betwixt God, and us. IVDGES. CAP. III. GOd gave them into the hands of the King of Mesopotamia, 8 he sold them into the hand of Chushan-Rishathaim King of Mesopotamia. that they might be his tributaries, and slaves. And God enabled him with the gifts of wisdom, and power to rescue, 10 And the spirit of the Lord came upon him. and govern his people. CAP. IV. ANd Deborah was moved with the spirit of prophesy& was extraordinarily raised up by God, 4 Deborah a prophetess the wife of Lapidoth shee judged Israel at that time. to give answers from God to Israel, and to give counsels, and directions to his people. CAP. V. O Lord, 4 Lord when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, &c. thou shewd'st thyself marvellous in all the passages of Israel out of egypt; when thou wentest up before them from the land of the Edomites, both the heavens and the earth did both feel, and declare thy power; in all these were seen the wonderful signs of thine almighty protection of thy people. The very foundations of the mountaines were moved at thy presence; in so much as mount Sinai itself, 5 The mountaines melted from before the Lord, even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel. which had formerly shaken at the delivery of thy law given upon it, did now again( though far distant) quake at the awful manifestation of thy power. In the daies of the late gangrenes that enthralled and oppressed Israel, 6 In the dayes of Shamgar the Son of Anath, in the dayes of jael, the high ways were unoccupied, &c. even from the time of Shamgars deliverance, till this of jael; the ways were unfrequented, no man durst stir out, for fear of their cruelty. It was for their Idolatry, 8 They choose new gods, then was war in the gates. that God stirred up enemies against them, and brought this desolation to their cities. I cannot but applaud, and bless God, 9 My heart is toward the governours of Israel that offered themselves willingly among the people. for the forwardness, and cheerful courage of the chief rulers of Israel, in undertaking this war. 10 speak ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgement, and walk by the way. O ye, that are the chief leaders, and governers of the people, do ye help me to praise our God, for our deliverance; and ye that are travellers, and traders abroad, join with me in this thanksgiving. 11 They that are delivered from the noise of the archers in the places of drawing water; there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, &c. towards the villages of Israel; thē shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates. And ye the meanest of the people, even the drawers of water, in Israel, who for the danger of the enemy durst not stir forth of your doors, do you, being delivered from this fear, magnify the great works of God, who hath so freed all the villages of Israel, that now they may safely resort to their cities, whether for justice or traffic. 12 led thy captivity captive. Bring forth thy captives in a triumphant manner. Most of the several tribes did their parts in this conflict; 14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek, after thee Benjamin among thy people: out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. some came from Ephraim, others from the borders of the Amalekites; and thou Benjamin, who art but a small tribe, wert not behind the rest of Israel; Some from Manasseth( of whom Machir descended) who were chief rulers among the people, came forth; and the scribes of the Tribe of Zebulun were not wanting to this valiant service. Also Barak, with his tribe of Nephthali, came readily, 15 And also Barak he was sent on foot into the valley, for the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. and with all the speed that his feet could make, into the field; As for those tribes of Reuben and Gad, who were by the lot of their inheritance divided from the rest, there were great exceptions taken at their absence. 16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds to hear the bleatings of the flocks? for the divisions of Reuben were great searchings of heart. O ye of the tribes beyond jordan, how could any of you sit still quiet among your flocks, and herds, when these great businesses were in hand; for the absence of Reuben great exceptions were taken,& divers censures passed. 17 Gilead abode beyond jordan, and why did Dan remain in ships,& c? Gilead came not forth, but abode still at home beyond jordan; and those of Dan were attending their merchandise, &c. 19 The Kings came and fought. The neighbour Kings came forth to aid Jabin. 19 They took no gain of money. They gained nothing by the war. The very clouds and winds sought for us, against our enemies; and the stars of heaven, whose influence works upon these creatures, 20 They fought from heaven, the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. took part with us against Sisera. 21 O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. O my soul, thou hast triumphed over all the strength of thine enemies. 23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye utterly the inhabitants of Meroz, because they came not to the help of the Lord, &c. The angel of God, whose prophetess I am, hath bidden me to call for your curses against Meroz, and the inhabitants thereof, who dwelling near to the place where this battle was fought, and( as it were) within the noise of our trumpets, yet came not forth to our aid. CAP. VI. do not worship or serve the gods of the Amorites. 10 fear not the gods of the Amorites. For, 22 For because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face in that visible form which he assumed, I shall surely die. In the top of this rock whereon I gave order unto thee before, 26 Vpon the top of this rock, in the ordered place. to offer that thy sacrifice( which my fire consumed) in that place, which is already predisposed for this work, offer thy burnt sacrifice, &c. God raised up the heart of Gideon with courage, 34 But this Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. to undertake this war, and with prudence to manage it. CAP. VIII. WHat need ye contend for this; 2 What have I now done in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better then the vintage of Abiezer. that later fact that ye Ephraimites have done, in chasing, and executing the Midianites is much more, then all that which we followers of Abiezer have done in joining the battle, and routing these enemies. Canst thou be so foolish, 6 Are the hands of Zeba and Zalmnana now in thine hands, that wee should give bread to thine army. as to hope to subdue Zeba and Zalmunna, that we should cast away our victuals on thine army, upon this vain pretence? I will beat your bodies with whips of thorns, 7 I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness. and briars, unto death. With them he did( according as he had threatened) beate the elders of that city, 16 And with them he taught the men of Succoth. for a warning unto the men of Succoth; who, by their example were taught, how dangerous it is to slight Gods agents. A thousand and seven hundred shekels of Gold, 26 A thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold. whereof every one weighed an hundred and sixty grains, which is two dooms and sixteen grains. He put it( as a monument of that great victory and deliverance) in his city Ophrah; 27 And put it in his city, even in Ophrah; and all Israel went thither a whoring after it. but the people afterwards made an ill use of it; turning it to the service of their idols, wherewith they were shamefully defiled. CAP. IX. WHich is pleasing to God in the use of his sacrifices, and to men in their feasts. 13 Which cheereth God and man. Let there be deadly dissension between Abimelech, 20 Let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, &c. and the men of Shechem;& let the one of them be used as a means to plague and destroy the other; let Abimelech burn the Shechemites, and let them kill him. 23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech, and the men of Shechem. Then God according to the imprecation of Jotham, did in his just judgement give way and power to Satan, to set discord between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. 28 Is not he the son of Ierubbaal? and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? Is not he the base son of Jerubbaal? and is not this unworthy Zebul his officer? if ye must serve, rather submit yourselves to those that are the issue of the ancient Lords of this city; then to this upstart generation. In sign of an utter solitude and vastation, he sowed salt in the soil of the streets there; 45 And sowed it with salt. as those which he would have continue desert and forlorn. CAP. X. 16 And his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. ANd God had compassion on the miseries that Israel had brought upon themselves by their idolatry. CAP. XI. 11 And Ieptha uttered all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh. ANd Jeptha, calling all the congregation together in Mispha, did before them repeat the covenant that was between him, and Israel, and called the Lord to witness of this their mutual agreement. 24 Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess: So whomsoever the Lord our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess. Ye do vainly worship Chemosh your false god, and when you have obtained a victory, or possession, ascribe it falsely to that your Idol, and think that you both do, and ought to hold it of him; and is it not reason then, that when the only and true God( whom ye serve) gives us possession of the land of our enemies, we should enjoy it? 29 The Spirit of the Lord came upon Ieptha. God stirred up the courage of Jeptha, and put into him the spirit of fortitude, &c. 31 Whatsoever cometh forth of the doors, &c. shall surely be the Lords, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. Whatsoever cometh first out of my doors to meet me, &c. shall surely be consecrated to the Lord; and if it be ought that may be capable of being sacrificed, I will offer it up for a burnt sacrifice to God. 35 Thou hast brought me very low, &c. For I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back. Thou art now unwittingly a cause of much sorrow, and affliction to me; for I have made a vow to God concerning whatsoever should first come forth to meet me, and I cannot reverse it. 37 Let this thing bee done for me, let me alone two moneths, that I may go up and down upon the mountaines, and bewail my virginity; I and my fellowes. Since thou hast vowed to consecrate me to God, I do also willingly yield to make good thy vow; onely let me have two moneths respite to bewail that virginity of mine( which will follow upon this vow of thine, and shall occasion this discomfort unto thee.) And the daughters of Israel went yearly to condole with the daughter of Jeptha, four dayes in a year. 40 To lament( or speak with) the daughter of Jeptha. CAP. XII. ye Gileadites are no better then base fugitives, 4 Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites,& among the Manassites. the scum of two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, a sorrel generation, compounded of both; and living upon both; so as ye have no reason to stand out in a contestation with the noble tribe of Ephraim. Give proof of thy tribe, by thy speech; 6 Say now Shibboleth. Thou wouldst pass over the ford of Jordan; pronounce that word which signifieth a Ford; say, Shibboleth, &c. CAP. XIII. THe Nazariteship of thy son shall begin very early, even in the womb of thee his mother; 4 Now therefore beware I pray thee, and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing. thou shalt therefore neither eat nor drink that which is in the law forbidden to these votaries, lest the child should, within thy womb, bee nourished with unlawful sustenance. And he began to have many instincts, 25 And the spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan, &c. and strong motions from God, at several times, whereby he found himself set apart, and prepared for the great work of delivering his people. CAP. XIV. HIs father, 4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the philistines. and his mother knew not that the Lord had purposely contrived it thus, that hereupon samson might take an occasion to fall foul upon the philistines, and might have the advantage of the quarrel. And the Lord endued him suddenly with an extraordinary measure of strength; 6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and he rent him as he would have rent Kid. and he pulled the lion in pieces, with as much ease, as if it had been a young and tender kid. If ye had not used the means of my wife for the knowledge of this secret. 18 If ye had not ploughed with my heifer, &c. CAP. XV. 8 And he smote them hip and thigh. ANd he smote them both horse and foot; both those that used the thigh for seat, and those that used the hip for motion, &c. 14 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him. And God put a miraculous measure of strength into him. 19 But God cleave an hollow place that was in the jaw, ( or Lehi) and there came out water. And God opened an hollowness that was in that place, which was called, Lehi; or Jaw-bone; and there came out water. CAP. XVI. 16 So that his soul was vexed unto death. SO as her importunity was an extreme and intolerable vexation to him. CAP. XVII. 5 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an Ephod, and Teraphim, &c. And consecrated one of his sons who became his Priest. ANd Micah had a chapel in his house which he consecrated to his gods, and made statues or Idols which he placed therein; and( in imitation of Gods own command to his Priests) made an Ephod for the Priest to wear in his devotions, and consecrated one of his sons( though of the tribe of Ephraim) to be his Priest. 13 Now know I that the Lord will do me good, seeing I have a Levite to my Priest. I know I did amiss in consecrating one to bee my Priest, who is not of the tribe of Levi; but now I have made amends for that error; and now, I hope God will be favourable to me; seeing I have chosen a Priest out of the due Tribe. CAP. XVIII. 6 Before the Lord is your way wherein ye go. GOd hath taken special notice of your journey to prosper it. 30 until the day of the captivity of the land. until the time that the philistines prevailed against the Land. CAP. XIX. 18 But I am now going to the house of the Lord. I Am traveling to Shiloh, where the Tabernacle of the Lord, and my employment is. 22 sons of Belial. lewd and debauched men. That we may abuse him to our lust. 22 That we may know him. If ye will needs be so outrageous, take your pleasure on them rather; and bring this shane upon them. 24 Humble them. CAP. XX. SEven hundred men, 16 Seven hundred chosen men, left-handed, every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss. so skilful that they could even with their left hand also wield their weapons; and so expert in the art of slinging, that they would not miss of the smallest mark. Ye are over-confident, as of your cause, so of your strength; and therefore for your further humiliation, 23 And the Lord said, go up against him. I give way unto you to go up against Benjamin; but I do not encourage you with promise of success. CAP. XXI. ye have sufficiently kept your oath, 22 For ye did not give unto them at this time that you should be guilty. in that ye did not voluntarily give your daughters to them, so as now if you shall connive at this violence, they are furnished with wives, and ye are guiltless. RVTH. CAP. I. YOu know I am past the possibility of having any other sons, 11 Are there yet any more sons in my womb that they may bee your husbands? that might raise a seed to their dead brethren. My case is now altered, 20 Call me not Naomi, call me Mara, &c. and so let my name be; I had a name when I was before with you, that sounded of pleasure, but now my present condition calls for a name of bitterness. CAP. II. GOd so disposed of her choice, 3 And her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging to Boaz. that she light upon a part of the field belonging to Boaz. 20 Who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. Who so lovingly continueth a kind remembrance of his dead kinsman, my late husband Elimelech, and for his sake, of me. CAP. III. 9 Spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. TAke thou me into thy protection, as mine husband, for thou art the man who by the law of God( as being one of the nearest kinsmen to my husband) hast right both to redeem his inheritance, and to mary me, his widow. CAP. IV. 6 I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance. I Cannot redeem it for myself, lest if I should have one onely son by Ruth, my inheritance should bee utterly extinguished, since that son must be accounted as my deceased kinsmans, and not mine. I. SAMVEL. CAP. I. 5 The Lord had shut up her womb. BUt the Lord afflicted her with barrenness. When the full number of moneths were comne about after her conception. 20 When the time was comne about. 28 I haue also lent him unto the Lord. I have, upon my vow, returned him to the Lord, as consecrated unto him by me formerly. CAP. II. 3 talk no more so exceeding proudly, &c. NOw let not Peninnah, or any other adversaries, that were wont to insult over me, open their mouths against me. 5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread, and they that were hungry ceased: So that the barren hath born seven. Those that were wealthy, are now so brought down, that they are fain to hire out themselves to get bread for their mouths, and those that were poor and hungry are so filled, that they take their ease; The barren is now the mother of many children, &c. The Lord hath founded the earth strongly, 8 For the pillars of the earth are the Lords; and he hath set the world upon them. and immoueably; and hath made it the center, or foundation, whereon he hath framed, and established the world. The sons of Eli were lewd, and wicked men, 12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord. and did not aclowledge, and regard the Lord; but in their works denied him. The Priests were not content with those parts of the sacrifice, which God had allotted unto them, 14 All that the fleshhooke took up, the Priest took for himself. but took whatsoever the fleshhooke brought first up. Whereas by the ordinance of God, 15 Also before they burnt the fat, the Priests servant came, &c. the fat was first to be offered, and burnt to the Lord, they would not stay the leisure of this due ceremony, but snatched away the flesh before the time. See chapter 1. verse, 28. 20 For the loan which, &c. Why do ye contemn my sacrifices; and make a scorn of them before the people? 29 Wherefore kick you at my sacrifice? Wherefore hast thou given more respect to thy sons then unto me, 29 And honourest thy sons above me. in that thou hast suffered them to carve for themselves of my sacrifices, and to eat thereof before I am served? I had indeed, at the first institution of the Priesthood, 39 I said indeed that thy house and the house of thy father should walk before me for ever: But now the Lord saith; Be it far from me. truly( though conditionally) decreed, that thy house and the house of thy fathers should ever continue this sacred office before me; but now since ye have violated that part of the condition which concerned yourselves, far be it from me to perpetuate the Priesthood unto you. Thou shalt live to know that an enemy( the Philistim) hath taken possession of my ark, and Tabernacle. 32 Thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation. CAP. III. IT was a rare and unusall thing for the Lord to reveal his will by visions, to any man, in those dayes: 1 And the word of the Lord was precious in those dayes, there was no open vision. and if privately he did thus speak unto some one, yet the public use of prophesy was a long time laid down. Samuel was not yet acquainted with the voice of the Lord. 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord. CAP. IV. ANd these words of Samuel which God had by him spoken concerning Heli; 1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. came to the notice of all Israel. CAP. VI. 5 Ye shall make images of your Emerods,& images of your Mice. IN acknowledgement that these judgements come from the hand of the Lord, ye shall make the fashions both of the Emerods, and of the Mice( wherewith ye are annoyed) in gold; and offer them up to God for an expiation of that offence, which we have done against him. 19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand, threescore and ten men. He smote some of the men( that were Priests and Levites) of Bethshemesh, because, contrary to the charge of the Lord, they looked into the ark; and of the common people, who resorted thither, upon the report of the return of the ark, he smote fifty thousand, threescore and ten men, for the same presumption and curiosity. CAP. VII. 2 And all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. ALl the house of Israel, being humbled by their servitude under the philistines, made great means, and lamentation to God, for remission and favour. 6 And drew water, and poured it out before the Lord, &c. And drew water in great abundance, and washed, and purified themselves before the Lord from their long and general uncleannesses. CAP. X. 5 After this thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is a garrison of the philistines. AFter this, thou shalt come to the hill of Gibeah, which is consecrated to God, in that there is a college of the sons of the prophets on the one side, as there is a garrison of the chased philistines on the other. 5 Thou shalt meet a company of Prophets coming down from the high place, with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, and they shall prophesy. Thou shalt meet with a company of Prophets and their scholars coming down from Gibeah, with much variety of the cheerefullest music, which they shall use for the raising up of their spirits, and composing of their thoughts in a preparation to their prophesying, which they shall take up before thee. 6 And the spirit of the Lord will come upon thee; and thou shalt prophesy with them; and shalt be turned into another man. Thou shalt find thyself suddenly endued with the same spirit, wherewith they are moved; and enabled to prophesy as they do; and shalt feel a sensible alteration in thyself, by reason of those extraordinary graces which shall be wrought in thee. 9 God gave him another heart. God wrought a sensible change in him, by these new abilities which he infused into his heart. look not unto the men themselves, 12 One of the same place answered and said; But who is their father? but look unto the hand of that God, who hath inspired them: What need you to marvel that Saul prophesies? These other whom ye see, have not this power from their parents, but it is the gift of God, which is equally free wheresoever he pleaseth to bestow it. CAP. XIII. THat kingdom whereinto thou wert elected, 13 For now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. should have been, all thy life, established unto thee; which now, by this sin, thou hast lost the right unto, ere thou be thoroughly settled in it. Such was the jealousy and tyranny of the philistines over their tributaries, the Israelites, 19 Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel, that as they had despoiled them of those weapons, which were taken from the Ammonites, so they would not suffer a smith amongst them, who might furnish them with new. CAP. XIV. I find a strong instinct from God, assuring me, 10 But if they say, Come up to us, we will go up; for the Lord hath delivered them into our hands. that if the philistines shall say to us, come up to us, God would have us go up, and we shall speed accordingly; this shall be a watchword from God to us, presaging our certain victory. He received new strength, 27 His eyes were enlightened. whereby all his senses were cheered and revived. do thou( O Lord) by this lot clearly and perfectly show who is guilty this day. 41 Give a perfect lot. CAP. XV. THou wilt grant that witchcraft is a most heinous and abominable sin; I tell thee, 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. that this thy disobedience to Gods command, is no less odious to him, then that witchcraft which thou justly hatest, and punishest in others. He that is the holy and strong God of Israel, 29 And also the strength of Israel will not lye nor repent. as he hath decreed thy kingdom to another; so he will be sure not to falsify his word, nor retract that his just purpose. And God did( as those do which repent them of their former actions) 35 And the Lord repented that he had made Saul King over Israel. profess to undo that which he had done in setting up Saul; and therefore did now cast him off; and anoint another in his stead. CAP. XVI. 14 But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. ANd the Lord took from Saul those graces of wisdom, and moderation, wherewith he had endued him; and gave power to an evil spirit to seize upon him, and to vex him with frenzy, and distemper. By the sweet and holy music of David, the spirits of Saul were so composed for the time, 23 And the evil spirit departed from him. and calmed, that he broke not forth into his wonted fury. CAP. XVII. 29 What have I now done? Is there not a cause? IS it not a just reason, that my father hath sent me hither for your good? have I not a lawful business here? Wherein then have I given thee cause of displeasure, or exception? 58 And Saul said unto him; Whose son art thou, thou young man? And Saul, having never seen David, till this occasion of vanquishing the Philistim( which fell out before his frenzy, and Davids playing before him) said unto David, Whose son art thou, thou young man? CAP. XVIII. 1 And it came to pass when he made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of jonathan was knit with the soul of David, WHen Saul had called David to the court, and entertained him as an attendant there, it came to pass that upon his conference with Saul, the heart of Jonathan was deeply affencted towards David. And he carried himself as a man distracted of his senses, 10 And he prophesied in the midst of the house. both in his speeches, and motions. CAP. XIX. 20 And they also prophesied. See chapter 10. verse, 6. and 18.10. 24 And he stripped off his clothes also;& prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. ANd he stripped himself of his military habit, or of his kingly attire, and carried himself in a wild distracted fashion; and lay down so dis-robed all that day, and that night; appearing before Samuel, in the habit and fashion of a Prophet, amongst the rest. CAP. XX. SOme legal uncleanness hath happened to him, 26 he is not clean; surely he is not clean. that hinders him from this holy feast; for the Law forbids any unclean person to eat of these holy Sacrifices. This thy favour to David shall be to thine own wrong, and shane, 30 Thou hast chosen the son of jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mothers nakedness. since by this means thou shalt be defeated of the kingdom, as if thou wert base born, and therefore uncapable to succeed me;& to the shane of thy mother who shall by this act be proclaimed an adulteress, and a dishonourer of my bed. CAP. XXI. THere is hallowed bread, 4 But there is hallowed bread: if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. which having been consecrated to the Lord, may not( thou knowest) be received by any ordinary person, much less by any that is unclean; but in this necessity, if the young men have abstained from the use of women, and have kept themselves this way undefiled, I shall condescend to give it unto them. The bodies of the young men are, this way undefiled, 5 The vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it it were this day sanctified in the vessel or( as in the margin) especially when this day there is other sanctified. and the bread how ever consecrated, is unto us in this case of necessity, but as common bread; so as we may lawfully receive it; especially when as this day there is other bread sanctified according to the law in the room thereof. Is not this David that sways so much in Israel? 11 Is not this David the King of the land? CAP. XXIIII. TO discharge the necessities of nature. 3 To cover his feet. Were I such as thou supposest me, wicked, surely wicked acts would proceed from me; 13 wickedness proceeds from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. but now thou findest how far I am from any villainous intention against thee; neither shall my hand lift up itself against thee to thy hurt. CAP. XXV. IF I leave so much as a dog alive in all the house of Nabal. 22 If I leave of all, &c. any that pisseth against the wall. Nabal was so deeply strike with an apprehension of 37 That his heart died within him,& he became as a ston. the danger that was towards him, by the relation of his wi●● that his heart was could within him; and he became stupid, and senseless with fear and astonishment. CAP. XXVI. 19 They have driven me out this day from abiding in the Lords inheritance; saying, go serve other Gods. THey have driven me away from Gods people, and from his holy ordinances, and have in effect as good as said, go serve other Gods. CAP. XXVIII. 6 Neither by urim nor by prophets. GOd had withdrawn himself from Saul,& gave no answer to him, either by his Priest, or by his Prophets. 15 And Samuel said to Saul, why hast thou disquieted me to bring me up? And the evil spirit( which appeared in the likeness of Samuel,) as counterfeiting the speech of the Prophet also, said to Saul, why hast thou disquieted me to bring me up? 19 Shalt thou and thy sons be with me. To morrow shalt thou and thy sons be dead men. CAP. XXXI. 10 They fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan. THey hanged up Sauls body on the wall of the City of Bethshan. II. SAMVEL. CAP. I. 9 Stand upon me, I pray thee, and slay me; for anguish ( or my coat of male) hindered me, that my life is yet whole in me. do thou put me out of pain, in killing of me; for though I have offered to do this dispatch upon myself, yet the coat of male which is upon me; hath hindered my weapon from freely entering into my body; So as my life is yet( to my sorrow) left whole, and entire in me. 18 Also he bad thē teach the children of judah the use of the bow; behold it is written in the book of Iasher. Upon too good experience of the advantage which the philistines had of Israel by the skill in shooting, he caused the men of Judah to be trained up in the use of the bow; as it is also recorded in the civill annals of Judah. Let there upon you no fruitful fields, 21 Nor fields of offerings. that may yield offerings of first fruits, and tithes unto the Tabernacle of God. CAP. II. LEt the young men arise, and skirmish before us. 14 Let them arise and play before us. Dost thou not consider that the remembrance of so much Israelitish blood shed by their brethren will be once grievous unto thee? 26 Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the later end. As the Lord liveth, 27 As the Lord liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother. thou art the onely cause of this bloodshed; for if thou hadst not made that challenge, and provoked us thereby to fight, surely in the morning the people had peaceably departed, without giving any blow to their brethren. CAP. III. AM I so base a person in thine eyes, 8 Am I a dogges head? that thou shouldst think fit to charge me in this challenging fashion. Did Abner die, 33 Dyed Abner as a fool death? as cowards or malefactors are wont to do. Their hands use to be bound, and their feet fettered; 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters; as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. and so they are forced to undergo a foreseen death; it was not so with thee, O Abner; thy hands and thy feet were free; as the valiantest man may be surprised by the violence of a wicked enemy, so wert thou surprised, and slain. CAP. V. THis our city is so defenced of itself, 6 Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither. that we care not for all thy forces; and if there were none but the blind and the lame, impotent persons in it, thou shalt never be able to take it; those very blind and lame do boldly defy thee. Because they had said( even the blind and the lame in a presumption of their strength of their forts had said) He shall not come into the city, 8 Wherefore they said; ( or as the margin, because they said, even) the blind and the lame, &c. or enter into our houses. CAP. VI. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against uzzah. ANd the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, for his presumption in touching the ark, which should have been carried on the shoulders of sacred persons, not on a Cart, as the philistines had placed it; and, though it might be carried by the sons of Levi, yet might it not be touched by them. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might, and David was girded with a linen Ephod. And David testified the joy of his heart, by the vehement and cheerful motions of his body, in a grave and holy manner, dancing before the ark of God: and for the more freedom and ease of that motion, had girded a linen garment close about him. 20 Who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of thy servants. Who casting off the robes of majesty( which would have become his person, and this action,) and, arraying himself basely, exposed himself and his gestures to the scorn and derision, even of boyes and girls in the street. 23 Had no child until the day of her death. Michal was punished with barrenness all the dayes of her life. CAP. VII. 14 I will chasten him with the rod of men. IF he offend me, I will chastise him gently and favourably, as loving parents use to correct their dearest children. 15 My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took if from Saul, whom I put away before thee. I will not utterly take away the kingdom from his posterity, as I took it from Saul, to give it unto thee; but will perpetuate it spiritually to thy seed. CAP. VIII. 2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. HE subdued the country of Moab, and divided it out, as he thought good; casting down their cities; and so proportioning his execution, that he put to death two parts of the inhabitants, and suffered one third part at the least, to live, and become tributary. CAP. IX. 7 Thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. THou shalt be provided for, upon my charge, all thy life long. CAP. X. THat they had made themselves odious unto David, 6 Saw that they stank before David. in offering so soul an affront to his ambassadors. CAP. XI. IN the turning of the year, even in the spring-time, 1 After the year was expired, at the time when Kings go forth to battle. when Kings are wont to draw their forces out of the garrison into the field. CAP. XII. HE that did this thing hath well deserved death. 5 He that hath done this thing shall surely die, or, is the son of death. I give into thy power and command thy masters house, and thy masters wives; both the persons& houses, 8 I give thee thy masters house, and thy masters wives into thy bosom, &c. and substance, that pertained to Saul, to beat thy disposing. The chief officers of his house. 17 The elders of his house. And he called his name Jedidiah, Beloved of God, because of that gracious word of promise, and acceptance, 25 And he called his name jedidiah, because of the Lord. which the Lord had formerly spoken concerning him. 2 Sam. 7.14.15. &c. And he put them to very sore and painful deaths, 31 And put them under hews, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass thorough the brick kilnes. upon the command of God, causing them be sawn to death, and to be torn with harrows of iron, and hewn with axes, and, as they had been guilty of burning their children in the fire to Molech, so he caused them to be used, burning them in the brick kilne. CAP. XIII. EVery one that hears it will condemn thee of great wickedness, and folly, in that, by this lewd act, 13 Thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. thou wilt cast thyself out of the likelihood of succeeding in the kingdom of Israel. He is thy brother, and therefore, 20 He is thy brother, regard not this thing. though he of all other should not have done this villainy to thee, yet since he hath done it, have thou so much respect to the honor of our blood, and family, as not to prosecute it against him. CAP. XIV. 9 My Lord O King, the iniquity be on me and on my fathers house; and the King and his throne be guiltless. IF there be ought amiss in forbearing to execute revenge upon the offender, I take it wholly upon myself; thou, O King, and thy throne shall be herein guiltless. 14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilled upon the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; because he hath not taken away his life, he hath also devised means that his banished be not expelled from him. Our very life consists in his, and we are utterly lost, if such an hope of succession be rigorously cut off; which, it is a sign that God would have continued, in that he hath not( all this while of his banishment) taken him away, but hath now made this means unto thee for his restoring. According to the ordinary weight of the Shekel in civill use of trade, every Shekel weighing two drams, and sixteen grains. 26 After the Kings Shekel. CAP. XV. 19 Abide thou with the King. ABide thou with this King that would be; this usurper Absalom. So also verse, 35. CAP. XVI. 10 So let him curse; Because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. THe Lord hath for my trial and affliction thought good to make use of this mans tongue, to revile, and curse me; which though it be a sin in this wicked man, yet it is most wisely and justly ordered of God, for my humiliation, and exercise of my patience. 12 It may be the Lord will look upon mine affliction, and that the Lord will requited good for his cursing this day. It may be that the Lord will have pity upon my sorrow, and aggravated affliction; and will graciously reward my patient suffering with a blessing, in stead of those curses which are thrown at me, this day. 23 Was as if a man had inquired of the Oracle of God. The counsel of Achitophel was held so wise, so certain, so successful, as if it had comne from the very oracle of God. CAP. XVII. 3 The man whom thou seekest, is as if all returned, so all the people shall bee in peace. IT is but one man whom thou seekest; if he were taken away( which I shall this night undertake to do) all will be quiet; all the people will return to thee in peace. 9 When some of them be overthrown at the first that whosoever heareth it will say, &c. When some of thy men shall be discomfited in the first encounter, the rest will be, with the noise thereof, disheartened. He returned home and made his will, and, 23 Home to his house, to his city, and put his household into order, and hanged himself. as one that took care for all things, save his soul, when that was done, hanged himself. CAP. XVIII. ANd the wood by reason of the thickets, and ditches, 8 And the wood devoured more people that day, then the sword devoured. and pits that were in it, was the occasion, tha● more were slain, then could have been slain in an open field upon a clear pursuit, by the sword of the enemy. And his head was caught fast within the grains of a spreading oak, 9 And his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth, and the Mule that was under him went away. and thus( his Mule running from under him) he was hanged betwixt heaven and earth. For he said; Those two sons which I had are now dead,& I have no means to keep a remenbrance of my name; 18 For he said; I have no son to keep my name in remembrance;& he called the pillar by his own name. this pillar therefore shall remain for a monument of me. CAP. XIX. go say to Amasa; Art not thou my near kinsman, 13 And say ye to Amasa: Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me and more also, if thou bee not captain of the host before me continually, in the room of joab. my sisters son; of the same flesh& blood with me; as I look for any favour from God, or would avoid his heaviest judgements, my full purpose and resolution is, that thou shalt bee the general of all my forces; during thy life, in the stead of Joab; whom upon the just reason of his murders and insolency, I have decreed to discard. do not I know that this is the day wherein I am restored unto, and settled in the kingdom of Israel. 23 do not I know that I am this day King over Israel. Trouble not thyself about these matters; I have in my first sentence set an order in these affairs, 29 Why speakest thou any more of these matters? I have said, thou and Ziba divide the lands. which I do still decree to make good; that Ziba should till, and husband those lands to thy use, so as he may receive one moiety of the profits for his labour, and the rest may accrue unto thee, whom I have made the Lord of them. CAP. XX. SO the men of Israel, taking advantage of that emulation which was betwixt them, and the men of J●●●h, 2 So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. fell off from their lawful King, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. They said in the beginning of this war; 18 Then she spake saying; They were wont to speak in old time, saying; They shall surely ask counsel at Abel, and so they ended the matter. surely they will treat with the men of Abel, for peace, according to the charge which God hath given in his Law; which if you had done, this business had been at an end. CAP. XXI. ANd Saul thought to slay the Gibeonites, in a misgrounded zeal to the children of Israel, 2 And Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and judah. and Judah; in that and desired to free the land of all that were strangers in blood; according to the mis-applied charge which they had of old received from God; and to put it clearly into the hands of the Israelites. CAP. XXII. 8 Then the earth shook and trembled, the foundations of heaven moved and shooke because he was wrath. GOd did by manifest tokens declare his power, and his gracious will, to deliver me; and to avenge mine enemies; he caused the earth therefore to tremble and shake; and the very heavens seemed to be moved in the sense of his heavy displeasure against my adversaries. 9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured, coals were kindled by it. He gave testimonies of his fury, and indignation against mine enemies; so vehement was his wrath, that even smoke seemed( to speak after the manner of men) to come out of his nostrils, and so hot a fire out of his mouth, that even coals were kindled by it. This lower part of the heaven was so affencted, as if God had in the demonstration of his power, 10 He bowed the heavens also& came down; and darkness was under his feet. come down into it; and( if we may describe him by our weak human representations;) under his feet, in the lowest region of his air there was a palpable darkness. 11 He road upon a Cherub and did fly; and he was seen upon the wings of the wind. He used the ministration of his Angells, and of his winds to exhibit his powerful presence unto men; and in them was this mighty power acknowledged. And, as we men are wont by tents and pavilions to shelter ourselves from the view of others, 12 He made darkness pavilions round about him, dark water and thick clouds of the skies. so did he cast darkness, and thick clouds round about the place of his appearance. Then the Lord sent abroad his flashes of lightnings, with the flames whereof much combustible matter was consumed. 13 Through the brightness before him were coals of firekindled. He sent out his thunderbolts out of his clouds, as arr●wes from his bow. 15 He sent out arrows. He delivered me from many troubles, and persecutions, which as some deep and violent waters would have drowned me. 17 He drew me out of many waters. I was sound, and sincere in my intentions, 24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. and carriages before him; and have, by his grace, kept myself free from giving full scope to those sins, whereto I am inclined. Therefore the Lord, 25 The Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness. who hath graciously wrought this sincerity in me, will crown his own work; and will deal with me according to my righteousness. Oh Lord, thou art such to men, 26 With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, &c. as they do approve themselves to thee; with the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, &c. With those that are wicked, 27 And with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavoury. and walk perversely in their evil ways, thou wilt deal severely, and by thy heavy judgements wilt let them feel the weight of thy displeasure. By thy power I have broken through the troops of my enemies, and have discomfited the Moabites, 30 For by thee I have run thorough a troupe; by my God have I leaped over a wall. and Ammonites, and philistines, and other my professed adversaries; and when they have betaken themselves to their strong forts, by thine help I have scaled, and won them. Thou hast given me agility of body, 34 He maketh my feet like hinds feet, and setteth me upon my high places. and quickness of motion to surprise mine enemies inexpectedly, and hast by this means settled me in the possession of their strongest holds. Those strangers, 46 Strangers shall fade away; and they shall bee afraid out of their close places. which for fear have dissembled their submission to me, are ready, upon every occasion, to fall off from me; but when they have thus revolted, they shall be strike with fear of me, even in their most retired, and defenced places. CAP. XXIII. HE that is the sure refuge and defence of Israel, 3 The rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must bee just. hath said of me, to Samuel his prophet, that I whom my God hath appointed to rule over Israel, should be upright and just in my government. Although I have not in every point been answerable to that, which God hath required of me, 5 Although my house be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant. and foretold concerning me, yet, in his great mercy he hath made an everlasting covenant with me. Is not this water purchased with the extreme hazard of the blood and life of those men which went to fetch it? 17 Is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? CAP. XXIV. 1 And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and he moved david against them, to say, go number Israel and judah. AFter God was appeased for his former displeasure, and had taken away the famine from Israel, God was again moved to anger, by the sins of Israel, and thereupon he left David to himself, and gave power unto Satan, to suggest unto David thoughts of presumption, stirring him up to number the people of Israel, See 1 Chron. 21.1. and Judah; that he might raise unto his own heart a proud confidence in his own strength. The Lord did( as men do when they repent them of what they have done) inhibit any further proceedings of that plague. 16 The Lord repented him of the evil, &c. 23 All these did Araunah as a King give. All these did Arannah in a bountiful and royal manner offer to give unto King David. I. KINGS. CAP. I. 11 That Adonijah doth reign. THat Adonijah hath plotted for the kingdom, and hath in a sort possessed himself of it. 50 And Adonijah arose, and went and caught hold of the horns of the altar. And Adonijah, which had not the grace to consult with God in his challenge of the crown of Israel, now, through fear, had recourse to the alt●r of God, as thinking, under the protection thereof, to avoid that death, which by his usurpation he had deserved. CAP. II. 5 And shed the blood of war in peace; and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was upon his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. HOw in a profession of peace he did, after an hostile manner, shed the blood of two noble Captaines, Abner, and Amasa; and put up his sword all bloody, into his sheathe, and walked with his feet distained with innocent blood, in a bold and careless fashion, thinking to bear out his hateful murder. 9 Hold him not guiltless. Take thou all advantages, to let him feel how heinously he hath offended; and proceed against him upon any other just pretence. 22 ask for him the kingdom also; for he is my elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the Priest, and for joab the son of Zerviah. Adonijah hath already the advantage of age, for he is my elder brother, and of the guard and strength of soldiery, for Joab is joined to him, and of the countenance of the Priesthood, for Abiathar is for him,& now, what wants he but a match with the Kings own bed-fellow? yield him this, and I, by that wisdom( wherewith God hath endued me) know well that his next step will be into the throne. Since he will needs die there, there let him die; 31 do as he hath said, and fall upon him, &c. for the law of God doth not allow any protection for wilful murder, from his own Tabernacle or altar; rather he defiles the Altar, then the Altar can assure him. CAP. III. ANd Salomon made affinity with Pharaoh King of egypt, and took Pharaohs daughter to wife, 1 And took Pharaohs daughter, &c. upon her yielded conformity to that holy religion, which he professed. In the mean time, till the house of God was finished, 2 Onely the people sacrificed in the high places; because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord, until those dayes. wise and holy Salomon would not allow the people to sacrifice any other where, then in those high places, which his father had consecrated, that is, in Gibeon, where was the Tabernacle, and in jerusalem where the ark was. CAP. IIII. FRom the famous river Euphrates, 21 From the River unto the land of the philistines, and unto the land of egypt. unto the land of the philistines, and from thence unto the borders of egypt. Whereas those of the East, and of egypt, 30 And Solomons wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country, and all the wisdom of egypt. were famous above all the world, for the famed of their wisdom, and knowledge of all the secrets of nature, of the motions of the heavens, and of the virtues and operations of all plants, and of the qualities of all sensitive creatures; Salomon exceeded them all in all these kindes. He spake three thousand wise sentences, 32 He spake three thousand proverbs. out of which are collected those which in the book of his Proverbs are reserved to the use of posterity, as the sacred monuments of a divine wisdom. Out of that divine illumination, 33 And he spake of trees, from the Cedar that is in Lebanon, to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall. which was given to him from above, he discoursed of all plants, from the tallest Cedar to the very hyssop, or moss, that grows upon the wall. CAP. V. 4 There is neither adversary, nor evil occurrent. THere is neither any public enemy, nor any cross accident that might hinder this holy work of building a Temple to the Lord. CAP. VI. SO great a work could not be suddenly done; there must be a just time for the gathering of all the materials, 1 In the fourth year of Solomons reign over Israel, in the month of Zif, which is the second month. for felling, hewing, seasoning of the timber; In the fourth year therefore of his reign did Salomon begin this magnificent structure of the Temple; and in the second month, which by Gods own computation was the month of april. 4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. And for the temple he made windows, narrow without and large within, for the more clear transmitting of the light into all the parts of the house. 30 And the floor of the house he over-laid with gold within and without. And the floor of the temple he overlaid with gold, not onely in that part which was within the partition of the Oracle, or holy of holies, but in the outer part thereof also. 38 In the month Bul. In the month of October. CAP. VII. 21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and set up the right pillar and called the name thereof Iachin, and he set up the left pillar and called the name of it Boaz. TO figure out the firmness and stability of his Church for ever, he erected two brazen pillars in the porch of the temple, and called the one[ God shall establish,] and the other,[ In it is strength] implying both what invincible strength the Church of God should have; and whence it should be received. 23 And he made a melted Sea, ten cubits from the one brim unto the other. And he made a large and vast vessel of brass, for the use of their manifold washings, which seemed like to some spacious pond, or sea, for the quantity of water, which it contained: the wideness whereof was ten cubits from the one side to the other. 26 It contained two thousand baths. It contained two thousand of those measures, whereof every one held six gallons of our account. CAP. VIII. 9 There was nothing in the ark save the two Tables of ston. WIthin the ark under the cover thereof, there was nothing but the two tables of the Law; but on the verge of the ark, were Aarons blossomed rod, and the pot of Manna reserved. The Lord hath said that the thick cloud in his most holy place should bee the testimony of his presence there. 12 The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. If in a case of some great trespass against a mans life, 31 If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house. good name, estate, there cannot be other evidences brought forth, so as the matter must necessary be determined by the oath of the party accused; and that oath shall be solemnly required of him before thy presence, at thine holy Altar. And Salomon, by command and instinct from God, 64 The same day did the King hallow the middle of the court which was before the house of the Lord, &c. because the brazen altar was too little, &c. required the Priests to sanctify the pavement of the outer court, which was called the Court of the Priests, to the use of the sacrifices; for that the brazen Altar( how great soever it was) could not be capable of these many offerings. A great congregation of all the subjects of Salomon from the eastern borders of his dominions, 65 A great Congregation from the entering in of Hamath unto the River of egypt. to the western that reach unto that arm of Nilus, which runs towards Palestine. CAP. IX. HOw mean and base are these towns which thou hast given me, 13 What cities are these which thou hast given me my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day. in lieu of those great things wherewith I have furnished thee? and he called them; The displeasing land to this day; being twenty cities in that upper Galilee, which was after called Galilee of the Gentiles. CAP. X. SHe was so astonished at the exceeding wisdom of Salomon, 5 There was no more spirit in her. that she was even transported from herself with admiration. Great plenty of the trees of Heben wood, 11 Great plenty of Almug trees. which for the solidness, and shining brightness, were fit for the use and ornament of his building, and for instruments. And Salomon, 29 And a chariot came up& went out of egypt for six hundred Shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty; and so for all the Kings of the Hivites, and for the Kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means. through the favour of his father in law, the King of egypt, had the benefit of all the trade of egypt, for charets and horses( wherewith that country had wont to furnish the neighbour regions) to pass through the hands of his merchants, to his behoof; so as, if the Kings of the Hivites or of Syria would have either charets, or horses, they must obtain them from the means of Solomons merchants, at a set rate; their charets must cost them six hundred Shekels, their horses an hundred and fifty. CAP. XI. 1 But King Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, &c. BUt Solomon after he had holily& happily reigned five or six and twenty yeares, at last gave himself over to his inordinate lusts, and added to the daughter of Pharaoh his lawful wife, a number of women that were strangers, both in nation, and religion. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtaroth the goddesse of the Zidonians, &c. For Solomon gave way and countenance to the Idolatry of his wives, whom he willingly admitted to build houses, and altars to Ashtaroth. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before jerusalem. Then did Solomon consent to the building of an high place for Chemosh, the abominable Idol of the Moabites, and that in the very face of the temple, on an hill over against Jerusalem. That David my servant may have one of his seed eminent in honor, 36 That David my servant may have a light always before me, &c. and authority always, &c. CAP. XII. THe easiest impositions that I shall lay upon you, shall bee more grievous then the heaviest that you complain of, 10 My little finger shall be thicker then my fathers loins. from my father. I have ordered, and contrived this business for the just punishment of thy fathers defection from me. 24 For this thing is from me. Behold, O Israel, the remembrances, and representations of that God, which brought thee out of the land of egypt; 28 Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of egypt. In, and by these mayst thou recall and worship that deity. In stead of Gods Temple at Jerusalem, he set up houses of pretended devotion, wherein he appointed God to be worshipped in his own Idolatrous fashion; and ordained Priests accordingly, 31 And he made an house of high places and made Priests of the lowest of the people. men that were of other tribes, besides the sacred tribe of Levi, and men of base condition, fit for the Idols he had set up. And he appointed, of his own head, the feast of Tabernacles, to be kept, not in the seventh month, as God had appointed, 33 He offered, &c. on the fifteenth day of the eight month, even in the month which he had devised, &c. but in the eight, which was October; that so the place, and time, and priests, and gods, might be all of his own devising. CAP. XIII. NOt onely did Jeroboam ordain base Priests out of undue tribes, to offer unto God, but himself also, 1 And jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. would be taking presumptuously upon him, the execution of this sacred function; he stood therefore by the altar to burn incense. CAP. XIV. See 1 Sam. 25.22. 10 That pisseth against a wall. AS well him who for his more sure defence hath shut up himself within the strong walls of your cities, 10 And him that is shut up and left in Israel. as he that is left at liberty in the fields and villages. CAP. XV. See chapter 11. verse, 36. 4 Gave him a lamp in jerusalem. HE was not miscarried into any heinous& enormous crime, 5 He turned not aside from any thing, &c. save onely in the matter of uriah the Hittite. whereby his profession was notoriously blemished all the dayes of his life, save onely into that his murder of uriah the Hittite,& the sins that were appendent unto it. Those high places wherein akars were built unto God in an ungrounded devotion; 14 But the high places were not removed. ( contrary to the charge of God, who had appropriated his worship to the place which he should choose to put his name there) remained still entire, and undemolished; and were put to that unwarrantable use. CAP. XVII. THere shall not bee dew, 1 There shall not be due nor rain these yeares, but according to my word. nor rain for the space of these three yeares, and more,( that this drought may bring a just dearth upon Israel) neither shall it then fall, but upon my prayer to that God, who hath thus decreed to punish Israel, and to confirm his mission of me. CAP. XVIII. 10 There is no nation or kingdom whither my Lord hath not sent to seek thee; and when they said he is not here, he took an oath of the kingdom, &c. THere is no nation, or kingdom round about bordering upon Israel, whither my Lord hath not sent to seek thee; and of all those neighbouring kingdoms whether tributary to him, or allied, he hath by oath enquired of thy presence. 17 Art thou he that troubleth Israel. Art thou the man that hast brought this grievous judgement of dearth, and drought upon Israel? 29 They prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifies. They ran up and down in a furious raving and distracted fashion, until the time that the evening sacrifice was, by Gods appointment, wont to be offered. 41 Here is a sound of abundance of rain. I have a sure intimation from God that there is very great store of rain coming. CAP. XIX. 18 Yea I have left me seven thousand, even all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. WHereas thou complainest that thou art left alone; know, that I have reserved to myself many thousands, that are not at all infected with the Idolatry of Baal; having neither in heart, nor in outward gesture, yielded themselves to the adoration of those false Gods. 20 Let me I pray thee kiss my father& my mother. Let me go and take leave of my father and mother, ere I betake myself to follow thee. CAP. XX. 4 I am thine, and all that I have. I do aclowledge myself a tributary unto thee, and yield myself over as thy liege-man. 9 All that thou didst sand for to thy servant at the first, I will do; but this thing I may not do. Thy first message, which challenged a power and interest in my silver, and gold, and houses, and land, I was willing to yield unto, but this, that thou shouldst utterly take them away out of my possession, I may by no means assent unto. CAP. XXI. 3 The Lord forbid it me, that I give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. WEre it a thing free and lawful for me to do, I should not stick at the motion, but thou knowest, that God hath expressly forbidden a final alienation of the land of our inheritance; I dare not sin to pleasure thee. See Levit. 25.23. 7 dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Is it for thee, that art the King of Israel, to take a denial of so mean a suite, or to be thus affectd with the repulse? hast not thou power enough to give thyself satisfaction? other spirits would become sovereignty; away with this poor dejectednesse. proclaim a fast, 9 proclaim a fast, &c. as those that have cause of a public humiliation for this heinous sin of Naboths blasphemy. That the world may see how well I accept of a penitent& serious humiliation, 29 Because Ahab humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his dayes. I will so far regard this dejectednesse of Ahab,( though I know it is not out of sound contrition for his sin; or any true grounds of grace,) as that I will defer these my threatened evils, during his dayes, and reserve them for his posterity. CAP. XXII. WHat needest thou ask me this question? 15 And he said, go, and prosper. thy Prophets have sufficiently assured thee already; go up, as they have bidden thee, no doubt thou shalt prosper; thou hast their word for security. Then I must needs tell thee, 17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills as sheep that have not a shepherd. that God hath revealed to me, that Israel shall in this war be put to flight, and stray like sheep, that have lost their shepherd; even so shall they be distressed in their wandring, having lost thee their King and master. It is certainly revealed to me by an infallible vision from God, that he in his just judgement, 19 I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven, &c. hath decreed to give power to an evil spirit to delude these thy four hundred prophets, with lies, 20 And the Lord said, Who shal persuade Ahab that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead. and to give thee over to be mis-led by their delusions, to thine own destruction: and this I do as surely know, as if I had seen the Lord sitting on his throne, 21 And there came forth a spirit and said; I will persuade him. and consulting upon the way, and means of plaguing thee with these present seducements; and giving leave and commission to the evil spirit to work this mischief unto thee. A certain man drew a bow, 34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the King of Israel between the joints of his harness, &c. without any aim or intention of any special mark, but onely roving, in common, at the army of Israel; and behold the arrow was, by a divine providence, directed to strike the King of Israel, between the joints of his harness. II. KINGS. CAP. I. 8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and gird with a girdle of leather about his loins. HE was a man roughly clad, as one that professed to be a messenger of penitence and humiliation to the world. Thou which pretendest thyself to be a man of God, 9 Thou man of God, the King hath said, Come down. the King hath peremptorily sent me to fetch thee down by strong hand into his presence; come down therefore, or I will force thy descent. CAP. II. 9 Let a doule portion of thy spirit be upon me. AS thou hast chosen me unto a nearer relation unto thee, and herein hast preferred me to all the rest of the sons of the Prophets; So give me this prerogative, that( according to the right of primogeniture) I may have a double portion to theirs, of that spirit, and those miraculous powers, which are in thee; which I know thou by thy last prayers, art able to effect. 11 There appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and partend them both asunder, &c. The Angells of God in the form of a fiery chariot and horses, not so much in a terrible, as a glorious fashion, appeared, and parting them, took up Elias. 12 Oh my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. Oh my father, whose spirit I hope to inherit; all the safety and strength of Israel, was in thy holinesse, and prevalency with God; This glorious chariot that hath fetched thee up from us, puts me in mind of what thou wert unto us, the sure and glorious gard of thy Israel. 14 He smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Eliah? If, according to the engagement and promise of my master, it hath pleased God to give me a double portion, to my brethren, of his spirit, let it now be shewed in this trial; as to him, so to me, let the waters of Jordan be divided. 17 And they urged him till he was ashamed; and he said, sand. Since your importunity will take no denial; please yourselves, try the event; sand your messengers. CAP. III. 13 Nay; for the Lord hath called these three Kings together to deliver them into the hands of Moab. Nay, but howsoever I have deserved to be unregarded in this svit, yet, have thou pitty upon these other Princes, that are joined with me; and especially on that Jehosaphat, whom thou knowest to be a godly, and gracious Prince; let us not for mere want of water, be delivered into the hands of Moab. Bring me hither a minstrel, that by his music, 15 But now, bring me a minstrel. both my spirits, which have been too much moved with indignation at thine unworthiness, may be composed, and that by some divine ditty, your hearts may be lifted up to an expectation of this great mercy from God. The engineers, and such as were employed for battery, 25 Howbeit the slingers went about& smote it. went about it, and taking advantage of the fittest place of entry, smote it. He took the eldest son of the King of Edom prisoner, and offered to sacrifice him upon the wall, 27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead; and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall; and there was great indignation against Israel, and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. if the Kings would not break up their siege; which when the King of Israel refused to do; he, the said King of Moab offered that son of Edom, for a burnt offering upon the wall; and hereupon there was great indignation of Edom against Israel; and they in much discontentment departed to their own country. CAP. IIII. ABout forty weekes hence, 16 About this season according to the time of life thou shalt embrace a son. according to the ordinary time of conception, and birth, thou shalt bear a son. On solemn dayes I know it is our manner to resort unto the Prophet of God, for the worship of our God, 23 Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor Sabbath. and our own instruction, but now, since, it is neither new moon, nor Sabbath, that might occasion thy journey to the man of God, what business is it that calls thee to him? Trouble not thyself with this question, 26 And she answered; It is well. I shall give an account of it to thy master; in the mean time rest thou contented. CAP. V. I do solemnly protest unto thee that I will do no worship to any God, 18 In this thing pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship, there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the Lord pardon thy servant in this thing. save to the true God of Israel only; and I could well wish, that I never might have occasion to come into any of the Temples of those idol gods; but, in this, I shall desire to be dispensed with, that, when, upon the necessity of my place and service, I must wait upon the King, into the temple of his Rimmon, and my master( leaning on my arm) shall bow to his false god; I may thē( after public notice given of my free intentions) not out of any respect of devotion to the idol, but out of my due service to my master, bow down under my master in the house of Rimmon, which however in itself, it may be construed as a gesture of adoration to the Idol; yet when the world shall be thoroughly possessed of my hatred of this Idolatry, and my unfeigned purpose to reserve myself wholly for the true God, it shall perhaps avoid that offence which otherwise might be taken at this, not religious, but civill gesture; in this I beseech thee pray to God, that he will not impute sin unto me; as one that would fain be serviceable, and not Idolatrous. And he said unto him; God speed thee well; go, and do that which may best stand with the peace of a good Conscience; 19 And he said unto him, go in peace. For me, I give thee neither warrant, nor dispensation. Couldst thou vainly hope to elude a Prophet; Had not I notice from God of all the way that thou wentest, 26 Went not mine heart with thee when the man turned again from his chariot,& c? and of all thy carriage towards Naaman,& c? CAP. VI. 17 Lord, I pray thee open his eyes that he may see. O Lord, do thou so illuminate, and enable the eyes of this my servant, that they may discern this spiritual aid that thou hast provided for our succour and rescue. 33 And he said, Behold this evil is of the Lord, what should I wait for the Lord any longer? And when the Prophet advised him to wait still patiently upon God, he answered desperately; do ye not see to what height of misery we are comne; that mothers are forced to eat their own children; It is the hand of God that hath brought us to this extremity; worse we cannot be; to what purpose is it to expect any favour from that hand, that hath thus plagued us; if ever God would have delivered us, he would have done it, ere we had comne to this hopeless condition. CAP. VIII. 10 go, say unto him, thou mayst certainly recover, Howbeit, the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. go, say unto him, The disease is not in itself deadly; but such as thou mayst well, in course of nature recover; but withall, I must tell thee, that the Lord hath shewed me that he shall die by another means; and shall not rise from the bed of his sickness. Why doth my Lord speak so foul, 14 But what? Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? and bloody things of me? He must be extremely savage and cruel that should do such violences; For me, I do not find in myself any such brutish, and tyrannous disposition. CAP. IX. WHat business hast thou with this crackt-braine-franticke fellow? 11 Wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication. what can a man of this rob have to do with thee? And he said; The habit shows you the mans profession; that he is a Prophet; and his profession intimates his errand. What possibility is there of holding good terms with thee whiles the abominable Idolatries, 22 What peace, so long as the whoredoms and witchcrafts of thy mother jezebel are so many? and superstition of thy mother Jezebel, both remain, and are maintained, and countenanced by thee. CAP. X. THus Jehu destroyed all the Idols of Baal; 28 Thus jehu destroyed Baal out of the land. and rooted out all the false gods from Israel. But that part of Idolatry which consisted in the false worship of the true God,( brought in by Jeroboam, 29 Howbeit, from the sins of jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, jehu departed not from them, the golden calves that were in Dan, and that were in Bethel. in those golden calves of Dan and Bethel) Jehu did not at all oppose; but countenanced, and practised it rather. CAP. XI. WHereas the Levits( being distributed into four and twenty courses) are appointed to keep their changes, every Sabbath, 5 This is the thing which ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the Sabbath shall bee even keepers of the watch of the Kings house, &c. to the number of about sixteen hundred, in every succession now ye shall so marshall yourselves, that whiles the new course enters, the former shall yet continue for this turn undischarged; and those that come in to succeed, shall divide themselves into three parts, whereof one shall keep the watch of the Kings house, &c. Upon my command from God, 19 Thou shouldst have smitten five or six time● then hadst thou smitten Syria, till thou hadst consumed it; whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice. thou shouldst have smitten, till I had stayed thy hand; which if thou hadst done, thy obedience had been rewarded with frequent victories; now, thou shalt overcome, but according to the proportion of thine obedience, diligence, and faith in that word which thou hast received. CAP. XIIII. 9 The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the Cedar that was in Lebanon, saying; Give thy daughter to my son to wife. And there passed a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle, &c. THou the King of Juda, who art but as a thistle, sent'st to me, the King of Israel who am a Cedar of Lebanon, to give thee aid, and join in an offensive war with thee, against the King of Edom; now, if some lawless rovers on my part, which are as the wild beasts of that forest, have trodden down thy thistle, and made a spoil of thy country; why shouldst thou take it so highly, as to undertake a war hereupon with me? CAP. XVI. 18 And the cover for the Sabbath, that they had built in the house; and the Kings entry without, turned he from the house of the Lord. ANd that covered place of shelter( near to the house of God) which was used for the snade, and ease both of the officers of the temple, and of the people, on the occasions of their concourse upon the Sabbath dayes, and the close walk or cloister which the King had made from his house to the Temple, he defaced. CAP. XVII. 9 And they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen, to the fenced City. THey set up their altars, and sacrificed to God in al high places, which themselves( contrary to Gods command) had erected, in all the parts of the kingdom, from one side of the borders, to the other; no part was free, whether more solitary, or more frequented. 33 They feared the Lord,& served their own gods. They made a formal profession of serving the Lord, and yet continued the worship of their own false gods. CAP. XVIII. 4 He broke in pieces the brazen Serpent that Moses had made; for unto those dayes the children of Israel did burn incense to it, and he called it Nehushtan. HE broke in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had long since made, and erected, in the wilderness, as a type of that Christ, by whom his people are healed of the venomous stings of their sins; which holy monument being reserved to this day, was grossly abused by the superstitious Israelites, who burnt incense to it, as a God; this Ezekiah pulled down, and defaced, terming it, by way of indignation, as it was, a piece of brass. CAP. XIX. IT is with us as with a woman in travel, 3 The children are come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring forth. which hath not strength to bring forth her birth; extreme calamity hath seized upon us; of which we have no power to deliver ourselves. I will with a blast of wind sand him away, 7 Behold, I will sand a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return. for I will raise a rumour of Tirhakaes coming up against his land, which shall fetch him off from you. See Esay 37.30. 29 Ye shall eat this year, &c. CAP. XX. FOr the greater privacy of his meditation, 2 Then he turned his face to the wall. he turned his face from the view of his attendants towards the wall. Shall the shadow in one moment skip over ten degrees, 9 Shall the shadow go forward ten degrees? &c. so as the day shall be so much shorter then ordinary? And Isaiah prayed earnestly unto the Lord; 11 And Isaiah the Prophet cried unto the Lord, and he brought the shadow back ten degrees, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. and he recalled the motion of the sun ten degrees back, from the point, where it was; so as the day( which in ordinary course consisted of twelve houres) was now protracted to two and twenty, and that this retrograde motion might be sensibly discerned; he caused it to be apparently seen, and noted in the famous dial of Jerusalem, which was called by the name of Ahaz. God hath dealt graciously with me herein; 19 And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my daies? For I had well deser●ed a speedy judgement upon myself, in my own person, but lo, the mercy of God hath not proceeded thus against me, but hath, notwithstanding my offence, promised peace, and stability of his wonted grace to me, all my life. CAP. XXI. AS one that affencted to be an universal Idolater, 3 And worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. he worshipped all the spirits that rule in the air, and all the stars that are fixed in heaven. I will take the same course with Jerusalem, 13 And I will stretch over jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab. that I have taken with Samaria; and with the wicked house of Ahab, which I have urterly rooted out from before me. CAP. XXII. 8 I have found the book of the Law in the house of the Lord. I Have found the very original record of the book of the Law, which was left by Moses, and reserved in the Holy of holies by the command of God. 14 Now she dwelled in jerusalem in the college. Now she dwelled at Jerusalem, in the college which is set apart for the use and inhabitation of the Prophets; as being( notwithstanding her sex) of great eminence in that profession. The books of the Chronicles, consisting partly of Genealogies, and partly of the same histories repeated; have afforded no use of this Paraphrase. EZRA. CAP. II. 62 But they were not found; therefore were they as polluted put from the Priesthood. BEcause their Genealogy could not be found, and approved, they were held in the rank of ordinary Israelites, men not sanctified for the holy office of Priest-hood; and therefore were accordingly put from their ministration. 63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a Priest with urim and Thummim. And the governor or deputy( who was Sheshbazzar) said unto them, by the motion, and information of the Jews; that they should not be admitted to eat of those holy things( whose use was peculiar to the sacred tribe) until there should be a decision made of this question by a Priest of God, who by the Oracle of the breastplate should give sentence and determination hereof from God himself. CAP. IIII. 4 The people of the land weakened the hands of the people of judah. THe people of the land disheartened, and discouraged the people of Judah, from this holy enterprise of building the Temple of God. 10 Whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over. Whom the great and noble Esar-haddon King of Assyria brought over. See verse 2. CAP. IX. 2 So that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of the land. SO as, those who are the chosen, and peculiar people of God, the Jews, have matched themselves in marriages, with the heathenish and Idolatrous people of the land. To fasten us, 8 And to give us a nail in his holy place. and to give us the hope of a settled being in this holy place, as some nail that is driven up to the head, in some solid table, that cannot be removed. NEHEMIAH. CAP. II. ANd I went out by night, 13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley even before the Dragons well, and to the Dungport, &c. by the gate which opens towards the valley of Jehosaphat, which is to the South( over against that which is called the Serpents well, by reason of the sly creeping of it) and so to the dung-port, towards the East, &c. CAP. V. THere is no difference in nature, in flesh, or blood, 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, &c. betwixt us, and the rest of Israel, why should we, without any fault of our part, be in worse condition then they? I, 14 I and my brethren have not eaten the bread to the governor. and my family have not taken that allowance which was appointed for the governor; so as, though I wielded the place, yet I forbore to take the maintenance allotted unto it, both of money, and provision, in favour of the people, and respect to the common good. O God, thou that art wont to accept of, 19 think upon me, my God for good, according to all that I have done for this people. & graciously to reward the good desires,& works, that are wrought by thy spirit, in, and by us thy unworthy servants, be thou pleased to receive, and to crown these my good intentions, and endeavours towards this thy people. CAP. VI. I Came to Shemaiah who was under pretence of devout humiliation, and prayer for my safety, 10 To Shemaiah, &c. Who was shut up; and he he said, Let us meet together in the house of God. shut up in his house; and he pretending a tender care of my person, advised, that we shut up ourselves in the Temple. 11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? Have I taken upon me to be the governor of this people? and have I in a godly resolution, gone through this work hitherto; and shall I now bewray any base fear, or cowardice? and seem to set such a price upon my life, as that I would protract it by weak subducing of myself, and hiding my head in the Temple? 14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah, &c. O my God, I do not out of any private malice or spleen, or in any respect to the affronts offered to my person, but in a sincere desire of thy glory, beseech thee, to make known to the world how ill thou takest these treacherous plots of Tobiah, and his complices, &c. CAP. VII. 65 Now the Tirshatha, &c. See Ezra 2.63. CAP. XI. 11 Seraiah, &c. the son Ahitub the ruler of the house of God. SEraiah the son of Ahitub, who was the man that had the charge of the over-sight of the Temple; both for the fabric of it, and the good order to be kept in it. CAP. XIII. 4 Having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God. HAving the over-sight of that chamber of store, which pertained to the Temple of the Lord; wherein were laid up all things that were of use for the sacrifices. See verse. 5. 14 Remember me, O God, &c. See chapter 6. verse 14. I ranted them, and reviled them, and dealt so roughly with them, 25 And I cursed them, and smote certain of thē and plucked off their hair. as that I proceeded to blows, and to the tearing off their hair from their heads. ESTHER. CAP. I. THat were men of excellent judgement, 13 Wise men which knew the times. and knowledge in all affairs, able to give advice for the fittest times, and manners of performance, of all actions. That Vashti be no more addmitted into thy presence as thy wife, but be instantly dismissed. 19 That Vashti come no more before King Ahasuerus. CAP. II. FOr the honour of his marriage he gratified the provinces, with pardons, and releases of those exactions, 18 And he made a release to the provinces, &c. whereof they complained; and gave bountiful gifts amongst them, &c. Mordecai, 19 Then Mordecai sate at the Kings gate. according to the place or office that he had in the Court, sate in the gate of the King. CAP. III. BUt Mordecai, 2 But Mordecai bowed not, nor did reverence. whether for that he knew Haman to be of that blood, which by Gods charge were exposed to the hatred, and revenge of Israel, or whether, for that he thought the honour required, was more then was fit for a man, bowed not, nor did that reverence which all others too officiously gave to Haman. They did by superstitious lots, 7 In the first month, &c. they cast pure, that is, a lot, &c. seek to find out a day, which by their vain conjectures, might be most likely to be prosperous for this their design. In the last month of the year, 7 In the month of Adar. which answers to our February. CAP. IIII. I Will put my life in hazard; 16 If I perish, I perish. I cannot venture it upon a better cause; I will do the act, let God give what issue he pleaseth. CAP. VI. 13 If he be of the seed of the Iewes before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him. I Have ever observed a special hand of God upon that his peculiar people, the Jews; their friends are wont still to prosper, their enemies go still to the worst; I fear the nation as much as I hate the man. CAP. VIII. 9 The month Sivan. IN that month which answereth to our May. CAP. IX. 26 Wherefore they called those dayes Purim. IN memory of those lotts, which were cast by Haman, for the prosperous success of his bloody enterprise against the Jews, they being now happily delivered, call the dayes of their deliverance, by the name at Purim. job. CAP. I. 1 There was a man in the land of Vz, whose name was job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil. IN the Land of Vz,( which lieth upon the borders of the Chaldeans, Sabeans and Canaanites,) there was a man of the posterity of Abraham, by Keturah, called job; and he was sincere and true-hearted, and one that feared God, and constionably avoided all known, and wilful wickedness. 3 This man was the greatest of all the men of the East. He was the greatest and wealthiest of all that posterity of Abraham, which were dispersed into the eastern countries. 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord,& Satan came also among them. And( to speak after the manner of men, and to express the counsels and proceedings of God by human allusions) on a time God held his sessions, and therein the Angells coming to present their service unto God for the behoof of his children, Satan also thrust him in amongst them into the presence of God. And,( as if there had been a real, 7 And the Lord said to Satan; whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, &c. and vocal conference betwixt God and Satan, concerning the proceedings with job; wherein God should inquire of Satan whence he came; and upon his answer, should in an holy kind of confident insultation, commend Iobs perfection to this enemy of mankind; 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my seruant job, &c. which Satan spitefully detracts from, and desires to have tried by several afflictions) so God most holily decreed to give power to Satan for the proof of Iobs fidelity, and patience; 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, Doth job fear God for nought? and yielded to the several trials,& calamities, which were brought upon job. CAP. II. SAtan, 1 again there was a day when the sons of God came, &c. as not satisfied with that trial which he had taken of job, in the loss of his oxen, sheep, camels, 2 And the Lord said unto Satan, whence comest thou? &c. children, receives( as if it had been upon his importunate, and personal svit unto God) commission from God, to take a further trial of him in his person; in his flesh, 4 And Satan answered the Lord and said, skin for skin, &c. and bones, with the reservation of his life onely. dost thou still stand upon the terms of retaining thine integrity with God, 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh. since it speeds no better with thee? iwis, thou hast fared much the better for thy so humble and patient resigning of thyself into the hands of God; it were as good for thee, 9 Then said his wife unto him; Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. to dispatch at once, and be rid out of this misery; curse God; and he will by his judgement make speedy way for thee out of this lingering torment. They testified their exceeding sorrow for his great affliction, by rending their clothes, 12 They rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads towards heaven. and strewing dust upon their heads. And they were so affencted, and astonished, with his grievous sufferings, that they sate down silently by him, 13 So they sate down with him upon the ground seven dayes and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him. for the most part of seven daies, and seven nights, abridging themselves of their wonted rest and sustenance. CAP. III. AT the last, job himself began to break this silence, 1 After this job opened his mouth, and cursed his day. and in a pitiful complaint of his misery, weakly cursed the day wherein he was born. 3 Let the day perish wherein I was born; and the night wherein, &c. Would to God that day had never comne, wherein so wretched a man, as I, was born; and now that it is unhappily comne, let it be ever noted for direful and ominous. 5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. Let the deepest and horriblest darkness make it uncomfortable; let a thick cloud cover it; and let a continued darkness make it terrible to all beholders. 12 Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? Why were the knees of the mid-wife ready to hold me, or why were the breasts ready to give me suck? With Kings and great potentates of the earth, who( to raise glory unto themselves) build sumptuous houses in those places, 14 With Kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves. which through their desolatenesse and barrenness seemed uncapable of any cost, or magnificence. 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hide, and whom God hath hedged in? Why is light cast away upon a man, whom God hath made so miserable, that there is no way to be hoped for, of his evasion from this calamity; whom God hath shut up in this distress, without all possibility of escape? 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet, yet trouble came. Indeed when I was at the best, I never made any account of my life, and welfare, and yet this fear, and moderation of mind doth not now excuse me from misery. CAP. IIII. 6 Is not this thy fear thy confidence? IS not this thy storming,& freting at the hand of God, a plain argument that all thy religion, or pretended fear of God, was onely upon a confidence that he would still bless and prosper thee? 8 Even as I have seen they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. I have well seen, and observed, that men speed according to their actions, and reap the fruit of their evil doings, in evil sufferings. 11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey,& the stout lions whelps are scattered abroad. The gangrenes, and oppressors of the earth, which are as strong and roaring lions, however they may prevail with men, yet they are by the just, and powerful God disappointed of their purposed prey, and distressed with just want. 12 Now a thing was secretly brought unto me, and mine ear received a little thereof. If thou think not fit to believe me, yet believe the revelation, which I lately had concerning thee; for I had a secret intimation from God, wherein it pleased him to make known to me, what he judgeth of thine estate. 13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, When I was most seriously thinking of thee, in the very deep of the night, at such time other men are overtaken and possessed with their dead sleep: 14 fear came upon me, &c. There came a great fear,& trembling on a sudden, upon me, as an harbinger of that vision which soon followed after it. Then a spirit appeared before me, 15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. the presence whereof made my hair to stand upright. It stood still by me, but I could not discern what manner of visage it had. 16 But I could not discern the form thereof. If the best and most glorious creatures be compared with him, alas, what are they? Behold; 18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants, and his Angells he charged with folly. he finds not any such stability, or absoluteness in his very Angels, as that setting aside his own gracious endowments of them, and his firm decree concerning them, they can stand out in the challenge of any perfection in themselves. How much less can miserable man stand upon such points with his Maker? 19 How much less on them that dwell in houses of day, &c. CAP. V. SInce thou standest upon thine own justification so much, 1 Call now if there be any that will answer thee, and to which of the Saints wilt thou turn? I appeal to any of the Saints of God upon earth; let any of them judge of this thy condition; and say, whether there be not reason to charge thee with hypocrisy. They will tell thee, in all experience; 2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy ( or indignation) slayeth the silly one. that God in his most just judgement, meets with the man( not that is just) but that is wickedly foolish; and that his indignation falls heavy( even unto death) upon him that is grossly ignorant of God, and the things of his peace. I have seen the wicked man seemingly grounded, 3 I have seen the foolish taking root; but suddenly I cursed his habitation. and flourishing in the world, but suddenly I gave him for gone; and in my thoughts made full account of his utter extirpation. Yet this misery, and affliction, that alights upon men, 6 Although affliction cometh not out of the dust, neither doth spring out of the ground; comes not either by chance, or of itself, or merely from the second causes, whether of men, or other creatures, but it comes from above, and is inflicted by the divine hand of supreme, and infinite justice. And yet even in the course of nature, 7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. man is born to trouble, and vexation; and it is no less natural to him to be tried with manifold crosses here, thē for the sparks of fire to fly upwards. They meet with inexpected crosses in their designs, 14 They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noon day as in the dark. and find contrary events to what they promised to themselves; when they made account of most joy, they meet with heaviness. He shall save thee from sinking under many troubles, 19 he shall deliver thee from six troubles, yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee. and from the last, and worst, he shall so rescue thee that the evil of it shall not have so much as power to touch thee. 23 Thou shalt bee in league with the stones of of the field. All the creatures, who are engaged in the quarrels of their maker, shall now stand in good terms with thee, and join together to thy use, and service. 24 Thou shalt visit thine habitation, and shalt not sin ( or err.) Thou shalt oversee thine affairs with good success, and not err, or fail in the administration of them. CAP. VI. 3 Therefore my words are swallowed up. SUch is the greatness of my affliction that it bereaves me of all words, whereby I should endeavour to express it. 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirits. The grievous pains that I feel are as so many poisoned arrows, shot into my flesh by the almighty hand of God; which have diffused their venom into all the parts of my body and soul, and have even spent and wasted my spirits, with the woeful sense of them. 5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass,& c? Can ye imagine that I would cry out so bitterly, if I did not feel a just cause of my complaint; ye see the very dumb creatures do not make their mone, but when they find a sense of their want. 6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the white of an egg? Yet this is no small addition to my sorrow, that ye speak unto me words that have no savour of any comfort, but rather tend towards my further dejection; surely, there is no more relish in your speeches, then in the white of an egg without salt. 7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. And yet these are they, that I am forced to feed upon, for the present, though they be such, as my soul hath too much cause to abhor. 10 Let him not spare, for I have not concealed the words of the holy One. Let him do me this favour to take away my life; let him not spare me to my further vexation; for I have been faithful to him, and have not concealed the words of his mouth; but have freely declared them to the world. 18 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven away from me? How ever ye labour to dishearten me, yet have not I the testimony of a good conscience to bear me up? is there not true spiritual wisdom yet remaining in me, to know both my God, and myself? 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully with me, as a brook, &c. My kinsmen that came to comfort me, are like a deceitful current of land-waters in winter. 16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, &c. Which in the could season seem to be strongly covered with a firm ice: 17 What time they wax warm they vanish. But when the heat of the sun hath risen upon them, and warmer seasons come in, they vanish away, as if they had never been. 19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. The troops of the Ismaelitish merchants, that trade unto Tema, made account to refresh themselves with those streams in that dry wilderness; and so did the merchants that traffic to Sheba. And now find themselves miserable disappointed, &c. 20 They were confounded, &c. Right such are ye unto me; for now, 21 For now ye are nothing, &c. howsoever ye formerly seemed, ye are as nothing; having utterly deceived my hopes of kindness and mercy from you. Was I ever beholden to any of you for a favour? 22 Did I say, bring unto me; or give,& c? did I ever crave of any of you either gift, or rescue? do you imagine that I speak nothing but light and idle words, and reprove me thereafter? 26 do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? or do ye account the passionate complaints of a man, thus desperately miserable, to be no other then wind? bethink yourselves well of the cruel wrong ye have offered me; 29 return I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again: my righteousness is in it. and go not on to charge me thus unjustly; my righteousness and integrity is, and shall be apparent in this whole carriage of the matter. CAP. VII. AS a servant longeth after the approach of the night; 2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow. when all things are shaded in a common darkness. My flesh, 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and with clods of dust. beyond all the ordinary condition of other men, is even in my life time annoyed with worms, that grow in my ulcerous sores; and with cloddy scabs that fall off from me. Am I as some boisterous, or raging sea, 12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? or some huge unruly whale, that thou shouldst need to set such bounds of restraint upon me, and hold me in from passing out of this my limited misery? So that my soul would rather( if I might have my free choice) wish to have my sorrow ended with a present dispatch, by strangling, 15 So that my soul chooseth strangling. then thus to linger in continual torment. How long shall it be, 19 How long wilt thou not depart from me? nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle. ere thou wilt release thy heavy hand, that is upon me; and give me but so much respite, as whiles a man may swallow down his spittle? For now I am dying; and, when that brunt is past, 21 For now I sleep in the dust, and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be. if thou wouldst make further use of me for the manifesting of thy power and my patience, I shall not be at all. CAP. VIII. look how ordinary a thing it is for the rush that grows up without mire; 11 Can a rush grow up without mire; can the flag grow without water? or the flag that sprouts up without water, 12 Whiles it is yet in his greenness and not cut down, it withereth, &c. to whither and die without any hand cutting it off, so usual a thing it is with God, to cause the ungrounded hypocrite to perish, 14 And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish. after all the vain hopes that his profession have raised. 17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones. His roots are so vigorous, that by the force of their own inward moisture they can grow, and spread, notwithstanding any opposition of rubbish, or stones in their way. 18 If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him; saying, I have not seen thee. And, if his master have a mind to destroy him, and root him up, the very place where he grew shall not be acknown of him; neither shall there be any mention left that such a one grew there. 21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. Neither therefore will God leave thee in this extremity( if thou be, as thou pretendest, upright with him) nor will desist from mitigating thy affliction, so, as that thou shalt receive full and perfect consolation. CAP. IX. 7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. WHo, when he pleaseth, can command the sun not to rise in the morning, that it may make day; and can forbid the stars to appear in the evening; and restrain the succession of the night. Who ordereth all the set seasons of the year, and both maketh, 9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the South. and disposeth of those remarkable constellations, by which the four seasons of the year are sensibly distinguished& governed; Arcturus which ariseth in autumn, Orion in winter, Pleiades or the seven stars in the spring; and those other stars which lye hidden in the Southern coasts of heaven, which rise to us in the heat of Summer. 21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul, I would despise my life. Though I were perfect, yet would I not stand out in the justification of myself before his presence; but if he have determined my death, would willingly surrender my life into his hands. 22 This is one thing, therefore I said it; he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. This is one especial thing that I have noted, and justly stood upon, that the outward proceedings of God are indifferent towards all; he taketh away both the upright, and the wicked man. 24 He coverth the faces of the Iudges thereof: If not, where and who is he? He bringeth contempt upon the great rulers of the earth; And if it be not he that doth it, where and who is he besides, that hath this power, and executes these judgements? Let me seem never so pure in mine own eyes, yet, O Lord, 31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. the rigour of thy justice shall show me as foul, as the man that is plunged in some filthy ditch; who is so defiled, that his very clothes make him more loathsome. CAP. X. O God, is it any profit, or advantage to thy glory, 3 Is it good to thee that thou shouldst oppress? that thou dealest so rigorously with me? Hast thou not made me in a wonderful fashion; 10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and crudled me like chief? whiles of the liquid matter of my marvellous conception thou hast formed this solid substance of my body, by several degrees of thy powerful work. And though thou bestowedst so much cost upon me, 13 And these things hast thou hide in thine heart, I know that this is with thee. in my formation, yet thou didst from eternity retain in thyself this purpose of afflicting me; I know that this was from eternity determined by thee. Thou renewest the convictions of my sins, 17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me. which are thy heavy afflictions upon me. Varieties of troubles by thine appointment fight against me. 17 Changes and war are against me. CAP. XI. IF he would manifest unto thee the hidden secrets of his wisdom; 6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is. thou shouldst find that in strict rigor he might justly inflict double upon thee, to that thou now sufferest. If he have purposed to alter the course of all things, 10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, who shall hinder him? to destroy, or to draw into a narrow compass those things which are now at a large,& diffused liberty, who can hinder his will, or proceedings? For vain man will be taking upon him to be wise, 12 For vain man would bee wise; though man be born like a wild Asses colt. although in dead he is in himself no better then brutish. If thou do but dig a place where to pitch thy Tent, 18 Yea thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. thou shalt dwell there as safely as in a walled city. CAP. XII. I Am as one mocked, and scorned of you my neighbours, 4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him. and yet, how meanly so ever ye please to think of me, I am in my faithful invocations upon God, heard, and graciously answered by him. He that is near to his ruin( as I now am) is( unto those that prosper, 5 He that is ready to slip with his feet, is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease. and are at ease) like unto a lamp that is near burning out to the very snuff; and therefore despised by them for the present; how ever it have formerly shined. You have told me of your age and wise experience, 12 With the ancient is wisdom. wherein I detract nothing from you; 13 With him is wisdom. but what is your wisdom to Gods? He is onely, and alwise, &c. CAP. XIII. 8 Will ye accept of his person? do ye think he hath need of an unjust gratification from you; so as that he would have you give him an undue favour in his cause, out of by-respects? 12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes. Whatsoever thing of yours seems memorable; or what monument so ever ye shall set up to yourselves, it shall vanish away, and be scattered like ashes. 14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth; and put my life in mine hand. Wherefore do I give way to these desperate extremities, as if I would tear my flesh in pieces with my own teeth? and why do I cast away all the care of my life, as now past all possibility of recovery? 15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him; but I will maintain mine own ways before him. Though God should have determined thus to make an end of me, yet I will not cease to cast myself upon his hands, and confidently to rely upon his mercy; neither will I ever be driven from the defence of my honest sincerity, before him. 19 For now if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost. I am so full of this grief, that I cannot hold it in; and if I should not thus give it vent, it would presently kill me. 20 Onely do not two things unto me; then will I not hid myself from thee. And if it shall please God to vouchsafe to argue this case with me, I shall desire but these two conditions of him; and then I will not withdraw myself for fear, from appearing before him. 21 Withdraw thine hand far from me, and let not thy dread make me afraid. One is, that he would take off from me this heavy hand of his present affliction, which overwhelmes me with the violence of it; the other, that he would give me courage to bear out this my humble contestation, so as I may not be confounded with the terrors of his glorious majesty. 23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make thou me to know my transgressions, and my sin. O God, I cannot accuse myself of wilful wickednesses against thee; but if there be any secret iniquity that I am not privy unto, do thou make it known to me, and convince me of it. 25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? Alas, Lord, am I a fit subject for thee to contend with? Oh consider my weakness, and my unworthiness; and enter not into judgement with my vileness. 26 Thou makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth. Thou callest me to a backe-reckoning for the very sins of my youth; and dost now cause me to feel the smart of them. 27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks,& lookest narrowly upon all my paths, thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet. Thou shutest me, in, sure and close with these strong afflictions, so as I cannot stir out of thy hand; thou dost strictly observe all my carriage; and, as if thou hadst set some soft mortar, or day under my feet, to take the impression of my steps, so hast thou curiously noted all my ways. Alas, Lord, 28 And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth. if I look to the condition of man in general, what a poor vain thing he is; for, behold, he consumeth away as a thing that is already rotten. CAP. XIIII. AS waters that after some exundation of the sea, 11 As the waters fail from the sea; and the flood decayeth, and drieth up. or some great river, are left( upon the refluxe thereof) behind the rest, upon the plain, which cannot return, or continue, but dry up and evaporate; such is man. All the daies of my appointed time upon earth, 14 All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait till my change come. will I patiently wait for that day, wherein my God shall change this my mortal condition for immortality; that so I may be ready for the happy day of my dissolution. Thou dost not let go any of my transgressions, 17 My transgressions are sealed up in a bag. but hast made sure work with them, and hast packed, and sealed them up, that they may be forthcoming for my present punishment. certainly, 18 And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place. if the hugest and strongest mountaines do moulder away, and come to nothing; if the very hardest rocks be through the powerful hand of God removed out of their places. If the very stones be worn with water falling upon them; 19 The waters wear the stones, thou washest away the things that grow out of the dust of the earth,& thou destroyest the hope of man. and deluges bear down any thing that is fastened in the earth, &c. how much less shall weak and frail man make account to continue upon the face of the earth. When he is now in the agony of death, 21 His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought lower, but he perceiveth it not. striving with those his last pangs, he little regards what honour his son is newly comne unto, or what shane he hath incurred. But his flesh upon him is in extremity of pain, which takes all up his thoughts, and senses; 22 But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn. and his soul within him mourns for the present violence of his torment, and for the expectation or fear of the future. CAP. XV. IS it for a wise man( under a pretence of knowledge) to speak vain words? 2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the East wind? and to have his heart filled with unprofitable, and harmful imaginations. I do now see that thou hast cast off the fear of God; 4 Yea, thou castest off fear,& restrainest prayer before God and art not careful, and devout to call upon God, in thy tribulation; yea, in all kind of inferred denial of the providence of God, thou seemest to discourage others from calling upon him. 15 Behold he putteth no trust in his Saints. See chapter 4. verse 18. 20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his dayes, and the number of his yeares, are hidden to the oppressor. The great gangrenes of the world, how ever they may seem to flourish, yet have many secret girds and gripes of conscience; and are continually tormented within themselves; and yet, besides, they little know how long they shall be allowed to live upon earth; God keeps the stint of their life secret from them. 26 He runneth upon him even on his neck upon the thick bosses of his buckler. He maketh violent and presumptuous opposition to God, as if he could grapple with, and overcome the Almighty; and fearlessly runs upon the most eminent judgements of God. Because he lives at ease, and prospers in all his designs, so as through too much pampering his cheeks are covered with fatness. 27 Because he covereth his face with fatness. 28 And he dwelleth in desolate cities, &c. And he is able, through his power, to raise sumptuous buildings in those places, which others have forsaken as barren and inhabitable. 29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue; neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. Yet( for all this) though he can for a glory do these great matters, this wealth of his shall not continue long; neither shall this his flourishing estate hold any long while upon the earth. 30 He shall not depart out of darkness; the flamme shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away. He shall irrecoverably lye under those sad, and remediless calamities, which are cast upon him; and if any hopes of comfort do begin to look forth, God shall presently scorch and defeat them by the flames of his displeasure; and shall utterly confounded him by his just judgments. 31 Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity. Let not the man therefore that hath been heretofore carried away with the vain confidence in these earthly things, suffer himself to be so deceived any more. 32 It shall be accomplished before his time; and his branch shall not be green. That recompense of his shall be so accomplished, that he shall be cut off before his natural period; and his endeavours shall be blasted at their first putting forth, neither shall ever come to any perfection. 33 He shall shake off his unripe grapes as the vine, and shall cost off his flower as the Olive. He shall be as a Vine whose grape is perished in the very bud; and as an Olive whose flower is cast off at the first putting forth; so as his hopes shall never attain to any maturity. 35 Their belly prepareth deceit. Their secret thoughts do but, in the event, deceive themselves. CAP. XVI. WHen wilt thou have made an end of these vain speeches? 2 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou thus answerest? Or what hath moved thee to make so uncharitable a reply to my words? But now, God hath loaded me with sorrow, 7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. till I am even weary of bearing it; yea thou, O Lord, hast put a distraction betwixt my family, my friends, and myself; and hast made us all miserable. The wrinkles that are suddenly grown in my face are a sufficient witness of my extreme suffering. 8 Thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me. Mine enemy who beareth deadly hatred against me, 9 He teareth me with his teeth who hateth me, &c. hath now his full scope of malice upon me; and in his cruelty insulteth over me at pleasure. His wrath reacheth to my inmost parts; 13 he cleaveth my reins asunder, he poureth out my gull upon the ground. even to my reins and gull; and leaveth no part of me free from his tormenting hand. I have laid down all mine honor in the dust; 15 And defiled my horn in the dust. and have justly humbled myself( in the very height of my glory) by casting dust and ashes upon my forlorn head. CAP. XVII. IS not their unjust provocation continually in mine eye; 2 Doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? So as I cannot but be a woeful witness of their injury? I do much desire to have my case thoroughly tried; 3 Lay down now, put me in surety with me? who is he that will strike hands with me? let me see then, who will give security to maintain the svit with me, who will agree to join issue with me upon this point. He that flatters his friend shall find God plaguing him both in himself, and in his seed after him. 5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. But for me, this is not my case; I am scorned rather; it hath pleased God to give me over to so great misery, 6 He hath made me also a byword of the people,& before them I was a tabret. that I am becomne a by-word to the world; and am the matter of minstralsie, and sport to mine enemies. My great afflictions change my night into day; causing me to pass over that time of darkness without any rest, 12 They change the night into the day; the light is short because of darkness. so as my thoughts are no less busy, then in the day time; and so great is the darkness of my misery, that it eclipseth my day, and makes it either short, or none. Tell not me of any restauration of myself, 13 If I wait, the grave is my house, &c. or of my estate; all that I can wait for, is the grave; that shall( I hope) receive and shelter me. I am even already entering into my grave; 14 I have said unto corruption, Thou art my father: and to the worms; Thou art my sister and my mother. the corruption whereof hath already seized upon me; and I have yielded myself up unto it, and am as it were incorporated in it. 16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. Those hopes that you speak of, shall go down with me to the bottom of the grave, and shall rest with me together in the dust. CAP. XVIII. 4 He teareth himself in his anger; shall the earth be forsaken for thee; and shall the rock be removed out of his place? hear now, thou that talkest of tearing thy flesh with thy teeth for indignation, and sorrow; what, dost thou think that thy clamour and complaint can prevail to alter Gods just administration; so as the earth should be forsaken because thou speedest ill; and the rocks removed, because thy misery continues? 8 He is cast into a net by his own feet. He shall by his own plots, and devices, run himself into inextricable perplexities and miseries. 13 The first born of death shall devour all his strength. The most cruel and painful death shall make an end of all his power and glory. 14 And it shall bring him to the King of terrors. His confidence shall at the last led him into the extremest of all terrors, that can be conceived. Yea, this terror shall dwell, and continue in his tabernacle, 15 It shall dwell in his Tabernacle, because it is none of his; brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. which howsoever he possesseth, yet his conscience tells him is not his own, since he hath got it by extortion, and violence; and God shall rain down brimstone upon it, as he did upon Sodom. He shall be like unto a withered three, whose roots; when they are once dried up below, 16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branches be cut off. the branches are presently cut down for fire-wood. posterity shall be astonished to hear of the severe judgement of God executed upon him; 20 They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as those that went before were affrighted. & those that lived in the same age with him, were affrighted at the sight of that vengeance which was inflicted upon him. CAP. XIX. 3 These ten times have ye reproached me. WEe have had ten several interlocutions, wherein you have most uncharitably and cruelly reproached me, ye have cast many and frequent aspersions of hypocrisy and wickedness upon mine innocence. 6 Know now that God hath overthrown me. If I be( as I am) most miserable: alas you should have considered that it is Gods hand that hath cast me down, which is both holy, and irresistible. 15 My maides count me for a stranger. My very maid-servants look strangely, and overlie upon me, as if I were not their master; the very meanest of my family slight and neglect me. My wife, 17 My breath is strange to my wife; though I entreated her for the childrens sake of my own body. as she was ready to add unto my trial by her ill counsel, so now, she keeps aloof from me, and denies me the comfort and aid of her tendance in this extremity, though I entreated, and importuned her, even by the remembrance of those children which she had born from my loins, which were the dear pledges of our conjugal love. I have nothing that I can call skin, about me, 20 And I am escaped with the skin of my teeth. but onely that, which is of my gums; for the rest, the flesh hath shrunk from the skin; and the skin is gone into corruption. If it hath pleased God to afflict me, 22 Why do ye persecute me as God? will ye afflict me too? He knoweth upon what holy and just reasons he proceedeth with his creatures, it is not for you to arrogate this to yourselves; let it be enough therefore that Gods hand is upon me, though yours be not. I am now to speak a sentence so memorable, 23 Oh that my words were now written; Oh that they were printed in a book, &c. that I could desire it should bee recorded to all posterity for ever. How ever I am judged by you; yet this is my comfort, that I know I have a judge, 25 For I know that my Redeemer liveth; and that he shall stand at the latter day, upon the earth. and gracious Redeemer to come; who lives eternally, when ye shall be gone to dust, and shall, one day, come down to judge the quick and the dead;& shall in that last day of our general account, present himself here upon earth to the eyes of all flesh. And though this skin, and this body of mine, 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. shall now soon go to corruption, and dust; yet in this very flesh of mine, raised up glorious by his divine power, I shall see my God and Saviour. I shall see him with these mine own eyes, 27 Whom I shall see myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. and not with any others for me; I shall see& receive him as my just and gracious deliverer; both from those powers of death, and all these false calumniations which ye now cast upon me. But ye should rather say; Alas, 28 But ye should say; Why persecute wee him; seeing the root of the matter is found in me? why do we persecute this distressed man any more? Seeing we find( if we look to the very roote and bottom of this our quarrel) that he is upright, and innocent of those things whereof we have accused him. CAP. XX. HIs children shall be glad to make restitution to the poor; 10 His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. and to stop their clamorous mouths with a late satisfaction; yea perhaps himself with his own hands shall give back his extorted goods. 11 His bones are full of the sins of his youth. He shall, in his old decrepit age, feel the smart of the sins of his lawless youth; they shall stick by him when he hath forgotten them, &c. 14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned; it is the gull of asps within him. Howsoever he have taken great pleasure in his sins, and, in the very act of them they have gone down sweet, yet in the end he shall find them painful, yea as deadly, as the venom of asps. 17 He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of hony and butter. Howsoever he hath promised himself great contentment, and felicity in his lawless courses, yet, he shall find himself utterly disappointed, his hopes shall fail him, and leave him quiter destitute of all comforts. 21 There shall none of his meat be left, therefore shall no man look for his goods. He shall not have so much as meat left to his mouth, much less shall there be ought for other men to hope for, after him. 22 Every hand of the wicked ( or, troublesone) shall come upon him. Every hand of those whom he hath cruelly spoyled, shall be upon him; each of them shall vex him, whether with suits, or violence, to recover his own. 24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through When he desires and hopes to avoid a lesser danger, he shall fall into a greater. A fire, not kindled by man, but sent down from heaven in the just judgement of God, 26 A fire unblowne shall consume him. shall consume him, as thou, O job, hast not long since had lamentable proof. CAP. XXI. 4 Is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? IF I had onely to do with man, in this my misery, and had no other to make my complaint unto, I had just reason to be utterly dejected; but now, I have a God to make my moan unto. 6 Even when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold of my flesh. When I bethink myself of my own grievous calamity, and( on the contrary side) of the great, and apparent prosperity of wicked men, I am so vexed, and disquieted with the consideration hereof, that my very flesh trembleth. 16 Lo, their good is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me. Yet, for all that, the prosperity of the wicked is not in their own hands, to continue at pleasure; no they are in the power of that just God, who can crush them when he thinks good; and therefore, far be it from me, notwithstanding all their outward peace and glory, to yield unto the ways of wickedness. 19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children. God reserveth the outward punishment of his iniquity, to be( besides his own person) inflicted upon his children after him. 24 His breasts ( or, pailes) are full of milk; and his bones are moistened with marrow. The udders of his cattle, and his pailes, are full of milk; and his bones are strong, and his flesh firm and succulent; so as, both his outward estate and his body do exceedingly prosper and flourish. Ye say in a secret scorn; 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the Prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Where is now the house of this great man that hath born himself as a Prince amongst his neighbours; or what is becomne of this wicked mans habitation? He pretended godliness, but this very disolation shows what he was. He is so great and imperious, 31 Who shall declare his way to his face, or who shall repay him what he hath done? that no man dares reprove him for his faults; or offer to punish him for his injuries done. He shall be glad to rest in the grave: 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him; and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. And by the law of nature every man shall follow after him, in his own time, to that common receptacle of all flesh; as there are also innumerable gone thither before him. CAP. XXII. THou, through thy covetousness and pride, 8 The mighty man he had the earth. didst engross the earth to thyself. Affliction like a violent stream bears thee over, 11 Abundance of water covers thee. and covers thee, as drowning in the bottom of it. Hast thou not observed the course that God hath of old wont to take with the wicked? 15 Hast thou not marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? This is the lot of wicked men, whereas wee that are righteous and godly speed otherwise; 20 Whereas our substance it not cut down; but the remnant of them the fire consumeth. our substance is both continued, and multiplied; but as for them, that which remaines of their riches, together with their persons, shall be consumed with the fire of Gods displeasure. When thou seest good men cast down, 29 When men are cast down, then shalt thou say, There is a lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. then shalt thou, by the strength of thy faith, say; there shall be an xealtation for these men; and God will find a time to deliver, and honor the humble person. He shall deliver a whole island for the sake of one innocent and righteous man, and if thou wert he, 30 He shall deliver the island of the innocent; and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands. the pureness of thy hands should obtain this favour from him, that for his respect to thee he would spare many. CAP. XXIII. EVen still I have every day more cause then other, 2 Even to day is my complaint bitter; my stroke is heavier then my groaning. to complain of my great affliction; and the stroke that I feel from God, is more heavy then my groanings can express. Oh that I knew where, 3 Oh that I know where I might find him? That I might come even to his seat. and how I might meet with God, that I might lay open my estate before him, and in an humble manner argue the case of my suffering, with him. 6 Will he pled against me with his great power? No, but he would put strength in me. I know he is gracious, he would not stand either upon his rigour, or his power with me; but would mercifully sustain me, and give me courage, and ability to stand out in the maintenance of my sincerity before him. 7 There the righte●us might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. Upon these terms, a man of upright heart might hold a lowly contestation with him; which once done, being absolved by his most just sentence, I should be delivered for ever, from the slanders and condemnations of my unjust censurers. 8 Behold I go forward, but he is not there;& backward, but I cannot perceive him. But, alas, I know not how to come to have speech with the almighty; though he bee every where, yet he doth not in any one place or way manifest himself so, as to admit any plea of mine; in vain therefore shall I hope to argue my cause with him. 9 On the left hand, &c. 13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? But, Oh vain man that I am, how should I hope to alter the determinations of that wise and powerful God; what he hath decreed, must be; and who can change his purposes? 14 And many such things are with him. Many such things( as these his proceedings with me) doth he in his great and unlimited power and unsearchable wisdom bring to pass; whereof we can give no reason or judgement. 17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face. I am astonished at the hand of the Almighty, for that I am still upheld by his power in these extremities, and not cut off by death before this darkness of sorrow and misery over-whelmed me; neither yet hath he restrained these intolerable evils from seizing upon me; but hath caused me to feel them, and not to be swallowed up by them. CAP. XXIIII. 1 Why( seeing the times are not hidden from the Almighty) do they that know him not, see his dayes. IT is good reason we should attribute so much to the most wise providence of the Almighty, that he knows and hath determined of the fittest times for his own actions; but why will men be so presumptuous, as( though they know him not, yet) to foresee, and foreset the daies and times for his judgements, 2 Some remove the land marks, they violently take away flocks, &c. There are wicked men that give themselves to all violent and licentious outrages, of removing of landmarks, driving away the flocks and herds of their neighbours. 5 Behold as wild Asses in the desert, go they forth to their work. They run as eagerly after their spoil and rapine, as the wild ass in the desert, runs after his prey. They reap every one his share of corn in another mans field; 6 They reap every one his corn in the field; and they gather the vintage of the wicked. and gather that vintage which their cruel oppression hath forced to be theirs. So as their naked bodies are exposed to the showers that fall from the mountaines; 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountaines, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. & are fain to seek shelter of the rock, to keep them from the violence of the weather. The poor and painful man toils hard for these oppressors, to scruze out their oil and wine within their own walls, and is forced to thirst the while; 11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, yet suffer thirst. being by their cruelty abridged of his wages, and livelode; and not suffered so much as to taste of his own labours. They are of those that hate the light, 13 They are of those that rebel against the light. which reproves their wicked deeds, and lays them open to the view of the world. Thus doth the evil man; 18 He is swift as the waters, their portion is cursed upon earth; he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. but shall he prosper in his mischief? No, God shall soon be avenged of him; he shal pass away swiftly, even as an heady current of waters; and, whiles he continues here, he enjoys that which he hath, with a curse; his lo● shall be barrenness, so as he shall not so much as look towards the way of the vineyards; he shall have no hope of receiving the benefit of his seasonable culture of the earth. As the moisture of the snow( which is more light and airy) is dried up by the heat of the sunbeams, 19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters; so doth the grave those which have sinned. so are the sinners suddenly consumed by that death, and destruction which God sends upon them. Though this wicked man seem to pass his time in much security, and confidence; 23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways. yet the eyes of God are so upon his ways; as that he observes him to take his advantages against him; and to fit him with judgements. CAP. XXV. HE is an awful God that hath the absolute dominion over all the world; he ordereth the very heavens, so, 2 Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places. that there is a perfect harmony in all the( seemingly contrary) motions thereof; and contriveth all things so, that they agree to glorify him. How innumerable troops of glorious Angells hath he there above, 3 Is there any number of their armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise. & how infinite armies of his creatures to execute his will upon all occasions? and how gracious is he in sending forth his light into all the corners of the earth; and how wise in searching all the secrets of human actions and counsels? CAP. XXVI. 2 How hast thou helped him that is without power? &c. OH what goodly help hast thou given to the Almighty! iwis be had not had power enough to right himself without thee; foolish man, that pleadest for God, as if he had need of thy patronage. 5 Dead things are formed from under the waters and the inhabitants thereof. What dost thou tell me of a providence ordering those heavenly bodies, and motions? I know all this and more; and tell thee again, that the same providence reacheth to all those obscure creatures, which are formed under the waters, and under the earth; so as they have not their being and continuance, but from him. 6 Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. Yea, the very lowest part of the earth lies naked and open to his all-seeing eyes; he knows the places and ways, and means of the dissolution of all the creatures which he hath made. 7 He stretcheth out the North over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He hath spread out this glorious hemisphere of the heavens upon the voided and empty space of the light, and thin air; and hangeth the great ball of the earth in the midst of heaven, without any prop or foundation. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. He hideth the face of heaven( which is his throne) from our sight; by spreading his thick clouds betwixt it, and us. The high mountaines( upon whom the heaven seems to rest, 11 The pillars of the heaven tremble, and are astonished at his reproof as so many pillars) tremble and shake with his earthquakes. His hand hath made the huge and mighty Whale in the waters, 13 His hand hath formed the crooked serpent. and the monstrous and dreadful serpent on the land. CAP. XXVII. AS God liveth who hath not yet given any outward and sensible signification that he hath taken notice of my cause, 2 As God liveth who hath taken away my judgement; who hath vexed my soul. to clear and avenge me; but contrarily hath laid many sore afflictions upon me. CAP. XXVIII. HOw ever you have pleased to pass your censure concerning the proceedings of God, 1 Surely there is a vein for silver,& a place for gold, where they fine it. certainly his ways, and his wisdom are unsearchable; there is a certain and determinate place for these earthly treasures, where they may be found out, there is a vein for silver, and a place for gold. And so it is with the courser metals: 2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is melted out of the ston. Iron is found in the earth; and brass is melted out of the oar, which is the rude matter of it. He setteth a stint, 3 He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection; the stones of darkness, and shadow of death. or limit to the most obscure places of the earth; and by the industry of man finds them out; and works out of them the purity and perfection of the best metals and Mines; and fetcheth thence those precious or useful stones, which lay hide in darkness, and utter obscurity. He disposeth of the waters also at his pleasure; 4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot; they are dried up; they are gone away from men. so as one while the flood breaketh out by a sudden inundation; and, soon after, is so dried up, that the passengers foot takes not notice that ever any water was there. As for the earth it yields bread corn in the surface of it, 5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread, and under it, is turned up fire. and the bowels of it yield combustible matter for the use of man. Among the quarries of the earth are saphires and other precious stones found, and digged up, 6 The stones of it are the places of saphires,& it hath dust of gold. and the oar of gold is also had amongst the dust, and mould thereof. There are indeed secret places of the earth, 7 There is a path which no fowle knoweth, &c. which never any creature came to the sight of, &c. But in all these regions of the clouds, of the earth, 12 But where shall wisdom be found,& c? of the waters, where shall wisdom be found? Neither is it to be found amongst living men; 13 Neither is it found in the land of the living. since it is not an earthly, but an heavenly thing. However the wind is the most light of all creatures, 25 To make weights for the winds. and uncapable of any ponderation, yet he who made it can make weights wherein to poised it. CAP. XXIX. WHen the light of his countenance shone graciously upon me; 3 When his candle shined upon my head, &c. and gave me comfort and success in all my actions. When I had such abundance of all these outward things, 6 When I washed my steps with butter. that in the plenty of my milk I might have washed and suppled my feet with butter, &c. Then did I please myself in the confidence of my continuing happiness; and durst boldly resolve, 18 Then I said; I shall die in my nest. I shall die in peace, and fullness of dayes in my own house. If by my smiles I gave intimation that I gave not assent to any report, 24 If I laughed on thē they believed it not, and the light of my countenance they did not cast down. it was presently disinherited by the hearers, or, if I sported with them, they had such an awful opinion of my gravity, that they did not think me to be in jest; neither did they forbear to give me all due reverence, and to hold their great respects to me. CAP. XXX. 1 Whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogges of my flock. WHose fathers I would have disdained to have made the keepers of those dogges, which tended upon my flocks. 2 Whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished? For what use could I have made of them, which had wholly lost their time, and lived idly and unprofitably? Because God hath bereaved me of that power and honor, 11 Because he hath loosed my cord and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. which I formerly enjoyed, therefore they let loose the reins of their obedience and respects to me. By the running of my sores my garment is all stained with purulent matter, and requires a frequent change: yea, 18 By the great force of my disease, is my garment changed; it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. it cleaveth so close unto my body, by the means of this loathsome moisture, as the collar of my coat is straightened to my neck. Thou tossest me up with thy judgements, as dust or chaff is blown up with the wind. 22 Thou liftest me up to the wind, &c. My pain forceth me to so lamentable cries, and ejulations, 29 I am a brother of Dragons, and a companion to owls. that I might seem fit to be consorted with Dragons, and owls, in some horrible desert, whose howlings and shriekings are wont to bee held most mournful and ominous. CAP. XXXI. 1 I made a covenant, &c. 2 For what portion of God is there from above? &c. FOr if I had suffered my eyes and my heart to rove after these unlawful lusts, 10 Then let my wife grind unto another, &c. what could I have looked for at the hand of God, but due vengeance? 11 Yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the Iudges. Then let my wife become false to my bed, and repay my sin with the like adultery; let me be plagued( as I deserve) in my own kind. 21 If I have lift up my hand against the fatherless when I saw my help in the gate. This had been a capital offence, worthy to be punished by the sword of authority. If I have used my power injuriously against the fatherless, 26 If I beholded the Sun when it shined, or, the moon walking in brightness. when I saw that my sentence would have been seconded, and would have carried it, upon the bench. If when I have beholded thy glorious creatures, the Sun and the moon; 27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand. I have given way to any Idolatrous conceits; and have ascribed divine honour unto them, as my Heathen neighbours do; this were indeed an heinous and capital wickedness. 28 This also were an iniquity, &c. If the people of my house were not so taken up with the offices,& employments of my hospitality to others, 31 If the men of my Tabernacle said not, Oh that wee had of his flesh; we cannot be satisfied. that they had no leisure to feed themselves, and therefore complained for want of that flesh, which they dressed for others. If I have made shifts and excuses to hid or diminish my offence, as the manner of men is, 33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam. who do herein imitate our first father Adam, and from him have derived this corruption. Did I forbear to reprove, or oppose any sin, 34 Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me? because it was backed by a multitude of offenders; or if I suffered myself to be dishartened by the fear of that contempt, which might fall upon me from large combinations and families. Oh, 35 Oh that one would hear me! Behold my desire is that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. that I had a faire and equal hearing in this cause of mine; yea, I could presume so far as to wish that the Almighty himself would be pleased to undertake this business; and that my trial might be the more certain, Oh that my adversaries would put in their bill of complaint in writing against me. Surely I would much rejoice, 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it, as a crown, to me. and triumph in that inditement; and would account it the greatest honour that could be done me. I would help such a one with such informations against myself, as he should never be able to find out; 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a Prince would I go near unto him. and when I have done, I would encounter him boldly, and courageously, as some warlike Prince would come into the field against a weak enemy. CAP. XXXII. I Said, as in good manners I ought; 7 I said, dayes should speak: and multitude of yeares should teach wisdom. Those that are ancient& full of dayes should speak; and those that had many yeares experience should be most able to teach wisdom to their younger. But I see, all is not in age; there is a spirit of God which, 8 But there is a spirit in man. breathing where it listeth, maketh a difference in men. do not think, 13 Lest ye should say, we have found out wisdom. God thrusteth him down, not man. or say that you have by your great wisdom convinced job, upon this ground, that God hath afflicted him, not man; and God being just punishes none but a sinner; therefore job is an hypocrite; I shall go another way to work with him. I dare not soothe up and flatter any man in a false conceit; if I should so do, 22 For I know not to give flattering titles, in so doing my Maker would soon take me away. I know God would be sure to be speedily avenged of me. CAP. XXXIII. 14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, but man perceiveth it not. MAny times, and divers ways doth God solicit, and admonish men, yet such is the dulness, and security of their hearts; that they either do not, or will not hear and understand him. 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instructions. Then and by these means he causeth men to hear, and imprinteth in their heart his instructions. That he may prevail with man to withdraw him from those evil courses, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hid pride from man. and resolutions which he hath undertaken, and that he may convince him of his proud and insolent conceits, which he hath harboured in himself. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness. When a man is thus soundly humbled, if a faithful messenger, and minister of God( which is not easy and common to be found) shall show that man his true estate, both in the truth of his repentance, and in the safety of his faithful dependence upon his All-sufficient Redeemer. 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom. Then will God be gracious to that man, and will administer seasonable comforts to his soul; and say; This man shall be delivered from hell; I have found perfect and absolute atonement and ransom for him, in the blood of that Saviour in whom he hath believed. CAP. XXXIIII. 6 Should I lye against my right; my wound is incurable without my transgression. SHould I bely myself in my own cause, so as to say, I have received hard measure from God, without any desert of mine; I am plagued, and have not offended. 7 What man is like job, who drinketh up scorn like water? There is no man that pretends to be so wise and holy as job, that would thus expose himself to the scorn of the world in his insolent challenges; or would thus turn off the grave admonitions of his friends with scorn, and contempt. 14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit, and his breath. If God would resolve to deal with man according to his absolute power; if he should call back that life and soul which he hath given him. 15 All flesh shall perish. There were no abiding; all flesh should perish at once. 17 Shall he that hateth right, govern? &c. Is it fit for thee who fond censurest the just proceedings of God, to over-rule thy maker? 20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight. He shall fetch away the great commanders of the earth, in a time when it is least expected; even in the deepest of security shall he cause astonishment and tumult in the death of the mighty ones. That man should hereupon have any just cause of contestation with God; or any ground of cavil against him. 23 That he should enter into judgement with God. Yea, not onely doth God execute his judgements upon the vulgar people onely, 30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared. but on the great Potentates of the earth; so as he strikes wicked gangrenes with his plagues, lest the people should be too much oppressed with their injustice. dost thou think it meet that God should proceed in his judgements according to thy conceits; 33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose, and not I. if thou and I should determine what were fit for him to do; he will take what course he thinks best; whether thou or I like it, or dislike it. CAP. XXXV. IF thou sinnest, what dost thou hurt him? Is his holiness, 6 If thou sinnest, what dost thou against him; or if thy transgressions bee multiplied what dost thou unto him? justice, power ever the less, because thou hast transgressed; is ought diminished from his essence by thine offence? Many make formal flourishes, but none doth hearty aclowledge the powerful and just hand of that God, who gives due& seasonable comfort to the soul, 10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night? in the deepest and darkest night of our sorrows. Therefore they cry out, 12 Therefore they cry( but none heareth them) because of the pride of evil men. and complain of the pride and oppressions of wicked men, but God giveth them not answer, by reason of their impenitence and unbelief. Although thou sayest that God gives thee no assurance of his presence by any sensible demonstration, 14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgement is before him, therefore trust thou in him. yet certainly he will be sure to execute true( though secret) judgement in all the cases of men;& therefore do thou aclowledge him, and trust in him. But now, 15 But now because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger: yet he knoweth it not in great extremity. because thou dost not approve thyself to him as thou oughtest, therefore he hath afflicted thee in his anger: Yet job doth not consider that his suffering is not in such extremity as his sin hath deserved. CAP. XXXVI. WHen he afflicteth them, 13 They cry not when he bindeth them. they do not humble themselves under the hand of God, and repent them of their sins. do not thou wish for night, 20 Desire not the night when people are cut off in their place. as thinking that that silent and quiet time might give thee ease from thy thoughts; whiles thou hast to do with a God that can in an instant cut off whole nations, much more thee, who art one weak, and frail man. 21 For this hast thou rather chosen then affliction. Thou hast rather chosen to tax the proceedings of God in thy weak impatience, then meekly to suffer his affliction. Behold, when the heaven is overcast with clouds, he sendeth forth his bright beams, 30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. and enlighteneth, and cheereth the face thereof; and again sendeth such gloomy and dark clouds, as that the blackness and obscurity thereof shadeth even to the bottom of the sea. 33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour. The noise of thunder which is in the cloud, sheweth and presageth the rain, which will poure down from it: and the very cattle have a kind of notice, and give a certain intimation( by signs and tokens) of the falling of that moist vapour. CAP. XXXVII. 2 hear attentively the noise of his voice. WHiles we are now speaking, hear how dreadfully the noise of his thunder sounds in the clouds, &c. 2 Out of the South cometh the whirlwind; and could out of the North. Out of those hidden chambers of his, which are the southern coasts, the strong winds arise; and the could winds come from the North. 11 By watering he wearieth the thick cloud. He spends out all the moisture of the thick cloud in watering the earth. 13 He causeth them to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. He sendeth abundance of rain, whether for the punishment of men, or for the fruitening of the earth, or for the refreshing of men. 17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the South wind. How it comes about that the air is so hote as that thou canst not abide thy clothes on; when in a calm season the South sun shines upon thee; and the warm southern winds blow in thy face. 18 Which is strong, and as a melted looking-glasse. Which seems unto us so firm and solid, as if it were a looking glass of some strong polished metal. 19 We cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. We know not how to order, or dispose our speeches to him, by reason of that gross darkness of ignorance wherewith we are enwrapped. 20 If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. If a man will bee opposing him in his speech; and questioning his justice, surely he shall be confounded. If men be not able with their weak eyes to behold the brightness of the sun, 21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds, but the wind passeth and cleanseth them. which shineth in the lightsome clouds, when the wind passeth through, and disperseth them. And when the air is cleared by the North winds, how shall they be able to look God in the face, 22 Faire weather cometh out of the North; with God is terrible Majesty. and to hold contestation with him; whose majesty is terrible, beyond the powers of our apprehension? The best wisdom of men is but foolishness to him; he makes no reckoning therfore of that vain wisdom, 24 He respecteth not any that are wise in heart. with the conceit whereof men are wont to please themselves. CAP. XXXVIII. WHo is this, 2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? that ignorantly casts unjust aspersions upon the most wise and holy decrees, and proceedings of the Almighty? When the glorious stars in their first creation did in their kind celebrate the praises of their maker, 7 When the morning stars sung together; and all the sons of God shouted for joy. and the Angells of God, created by that omnipotent word of his, testified their joy and thankfulness to the God, that made them such. Whose power, 9 When I made the cloud the garment therof; and the thick darkness as the swaddling band for it. when he had brought forth the sea as a new born infant, wrapped it about with clouds, as with clouts and swadling-bands. And set upon it my everlasting decree for the bounds, 10 And broke up ( or se●) my decreed place. and motion thereof. That evil doers( who hate the light of the day) might be affrighted by the rising of it, 13 That the wicked might be shaken out of it. from their wicked projects. The earth is by the coming of the light changed into divers forms; 14 It is turned as day to the seal; and they stand as a garment. and differs upon the impression thereof, as wax, or day doth at the stamping of a new seal; so as it seems quiter other then it was; and men( especially guilty malefactors) are shifted by the breaking forth of the light, like to so many several garments. Didst thou ever enter into that my store-house of meteors, 22 Treasure of snow, &c. which I have decreed to bring forth upon all occasions of my judgements upon men? Dost thou know how the lightning comes to break forth of the cloud; 23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble. and how that vapour there included doth with great violence scatter a blustering wind upon the earth. See chapter 9. verse 9. 24 By what way is the light partend? which scattereth the East wind upon the earth. Canst thou alter the seasons of the year; 31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, &c. Orion,& c? or cause a restraint of the Spring, Summer, autumn,& c? Canst thou bring forth those hidden stars of the South; 32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? or direct the Northern Constellations in their courses? Knowest thou what laws God hath made for the 33 Knowest thou the ordinance of heavens and canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? motions, and influences of the heaven; and what power he hath given to their operations on the earth? CAP. XXXIX. 1 Knowest thou the time when the wild goates of the rock bring forth? CAnst thou understand, or dispose of the conceptions, and births of the wildest creatures? 19 Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Hast thou enabled him to neigh so loud, and strongly, as if it were the rattling of thunder. 24 Neither believeth he that it is the sound of the Trumpet. Neither doth conceive any terror at all in the alarum to the battle? 26 And stretch her wings towards the South. Is it by thine appointment, and instinct, that the hawk wasteth her nimble and swift wings, to fly into the warmer climates of the South? 30 Her young ones also suck up blood; and where the slain are, there is she. Whereas other fowls drink water, the young Eagle is wont( and who taught it him?) to suck in the blood of his prey; and where carcases are, thither, by a strange sagacity of nature, is drawn to resort. CAP. XL. 15 Behold now, Behemoth which I made with thee, he eateth grass as an ox. look but upon two of my creatures; the one on the land, the other in the water; both hugh, and mighty; behold the Elephant first, which I have formed and placed in thy view, and made apt to thy use; which, though he be so vast that his very stature is enough to terrify the beholder, yet I have caused him to eat grass like the ox, and to feed on no prey but these slight vegetables. 17 he moveth his tail like a Cedar; and the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. In his lust he moveth his generative part, like to some Cedar, and the sinews of his stones are wrapped together, like to the roots of those tall and strong trees. Will any man be able by open force to take him, whiles he sees, 24 He taketh it with his eyes, ( or as the margin rather) will any take him in his sight, or bore his nose with a gin? and is forewarned of the enterprise, or can he be taken by the nose, as a fish with an hook; is he not able to break through all the dangers of a violent taking. CAP. XLI. 1 Canst thou draw up Leviathan with an hook? IN like manner, cast thine eye into the deep waters, and see there the great whale that I have framed; canst thou think to angle for him, 7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed iron? as for small fish, &c. Canst thou pierce his skin with barbed hooks? If thou lay thy hand upon him to strike him, 8 ●ay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. thou shalt have so much reason to feel the smart of this conflict, that thou shalt not meddle with him any more. Who hath done me any favour in helping me to make, 11 Who hath prevented me that I should repay him? or govern the world, or in furthering my actions, that I may repay it unto him. Who is able to turn over that skin wherewith he is covered as with a garment? 13 Who can discover the face of his garment? When he neeseth, he maketh, as it were, 18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eye-lids of the morning. a fire to break forth at his nostrils and eyes; and when thou beholdest his eyes, thou wouldest think thou sawest the sun rising in the morning. And if from any other creature, 22 And sorrow is turned into joy before him. there be occasion of trouble and vexation offered to him, he takes pleasure therein, as that which he will turn to his advantage and triumph. Out of the fear of his vehement and terrible motions, they are glad to make their peace with God, 25 By reason of breakings they purify themselves. that they may be ready for that dissolution, which is threatened unto them thereby. Where he moves in the sea, 32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary. he causeth a mention of his way in the waters, leaving behind him a white kind of foam, on the face of the sea, discernible from the rest of the waves. He doth in the confidence of his great strength over look all other living creatures, 34 He beholdeth all high things; he is a King over all the children of pride. and exalt himself over the proudest of them; as thinking himself more strong and mighty then they. CAP. XLII. THe Lord also heard the prayer of job, 9 The Lord also accepted of job. that he made for his friends, and so accepted of his person, and his devotion, that he forgave their offence upon his intercession. And the Lord released that miserable affliction, 10 And the Lord turned the captivity of job; when he prayed for his friends. under which job was held bound; when, out of his meekness, and charity, he was content to pray for those his persecuting friends. They came to him, 11 Every man also brought him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. & by way of gratulation brought him, each of them, a gift, a piece of coin usual in those times( stamped with a sheep or lamb) and an earering of gold. Their father, 15 And their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. as the reward and encouragement of their virtues, gave them a possession of land, that they should be coheirs of his estate, and territories, as their brethren were, and should share proportionally with them. psalms. PSALM. I. 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. blessedness is the thing we all drive at; would ye then know who is a blessed and happy man? It is he that first refraineth himself from all evil; and whereas there are three degrees of wicked men, ungodly in their thoughts, sinners in their actions, and scorners in their words and carriage; this man holds aloof from them all; not yielding to frame himself, either to the counsels of the ungodly, to continue in the way, and manner of life, which is used by sinners, or to settle himself in a resolution to join with the scornful enemies of grace, and goodness. 2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night. But contrarily, in stead of these lewd courses, and sinful pleasures, his delight is wholly placed in the Lord his God; and for his sake, in the word of that God; and wherewith his heart is so taken up, that he spendeth his thoughts upon it day and night. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous. For the Lord takes special notice of the actions and events of godly men; he graciously accepts of what they do, and wisely and mercifully ordereth the issues of all things to their good. PSALM. II. 1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? WHat madness is this in the enemies of God and of his anointed, thus to conspire against that kingdom and government, which he would have established in me, as a type of the everlasting sovereignty of his son, Christ? 7 I will declare the decree; Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee. That men may no longer pretend ignorance, I will declare and publish the eternal decree of God; who hath said, concerning his son Christ,( whose type I bear) Thou art my onely son, I have from eternity begotten thee; and now I do this day proclaim thee to the world, as the everlasting King, and governor thereof. Give ye your true testimonies of your humble homage, and subjection to this eternal son of God; 12 kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way. and of your meet obedience to me, whom he hath ordained to be a figure of that his glorious government; lest his anger be provoked against you by your contempt, and so he should cut you off in the midst of your designs. PSALM. IIII. OH ye proud enemies, 2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shane? &c. that pride yourselves in the favour and countenance of Saul, how long will ye vainly indevor to disappoint that glory, which God hath by his Prophet fore-promised unto me? Be afraid of Gods judgements, 4 Stand in awe and sin not; commune with your own hearts upon your bed, and be still. and be reclaimed from your sins, and especially from your bloody persecution of me; deal seriously with your own hearts in secret, betwixt God and them; retire yourselves purposely for the more opportunity of your deep meditations; and be confounded in yourselves, turning your displeasure back upon your own wicked hearts. I know it is the common fashion of the world to look after outward prosperity; 6 There be many that say, Who will show us any good? and to measure happiness by the abundance of these earthly things; but for me, O Lord, I value thy favour above all things whatsoever. They do not so much rejoice in their vintage and harvest, when it is most rich, seasonable, abundant, 7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart more then in the time that their corn& their wine increased. as I do in the assurance of thy grace towards me. PSALM. V. THey have swallowed down many dear morsels, 9 Their throat is an open sepulchre. of the estates, and lives of the godly, and innocent; and out of their throats have proceeded nothing but words tending to the destruction of others. PSALM. VI. WHen I am once dead, 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee. I can no more celebrate thy name amongst the living, as I now do. PSALM. VII. 7 So shall the congregation of the people praise thee, for their sakes therefore return on high. O God, in delivering me, thou shalt not onely do good unto me; but this proof of thy mercy shall draw all the people to a just admiration of thy goodness; for their sakes therefore, ascend thou upon thy throne of judgement, and make thy grace conspicuous to all the world. 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. It shall be with him, as with a woman that is mocked with a false, and yet painful conception; he hath conceived a mischievous plot against me; he traveleth, in bringing that sinful design to execution, and when all is done, he is delivered of nothing, but a vain and false hope, which vanisheth into wind and disappointment. PSALM. VIII. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies; that thou mightest still the enemy and avenger. O God, thou needest no skilful Rhetoricians to set forth thy praise; even very new born babes and sucklings do sufficiently declare thy power, wisdom, and goodness; whosoever shall but look upon them, and see their miraculous formation, and nourishment, and insensible growth shall see enough to stop the mouths of all thine enemies; how much more when they come to age and discretion dost thou fetch praise and glory to thyself from them? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower then the Angells. Thou hast made man in his very creation, and the Son, of man in his voluntary exinanition of himself( for our sake) a little lower then the Angells. PSALM. IX. 6 Oh thou enemy; destructions are come to a perpetual end; and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. O Thou enemy, thou hast now, I hope, done destroying, thou hast made an end of sacking and ruining our cities, there is no more work for thee further to do; and now, when they have done their worst, themselves and their memorial is utterly rooted out. 12 When he maketh iniquisition for blood, he remembreth them. When God calls men to a reckoning for their oppressions, and cruelties, he then remembers the poor, and is just and careful to right their wrongs. PSALM. X. THe wicked man follows his unbridled lust; 3 For the wicked boasteth of his hearts desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom God abhorreth. and boasts of his free and full contentment that he finds in his evil ways, and magnifies those that are earthly and carnal minded, like himself; who though they bee applauded by him, yet are abhorred of God. His ways are ever offensive to God, thy judgements, 5 His ways are always grievous, thy judgements are far above out of his sight? as for all his enemies he puffeth at them. O God, are by him put far from his thoughts;& for his enemies, in a confidence of his own strength, he maketh a mock of them. He glavereth; and speaks faire, 10 He croucheth and humbleth himself that the poor may fall by his strong ones. and carries himself courteously, to draw in the poor into his danger; and when he hath once got hold of them, he falls violently upon them. do thou search out, and punish, 15 seek out his wickedness, till thou find none. and restrain his wickedness, till there be no more of it to be found; make a full end of his evil by thy judgements. PSALM. XI. OH God, 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do. they have undermined me in the very foundations of my being and subsisting; how can I then hold out? Let me be never so upright and innocent; yet I must needs( for ought I can do) fall under their violence. But howsoever such measure be offered me by men; 4 The Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lords throne is in heaven? yet my comfort is, that I have a God, who dwells above in the glorious Temple of heaven, who can and will redress my wrongs. He will, in his due time, execute most terrible, 6 Vpon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone. and dreadful judgements upon the wicked, such as he did upon Sodom and Gomorrah; he shall rain down upon their heads, fire and brimstone, which shall surprise them suddenly, and ensnare them without possibility of escape. PSALM. XII. IT must needs be that wicked men should abound every where, and bear them proudly in their lend courses, 8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. when the worst and most godless men are exalted and preferred to places of honor, and command, and magnified in their sins. PSALM. XIII. 3 Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. O Lord, do thou comfort me, with the cheerful light of thy countenance; raise me up with a sweet sense of thy favour, lest I be utterly disheartened, and die disconsolate. PSALM. XIIII. 1 The fool hath said &c. See Psal. 53.1. WHat a strange madness is this in wicked men, that they will not consider what vengeance they pull upon themselves, 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread. whiles they do thus cruelly devour my people, as they eat bread, so greedily, so familiarly; without fear or remorse? 5 There were they in great fear; for God is in the generation of the righteous. But how secure so ever they now seem; God hath a time, wherein he shall confounded them with fear, and astonishment; for that just God takes special charge of the generation of the just, and shall surely plague their cruel persecutors. 6 ye have shamed the counsel of the poor; because the Lord is his refuge. Ye have scorned,& made a mock of the holy resolutions of the poor& godly man, in that he depended upon the Lord, as his refuge; and trusted not( as you do) to his own devices, and to the arm of flesh. PSALM. XV. 1 Lord, who shall abide in thy Tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? OH Lord, whom wilt thou admit, as a living member of thy true Church upon earth, and as a glorious citizen of thine heavenly Jerusalem above? PSALM. XVI. 2 My goodness extendeth not to thee. OH God what have I, or what can I do, that can confer any thing to thee? Since thou are infinitely glorious and powerful,& I am not finite onely, but weak, and miserable? 4 Their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. I will have nothing to do with those Idolatrous heathen, nor yet with their superstitious, and sinful rites; if they pollute themselves with the drink offerings of blood, whether of men, or other creatures, I abhor to partake with them; neither will I so much as make mention of the names of their false gods. I cannot envy the greatness, 6 The lines are fallen to me in pleasant places, yea I have a goodly heritage. and prosperity of these wicked Idolaters; no, God hath allotted an happy portion unto me in comparison of the best of them. I will also lay down this body of mine in the grave, in a certain hope and assurance of my resurrection to immortality. 9 My flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not give me utterly over to that corruption, which shall seize on me in the grave, 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption. neither wilt let the body of thy holy servant to vanish away in dust and rottenness; but wilt one day raise it glorious; Whereof I am assured by the virtue of my insition into that Christ; whose sacred body thou wilt preserve from the least putrefaction in the earth. PSALM. XVII. THey are fat and well liking; 10 They are enclosed in their own fat. pampering themselves with all the contentments, and pleasures, that their heart can desire. Save thou me, O Lord, by thy powerful hand, 14 From men ( as in the margin) by thine hand O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life; and whose belly thou fillest with thy hide treasures. from the cruelty of men, even from worldly and blood-thirsty men; which have set up their rest here below, making no account of any other life after this, wherein to receive the retribution of good, or evil; whom yet thou causest to abound with the choicest of all temporal and outward blessings, for their further iudgement. But as for me, 15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness, I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with they likeness. I do no way envy this happiness of theirs, but rather am willingly content to suffer affliction here, since I am assured, I shall, one day, behold thy face in perfect beauty; When I shall awake out of my long sleep in the grave, I shall be fully satisfied with thy glorious presence; and in the mean time, I shall comfortably hope to see thy deliverance of me in thy just vindication from mine enemies; and when thou raisest me out of my great adversity, I shall be abundantly refreshed with thy loving countenance towards me. PSALM. XVIII. See for this whole psalm in 2 Sam. 22. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress. PSALM. XIX. AS the continual succession of day and night doth notably set forth the wonderful power, 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. and providence of God, so there is no day or night, wherein God doth not renew unto us some notable demonstration of his goodness, power,& wisdom, in this great administration; every day affords us some new document thereof. 3 There is no speech or language where their name is not heard. Though these heavens and this day and night be mute, yet their speech and language is universally understood; so as the world, being distinguished by variety of tongues,( the people whereof understand not each other, yet) all of them through the whole earth understand this voice, whereby the heavens, and day, and night, praise their Maker. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he made a Tabernacle for the sun. The line that God made for the passage of the sun, the first day of his motion, is still and ever perpetuated round about the earth; so as God hath herein spoken, both to our ears, by the voice, and to our eyes by the visible lines, that he hath drawn of this great frame, and continual and constant revolution of the heavens; In which, he hath made a receptacle( over and besies all other those glorious planets and stars) for the sun; as his most remarkable creature. PSALM. XX. 1 The name of the God of Jacob, defend thee. THe Almighty power of him, that is name the God of jacob, protect, and defend thee. 2 sand thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Sion. sand thee help from the holy heavens, and from his sanctuary, which is the type, and figure thereof; and strengthen thee out of Sion, where he hath by his command appointed the holy ark of his covenant to bee placed, and from thence gives answers and directions to all thine actions. PSALM. XXI. 9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger. THose that are insolent, and presumptuous enemies of the kingdom of thy Christ, thou shalt confounded with thy most terrible judgements: thou shalt consume them, and theirs, in the extremity of thy wrathful vengeance. 12 Therfore shalt thou make them turn their backs ( or, as in the margin) Thou shalt set them as a butt; when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy string. Thou shalt make them as a butt, against which thou shalt level thine arrows of judgement; thou shalt set them as noted objects of thy fearfullest revenge. PSALM. XXII. MIne enemies( and, in type, thine, 12 Many bulls have compassed me; strong Bulls of Basan have beset me round. O Saviour) are more like unto beasts then men, like furious bulls which have been pampered in the fat pastures of Basan, they beset me, and are ready to gore me thorough. Neither are they like to bulls for their strength, 16 For dogges have compassed me, the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. and lions for their fierceness, onely; but they are also like unto dogges for clamour, and cruel insultation; they both bite me with their teeth, and bay at me with their impure throats; Thus do my implacable enemies persecute me; yea they have done that to me, in figure and representation, which they shall do really to thee my Saviour, they have pierced my hands and my feet. Deliver thou O Lord, my dear life, 20 Deliver, &c. and my darling from the power of the dog. from the power and cruelty of these savage and merciless enemies. Not onely the poor and needy shall cheerfully eat of thy sacrifices, 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before thee, and none can keep alive his own soul. but even the wealthy and great also shall partake thereof, and worship thee; yea all those that humble themselves even to the dust of death for the profession of thy name, even those that have no care to keep themselves alive( when their life may stand in the way of thy honour) they shall humbly adore thee. They shall make report of the righteous judgements of God unto that posterity which is yet unborn; 31 They shall come and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born; that he hath done this. & shall declare that it is he that hath done these great things. PSALM. XXIII. AS I am thy sheep, and thou my shepherd, O God; 4 I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. so shall I be ever confident in thy protection; what can the sheep fear whiles they see their shepherd ready to defend them? Thus shall I ever hold myself safe, and sure under thy defence, and thy gracious direction. Thou givest me abundance of all helps, 5 Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. and comforts, not onely for necessity, but even for pleasure also. PSALM. XXIIII. HE hath caused the waters to lye lower then the surface of the earth; 2 He hath founded it upon the seas. for the convenience of mans habitation; so hath he therefore lifted the earth over the sea, as if, to our sense, it were founded thereupon. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him; that seek thy face, O jacob. This is the generation of those that do truly and sincerely serve God, with an holy worship, the true sons of thee O Jacob; who faithfully apply themselves to serve the God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads O ye gates, and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. It shall not be long that God shall dwell in these moving Tabernacles; ere long, he shall settle his abode in a fixed and lasting habitation of his Temple; Oh therefore ye firm and ever during doors of his Temple, open yourselves cheerfully to receive that King of glory which shall come to dwell in those sacred walls, and triumph in so blessed a guest; and ye the faithful hearts of all believers( who are his living temple shadowed by that other) raise up your souls, to entertain him unto your everlasting comfort. PSALM. XXV. 3 Let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. magnify thou thy justice, in pouring shane upon the face of those, which rise up against me spitefully, without any just cause or occasion of provocation on my part. 14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. The Lord bears a secret love and favour to those that fear him; how ever they may seem outwardly neglected; and in a gracious familiarity he imparts unto them the great mysteries of his will and their salvation. PSALM XXVI. 1 judge me O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity. O God, do thou stand out for me, and give sentence with me; for thou knowest I have walked in uprightness& sincerity before thee; however I may have failed in weakness, yet my purposes and desires have been truly devoted to thee. 6 I will wash my hands in innocency; so will I compass thine Altar, O Lord. Lord, thou requirest holinesse in them that come near thee, which thou hast signified by those many legal cleansings, and lotions; I will be careful accordingly, to purge my heart and hands from all the impurity of my sins; and then will I approach to thine Altar, and offer my sacrifices to thee. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners. Oh do not take away my soul with sinners; thou seest I would not do as they do; Oh let me not speed as they do. PSALM. XXVII. WHen my savage and cruel enemies came against me, like ravenous beasts, 2 And my foes came upon me, to eat up my flesh. in an intention to worry and devour me. PSALM. XXVIII. do not inwrap me in thy judgements together with the wicked; 3 Draw me not away with the wicked. whom thou draggest to their execution suddenly. PSALM. XXIX. WOrship ye the Lord in that beautiful, 2 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse. and glorious Sanctuary, where he exhibits his presence to his people, The dreadful thunder( wherein God speaks his power unto us) is above in those higher waters of the clouds; there, and thence doth God speak unto us, 3 The voice of the Lord is upon ( or over) the waters, &c. more loud and terribly then all the roaring of these lower waters. The voice of this thunder makes the very earth to shake, so, as the great mountaines of Lebanon, 6 He maketh them to skip like a calf: Lebanon, and Syrion like a young unicorn. and Hermon, are, as it were, moved out of their places with this horrible agitation. This voice of the thunder causeth the fearful flashes of the lightnings to break forth of the clouds to the astonishing of the world. 7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. The terror of this voice causeth the hinds( which do not easily deliver themselves of their burden) to cast their calves, for fear; 9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve; and discovereth the forests. and so shaketh down not the leaves, and twigs onely, but the very trees of the foreste, that they are left bare, and open to all eyes. PSALM. XXX. THou hast settled my habitation so firm and safe in my mountain of Sion. 7 Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong. See Psalm. 6.5. 2 Shall the dust praise thee? To the end that my tongue( which is the onely instrument whereby we can express glory) may sing praise unto thee. 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee. PSALM. XXXI. 8 Thou hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy, thou hast set my feet in a large room. THou hast not given me over into the power of mine enemy; but hast enlarged me, and set me free from the fear, or danger of his attempts. 12 I am like a broken vessel. I am cast aside like a broken vessel, quiter past all use or regard. 20 Thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. As that which is hide in some secret, and sure corner, is safe from all eyes; so, through thy merciful care are they laid up, under the covert of thy providence, from all their enemies, and from the issue of all those slanderous suggestions, which they make against them. PSALM. XXXII. 3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old, &c. WHen I concealed, and suppressed my guiltiness, and smothered my sin, in my bosom; I was extremely afflicted therewith; my body decayed, and languished. 6 Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Surely, in the greatest extremity of troubles and persecution, there shall no evil have power to seize upon him, whom thou hast taken to thy protection. 9 Be ye not as the horse or as the mule, which have no understanding. Be not either stupid, or refractory under the hand of God, like to brute beasts which have no understanding. PSALM. XXXIII. THe element of waters though it be fluid, and naturally apt to spread, 7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap, he layeth up the depth in store-houses. and diffuse itself, yet hath he in his providence and power gathered it up, and compacted it close together, as into one heap;& part thereof, in stead of overflowing the face of the earth, he hath confined into the secret receptacles thereof. In vain shall the crafty ones of the world think to bring about their plots against God; 15 He fashioneth their harts alike; he considereth all their works. he formed, and fashioned their hearts, as well as the simplest, and silliest of all his creatures; and therefore he well knows, and considers all that they go about. PSALM. XXXIV. 20 He keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken. HE taketh charge of all that belongs to his children; so as no violence shall be prejudicial unto them; not onely their bones, but the very hairs of their head are numbered, in vain shall their enemies hope to fasten any evil upon them, which the wise providence of God hath not foreappointed for their good. PSALM. XXXV. THough thou hast ways enough by natural and ordinary means to plague thine enemies, yet besides, 5 Let them be as chaff before the wind, and the angel of the Lord scattering them. do thou give them over into the hands of thine Angells whether good or evil, to vex them according to their deserts. All the powers, and parts of my soul, 10 All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee? and body shall praise thee; and confess thee to be my onely good, and gracious God. I hanged down my head in a serious humiliation, 14 I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. as one that had lost his dearest friend, even the mother that bore him. Those pretended false friends of mine, at their feasts, 16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts: they gnashed upon me with their teeth. made me their tabletalk; and there signified their malicious conceits against me. Deliver my dear and precious life from these cruel and brutish enemies. 17 My darling from the lions. Those that do secretly scorn me, 19 Neither let them wink with their eyes that hate me without cause. by their privy gestures of contempt, winking with their eyes, and wrying their faces at me, in a disdainful manner, do thou meet with them, and let them not have cause to insult over me. PSALM. XXXVI. SO lewdly doth the wicked man demean himself, 1 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. that my heart easily, and justly tells me that there is no fear of God within him. Thy righteousness is like some huge and high mountain, which we may see afar off; 6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountaines. but can never comprehend with our eye all the extent, and largeness of it, &c. They shall be abundantly satisfied with all thy blessings, 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. both temporal and spiritual; and shall not onely be fed up to a sufficiency, but shall be furnished with thy merciful provisions, even to delight, and pleasure. In, and from thee, is the ground of all true comfort; all life and happiness is derived onely from thee; 9 For with thee is the fountain of life: and in thy light we shall see light. and of that infinite store of joy and contentment that is in thee, we shall partake in our measure; enjoying thy blessings, and gracious illuminations. 11 Let not the foot of pride come against me. Let not the proud man prevail against me; Oh do thou deliver me from his insolent insultations. PSALM. XXXVII. 13 The Lord shall laugh at him, for he seeth that his day is coming. THe Lord, who takes notice of all his secret plots, shall laugh him to scorn; for, howsoever the foolish wicked man flatters himself in the conceit of his safety, and stability of condition, yet the alwise God sees that his destruction is at hand. 20 They shall be as the fat of lambs; they shall consume, into smoke shall they consume away. They shall vanish away into smoke, as the fat of lambs, which is laid upon the altar in sacrifice, so shall they be suddenly consumed. 21 The wicked borroweth and payeth not again; but the righteous sheweth mercy and giveth. The wicked man shall be punished with such want, that when he shall be driven to borrow, he shall not have wherewith to repay; but the righteous shall have enough both for his own use, and for the charitable supply of others. 25 I have been young and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed beging their bread. In all my life time, I have diligently observed the good hand, that God hath held over his righteous servants; whose provision for them I have noted to bee wonderfully careful, and gracious, so as the affliction of want hath not continued upon them, and been derived from them, to their children; if they have been straitned with penury for the time, yet, it hath ere long been supplied either to themselves, or theirs. 37 mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. However it please God so to order the events of this life, that they fall out indifferently to the godly, and wicked men, and perhaps the worst may speed better here then the holiest; yet, look to the end of both, and ye shall well observe a clear difference of Gods respects; for in the end, the godly man shall find a gracious retribution from the Lord his God; when the wicked man shall be everlastingly confounded. PSALM. XXXVIII. 2 For thine arrows stick fast in me. THine afflictions, as so many sharp arrows, gull my soul and stick fast in me. 4 For mine iniquities are gone over my head. Mine iniquities are as some deep waters, wherein( without thy mercy and grace) I should be utterly drowned; for I am sunk under them, as not able to uphold myself against the guilt of them. It is no short and transient affliction which I suffer, 5 My wounds stink and are corrupted; because of my foolishness. but lingringly painful and loathsome; all which is most justly brought upon me by my sin, which I have foolishly committed. But I would take no notice of their designs; 13 But I as a deaf man heard not, I was as a dumb man, that openeth not his mouth. onely in a patient and humble silence commending myself to thy blessed care, and them to thy just revenge. If thou didst not sustain me, O Lord, 17 For I am ready to halt. I am ready to be utterly depressed with my calamity, and to yield unto the weak doubts and diffidence of my natural corruption. PSALM. XXXIX. I Have set down this constant resolution in my heart, 1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle whiles the wicked is before me. that I will look carefully to myself; and however my affliction bee very great, yet that I will not give my tongue leave to break into any impatient, or unbeseeming speeches, whiles it pleaseth God to exercise me with the malice of wicked men. I refrained my tongue from speaking that, 2 I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. which I might have justly said in my own defence, and in their reproof and conviction, though I were so much the more pained in my suppression thereof. PSALM. XL. HE delivered me out of extreme distress, 2 He brought me out of an horrible pit, out of the miry day, and set my feet upon a rock, &c. and misery, and out of so woeful a condition, as wherein there was neither comfort not hope;& set me upon the firm ground of good assurance, and steadfast safety. I do not come to thee, O Lord, 6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire, mine ears hast thou opened, burnt offerings and sin offerings hast thou not required. in the formalities of legal sacrifices, as thinking to please thee by these outward acts of devotion; but I bring a sincere heart to thee, and a prepared ear, in comparison whereof, burnt offerings and sin offerings are of no value to thee. When thou hadst thus addressed my heart, 7 Then said I, Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me. and my ear, then I said cheerfully, Behold, Lord, I am ready to consecrate myself unto thee; In the volume of thine everlasting counsel, signified by thy revealed will, 8 I delight to do thy will, O God. it is written both of me, and especially of thy blessed son, whose type I bear, that wee should do thy will cheerfully and effectually. These evils which mine iniquities have brought upon me, are so many and great, 12 Mine iniquities have taken hold of me, so that I am not able to look up. that I am not able to sustain them, but must needs droupe under them, without thy merciful release. PSALM. XLI. 1 As the Hart panteth for the water-brookes, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. THe thirsty and panting Deere in the extremity of drought, doth not more eagerly long for the water-brookes, wherein to cool and refresh himself, then I do for my access to thy holy Sanctuary, O Lord, even to thy Tabernacle from whence I am forcibly driven. 2 My soul thirsteth for God. My soul doth vehemently thirstafter this thy presence. When I remember my former happiness; how I had the liberty and favour of leading the multitude up to thine holy Tabernacle; 4 When I remember these things, I power out my soul in me; for I had gone with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise. and bethink myself with what joy and melody we went up heretofore, to this house of thine, I cannot but poure out my soul into tears, and lamentations, to consider my grievous restraint, and exile from it. 6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore will I remember thee from the land of jordan,& of the Hermonites, from the hill Missar. My soul is cast down with this affliction; in whom should I then seek for comfort, but in thee, O God; therefore since I cannot be present at thine house, yet I will ever remember and think upon it, where ever I am in my utmost banishment; whether in that eastern land beyond Jordan, or the southern cost of the mountaines of Hermonim, or in this little obscure hill, wherein I now am. 7 deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy water-spouts. One affliction( like so many waves) comes in the neck of another, and in a miserable succession as it were, calls for the next; upon thy predetermination of these my adversities, which do as it were gush out from thee, by those conveyances which thou hast ordained. The Lord will be graciously present, to help and comfort me; 8 Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his long shall be with me. and, as in the day-time, he will cheer me up, with the sense of his loving kindness, so in the night also, he will put songs of praise and thanksgiving into my mouth. PSALM XLIIII. 12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. WE are made more base, O God, then those bondslaves, that are sold by their victors; there is somewhat given for them to their owners; but as for us, O Lord, thou hast sold us for nothing; and hast as it were cast us away, as unworthy to be prized. 19 Though thou hast broken us in the place of Dragons. Though thou have humbled us so low, as to the very bottom of the deep; and hast cast us down into the extremest degree of sorrow, and misery. PSALM. XLV. I speak of that holy ditty, 1 I speak of the things which I have made touching the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. which I have made touching King Solomon, in the type of him, that was greater then Solomon, even the King of glory, the great bridegroom of his Spouse the Church: My tongue shall be swift, and free in her expressions of his just praises. Oh Saviour, there is more true inward beauty in thee, 2 Thou art fairer then the children of men; grace is powred into thy lips. then in all the sons of men, yea all the glory and excellence which they have, is onely derived from thee; So full of grace were thy lips, that thou spakest as never man spake. As thou art armed with infinite power, 3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most mighty; with thy glory and majesty. O thou Lord of hosts; so let it please thee to buckle thyself to the exercise of this power, to the subduing of the many and mighty enemies of thy Church, and deck thyself with such glory, and majesty, as may confounded thy opposers; go thou on, happily, 4 And in thy majesty ride on prosperously, because of truth and meekness and righteousness, and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. to execute the great administration of thy Kingly office, in the behalf of thy Church, because of the meekness of thy person, and truth of thy word, and righteousness, of thy promises and performances; and the right hand of thy power shall bring to pass strange, and fearful things. Thy judgements are severely and mortally executed upon the enemies of thy divine sovereignty; 5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the Kings enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. and upon the sight thereof, the people of the world are glad to humble themselves under thine almighty hand. The thrones of earthly Princes are( like themselves) brittle and variable, 6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, and the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. and their government many times drawn aside to protect evil, and depress good; but thy throne, O Saviour, is everlasting; even when heaven shall pass, it shall continue, and thy government can be no other then holy and righteous. Therefore God, even thy God, 7 Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellowes. hath anointed thee from everlasting, as the King, Priest, and Prophet of thy Church, with that heavenly oil, whereby he hath gladded the hearts of all thy chosen people; and hath endowed thine assumed humanity; with all divine graces, above all mere mankind. As thy garments, O Solomon, 8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces whereby they have made thee glad. are presumed with that precious confection, which is made of the choicest odours, when thou comest out of thine ivory palaces; with which excellent fragrancies, thine attendants have cheered thy heart; so it is with thee, O Saviour, thine human nature, wherewith thou art clad, is furnished with all graces and perfections, when thou descendest out of the glorious palace of heaven; whereby thou wert cheerfully enabled to perform this great work of thy mediation. 9 Kings daughters were amongst thine honourable women, upon thy right hand did stand the Queen in gold of Ophir. Thou hast the honourable attendance of many noble, and famous Congregations, that desire, and delight to wait upon thine ordinances; But the spouse, thine holy catholic Church, is so honoured by thee, that shee is set upon thy right hand, clothed with all true glory, and magnificence. 10 harken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear, forget also thy fathers house. And now, O daughter of egypt, hear what I shall say to thee, in type of the true Church and Spouse of my Saviour; in lieu of so great mercy, as God hath shewed thee, in singling thee out of the world, it is thy duty to forget the corrupt condition of thy nature, and to be aliened in thine affections, from all earthly things; it it not for thee to think any more of the egypt of this world; but to be as a stranger to all earthly vanities. 11 So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord, and worship thou him. So shall God take pleasure in those graces, which he hath given thee thus to improve; and be graciously affencted with thy holy obedience, which thou justly reservest for him alone; for he is the Lord thy God; and therefore all thy worship and service is due to none but him. 12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour. The neighbouring, and yet, foreign Churches, shall, in an acknowledgement of thy great honour, and happiness, present thee with the service of their love, and gifts of their bounty; and those that are great and famous in their reputation shall seek communion with thee. 13 The Kings Daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is of wrought gold. Solomons Bride the daughter of Pharaoh; and Christs Spouse the daughter of the King of heaven, are both inwardly glorious, the one with rich embroideries, the other with excellent and heavenly graces; the one is clothed with gold, the other with the righteousness of her Saviour, and with all divine virtues. 14 She shall be brought to the King in raiment of needle work; the virgins her companions shall bee brought unto thee. Neither hath she this glory put upon her, onely to please, and amaze the eyes of the beholders, but the main use of this goodly bravery, is, that she shall appear glorious in the eyes of the King of glory, her celestial husband, to whom she shall be presented in this goodly habit of grace; not without the attendance of all those believing souls, that appertain to that blessed train of hers. 15 With gladness& rejoicing shall they bee brought, they shall enter into the Kings Palace. With unspeakable joy and triumph shall they bee presented unto the throne of glory; even into that Palace, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; the seat and mansion of the ever-living God shall they be brought, by the ministry, and with the acclamation of the blessed Angells of God. This happy marriage of thine shall be blessed with multitudes of children, who shall succeed their fathers, 16 In stead of thy fathers shall be thy children whom thou maiest make Princes in all the earth. in a comfortable and during government; the issue and condition whereof shall be so large, and happy, that they shall be so many Kings upon; earth and all thrones shall bee furnished with Princes from thy loins, for as much as all thy spiritual children are a royal generation unto God. O my God, and Saviour, I, 17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shal the people praise thee for ever and ever. who by thy gracious inspiration have made this Bridall-song unto thee, will celebrate and praise thy blessed name to all generations; and will stir up thy people to bless and praise thee for ever and ever. PSALM. XLVI. LEt the sea of this world roar, 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God. and be never so unquiet, the holy city Jerusalem, the type of Gods Church, hath a little river, even Gihon, or Kidron, whose calm and gentle streams shall abundantly refresh it; and the mystical Jerusalem hath both the waters of life, the word of the ever-living God, to comfort and satisfy it here; and those living waters of life eternal in the Paradise of God, to make it everlastingly happy. He can( when he pleaseth) put an end to those broils, 9 He maketh warres to cease unto the ends of the earth, he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in pieces, be burneth the chariot in the fire. and tyrannous oppositions, and persecutions, wherewith his Church is wont to be infested; and can cause the enemies thereof to be still, PSALM. XLVII. HE hath graciously made choice of us, 4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of jacob whom he loved. for his peculiar people, and of the land of Canaan for an inheritance for us, and hath purchased, and prepared a more glorious inheritance for us above; even the inheritance of his Saints in light; and in the mean time, hath graced us with all those noble privileges which are appropriated to the seed of Jacob, whom he loved. As the ark of God is gone with much triumph and joy to be placed in the Temple of the Lord, 5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. so the son of God is with much rejoicing of Angells and men, both received into his Evangelicall Church on earth, and afterwards taken up into the glory of heaven. 9 For the shields of the earth belong unto God. Unto God onely belongeth the safe and gracious protection of his Church, and children; and he accordingly raiseth up and defendeth those Princes and governors, under whose rule his Church is preserved in peace. PSALM. XLVIII. 4 For lo, the Kings were assembled, they passed by together. THe heathen Kings, especially Senacherib, and his mighty host& assistants, came up against Jerusalem, with menaces of utter destruction; but they stayed not long, before those walls, ere they were sent away with shane and slaughter. 7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an Eastwinde. As a navy by sea is dispersed by a furious east-wind, so didst thou, O Lord, scatter and discomfit those mighty enemies that came up against jerusalem. 8 As we have heard, so we have seen into the city of the Lord of Hosts. According to the relation of thy former deliverances of thy people, reported to us by our forefathers, so have our eyes been witnesses of thy present rescue of our city, and nation. 13 Tell the towers thereof; mark well her bulwarks, consider her Palaces. look well, O ye beholders, upon the many and goodly towers of Jerusalem, upon her strong fortifications, upon her faire Palaces, and as thereby you shall bee excited to praise God for the deliverance of so noble and beautiful a pile; so take occasion thereby to think of the splendour and glory of that heavenly Jerusalem which is above. PSALM. XLIX. 5 Why should I fear in the dayes of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about. WHy should I fear upon any occasion whatsoever? Whether it be upon the conscience of the iniquity of my own foot steps, or whether upon the prosecution of those enemies, which follow me at the heels, and are ready to environ me? 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him. It is not in the power of the wealthy,& great men of the world, to ransom another man from death, by all their riches and treasures; For the life of man is of greater price, and value, then can be countervailed by any earthly thing; 8 For the redemption of their soul is precious; and it ceaseth for ever. and therefore this redemption is a thing not to be effected, or hoped for at all. 14 And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their beauty shall consume in the grave, from their dwelling. But however they flourish, and sway here, yet after the long night of the grave is past, in the morning of the resurrection, the just and righteous servants of God, whom they have here trampled upon, shall so have dominion over them, that they shall sit as their Judges; In the mean time all their glory and bravery shall bee consumed, and rot away in the dull of their grave. That man, who lives in outward honor, and yet wants true wisdom, and understanding, to know God; 20 Man that is in honor and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. and himself, lives as a beast, and dies as a beast brutishly. PSALM. L. hear, O ye inhabitants, of the earth; 1 The mighty God, even the Lord hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same. the great and mighty God of heaven having taken just notice of the extreme depravedness of the ways of men, calls you to account of this your universal wickedness, even all the world over, from one side of the earth to the other. Behold, 2 Out of Sion the perfection of beauty God hath shined. God hath shewed himself in his holy hill of Sion( where his temple, the glory of the whole earth standeth) there he exhibits his majesty, and thence shall he control the wickedness of men. In great terror, 3 Our God shall come and shall not keep silence, a fire shall devour before him, and it shall bee very tempestuous round about him. and majesty shall God declare his displeasure against the presumptuous sins of men; for he shall come attended with fire, and tempest; a devouring fire shall go before him, and a fearful tempest shall be round about him. He shall appeal both to the heavens, and earth, 4 he shall call to the heaven above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. as the witnesses of his just proceedings with men, and their too just deservings of judgements, and as the summoners of this great appearance. Let that heaven, 5 Gather my Saints together, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. and that earth( saith he) summon together before me, that chosen people of mine, who have made an external profession of my name, and have, by the continual use of their sacrifices, outwardly renewed their covenant with me. Yea, those heavens shall not only summon his people, 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; for God is judge himself. and witness their wickedness, but shall also proclaim, and declare to the world, his apparent justice, both in giving his law, and in exacting it of them; neither shall their hypocrisy any longer deceive the eyes of men, for now, God himself( who cannot be deluded) will unmask their wickedness, before all the world. do not think to choke me with the formalities of thine outward sacrifices, 8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices, &c. these are not the things I stand upon. 9 I will take no bullock, &c. PSALM. LI. 4 Against thee, thee onely have I sinned; and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightst be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. IT is only thy prohibition, O God, that can make a sin; I have sinned against men, but it is thy Law that I have violated, in that my offence; and if I have so carried my sin that the world takes not notice of it, yet I know it cannot be hide from thee; thou onely, as thou canst charge me with it, so canst remit it unto me: I do therefore freely aclowledge these horrible sins of mine, that I may clearly acquit thee in thy proceedings against me; the reproof of thy Prophet, the menaces of thy judgement are too well deserved on my part; do what thou wilt with me, I must needs justify thy severe courses against me. 6 And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Notwithstanding this darkness, that I haue brought upon my soul, by my sin, thou shalt in thy great mercy so enlighten me, that in the secret corners of my heart, I shall understand that wonderful mystery of my redemption and Salvation in the blood of my Saviour. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter then snow. Oh, do thou then by that precious blood, sprinkled upon my soul by a true faith,( which was, and is figured in the legal aspersions) cleanse me from mine iniquities; so shall I be pure and innocent in thy sight; wash me in that all-sufficient laver of the blood of my Saviour, so shall I be whiter then snow, before thee. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. do thou speak peace and reconciliation to thy servant; renew the joy of my heart, in the comfortable assurance of thy forgiveness, that so my soul which is now dejected, and justly grieved, for my sin, may find cause of rejoicing in thee. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Howsoever I have deserved that thou shouldst cast me off, and strip me of all the graces, and gifts of thy spirit, which thou hast blessed me with; Yet, O Lord, do not thou deal thus with me, but continue me in thy presence, and continue thy graces in me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit. How can I, O Lord, be other then pensive, and miserable, whiles I stand in these terms with thee? what comfort can I find, till my heart be assured of thy favour? Oh do thou restore to me that joy of thine holy Ghost, which I have wont to feel in the clear and evident apprehension of my salvation; and though I have made myself a slave to my sin, yet do thou free me by thy good Spirit; and thereby do thou maintain me in this happy liberty of thy service. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice, else I would give it; thou delightest not in burnt offerings. O God, it is not the price, or the outward ceremony of legal sacrifices, that either thou takest pleasure in, or I affect to rest in; else I would be glad to come to thee with thousands of rams; but these bare external rites are not the thing thou requirest. Here is another and a better sacrifice, 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken; &c. A broken and contrite heart O God thou wilt not despise. which I present thee withall, even a broken and humbled soul; and this I know( such is thy wonderful mercy) cannot but be very acceptable unto thee. PSALM. LII. OH thou vain, and foolish Doeg, 1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. why dost thou thus pride thyself in Sauls favour, as if thou wert now able to do what mischief thou listest? know, that there is an higher hand, that can either stint thee, or cut thee off, at pleasure, in vain shalt thou strive against that ommipotent power, and goodness, which ever remaines ready to assist and deliver his Church. PSALM. LIII. THere is none so foolish, as an obdured sinner; 1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God. and that fool doth herein most approve his folly, in that( though with his mouth he dare not, yet) in his heart he hath said, There is no God; so lewd are his imaginations, desires, and affections, as if he verily thought and resolved, there is no supreme power, that takes notice of, and will revenge his lawless impieties. See Psalm 14.4. and so for the whole Psalm. 4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? &c. PSALM. LIV. OH God, do thou save me by thy mighty power; 1 Save me, O God, by thy Name, and judge me by thy strength. and stand out for me in my just vindication, by thy strength. PSALM. LV. O Lord, do thou destroy mine enemies, 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen violence and strife in the City. and for this cause do thou divide them in their plots, and consultations; that they may cross each other in their conspiracies, and attempts, for I have, too well seen them apt both to device, and execute violent practices against thy Church. It was not an open and professed enemy that hath 12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me, then I could have born it, &c. offered this cruel measure to me, for then I could have born it off,& have wisely avoided it; or if I must needs have suffered it, I could have endured it with so much more patience, by how much I should have more expected it. 13 But it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guid, and my acquaintance. But it was thou, O Achitophel, a man of note, of noble rank, of great respect with me; whom I used familiarly. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. With whom I did oft communicate my counsels, as with my bosom-friend; yea, whom profession of religious devotion had( as I supposed) assured to me, as my true friend; whiles we oft walked unto the house of God, in a loving partnership of holy duties. 19 Because they have no changes; therefore they fear not God. Because their prosperity continues, and they find no change of their estate, no interposition of crosses and troubles, therefore their hearts are hardened against that God, by whom they are insensibly blessed, neither do they stand in awe of that hand of justice, whose smart they have never felt. PSALM. LVI. 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. HOwsoever( such as my weakness is) I cannot but be overtaken with some fear, yet my fear shall never transport me from my trust, and confidence in thee; but in the midst of that my natural timorousness, I will cast myself upon thee, and repose my heart upon thy mercy, 8 Thou tellest my wanderings, put thou my tears into thy bottle; are they not in thy book? Oh God, thou takest full notice of all the persecutions that I have undergone, thou notest every step of my long, and forced wanderings; Oh let not any of those tears which I shed, be spilled in the dust, keep thou them, as most precious liquour, in thy bottle; Yea, Lord, thou hast done it already; thy favour hath prevented me, thou hast set down the number of all tears in thy book of everlasting record. PSALM LVII. 4 My soul is among lions, and I lye even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongues a sharp sword. O Lord, I am beset with cruel and bloody enemies, whose hearts are inflamed with deadly malice against me; even men given over to wickedness; whose mouths are full of mischievous slanders,& reproaches, wherewith they endeavour to wound me to the death. 7 My heart is fixed O Lord ( or prepared) my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise. O God, I do not suddenly, and abruptly break forth into these praises of thy name, as a thing not before thought of, but I have seriously digested in my soul these my hearty thanksgivings unto thee. And therefore,( O thou my tongue) which is the only instrument wherewith I can express the glory of my God) be thou stirred up cheerfully, 8 Awake my glory, &c. to utter the praises of my gracious deliverer. PSALM. LVIII. IN stead of balancing all things by justice, 2 You weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. ye weigh them according to the violence of your own passions; that measure, which may satisfy your malice( and no other) is held sufficient. Neither is this any sudden surprisal with evil, 3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray assoon as they be born, &c. but it is a long continued habit of wickedness; their disposition hath been perverse, and malicious; even from their infancy; and so they still continue, proceeding from evil to worse. My enemies, O Lord, are like unto Serpents, 4 Their poison is like the poison of a Serpent; they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear, and their malice like unto deadly poison; yet are they not like every Serpent; some there are, which are not so crafty, and whose poison is not so deadly; 5 Which will not hearken to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. but my enemies are like the asp, or adder, whose venom killeth speedily; and, which beside is so subtle, that laying one ear to the earth, and stoping the other with his tail, he eludeth all the power of whatsoever incantation; so do these enemies of mine; no wholesome and holy advice can possibly fasten upon them, no threats of judgements can beat them off from their intended mischiefs. Let their dispatch be quick, and sudden; 9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind; both living and in his wrath. even before the pot can boil with a fire of dry thorns put under it; let them be consumed; yea, God shall fetch them furiously away, as in a whirlwind; swifter then thought, in the midst of their life, and the height of their strength, but in the extremity of his wrath. PSALM. LIX. THou seest, O God, 5 Be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. that these agents of Saul do maliciously persecute me; they know well enough that I am innocent, and yet they seek to take away my life; Oh do not thou give way to their wilful spite, and rancorous malice. Mine enemies are like to ravening dogges, 6 They return at evening, they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. which run about the city, all day long, and onely late at night come to their kennel; in the mean time, barking and baying for a bone to supply their hunger, even so do mine enemies incessantly bestir themselves for my destruction. 9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee; for God is my defence. The more strong, and the more malicious Saul is, the more will I look up unto thee, and cast myself upon thee for thy protection and deliverance, for thou, O God, art my sure refuge in my greatest distresses. PSALM. LX. 2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble, &c. heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh. OH God, thou seest that through thy just judgement upon our land, all things are out of order; and, as it is seen oftentimes in earth quakes, here are fearful breaches made in our State, by reason of our sins; Oh do thou heal up these breaches which our sins have made. 3 Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast made us giddy, and unable to guide ourselves through astonishment at thy judgements, even as the man that is drunk with wine, reeleth, and knows not where to place his steps. 4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Oh God, thou hast given to thy people an happy victory against the Syrians; and hast thereby encouraged them to depend upon thee, in these assaults of the men of Edom; that thou maiest thereby be glorified in the truth of thy promises, and performances. 6 God hath spoken in his holinesse, I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and meet out the valley of Succoth. The holy God, who can never fail his promises, hath said that concerning me, wherein I will both trust, and triumph; Behold, he hath graciously assured me that he will perfect, and accomplish this kingdom of mine, which he hath begun;& that part of it which is yet withheld in the hands of Ishbosheth, Sauls son, namely Shechem and the valley of Succoth, I shall receive into my full possession. 7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseth is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head, judah is my lawgiver. As for Gilead and Manasseth, which are the utmost coasts of Canaan, they are as surely mine, as if they had yielded themselves into my hands already;& as for the tribe of Ephraim, I make account of that as my chief strength, and the main power of my kingdom; Judah( as by Gods appointment and prediction was fore-ordained) is the tribe of authority, which shall give laws to Israel. 8 Moab is my washpot, over Edom will I cast out my shoe, Philistia triumph thou because of me. And as for the bordering, but malignant nations of Moab, Edom, and Pilistia, I shall subdue them at pleasure, and destiny them to those base offices, they are worthy of; Moab shal be as a pot of earth to wash my feet in, which I shall soon after break into sheards; Over Edom I will trample, and insult, as it hath scornfully insulted upon Gods people; and thou Philistia do thou now domineer, and proudly tyramnize over Gods Israel, as thou hast hitherto done; and if thou find cause; continue thy triumphs. Who, but thou, O Lord my God, 9 Who will bring into the strong city; who will led me into Edom? wilt bring me into those cities of strength, which pertain to Edom, thou canst, and thou wilt give me victory over those proud neighbors? PSALM. LXII. CErtainly, man, of what degree or estate so ever, 9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lye; to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter then vanity. is mere vanity, and utterly deceitful in the trust, that is put in them, let vanity be laid in one end of the scales, and man in another, man shall be found lighter then vanity itself. Oh then, trust not in that wealth, 10 Trust not in oppression, become not vain in robbery, &c. and greatness which is gotten by oppression, and violence; for ye shall find no solid comfort, and stay therein. PSALM. LXIII. THose that maliciously persecute me, 9 Those that seek my soul to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. shall by thy just hand be brought down into the grave. They shall fall by the sword of the enemies, and be left in the field unburied; as a prey to wild beasts. 10 They shall fall by the sword, they shall be a portion for foxes. PSALM. LXIIII. THey have plotted secret devices against me; 6 And the heart is deep. according to the depth of their malice, and the height of their skill. PSALM. LXV. O God, 3 Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions thou shalt purge them away. they are our iniquities that stand in the way of thy mercies, and prevail strongly against all the endeavours of my reformation; but, O Lord, do thou both mercifully forgive, and powerfully remedy our offences. 5 By terrible things in righeousnesse wilt thou answer us, O God. O God, thou in thine infinite justice wilt answer the prayers and supplications of thy Church, in marvelous deliverances, and in fearful plagues upon thine enemies. 8 Thou makest the out-goings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Thou glorifiest thyself by the constant succession of the day, and night, and causest all the inhabitants of the earth from the sun rising, to the setting of the Sun, to rejoice and sing unto thee, for the great works that thou hast done. 9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it, thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God which is full of water. After a faint and barren drought, thou graciously condescendest to sand down a fruitful rain, upon the face of the earth; thou greatly enrichest it with plentiful floods sent out from God, out of the clouds of heaven. PSALM LXVI. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads, we went through fire and water: but thou broughest us out into a wealthy place. THou hast caused us to be miserable trampled upon, by our scornful, and imperious enemies; and hast put us to all manner of hard trials, there is no afflictive element which we have not passed through, by thy just sufferance and ordination; but, at last, thou hast put an end to our troubles, and hast settled us in a quiet plenty. 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart; the Lord will not hear me. If I give myself over to wickedness, I have no reason to expect favour from my God; how should I look for other, then that he should mark me out for vengeance? PSALM. LXVIII. 1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered, &c. THy presence, O God, is with thine ark; as that ark of thine is now upon the remove, after a long rest; so do thou, O Lord, arise, after thy seeming silence, and repose; and let thine enemies be discomfited and confounded. 4 extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his Name jah, &c. extol him that moves and rules, and governs the heavens by his mighty power, and dwells in that inaccessible glory; praise him in that his infinite and absolute being, which he hath within himself, without all relation and dependence; and in that bounty, whereby he communicates a being to all his creatures. He giveth plentiful issue to those that were childless, 6 God setteth the solitary in families, he bringeth out those which are bound with chains, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. and delivers the captive out of their thraldom, as contrarily those that are rebelliously wicked( however they might seem fast rooted in a rich patrimony) he sends away into want, and exile. O God, 7 O God when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness, what noble demonstrations hast thou given of old, to us thy people,& our forefathers, of thy power and providence; when thou wentest before thy people, in a pillar of cloud, and fire, through the wilderness. Both in the heavens and the earth didst thou show marvellous tokens of thy mighty protection, 8 The earth shooke, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God; even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. and gracious care for thy people; all the course of nature seemed to be miraculously altered to set forth thy power; Mount Sinai itself shooke at thy presence, in the delivery of thy Law. The Lord gave abundant matter of celebration and thanksgiving, 11 The Lord gave the word, great was the company of those that published it. and there wanted not store of messengers to publish his victories, or of damsels of Israel to applaud them, in their songs, and minstralsie. The Kings of the nations( who lead forth their armies against Israel) were glad to flee apace for their lives; 12 Kings of the armies did flee, and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. and the spoil was so great, that the women( who stayed at home) had their shares in the division of it. Though ye haue lain, like the drudges of the Camp, 13 Though you have lain among the pots, yet shall ye be like the wings of a dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. in the hearths and sooty ranges of your tents, and thereby are soiled and deformed, yet, by Gods merciful deliverance, the case shall be so altered, as that ye shall bee faire, and beautiful, like a pleasantly-coloured dove, whose feathers are as overlaid with gold and silver. And howsoever Gods Church seemed to be over-cast with darkness of discomfort, 14 When the Almighty scattered Kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon. whiles gangrenes oppressed her, yet now the Almighty hath subdued, and put to flight the enemies thereof, it was white and glorious, like to the hill of Salmon( of itself dark and shady) when it is covered with snow. Sion( which is Gods hill, 15 The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. where he pleaseth to dwell) may well compare with the fruitful hill of Bashan; in height if it may equal it, in dignity and privilege it is much above it. Why do ye so proudly vaunt yourselves, 16 Why leap ye so, ye high hills? this is the hill which God delighteth to dwell in. O ye mighty mountaines of the earth? ye are all of no value to this hill, where the God of heaven hath chosen to put his name. The great Lord of hosts is attended with thousand thousands of heavenly Angells, 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of Angels, the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in his holy place. which are the chariots of defence for his Church; powreful, irresistible; and, as he was waited on by these innumerable Angells, on mount Siani, at his majestical delivery of the Law, so is he now attended with them( though invisibly) in his holy hill of Sion where he manifesteth his gracious presence to his people. O Saviour, 18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast lead captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for men; yea even the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. thou art gloriously ascended up unto thine highest heavens, having first happily triumphed over all thine enemies, and dragged them captive after thee; and immediately after that glorious ascension, thou hast sent down thy Spirit, upon men, in the miraculous gifts thereof; which thou hast bountifully shed abroad, even upon those that were formerly rebellious against thee, that even by them thou O Lord mightest magnify thyself in thy gracious inhabitation in them. 20 unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. Unto this almighty Lord,( who is the God of spirits) do belong all the passages, both to, and from death; he can deliver his from it, he can bring his enemies into it, as seemeth best unto him. 22 The Lord said; I will bring again my people from Bashan; I will bring my people again from the depths of the read Sea. The Lord hath said; ye well know what deliverances I have wrought for my people; how I caused them to pass through, and conquer the country of Og the great King of Bashan; and how I lead them through the read Sea, in a miraculous fashion: my hand is not shortened, I will still work the very like deliverances for my people. 23 That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogges in the same. That, as it was in the destruction of the egyptians, and in the conquest of Bashan, and those other proud heathens, so again, thou mayst rejoice in the utter debellation and destruction of them that oppose themselves spitefully against the Church, and kingdom of Christ, so as thou mayst trample in their blood, and thy dogs may lick it up. 24 They have seen thy goings, O God, even the goings of my God, my King in the Sanctuary. Oh God, all thy people have seen, and rejoiced to see, with what exultation, and spiritual triumph, thou my God and King, in that thy holy ark( when it marched from the house of ob Edom) wentst up towards thy sacred Tabernacle. 26 Even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. bless ye the Lord in the congregation of his people, all ye that flow from that plentiful fountain of Israel. 27 There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the Princes of judah, and their council, the Pri●ces of Zebulun, and the Princes of Nepthali. There are the tribes of Israel, ready and zealous, to attend upon God; Benjamin the least of all the tribes, is not the least forward; but, together with their ruler, presents himself to this service: judah, the royal tribe, with their noble leaders, strives to be seen in the front of this glorious train; and Zebulun& Nepthali, though most remote in situation, yet in this holy solemnity, are not behind their fellowes; but they and their Princes put forth themselves to celebrate this holy, and happy procession of Gods ark. 28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength. O Israel, thy God hath decreed power and sovereignty unto thee; so as, notwithstanding all oppositions, thou shalt be strong and mighty. 29 Because of thy Temple at jerusalem, shall Kings bring presents unto thee. When thou shalt have established thy Temple at jerusalem; The Kings of the earth round about thee, shall come thither, and offer presents and sacrifices there unto thy name. Oh Lord, 30 rebuk the company of the spear men, the multitude of the Bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver; scatter thou the people which delight in war. do thou confounded those professed enemies of thy Church; both their great patrons and abettors, as also their servile and ignorant followers; and humble thou them so far, as till they shall submit themselves to thy spiritual government, and yield their homage and tribute unto thy son Christ; and as for such as take pleasure in blood, and exercise wilful hostility against thy people, do thou utterly destroy them, and their designs. The Gentiles shall come in, 31 Princes shall come out of egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to thee. and yield subjection to thee; even those( which are most unlikely) from the loins of Cham, the Princes of egypt and Ethiopia; these shall sue to be received into the bosom of the Church. PSALM. LXIX. OH God; 2 I sink in the deep mire where there is no standing. I am ready to be utterly swallowed up with the evils, which are comne upon me; I find not any ground of comfort to rest my soul upon. The rulers, 12 They that sit in the gate speak against me. and men of authority stick not to raise slanderous suggestions against me. Let all those comfortable helps which thou hast given them here, 22 Let their table become a snare to them. be( in thy just judgement) turned into so many temptations, and occasions of their fall. Let the eyes of their understandings be so darkened, 23 Let their eyes bee darkened that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake. that they may not see the things belonging to their peace; and as thou blindest their judgement, so do thou also weaken their strength; that they may be no less unfit for action. do thou so far give them over to the lawless desires, and counsels of their own hearts, 27 add iniquity unto their iniquity,& let them not come into thy righteousness. that they may add sin to sin, until their measure be full; and may not recover themselves by a seasonable conversion unto thee. Take them away by some sudden judgement, 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. from among the living, let not their names be recorded among thy faithful servants here, or thy Saints above. PSALM. LXXI. 7 I am a wonder unto many. THere are many that gaze upon me in this my distressed condition, as if I were some uncouth monster, some rare spectacle of thy displeasure. 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord. I will go on( through the power of him that enables me) to glorify my God; and to win due praises to his name. PSALM. LXXII. 1 Give the King thy judgements, O God; and thy righteousness unto the Kings son. O God, thou, by whom Kings reign, as thou hast called me, and my son Salomon after me, to the government of this kingdom, so do thou enable both me( for that little time I have to live) and him in an happy succession to me, with those gifts of wisdom, and knowledge, as also of justice and holinesse, that are fit for so great a service. 2 He shall judge the people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgement. Let him govern thy people justly and uprightly; and even the poorer sort of them unpartially, and wisely. The very mountainous parts of the land, which use to be most barren shall under his peaceable and righteous government, 3 The mountaines shall bring peace to the people; and the little hills, by righteousness. yield an happy, and joyful increase to their owners. O thou Saviour of men( whose type my son Salomon shall be) men shall serve& devoutly worship thee, 5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure. so long as the Sun& moon shall shine upon the earth. He shall be gentle and mildred in his administration, and sweet and gracious in his heavenly doctrine, 6 He shall come down like rain upon the mowne grass. which shall distil upon the hearts of men, as the still& gentle rain falls upon the mown grass; so plausibly, so refreshingly. 8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea; and from the river to the ends of the earth. As the dominions of Salomon shall be large, and spread far, so shall their extent be but a shadow of that unlimited kingdom, which pertains to the great messiah, whom he figureth; for behold, all the nations of the earth, even from one end thereof unto the other, shall yield their subjection to his spiritual kingdom. 9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. Even those that are yet the most barbarous and savage people, shall submit themselves to the sceptre of his kingdom. 10 The Kings of Tarshish and the yles shall bring presents, the Kings of Sheba and Saba, shall offer gifts. The heathenish Princes of remotest countries, yea, even those that are by the broadest seas divided from the firm lands, shal aclowledge the sovereignty of Christ; and, as in type, the queen of the South shall come to hear and admire the wisdom of Salomon, not without rich gifts in her hand, so shall all the far distant Kings, and Princes of the world, come in and aclowledge their homage to this King of kings. He shall live for ever; when as all earthly Princes shall lay down their corruptible crownes in the dust; 15 And he shall live,& to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba, &c. and so shall his devout clients be affencted to him, that they shall think their richest treasures fittest to be presented to him. His blessing shall make the earth exceedingly fruitful; 16 There shall bee an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountaines, the fruit therof shall shake like Lebanon. in so much as one handful of corn sown upon those very hills, which might carry the suspicion of barrenness, shall grow to a marvellous increase; and with a plentiful ear shall yield so large and strong a stalk, that, with the motion of the wind, it shall shake Cedar-like. PSALM. LXXIII. THere is neither pangs of body, 4 There are no bands in their death. nor remorse and terror of soul in their death. They are pampered with the delicacies and pleasures of the world, they are full fed, and too well liking. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness. Therefore Gods own people, 10 Therefore his people return hither; And waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. and dear children come to this pass, seeing that they are exercised with store of afflictions, whiles the wicked prosper; as to say; Doth the God of heaven take notice of these things, 11 And they say, How doth God know? &c. If I should yield to these weak thoughts, 15 If I say I will speak thus, behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. surely I should do wrong to the happy estate of thy faithful ones. When I looked into the ground of this complaint, 16 When I thought to know this; it was too painful for me. I found it was too deep for me, by my own natural discourse, to search into. until I betook myself to inquire into the holy will of my God, revealed by his Prophets. 17 until I went into the Sanctuary of God. Surely thou hast so contrived it, 18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places. that these wicked men, howsoever their places be high, yet they are slippery; and such as they shall never be able to hold their feet in; but must needs fall down into everlasting perdition. So, O Lord, 20 So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. when thou stirrest up thyself to execute judgement, thou shalt show how little thou reckonest of this vain fancy, or dream of the wicked mans prosperity. So ignorant was I, 22 So ignorant I was, as a beast before thee. and so brutish in my misconceits of these prosperous conditions of wicked men. Notwithstanding, 23 nevertheless I am continually with thee; thou hast holden me by my right hand. thou hast not taken advantage of my infirmities, but renewest thy favours upon me continually; and keepest both my heart, and my steps aright with thee, and hast by thy mighty power upheld me from miscarrying under this temptation. PSALM. LXXIIII. 3 Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations, even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in thy Sanctuary. OH God, do thou stir up thyself to work the perpetual desolations of thy enemies; trample them so down, that they may never rise up again; come speedily, and take notice of all that mischief which the enemy hath wrought against thy Sanctuary. 4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy Congregations, they set up their ensigns for signs. Thine enemies insult, and triumph, in scorn of thy holy assemblies; and display proudly the monuments of their Idolatry,& despite of thy worship to the world; that all men may applaud their success, and witness thy dishonour. 5 A man was famous acc rding as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. It was heretofore thought an employment of much honor, and merit, in those men who did cut down and square the timber trees for the building of thy holy Sanctuary. 6 But now they break down the carved work thereof at once, with axes and hammers. But now, it is comne to that pass, that every man thinks himself to deserve most thankes, that can do most havoc to thine holy place; that can most spitefully demolish the walls, and break down the goodly seelings, and curious ornaments of thy Temple. 9 We see not our signs, there is no more any prophet; neither is there among us any that knoweth how long. We have no testimonies left us, any more of Gods gracious presence with us; he hath so withdrawn himself, as that we have none of the wonted evidences of his favour to us; we have no prophet, of whom we might ask counsel of Gods purposes towards us, and be informed how long we shall groan under this grievous calamity. 13 Thou brakest the heads of the Dragons in the waters. Thou didst confounded the great and mighty enemies of thine Israel, in the read Sea. 14 Thou brakest the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness. Thou didst destroy the great Princes of egypt, and gavest their flesh to be a prey unto wild beasts and ravenous fowles. 15 Thou didst cleave the fountain,& the flood; thou driedst up mighty rivers. Thou clavest the rock in sunder; and broughtst out a fountain from thence, which flowed forth in plentiful streams; thou driedst up the great river of Jordan, that it might give free passage to thy people, through the chanells thereof. PSALM. LXXV. WHen I shall in thine appointed time, 2 When I shall receive the congregation, I will judge uprightly. take upon me the charge of thy people, I will rule them justy, and unpartially. Both the whole world, and thy Church in special, 3 The earth and al the inhabitants thereof are dissolved; I bear up the pillars of it. are full of troubles, and dangerous affrights; it is I, whom thou hast, from all eternity, ordained to be a mediator betwixt thee and it, that sustain and uphold it from ruin. God hath set to every man his measure of sorrow, 8 For in the hand of the Lord, there is a cup;& the wine is read; it is full of mixture, and he poureth out of the same; but the dregs thereof all the wicked of the earth shall wring out and drink them. and affliction, and to the wicked he hath determined very grievous plagues, and sufferings which they must of force undergo; and if his children drink of the clear wine of this bitter cup, they which are his enemies shall drink of the lees and dregs thereof; and shall be judged in his extreme displeasure. The proud strength, 10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off. and power of wicked men wherein they boast themselves, shall be abated, and utterly disappointed to their shane. PSALM. LXXVI. THere did he discomfit the mighty host of Senacherib; and confounded them in their military projects, 3 There broke he the arrows of the bow; the shield, and the sword, and the battle. and defeated their bloody executions. Oh God, 4 Thou art more glorious and excellent then all the mountaines of prey. thou haddest thyself more mighty then all the forces of those Assyrians, which dwell upon the mountaines; yea, then the strongest powers upon earth; though seconded with the advantage of the steep, and rocky mountaines; The mighty warriors that came up against Jerusalem are spoiled, and have slept their last sleep, even in death; 5 The stout hearted are spoyled; they have slept their sleep; and none of the men of might have found their hands. neither could any of those great champions be able to resist the destroying angel. Thou canst, and dost so order the matter, 10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. that from the spite, and malice of thine enemies, thou shalt take occasion to win praise and glory to thy name; even their mischief shall, in despite of them, glorify thee, in that those judgements which their malice draws from thee, shall cause others to aclowledge and magnify thy power and justice; and for the sequel, thou canst and wilt so restrain their power and tyranny, that they shall do no further mischief to thy people. PSALM. LXXVII. 2 My sore ran in the night, and ceased not. MY pain of body, and the sorrow of my soul continued upon me without any intermission. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled. I looked up to God, and remembered him, who is the God of comfort, in whom I was wont to find relief; and yet now my remembrance of him added to my trouble, in that I could not feel that aid and consolation from him which I expected, but rather found his countenance hide, and estranged from me. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night; I commune with my own heart; my Spirit made diligent search. I call to remembrance those songs of praise, which I have heretofore made unto thee, in the deepest night of mine afflictions. I reasoned with myself, my soul made diligent search into the experiments of thy former mercies. 10 And I said; this is mine infirmity; but I will remember the yeares of the right hand of the most high. Thus I said, but I took myself in the manner, and corrected my own error: and found that it was nothing but my infirmity, that I gave way to this temptation: but now I will stir up my drooping heart, and recall the thought of those many, and ancient favours, which the bountiful hand of God hath heaped upon me of old. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the Sanctuary. Thy counsels and judgements, O God, are hidden from our reach; thou hast reserved them to thyself in the cabinet of heaven; it is fitter for us to adore, then search them. The waters of the read sea, and of Jordan, were sensible of thy divine presence, 16 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee, they were afraid. and power, O Lord; and, as if they had been afraid of thee, they ran away, and divided themselves into several courses. 17 Thine arrows also went abroad. Thy lightnings were shot forth of thy clouds, as so many arrows out of thy bow; and thine hailstones were as so many bullets, sent out from thence upon thine enemies. 19 Thy way is in the sea; and thy path is in the great waters. Thou haddest thy power in going before thy people, and making way for them through the midst of the sea; which is only subject to thy sovereign command, and either stands, or moves according to thy will. PSALM. LXXVIII. 9 The children of Ephraim being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle. EPhraim, which was the chief of the ten revolted tribes of Israel, though they were well armed, and furnished with those weapons which might gull the enemy afar off, yet( as a punishment from God upon them) they cowardly fled before the enemy; and gave a foul example of base flight to the rest of their brethren. They, with their revolted associates, 10 They kept not the covenant of God: and refused to walk in his law. kept not the covenant which God had made with them, but turned aside to follow jeroboam, in his wicked Idolatry; forsaking the law, and temple of their God. In the territories that belong to Zoan, 12 In the field of Zoan. a chief city of egypt, and the court of Pharaoh: where those miraculous works would be so much more noted. Man did eat of that bread, 25 Man did eat Angels food. which descended from heaven, the glorious mansion of Angels. By giving them over into the power of evil Angels, 49 By sending evil Angels among them. which are the executioners of Gods wrath: so as by their hand, many of those judgements, which were inflicted upon egypt, were wrought. He brought them into the possession of this promised land, where he hath placed his Sanctuary; 54 He brought them to the border of his Sanctuary; even to this holy mountain which his right hand hath purchased. and to this holy hill of Sion, which he hath chosen to that purpose, having cast out the jebusites( who formerly possessed it) by his mighty power. So that he forsook that Tabernacle of his, 60 So that he forsook the Tabernacle of Shiloh, &c. which was pitched in Shiloh:& had no further respect to that chosen place. And withall gave up his very ark, 61 And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemies hand. which was the strength and glory of Israel, and that sign of his presence, whereby he manifested his strength and glory to Israel, that ark did he give up into the hands of the philistines. Then the Lord who seemed to sleep, 65 Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. whiles he winked at the captivity of the ark, roused up himself, to a revenge of these insolences of the philistines: and laid about him, as some mighty giant, whose spirits are cheered with abundance of wine, dealing judgements on all sides. And he smote the philistines with a grievous, 66 And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts, he put them to a perpetual reproach. and shameful disease, in their hinder parts, even with sore Emerods, to their great pain and reproach. Moreover he refused to dwell any longer in Shiloh, 67 Moreover he refused the Tabernacle of joseph, and choose not the tribe of Ephraim. which was in the tribe of Ephraim, the son of joseph, where his ark had long sojourned. And made choice to fix himself at jerusalem, 68 But choose the tribe of judah, the mount Sion which he loved. within the tribe of judah: even upon mount Sion, which he hath preferred to all the earth. PSALM. LXXX. 1 Give ear O shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest joseph like a flock, thou that dwellest between the Cherubims, shine forth. O Thou great ruler, and protector of thy people Israel, thou that both guidest, and defendest the posterity of Joseph, as a good shepherd doth his flock, thou that art graciously wont to manifest thy presence in thy mercy-seat, which is between the wings of the Cherubims, look down graciously upon us, and show thy power in our deliverance. 2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin, and Manasseh stir up thy strength; and come to save us. Before those holy remainders of the Tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, which still held close unto thee, notwithstanding the miserable defection of their brethren, even before these thy faithful servants, stir up thy strength, and work our deliverance, 8 Thou hast brought a vine out of egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it. Thy Church of Israel is some generous, and pleasant vine, which thou hast brought out of that barren and hard soil of egypt; and having cast out the Canaanites, which were the wild and natural plants of this place, hast here set, in this good land of thy promise. 13 The boar out of the wood doth wast it, and the wild beasts of the field do devour it. The heathenish gangrenes, that came up from Babylon and Assyria in open hostility to thy people, have made havoc of this thy vineyard, having rooted up the plants, and torn down the branches of it; and their wicked complices, and followers devour the grapes thereof. 15 And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted; and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself. Be gracious to thy whole Church, and especially to that thine anointed servant, whom thou hast set over thy people, and advanced for the defence of thine own cause, and the safeguard of thine inheritance. 17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand; upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself. do thou prosper and bless the great work of thy dear and powerful Messiah; even that son of man, that son of God, that God and man, whom thou hast set apart for this blessed work of mediation; and furnished with power,& graces fit for so glorious an employment. PSALM. LXXXI. 3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed of our solemn feast-days. do ye testify the inward joy of your hearts by all kindes of melody, and especially by the loud noise of Trumpets; such, as wherewith ye celebrate the feasts of the new moons, and other set and solemn festivities. 5 This he ordained in joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of egypt. This he ordained to be observed of all the tribes, and especially those that are the ringleaders of the rest, even the posterity of Joseph; when he lead his people along, from the land of egypt, through the wilderness. I answered thee really out of the clouds; 7 I answered thee in the secret places of thunder. from whence I sent thunder, and lightnings, and hailstones, upon thine enemies. I made proof of thee, 7 I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. whether thou wouldest meekly, and faithfully attend upon my providence, and keep my commandements, even at those waters, which justly had their name from that strife, which thou hadst with my servant Moses. See Deut. 32. verse 13. 16 With hony out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. PSALM. LXXXII. GOd is present in the counsels of the great Rulers of the earth; he survaieth all their actions, 1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. and consultations, and passeth judgement upon them accordingly. All things are out of order, good laws are violated, authority is contemned, men are lawless. 5 All the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said of the great rulers of Israel; Ye are as the Angells of God to the people; yea, as Gods own deputies upon earth, yea, as earthly images of God; 6 I have said, ye are gods; and all of you ate children of the most High; and ye are all in a peculiar manner chosen, and respected of the Almighty. But ye shall die like other men, 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the Princes. there shall be no difference betwixt you and those other heathen Princes which know not God, in respect of the necessity, and ways, and manner of your death, and dissolution. PSALM. LXXXIII. THey have laid their heads together, and consulted, 3 And consented against thine hidden ones. how they may root out thine holy seed, those whom thou hast in thy secret counsel chosen for thy own, and whom thou hast taken upon thee to protect. Those of the posterity of Esau& Ishmael, 6 The Tabernacles of Edom& the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagarens. and of Lot and Hagar which ought in regard of nearness of blood, to favour, and join with the other issue of Abraham and Jacob, they do yet conspire all together against them, &c. And are in confederacy with the other neighbouring nations, 7 Gebal, &c. and Amaleck; the philistines, with the inhabitants of Tyre: &c. which profess and exercise hostility against thy people Israel. do thou utterly defeat, and destroy them, as thou didst the Midianites, and their five Kings; 9 do thou unto them as unto the Midianites, as to Sisera, as to jabin, at the brnoke Kishon. as thou didst Sisera the general of Jabins host, and his strong army, at the brook and valley of Kison, 10 Which perished at Endor, they became as dung for the earth. Which perished in the plains of the city Endor, near to that famous river of Kishon; and left their carcases upon the earth, for a prey to the fowles, and compost to the soil. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb; yea all their Princes, as Zeba and Zalmunna. Make their Princes, and nobles, like unto those Princes of the Midianites, which Gedeon pursued and slay. do thou whirl them away,& all their projects and attempts, 13 O my God, make them like a wheel, as the stubble before the wind. and scatter them as stubble before the wind. PSALM. LXXXIV. OH God, how do I, in this my exile, envy those little familiar birds, 3 Yea the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts. the sparrow and the swallow, which are allowed to find out quiet nests for themselves, and their young, in the houses of men; yea, near unto thy very altars, O Lord of hosts; whiles I am driven away, and not suffered to enjoy the benefit, and comfort of thine house. 6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth the pools. Who cannot be discouraged in their journey towards the holy Tabernacle, by all the difficulties of the way; for, though they pass through a dry, and barren desert, yet there doth their comfortable resolution make a well of refreshing; and afford them sweet, and pleasant showers; in that their heart is possessed with the expectation of that blessing, which they shall be partakers of in that holy mountain. 7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Sion appeareth before God. And therefore they go on cheerfully gathering strength and courage, in the way, until they come into the presence of the Lord, in his Temple, upon the hill of Sion. 10 I had rather bee a door keeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tents of wickedness. I would rather choose to be in the lowest and basest room within thy holy Tabernacle, then to be settled in whatsoever dignity, out of the bounds of thy Church. For the Lord God is the author and fountain of all good, 11 For the Lord God is a sun and a shield. & comfort, that can befall his children;& the protector and defender of them from all those evils, which they might be incident into. PSALM. LXXXV. 8 He will speak peace unto his people; and to his Saints; But let them not turn again to folly. GOd will be exceeding gracious, no doubt, unto his people; both in his remission, and blessings, but let them take heed that they keep steadfast unto him; and that they be not foolishly miscarried again, into Idolatry, and other such grievous offences; as whereby they may justly forfeit his favours. The kingdom of Christ under the gospel, 10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. shall be exceeding glorious, and happy; for therein, the mercy and truth of God will approve themselves to be fully accorded; In that both God will be found true, in the making good of his decreed threats of death to sinful man; and also merciful in saving mankind( lost by sin) through the blood of the redeemer; and in men answerably shall righteousness and peace embrace each other; for that, upon this imputed righteousness of Christ, joined with true inward sanctification, shall follow an happy peace both with God, and with our own consciences. By the effects wrought upon men here on earth, 11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. shall God make good the truth of his promises; and righteousness, which is the free gift of God to men, shall descend from above. His servants shall walk before him, 13 righteousness shal go before him, and shall set us in the way of his steps. in holinesse and righteousness; and shall, by these graces, be directed in all the ways of his commandements. PSALM LXXXVI. AMongst those that are falsely called gods, O Lord, 8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord. there is none that is like unto thee; there is no less difference then between that which is nothing, and infinite. O Lord, do thou give some good, 17 show me a token for good, that they which hate me may see it and be ashamed. and sensible proof of thy merciful respect to me; such, as whereby mine enemies may be convinced; and may with shane confess their error, whiles they spitefully said, there is no help for him in his God. PSALM. LXXXVII. GOd hath founded his city Jerusalem, 1 His foundation is in the holy mountaines. and his holy Temple upon the mountaines, which he hath chosen. The Lord taketh more pleasure to dwell in his Tabernacle, and his Temple, on Sion hill, 2 The Lord loveth the gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of jacob. then in all the rest of the Land of Judah, or Israel. I rejoice to see that the Church of God shall not always be confined to these narrow bounds of Judea; 4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: Behold, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia, this man was born there. but that it shall extend itself to all nations, in so much as I make account of the most unlikely nations of Egypt and Babylon to be admitted into the bosom therof; and even amongst the most spiteful philistines, and the Tyrians, and Ethiopians, there shall be sons born unto God. 5 And of Sion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: And the Highest himself shall establish her. And Sion, the true spiritual Sion, shall be so enlarged, that it shall be said of every professed Christian, that he was born in her; and God shall so establish her, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. All the living waters of true comfort, all graces, and all salvation, 7 All my springs are in thee. are to be found in thee onely,( viz. the Church of God.) PSALM. LXXXVIII. 5 Free among the dead. I Am as a man already admitted into the society of dead men, free and perfectly acquitted from all the cares and affairs of this life. 10 Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Shall the dead arise out of their graves, and live here among men, and celebrate thy praises? 12 Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? Shall notice be taken of thy wonderful works, in the grave?& shall the dead carcases, in that estate of death where all these earthly things are forgotten, be sensible of thy righteous dealings with the living? 15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up, while I suffer thy terrors, I am distracted. My trials and sufferings, as they have been grievous, and such, as have brought me to the very brink of the grave, so they have been also long, and tedious; for even from my youth up, hitherto, have I been exercised with them; and, besides the sense of evils, the fear and expectation of them hath been, and is, no small torment and distraction to me. PSALM. LXXXXIX. 2 For I said, Mercy shall be built up for ever; Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. AFter all my troubles, I came to this resolution; Thy mercy, O Lord, is as some goodly structure, which thou wilt never leave to build up( till thou have finished it) so firmly, that it shall stand for ever; Thy faithfulness in making good all thy promises, is as surely established, as the very heavens themselves. 10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces. Thou hast overthrown the proud egyptian in the read Sea. 12 The North and the South, thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. Thou hast made all the coasts of heaven; The North and the South are created by thee; Tabor that is in the West, and Hermon towards the East, do rejoice in thee, and aclowledge thy power. 15 Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound. Blessed are the people whose ears are enured unto the cheerful sound of the sacred trumpets of God, in their solemn feasts, and sacrifices. Thou spakest by way of vision to thine holy Prophet Samuel, and after him to Nathan thy prophet; 19 When thou speakest in vision to thy holy One, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty, &c. and saidst; I have ordained to give help and victory unto my people, by my strong and mighty Champion, David. I will establish his rule over those which dwell on the Sea cost; 25 I will set his hand also in the Sea; and his right hand in the rivers. and from the river Euphrates to the land of the philistines; so as both the read Sea, and the mediterranean, together with the rivers of Euphrates, Jordan and the rest within that compass, shall be swayed by his sceptre. As he whom thou; 27 Also I will make him my first born; higher then the Kings of the earth. O David and Salomon do represent( as types of him to come) is the first born of every creature, and in all things hath the pre-eminence; so thou in figure of him, shalt be advanced to the honour of the highest Prince upon earth; having therein the true privilege of primogeniture. See 2 Sam. 7.14. 33 nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, &c. The spiritual government of Christ the son of David shall continue as firm and steadfast, 36 His throne shall be as the sun before me. as the sun and moon, and those other heavenly bodies, which are the faithful witnesses of Gods unfailable power, 37 It shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. and providence. But now as if thou meant'st to reverse, and recant that word of thine, 39 Thou hast made voided the covenant of thy servant; thou hast profaned his crown, by casting it to the ground. and to frustrate the covenant with thine Anointed, thou hast, for the time, suffered his crown to be pulled off his head, and to be cast upon the ground; and his government to be openly despised. PSALM. XC. O Lord, 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear so is thy wrath. who is able to conceive how fearful a thing thine anger is; and yet, it is fit to tremble at the conceit thereof, for according as men do more, or less tremble at thy judgements, so dost thou more or less execute them. Call back those evils, which are threatened, and, 13 Let it repent thee concerning thy servants. as it were, gone out against thy servants; and do, as wee men are wont, when we repent of our actions, forbear to punish us thy servants any more. PSALM. XCI. 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. HE that puts himself under the protection of the Almighty, shall be sure to be safely preserved under the shadow of his wings. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall deliver thee from those secret dangers, which the craft of devils, or men have devised to entangle thee in; and from the fearful and noisome contagion of the pestilence. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day. Thou shalt be freed from the fear of either secret, or open evils; whether by day, or by night; inward or outward; from all the violent machinations of enemies, and from the immediate judgements of God that strike swiftly, and insensibly. 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon day. Thou shalt not be afraid of that plague of pestilence, that infecteth secretly, and spreadeth insensibly, and yet destroyeth openly, and where it rageth, leaves the footsteps of death to be lamentably viewed at mid-day. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shal not come nigh thee. In a common mortality, God shall make a difference betwixt his own, and others; For his own( save where and when he sees it best for them to suffer, and hath decreed their advantage by the stroke) he shall save, and preserve them, so as whiles many thousands fall on each hand of them, yet they shall be free. 11 For he shall give his Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. So great is his care of the good of his children, that besides his own immediate protection, he shall give charge to his most glorious creatures, the Angels of heaven, and that not to one, but to many of them, to attend upon their persons, and ways. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the Lion and Adder; the young lion and the Dragon shalt thou trample upon. Thou shalt be delivered from the danger and annoyance of whatsoever creatures may be hurtful unto thee; whether by their violence, or by their venom: so as the most fierce, or the most poisonous shall be trampled upon by thee without harm. PSALM. XCII. 13 Those that are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the Courts of our God. THose that are truly planted in Gods Church, being rooted in a lively, and steadfast faith, shall flourish, and spread forth into a fruitful profession to the glory of their God, and benefit of others, and their own happiness. PSALM. XCIII. THe great waters roar loud; 3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. and the combined multitude of the enemies of thy Church, O Lord, make great noises of threats, and furious attempts against thee and thy people. But the Lord on high can alloy, 4 The Lord on high is mightier, &c. and quiet them at pleasure. In the multitude of the sad and perplexed thoughts of my heart, the comforts of thy word and spirit, 19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul. have cheered up my soul. Wilt thou, O Lord, have any thing to do with, 20 Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee; which frameth mischief by a law. or give any supportation to the tyrannicall government of wicked persecutors, which do enact sin and mischief; countenancing it both by their example and authority? No, thou hatest them and their devilish courses. PSALM. XCVII. See 2. Sam. 22.12. 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him. See 2. Sam. 22.9, 13, 14. 3 A fire goeth before him THere is much joy and happiness laid up in store for the godly man; 4 His lightnings enlightened the world. 11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. howsoever it do not yet make any show to carnal mindes; the seed of their comfort lies under the clods of affliction, for the time, but it shall surely sprout out, and fill their hearts, when their harvest comes, with gladness. PSALM. XCIX. THe Lord of heaven ruleth& defendeth his Church, 1 The Lord reigneth, let the people tremble; He sitteth between the Cherubims, let the earth. &c. and executes judgements upon the enemies of it; let all the people of the world therefore, in an humble fear, submit themselves to him, he manifesteth his presence upon his mercy-seat, between the Cherubims, let the earth therefore tremble at his majesty, and be afraid to oppose him, and his Church. Worship him, 5 And worship at his footstool. and bow down upon the pavement of his Sanctuary. How gracious respect God gives to his faithful ones, 6 Moses and Aaron among his Priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. doth well appear in those proofs of his merciful audience which he gave to Moses and Aaron, among the prime Rulers and peers of his Church, and to Samuel amongst his Prophets; all which were intercessors for Gods people, upon many occasions, and were heard so far as to prevail for them. PSALM. CI. 1 I will sing of Mercy and Iudgment; unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. OH Lord I will celebrate both thy mercy in blessing and forgiving thy people, and thy judgement in avenging thine enemies; and I will withall imitate thee in both, labouring to rule thy people both wisely and justly. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within thine house with a perfect heart. I have vowed unto myself an holy and strict obedience and wise carriage before thee, in all my actions, that when thou shalt come to take an account of me( as I do unfeignedly desire thou shouldst) I may be well approved for my true sincerity of heart and life, in thy presence. 8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the City of the Lord. I will roundly set myself to purge the land of all notorious offenders; and will endeavour that the Church of God may be freed from those wicked ones, which are a burden and a slander unto it. PSALM. CII. 3 My bones are burnt as an hearth. MY very bones are dried up with sorrow, and are burnt black therewith, as an hearth is with the fire. 4 So that I forget to eat my bread. My heart is so wholly taken up with sorrow, that I cannot think of any earthly comforts, no, not so much as of my necessary sustenance. 6 I am like a Pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert. I am left, and forsaken of all; and live, like one of those solitary, and dismal birds, which shriek out their mournful notes, in a desert wilderness, where either none heareth them, or those that do hear them, hate their noise, as portending evil. 9 For I have eaten bread like ashes, and mingled my drink with weeping. As I have lain grovelling upon the earth in my sorrow, I have taken no sustenance at all, except I have perhaps licked up the dust where I lay, and drunk in my tears in stead of other liquours. 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. For, howsoever the glory of thy Temple is utterly defaced, yet thy servants love the very rubbish of those walls, and favour the very dust, into which it is mouldered. 26 As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. Oh God, the very heavens themselves, through our sin, are made subject to corruption; they shall be both folded up once, as a garment; and changed, as an old garment is changed for a new; so as these heavens shall bee once other then they are; 27 But thou art the same. Onely thou art eternally immutable. PSALM. CIII. WHo abundantly furnisheth thee with all good things, and reviveth thee, 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the Eagles. when thou droopest under thy afflictions; as the Eagle, by casting her feathers and her beak, seems to receive a new youthfulnesse. PSALM. CIIII. WHo art kept from all mortal eyes by that inaccessible light wherein thou dwellest above. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment. Who layeth the floor of his upper loft, 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, who maketh the clouds his charets, and who walketh upon the wings of the winds. which is the higher region of the air, in the clouds; on which, as on some chariot, he seemeth to ride, in that he directs the uncertain motion thereof,& so disposeth of the winds, as ordering their quick, and embody agitations. Who maketh those glorious spirits of heaven, his messengers, which he sends on his holy errands, 4 Who maketh his Angels Spirits; and his ministers a flaming fire. down into the world; and causeth these celestial ministers of his, to appear in the forms of fire; and maketh both the winds, and fire to execute those offices of revenge, or preservation, which he committeth unto them. In the first creation, 6 Thou coverest it with the deep as with a garment. thou hadst covered all the face of that, which we now call earth, with the waters, as with a garment that enwrapped it; Vpon thy command the waters sunk down into one place, so as, 8 They go up by the mountaines( or the mountaines ascend, the valleys descend unto the place thou hast founded for thē.) the hills( thereupon appearing) seemed to ascend, and the valleys to go down into their settled hollowness; thither, by thy powerful appointment, did the waters gather themselves, and there abide. It is he that causeth the springs to break forth into large rivers, which find passage in the lower plains, 10 he sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. betwixt the hills. Out of the chambers of the clouds, 13 he watereth the hills from his chambers. he sendeth rain to water the dry, and barren hills, Those trees which the Lord hath caused to grow, 16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the Cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted. even those goodly Cedars, which he set in Lebanon, are full of sap, and thriving moisture, so that they grow tall and spreading. He hath given to every creature a several disposition, and a several way, and means of life, 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goates and, &c. and hath fitted them with places meet for their disposition; so as the hills are the refuge for the wild goates, which to other creatures were inaccessible, &c. 21 And seek their meat from God. And seek to satisfy their hunger, with that prey, which the providence of God hath ordained for them, without their knowledge and expectation. That Spirit of thine, which moved, at the first, upon the face of the waters, 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renuest the face of the earth. is still sent forth by thee, for the renewing of those several creatures, whose daily mortality requires the supply of a continual succession, and propagation. If he do but touch the hills, they smoke for fear of his mighty power, 32 He toucheth the hills, and they smoke. which can shake, or remove them at pleasure. PSALM. CV. 15 Touch not mine Anointed. do not dare to lay hands upon those, whom I have peculiarly consecrated to myself and my service. 16 He broke the whole staff of bread. He caused a great scarcity of bread, whereby the life of man is upheld, and maintained. 28 He sent darkness, and made it dark, and they rebelled not against his word. He commanded a palpable darkness to spread itself over the whole land of egypt; and, as Moses and Aaron obeied in giving the command, so all the creatures yielded their willing obedience to it. PSALM. CVI. 15 He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. HE gave them abundance of food, according to their desire, but withall, he sauced it with judgement; causing it not to prosper with them; so as they did eat, but did not thrive withall. 39 They went a whoring with their own inventions. They were mis-carryed into spiritual fornication, committing folly with those idols, and false Gods, which they had vainly devised to themselves. PSALM. CVII. 7 He lead them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. he lead them by a pillar of cloud, and fire, till he brought them into the cities of Canaan, which he had prepared for their habitation. 16 He hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. He hath wrought out their freedom, against all difficulties, and hath removed all the strongest hindrances of their peaceable settling in the land of promise. PSALM. CVIII. See Psalm. 57.8. 1 O God my heart is fixed, &c. 7 God hath spoken in 8 his holiness; I will di- 9 vide Sichem, &c. See Psalm. 60. verse. 6. and for this whole psalm. PSALM. CIX. GIve him over into the rule and command of a wicked tyrant, which taketh pleasure in blood; 6 Set thou a wicked man over him; and let Satan stand at his right hand. and let his spiritual estate be yet worse; let Satan, the great enemy of mankind, have full advantage against him, and victory over him. As it was his common use,& practise to curse others, 18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. so let his curses return upon himself; and take so full possession of him, as not only to enter into his bowels, but to soak into his very bones. I a● tossed up and down by the violent persecution of my enemy, as a locust is tossed with the wind; 23 I am tossed up and down as the locust. which is driven with every blast, here and there, where it would not, and is not suffered to rest any where. PSALM. CX. GOd the Father, in his eternal counsel, 1 The Lord said unto my Lord; Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. said unto his son my Lord and Saviour, Take thou all power and authority, as the only mediator, and true King of my Church; until I shall have utterly subdued all those, that dare rise up against thee; then, do thou deliver up this royal state, and kingdom of thy Mediatorship. The Lord shall sand the sceptre of thy power( O Saviour) from out of Sion, and Jerusalem, 2 The Lord shall sand the rod of thy strength out of Zion, rule thou in the mids of thine enemies. ( where thou first manifestedst thy glory) into all the coasts of the earth; in that all the nations of the world shall be subject unto thy spiritual government; Rule thou in the midst of those, which are yet thy professed enemies. Thy people shall willingly present themselves unto thee in thy holy Church, in that day, 3 Thy people shall bee willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holinesse, from the womb of the morning; thou hast the due of thy youth. when thy gospel shall be powerfully preached unto them; even from the utmost coasts of the world; And, as the dew falls sweetly and plentifully from the womb of the morning, so shall thine holy& vigorous professors abundantly come forth from thee, and show themselves upon the face of the earth. 4 Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech. Thy priesthood is everlasting, not temporary as the levitical; in thy person& office is, and shall be fulfilled that which was figured in the royal priesthood, person and name of Melchisedech, King of Salem; the King of righteousness, and peace. 6 He shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall bring down, and trample under foot, Satan, and al his powerful instruments, which labour to oppose his sovereignty, and rule in the Church. 7 He shall drink of the brook in the way; therefore shall he lift up his head. And in the heat of pursuit of his chased enemies, he shall so hasten, that he shall onely content himself to drink of the brook, that runs in the way; and shall speedily lift up his head, to follow his victory, which he shall gloriously achieve. PSALM. CXI. 2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that take pleasure therein. THe works of the Lord are great; which are diligently preached, and enquired after; and profitably discovered by those his wise and faithful servants, who take pleasure both to note, and publish them. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandements. The fear of the Lord is the chief point of all true wisdom; and those men have a right understanding of what is best for themselves, that give themselves wholly to the careful keeping of his commandements. PSALM. CXII. 4 unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness. unto those that are true of heart, God raiseth the light of comfort, in the midst of the darkness of tribulation. 9 His righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The merciful man shall find the fruit of this his charity, and holy beneficence, for ever; and God shall give him increase of true honour,& abundantly reward his liberality. PSALM. CXIIII. 2 Iuda was his sanctuaary, and Israel his dominion. THe seed of Israel, and among them, in special, the Tribe of Judah, were his peculiar people, over which he reigned, and in whom he was honoured and sanctified. 3 The Sea saw it and fled; jordan was driven back. The read Sea, as acknowledging the powerful hand of God for the protection,& safety of his people, gave way unto their passage; and Jordan in the shutting up of their journey, dividing his waves, ran back, to give them way through his chanells. The great mountaines of the wilderness shooke, 4 The mountaines skipped like Rams, the little hills like Lambs. and were moved sensibly at his terrible presence, when he delivered the Law to his people. PSALM. CXVI. I Was even in the very pangs of death; 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell got hold upon me. and brought down to the very brim of the grave; and was, as it were, given up unto the estate of death. I said in the extremity of my sudden fear, 11 I said in my hast; All men are liars. and perplexity, that all men are liars; that even those Prophets, which had foretold me the certainty of my succession to the Kingdom of Israel, were but deceivers; and no credit was to be given to their prediction. I will in my thankful peace-offerings take up the cup of blessing, and joyfully aclowledge the Salvation, 13 I will take the cup of Salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. which God hath wrought for me; and praise his name for my so gracious deliverance. The Lord makes high account of the life of his holy ones; so as he will not suffer them to miscarry, 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. but will rescue them from death, and disappoint the attempts of their enemies. PSALM. CXVIII. LIke as the Bees fly angrily about the man that stirs their hive, and threat their stings against him, 12 They compassed me about like Bees, they are quenched as the fire of thorns. so do mine enemies against me; but they shall soon be stilled, and mastered; They sand forth a great flamme of menaces, and oppositions, but it shall be like a fire of thorns, soon out. The mutinous people have spitefully rejected the government of their Messiah,& of David, 22 The ston which the builders refused, is become the head ston of the corner. his type and predecessor; but now, behold, by the holy and wise ordination of God, either, and both of them are appointed for the chief stay of his people; so as the whole fabric of the Church is coupled together, and resteth upon the foundation of that Christ, whom they have wickedly refused. God is the Lord which hath comforted us in our extremities; bring ye therefore abundance of sacrifices, 27 God is the Lord which hath shewed us light, bind the sacrifice with cords; even unto the horns of the altar. before him; and tie them with cords, ready for their oblation, so thick, as they can stand each by other, till they come up to the very horns of the altar. PSALM. CXIX. 1 Bessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord. BLessed are they whose hearts are upright with God; and who live constionably according to the Law of the Lord. They make not a trade of any known, and willing sin, but frame themselves to walk in the ways which he hath chalked forth unto them. 3 They also do no iniquity, they walk in his ways. I am exceeding low brought by thine afflicting hand; oh do thou raise me, 25 My soul cleaveth to the dust; quicken thou me. and restore comfort unto me, as thou hast graciously promised. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me. I have laid open my whole estate before thee, and thou gavest a merciful respect to me. Oh let not mine eye betray my hart unto vanity, let me not so see, 37 turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity. that I be transported with any of these earthly objects, from my perfect love of thee, and desire of heavenly things. 43 And take not the word of Truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgements. Oh God, continue, I beseech thee, as true faith in my heart, so the profession of thy truth in my mouth, for I have still hoped( and so shall do) in thy righteous promises; who wilt graciously accept, and reward, both the belief of the heart, and confession of the mouth. 45 I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts. I will walk free from all fears, and distractive cares; for my heart tells me, that I do sincerely endeavour to keep thy Law. 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandements. I will earnestly employ myself, and all my actions, to the performing of what thou commandest me. I am deeply afflicted in myself, to see the outrages, and rebellious courses of wicked men; 53 Horror hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake thy Law. and am driven to great extremity, by their cruel attempts against me. Whole troops of wicked men have conspired to undo me, 61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me. and to despoil me of my innocence. My soul is overcomne, and languisheth with a longing desire of thy salvation; 81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation, but I hope in thy word. yet still I am sustained by an assured hope of thy merciful performances. 82 Mine eyes fail me for thy word. I have so long and earnestly looked for the accomplishment of thy promises, that I can scarce hold open mine eyes any longer. 83 I am become like a bottle in the smoke. I am dried up, and shrunk, and deformed and wrinkled with sorrow, even as a bottle that is hanged up in the smoke. 96 I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy Commandement is exceeding large. There is no earthly thing( be it never so excellent) but I have observed it subject to change, and corruption; but thy Law, O Lord, is of infinite perfection, both for the wisdom, and justice of it, as also for the eternal continuance of it. O Lord, 109 My soul is continually in my hand. I am exposed to continual danger of my life, I am ready to have it taken from me upon all occasions. Thou hast taken vengeance of wilful sinners, 118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy Statutes, for their deceit is falsehood. and perverse hypocrites; for their deceit, wherewith they thought to beguile the eyes of men, doth but deceive themselves. O Lord, do thou take my cause upon thee, 122 Be surety for thy servant for good. and stand out for the protection of mine innocence. See verse. 81. and 82. 123 Mine eyes fail. It is high time for thee, O Lord, 126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have make voided thy Law. to show thy detestation of the lewd courses of men, by executing due judgements upon them, for they have so slighted thy Law, as if it were to no purpose. There is so clear a light in thy word, O God, 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light. that upon the first sight thereof it gives great knowledge, and comfort to the beholder. See verse 53. 139 My zeal hath consumed me. Late at night, and early in the morning, 148 Mine eyes prevented the night watch, that I might meditate in thy word. did I give myself to the meditation in thy word. Many a time, in the day, do I lift up my soul unto thee, and praise thy name in my continual ejaculations. 164 seven times a day do I praise thee. PSALM. CXX. SVrely, the plagues of God shall be sent, 4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. as so many arrows, singing into thy bosom; and his wrath shall wax hot, and endure eternally upon thee. Woe is me that I am forced to live amongst savage, 5 Woe is me that I sojourn in Meshech; that I dwell in the tents of Kedar. and barbarous men, that have neither fear of God, nor regard of humanity. PSALM. CXXI. NOne of all the creatures shall be hurtful unto thee, 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. the sun shall not offend thee with his scorching heat, nor the moon with her could and raw nightly vapours. PSALM. CXXII. 3 jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together. jerusalem is stately built, for the outward fabric, in type of the glorious frame of Gods Church; And is strongly, and unanimously compacted together; not divided into several towns and religions, as it is was; but, once perfectly united both for structure,& for concord of heart, and affections. 5 There are set thrones of judgement, the thrones of the house of David. There do yet remain the thrones of judgement of the Kings of Judah, and Israel; the royll seat of the posterity of King David; where he and his, sate to judge and govern their people. PSALM. CXXIIII. 5 The proud waters had gone over our souls. OUr swelling and raging enemies had utterly overthrown us, and brought us to nothing. PSALM. CXXV. 3 The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. THe cruel oppression, and tyranny of wicked men shall not be suffered to prevail long against the righteous; lest they should be too much discouraged, and drawn into a weak distrust. PSALM. CXXVI. 1 We were like them that dream. WE were so over-joyed with the blessing, that we could scarce assure ourselves, whether we might believe that wee were indeed so happy, or whether it were a pleasing dream. 4 turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the South. O Lord, do thou so refresh us with a full accomplishment of our return from this captivity, as if thou shouldst cause some comfortable streams to flow through a dry southern desert, for the pleasure of the passengers. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. As yet the return from the captivity is not perfect, and we that are returned, are subject to much oppression, and danger, from our heathen persecutors; but take comfort to yourselves, O ye people of God, for howsoever ye are now distressed, and have a wet-seed-time, yet doubtless ye shall be at last abundantly comforted; and reap the fruit of your patient expectation. PSALM. CXXVII. WHereas worldly minded men spend themselves in carking, and toiling, 2 For so he giveth his beloved sleep. and yet prosper not in their designs; God will so bless his faithful ones, that they shall without these turmoils, and perplexities, enjoy themselves, and the comforts bestowed on them. They have those who shall stand by them, 5 They shall not be ashamed, but they shal speak with their enemies in the gate. and be ready to maintain their cause in all quarrels whether of law or violence. PSALM. CXXIX. THey have oppressed me with many, 3 The Plowers ploughed upon my back, and made long their sorrows. and intolerable injuries, and exercised their utmost spite upon me. PSALM. CXXX. MY soul waiteth for the Lord, 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more then they that watch for the morning. and longs for his comfortable presence, more then the watchman, that is forced to wake the whole night, waiteth for the break of day, that he may be discharged. PSALM. CXXXII. LO, we heard of thine ark, O Lord, 6 Lo, we heard of it at Ephrata, we found it in the fields of the wood. that it was for many yeares pitched in Shiloh, within the Tribe of Ephraim;& we found it, after the return from the philistines; long fixed in the woody country of Kiriath-jearim. I will spread my protection, 16 I will cloth her Priests with salvation. and defence over her Priests, which are consecrated to me. I will enlarge the power and glory of the royal issue of King David; 17 I will make the horn of David to bud; I have ordained a lamp for mine Anointed. and will cause a glorious successor to arise out of the loins of mine anointed. PSALM. CXXXIII. IT is as the comfortable due that falls upon and from the fruitful mountain of Hermon into the fields of Bashan; 3 As the due of Hermon, and as the due that descended upon the mountain of Sion, for there the Lord commanded blessing; even life for evermore. or the due that falls upon the mountain of Sion; For where there is peace and concord, there God gives abundance of blessings, both for the present, and for the future life, which is eternal. PSALM. CXXXVII. 7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundations thereof. REmember, O Lord, the unkind and cruel posterity of Esau; how spitefully they behaved themselves in the day, when jerusalem was taken and sacked; how they insulted; how they encouraged our enemies, to rase, and demolish it, even to the very ground. 8 O daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Oh thou Babylon, who, as thou hast destroyed this our goodly city, so thyself also art ordained to destruction; it shall be an happy work in those that shall have an hand in thy ruin, to return thine own cruel measure back unto thee. PSALM. CXXXVIII. 1 Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. EVen publicly in the holy place, in thy presence, and the presence of thy blessed Angels, who are there represented, and before the great peers of Israel, will I sing praise unto thee. 5 Yea they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. They shall celebrate, and set forth all the wondrous works that thou hast wrought, and all the courses that thou hast taken with them, and tell what thou hast done, and what thou hast enjoined them to do. 6 But the proud he knoweth afar off. He so knows the proud, that he will come near them no way, but in judgement; and to that he hath long since designed them; PSALM. CXXXIX. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. O Lord, thy presence, and Almighty power encompasseth me, on all sides; and thou hast laid hold on me by thine hand, so as there is no starting from thee. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. The knowledge of thy great, and glorious majesty, and infiniteness, O Lord, is utterly past all human comprehension. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea. If I could fly, as swift as the day, and remove myself into the utmost coasts of the world. If there were no other workmanship of thine, but that which thou hast shewed in framing the body, 14 I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. and inspiring the soul of man; O God, I can never praise and admire thee enough for this only work of thine. Thine eye, 15 My substance was not hide from thee when I was made in secret: and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. and thine hand was upon that original matter, whereof I was framed secretly in the womb of my mother; thou sawest all the marvelous proceedings of my conception, and formation here below. Thou takest notice and keepest record of all the members of this body of mine, which thou hast made; 16 And in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. which by several degrees were to be fashioned, in the womb; thou knewest, and in thy eternal decree hadst ordained them, when as yet they had no being. How wonderfully, and inconceiveably gracious are thy purposes towards me, O Lord; 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God, how great is the sum of them? and how impossible is it for me, to express the specialities of thy bounty unto me? PSALM. CXL. LEt that mischief, 9 Let the mischief of their own lips cover them. which the lips of wicked men have plotted, and uttered and wished against me, befall unto themselves, and so enwrap them, that they may not be able to extricate themselves. Let all manner of judgements light upon them, 10 Let burning coals fall upon them, let them be cast into the fire. let it not be enough that fire fals down upon them, but let them be cast down into the fire. PSALM. CXLI. LEt my prayer ascend up unto thee, 2 Let my prayer be set forth as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. with so sweet acceptation, as that fragrant incense of the Sanctuary, which is every morning offered up unto thee; and let my supplication be as pleasing to thee, as that prescribed meat offering, which is every evening made unto thee. O God, let good men reprove me, 5 Let the righteous smite me, it shall bee a kindness; let him reprove me, it shall be as an excellent oil which shall not break my head, for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamity. this shall be a special favour and blessing to me, which in stead of hurt, shall be sovereign and profitable unto me; This shall not be as a ston to break my head, but as sweet oil to refresh and suppling it; which I shall be ready to repay unto them, in the day of their calamity. These men, 6 When their judges are overthrown in stony places, they shal hear my words, for they are sweet. when they shal see the judgements of God executed upon their rulers, and commanders( who set them on work) shall then find favour( in the day of affliction) in my words, and shall aclowledge the fidelity, and good purpose thereof. Our bones ly scattered upon the mouth of the grave, 7 Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth. through their cruelty, as chipps are wont to lie scattered about, when a man heweth wood. PSALM. CXLII. 7 The righteous shall compass me about. THe godly men shall come about me to see and applaud thy gracious deliverances of me; and to help me to praise thy mercy. PSALM. CXLIIL. 5 I remember the daies of old. I Call to remembrance thy ancient mercies to me, and from thence fetch assurance of thy present goodness. Lest I be utterly comfortless, as those that are forsaken of all hopes and possibilities of life, 7 Lest I bee like to them that go down into the pit. and have yielded themselves over to the grave. PSALM. CXLIIII. 6 Cast forth lightning and scatter them, shoot out thine arrows and destroy them. OH God, do thou take this revenge into thine own immediate hand; do thou smite them with thy thunderbolt, or lightning from heaven; let those fiery darts of thine strike them through. That our daughters may be both goodly, and fruitful, like unto the corner stones of a royal building, 12 That our daughters may be as corner stones polished after the similitude of a palace. upon which the structure of a faire and lasting pile may bee raised. 14 That there be no breaking in, nor going out; no complaining in our streets. That there be no sacking of our cities, no carrying away into captivity; no shrieking, and out-cries at the violence of an enemy raging in our streets. PSALM. CXLV. 14 He raiseth up all those that be bowed down. THose that stoop under their afflictions, and are depressed to the earth, he raiseth up with seasonable comfort. PSALM. CXLVII. 4 He telleth the number of the stars, he calleth them all by their names. HE well knoweth the number of the stars, which he hath created; and causeth them in their seasons, so to arise, as if he called them up by their several names. It is he that makes thy cities strong, and invincible. 13 he maketh strong the bars of thy gates. Whatsoever his pleasure is concerning his creatures upon earth, it is speedily and effectually accomplished. 15 He sendeth forth his commandement upon earth, his word runneth very swiftly. He causeth a moist and thawing wind to blow, 18 He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. and then the waters which were bound up with a firm ye, do return to their former flowing. PSALM. CXLVIII. HE hath, by his eternal decree, ordered the motions, 6 He hath made a decree which shall not pass. and effects of these supernal creatures, which cannot be altered or eluded. Let the great God, 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps. the creator and preserver of all things have glory from all his wonderful works; let them show forth his mighty power, and wisdom, in creating, and disposing of them; even from this inferior globe of the earth, and sea; Let God be magnified in those huge, and fearful whales, and sea-dragons, which he hath made, and in those vast and deep waters wherein he hath placed them. PSALM. CXLIX. THose that meekly depend upon him, 4 He will beautify the meek with salvation. he will make glorious, both with his rich blessings here, and with salvation hereafter. Let that sword of the Spirit, 6 And a two-edged sword in their hand. even that two-edged sword, which divideth the hearts and reins, the word of truth, be in the mouths and hands of his holy ones. Which powerful word of his, 8 To bind their Kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron. in the mouths of his faithful messengers, shall be able to hamper, and restrain the most furious gangrenes of the earth; and bring the great Potentates of the world, in humble subjection, to the gospel of peace. And( upon their perverseness and obstinate continuance in their sins) to denounce against them those judgements, which are written in the book of God. 9 To execute upon them the judgements written. This honor have all his Saints. Behold then what honor God hath put upon his Saints, to be so powerful agents both in mercy and judgements. PSALM. CL. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. LEt every creature that liveth, and breatheth upon the earth, praise the name of the Lord; and, in his kind, yield glory to his Creator. PROVERBS. CAP. I. 1 The proverbs of Solomon. THe grave, wise, proverbial sentences of Solomon. 2 To know wisdom and instruction. The use whereof is, to give true, moral, and spiritual wisdom and instruction to those that do carefully red, or hear them. 8 Forsake not the law of thy mother. do not take advantage by the weakness of that sex, to think it safe for thee, to slight that charge which thy mother shall lay upon thee. 17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bide. Well might the foolish bide be warned, and kept off, by the sight of the net, which is spread for her; but shee being intent upon her food, minds not her danger, and so is heedlessly caught; so shall it be with thee, my son, if thou, in a desire of wicked gain, shalt suffer thyself to be enticed by lewd men, &c. 18 And they lay wait for their own blood, they lurk privily for their own lives. Whiles they think they lay wait for the blood of others, alas, they lay wait for their own; and go closely to work to betray, and destroy their own souls. evil gain brings destruction upon the getter of it; so as he loseth himself, 19 gain, which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. whiles he vainly thinks to win these outward things. 20 wisdom crieth without, she uttereth her voice in the streets. He that is the eternal,& increated wisdom of the Father, useth all means to draw men unto God; both by his works, and by his word, he inviteth all men to the knowledge, and love of the truth. 23 I will poure out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. I offer unto you, both my word outwardly to your ears, and a plentiful measure of my spirit inwardly to your hearts, to make that word effectual unto you. 26 I will also laugh at your calamity. As you have slighted, and disregarded me and my word, so will I, you, in the day of your extremity; I will not care that you are plagued; yea it shall be a pleasure to me to see your just smart. Foolish sinners are hardened in their wicked courses by the sense of their continuing prosperity; 32 The prosperity of fools shall destroy them. & are thereupon carried on to their destruction. CAP. II. TO those that are true, and upright of heart he will, 7 he layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous. in his good time, reveal true and saving knowledge, and that sound spiritual wisdom which shall make them eternally happy. So powerful are her enticements, 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. and her infection so deadly, that it is a great wonder, if any of those, who are miscarried by her lustful and wanton baits, do ever recover themselves again, and return to the paths of life. CAP. III. LAy thou fast hold on the everlasting mercy, 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, writ them upon the table of thine heart. and truth of God, so as no evil occurrence may slacken thy confidence thereon; and, withall, be not thou removed from the exercise of mercy, and truth, towards thy brethren; make much of these, and keep them close to thee, as thine own soul. Withhold not good from them, 27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. to whom it ought to be given or done, whether upon their deserving, or upon their need, when God gives thee power to perform it. CAP. IIII. AS the natural sleep arises from the vapours sent up out of the stomach; 16 Their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. so doth the rest of these wicked men; when they have eaten wickedness as bread, and powred in violence and oppression, as wine, 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. then can they repose themselves, in a fals quietness, and contentment. For, as the heart is the fountain of the natural life, so it is of the spiritual; there is the seat of grace, 23 For out of it are the issues of life. and holinesse; from thence flows either the happiness or misery of man. Let neither thine eyes, nor thine other senses be drawn aside, either to the right hand, or to the lest; 25 Let thine eyes look right on, &c. but let them be directed aright, according to the law of thy God. CAP. V. 3 The lips of a strange woman drop as an hony comb. THe lips of an harlot are full of sweet enticements. 14 drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. enjoy thou the lawful pleasures, and contentments of thine own wife; and let her chast love be as some clear, and pure waters out of thine own well, to refresh, and satisfy thee. Those streams of an happy, and comfortable issue, which shall be derived from thee, 17 Let them be onely thine own, and not strangers with thee. let them be only thine own, deduced from the chast and holy marriage-bed; Let not the adulterous womb, or loins have any share in them. CAP. VI. 3 Make sure thy friend, &c. use all seasonable importunity unto that friend, to whom thou art engaged, and make all means for a discharge from that friend, for whom thou art engaged, that so, by this earnest solicitation of both parts, thou maiest be freed. The lewd man composeth all his parts to deceit; every gesture of his tendeth to fraud; 13 he winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers. the very motion of his eyes, of his feet, of his fingers, is vocal, and significant; and expresseth some secret intimation of guile. 30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry. Theft is an odious sin, yet, if wee would compare the thief with the adulterer, we shall find much difference, in the heinousness of the offence; Men are not wont to be inexorably cruel against him that steals out of his pure need. 31 But if he bee found, he shal restore sevenfold, he shall give all the substance of his house. But if he be found, how dear so ever he pay for his fault, by way of satisfaction, or mulct, the sum is yet accepted of the party wronged. But who so committeth adultery, &c. CAP. VII. BE thou so familiar with wisdom, as if she were thy own natural sister. 4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister. 14 I have peace-offerings, with me, this day have I paid my vows. I have plentiful provision of cheer, and besides, I can handsomely vail our meeting under a faire pretence of devotion, so as thou mayst boldly and cheerfully resort unto my house. 23 Till a dart strike through his liver as a bide hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. Thus he yieldeth to her lust, until the revenging husband, out of his just jealousy, give a deadly stroke to his adulterous rival, or till the just judgement of God seize upon body and soul; being thus heedlessely drawn in, as a bide is into the snare, not considering that under the show of a little chaff, or straw, her life is laid for. For shee hath first wounded, and after vanquished, 26 For shee hath cast down many wounded, yea many strong men have been slain by her. and slain many; yea not only of the meaner and base sort, but many that have been most famous for valour, strength, wisdom, have been foiled and undone by her. CAP. VIII. THus doth the harlot, 2 Shee standeth in the top of the high places, by the way in the places of the paths. by her secret whisperings 'allure men to their destruction, but the pure, holy, heavenly wisdom of the glorious, and everliving God, doth openly invite all men to her gracious counsel, to her most chast, and happy inbracements. Shee therefore standeth forth in the most frequent, and conspicuous places of the city, and earnestly solicits all passengers, to give ear unto her for their own salvation. Make no comparison of my instruction with silver and gold; Alas, these are base, and corruptible metals, 10 Receive my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather then choice gold. not worthy to come into mention with those heavenly treasures, which are contained in, and conveyed by my divine counsels. True judgement, and skill how to manage all affairs, 12 I wisdom dwell with prudence. doth proceed from me, and is inseparable from me; so as men have reason, for their own good, to listen unto me. Those that affect me, 17 I love them that love me. shall be sure not to lose their love, and recompense; for, as I have embraced them, with an everlasting love, so will I make it known to them, by my manifold blessings, and mercies concerning this life and the future. I the increated wisdom of God, 22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way before his works of old. was with the Father, from all eternity; neither was there any time, wherein I was not; I was with him, and in him, before any of the works of his creation had any being. Then was I present by him, 30 Then I was by him as one brought up with him, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him. as one that was coeternal with him; and in whom we did mutually and infinitely solace each other, from everlasting. CAP. IX. 1 wisdom hath builded her house; shee hath hewn out her seven pillars. THe Son of God, who is the eternal wisdom of the Father hath built his house, the Church of God; he hath laid sure foundations of it, and hath hewn out all the pillars thereof, in a seemly, and exquisite perfection. 2 She hath killed her beasts, shee hath mingled her wine, shee hath also furnished her table. He hath instituted, and addressed all his holy ordinances, whereby he may feed up the souls of men to everlasting life. 3 Shee hath sent forth her maidens; she crieth upon the highest places of the city. He hath sent forth his holy, and zealous messengers, to invite men to the participation of his sacred mysteries, and they do accordingly use all holy importunity to this good purpose. 12 If thou be wise thou shalt be wise for thyself. If thou be wise, thou thyself shalt reap the comfort and benefit of that wisdom of thine; others may bee profited by it; but the greatest advantage shall be thine own, &c. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. He considereth not that they are but dead men, which give way to her lustful enticements; and that those with whom shee hath prevailed, are in the state of everlasting perdition. CAP. X. 10 he that winketh with his eye causeth sorrow; but a prating fool shall fall. THe double dealing, and dissembling person causeth much sorrow at the last, both to himself, and to those that have been deceived by him; but a prating fool that utters all his heart, procures stripes to himself without further danger to others. 11 Violence covers the mouth of the wicked. There is nothing in the mouth of the wicked but violent, and cruel designs. Both he that smothereth his secret rancour under faire and plausible words, 18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips& he that uttereth slander is a fool. and he that uttereth it in slanderous speeches, is a fool. CAP. XI. 9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour, but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. A Dissembling friend, with faire and false words, and semblances, draweth his neighbour into some dangerous inconvenience; but a wise and just man will soon perceive his fraud, and avoid him, and the mischief plotted by him. A foolish man speaks spitefully, 12 He that is voided of wisdom, despiseth his neighbour, but a man of understanding holds his peace. and scornfully of his neighbour; but he that is wise, concealeth his thoughts; and will not utter ought to the reproach of another. The merciful man whiles he doth good to others, 17 The merciful man doth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. doth most good to his own soul, which shall reap the comfort of all his beneficence; but he that is cruel to others, is( in that very disposition) the greatest enemy to himself. Though wicked men conspire, 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished. and join all their forces together, yet all their combination, and power, shall not free them from just punishment. Beauty is no more an ornament to a foolish, 22 As a jewel of gold in a swines snour, so is a faire woman, which is without discretion. undiscreet, ungoverned woman, then a golden jewel is to a Swines snout; both are equally mis-placed, both are equally mis-beseeming. The liberal man that scattereth abroad his goods in a free bountiful largition, 24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth. so much more grows in wealth,( through the blessing of God) by how much more frankly he bestows it. He that is an enemy to his own thrift, 29 he that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind, and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. and prodigally wasteth his estate, shall inherit nothing but an empty wind of applause, for the time, and afterwards, want and beggary; and he that was so foolish, as to mis-spend himself, shall come to be a servant( at the last) to him that is wise to get, and to keep his own. Behold, even the most just, and holy man upon earth, 33 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner. shall be sure of his measure of afflictions here, in the world; how much more shall the unconscionable, and ungodly man be sure to smart for his wickedness, either here, or hereafter? CAP. XII. A Man that is mean in his own conceit, 9 He that is despised and hath a servant, is better then he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. and yet hath somewhat to take unto; is better then a proud and vain braggart, that wanteth means of necessary maintenance. The wicked man affects those means of fraudulent circumvention, 12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men. which he sees some crafty oppressors use, to their advantage. A good man shall( through Gods merciful retribution) find much comfort, and benefit, 14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a mans hands shall be rendered unto him. both to himself and to others, from the gracious words, of holy counsel, which proceed from his mouth; and also from the holy works of his hands. 16 A fools wrath is presently known, but a prudent man covereth shane. A fool cannot be angry, but he must presently show it, and break forth into open distempers; but a wise man hides his passions, till he sees fit opportunities, and means to manifest them, so, as may be most safe and advantageous to himself. 20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil; but to the counsellors of peace shall be joy, Those, whose hearts are full of mischievous devices, do, in the end, but deceive themselves, but those that advice, or procure good unto others, shall have much joy in themselves. CAP. XIII. 3 He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life. HE that looks carefully to his tongue, restraining it from many, and offensive words, takes a safe course for the preserving of his life, which is oft times endangered by much, and wild talking. 7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing. There be some that brag, and make ostentation of much wealth; affecting to be counted rich, when, indeed, they have little, or nothing, that may be justly called theirs. 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth, but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. The heart of the righteous man shall be exceedingly cheered, with those true causes of joy, which God gives unto him, but the seeming, and false mirth of wicked men( wherewith they vainly please themselves) shall be soon put out, and end in sorrow. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life; to depart from the snares of death. The Law of God, which is the matter, and scope whereto all the instruction of wise teachers tendeth, is that fountain, from which spiritual and eternal life floweth, and the onely means to deliver the soul from the snares of everlasting death. 15 Good understanding giveth favour, but the way of transgressors is hard. Good insight into businesses, and discreet carriage of them, procureth thankful acceptance, but those that take wrong courses cause much trouble, and vexation. 23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor. Even a poor man, by pains and industry may grow rich; and by his laborious tillage obtaineth a large crop. CAP. XIIII. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. THe tongue of a fool is a scourge, whereby his own pride, and over-weening is lashed; but the lips of the wise, are a safe defence for himself. 4 Where no oxen are the crib is clean, but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Where there is no husbandry, or use of the ox, there needs no labour, to make the crib clean, but that neatness is accompanied with want; as, contrarily, where the oxen are employed for tillage, the crib may be foul, but the barns shall be full. The wicked man( who is indeed no better then a fool) employs all that wit he hath, to deceive others. 8 But the folly of fools is deceit. The wicked fool makes himself merry with his sin, 9 fools make a mock at sin, but among the right us there is favour. and scoffs at the reproof, and judgement which pertains thereunto; but the righteous hath a care so to behave himself, that he shall carry away favour both from God, and men. A man is best acquainted with his own secret sorrows;& knows where he is inwardly wrung, 10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. whiles the world thinks him happy; as contrarily, he may have hidden occasions of joy, which cannot be judged of by the lookers on. It is often seen, 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. that whiles the face counterfeits a smile, the heart is inwardly heavy, and vexed; and after a feigned, and forced mirth, returns to the form, grief. A man that is froward, and perverse, 14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. and that willingly falls from his former good purposes, shall bee sure to bear the punishment of his own wicked courses; and a good man shall reap the comfort of his holy carriage, and enjoy the conscience of his own integrity. God will so bless and advance the righteous man, 19 The evil bow before the good. that the wicked and unconscionable shall be glad to crouch, and bow before him. He that spendeth his time in idle talk, 23 But the talk of the lips tendeth onely to poverty. and doth nothing, shall be sure to come to poverty. A wise man, if he have riches, is much graced, 24 The crown of the wise is their riches; but the foolishness of fools is folly. and adorned thereby; but a fool, though he have wealth, yet will be a fool still; and hath hereupon more occasion to manifest his folly. He that feareth the Lord, 26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and his children shall have a place of refuge. hath reason to be strongly confident in the favour, and sure protection of the Almighty: and shall find God, a like powerful refuge even to his posterity after him. An heart that is clearly free from envy, 30 A sonnd heart is the life of the flesh; but, &c. and all vicious affections, is a comfortable preserver of the body; but &c. CAP. XV. A Well-governed, 4 A wholesome tongue is a three of life, but perverseness therein, is a breach in the spirit. holy and discreet tongue preserveth a man safe from dangers; and yeeldeth spiritual nourishment unto others; but perverseness therein, is like a blustering wind among the boughs of the trees, rending and tearing the life, and spirit of a mans self, and others. 11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord, how much more then the hearts of the children of men? Even the devouring grave, and the lowest depths of the earth, lye open to the eyes of the Lord, how much more doth he behold the bottom of mans heart? 19 The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns. Every thing seems difficult to a slothful man; he is as unwilling to go about his business, as a man would be to tread upon an hedge of thorns. 24 The way of life is above to the wise. He that is truly wise hath his affections, and conversation above; and in the holy way of obedience walketh on to eternal life. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart; and a good report maketh the bones fat. Both the eye, and the ear yield much comfort, and refreshing to the soul; the eye is pleased with lightsome and pleasant objects; the ear with hearing of a good report, concerning ourselves; wherein we take so much contentment, as that hereby we are fed and fattened. CAP. XVI. 1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. LEt it be yielded that a man hath power of his own thoughts, so as he can digest and prepare what he means to speak; and put all his words in due order; yet, when he shall come to utter them, God hath the disposing of his tongue; so as a man shall speak, not what himself hath contrived, but what God hath predetermined. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits. Every man is apt to think the best of his own actions, and to justify himself in his own courses; but the Lord judgeth and examineth the soul, and spirit of man, and according to the truth of his inward dispositions, so doth he pass sentence upon him, and his ways. 4 The Lord hath made all things for himself, yea even the wicked for the day of evil. The Lord hath in all his works of creation and providence had a just eye to his own glory; in so much as the most wicked men, which might seem to be most exempted from the regard and preordination of God, yet are not out of the compass of his holy and just decree; in that out of their evil he hath decreed to bring good, and to glorify himself in their just punishment. 6 By mercy and truth, iniquity is purged. It is not an outward sacrifice that God regards, in his remission of the punishment of our sin; but where he finds mercy to the poor, and uprightness of heart towards himself, and men, there he is graciously pleased to forbear his judgements; in as much as these graces, being wrought in us, by his Spirit, cannot but proceed from a true faith, where by our sins are purged. As God raiseth Princes above other men, 10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the King, his mouth transgresseth not in judgement. so he endueth them with excellent graces, answerable to their high callings; he puts therefore divine sentences into their mouths, which meaner men could not have attained unto; and giveth their tongues, even in doubtful and hidden causes, to pass a wise and just judgement. A man needs no other inducement to labour, 26 He that laboureth, laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. but his own profit, yea his own necessity; for it is that, whereby he must sustain himself, and uphold nature, which craveth it of him. An ungodly man if he cannot find opportunities of doing mischief, will busily search for them; 27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil; and in his lips there is as a burning fire. and as his heart is ill employed, so his tongue is worse, for that is as a burning fire brand, to set all the world in combustion. Old age( and the sign thereof, 31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it bee found in the way of righteousness. gray hairs) are a great ornament to a man, that lives justly and uprightly in the world. The lots are thrown at random, 33 The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord. and at peradventure; but there is an over-ruling hand of God, that disposeth of them, how they shall light; and hath certainly determined; that which carries a show of casualty. CAP. XVII. MEn use to speak, as they are: an high, 7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool, much less do lying lips a Prince. deep philosophical discourse sounds ill from the mouth of a fool; a moral, and grave discourse of virtue and good behaviour, ill becomes a debauched and vicious man; but, of all, it is most mis-becomming a Prince, to utter lies, and falsehood. Secret gifts are wont to win favour; 8 A gift is as a precious ston in the eyes of him that hath it; wheresoever it turneth, it prospereth. and much acceptation to the party that brings them; and if they fall into the hands of corrupt judges, have power to draw them into either part, and to sway any cause whatsoever. He that concealeth within himself an offence done to him, by his friend, 9 He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends. takes a course to maintain love and friendship; but he that will be calling every light unkindness into question, and expostulates upon every occasion, shall be sure to lose his friends. As it is with water, when it is dammed up, 14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water, &c. if the smallest hole bee made for a passage, it violently rusheth in, and beareth down all those clods which were laid to keep it in; so it is with contention; if the least way be given to it, it enlargeth itself, and groweth furious, and strong by opposition, &c. 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart? A wealthy fool doth in vain hope by all his bags to purchase wisdom, since he hath not an heart that is capable of it. 19 He that exalteth his gate, seeketh destruction. The proud man that builds his gate too high, for the offence, or overlooking of his neighbour, may endanger himself the sorer fall there from, and therefore works peril and hurt to himself. 24 wisdom is before him that hath understanding, but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. He that hath understanding, fixeth his eyes upon wisdom; and contenteth himself with that object, whereas the eyes of a fool are inconstantly wandring, every where, and his thoughts settle upon nothing that may avail to his good. 27 A man of understanding is of an excellent( or cool) spirit. A man of understanding is of a well tempered spirit; not too forward in putting forth himself. CAP. XVIII. 1 Through desire a man having separated himself seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. HE that in a fervent desire of knowledge, hath set himself apart to his continual study, laboureth to inform himself in all points of wisdom; so as he may not be a stranger in any kind of learning. 3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt. Wheresoever the wicked man cometh, he is apt to cast reproach and contempt upon every mans face. A wise man utters not all he knows; his words are like to deep waters, 4 The words of a mans mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. the bottom whereof cannot easily be fadomed; and his wisdom is as a living spring, which sends up full brooks that are ready to over-flow their banks; so plentiful is he in good discourse, and wholesome counsel. 9 He also that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster. The slothful man is little better then a great spender, he equally consumes the estate wherewith he is entrusted. 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The goodness, mercy, and power of the Lord, is a safe and strong refuge to all those who trust unto it. 4 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmities, but a wounded spirit who can bear? A resolute and undaunted spirit is able to bear up both it own infirmities, and those of the body also; but if the heart of a man be wounded, and dejected with whatsoever cross befalls unto it, what means hath a man any longer to subsist, and to sustain himself? there is no remedy, but he must droop and yield. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. It is a great power which the tongue hath, whether for life, or death; good words tend to life; evil unto death, whether to ourselves, or others; and according as a man had rather to improve it, so it shall speed with him either way. CAP. XIX. HE that fals rashly upon his determinations, 2 He that hasteth with his feet, sinneth. without weighing all due circumstances, cannot but offend. It is through a mans own foolishness that he miscarries in his businesses; and that he takes lewd courses; 3 The foolishness of a man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord. and when he justly smarteth through his own fault, his heart fretteth, and his tongue muttereth against the Lord, as the author of all his harm and misery. Houses and riches may be derived to us by way of inheritance from our fore-fathers, without our care, 14 House and riches are the inheritance of Fathers, and a prudent wife is from the Lord. or endeavour, but a prudent and virtuous wife, is a special blessing of Gods immediate choosing; and must therefore be obtained by our prayers at the hand of the giver. A man that is subject to often and extreme passions of anger, cannot avoid many and great inconveniences, 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. which he brings upon himself; and if thou do, in a friendly manner, free him from some dangerous effects of his wrath, yet he will put thee to it again. That which should be the chief desire of a man, 22 The desire of a man is his kindness; and a poor man is better then a liar. is his beneficence, and kindness to others; and if a rich man promise much, and perform nothing; a poor man that is unable either to undertake or perform is better then he. CAP. XX. excess of wine beguiles a man of his wits, and senses, and exposeth him to the scorn and derision of every beholder; and strong drink inflames the blood, 1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging. and makes a man apt to fall into raging distempers. See Prov. 18.5. 5 counsel in the heart is like deep waters. A fraudulent diversity of weights and measures, 10 Divers weights and divers measures. is abominable to the Lord. It is not hard by the carriage and disposition of the childhood, to judge, what is to be hoped or feated, 11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure or whether it be right. of a mans riper age; either good or evil begins to show itself betimes. There are ears that hear not, and eyes that see not; 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. but if a man have an hearing ear, and a seeing eye; he is doubly bound to God, both for his sense,& the improvement of it. Men esteem much of gold, and precious stones; 15 There is gold and a multitude of Rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. but the man that is furnished with learning and knowledge, deserves to be held of far greater price, then all these earthen treasures. 17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. The bread which a man hath got by fraud, and cozenage, seems sweet and pleasant, at the first taste of it, but by that time he hath chewed it a little, he shall find it to be but harsh gravel, that crasheth between his teeth, galls his jaws, and wounds his tongue, and offends his palate. 20 Who so nurseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. Who so nurseth his parents, his comfort and help shall be sure to be taken from him, when he hath the most need of it; and he shall be left utterly miserable and disconsolate. 24 Mans goings are of the Lord: how can a man then understand his own ways? It is the Lord that disposeth of all the actions, and events of man; he hath ordered them, he over-rules and governs them, according to his own will: It is not in the power of man, either to know what will betid himself, or to set himself in any good way, to will or to do ought that may be pleasing unto God. 25 It is a snare to that man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry. He entangleth his soul in the snares of death, who resumeth unto a profane use, that which is once consecrated unto God; and who, after he hath vowed ought unto the Lord, argues within himself, how to alter that holy purpose, and to defeat God of his due. 27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly. The reasonable soul is as a bright candle, which God hath set up in man, which gives light unto him for the finding out of the strange secrets of nature. Scourgings, and woundings are the best cure of the lewd misbehaviour of wicked men; 30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil, so do stripes the inward parts of the belly. only fear and smart can restrain them; sound punishment is therefore fit for them; even such stripes, as may pierce to the very inward parts of the body. CAP. XXI. 4 An high look, and proud heart, and the ploughing of the wicked, is sin. THe wicked man hath an haughty look, and a proud heart; neither are his mis-dispositions onely sinful, but those his very actions and endeavours( which in another man would be harmless) are in him, no other then sin. 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty, only to want. The thoughts and projects of him that is truly diligent, are still to excellent purpose, and tend to the advancing, and enriching of a mans estate; but the hasty& rash thoughts of him that is too eager of the world, disappoint a man, and bring him to want. The wealth that is gotten by falsehood,& lies, 6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue, is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. is altogether uncertain, and transitory; neither shall continue long, in any one hand; and besides, procures the utter destruction both of soul and body, to him that unjustly gets it. It many times falls out, 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. through the wise and just providence of God, that those calamities which threatened to seize upon the godly, and righteous man, do baulk him, and fall upon the wicked and unconscionable. He that deals proudly in his anger, 24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. is worthy to be branded with the name of an insolent scorner. The vain and fruitless desire of a slothful man affamisheth him; 25 The desire of a slothful man killeth him. whiles he longs for that which he will not set his hand to purchase; but will rather sit still and starve. CAP. XXII. THe wisdom of God hath not thought fit to make all men rich; or all poor; 2 The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all. but hath intermixed the one with the other, that each of them might have use of other; neither is it for the wealthy to insult upon, or oppress the needy; since it is God, that hath made them both such as they are, and he both can, and will revenge any unjust measure that is offered by the one to the other. The froward and perverse, 5 thorns and snares are in the way of the froward. is as a man on all sides encompassed with thorns, and snares; his stubbornness brings him into infinite perplexities, out of which he can find no issue. The slothful man feigns idle excuses, 13 The slothful man saith, There is a Lion in the way. and pretences of danger, when he should go about his business. The plausible and smooth tongue of an harlot is no less dangerous, then a deep pit fairly covered; 14 The mouth of a strange woman, is a deep pit, he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. into which if a man once fall, there is small hope of recovering himself; and it is a fearful sign and effect of Gods anger, to be given over to her enticements. There is a foolish waywardness, 15 foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shal drive it far from him. that is natural to the child, and cleaves close to his disposition, yet not so, but that it may be, with due correction, whipped out of him. As well he that unjustly takes from the poor to enrich himself; as he that gives to the rich, 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want. that which he unduly withholds from the poor, shall through the just judgement of God, come to want. CAP. XXIII. 2 Put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. BE careful by all means to restrain thy wanton appetite, if thou be a man given to please thy palate. do not too eagerly affect, and labour to be rich; and follow not thine own carnal wisdom, 4 Labour not to bee rich; cease from thine own wisdom. which suggests unto thee wrong ways to the hasty purchase of wealth. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings, they fly away as an Eagle towards heaven. Wilt thou be so foolish, as to fix thine heart, and thine eyes, upon that, which hath no constant being? For surely riches are of a flitting, uncertain condition; they will not abide with thee, but, as with Eagles wings, will fly away from thee. 6 eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meat. Be not thou beholden to a niggard for his bread; neither do thou wish to take part with him, in any dainty dish. For as in his heart he doth inwardly grudge thee every bit thou eatest; 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he; eat and drink, saith he to thee, but his heart is not with thee. so, in his countenance, and gesture, he bewrays it; he bids thee after his churlish fashion to eat and drink, but his heart repines at thy presence, and wishes thee further off. 8 The morsel which thou hast eaten, shalt thou vomit up; and lose thy sweet words. So shalt thou be vexed with thy grudging entertainment, that thou shalt wish the churls meat were out of thy belly; and shalt repent of all those kind words, that thou hast cast away upon so harsh, and unworthy an host. 18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. For surely there shall be an happy and wished end, and a blessed reward of all thy holy endeavours;& thine expectation of a joyful retribution shall not be disappointed. Be thou glad to purchase the truth, at any rate, whatsoever it cost thee, 23 Buy the truth, and sell it not. the pennyworth is not dear; but when thou hast it, do not part with it upon any terms. 27 A whore is a deep ditch. See Prov. 22.14. 28 She increaseth the transgressors among men. She is the means to draw men into much wickedness. 29 Who hath wo? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? Every wickedness brings mischief with it; But who is the man that especially draws upon himself all manner of sorrows, and inconveniences, both in soul, and in body, and estate? who is he that raiseth quarrels and contentions upon every trifle? Who is he that is full of idle, obscene, unsavoury words? Who is he that in distempered frays, gets stripes, and wounds? Who is he that afflicts his eyes which defluctions, and inflammations? Who, but even he that sits long at the wine, 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. that hunts about from one tavern to another, where he may find the most exquisite wine, and the truest drunkards. Suffer not thine eyes to be tempted to take too much pleasure in beholding the pure, 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is read; when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. and pleasing colour of the wine; when it shows itself in the glass; and when, through the strength, and spirit that is in it, it sparkleth right upward, therein. Thy head shall be so giddy, 34 Yea thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. and thy brain so turned within thee, as if thou wert laid sea-sicke in the midst of the ship; or as if thou laist upon the top of a tottering mast. Thou shalt be made so senseless, that thou shalt not know, either what thou dost, or what is done to thee; 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me,& I felt it not; when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. when thou art stricken, thou art not affencted with it; and when thou art beaten, thou art not sensible of it; and so shalt thou be besotted with this excess of liquour, that thou shalt resolve after all correction, when thou awakest out of thy drunken sleep, to return to the wonted course of thy drunkenness. CAP. XXIIII. A Wise man hath much inward strength in himself; 5 A wise man is strong, yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. Yea, he that is a man of knowledge and understanding, gives a great increase of strength, and defence unto the whole city or community wherein he is. wisdom is too high for a fool to attain unto, 7 wisdom is too high for a fool; he openeth not his mouth in the gate. neither hath he any capacity of public employments; either he is not called to counsel, or is unable to give it. He that is wickedly foolish, entertaineth commonly no thoughts, but sinful. 9 The thought of foolishness is sin. If thou do out of a willing neglect, 11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death,& those that are ready to be slain. or unmercifulness, forbear to deliver those, who are crushed by oppression, and lead to an unjust death; and now are ready for a cruel execution. think not to pled excuses of thine ignorance, 12 If thou sayest, Behold we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart, consider? &c. as to say; I knew not this man to be innocent, the other unjust; neither the quality of his desert, nor the means of his delivery; for, there is an all-seeing God, who looks upon the secrets of all hearts, who is privy to the falsehood of all thy vain pretences, and dissimulation. My son, as when thou eatest hony, 13 My son, eat hony, because it is good; and the hony comb which is sweet to thy taste; thou findest the taste of it sweet; and the hony comb, which thou tastest, is delightful to thy palate; So shalt thou find the knowledge of heavenly wisdom 14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul. unspeakeably delectable to thy soul. 16 For the just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the wicked shall fall into mischief. For the righteous man, if he fall into manifold miseries, and calamities, yet through the goodness of God, he shall be delivered out of them all; but the wicked man, through Gods just judgement, shall fall unrecoverably. 18 And he turn away his wrath from him. Lest he turn away his wrath from him, and turn it upon thee. 21 Meddle not with them that are given to change. Have nothing to do with them, who are seditiously disposed; who vary from all good laws and orders; and are affencted to innovation and change, both of princes, and government. 22 And who knoweth the ruin of them both. Who knows how soon, how suddenly God shall bring judgement and utter ruin upon both the wicked man, and the seditious? 26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. Every good man will applaud and bless the mouth of him that giveth an upright sentence in judgement. 27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field,& afterwards build thine house. Look well to the settling,& husbanding of thine estate, and when thou hast well secured, and stocked, and furnished thyself, then think of either building, or garnishing thine house; whereof let all the mate●●als be first provided abroad, ere thou begin with the fabric. CAP. XXV. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of Kings is to search out a matter. IT is the great glory of Gods infinite wisdom, that he hath hidden mysteries, which our weak and ignorant capacity cannot reach unto; but as for these human affairs, they may be preached into; and it is the glory of Kings to fathom them, even to the bottom; that so they may thereupon award just judgements upon all occasions. Or, It is the great praise of Gods mercy that he hides and covers our manifold infirmities; but it is the honor of Kings, to find out, and punish offences. 3 The heavens for height, and earth for depth, and the heart of Kings is unsearchable. As the heaven is exceedingly high, and the earth exceedingly deep, beyond the reach of man; so is the heart of Kings; the very place wherein they are, and the due managing thereof calls them to great reservednesse. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the King. Make not too much ostentation of thy wit, or wealth or bravery, in the presence of the King; as if thou wouldst offer to compare with thy superiors, under whose countenance thou must live; towards whom submissenesse of carriage would both better become thee, and more avail to thy good. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, and discover not a secret to another. If there be a difference betwixt thy neighbour, and thee, take him aside, and in a friendly manner argue the matter with him alone; and offer faire terms of peace and reconciliation; and discover not a secret unkindness to a third person, till thou seest no other way of atonement. A seasonable and discreet speech is a most pleasing and precious thing, 11 A word fitly spoken is like apple of gold in pictures of silver. and no less delights the ear and the mind, then the most curious and costly embroidery, or pictures of gold and silver, doth the eye. A docible and pliable ear accounts a loving and discreet reproof of his friend, 12 As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. more precious then the richest earring of gold, or whatsoever more curious and costly ornament. The coolness of the snow or ice, wherewith the liquour is wont, in hote regions, to be tempered, 13 As the could of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sends him. doth not more refresh the thirsty traveller, in the heat of summer, then a faithful messenger doth refresh, and content the heart of him that sends him. He that makes bountiful and deluding promises of great gifts, which will never be performed, 14 Who so boasteth himself of a false gift, is like clouds and wind without rain. is like a cloud which makes show of that rain, which it will not or cannot yield. A gentle and submissive answer softeneth and scupleth the most obdured, and inflexible heart. 15 A soft tongue breaketh the bones. Take but a meet and moderate measure of those things which are most pleasing and delightful to thy nature, 16 Hast thou found hony? eat so much as is sufficient for thee. or appetite. He that offers music to a man in deep heaviness, 20 As he that taketh away a garment in could weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. doth as unseasonably, as he that takes off a coverled in an extreme could weather, from the bed; or as he who to preserve nitre, powers vinegar upon it, wherewith it is presently dissolved. For thus, thou shalt either win, 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head; and the Lord will reward thee. and overcome him with kindness; or, if he be stubbornly malicious, thou shall aggravate his judgement; and if he continue unthankful to thee, yet that God for whose sake thou dost good for evil, will be sure to retribute it graciously unto thee. look how hateful a thing it is, to see a clear, 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked, is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. and pure fountain amnoyed with mud, and filth, so odious a sight it is, to see a just man oppressed, and tyrannized over by a wicked one. Hony is good, but to eat too much hony is not good; 27 It is not good to eat much hony, so for men to seek their own glory, is not glory. so, to have a care of our own reputation and honor, is good; but to seek our own glory and reputation too much, is shameful and justly odious. CAP. XXVI. 2 As the bide by wandring, as the swallow by flying, so the causeless curse shall not come. AS a bide flies swiftly away, and returns not to thy hand again; so the causeless curse shall vanish into the air suddenly,& never come near thee, to thy hurt. 4 answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him answer not a fool in that idle, or malicious fashion wherein he provoketh thee, lest thou declare thyself to be as very a fool as he. 5 answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. In a discreet and sober manner take up a fool roundly; and convince him of his absurd cavils, and proud ignorance; lest otherwise he go away more highly conceited of his own abilities, and victory. 6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. No more can a fool do his message, then a man without feet, can go; he therefore doth as it were cut off his own feet, that sends a fool on his errand; for both he is disappointed, and sustains loss. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As there is a disproportion in the legs of the lame man; whereof one is longer, another shorter; both, unfit for motion, so there is much unmeetnesse in a fools parable; it doth neither agree with itself, nor with him that speaks it. 8 As he that bindeth a ston in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool. He that giveth applause, and honor to the person, or speech of a fool, doth as unseasonably; as he that binds up a ston in a sling; which should be altogether for ejaculation; and should no more be fastened therein, then an high conceit should be raised and fixed in the mind of a fool, by our flattering approbation. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. It is no more fit for a fool to meddle with a wise speech, then for a drunken man to handle a thorne-bush; this wounds him, that shames him. 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit then seven men that can render a reason. The sluggard will not be beaten out of his sloth; and let never so many wise men persuade him to shake off his dull idleness, yet he persists in his error, and thinks himself herein wiser then they all. 18 As a mad man who casteth fire-brands, arrows and death: There is little difference in this case betwixt fraud, and fury; He that purposely deceives his neighbour, under a colour of jest, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour,& saith, Am I not in sport? is no less prejudicial to him, then a lunatic, that doth wrong out of frenzy, and distemper. 23 Burning lips, and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. Lips full of secret detraction, and slander, joined with a false, and malicious heart; are like a base potsherd of earth, covered over with some filings of silver; under some shows of friendship, there is nothing within but filthy hypocrisy. 25 There are seven abominations in his heart. There are many varieties of secret wickednesses in his heart. A man of a lying tongue hates those, 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it. whom he hath wronged; only out of the conscience of his own injury; because he knows he hath deserved to be hated by them. CAP. XXVII. BE not too jocund, 1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. or too confident of that which thou wilt do, or have, to morrow; for thou knowest not what changes may fall out in a day. A fools wrath is more troublesone to bear, 3 A fools wrath is heavier then them both. and more intolerable, then they. do not rather make choice in the day of thine adversity, to repair for comfort, to the house of thy brother, 10 Neither go into thy brothers house in the day of thy calamity; for better is a neighbour that is near, then a brother far off. then of thy tried and faithful friend; for a true hearted loving neighbour is better then an overlie, and unrespective brother. The false acclamation, 14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning it shall be counted a curse to him. and hollowly officious compliment of a formal friend, shall speed no better with a wise man, then if he had entertained him with a curse; and that flattery of his shall turn to a curse upon his own head. Shee can no more be hide, 16 Who so hideth her, hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand which bewrayeth himself. then the wind that bloweth upon the face, or the oylely substance of the ointment upon the hand; these both of them will be perceived; so will the unquiet spirit of a contentious woman. As iron, 17 Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. or steel getteth an edge by the attrition of metal of the same kind; so by the conversation of one friend with another, are the good parts, and faculties of men increased. As he that looks into the water, 19 As in water face answereth to face; so the heart of man to man. sees there his own face, so he that looks into his friends heart, sees there his own heart. There is no way so sure to try a mans discretion, 21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, so to a man is his praise. and temper; as by praising him, if he be vain and light he will be puffed up with it, if he be wise and solid; he will be no whit moved therewith. Be diligent, above all parts of husbandry, 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks; and look well to thy herds. in that which concerns thy cattle, whether flocks, or herds, as that which affordeth the most certain, and constant increase. For the money that thou laiest up, 24 For riches are not for ever; and doth the crown endure to every generation? and household treasure is fickle, and subject to sudden loss, and thy honor and dignity will not last always; but the benefit that arises from thy cattle, continues. For the earth in a constant succession yields thee grass and hay, &c. 25 The hay appeareth& the tender grass sheweth itself. CAP. XXVIII. 1 The wicked flee when no man pursues. THe wicked man hath such affrights within his own conscience, that he is subject to be terrified with every outward occasion; and when he hath no enemy, is apt to pursue himself. 2 For the transgression of a land, many are the princes thereof, &c. The wickedness of a land is the cause of the manifold changes of the Princes, and governours thereof, whereby both the people and rulers conspiring in evil, are punished. 3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. A rich oppressor leaves a man poor, but a poor oppressor leaves him nothing. Those that do willingly break, and cast off the law of God, 4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked. do, in so doing, give approbation and encouragement to wickedness. 5 They that seek the Lord, understand all things. They that are true hearted to God, and conscionable in their ways, have so much light from Gods Spirit, as that they understand their whole duty to God; they know both what they should do, and how they should perform it. 17 A man that doth violence to the blood of any person shall fly to the pit, let no man stay him. A man that hath imbrued his hand in innocent blood, driven by the horror of his conscience, flies he knows not whither; even into the mouth of the pit; such a man runs into the very jaws of death; neither let any man offer to stay him from that deserved judgement; It is not for any eye to pitty him that hath been so cruel to another. 19 He that followeth strange persons shall have poverty enough. He that followeth vain and idle persons shall fall into extreme poverty. He that would be rich too soon, not caring by what means( how indirect soever) he obtain wealth, 22 he that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye; and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. that man hath a covetous eye, and a base niggardly heart; and knows not that through the just judgement of God, this his immoderate eagerness shall be punished with want, and beggary. 24 Who so robbeth his father or his mother and saith it is no transgression, the same is a companion of a destroyer. A rebellious unthrift that( notwithstanding all good counsel to the contrary) wasteth the goods of his parents, and will not be convinced of his offence, but persists in the maintenance of his lawless courses, is, for the haynousnes of his sin, in the next degree to a murderer. CAP. XXIX. A Man that flattereth his neighbour, 5 A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet. goes about to do him a secret mischief, and doth, as it were, lay a net to catch, and entangle him to his ruin. Those that are wilfully wicked, 8 scornful men bring a city into a snare. and do scornfully reject all good counsel and reproof, are the means to draw down judgemets upon the very city where they dwell. Whether a wise man deal with him seriously and severely, or whether jestingly and merrily, all is one, 9 Whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. he shall not be able to prevail; either for his own peace, or the others reformation. But the righteous man contrarily seeks to preserve his life, and to save his soul. 10 But the just seek his soul. Such as the ruler is, such will be his attendants; 12 If a ruler harken to lies, all his servants are wicked. if the governor be one whose ears are open to either flatteries, or slanders; his followers will frame themselves to feed his wicked humors in all things. The innocent poor man, 13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together, the Lord lighteneth both their eyes. and the crafty gripping usurer meet both together, and the Lord causeth his Sun to shine upon them both, maintaining both in life, doing good outwardly, even to the worst-deserving. Where God withdraweth himself, 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish. and doth not reveal his will to any nation, or people, there is no ordinary means of keeping their souls from perishing. He that is of a servile and sturdy disposition will not be corrected, without blows; 19 A servant will not be corrected with words; for though he understand, he will not answer. for though he do well enough understand a verbal reproof, yet he is no whit moved to an answerable regard of it. He heareth men urged with adjurations, 24 He heareth cursing and bewrayeth it not. whether they have stolen the thing, or know the thief; and yet keeps his wicked counsel, and will not bewray the malefactor. That man whose heart is overcome with a weak and diffident fear, 25 The fear of a man bringeth a snare. not daring to cast himself upon the care and providence of the Almighty, bringeth-misery upon himself. It is ordinary for men, 26 Many seek the rulers face( or favour) but every mans judgement cometh of the Lord. when their cause is to be heard to make friends to the judge; neglecting in the mean time to commit themselves& their case to the Almighty; in whose hand the Judges heart is; whereas they ought first to begin with God, which can over-rule all the actions, and purposes of men. CAP. XXX. 2 Surely, I am more brutish then any man, &c. SVrely, I Agur am sufficiently conscious to mine own ignorance, 3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. and unworthiness;( of myself) I do, I can know nothing; and therefore am( as of myself) utterly unable to reach unto the great mysteries of salvation. 4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists; who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his sons name, if thou canst tell? Indeed, what man can do it? alas, how poor and impotent creatures are we? Is there any of us able to ascend up into heaven, and to descend thence again; yea, have we power to command ought in these lower regions? have we the rule of the winds, of the waters, of the earth? show me the man that can or dare arrogate this power to himself? Offer no unjust measure to the meanest person; do not wrongfully accuse a servant to his master; 10 Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou bee found guilty. lest in the bitterness of his soul he curse thee, and God hearing him shall punish thy guiltiness. 11 There is a generation that nurseth their Father, and doth not bless their mother. There are four kinds of men worthy of our avoidance, and detestation, the first is of graceless children, who curse those parents, from whom they have received their life and being. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. The next is of false hypocrites and selfe-pleasers, who think themselves holy and just, whiles yet they are full of wickedness. 13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! and their eye-lids are lifted up. The third is of proud men, who are exalted in their own opinions, and look scornfully over other men, perhaps better then themselves. 14 There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, &c. The last is of cruel oppressors, which kill and devour the poor, &c. 15 The horseleech hath two daughters, crying, Give, give; There are three things which are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough. The horse leech hath naturally a forked tongue; whereby shee draweth blood insatiably of that part whereon so ever it lights; answerable whereunto, are three things, yea four, that still crave, and can never be satisfied. The grave is not satisfied with carcases, the incontinent womb is not satisfied with lust, the dry earth drinks up all the water that fals upon it, 19 The grave, and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water, and the fire that saith not, It is enough. the fire devours all the combustible matter that it lays hold upon, and al of these call for more. That man who is so lewd, and unnatural, as to mock his father, 17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. and to despise his mother, shall be sure to be seized upon by the just judgements of God; his very eyes( in whom that wicked and graceless scorn hath shewed itself) shall be picked out of his head, by the greediest and fiercest ravens, and the young eagles shall eat them: Certainly, God will find some means to be avenged of him. The close conveyances, 19 The way of a man with a maid. and subtle passages of a secret and crafty fornicator, with a cunning harlot. There are four things very intolerable. 21 four which it cannot bear. A woman of lewd and odious qualities& conditions, 23 For an odious woman that is married, and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress. which can neither be reformed, nor endured by her husband, and a poor handmaid suddenly advanced to a rich estate, grown now insolent, and imperious with her promotion. Yea four, which carry a good presence with them, 29 Yea four are comely in going. and carry a kind of port, and pleasure in their motion. A well-shaped and beautiful horse, 31 An horse ( as it is in the margin) an he goat, and a King against whom there is no rising up. proudly trampling; a faire and well-coloured hee-goate; and a magnificent Prince that is honoured and acclaimed of all his subjects. Yet, suppress it in thyself, 32 Lay thine hand upon thy mouth. and be not so foolish and wicked, as to utter it. As the agitation of the milk in the churne, 33 Surely, the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood, so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. bringeth forth butter; and as the strong and vehement wringing of the nostrils, bringeth forth blood; so the earnest provocation of anger is the occasion of quarrels, and much strife. CAP. XXXI. THe words which King Salomon( whom his mother, 1 The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him. in a style of love, termed Lemuel) received from that his mother in his younger yeares; and that divine counsel which shee gave him. What shall I then say unto thee, O thou my son, 2 What my son? and what the son of my womb? and what the son of my vows? the dear son of my womb, the son of my desires, whom by my fervent prayers I obtained from God, not without solemn vows of testifying my thankfulness for blessing me with thee. Suffer not thyself so to be besotted with the beauty of women, 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth Kings. as that thou shouldst yield unto them the strength of thy body, and the best of thy thoughts; neither give thyself to those wanton courses, which have been the bane of many great Princes. It is not fit for Kings, O Salomon, 4 It is not for Kings O Lemuel, it is not for Kings to drink wine, nor for Princes strong drink. to give themselves to excessive, or pleasurable drinking of wine,& to powring in of strong intoxicating liquours. Give rather strong drink to the man that is dejected 6 Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish. in spirits, and near to perishing, through extremity of affliction. 8 Open thou thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. speak thou for them that are not able to speak for themselves; and pled thou for them, who are undeservedly designed to destruction. Whosoever finds a wise, virtuous, modest wife, let him know how to value her; 10 Who can find a virtuous woman; for her price is far above rubies. let him esteem her worth above all the precious rubies, and diamonds of the world. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her; so that he shall have no need of spoil. Her hushand may safely rely upon her trust, and care, for the maintenance, and enriching of his family; so as he shall have no need to depend upon the spoil of enemies for the enhancing of his wealth. 14 She is like the merchants ships, she bringeth her food from far. Shee provideth all necessaries for her family, at the best hand; and after the manner of merchants, sendeth far for a good pennyworth. Shee addresseth herself to go roundly, and heartily about her business. 17 Shee girdeth her loins with strength. Shee findeth such sweetness, and benefit in her careful endeavours, 18 Shee perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night. that shee is encouraged to add vigilancy to her painfulness; and as if the day were not long enough, she borrows of the night. Shee knows those of her family need not take care for the could of winter; 21 Shee it not afraid of the snow for her household for all her household are clothed with scarlet. for shee hath made both warm, and rich provision of clothes for them; not only for necessary use, but for ornament also. Her husband sitting in the gates of the city amongst other of the rulers, 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the Elders of the city. is easily known from all the rest by the cost, and neatness of that attire, which shee hath provided for him, above his fellowes. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing. Shee so demeans herself, as that all her actions and carriages are full of honor, and bewray a masculine strength, and fortitude. 28 He praiseth her. Her husband shall extol her worth and virtue above all other women, 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. saying; Other wives have done, and deserved well, but thou surpassest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord shall be praised. It is no trusting either to outward favour, or to plausiblenesse of disposition; as for beauty it is fading and transitory; but the true fear of God is that, the comfort whereof will stick by us always; the woman that is endued therewith shall be ever praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. Let her have that due praise which shee hath deserved, and let her own works( as they have merited) procure her a public applause in the world. ECCLESIASTES. CAP. I. ALl these earthly things, 2 vanity of vanities saith the Preacher, Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. all that a man can either do, or attain, is utterly vain and ineffectual, in respect of any true and perfect contentment, or happiness, which it can yield to the soul; since it is both fickle in the continuance, and unsatisfying in the nature, and worth thereof. So far is all the labour of man, 3 What profit hath a man of all the labour which he taketh under the sun? which he takes here on earth, unable to make him truly happy, as that it yeeldeth him no during profit at all; both he, and it, are swept away by death, as if they had never been. There is no stability here; 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth for ever. one generation of men goeth, another comes, none stayeth; whiles yet the earth the basest of all elements, and that from whence wee received this corruptible substance, continueth in her wonted estate, and abides to the end of the world. All things are in motion; the sun, 5 The sun also riseth, &c. and the wind whirl about the earth and return around( after their circuition) to the very place, 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about to the north, it whirleth, &c. whence they began their course. So do the waters also keep the same course of motion; For all rivers run into the sea, 7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whence the rivers come thither they return again. which again empties itself, by secret convayances; through the channels of the earth, into those springs whereof the rivers arise; so as there is a continued circled in the moovings, and interchanges of these creatures; But man passeth away at once, and appeareth no more. All these creatures do( as it were) toil themselves in their motion; and all the world, wherein they are, 1 All things are full of labour, man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing; nor the ear filled with hearing. is full of trouble and vexation; it is not in the power of man to express the particulars; no, the very eye of man can never have seen enough, the ear of man can never have heard enough of the miserable vanities, and irksome conditions of this earthly life of ours. The eye and the ear can never come to an end of their work; 9 The thing that hath been it is that which shall be, and that which is done is that which shal be done, and there is no new thing under the sun. for there is still an interchangeable succession of their objects, that which hath formerly been, shall be again, and that which now is done, shall, in the revolution of times, come about again; and there is neither an end of old occurrences, nor a beginning of new. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come; with those that shall come after them. We easily mistake the condition of all things; for those things which have been, leave no remembrance behind them; and those things which are now present, and those which shall be hereafter, shall be so forgotten of our succeeding posterity, as if they had never been. That which is crooked, and perverse, cannot by any human means be rectified, 15 That which is crooked cannot be made strait; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. and reformed; onely the power of God, who made all things, can change the natural misdisposition of them,& there are such store of defects, and enormities both in nature, and practise, that they cannot be numbered. 17 I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I addicted myself moreover to the disquisition and study of morality; and, therein, I did not onely labour to know what pertained to wisdom, but also, on the contrary, to understand what belongs to folly and madness, that I might perfectly comprehend all the fashions and courses of men; and I found this to be no better then vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. For whosoever gets much wisdom, shall be sure to have much sorrow to boot; since the more he knows, the more cause of grief shall he find, for both he shall still see more that he cannot know, and in that which he doth know, he shall perceive so much vanity that shall pierce, and humble his soul. CAP. II. 1 I said in my heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth. FRom that austere search of knowledge, I thought to divert my thoughts unto mirth, and pleasure. When I had taken a full trial of the free jollities, and wild delights of men, 2 I said of laughter, It is mad;& of mirth, What doth it? I cast them off with scorn; and said of laughter; that it is both an effect and argument of a mad distemper of the mind; and of mirth, that it is a vain and unprofitable passion, not fit for a wise mans entertainment. 3 I thought in my heart to give myself unto wine( yet acquainting my heart with wisdom) and to lay hold on folly till I might see what was that good, &c. I did yet further resolve to give myself over to the pleasures of the palate, and of the belly; to take my fill of wine, and delicates, for the cheering up of my dull and wearied spirits, yet so, as that I made account not to cast off the study of wisdom; but therewithal to mix an experimental knowledge of folly, and debauchednesse, till I might see whether any true contentment might be found therein. 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house. I bought, and procured servants, and maides, and had besides, a numerous issue of those bondservants which were born and bread within my own family. If ever any man could have found out full contentment either in wisdom, or folly, 12 For what can the man do that cometh after the King; even that which hath already been done. certainly I should have done it; for who can have the like means that I have had, for these ends? surely, he that will come after me, for a further disquisition of this matter, shall find that he can neither do, nor know ought but that which I have done, and known before him. wisdom is light, and folly is darkness; 14 The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the fool walketh in darkness;& I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. the wise man therefore walketh in this light, having the eyes of his understanding clear, whereas the fool walketh in darkness; yet, for all this difference, I perceived that events, whether good or evil, fall alike unto them both. To what purpose then, 15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth unto me; and why was I then more wise? then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. should I weary myself in the pursuit of wisdom, if( in respect of the events of things) I shall speed no better then a fool? And, at last, I concluded, that both this indifferency of events, and this use, that I was apt to make of it, is vanity. Doth not the wise man die as well as the fool? 16 And how death the wise man? as the fool. doth he not die with as much pain, as the fool? is there not the same act, and manner of dissolution of both? I was therefore utterly distasted with the present life; 17 Therefore I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me. since it yielded nothing, but anguish and vexation; even from the best works that I could perform. It doth not a little aggravate the vanity of these earthly contentments, 18 Yea I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun; because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. And who knoweth whether he shal be a wise man or a fool? and my hatred of all my laborious and magnificent works, that when I have done, I must leave them to a successor; at all uncertainties; For who knows whether he shall be a wise man, or a fool? Therefore I did bend my thoughts, what I might, to put my heart out of conceit, 20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. and hope of any good issue of all my earthly labours, and endeavours. Yet of all vanities this is the best, since the life of man is attended with so much sorrow and care; 24 There is nothing better for a man, then that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour, &c. what he may to put off all grief and anxiety; to enjoy the good blessings of God; to eat and to drink; and to take all lawful pleasure, and delight in the use of those good things he hath. For, 25 For who can eat? or who else can hasten hereunto more then I? is there any man living that can procure more excellent varieties of delicates, then I? Is there any, whose means will afford him opportunity of providing them with more speed or ease, then myself? CAP. III. 1 To every thing there is a season;& a time to every purpose under heaven. BOth God hath predetermined, in his most wise counsel, a time and season, wherein all events shall come to pass, and hath put this wisdom into man, to make choice of the times and opportunities for all his actions. 3 A time to kill. There is a time( whether in a just war, or in a peaceable execution of justice) wherein it is seasonable and warrantable to kill, &c. 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to rend our garments in main occasions of sorrow, and a time to make them up again. 9 What profit hath he that worketh, in that wherein he laboureth? What stability or during profit therefore can a man expect from that which he doth; since there is such a changeable vicissitude in all actions and events. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time, also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. He that made all his creatures in excellent order, and proportion, and to singular use, in their proper seasons, though man is not able to look into them; for God hath( in his justice) so given up men to the cares, and studies of these worldly affairs, that they being taken up therewithal, cannot find out the wonderful works which God hath wrought from the beginning, and shall continue to work until the end. 13 And also that, &c. See cap. 2. 24. 14 I know that whatsoever God doth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it; nor any thing taken from it; and God doth it that men should fear before him. I know that whatsoever God doth, it is, and shall bee for ever, no otherwise then he intended it to be; there is no altering of it, by ought which our power can add to it, or detract from it; and this God doth, that men may learn to adore and reverence his infinite justice and wisdom and power. 15 And God requireth that which is past. Gods calls for( back again) both an account, and a renewing, of that which is already past. 17 For there is a time there, for every purpose and for every work. For, howsoever here all things are carried partially, and corruptly; yet there, before the just tribunal of the Almighty, there, shall be a time, wherein every purpose, and every work of man shall appear as it is. 18 I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts I thought in my heart concerning the outward condition and wicked dispositions of the sons of men, that if God would but let them see themselves, they would easily perceive that they are no better then beasts. 19 For that which befalls the sons of men, befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them; as the one death, so death the other; yea they have all one breath so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity. All outward events befall alike to men, and beasts; they b●eath alike; they part with their breath alike; they both die by the same means, with the same pain, and reluctation; neither is there any outward or apparent thing in man above the beast, that can shelter him from that common vanity, to which both of them are subject; or distinguish his condition from theirs. Both, in respect of their bodily substance, 20 All go unto one place, all are of the dust; and all turn to dust again. go to one place; out of the earth were they taken, and to the earth they return. And howsoever, 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? they are fully differenced by the soul or spirit, which informeth the man, whereof the beast is not capable; yet, in the very issue, and face of death, who can by his sense discern this difference? no man can see, either the spirit of the man ascending to heaven, or the spirit of the beast that vanisheth together with the body; only this is discerned by rectified reason, and by the illumination of Gods spirit; which assureth, yea convinceth us of the several, yea contrary condition of both. Since such is the vanity of man, 22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, then that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? and his condition in all outward things, so like to that of brute creatures, I know no better way for a man, then to make a cheerful use of Gods good blessings here; for this is all the fruit, and alleviation of all his painful labours, which the earth can afford him; without all anxious cares of those things, which shall be after him; for when he hath all done, who shal bring him to see how his heires will spend or save the estate which he hath carked to leave unto them? CAP. IIII. I Did in this prefer the state of the dead before the living; 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead, more then the living which are yet alive. for that they are out of the reach of this cruelty and oppression, which the living groan under. The foolish slothful man folds his hands together, 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. and will not work; and affamisheth himself with wilful idleness; rather choosing to starve then labour; And is ready to say for himself; 6 Better is an handful with quietness, then both the hands full with travel and vexation of spirit. A little with ease is better then a great deal with toil and trouble. I have noted a man that is single& solitary; 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea he hath neither child nor brother; yet is there no end of his labour, &c. that hath neither wife, nor child, nor brother to whom he might leave his estate, and yet this man toils and drudges incessantly, &c. Society is a thing of much comfort and benefit; 9 Two are better then one, because they have a good reward for their labour. upon every occasion two are better then one; Two are able to undertake, and perform that which one cannot; and therefore may well expect a good issue of their labours. And if an adversary be too strong for a man alone, 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not easily broken. yet if the weaker be assisted by the strength of a second, he shall be able to withstand and overcome; And as it is thus in the society of two; so it holds in a proportion of more; a cord of two twists is strong; but if it be triple twisted it is not easily broken. 13 Better is a poor and wise child, then an old and foolish King who will no more be admonished. There is great difference betwixt a child, and an old man, betwixt a King and a beggar; yet a poor child, if he be wise, is better then an old King if he be foolish; and perversely settled in wickedness. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. For that poor wise man may from a base and miserable condition, be advanced to highest dignity; whereas the foolish commander that was born great, may become needy and wretched. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. I have noted it to be the common practise of the world, even generally of all living men, that they are apt still to regard the successor, and to neglect the father, though of great desert, in comparison of the son that shall inherit the crown after him. 16 There is no end of all the people; even of all that have been before them, they also that come after, shall not rejoice in him. The world hath ever been, and ever will be thus inconstant,& disaffected to the present government; how wise and just soever; still they( as impatient of the yoke) will be complaining of that command under which they are; and not yield so cheerful and thankful obedience as they ought. CAP. V. 1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear then to give the sacrifice of fools, &c. WHen thou goest up to the Temple of God, look carefully with what affections thou presentest thyself there; see that thou have a mind free from worldly cares, and distractions; and think not that the very outward work of a sacrifice, formally offered, can serve thy turn; this imagination is for a foolish and ignorant heart; but know that God looks for a careful and diligent attendance upon his ordinance, and requires an attentive ear to his word, &c. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. Be not thou rash and over-hasty in the engaging of thyself by vows unto God; but be well advised, both what thou undertakest, and how thou shalt perform it; and let those prayers which thou shalt poure forth unto God be well digested in thy thoughts, for thou hast to do with a pure and holy, as also, with a glorious and omnipotent God, who dwelleth in the heaven; whereas thou( a base silly creature upon earth) art open to his all-seeing eye, and obnoxious to his Almighty power; let therfore thy vows be both rare and solemn, and thy prayers free from loquacity and idle babblings. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fools voice is known by multitude of words. For as in a multitude of businesses there will be troublesone and confused dreams, so in a multitude of words there will be futility, and error. It is the part of a fool to vow that which either he cannot, or will not perform; 4 For he taketh no pleasure in fools. and God takes no pleasure in those that are thus impiously foolish. Suffer not thy tongue, 6 Suffer not thy mouth to make thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the Angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? through the rashness of thy vow, to make it, and thy whole self guilty of a sin before God, and obnoxious to judgement; neither think to excuse it before God and his Angels, by a plea of error. Why shouldst thou draw Gods anger upon thee by the sinful temerity of thy vow, so far, as that he should plague thee with an utter destruction? For as there are many vain fantasies in the multitude of dreams, so surely there are many hateful, 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words, there are also divers vanities; but fear thou God. and dangerous vanities in the multitude of hasty vows; But thou, settle thou the fear of God in thy heart; and that shall ever both guide and preserve thy tongue. Be not amazed and dismayed, 8 If thou, &c. marvel not for the matter; for he that is higher than the highest regardeth, and there bee higher then they. as if all things were let loose, and as if these earthly things were not orderly swayed by a wise and just providence; for as God hath appointed Kings and Princes over men, so he hath appointed his spiritual creatures, in a degree above them; and himself is infinitely above all the degrees of them. Surely, 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all; and the King himself is served by the field. there is excellent and necessary use of husbandry; whence have wee the good things whereby our life is preserved, but from the fruitful bounty of the earth? Even the states of Kings cannot well subsist without a due culture of the earth. If a man have great store of lands, 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding thereof with their eyes? and much stock in his hands, there must be many hands employed in the managing of it, so that as his means are greater, so the mouths that spend it are more; and what gaineth the owner hereby, above the servant, more then this, that he sees his goods both brought in, and wasted; whereof himself can take no more part, then to feed, and cloth him? I have noted those riches, 13 Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. which men account blessings, to turn to the great harm and mischief of the owners; both of their bodies, and souls, and lives, and estates, for, besides their difficulty in getting, and care in keeping, how ordinarily are they the occasions of violence offered to their persons, of unjust suggestions of capital crimes against their lives, &c. And those very riches have I seen to vanish away under the owners hand; in the midst of all his toil, 14 But these riches perish by evil travel; and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. and travel; so as the son whom he begets shall have nothing at all left him of that wealth, wherewith his father seemed to abound; neither shall the father have ought to leave him. 17 All his daies also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath in his sickness. He abridgeth himself of all comfort through his too eager pursuit of wealth; and both pincheth his body, and tortureth his mind with many vexations, and discontentments. 20 For he shall not much remember the daies of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. His daies go away merrily, and seem short, for that God gives him cheerfulness, and contentment in the fruition of what he hath. CAP. VI. 2 Yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof; but a stranger eateth it. YEt God hath not given him a free heart to take comfort and benefit in the use of his riches; but rather hath given him up to such a besottednesse therewith, that he cannot find in his heart to bestow any good thing upon himself; but saves it for a stranger that shall come after him. 3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many yeares, &c. and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial, I say that an untimely birth is better then he. Let a man live to never so faire and full an age,( as long life is indeed a blessing of God,) and let him be as full of children, as of yeares( as children also, are the gift of God) yet, if that man scant and abridge himself of all his due comforts here, through his own miserableness, and after his death be debarred of an honest and comely sepulture; I say that an untimely birth is in a condition less ill, then he. 4 For he cometh in with vanity; and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. For that abortive birth comes into the world without all noise, or use, and passes away obscurely without notice, and as it lived not to have a name, so the name and memory of it vanisheth into darkness, and oblivion. 5 This hath more rest then the other. He hath been freed by so early a death from those vexations, which the old covetous man puts himself unto. 6 Yea, though he live a thousand yeares twice told, yet hath he seen no good; do not all go to one place? Yea, though he have lived a thousand yeares twice told, yet when it is past, what is he the better for that? Is he not now in the same state with the abortive; do not both of them go alike unto dust? 7 All the labour of man is for his mouth; and yet the appetite is not filled. Indeed, all the labour of man should be, and ordinarily is, for the preservation of his life; but the covetous man toils, he knows not for what; and though nature be content with a little, yet his appetite of having is never satisfied. 8 For what hath the wise man more then the fool? what hath the poor that knoweth to walk before the living? q.d. But the same with the rich? In respect of the outward maintenance of this life, what can the wise man have, which the fool may not; both of them may, and must live by meate; either of them may come to abound, or want; what hath the rich, more then the poor man, that knows how to live? his superfluity is nothing to his life. 6 Better is the sight of the eyes, then the wandring of the desire. It is far better for a man to enjoy that present good which is before his eyes, then to discruciate and rack his thoughts with an insatiable desire of what he hath not, or perhaps cannot have. There is a wise and infinite providence of God, 10 That which hath been, is name already, and it is known to bee man, neither may he contend with him that is mightier then he. under which, eminently amongst the other creatures, man is; whom God hath noted, and designed out, with all his qualities and endowments; and hath determined to him all his conditions, and events; neither can he think to struggle himself out from the mighty, and over-ruling power of his Creator. As man is vanity, 11 Seeing there bee many things that increase vanity; what is a man the better? so are those things which he affecteth; where there are many things therefore, there must needs be an increase of vanity; what is a man the better therefore, for having more vanities besides his own? We are commonly subject to mistakings in our opinions, concerning good things; 12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the, &c. as a shadow; for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? we oft times take that for good, and profitable, which is indeed harmful to us, either in the kind, or quantity of it; and if in this fleeting and vanishing life we be thus ignorant, in present things, how much more in future? Who can tell a man what shall be after him? CAP. VII. THe day of a good and faithful mans death, is much better then the day of his birth; 1 And the day of death better then the day of ones birth. for his death puts an end to those miseries, which his birth begins, and begins those happinesses, which the present life is not capable of. For that death which is the occasion of such mourning is the end of all men; 2 For that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart. and those that are wise amongst the living, will carefully bethink themselves of it, and make due preparation for it. A fire of thorns under a pot makes a loud noise with the crackling thereof for a time, 6 As the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of fools. but the blaze is soon out; so doth the mirth and laughter of a fool; after some short semblance of joy, it vanisheth to nothing. Extremity of oppression is enough to distemper a very wise man; 7 Surely oppression makes a wise man mad;& a gift destroyeth the heart & bribes are enough to corrupt& destroy the heart of him that receives them. There is much doubt and uncertainty in the beginning of things; whereas there is full assurance in the end; 8 Better is the end of a thing then the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better then the proud in spirit. the end therefore of a thing is better then the beginning; for indeed, both the beginning and proceeding of all affairs, do but drive at a good end; and a meek and patient-spirited man, that can quietly wait for the end and event of things, is better then he that is proud and impetuous, who violently rusheth upon all enterprizes, and will needs force his own terms. 9 Be not hasty in the spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. do not give way to a rash, and sudden anger; for this techie and choleric disposition argues much folly and mis-government in the man that is swayed with it. Be not thou discontentedly querulous at the present condition; 10 Say not thou, what is the cause why the former daies were better thē these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. as to complain how bad these times are, in respect of the former; and to murmur at the providence of God, as if there were some slackness, or neglect therein; for, this is a foolish thought of thine, and an unjust; Rather do thou in an humble thankfulness and submission, make use of the present. 11 wisdom is good with an inheritance. If a man have a great estate, and wisdom to use it, he may do great matters, and is very happy therein. 12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence; but the excellency of wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Many a one hath been preserved by his wisdom, and many have been preserved by their money; so as both together must needs be an excellent defence; but if they must be severed; wisdom and knowledge must needs be the better, as that which both can safeguard the present life, and give a better unto the owner of it. 13 Consider the work of God, for who can make strait that which he hath made crooked? do not complain of times, and events; but consider well the wise, and just and powerful proceedings of God; for when he hath thought good, for the punishments of mens sins to give them up to disorder, and perverseness, it is not in the power of human means to rectify them. 14 But in the day of adversity consider; God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. In the day of adversity, bethink thyself of the author of thine affliction, and of the manifold grounds of patience, which God hath laid before thee; for God hath given interchanges of wel-fare, and adversity, that man might find no just cause to complain of his proceedings. 15 There is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness. There is a just and innocent man that mis-carrieth, notwithstanding his righteousness; through the cruelty, and injustice of oppressors. 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over-wise; why shouldst thou destroy thyself? Be not thou too rigid, and rigorous in exacting the extremity of justice upon every occasion; neither do thou affect too much semblance, and ostentation of more justice and perfection, then thou hast, or canst attain. Neither do thou arrogate more wisdom to thyself, then is in thee; nor curiously seek and search into those mysteries, which God would not have revealed; for why shouldst thou bring upon thee the displeasure and judgements of God, by this proud and sinful affectation? 17 Be not over-much wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldst thou die before thy time? As I would not have thee too just, and too wise, so I would not have thee run into the other extreme; every degree of wickedness is too much; do not let thyself loose to any evil; neither yield thyself over to a willing ignorance and foolish neglect of wisdom; for why shouldst thou provoke God to hasten his just judgements upon thee, to thine untimely destruction? It is good and sure to walk in a mean betwixt both these extremes; so to beware of severity, 18 It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this, yea also from this withdraw not thine hand: For he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. and too much profession of wisdom, that thou neglect not the other charge of avoiding looseness, and folly; he that feareth God shall by him be kept in an holy mean betwixt both these sinful and dangerous excesses. He that would live in peace must put up many injuries especially of the tongue; 21 Also take no heed unto all the words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee. be not too eagerly inquisitive after the words that are spoken concerning thee, lest thou hear those of thine own family speak evil of thee. I thought to make all these observations and experiments, 23 All this have I proved by wisdom. I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me. and made account to gain a great measure of wisdom; but the more I knew, the less I was satisfied, and the more I found that I wanted. So deep is wisdom hide, 24 That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out? and so far off from our reach, that it is not in the power of man to find it out. As also to note the wicked courses of foolish, yea, 25 And to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness. of mad sinners; both in their actions, and in their events. And I have found by woeful experience the mischief and deadlinesse of an alluring beauty, &c. 26 And I find more bitter then death the woman whose, &c. Curiously searching, and examining of both sexes, as it were, by the pole; one by one; 27 Counting one by one to make up the account. to give a just account of the estate of them both. Which yet still I do earnestly seek; 28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not; one man among a thousand have I found, but a woman among all those have I not found. but find no cause to alter my judgement herein; this I profess to be the issue of all my inquisition; that though it be very rare and hard to find one good of either sex; yet more difficult and strange to find such a one in that weaker sex; a good man is rare, but a good woman more. Now this pravity and corruption which I find in both sexes, I do not cast upon their first creation, no, 29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions. rather I do herein justify God; as finding and professing that it pleased him to make man holy and upright; all our depravation is from ourselves; our first parents, created in perfect innocency, would needs follow the devices of their own hearts, and the suggestions of the common enemy, and we their sinful posterity do nothing but device further means of our own ruin. CAP. VIII. 1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A mans wisdom maketh his face to shine; and the boldness of his face shall be changed. WHat creature under heaven is so excellent as a wise man? he only can find out the riddles of nature, and the secrets of art; it is his wisdom that makes him gracious, and reverently respected of all men; it is that which alters and changes both his disposition, and carriage; and of rude and harsh makes him gentle and ingenuous. 2 And that in-regard of the oath of God. For that thou hast, by the sacred name of God, sworn homage and allegiance to him. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight; stand not in an evil thing, for he doth whatsoever pleaseth him. do not offer to fling out from him, as in a fury or chafe; neither think thou to face out an evil action before him; for he hath power in his hand to revenge these insolences at pleasure. 5 The heart of the wise man discerneth both time and judgement. The heart of the wise man discerneth both the time when every thing should be done, and the best way how it should be done. 6 Because to every purpose there is a time& judgement; therefore the misery of man is great upon him. For certainly there is both a proper time for all our actions, and a meet way for the doing of them; which because men ordinarily do neither understand nor observe, they run themselves into great inconvenience. 8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war, neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given thereto. No man hath power to keep his soul when God calls for it; neither hath he power to protract the day of death any longer; there is no possibility of avoiding that last conflict; the bold and presumptuous wickedness of men cannot deliver them from it, yea rather shall bring the evil day upon them. It falleth out sometime, that that sovereignty which was ordained for the good of the people, 9 There is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. turns unto their hurt; and withall to the no less harm of the unjust manager thereof. 10 I saw the wicked butted, who had comne& gone from the place of the holy,& they were forgotten in the city where they had so done. Such a wicked ruler I have seen pompously butted, who had comne and gone from the sacred seat of Judicature, with great state; and with no less to his grave, yet I have known him utterly forgotten( if not odiously remembered) in the city, where he had exercised authority. 14 To whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked. Which speed ill, and are outwardly punished, as the wicked deserve to be. 15 Then I commended mirth, because, &c. I resolved that it was good for man to bee cheerful in his calling, and the good and holy use of Gods blessings. CAP. IX. NO man can by the success of these outward things, 1 No man knoweth either love or hatred, by all that is before them. judge, and know whether he be in the love, or hatred of God. Their heart is resolved to go madly, 3 And madness is in their heart whiles they live, and after that, they go to the dead. and desperately forward in their wickedness, whiles they live, and when they have done thus lewdly, they drop into the grave, if not into hell. If we compare the estate of the living, and the dead, 4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope; but a living dog is better then a dead Lion. whether in itself, or in respect of the present world, no doubt that of the living is better; for whiles we live here we may be still in hope, either of amending, or of receiving further graces and blessings; both which are in regard of this life, cut off from the dead; and as our common proverb runs, the most vile and contemptible of all creatures( the dog) that is alive, is better then the most generous of all beasts( the lion) which is now dead. How ever in respect of a better life, 5 For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward. and the glorious estate of the soul, the case is quiter contrary, yet in reference to our present and sensible condition, the living know something; if no more but this, that they must die, but the dead know nothing at all, of these earthly occurrences; neither have they any more part or interest in these affairs, or any sense of their increase, or diminution. Also together with their senses, 6 Also their love and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished, neither have they any more a portion in any thing that is done under the sun. their affections are ceased, their love, and their hatred of their wonted objects, are now perished, their envy, and their desires are gone; neither have they ought to do with any thing that is done here below. testify the joy of thy heart, by the nearness, 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. and brightness of thy garments, and let thy head lack no store of sweet, and precious oils, to cheer thy spirits, and perfume thy skin. What ever occasion of honest delight offer itself unto thee, take it, 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest? and what ever opportunity is offered thee of doing good, embrace it gladly; and do it accordingly, with all thine heart; for thou hast but a while to do it, or to enjoy it, since that in the grave whither thou goest, there is no work to be done, no device to be contrived, no use of knowledge, or wisdom. I saw and observed that here on earth, 11 I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill, but time& chance happeneth to them all. all things do not fall out according to the probability of second causes, but by an over-ruling of providence; The swiftest man doth not always win the race, nor the strong prevail in battle; the wise man doth not always get maintenance, nor the prudent wealth, nor the skilful approbation and favour; but every one in his time, hath a several issue, and event, according to the predetermination of the Almighty, beyond, or contrary to his own hopes. 12 For man also knoweth not his time, as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. For man cannot fore-know the time of his death, or danger, but even as the heedless fish runs unawares into the net, and the silly bide into the snare, so are we wretched men caught in the net, and snare of evil occurrents, in the time, which God hath secretly set, and surprised suddenly with unavoidable calamities. There were many men in it, yet but one wise man, the number of the other was helpless, if not burdenous; that wise man was poor; 14 There was a little city, and few men within it, and there came a great King against it and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. and that poor man by a stratagem, unthought of by the rest, found means to rescue and deliver that city; yet when he had done, no man regarded that man, because he was poor in estate, though rich in wisdom. 17 The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools. The words of a wise poor man, though spoken softly out of a fearful and lowly kind of bashfulness, are worthy of more respect, then the imperious loud clamours of him that rules among fools. CAP. X. 1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the Apothecary to sand forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. LEt the ointment be never so fragrant, yet if dead flies be suffered to corrupt in it, the sweet smell thereof will be turned to a loathsome stench; so let a man be in never so good reputation for wisdom, and honour, yet some one foolish humour, and weak mis-carriage of his, mars, and stains his estimation. 2 A wise mans heart is at his right hand, but a fools heart at his left. A wise mans heart is apt to give meet counsels, and to suggest dextrous and ready ways for the performance of any enterprise; whereas the fools heart, and hand, goes sinisterly to work, and is utterly unapt to all good uses. 3 Yea also when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. Yea, let the fool but walk by the way, and his very motion, and gesture shows what he is; and proclaims his want of wit; much more do his words, and actions bewray him. If the Prince be angry with thee, do not in a stomach or froward pettishnesse give up thine office; 4 If the spirit of the Ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences. but yield way humbly to that displeasure, and seek by submission to satisfy his indignation. As an error that proceeds from Princes in the ill choice which they make of those whom they promote. 5 As an error which proceedeth from the Ruler. That foolish and unfit men are advanced to places of dignity and employments in public affairs, 6 Folly is set in great dignity: and the rich sit in low place. whiles those that are truly able, both for their parts and estate, and are well worthy of eminent places, are neglected, and disregarded. Which what is it other, 7 I have seen servants vpon horses: and princes walking as servants vpon the earth. then as if servants should ride on horse-back, whiles Princes walk by their stirrups, as their grooms on foot, in a servile attendance? It is a dangerous matter to attempt any thing against authority and established government; 8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it,& who so breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. whoso ever doth so, doth but dig a pit whereinto himself shall fall; and whiles he is breaking up an old hedge, is unawares stung with an adder that lay under those bushes. Such a one doth as the man, who, 9 Who so removeth stones shall be hurt therewith: and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. whiles he labours to remove an old heap of stones, bruiseth his feet; or, as he, who cleaving of wood, cuts himself with the axe, or receives some of the splinters into his eye. Strength without wit prevails not; 10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. if the axe be blunt and want an edge, there needs much force to be put to it in vain; wisdom doth as it were whet the edge of the axe, and directs to do that, with ease, which otherwise cannot be achieved with much labour. As the Serpent which is not charmed, 11 Surely the Serpent will bite without inchanment,& a babbler is no better will bite or sting the passenger, so will a busy and babbling detractor wound the absent, with his malicious tongue. The words of a fool will be the occasion of his own undoing. 12 But the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. A fool is full of words, 14 A fool also is full of words, a man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell him? a man cannot tell what he would have; or what he would say; and what the end of his speech, or drift will be, no man can tell. fools tyre out themselves with laboursome& needless circuitions; and out of simplicity fetch large compasses over untracked ways, 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city. because they do not so much as know the beaten road to the City; which is both easy and short. Wo to thee, O Land, whose King being vnmeet for age, or impotency, 16 Woe to thee O Land, when thy King is a child,& thy Princes eat in the morning. to sway the public government is not assisted with temperate, and orderly peers; but such as spend that time which they should set apart to iustice, in riot and reveling. Blessed art thou, O Land, 17 Blessed art thou O Land, when thy King is the son of Nobles, and thy Princes eat in due season, for strength: and not for drunkenness. whose King is royally descended; and whose Princes are sober and temperate; eating and drinking seasonably, and without excess, as those that would nourish their health, and not their luxury, and disorder. Feasts are for jollity, and pleasure, 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh maketh merry: but money answereth all things. and wine is for mirth; but it is money that must provide these, and all other helps, whether for delight or necessity. Do not entertain so much as an undutiful thought in thine heart, 20 Curse not the King, no not in thy thought,& curse not the rich in thy bed chamber: for a bide of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. concerning thy sovereign; neither do thou speak evil of great persons that are in authority, so much as in thy bed chamber; for God will find means to bring it out,& revenge it; and rather then it should not bee revealed, God will cause the very fowls of the air to disclose it. CAP. XI. 1 Cast thy bread vpon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many daies. BEstow thy beneficence vpon them which are utterly unlikely ever to return it; for he that seeth in secret, will, when thou hast forgotten it, restore it unto thee with an happy increase. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowst not what evil shall be vpon the earth. Be not strait handed in thine alms; but give them liberally to all that haue need; for thou knowst not how soon thou mayst have need of others bounty, nor how soon thou shalt be bereaved of an opportunity to give thine own. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves vpon the earth:& if the three fall toward the South, or toward the North, in the place where the three falleth, there it shall be. As the clouds which are full of rain, empty themselves vpon earth; so the liberal heart that is full of bounty empties itself in seasonable contributions; and which way soever thou castest thy beneficence, whether to the South or North, thou shalt be sure there to find it, through Gods gracious remuneration with advantage. 4 He that observeth the wind, shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds, shall not reap. Let not every circumstance of vain fear discourage thee from doing good, and distributing; he that is too curious to observe every wind that blows, shall never find opportunity to sow; 5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child, even so thou knowest not the work of God who maketh all. As thou knowest not how, or when the soul comes into the body; or how and by what degrees the child is formed, in all the several parts thereof, within the womb of the mother; so, much less canst thou know those secret works of God, which he will do in time to come. 6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether &c. Be thou constant, and assiduous in doing good, and desist not at any time; if one of thy endeavours succeed not, yet another may; and thou knowest not which of them may speed the best. Indeed life is sweet, and light gives cheerfulness unto our life; it is a comfortable thing to enjoy the benefit thereof, 7 truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. which our eye sends into our soul. But let a man live, and enjoy both the light, and all the pleasures and delights of this life, never so many yeeres; 8 But if a man live many yeares, and rejoice in them all, yea let him remember the dayes of darkness, for they shall be many; all that cometh is vanity. yet let him bethink himself of that darkness of death, and the grave whereinto he is entering, and consider the long continuance of that darkness, in comparison of this short and momentany life, and light; he shall have no lust to surfet of these things, but shall confess that all that comes is vanity. Go to then, O thou vain young man, 9 rejoice,( O young man,) in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the dayes of thy youth. take thy full scope of pleasure in thy youth, &c. deny nothing to thyself that either thine eye seeth or thy heart desireth; live wantonly and jocondly; but be thou assured, that a day of reckoning will come, when for all these wild and lawless courses of thine, God will call thee to a just and severe judgement. Therefore strive to refrain all thine headstrong passions, 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart,& put away evil from thy flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity. and rid thyself of those vicious affections and dispositions, whereto thou art subject; for thy childhood and youth, wherein thou now vainly rejoicest, are momentany things, gone and passed, ere thou canst find thou inioyest them. CAP. XII. BEfore thine eyes grow dim with age, 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain. so as thou dost not clearly discern the Sun, the moon, or stars, and before the evils and miseries of age succeed one another in thee, in a woeful vicissitude; Before the time that thine arms, which are the gard of this thine house of day, shall tremble with palsies; 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease, because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened. & thy legs, which were thy strong supporters, shall bow themselves; and thy teeth grinned slowly and difficutly, because they are few; and thine eyes, which are as glasses in the windows of the head, be dusky and darkened. When the street doors shall be shut upon thee, as now retired to thine own home, without care of others visitations, or affairs; when thy slow feeding shall have made thee unfit for other mens tables; 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bide, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low. when every little noise, but of a bide, shall wake thee out of thy sleep: and when thy spirits shall bee so dull and dejected, that thou shalt take no pleasure in the hearing of the most melodious music. When thy decrepit age shall make thee so unfit to move, that thou shalt be afraid of every rub, 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall bee in the way,& the Almond three shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall bee a burden, and desire shall sail, because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. or clod that lies in thy way; when the white blossoms of age shall cover thine head; and every light thing( though it be but of the weight of a grasshopper) shall seem burdensome to thee; and all those lusts and desires, which haunted thy stronger times, are now gone and past; For there is no way but this one; man goeth to his long home, the grave; and the mourners, in an hired formality, go about the streets. Before everall thy natural, and vital spirits be utterly exhausted, 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the goldon bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. and all the functions and offices of life bee quiter discharged; which shall be in the last act of death; for as when the cord is loosed, and the bucket broken, and the pitcher broken at the well, or the wheel at the cistern, no water can any more be drawn; so when these vital parts fail, can there be no longer protraction of life. 10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words,& that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The Preacher sought to find out excellent and divine sentences, and matters of high and singular use; and such he hath indeed attained unto; for that which is written by him, is full of admirable wisdom and truth. 12 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nailes fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. The words of the wise and holy prophets of God are of singular benefit; for they are as goads to prick us forward to all good duties; yea they go yet deeper, they are as nailes driven up to the head, by gracious teachers; so as they cannot easily be pulled out; which words, however they be delivered to us, by several messengers, yet they come all originally from one hand, even from the great Pastor of his Church, the Word of his Father. By these divine words, O my son, do thou content thyself to be admonished; 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end,& much study is a weariness of the flesh. not roving in thy desires after multitude of other volumes, whereof there is no end; in the compiling and reading of which there is much toil and weariness of the flesh, and much expense of the spirits. THE SONG OF SALOMON. CAP. I. The Church to CHRIST. OH that he would bestow upon me the comfortable testimonies of his love; 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better then wine. and that he would vouchsafe me yet a nearer conjunction with himself; as in glory hereafter, so for the mean time in his sensible graces! For thy love, O my Saviour, and these fruits of it, are more sweet unto me, than all earthly delicates can be to the bodily taste. Yea, so wonderfully pleasant are the savours of those graces that are in thee, 3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. wherewith I desire to be endowed, that all whom thou hast blessed with the sense thereof, make as high and dear account of thy gospel, whereby they are wrought, as of some precious ointment, or perfume: the delight whereof is such, that( hereupon) the pure and holy souls of the faithful place their whole affection upon thee. Pull me therefore out from the bondage of my sins: 4 Draw me; we will run after thee: the King hath brought me into his chambers; we will be glad and rejoice in thee, wee will remember thy love, more then wine: the upright love thee. deliver me from the world, and do thou powerfully incline my will and affections toward thee: and in spite of all temptations, give me strength to cleave unto thee; and then both I, and all those faithful children thou hast given me, shall all at once with speed& earnestness walk to thee& with thee. yea, when once my royal& glorious Husband hath brought me both into these lower rooms of his spiritual treasures on earth, and into his heavenly chambers of glory, then will we rejoice and be glad in none but thee which shalt be all in all to us: then will we celebrate and magnify thy love above all the pleasures we found upon earth; for all of thy righteous ones, both Angells and Saints, are inflamed with the love of thee. Never upbraid me( O ye foreign congregations) that I seem in outward appearance discoloured by my infirmities, and duskish with tribulations: 5 I am black, but comely,( O ye daughters of jerusalem) as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Salomon. for whatsoever I seem to you, I am yet inwardly well-favoured in the eyes of Him whom I seek to please; and though I be to you black; like the tents of the Arabian shepherds; yet to him, and in him, I am glorious and beautiful, like the curtains of Salomon. 6 look not upon me because I am black, because the Sun hath looked upon me, my mothers children were angry with me, they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but mine own vineyard have I not kept. look not therefore disdainfully upon me; because I am blackish, and dark of hue; for this colour is not so much natural to me, as caused by that continual heat of afflictions wherewith I have been usually scorched: neither this, so much upon mine own just desert, as upon the rage& envy of my false brethren, the world: who would needs force upon me the observation of their idolatrous religions, and superstitious impieties; through whose wicked importunity, and my own weakness, I have not so entirely kept the sincere truth of God committed to me, as I ought. 7 Tell me( O thou whom my soul loveth) where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions. Now therfore that I am some little started aside from thee, O thou whom my soul notwithstanding dearly loveth, show me, I beseech thee, where, and in what wholesome and divine pastures thou( like a good shepherd) feedest and restest thy flocks with comfortable refreshings, in the extremity of these hot persecutions: for how can it stand with thy glory, that I should, through thy neglect, thus suspiciously wander up and down, among the congregations of them that both command and practise the worship of false gods. CHRIST to the Church. 8 If thou know not,( O thou fairest amongst women) go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy Kids besides the shepherds tents. If thou know not, O thou my Church, whom I both esteem and have made most beautiful by my merits, and thy sanctification, stray not amongst these false worshippers, but follow the holy steps of those blessed Patriarkes, Prophets, Apostles, which have been my true and ancient flock, who have both known my voice, and followed me; and feed thou my weak and tender ones with this their spiritual food of life, far above the carnal reach of those other false teachers. Such is mine estimation of thee, O my Love, that so far as the choicest egyptian horses of Pharaoh, 9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaohs chariots. for comely shape, for honourable service, for strength and speed, exceed all other, so far thou excellest all that may be compared with thee. 10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. Those parts of thee, which both are the seats of beauty, and most conspicuous to the eye, are gloriously adorned with the graces of my sanctification; which are for their worth as so many precious borders of the goodliest stones, or chains of pearls. 11 We will make thee borders of gold, with studs of silver. And though thou be already thus set forth; yet I and my Father have purposed a further ornament unto thee, in the more plentiful effusion of our Spirit upon thee: which shall be to thy former deckings, in stead of pure gold curiously wrought with speckes of silver. The Church. Behold( O ye daughters) even now, 12 While the King sitteth at his table, my Spikenard, sendeth forth the smell thereof. whiles my Lord and King seems far distant from me, and sits in the Throne of heaven among the companies of Angels( who attend around upon him) yet now do I find him present with me in spirit: even now the sweet influence of his graces, like to some precious ointment, spreads itself over my soul, and returns a pleasant savour into his own nostrils. And though I be thus delightful to my Saviour, 13 A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me, he shall lye all night betwixt my breasts. yet nothing so much as he is unto me: for lo, as some fragrant pomander of myrrh, laid between the breasts, sends up a most comfortable sent; so his love, laid close unto my heart, doth still give me continual and unspeakable refreshings. Or if any thing can be of more excellent virtue, 14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphor in the vineyards of Engedi. such smell as the clusters of camphor or cypress berries, within the fruitfulst, pleasantst, and richest vineyards and gardens of Judaea, yield unto the passengers; such and more delectable do I find the savour of his grace to me. CHRIST. Neither dost thou on my part lose any of thy love, 15 Behold, thou art faire, my love: behold, thou are faire, thou hast Doves eyes. O my dear Church: for behold, in mine eyes, thus clothed as thou art with my righteousness, oh how faire and glorious thou art! how above all comparison glorious and faire! Thine eyes which are thy seers,( Prophets, Apostles, Ministers) and those inward eyes, whereby thou seest him that is invisible, are full of grace, chastity, simplicity. The Church. Nay then( O my sweet Saviour and Spouse) thou alone art that faire and pleasant one indeed, 16 Behold, thou art faire, my beloved, yea pleasant: also our bed is green. from whose fullness I confess to have received all this little measure of my spiritual beauty: and behold, from this our mutual delight, and heavenly conjunction, there ariseth a plentiful and flourishing increase of thy faithful ones in all places, and through all times. And behold, the congregations of Saints, 17 The beams of our house are Cedar, and our rafters of fir. the places where we do sweetly converse and walk together, are both firm& during( like Cedars amongst the trees) not subject, through thy protecting grace, to utter corruption; and through thy favourable acceptation and word( like to galleries of sweet wood) full of pleasure and contentment. CAP. II. CHRIST. 1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. THou hast not without just cause magnified me, O my Church: for, as the fairest and sweetest of all flowers which the earth yeeldeth, the Rose and lily of the valleys, excel for beauty, for pleasure, for use, the most base and odious weeds that grow; so doth my grace, to all them that have felt the sweetness therof, surpass all worldly contentments. Neither is this my dignity alone: but thou, O my Spouse( that thou maiest be a fit match for me) art thus excellent above the world, 2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. that no lily can be more in goodly show beyond the naked thorn, than thou in thy glory thou receivest from me, over-lookest all the assemblies of aliens and unregenerates. The Church. 3 As the Apple three among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sate down under his shadow with great delight, and his ruit was sweet to my staste. And( to return thy own praises) as some fruitful and well-growne Appletree, in comparison of all the barren trees of the wild foreste, so art thou( O my beloved Saviour) to me, in comparison of all men, and under thy comfortable shadow alone have I ever wont to find safe shelter against all mine afflictions, all my temptations& infirmities, against all the curses of the Law, and dangers of judgement,& to cool myself after all the scorching beams of thy Fathers displeasure,&( besides) to feed and satisfy my soul with the sovereign fruit of thy holy Word, unto eternal life. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me, was love. he hath graciously lead me by his Spirit, into the midst of the mysteries of godliness; and hath plentifully broached unto me the sweet wines of his Scriptures and Sacraments. And look how souldiers are drawn by their colours from place to place, and cleave fast to their ensign: so his love, which he spread forth in my heart was my onely banner, whereby I was both drawn to him, directed by him, and fastened upon him. 5 Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apple, for I am sick of love. And now, O ye faithful Evangelists, Apostles, Teachers, apply unto me with all care& diligence, all the cordial premises of the Gospel: these are the full Flagons of that spiritual wine, which only can cheer up my soul; these are the apple of that three of life, in the midst of the Garden, which can feed me to immortality. Oh come and apply these unto my heart: for I am even overcome with a longing expectation and desire of my delayed glory. And whiles I am thus spiritually languishing in this agony of desire, 6 His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. let my Saviour employ both his hands to relieve mine infirmity: let him comfort my head and my heart, my judgement and affections,( which both complain of weakness) with the lively heat of his gracious embracements: and so let us sweetly rest together. In the mean time, 7 I charge you, O ye daughters of jerusalem, by the Roes,& by the Hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love till he please. I charge you( O all ye that profess any friendship or affinity with me) I charge you by whatsoever is comely, dear and pleasant unto you, as you will avoid my uttermost censures, take heed how you vex and disquiet my merciful Saviour, and grieve his Spirit, and wrong his name, with your vain and lewd conversation; and do not dare, by the least provocation of your sin, to interrupt his peace. lo, I have no sooner called, 8 The voice of my beloved! behold he cometh leaping upon the mountaines, skipping upon the hills. but he hears and answers me with his loving voice: neither doth he onely speak to me afar, but he comes to me with much willingness and celerity; so willingly, that no human resistance can hinder him, neither the hillocks of my lesser infirmities, nor the mountaines of my grosser sins( once repented of) can stay his merciful pace towards me. So swiftly, that no row or hind can fully resemble him in this his speed and nimbleness: and lo, 9 My beloved is like a row, or a young Hart: behold he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the window, showing himself through the lattesse. even now before I can speak it, is he come near unto me, close to the door and wall of my heart. And though this wall of my flesh hinder my full fruition of him, yet lo, I see him by the eye of faith, looking upon me; I see him as in a glass; I see him shining gloriously, through the gates and windows of his Word and Sacraments, upon my soul. And now, me thinks, 10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my faire one, and come away. I hear him speak to me in a gracious invitation, and say, Arise,( O my Church) rise up, whether from thy security, or fear: hid not thy head any longer, O my beautiful Spouse, for danger of thine enemies, neither suffer thyself to be pressed with the dulness of thy nature, or the careless sleep of thy sins; but come forth into the comfortable light of my presence, and show thyself cheerful in me. For behold, 11 For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. all the cloudy winter of thy afflictions is passed; all the tempests of temptations are blown over; the heaven is clear, and now there is nothing that may not give thee cause of delight. 12 The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land. Every thing now resembles the face of a spiritual Spring; all the sweet flowers and blossoms of holy profession put forth, and show themselves in their opportunities: now is the time of that heavenly melody, which the cheerful Saints and Angels make in mine ears, while they sing songs of deliverance, and praise me with their Allelujahs, and say, Glory to God on high, in earth peace, good will towards men. 13 The Fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my faire one, and come away. What speak I of blossoms? behold, those fruitful Vines, and Fig-trees of my faithful ones, whom my husbandry hath carefully tended and dressed, yield forth both pleasant( though tender) fruits of obedience, and the wholesome& comfortable savours of better desires; wherefore now, O my dear Church, shake off all that dull security, wherewith thou hast been held, and come forth and enjoy me. 14 O my dove! that art in the cliffs of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs: let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice, for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. O my beautiful, pure, and chast spouse, which like unto some solitary Dove, hast long hide thine head in the secret and inaccessible cliffs of the rocks, out of the reach and knowledge of thy persecutors; how-ever thou art concealed from others, show thyself in thy works and righteousness, unto me: and let me be ever plied with thy words of imploration,& thanksgiving: for thy voice( though it be in mourning) and thy face( though it bee sad and blubbered) are exceedingly pleasing unto me. 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. And in the mean time( O all ye that wish well to my name and Church) do your utmost endeavour to deliver her from her secret enemies( not sparing the least) who either by heretical doctrine, or profane conversation, hinder the course of the gospel, and pervert the faith of many, especially of those that have newly given up their names to me, and are but newly entred into the profession of godliness. 16 My beloved is mine and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. My beloved Saviour is mine, through my faith and I am his through his love: and we both are one, by virtue of that blessed union on both parts; whereby wee mutually enjoy each other with all-sufficient contentment. And how worthily is my love placed upon him, who leadeth me forth into pleasant pastures, and at whose right hand there is the fullness of joy for evermore! Come therefore( O my Saviour) and until the day of thy glorious appearance shal shine forth to the world, 17 until the day break and the shadows flee away: turn my beloved, and be thou like a row, or a young Hart, upon the mountaines of Bether. wherein our spiritual marriage shall be consummate, and until all these shadows of ignorance, of infidelity, of troubles of conscience, and of outward tribulations be utterly dispersed, and chased away, come and turn thee to me again, thou which to the carnal eyes of the world seemest absent, come quickly, and delay not; but for the speed of thy return, be like unto some swift row, or hind, upon those smooth hills of Gilead, which Jordan severs from the other part of Jury. CAP. III. MY security told me that my Saviour was near unto my soul, yea with it, and in it: 1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth, I sought him, but I found him not. but when by serious and silent meditation I preached my own heart, I found that( for ought my own sense could discern) he was far off from me. Then thought I with myself, 2 I will rise now and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul love●●: I sought him, but I ●●●nd him not. Shall I lye still contented with this want? No, I will stir up myself; and the help I cannot find in myself, I will seek in others: Of all that have been experienced in all kind of difficulties, of all deep Philosophers, of the wisest and honestest worldlings, I will diligently inquire for my Saviour: amongst them I sought him, yet could receive no answer to my satisfaction. Missing him there, 3 The watchmen that go about the city, found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? I ran to those wise and careful Teachers, whom God hath set as so many watch-men upon the walls of his Jerusalem, who sooner found me than I could ask after them; to whom I said( as thinking no man could be ignorant of my love) Can you give me no direction where I might find him whom my soul loveth? Of whom when I had almost left hoping for comfort, 4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mothers house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. that gracious Saviour who would not suffer me to be tempted above my measure, presented himself to my soul: lo then, by a new act of faith, I laid fast hold upon him, and will not let him any more part from my joyful embracements, until both I have brought him home fully into the seat of my conscience,& have won him to a perpetual cohabitation with me, and a full accomplishment of my love, in that Jerusalem which is above, which is the mother of us all. CHRIST. Now that my distressed Church hath been all the night long of my seeming absence, toiled in seeking me, 5 I charge you, O ye daughters of jerusalem, by the Roes and by the Hinds of the field, that ye stir not up nor awake my love, till he please. I charge you,( O all that profess any friendship with me) I charge you by whatsoever is comely, dear, and pleasant unto you, that( as you will answer it) you trouble not her peace with any unjust or unseasonable suggestions, with uncharitable contentions, with any Novelties of doctrine, but suffer her to rest sweetly in that divine truth, which shee hath received, and this true apprehension of me wherein shee rejoiceth. 6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? Oh who is this? how admirable? how lovely? who but my Church, that ascendeth thus gloriously out of the wilderness of the world, wherein shee hath thus long wandered, into the blessed mansions of my Fathers house, all perfumed with the graces of perfect sanctification, mounting right upward into her glory, like some strait pillar of smoke, that ariseth from the most rich and pleasant composition of odours that can be devised. The Church. 7 Behold his bed, which is Salomons: threesc●●e valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel: I am ascended; and lo how glorious is this place where I shall eternally enjoy the presence and love of my Saviour! how far doth it exceed the earthly magnificence of Salomon? about his bed do attend a Guard of threescore choicest men of Israel: 8 They all hold swords, being expert in war: Every man hath his sword upon his thigh, because of fear in the night. All stout warriors able and expert to handle the sword; which for more readiness each of them wears hanging upon his thigh, so as it may be hastily drawn upon any sudden danger: but about this heavenly pavilion of my Saviour, attend millions of Angels, spiritual Souldiers, mighty in power, ready to be commanded service by him. 9 King Salomon made himself a chariot, ( or bed) of the wood of Lebanon. The chariot, or Bed that Salomon made( so much admired of the world) was but of the Cedars of Lebanon. The Pillars but of silver, and the Bedstead of gold; the Tester or canopy, 10 He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple; the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of jerusalem. but of purple; the coverlet wrought with the curious and painful needlework of the maids of jerusalem: but this celestial resting place of my God is not made with hands, nor of any corruptible metal, but is full of incomprehensible light, shining evermore with the glorious presence of God. And as the outward state, so the majesty of his person is above all comparison. 11 go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold King Salomon with the crown wherewith his mother crwoned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. Come forth( O ye daughters of Sion) lay aside all private and earthly affections, look upon King Salomon as he sits solemnly crwoned in the day of his greatest royalty and triumph, and compare his highest pomp, with the divine magnificence of my Saviour, in that day when his blessed marriage shall be fully perfected above, to the eternal rejoicing of himself and his Church; and see whether there be any proportion betwixt them. CAP. IIII. CHRIST. OH how faire thou art and comely, my dear Spouse! 1 Behold, thou art faire, my love, behold, thou art faire, thou hast doves eyes within thy locks, thy hair is as a flock of goates, that appear from mount Gilead. how inwardly faire with the gifts of my Spirit! how faire outwardly in thy comely administration and government! Thy spiritual eyes of understanding and judgement, are full of purity, chastity, simplicity; not wantonly cast forth, but modestly shining amid thy locks: all thy gracious profession and all thy appendances, and ornaments of expedient ceremonies, are so comely to behold, as is to see a flock of well-fed goats grazing upon the fruitful hills of Gilead. Those that chew and prepare the heavenly food for thy soul, are both of gracious simplicity, 2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shome, which came up from the washing: whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them. and of sweet accordance one with another; having all one heart and one tongue: and both themselves are sanctified and purged from their uncleanness, and are fruitful in their holy labours unto others; so that their doctrine is never in vain, but is still answered with plentiful increase of souls added to the Church. Thy speech( especially in the mouth of thy Teachers) is both gracious in itself, 3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. and such as administers grace to the hearers; full of zeal and fervent charity, full of gravity and discretion: and that part of thy countenance which thou wilt have seen( though dimly and sparing) is full of holy modesty and bashfulness; so blushing, that it seemeth like the colour of a broken piece of Pomegranate. Those who by their holy authority sustain thy government( which are as some strait and strong neck to bear up the head) are like unto Davids high Tower of defence, furnished with a rich armorie; 4 Thy neck is like the tower of David, builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. which affords infinite ways of safe protection, and infinite monuments of victory. Thy two Testaments( which are thy two full and faire breasts, 5 Thy two breasts are like two young Roes, that are twins, which feed among the lilies. whereby thou nursest all thy faithful children) are as two young Roes: twins, for their excellent and perfect agreement one with another, in all resemblances of young Roes, that are daintily fed among the sweet flowers, for the pleasant nourishment which they yield to all that suck thereof. until the day of my gracious appearance shall shine forth, and until all these shadows of ignorance, 6 until the day break,& the shadows fly away, I will get me to the mountaines of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. infidelity, afflictions, be utterly and suddenly dispersed, O my Spouse, I will retire myself( in regard of my bodily presence) into my delightful and glorious rest of heaven. 7 Thou art all faire, my love, there is no spot in thee. Thou art exceeding beautiful, O my Church, in all the parts of thee: for all thy sins are done away, and thine iniquity is covered, and lo, I present thee to my Father without spot, or wrinkle, or any such deformity. 8 Come with me from Lebanon( my Spouse) with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions dens, from the mountaines of the leopards. And now( O thou which I profess to have married to myself in truth and righteousness) thou shalt be gathered to me from all parts of the world; not only from the confines of Judea, where I planted and found thee, but from the remotest and most savage places of the Nations; out of the company of infidels, of cruel and bloody persecutors, who like Lions and Leopards have tyrannized over thee, and mercilessly torn thee in pieces. 9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my Spouse, thou hast ravished my heart, with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. Thou hast utterly ravished me from myself( O my sister and Spouse; for so thou art, both joined to me in that spiritual union, and coheir with me of the same inheritance and glory) thou hast quiter ravished my heart with thy love: even one cast of one of thine eyes of faith, and one of the ornaments of thy sanctification, wherewith thou art decked by my Spirit, have thus strike me with love: how much more, when I shall have a full sight of thee, and all thy graces, shall I be affencted towards thee! 10 How faire is thy love, my sister, my Spouse, how much better is thy love then wine! and the smell of thine ointments then all spices! O how excellent, how precious, how delectable are those loves of thine, O my sister, my Spouse! how far surpassing all earthly delicates! and the savour of those divine virtues, wherewith thou art endowed, more pleasing to my sent, then all the perfumes in the world! The gracious speeches that proceed from thee, are as so many drops of the honeycomb that fall from thy lips, 11 Thy lips, O my Spouse, drop as the honeycomb: hony and milk are under thy tongue, and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanō. and whether thou exhort, or confess, or pray, or comfort, thy words are both sweet and nourishing; and the savour of thy good works, and outward conversation, is to me as the smell of the wood of Lebanon to the sense of man. 12 A garden enclosed is my sister, my Spouse: a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. My sister, my Spouse, is as a Garden or Orchard full of all variety of the heavenly trees and flowers of grace; not lying carelessly open, either to the love of strangers, or to the rage of enemies, which like the wild boar out of the wood, might root up and destroy her choice plants: but safely hedged and walled about, by my protection,& reserved for my delight alone; she is a Spring and Well of wholesome waters, from whom flow forth the pure streams of my Word; but, both, enclosed and sealed up: partly, that shee may the better( by this closeness) preserve her own natural taste and vigour, from the corruptions of the world; and partly, that shee may not be defiled and mudded by the profane feet of the wicked. Thou art an Orchard, yea a Paradise, whose plants( which are thy faithful children that grow up in thee) are as Pomegranate Trees; 13 Thy plants are an orchard of Pomegranates, with pleasant fruits, camphor, with Spikenard. the apple whereof are esteemed, for the largeness, colour and taste, above all other: or( if I would feed my other senses) the plentiful fruits of thy holy obedience( which thou yieldest unto me) are for their smell, as some composition of cypress, 14 Spikenard& Saffron, Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, Myrrh, and Aloes, with all the chief spices. Spikenard, Saffron, sweet Cane, cinnamon, Incense, Myrrh, Aloes, and whatsoever else may be devised, unto the most perfect sent. Thou art so a Spring in my Garden, 15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. that the streams which are derived from thee, water all the gardens of my particular congregations, all the world over: thou art that fountain, from whose pure head issue all those living waters which, who so drinketh, shall never thirst again; even such clear currents, as flow from the hill of Libanus, which like, unto another Jordan, water all the Israel of God. The Church. If I be a garden, 16 Awake, O Northwinde, and come thou South, blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out: let my beloved come into his garden,& eat his pleasant fruits. as thou sayest( O my Saviour) then arise, O all ye sovereign winds of the Spirit of God, and breath upon this garden of my soul, that the sweet odours of these my plants may both be increased, and may also be dispersed afar, and carried into the nostrils of my Well-beloved: and so let him come into his own garden( which his own hand hath digged, planted, watered) and accept of the fruit of that service and praise, which he shall enable me to bring forth to his Name. CAP. V. CHRIST. BEhold, according to thy desire, 1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse, I have gathered my Myrrh with my spice, I have eaten my honey comb with my honey, I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. I am come into my garden, O my sister, my Spouse; I have received those fruits of thine obedience which thou offeredst unto me, with much joy and pleasure. I have accepted not only of thy good works, but thy endeavours and purposes of holinesse, both which are as pleasant to me, as the Hony and the honeycomb. I have allowed of the cheerfulness of thy service, and the wholsomnesse of thy doctrine. And ye, O my friends, whether blessed Angels, or faithful men, partake with me in this joy arising from the faithfulness of my Church: cheer up and fill yourselves, O my beloved, with the same spiritual dainties wherewith I am refreshed. The Church. 2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my do●e, my undefiled: for my head is filled with due, and my locks with the drops of the night. When the world had cast me into a secure sleep, or slumber rather( for my heart was not utterly bereaved of a true faith in my Saviour) even in this darkness of my mind, it pleased my gracious Redeemer not to neglect me; he came to me, and knocked oft, and called importunately at the door of my heart, by his word and chastisements, and said, Open the door of thy soul, O my sister, my dear, chased, comely, unspotted Church: let me come in, and lodge and dwell with thee, in my graces; shut out the world, and receive me with a more lively act, and renovation of thy faith. For lo, I have long waited patiently for this effect of thy love, and have endured all the injuries both of the night, and weather of thy provocations, that I might at last enjoy thee. 3 I have put off my coat, how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them? I answered him again, pleading excuses for my delay; Alas, Lord, I have now, since I left my forward profession of thee, avoided a great number of cares and sorrows: must I take them up again to follow thee? I have lived clean from the soil of these evils: and shall I now thrust myself into danger of them? 4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. When my Saviour heard this unkind answer of delay, he let his hand fall from the key-hole, which he had thus before without success laboured about; and withdrew himself from soliciting me any more: whereupon my heart and bowels yearned within me for him, and for the remorse of my so long fore-slowing his admittance unto me. 5 I rose up to open to my beloved, and my hands dropped with Myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling Myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. And now I roused up my drowsy heart( what I could) that I might in some cheerful manner desire to receive so gracious a Saviour: which when I but endeavoured, I found that he had left behind him such a plentiful blessing( as the monument of his late presence) upon the first motions of my heart, as that with the very touch of them I was both exceedingly refreshed, and moved to further indignation at myself for delaying him. 6 I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake, I sought him, but I could not find him: I called him, but he gave me no answer. I opened to my beloved Saviour, but my Saviour had now( in my feeling) withdrawn himself, and hide his countenance from me, holding me short of those gracious offers and means which I had refused; and now I was almost past myself with despair, to remember that sweet invitation of his, which I neglected: I sought him therefore in my thoughts, in the outward use of his ordinances, and of my earnest prayers; but he would not as yet be found of me, or let me find that I was heard of him. Those which should have regarded me, 7 The watchmen that went about the city, found me; they smote me, they wounded me, the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me. & by their vigilancy have secured me from danger, proved mine adversaries: in stead of comforting me, they fell upon me, and wounded me with their false doctrines, drawing me on into further errors, spoiling me of that purity& sincerity of profession, wherewith, as with some rich and modest vail, I was formerly adorned, and covered. I advice you solemnly, 8 I charge you, O daughters of jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love. O all ye that wish well to me( for I care not who knows the vehemency of my passion) if you should find my Saviours presence in yourselves before me, pray for the recovery of his love to me; and bemoaning my estate to him, tell him how I languish with the impatient desire of his love, and presence to be restored unto me. O thou which art the most happy, 9 What is thy beloved more then another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more then another beloved, that thou dost so charge us? most gracious and most glorious of all creatures, the chosen of the living God; what is thy well-beloved whom thou seekest, above all other the sons of men? what such eminency is there in him above all Saints and Angels, that thou art borh so far gone in affection to him? and dost so vehemently adjure us to speak unto him for thee? My well-beloved( if you know not) is of perfect beauty; 10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. in whose face is an exact mixture of the colours of the purest and healthfullest complexion of holinesse: for he hath not received the spirit by measure; and in him the God-head dwells bodily; he is infinitely fairer then all the sons of men; and for goodliness of person may bear the standard of comeliness and grace amongst ten thousand. The deity which dwelleth in him, 11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a Raven. is most pure and glorious: and that fullness of grace which is communicated to his human nature, is wondrously beautiful, and so sets it forth, as the black curled locks do a fresh and well favoured countenance. His judgement of all things, 12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of water, washed with milk, and fitly set. and his respect to his Church( which are as his eyes) are full of love, and full of piety, shining like unto doves washed in water, yea, in milk; so as there is no spot, or blemish to be found in them: and they are withall so fully placed, as is most comely and most expedient for the perfect sight of the estate, and necessities of his servants. The manifestation of himself to us in his Word, 13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet-smelling myrrh. is sweet to our spiritual feeling, as an heap of spice, or those flowers that are used to make the best persuming ointments, are to the other senses: his heavenly instructions and promises of his gospel are unspeakably comfortable, and plenteous, in the grace that is wrought by them. 14 His hands are as gold rings set with the ●erill: His belly is as bright Ivory, overlaid with sapphires. His actions, and his instruments( which are his hands) are set forth with much port and majesty, as some precious ston beautifies the Ring wherein it is set: the secret counsels of his breast, and the mysteries of his will, are most pure and holy, and full of excellent glory. 15 His ●egges are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the Cedars. All his proceedings are firm and stable; and withall, as Pillars of Marble set in sockets of tried gold; so as they are neither subject to wavering, nor to any danger of infirmity& corruption: the show& carriage of his whole person, whereby he makes himself known to his chosen, is exceeding goodly and upright, like to the strait and lofty Cedars of Lebanon. 16 His mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of jerusalem. His mouth, out of which proceed innumerable blessings and comfortable promises, is to my soul even sweetness itself; yea( what speak I of any one part?) as you have heard in these particulars; he is all sweets: there is nothing but comfort in him; and there is no comfort but in him; and this( if ye would know) is my Well-beloved; of so incomparable glory& worthiness, that ye may easily discern him from all others. CAP. VI. foreign Congregations. 1 Whither is thy beloved gone? O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee. SInce thy well-beloved is so glorious, and amiable,( O thou which art for thy beauty worthy to bee the Spouse of such an husband) tell us( for thou onely knowest it; and to seek Christ without the Church, we know is vain) tel us where this Saviour of thine is to be sought; that we( ravished also with the report of his beauty) may join with thee in the same holy study of seeking after him. 2 My beloved is gone down into his garden: to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens,& to gather lilies. My Well-beloved Saviour( if you would know this also) is to bee sought and found in the particular assemblies of his people, which are his Garden of Pleasure, wherein are varieties of all the beds of renewed souls; which both he hath planted, and dressed by his continual care, and wherein he walketh for his delight; feeding and solacing himself with those fruits of righteousness and new obedience, which they are able to bring forth unto him. And now lo, 3 I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. whatsoever hath happened cross to me, in my sensible fruition of him; in spite of all temptations, my beloved Saviour is mine through faith; and I am his through his love; and both of us are by an inseparable union knit together; whose conjunction and love is most sweet and happy: for all that are his he feedeth continually with heavenly repast. CHRIST. Notwithstanding this thy late blemish of neglecting me, O my Church: yet still in mine eyes, 4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners. through my grace, upon this thy repentance, thou art beautiful, like unto that neat and elegant city Tirzah, and that orderly building of Jerusalem, the glory of the world: and with this thy loveliness, thou art awful unto thine adversaries, through the power of thy censures, and the majesty of him that dwelleth in thee. Yea, such beauty is in thee, 5 turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from Gilead. that I am overcome with the vehemency of my affection to thee: turn away thine eyes a while from beholding me; for the strength of that faith, whereby they are fixed upon me, ravisheth me from myself with joy. I do therefore again renew thy former praise; that thy gracious profession, and all thy appendances and ornaments of expedient ceremonies are so comely to behold, as it is to see a flock of well-fed goates grazing upon the fruitful hills of Gilead. Thy Teachers, 6 Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep which go up from washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and there is not one barren among them. that chew and prepare the heavenly food of thy soul, are of sweet accordance one with another, having all one heart, and one tongue; and both themselves are sanctified and purged from their uncleanness; and are fruitful in their holy labours unto others: so that their doctrine is never in vain, but is still answered with plentiful increase of souls to the Church. That part of thy countenance which thou wilt have seen; 7 As a piece of a Pomegranate are thy temples within thy locks. ( though dimly and sparing) is full of holy modesty and bashfulness: so blushing, that it seemeth like the colour of a broken piece of Pomegranate. Let there be never so great a number of people and nations, of Churches and assemblies, 8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number. which challenge my Name and Love, and perhaps by their outward prosperity, may seem to pled much interest in me, and much worth in themselves. Yet thou onely art alone my true and chased Spouse, 9 My dove, my undefiled is but one: she is the onely one of her mother, shee is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea the Queens and the concubines, and they praised her. pure and undefiled in the truth of thy doctrine, and the imputation of my holinesse: thou art she whom that Jerusalem which is above,( the mother of us all) acknowledgeth for her onely true, and dear daughter. And this is not my commendation alone: but all those foreign assemblies, which might seem to be Rivals with thee of this praise, do applaud and bless thee in this thine estate, and say; Blessed is this people, whose God is the Lord. 10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, faire as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? And admiring thy goodness, shall say; Who is this that looks so freshly as the morning new risen; which from these weak beginnings is grown to such high perfection, that now she is as bright, and glorious, as the Sun in his full strength, and the moon in a clear sky; and withall is so dreadful through the majesty of her countenance, and power of her censures, as some terrible army, with ensigns displayed, is to a weak adversary. 11 I went down into the garden of nuts, to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded. Thou complainedst of my absence,( O my Church:) there was no cause; I meant not to forsake thee; I did but onely walk down into the well-dressed Orchard of thine assemblies, to recreate and joy myself with the view of their forwardness, to see the happy progress of the humble in spirit, and the gracious beginnings of those tender souls, which are newly converted unto me. 12 Or ever I was ware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib. So earnestly did I long to revisit thee, and to restore comfort unto thee, that I hasted I know not which way: and with insensible speed I am come back, as it were upon the swiftest chariots, or the wings of the wind. 13 return, return, O Shulamite; return return, that we may look upon thee: what will ye see in the Shulamite? as it were the company of two armies. Now therefore return( O my Spouse, the true daughter of Jerusalem) return to me, return to myself, and to thy former feeling of my grace: return, that both myself, and all the company of Angels, may see and rejoice in thee: and what shall ye see( O all ye hosts of heaven) what shall ye see in my Church? Even such an awful grace and majesty, as is in a well-marshalled army, ready to meet with the enemy. CAP. VII. 1 How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O princes daughter, the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman. HOw beautiful are thy feet, O daughter of the Highest; being shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and readily addressed to run the way of the commandements of thy God! thou art compassed about thy loins with the girdle of verity; which is both precious for the matter of it, and cunningly framed by the skill of the Spirit of truth. The navel, 2 Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquour: thy belly is like an heap of wheat, set about with lilies. whereby all thy spiritual conceptions receive their nourishment, is full of all fruitful supply, and never wants means of sustenance, to feed them in thy womb: which also is so plenteous in thy blessed increase, that is is as an heap of wheat, consisting of infinite pure grains, which consort together with much sweetness and pleasure. Thy two Testaments( which are thy two full and comely breasts, 3 Thy two breasts are like two young Roes that are twins. by whose wholesome milk thou nourishest all thy faithful children, once born into the light) are for their excellent and perfect agreement, and their amiable proportion, like two young Roes. Those, 4 Thy neck is as a tower of ivory: thine eyes like the fish pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bathrabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon, which looketh toward Damascus who by their holy authority support thy government( which are as some strait and strong neck to bear up thy head) are for their height and defence, like a Tower; for their order, pureness and dignity, like a Tower of ivory: thy Teachers and Ministers( which are thine eyes) are like unto some clear and artificial pounds of water, in a place of greatest resort: wherein all comers may see the faces of their consciences; and whence they may plentifully draw the Waters of life. Thy nose by which all spiritual scents are conveyed to thee, is perfectly composed, and featured like some curious Turret of that goodly house in Lebanon; so as thy judgement, and power of discernning the spirits, is admirable for the order and excellency thereof. The whole tyre of thine head( which are the ceremonies used by thee) are very graceful, 5 Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple, the King is held in the galleries. and of high estimation and price to all the beholders: and as for me, I am so enamoured of thee, that I am even tied by my own desire, to a perpetual presence in thine holy assemblies. Oh how beautiful and lovely art thou therefore( O my Church) in all thy parts and ornaments! 6 How faire, and how pleasant art thou, O Love, for delights! how sweet and pleasant art thou( O my Love) in whatsoever might give me true contentment! Thy whole frame is, 7 This thy statute is like to a palm three; and thy breasts two clusters of grapes. for goodliness and strait growth, like unto some tall engraff; which the more it is depressed by the violence of persecutions, riseth the more; and the two breasts of thy Testaments are like two full juicie clusters, which yield comfortable and abundant refreshing. Seeing then thou art my engraff, 8 I said, I will go up to the palm three, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apple. I have resolved in myself to adjoin myself to thee; to enjoy thee, to gather those sweet fruits of thy graces, which thou yieldest; and by my presence also will cause thee to be more plentiful in all good works, and doctrine; so as thou shall afford abundance of heavenly liquour unto all the thirsty souls of thy children; and an acceptable verdure of holinesse and obedience unto me. 9 And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine, for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep, to speak. And the delivery of my Word, by the mouths of my Ministers, is like to the most excellent and pleasant wine; being both well accepted of that God in whose name it is taught, and most sweetly relished of the receivers; which is of such wonderful power, that it is able to put words both of repentance, and praise, into the lips of him that lies asleep in his sins. The Church. 10 I am my beloveds, and his desire is towards me. Behold; such as I am, I am not my own; much less am I any others: I am wholly my Saviours: and now I see, and feel, whatsoever I had deserved, that he is mine also in all entire affection; who hath both chosen me, and given himself for me. 11 Come my beloved, let us go forth into the field: let us lodge in the villages. Come therefore, O my dear Saviour, let us join together in our natural care: let thy Spirit and my service be intent upon thy Congregations here below on earth; and let us stay in the place where our spiritual husbandry lieth. 12 Let us get up early to the vineyards, let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves. Let us with all hast and cheerfulness visit the fruitful vines of our believing children; and to our mutual comfort, be witnesses and partakers of all the signs and fruits of grace, of all those good works, and thanksgivings, of those holy endeavours and worthy practices, which they yield forth unto us: let us judge of their forwardness, and commend it: whereupon it will easily appear, that the consummation of our happy marriage draweth near, in which there shall be a perfect union betwixt us. 13 The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all maner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved. Behold, thy godly servants, which not only bear fruit themselves, but are powerful in the provocation of others, present their best services unto thee; and even at our doors( not far to seek, not hard to procure) is offer made unto thee, of all variety of fruit: whether from thy young Converts, or thy more settled Professors: and all these I spend not lavishly; but in my loving care, duly reserve them for thee, and for the solemn day of our full marriage. CAP. VIII. The jewish Church. OH that I might see thee( my Saviour) clothed in flesh! 1 O that thou wert as my brother that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee, yet I should not be despised. Oh that thou which art my everlasting Husband, mightest also be my Brother, in partaking the same human nature with me; that so I finding thee below upon earth, might familiarly entertain thee, and converse with thee without reproach of the world; yea, might be exalted in thy glory! Then would I( though I be now penned up in the limits of Judaea) bring thee forth into the light and knowledge of the universal Church, whose daughter I am: 2 I would led thee,& bring thee into my mothers house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate. and then and there, thou shouldst teach me how perfectly to serve and worship thee, and I shall gladly entertain thee with a royal feast of the best graces that are in my holiest servants; which I know thou wilt account better cheer, than all the spiced cups, and Pomegranate wines in the world. Then shall I attain to a nearer communion with him; 3 His left hand should be under my head: and his right hand should embrace me. and both his hands shall be employed to sustain, and relieve me: yea, he shall comfort my head and my heart( my judgement, and affections) with the lively heat of his gracious embracements. I charge you( O all ye that profess any friendship to me) I charge you deeply, 4 I charge you, O daughters of jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love until he please. as ye will avoid my uttermost censures; take heed how ye vex and disquiet my merciful Saviour, and grieve his Spirit: and do not dare, by the least provocation of him, to interrupt his peace. CHRIST. Who is this, 5( Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?) I raised thee up under the apple three: there thy mother brought thee forth, there shee brought thee forth that bare thee. that from the comfortless deserts of ignorance, of infidelity, of tribulations, ascendeth thus up into the glorious light and liberty of my chosen? relying herself wholly upon her Saviour, and solacing herself in him? Is it not my Church? It is shee, whom I have loved, and acknowledged of old: for even under the three of offence, the forbidden fruit which thou tastedst to thy destruction, I raised thee up again from death; Even there, thy first mother conceived thee; while by faith shee laid hold on that blessed promise of the gospel, whereby shee and her believing seed were restored. The jewish Church. 6 Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flamme. And so have thou me still( O my Saviour) in a perpetual and dear remembrance: keep me sure in thine heart, yea in thine arms, as that which thou holdest most precious: and let me never be removed from thy love; the least show and danger whereof I cannot endure: for this my spiritual love is exceeding powerful, and can no more be resisted than death itself: and the jealous zeal which I have for thee and thy glory, consumes me, even like the grave, and burns me up like unto the coals of some most vehement and extreme fire. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly bee contemned. Yea, more then any fire; for any flamme yet may bee quenched with water: but all the water of afflictions and terrors( yea, whole streams of persecutions) cannot quench this love: and for all tempting offers of wealth, of pleasures and honour, how easily are they all contemned for the love of my Saviour! 8 Wee have a little sister, and she hath no breasts; what shall we do for our sister, in the day when she shall be spoken for? Wee have a sister( as thou knowest, O Saviour) ordained through thy mercy, to the same grace with me: the uncalled Church of the Gentiles; small( as yet) of growth, through the rareness of her Converts, and destitute of the help of any outward ministery, whereby she might either bear, or nourish children unto thee: when shee grows unto her maturity; and the mystery of calling her universally to thee, shall be revealed to the world, and herself, what course will it please thee to take with her? CHRIST. 9 If she be a wall, wee will build upon her a Palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will enclose her with boards of Cedar. If shee shall continue firm and constant, in the expectation of her promises, and the profession of that truth which shall be revealed; we will beautify and strengthen her with further grace, and make her a pure and costly Palace, fit to entertain my spirit: and if shee will give free passage and good entrance to my word and grace, we will make her sure and safe from corruption, and reserve her to immortality. The jewish Church. 10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes, as one that found favour. Behold, that condition which thou requirest in the Church of the Gentiles, thou findest in me; I am thus firm and constant in my expectation, in my profession: and that want thou findest in her of ability to nourish her Children, by the breast of thy Word, is not in me; who have abundance both of nourishment and defence: upon which my confession and plea, I found grace and peace in the eyes of my Saviour; and received from him assurance of his everlasting love to me. CHRIST. My Church is my Vine, 11 Salomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon, he let out the vineyard unto keepers: every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. and I am the Owner and Husbandman: our thrift and profit thereof far exceedeth the good husbandry of Salomon: he hath a rich Vineyard indeed in a most fruitful soil; but he lets it forth to the hands of others, as not being able to keep and dress it himself: and therefore he is fain to be content with the greatest part of the increase, not expecting the whole. But my Vine is ever before me, 12 My vineyard which is mine, is before me: thou( O Salomon) must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof, two hundred. I am with it to the end of the world, I reserve it in mine own hands, and dress it with mine own labour: and therefore if thou( O Salomon) canst receive from thine, to the proportion of a thousand, thy workmen and farmers will look for the fift part to come unto their share; whereas the gain of my Vineyard ariseth wholly, and only unto myself. Sith therefore such is my care of thee, 13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice, cause me to hear it. and joy in thee( O my Church, which consistest of the particular assemblies of men professing my Name) see thou be diligent in declaring my will, and giving holy counsels to all thy fellow-members: speak forth my praise in the great congregations( which all attend willingly upon thee) and let me hear the voice of thy constant and faithful confession of me before the world. The Church. I will most gladly do what thou commandest, O my Saviour: but that I may perform it accordingly, 14 Make hast, my beloved, and be thou like to a row, or to a young Hart upon the mountaines of spices. be thou( which art, according to thy bodily presence, in the highest heavens) ever present with me by the Spirit, and hasten thy glorious coming, to my full Redemption. ISAIAH. CAP. I. 2 hear, O heavens,& give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. SInce that men are deaf unto my words, I will turn me and my speech to the very heavens, and earth, and call them to witness against those which should be my people; hear therefore, O heavens, and give ear O earth; for it is not I that speak, but the Lord himself complaineth of the unthankfulness of Israel, &c. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his masters crib. What a wonder& shane it is, that they which should be more then men, are indeed worse then beasts; for behold, the very ox, and the ass, which are the dullest of all creatures, yet they take thankful notice of their owner, and of the crib wherein they are fed, &c. 5 Why should ye bee strike any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. I have already tried your reformation by many chastisements, yea, judgements; yet ye will not amend; to what purpose should I correct you further? Since I see you do still grow worse, and worse; those parts of you that should be best, and are most eminent, and of greatest use, are extremely out of order. 6 From the sole of the foot, even unto the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds& bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. Even from the highest to the lowest; from the meanest drudge unto the greatest of your Princes, ye are all miserable disordered, and sinful; and are accordingly plagued; so as none of you are free from some grievous judgement; and such are your sins, and your judgements, that they have made themselves incapable of remedy, or mitigation. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard. The country round about being wasted, Jerusalem itself is left standing alone desolate, as a cottage in a vineyard, &c. and hath no more recourse unto it, and traffic in it, then if it were already besieged, as ere long it shall be. 9 Except the Lord of Hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, wee should have been as sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. If God had not been gracious unto us, contrary to our deservings, and restrained the fury of our enemies, and mercifully reserved this small remnant unto us, wee had been utterly destroyed, and laid waste, like to Sodom and Gomorrah. 10 hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of sodom. Since ye have made yourselves then as sinful as those infamous cities, that were destroyed with fire from heaven, let me give you the names of those, whom ye have imitated; hear therefore the word of the Lord, O ye rulers of Sodom, &c. To what purpose is the formality of these your outward sacrifices; as if the multitude of your oblations, 11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me, saith the Lord? I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, &c. or the very act done, could please me without due affections? Those your solemn Feasts, which I have instituted, 14 Your new moons, and your appointed feasts, my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me, I am weary to bear them. and do therefore well approve in themselves, yet as they are celebrated by you, I loathe and abhor them, &c. Jerusalem was once my faithful Spouse, an holy City, 21 How is the faithful city become an harlot? it was full of judgement. how is it that she is now turned strumpet, and become desperately lewd, and debauched? &c. Those good graces that thou didst once profess to have, are now utterly corrupted, and depraved; 22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water. thine obedience, which was once sincere, and pure, is now adulterated with abominable wickedness. Yet, in my judgement I will remember mercy; 25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin. I will not utterly destroy thee as I might, but I will turn my hand upon thee, for thy restauration; and, whereas I might burn thee quiter up, yet I will onely purge away thy dross, and take away the base metal from thee, that the small remainder of the pure and precious, may be reserved. They shall be ashamed of that foul Idolatry wherewith ye have been tainted; 29 For they shall bee ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen. and of those groves which ye have used to that purpose; and of those gardens, and orchards which ye have so employed. And, if ye again relapse, 30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. ye shall be left like one of the oaks of those destroyed groves, without leaf or sap, or like one of those gardens, which you have abused, in a time of drought, without water. And that mighty idol whereto ye trust, 31 And the strong shall be as towe, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them. shall be as towe, and the maker and worshipper of that idol, shall be as a spark, and both of them shall burn together with unquenchable fire. CAP. II. IT shall come to pass in the dayes of the messiah exhibited, and the gospel revealed, 2. And it shall come to pass in the last dayes, that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountaines, and shall bee exalted above the hills, &c. that the Church of God shall not be obscurely confined to a corner of the world, but shall be eminently conspicuous; and so famously noted, that the Gentiles shall come in, and generally adjoin themselves unto it. 3 For out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of the Lord from jerusalem. For in the Evangelicall Church onely, which is figured by Zion, shall the truth of Gods sacred word be professed; and from it shall spread itself over the world. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuk many people: and they shall beat their swords into Plowshares,& their spears into pruning hooks. And the true messiah shall by his spiritual government, rule over many nations, and hold many several kinds of people in an awful subjection; and shall so calm, and quiet them, that they shall be altogether composed to peace; and therefore shall turn their swords, whereof they shall have no further use, into instruments of husbandry, &c. 5 O house of jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord? Yea those new-converted Gentiles shall be ready to provoke, and incite Israel to an holy and conscionable obedience, and say, O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk together in the clear and glorious light of the gospel, to the praise and honour of him that hath called us. 6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the East, and are Soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers. O God, whiles thou admittest of the Gentiles, thou findest too just cause to cast off thine own people; for that they are full of the superstitions and Idolatries of the Syrians, and are given to magical practices, like the philistines; and take pleasure rather to imitate the false worship of foreign nations, then to keep close to thy holy prescriptions. They give themselves over to the immoderate desire, and pursuit of wealth, 7 Their Land also is full of silver& gold, neither is there any end of their treasures: their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their charets. neither is there any end of their covetous endeavours, to heap up ill gotten treasures; they do also in a proud, or distrustful affection lay for abundance of horses of war, neither can they bee satisfied with the number of chariots; as if these were the strength wherein they trusted. 9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself; therefore forgive them not. Oh God, since they are so vile, and will not be reclaimed from their Idolatry, spare them not, but make them examples of thy Justice. 10 Enter into the rock, and hid thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. And now, O thou wilfully Idolatrous, and rebellious people, since thou wouldst not prevent these judgements, see if thou canst withdraw thyself from them; go hid thee in the rock, or shrowd thyself, within the earth from his vengeance &c. 12 For the day of the Lord of Hosts, shall bee upon every one that is proud, and lofty. For in that terrible day, the fierce judgements of the Lord of Hosts, shall seize upon every one, that hath proudly and stubburnly resisted his word and ordinance, &c. 13 And upon all the Cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan. And vpon all those proud and lofty potentates, which bear themselves as high, as the Cedars of Lebanon, and as stiff as the oaks of Bashan. 15 And upon every high Tower;& upon every fenced wall. And all those high towers, and strong forts, wherein vain men have wont to put their trust, shall be cast to the ground. And all that rich traffic which you were wont to have with Cilicia and the countries round about, 16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. shall be ●ut off; and those pleasant and costly Tapestries, and pictures, which you had wont to bring home, shall fail, and disappoint you. And those Idolaters, 20 In that day a man shal cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made, each one for himself to worship, to the moles& to the bats. which had wont to pride themselves in the glory of their false worship, shall now be ashamed of their fopperies, and, in a just indignation, shal hid up their puppets in blind corners from the view of men. I see, it is your vain self-confidence, 22 Cease ye from man whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? that hath deceived you; if ye therefore regard your own safety and peace, cast off this false trust, upon so poor and impotent a thing, as man, whose breath is in his nosthrills; for what can he avail you, or how can he give you any protection from the wrath of the Almighty? CAP. III. THat whereby the life of man is supported, 1 For Behold, the Lord, the Lord of Hosts, doth take away from jerusalem, and from judah, the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread,& the whole stay of water. and sustained, even bread, and whatsoever necessary food, will I take away from Jerusalem. And whatsoever else you are wont to put confidence in, the mighty and strong warrior, the awful Judge, 2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge and the Prophet, and the prudent and the ancient. the holy and learned Prophet, the prudent counsellor, the ancient and experienced senator. Whereas men usually are wont to affect pre-eminence and authority among their neighbours, 6 When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin bee under thy hand. ye shall be driven to that strait, that ye shall be fain to force honor upon your brethren, where ye see but means to subsist, and live; and a man shall take hold of his brother, and importune and constrain him, saying; Thou hast clothing; be thou our ruler; and let the reparation of this miserarable ruin( if it be possible,) be thy work. In that day he shall resist the motion, 7 In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer: for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people. and disclaim the government with an oath, saying; It is not for me to meddle with the command of you, or to undertake the repairing of your ruins, for I have neither bread nor clothing. They do impudently make open profession of their sin, even as sodom did, without all fear or shane, 9 And they declare their sin as sodom, they hid it not. &c. 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them: O my people, they which lead thee, cause thee to err, and destroy the way of the paths. As for my people they have brought themselves to that pass, as that even very children trample upon them by proud oppressions, and they lye down willingly under them; and every effeminate usurper domineereth over them at pleasure; and,( which is worse,) those spiritual guides, which should led them in the way of life, mislead them unto utter perdition. 15 What mean ye that ye beate my people to pieces, and grinned the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts. What mean ye, O ye governors, which should be the onely refuge and protection of my people, to offer this cruel violence unto them? how dare ye thus unmercifully oppress the poor? 16 Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks. Neither only are the men thus vicious, but the women also are given over to a proud new-fanglenesse: Even the dames of Jerusalem go in an haughty fashion, &c. As all the parts of their body are tainted with their disguise, 17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will discover their secret parts. so the Lord will, in his justice, punish them in all parts, from the crown of the head to the sole of their feet, and will lay open this their loathsome and deformed nakedness, to the eyes of the world. In stead of beauty, which they had wont so curiously to preserve, 24 In stead of beauty shall be burning. that they would not so much as look forth into the heat of the Sun, shall be a vehement burning, and scorching of the skin. CAP. IIII. 1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: onely let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. VPon that slaughter and vastation, there shall be so few men left, as that seven women shall lay hold, and hang upon one man, with importunate svit to yield but to their protection and cohabitation; saying, It shall cost thee nothing; we have food& raiment of our own; onely do thou bear the name of our husband; and take from us the reproach of our widowhood, and sterility. 2 In that day shall the branch of the Lord bee beautiful& glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely, for them that are escaped of Israel. In that day, the day of the blessed restauration of the Church, shall the messiah, as the branch of the Lord, sprout out gloriously, and happily, out of the seemingly-dead stock of Judah; and excellent and pleasant fruits of his appearance shall glad the hearts of those that are the faithful remainders of Israel. 3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in jerusalem, shall be called holy: even every one that is written among the living in jerusalem. And it shall come to pass, that those who pertain to the true Church of Christ, shall be holy; even every one that shall be a lively member of the mystical body of Christ. When the Lord shall, by his severe judgments have washed, 4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of jerusalem, from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgement, and by the spirit of burning. & wiped away the blemishes,& grievous sins of his Church; and shall have delivered his Jerusalem from all the pollutions, wherewith she was tainted, by the power of his Spirit, and the sharpness of his chastisements. There shall be no corner of his Church, wherein the grace of God shall not marvelously appear; 5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day,& the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shal be a defence. and wherein he will not manifest himself, and his merciful presence and protection, as he did to his ancient people of Israel, by a cloud and smoke by day, and by the shining a of flaming fire by night. And whereas the Church shall be still subject to the scorching heats, 6 A●● there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. and tempestuous storms of persecution, God shall erect a safe tabernacle for her, to shade her from the heat, and shelter her from those violent tempests. CAP. V. I Will sing a Song to Christ the dear bridegroom of his Church, concerning his vineyard of Israel; 1 Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved, touching his vineyard: my beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill. My God and Saviour had planted his Church of Israel, in a very fruitful soil; with the greatest advantage of place, even in the highest eminence, where he might be likely to receive the most generous fruit of obedience. He fenced it about, with his gracious protection, 2 And he fenced it and gathered out the stones thereof,& planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein:& he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. and good laws, he removed out of it all the apparent impediments of growth and fruitfulness, he furnished it with choice persons, and those persons with excellent graces, he gave to it proofs of his vigilant care over it, and means to express, and make use of that sweet fruit, which it should yield; and now, he made account that it should return unto him the pleasant clusters of holy obedience: and behold, it runs forth into miserable disorder, and yields nothing but the sour and distasteful fruits of sin and wickedness. And now, O my people, I dare appeal to yourselves, 3 And now, O inhabitants of jerusalem,& men of judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. and make you judges of this case betwixt you and me; say whether you can choose but condemn yourselves. Thus hath God pleased to reveal his will unto me, saying; 9 In mine ears said the Lord of hosts, of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and faire without inhabitant. whereas these oppressors affect to join house to house, certainly, I will cause their houses to be desolate; and as they dispeopled towns and houses, their houses( though great and faire) shall be without inhabitants. 10 Yea ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an Ephah. Yea, so will I curse that ground, with barrenness, which they have wrung from the poor owners, as that ten acres of vineyard shall yield but six gallons of wine, and so much ground as seven bushels is able to sow, shall yield but three parts back again to the owner. 14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. Neither shall the wrath of God stay here; and take up with their captivity, and famine; but he hath prepared further judgement for these merciless oppressors, for he shall cause the insatiable gulf of hell to devour them, and to swallow up all their pomp and jollity. But, though the Lord will take this just vengeance o● his rebellious enemies, 17 Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste pla●●s of the fat ones shall strangers eat. yet will he be ever gracious to his own flock; and shall cause the lambs thereof to feed comfortably, in their wonted pastures; and those places, which the insolent enemies had wasted, shall be again possessed by his people, whom their long captivity hath made strangers to their own land. 18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin, as it were with a cartrope. Woe be to them that are so set upon wickedness, as that they use all possible persuasions, and provocations to draw themselves to a lawless commission of sin, and continuance in it. 19 That say, let him make speed and hasten his works that wee may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy one of Israel draw nigh and come; that we may know it. That make light of the threatened judgements, and i● a scornful distrust, dare say; why doth not God hasten these menaced plagues? fain would we see the performance of these terrible threats; let not God say, but do; let that which God professeth to have determined against us, be speedily effected. 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil. Woe bee unto them that colour wickedness with faire pretences, and cry down goodness with slanderous calumniations, &c. 22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink. Woe be to them that improve their strength to excess, glorying that they are able to power in, and to bear much wine; and affect to be thought and approved strong and mighty drinkers. 24 So their root shall be rottenness, their blossom shall go up as dust. So they shall be utterly destroyed,& shall be as a three whose roote is rotten, and whose blossom flies away like dust, &c. 25 And the hills did tremble, and their carkeises were torn in the midst of the streets: for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. The neighbour hills did tremble with the noise and fury of that siege; and their carcases lay torn, and mangled in the midst of the streets; yet all this cannot be warning enough to this stubborn people, to turn from their sins, &c. 26 And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them, from the end of the earth. He will raise up war against them, even from nations that dwell afar off; and will stir up and provoke enemies against them from the furthest parts of the earth, &c. 27 None shall be weary nor stumble amongst them, none shall slumber nor sleep. They shall come with such fierceness and spirit to this war, that they shall not be sensible of any weariness; they shall march nimbly and boldly, no one shall give himself to slumber in the way, &c. There shall be both terror and vigour in their horses prepared for this war, 28 Their horses hoofes shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind. and their chariot wheels shall come rattling furiously on, like some dreadful tempest, and fly swiftly like a whirlwind. What speak I of the roaring of a Lion? 29 And in that day they shall roar against them, like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. yea these Chaldeans, which I will bring upon them, shall come roaring in, like a mighty sea, in a tempest; with such terror that all shall be filled with confusion, the earth shall be darkened with sorrow, and the heavens shall yield no glimpse of comfort to the distressed. CAP. VI. IN the year that King uzziah dyed, 1 In the year that King uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. I had a vision from God; wherein it pleased the Lord to represent unto me a clear sign of the majestical presence of the son of God, sitting on high, upon a glorious throne; and the train of his shining rob filled the temple. Who as he was glorious in himself, so in his attendants; for, over the throne stood the Angels of heaven; 2 Above it stood the Seraphims: each one had six wings, with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. each one had six wings; with two whereof he covered his face, as not being able to behold the brightness of that divine majesty: with two he covered his feet, as favouring the weakness of human eyes, that cannot behold the least splendour of those celestial creatures; with two he did swiftly move, and fly to execute the charge of God. So strong and dreadful was that voice of theirs, that the very posts of the doors, 4 And the posts of the door moved at voice of him that cried,& the house was filled with smoke. and the pillars of the Temple were moved therewith; and( as it had wont to bee, when God would signify his presence in that sanctuary,) the whole house was filled with smoke. Then said I, as one terrified with that sight; 5 Then said I, wo is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, &c. I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. woe is me there is no way but death with me; I have delivered messages from this holy God, but I am not, nor have been so sanctified, as that I might be safely fit for this great service, &c. Then one of those bright Angels flew unto me, 6 Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. having a live coal in his hand,( signifying the purging and purifying efficacy of the Spirit) which he had taken not from an ordinary, and common hearth, but from the altar of God; the true type of Christ, the Saviour. Lo, this coal touching thy lips, is a certain sign, 7 lo this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. and representation of that powerful operation of the spirit of God, whereby thy sin is purged away, and thou enabled to this great function. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shal I sand,& who will go for us? Then I said: here am I, sand me. Then the Lord represented a voice to my ear, saying after the maner of men; whom shall I sand to this people?& who is willing to deliver this message from us? Then, when as once my lips had been thus touched, and sanctified, I did gladly put myself forward, and said; Here I am, sand me. 2 And he said, go and tell this people, hear ye indeed, but understand not: and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Be not discouraged, I shall sand thee to an obstinate people, whose perverseness I do so well know, that I would have thee tell them before hand, what I expect from them; viz. that they will hear indeed, but not care to understand, they will see, but not regard to perceive. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert and be healed. Yea, more then so, through the occasion of thy prophecy, and holy ministry amongst them, their hearts shall be hardened, and made obstinate; and their ears dulled, and deafened; that in my just judgement they may be given up to a spiritual insensiblenes, as a due punishment of their careless neglects of my ordinances; and that thereupon may follow their deserved condemnation. 11 Then said I, Lord, how long? and he answered, until the cities be wasted without inhabitant. Then said I, in a meet compassion of my people; But alas, Lord, how long shall this judgement lye upon thine Israel? and he said; until the cities be utterly wasted, and left, &c. 13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall bee eaten as a Teyle three, and as an oak, whose substance is in them when they cast their leaves, so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof. But yet, there shall be a tenth part of Israel that shall return after it hath been dispersed, and consumed, and be a seed for the rest, even as it is with a three, which having cast her leaves, yet hides the sap within the stock or bulk, which buds forth again in due season; so shall the remainder of the holy seed, which for the time seemed to lye dead, sprout forth into an abundant increase. CAP. VII. 2 And it was told the house of David, saying; Syria is confederate with Ephraim, and his heart was moved,& the heart of his people as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind. IT was told to some of the family of Achaz, the King of Judah, saying; The King of Assyria is confederate with Israel, to make a second war upon Judah. And the heart of Achaz, and his subjects were moved, and shaken with fear, as the trees of the wood are moved with a strong wind. fear not these two Kings of Assyria, and Israel; for they are but as two short ends of fire brands, 4 fear not, neither be faint hearted, for the two tails of these smoking fire-brands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. not burning but smoking, which may threaten, but can work no combustion amongst you; I mean Rezin the King of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. Let us, in stead of Achaz, set up a King in Jerusalem, 6— and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a King in the midst of it, even, &c. one of the most renowned peers of Syria. Damascus is the head city of Syria, and Rezin is the head or King of Damascus; so let him still bee, and content himself with his own territories; 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin and within threescore and five yeares shall Ephraim be broken, &c. but as for Ephraim, which joins with Syria against thee, ere threescore yeares be expired, it shall be wasted and dispeopled. In the mean time, as Samaria is the head city of Israel, so let Pekah the son of Remaliah content himself to be the head, or King of Samaria: 9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliahs son: if ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. These things I have foretold you from God, O ye men of Jerusalem; if ye will not give credit unto them, the fault and the punishment shall be yours, ye shall fail of that protection, and stability which you expect. I will demand no sign; for why should I? 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. since I do already believe the promise of God made to me; and why should I tempt God, by urging him to give proof and evidence of that whereof I am sufficiently assured? hear me now, 13 And he said, hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? O ye of the house of my dear and faithful servant David; whose sin is therefore aggravated by the holinesse of your fore-fathers; Is it a small thing for you, to reject and contemn me, that am a man like yourselves, but ye will with your hypocrisy, and disobedience provoke, and abuse my God also, whose message I bear? are ye not ashamed, and afraid, under a pretence of piety to refuse the gracious offer and command of God that sent me? Therefore, the Lord shall, without your will, 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. or assent give you a sign; which shall be no other, then that ancient engagement of his, to his Church: Behold, in the fullness of time, a virgin shall miraculously conceive, and bear a son; and she shall, by the appointment of God himself, call his name, God with us. He shall have a true human body, 15 Butter& hony shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil,& choose the good. and shall be sustained with that ordinary nourishment, wherewith children are wont to be fed; and shall grow up in experimental knowledge, as well, as in stature; and shall thus enable himself( like us) to refuse the evil,& choose the good. But, 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her Kings. because you may pled that it will be long ere this promise be effected, behold, before this child of mine, Shear-jashub, shall come to the age of discretion, this land of Israel and of Syria shall be forsaken of both these Kings, Rezin, and Pekah; for they shall both, ere long, be swept away by an untimely death. 17 From the day that Ephraim departed from judah, even the King of Assyria. It was an heavy day to you, when the ten tribes departed away from Judah; but this judgement which I will bring upon you, shall be rather worse then that; even the sword of the King of Assyria. 18 That the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost parts of the rivers of egypt, and for the Bee that is in the land of Assyria. The Lord shall call for, and excite mighty enemies against thee, out from the further coasts of the river of Nilus, and out of Assyria; even Aethiopians, Edomites, and other puissant nations, which shall come, as thick as swarms of flies, or bees. 20 In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely by them beyond the river, by the King of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet, and it shall also consume the beard. In that day, the Lord shall, by the hand of the Assyrians and their associates, make utter strip,& waste of Judah, by the cruelty of those hired forces, which they shall bring up; even as if a man should be hired with his razor to shave off all the hair of the head, and the whole body, even to the very stumps, so as there shall bee no mention where it grew. 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep. And it shall come to pass in those daies, that a man which had formerly wont to keep whole flocks,& droves shall now be glad to take up with one young cow, and two sheep. 22 And it shall come to pass for the abundance of milk that they shall give, he shall eat butter: For butter and hony shall every one eat that is left in the land. And though this proportion be very small, yet it shall be answerable to the persons, which shall be left alive to spend it; who shall be so few, that this poor stock of cattle shall be able to feed them: A small quantity of butter and hony shall be enough to sustain that small remainder of men. 24 With arrows and with bows shall men come thither, because all the land shall become briars and thorns. So desolate shall the country be, that where before were towns inhabited, and fields tilled, there shall bee now solitary deserts, the dens of wild beasts, so as the hunters shall come thither with arrows, and bows to pursue their game. 25 And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briars and thorns; but it shall bee for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle. And men shall be glad to betake themselves into waste wildernesses, for their hiding places; and there shall bee glad to plant themselves, and employ their husbandry upon the desert mountaines; which they shall dig with their mattocks, instead of ploughing; in so much as there shall be no place for briars, and thorns to grow in those desolate hills, but they shall be improved to the use of their oxen, and lesser cattle. CAP. VIII. 1 Take thee a great roll, and writ in it with mans pen, concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz. TAke thee a large roll, and writ therein with large text letters, that word of threatened judgement, which thou shalt take for the name of thy son; even, Maher-shalal-hash-baz; those four words compounded in one shall be enough to fill thy scroll,& the hearts of the people, with an expectation of the destruction menaced. And I took unto me faithful witnesses, 2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, uriah the priest. both of this act that I did, in fastening this roll upon the doors of the Temple, and of the name given to my said son, in his circumcision; even Uriah the priest, &c. For I had conversed with my wife the prophetess, 3 And I went unto the prophetess, and shee conceived and bare a son, then said the Lord to me, call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz. and she had conceived, and born a son; and the Lord had appointed me to call his name; Make speed to the spoil, hasten to the prey; in a sign, and denunciation of that judgement, which the Assyrians shall bring upon Jerusalem. For, ere the child shall come to the age of speech, 4 For before the Child shall have knowledge to cry, my father and my mother, the riches of Damascus, and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the King of Assyria. and discretion, to distinguish his parents from strangers, the general of the King of Assyria, shall spoil the countries of Israel, and Syria; whereof the chief cities are Damascus and Samaria. For as much as this people have not restend themselves upon the gracious promises of Gods protection, 6 For so much as this people refuseth the waters of Siloah that go softly,& rejoice in Rezin and Remaliahs son. but being dishartened with their own paucity, and weakness, have sought to other helps, and depended upon Rezin, and Pekah; the Kings of Syria and Israel. The power of the King of Assyria shall spread itself over the whole land of Judah, to destroy it, 8 And he shall pass through judah, he shall over-flow, and go over, he shal reach even to the neck and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. even over that holy land, which is consecrated to thy name, O thou Saviour of thy Church, God, and man; which yet, because it so nearly pertaineth unto thee, shall at last find the benefit of thy protection. go to then, O ye enemies of Gods people; band yourselves together; join your hearts and heads, 9 Associate yourselves( O ye people,) and ye shall be broken in pieces. and hands in one; yet ye shall in spite of all your power be crushed, and broken in pieces, &c. For the Lord did not only speak to me, 11 For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying; but with his mighty hand guided, and directed me, that I should not yield myself to a conformity with the sins of this people, and give way to their infidelity, and obstinacy, saying; Say ye not out of your distrust, let us make a confederacy with the Assyrians; 12 Say ye not, A confederacie to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacie; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. without whose aid we cannot stand against our enemies, neither be ye dejected with this cowardly fear of them, that rise up against you. Give ye glory to God, in the confidence, and praise of his Almighty power, whereby he subdueth all things, Let your holy and awful fear be only bent upon him, 13 sanctify the Lord of hostes himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. who can deliver, or destroy you, at pleasure. He shall be a rock of sure defence to those that fear him, but a ston of stumbling, 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a ston of stumbling,& for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin, and for a snare to the inhabitants of jerusalem. and a rock of offence to those that distrust and disobey him, even of both the houses of Juda, and Ephraim, and for a snare to those, that are godless, and rebellious, even in Jerusalem itself. Give full assurance to my people of the certainty of this prophesy, 16 bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. and seal it up as a law that shall not bee reversed. 17 And I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the house of jacob, and I will look for him. For my part, however others entertain these words of God, I will make account of their assured performance; and depend upon the good providence of that just God, who deservedly withdraws his favour from the rebellious house of Jacob. 18 Behold I, and the Children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs& for wonders in Israel, from the Lord of Hostes, which dwelleth in mount Zion. Behold, I, and those faithful disciples, whom the Lord hath by my means converted unto him, are made a gazing stock, and wonderment to the children of Israel, and this is a judgement, that is justly comne upon them from the Lord of hosts, which hath, with so small effect, graciously manifested himself in his Temple on mount Sion. 19 And when they shal say unto you, seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards, that peep, and that mutter, should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? What a madness is it in you not to cleave fast unto the Lord, your true and only God? For if the profane heathen shall think they have reason to persuade you to depend upon magicians, and wizards, that use devilish enchantments, is it not a shane that you should not find cause to seek, and cleave unto your only true God? should we be so foolish, as to seek in the case of the living to the dead? 20 To the Law, and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. No; far be that from us; let us have recourse to the Law and to the Testimony; that is it, which God hath given us for our infallible direction, and if any man speak either without, or against this word, it is because he hath not the true light of grace, or understanding in him. 21 And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry, and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their King, and their god, and look upward. And whereas they hoped to have been fixed in this good land for ever; they shall now only pass through it, as fugitives; being hardly bestead, and pinched with hunger; and then, they shall fret, and gull themselves with late, and vain indignation, and shall curse their idol, and their King, whose confidence hath mis-led them; and when they are thus thoroughly distressed, they shall begin to look upward, to the hand of that God, by whom they are punished. 22 And they shall look unto the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish: and they shall be driven to darkness. Neither can they expect comfort any other way, for if they look unto the earth, there is nothing but misery and affliction; yea even extremity of anguish; so as that sorrow and distress whereunto they shall be plunged, shall drive them forcibly to look up to heaven for succour. CAP. IX. YEt, though this calamity shall bee exceeding great, 1 nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulon, and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond jordan in Galilee of the nations. yet it shal not be utterly so extreme and disconsolate, as that former, which the land of Israel shall endure, when Tiglath Pilezer, King of Assyria, shall have miserable afflicted it, and when it was conquered and wasted by Salmanasar; and those maritine parts thereof, which were beyond Jordan, bordering upon Tyre and Sidon, were utterly wasted. There is a comfortable assurance of delivery in this miserable captivity; for, behold, 2 The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. the Messiah shal certainly come, and by his doctrine, and spirit shall enlighten those that sate in darkness, and that abide in the shadow of death, beginning his blessed gospel in those utmost skirts of Galilee. When thou shalt thus graciously visit thy people, 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee, according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. howsoever the nation shall not be greater then now it is, yet the joy of it shall be more; as now, contrarily, the people are more, but the joy is not more; then shall our rejoicing be great and unspeakable, such as is wont to be of the husbandman, when he fetcheth in a rich and seasonable harvest, or of a soldier when he divideth the spoil. For thou shalt have delivered thy people from the slavish yoke of their tyrannicall oppressors, 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. and from all their cruel impositions, as thou didst deliver them from the oppression of the Midianites, in the time of the Judges. Commonly every battle is with confused noise, 5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. and fearful effusion of blood, and wallowing therein; but here, the case was otherwise; God did fight from heaven for his people, and did, as it were, set a fire amongst his enemies, causing them to fall one upon another, and to consume themselves. Neither is it for Gods people to rest in the temporal deliverance from their captivity, 6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, &c. but to erect their thoughts unto higher hopes, even the happy assurances of salvation, by the true messiah, who is to come into the world, For unto us that Child is born, and unto us that son of God is given; who shall take upon his shoulders the perpetual government of his Church, &c. Behold, we will gain by our ruins; 10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones. for in stead of the bricks which shall be beaten down, we will build more sumptuously with free ston, &c. 11 Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together. Because Israel doth so fond rely upon Rezin, the King of Syria, God shall set up enemies against that King, on whose strength they have presumed; and shall conjoin their forces to his destruction. 12 The Syrians before, and the philistines behind, and they shall devour Israel with open mouth: for all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. The Syrians from the East, and the philistines from the West, shall set upon Israel, like to some ravenous beasts with open mouth; and yet God hath not utterly done with them; but hath still further judgements in store for them. Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel, both the noblest and basest of the people; the strongest and the weakest, 14 Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel, head and tail, branch and rush in one day. and most contemptible of that nation. The prophet that teacheth lies, he is the most vile and despicable of all the people. 15— and the Prophet that teacheth lies he is the tail. Your wickedness is that, which the fire of Gods wrath taketh hold of; that is it, which shall devour both your tall cedars, 18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briars and thorns. and your low shrubs; and shall not leave, till the very briars and thorns bee consumed, &c. 20 And he shall snatch on the right hand and be hungry,& he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied; they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arms. No Israelite shall spare his brother, but shall snatch on all hands, what he can get by extreme violence; and shall insatiably spoil and devour those, which are as his own flesh. Those tribes which are in the highest league of love conjoined together, shall fall into deadly hostility one against the other; 21 Manasseh Ephraim: and Ephraim Manasseh: and they together shall be against judah. Manasseh shall fall foul upon his brother Ephraim; and Ephraim upon Manasseh, and both shall join in the quarrel against Judah, &c. CAP. X. 1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that writ grievousness which they have prescribed. TO begin with the governors; woe be to them, who make unjust and bloody decrees against their inferiors, and that enact, and prescribe grievous things by way of oppression of the poor. 3— to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? What do you think shall become of this glorious estate which you have scraped together by rapine, and extortion? 4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. Though I should not denounce, or draw any judgement upon them, they shall, of themselves, run into such grievous calamity, as that they shall fall down amongst the prisoners, and amongst the slain, &c. 5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger,& the staff in their hand is mine indignation. Come hither then, O thou Assyrian, come and execute my just wrath upon my people; for thou art the rod of mine anger, and the weapons, which are in thine hand, whereby thou fightest against Judah, are wielded by mine indignation. I will sand this Assyrian against that dissembling nation of the Jews, 6 I will sand him against an hypocritical nation; and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil. which make an hypocritical profession of my name; and against those Idolatrous Israelites, whom I hate, &c. But though I intend the Assyrian to be my scourge for Israel, and to execute my will upon them, 7 Howbeit, he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so, but it is in his heart to destroy, and cut off nations not a few. yet he hath no such meaning, as to fulfil my purpose herein; all his drift and intention is a cruel and bloody satisfying of his own merciless, and ambitious mind; neither aims he at any thing else, but a malicious destruction, and a conquest of many nations. Is not the strong city of Calno as unable to hold out against me, and as sure mine, as Carchemish, 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus? which I have already won? Is not Hamath as sure to be subdued by me, as Arpad, which I have taken? is not Samaria as sure to be mine, as Damascus now is? As I have vanquished those kingdoms, 10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graved images did excel thē in jerusalem and Samaria: which worshipped those idols, which were accounted in the reputation of the world, and outward glory, far to surpass the deities of Jerusalem, and Samaria: So, what should hinder me, to subdue these also? 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to jerusalem and her idols? The gods of Jerusalem are no other, no better then those of Samaria, Why should I not therefore subdue them as well as the other? As for all the riches of the nations about me( saith the proud Assyrian) are they not to me, as a birds nest; 14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth, and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. the eggs whereof are left open, by the dam, to the hand of the passenger; which a man may take up quietly, and not have so much as a birds wing moved against him, nor so much as a chirping noise of complaint. Is not the Assyrian as my axe to hue down Judah, my saw to divide it, my rod to scourge it, 15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith: or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as it were no wood. my staff to beat it; and shall this axe, this saw, this rod, this staff magnify itself against the hand that useth, and weildeth it? as if the instrument could do ought, without, or against the arm that moves it. Since the Assyrian hath so despised Israel, Israel shall be well avenged of him: for as commonly fire is not separated from light; that light of my countenance which Israel shall have from me, 17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his holy one for a flamme: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briars in one day. shall be as a fire to burn up the Assyrians; and this my people, which I have singled for my own peculiar, shall be as a flamme to those enemies, which shall consume them( even to the meanest of their host) in one day. 18— and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth. They shall be utterly disheartened, and give themselves up, to a weak, and heartless despair, as a beaten troupe when their ensign yeeldeth. 19 And the rest of the trees of his foreste shall bee few, that a child may writ them. And the people of Assyria, which were a thick forest, shall now bee brought to such a paucity of trees, that a child, which can scarce count his own fingers, may reckon their number. 20 Shall no more again stay upon him that smote them: but shall stay upon the Lord, the holy one of Israel in truth. My people, thus instructed, and reformed by their affliction, shall learn now to trust no more to the arm of flesh, which they see may be easily made against them; but shall depend wholly upon the Lord for aid and protection. 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shal return; the consumption decreed shall over-flow with righteousness. For though I have promised to thee, O Jacob, and to thy father Abraham, that thy seed shall be as the sand of the Sea, yet, since they have thus provoked me, and corrupted their ways, onely a remnant of them shall return from their captivity; and the consumption of the rest shall declare my righteousness abundantly to the world. 24 And shall lift up his staff against thee after the manner of egypt. As the affliction which thou hadst from the egyptian bondage was grievous indeed, but not deadly; no more shall this be, which thou shalt suffer from the Assyrian. 26 And the Lord of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of egypt. The Assyrian is my rod to thee; but I will have a scourge for him, that shall plague him; as the Midianites were destroyed by Gedeon, at the rock of Oreb; and as I plagued the egyptians, whom I overthew and destroyed in the read Sea. The yoke of servitude shall be taken from thy neck, because thou art a people consecrated to me; for the sake of that Messiah, 27 And the yoke shall bee destroyed because of the anointing. mine anointed, which shall descend from thee. Behold, the Assyrian is in his expedition against thee already, 28 He is come to Ajath, he is passed to Migron: at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages. he is comne onwards his way to Ajath, and thence is he passed to Migron, and hath made Michmash the store-house for his provision, munition,& carriages. 29 They are gone over the passage, they have taken up their lodging at Geba, Ramah is afraid, Gibeah of Saul is fled. They have gone over the p●ssages of those rivers, which might seem to have hindered their way; they are passed jordan itself, and are comne to lodge at Gebah; and now the neighbouring cities, Ramah, and the rest quake for fear, the inhabitants of Gibeah are fled. 30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth. ye cities that lye near to the way of this mighty enemy, lift up your voices, and weep for your imminent desolation, and cause your cries to be heard unto the furthest parts of the land. 32 As yet he shall remain at Nob, that day he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of jerusalem. Ere a day be at an end, he will be at the town of Nob, hard by Jerusalem; and then he shakes his hand at the mount of Zion, and the Temple, whereon it stands. But howsoever he do thus proudly exalt himself, and terribly bluster against Jerusalem, the Lord of hosts shall take him down, and shall cut him off with terror. 33 Behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shal be hewn down, the haughty shall be humbled. The insolent Assyrian shall be hewn down suddenly, and the haughty enemy shall be humbled. These great and tall Cedars of Lebanon, that thus over-topt Gods people, shall be cut down, and shall fall by the mighty hand of the destroying angel. 34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forrests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one. CAP. XI. AT last, in the fullness of time, 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. for the comfort of of Gods Church, there shall come forth a rod out of the seemingly withered stock of jesse, the father of David; and a flourishing branch, even the Messiah, shall grow out of his appearingly sere, and sapless root. He shall receive the spirit, beyond all finite measure, 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom& understanding. for as much as in him the God-head shall dwell bodily, replenishing his human nature with all wisdom and understanding, &c. And shall enable his humanity with a quick and piercing understanding, to the perfect judging, 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord, and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears. and discerning of those, that do truly profess to fear and serve the Lord, from falsehearted hypocrites; and he shall not judge by the outward appearance; according to the evidence of the eye, or the ear. With the word of his mouth, 4 And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. which is the sceptre of his kingdom, shall he over-rule the earth; and with the same word( which is made a savour of death unto death, to the wicked) shall he slay the rebellious. He shall not come in the gorgeous attire of worldly Princes, 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. but shall bee clothed in the glorious robes of righteousness, and truth; which shall be closely girded about him, as those which can never be separated from his person, and government. This blessed Saviour, when he comes, shall reform, 6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the Leopard shall lye down with the kid: and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall led them. and restore the world to the first peaceable disposition of the creature, so as the savage beast shall put off his bloody nature, and live quietly with his fellowes; and those men which are of a wolvish, and Lion-like disposition for fierceness, and cruelty, shall bee so changed by the power of his gospel, that they shall meekly, and plausibly converse with those that are most weak, and innocent. So also verse 7. and 8. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. All those that submit themselves to the power of the gospel, shall live harmlessly; for they shall be taught of God to govern themselves accordingly; and all shall abound in the means of the knowledge of the Lord: so as the earth shal be no less over-spread with the Gospel, then the sea is covered with waters. In that day, the messiah shall arise from the stock of David; 10 And in that day there shall be a root of less, which shall stand for an ensign of the people: to it shall the Gentiles seek, and his rest shall be glorious. and to him, as to a standard erected, shall all the nations flock; and so shall he be advanced, as that all the Gentiles shall seek unto him, and submit themselves to his word, and power; and he shall settle his rest among them, which shall be glorious for himself, and happy for them. 11 And it shall comen to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time, to recover the remnant of his people which shall be left, from Assyria and from egypt,& from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath,& from the islands of the sea. Neither may this seem hard, since the Lord will bee pleased in that day to set his hand to the work, and, as he hath formerly shewed his power, in the miraculous deliverances of his people, so will he now again mightily recover the remainder of them, from the Assyrians, egyptians, Ethiopians, and other nations, amongst whom they shall be scattered; as the Parthians, Medes, Chaldees, Cilicians, and those countries which are divided by the sea. Gods people shall agree well together, and shall lay aside all envy, 13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of judah shall be cut off. and heart-burning, which they had one towards another, &c. But they shall band together against the common enemy of the Church; and with joint forces set upon the philistines, 14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the philistines toward the West. &c. And the Lord will utterly destroy that bay of the egyptian sea, which carries the form of a tongue, in the entering upon the continent; 15 And the Lord shall utterly destroy the tongue of the egyptian sea, and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dry-shod. and with his mighty wind, shall,( as he did once for the passage of the Israelites through the read sea) so divide Nilus, with all the seven streams thereof, as that men may go over dry-shod. CAP. XII. MY salvation shall be as a full,& ever-flowing spring; out of which ye shall with joy of heart, 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. draw up full vessells continually. Shout for joy, O ye inhabitants of Zion, for the holy one of Israel, 6 Cry out and shout thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy one of Israel: in the midst of thee. your merciful God, shows the greatness of his power, and the abundance of his grace, in, and upon you, in his manifold blessings and deliverances. CAP. XII. THe heavy tidings of that prophesy, 1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amos did see. wherewith Isaiah the son of Amos was sent to& against Babylon. I am commanded to proclaim an open war which the Lord will raise against Babylon, 2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go to the gates of the Nobles. by the hands of the Medes and Persians; Lift ye up therefore a banner upon the highest mountain( where it may be most conspicuous) that the people may draw together, for this purpose, and encourage them both by voice, and gesture, that they may go courageously up to the stately palaces of the Babylonian nobles. I have commanded( saith God) those, whom I have set apart for this great work of Babylons destruction; 3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highnesse. I have called my mighty warriors of Media, and Persia, to be the executioners of my anger; even them that shall go cheerfully forward, upon my setting on, to this conquest. This is so surely done, 4 The noise of a multitude in the mountaines, like as of a great people: as if ye did already hear the noise of a multitude in the mountaines coming down to this spoil and slaughter, &c. They shall come, not only from Media, and Persia, but by their procurement, from farre-remote, nations, 5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven. &c. They shall be amazed at the sight of each others misery, and for anguish and consternation, 8 They shall be amazed one at another, their faces shall be as flames. their faces shall be as read as fire. God shall command both the heaven, 10 For the stars of heaven, and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the Sun shall be darkened in his going forth,& the moon shall not cause her light to shine. and earth to conspire against his enemies of Babylon; from whom( for their greater discomfort) he shall withdraw the light of those heavenly bodies( which they are wont most cutiously to observe) so as both the stars, the sun, the moon, shall deny their light unto them. I will so give up Babylon to the slaughter, 12 I will make a man more precious then fine gold; even a man then the golden wedge of Ophir. that there shall be very few left alive in it; and their enemies shall be so inexorable, that they shal rather care to shed blood then to take the richest ransom. By wonderful signs in the heaven, 13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hostes, and in the day of his fierce anger and by terrible earth-quakes,( such as if heaven and earth did remove out of their places) will I testify my fierce wrath against Babylon, in that day, when I shal execute my judgements upon it. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, whose drift shall not so much be their wealth, as their blood; 17 Behold I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver, and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. that shall care only to kill, not to enrich themselves with ransoms. 20 Neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there, neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. It shall be so utterly desolated, that the very Arabians( who shift their habitations continually for change of pasturage) shall not so much as pitch a tent there; nor the shepherd shal make choice of these plains, to make his fold there. 21 And their houses shall be full of doleful creatures, and owls shall dwell there, and Satyrs shall dance there. Their houses shall be taken up with those doleful creatures, that delight in solitude; and owls shall dwell there, and evil spirits shall haunt those habitations, &c. So also verse 22. CAP. XIIII. 1 For the Lord will have mercy on jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land, and the strangers shall bee joined with them; and they shall cleave to the house of jacob. THe Lord will yet by the renewing of his mercies, show, that he hath a tender respect to the seed of Jacob; and that Israel is the people whom he hath chosen to himself. And the Gentiles shall come in, and join with Gods faithful people, and shall be one Church with the true Israel. And the Israel of God, which is the true Church, shall receive them into their family; 2 And the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids. and unite them into one holy society, with themselves, &c. 4 That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, how hath the oppressor ceased, the golden city ceased? Then shalt thou insult upon the proud King of Babylon, and say; where is now this great tyrant, that so oppressed us? What is become of this glorious city of Babylon, that exacted so much tribute from us? 8 Yea the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the Cedars of Lebanon, saying, since thou art laiddown, no felleris come up against us. Yea, the very senseless creatures, the trees of the forest triumph in thy ruin, O Babylon; and say, wee were wont to be cut down to build thy palaces, but now wee can stand quietly, no feller offers to put an axe unto us. 9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee, to meet thee at thy coming, it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth, &c. Yea the very dead shall rise to applaud thy destruction; hell shall sand up her guests, to welcome thee with a scornful gratulation; even all those great Kings, and Princes, whom thou hast tyrannized over. 10 All they shall speak and say unto thee: art thou also become weak as we, art thou become like unto us? All they shall scoff, and jeer thee; and say, what is great Babylon become as weak as we? is the pomp therof brought down like to one of ours? 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, soune of the morning? how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations. O thou proud King of Babylon, which shinedst in the world, like the glorious morning star; how art thou now fallen from thy state and magnificence? how art thou, which hadst wont to tyramnize over many nations, cut down, and utterly destroyed. For thou in the pride of thy heart wouldst needs exalt thyself above God himself; 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the North. and saidst within thyself; Earth is too low for me, my throne shall be advanced above the stars of God; I will frustrate the designs of the Almighty; and, in spite of him, will conquer the mount of Sion, the seat of his Temple. So verse 14. That held all nations captive, 17 That opened not the house of his prisoners. and would not dismiss his prisoners, that they might return to their own home. lo, now, how the world is changed, All others Kings, 18 All the Kings of the nations, even all of them lye in glory, every one in his own house. even those petty Princes whom thou subduedst, are in glory and magnificence, each one in his own court. But thou shalt not be suffered so much, 19 But thou art cast out of thy grave, like an abominable branch: and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit, as a cark is trodden under feet. as to enjoy thine own grave; but art cast out as a rotten three, that is not worthy to be set in the ground; or as a garment of a man slain by the sword, which is all gashed, and soiled with blood, not worth taking up; or, as an abominable carcase, which no man dares to come near, for the ill savour it yeeldeth. O ye avengers of blood, 21 Prepare slaughter for his children, for the iniquity of their fathers, that they do not rise nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities. prepare ye an exquisite slaughter, not only for the King of Babylon himself, but for his progeny, and posterity; see that ye root them out: let them not live to be great in the world, either in possessions of land, or building of cities. I will turn the low-seated Babylon into a standing pool, and make it a possession for Bitterns, 23 I will also make it a possession for the bitterne, and pools of waters. and for Otters, in stead of men, &c. But, before this time of the destruction of Babylon, 25 That I will break the Assyrian in my land,& upon my mountaines tread him under foot. I will overthrow the proud Assyrian, in the land of Judah, and will do execution upon him, in the mountaines of Israel, sending away Senacherib, with a miraculous, and shameful defeat, &c. rejoice not, O thou whole land of Palestine, 29 rejoice not thou whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken, for out of the serpents root shall come forth a Cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. for that the Jews, which formerly subdued thee, are now driven out, and vanquished; for there is yet more mischief towards thee from those, whom thou thinkest to be utterly crushed; if the serpents egg be broken, as thou weenest, yet a cockatrice( which is more deadly) shall arise, out of that cracked shell; and thou shalt be more amnoyed by this later brood, then thou wert by the former. And those miserable distressed Iewes( the heires of beggary and sorrow) shall be relieved, 30 And the first born of the poor shal feed, and the needy shall lye down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine and he shall slay thy remnant. and dwell quietly; and for thee, O Palestine, I will kill the remainder of thee with famine, and the sword of the enemy. 31 howl, O gate, cry, O City, thou whole Palestina art dissolved, for there shall come from the North a smoke, and none shal be alone in his appointed times. O ye defenced cities, and walled towns of Palestine, howl and lament; and thou whole country mourn, for thou art utterly wasted; There shall come from the north armies of Assyrians, and Iewes, which shall begin with a smoke, but end in a fire; they shall come banded together, and no man shall be left at home, alone, in that day of thy intended destruction. 32 What shall one then answer the messengers of the nations, that the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust n it. What reason then shall be given to the world, when people shall be enquiring into the cause of this desolation of Palestine? Even this; that the Lord hath had a gracious respect unto Sion; and that he would have his poor despised people, to find a sure refuge there, through his mighty protection, from the fury of their enemies. CAP. XV. 1 The burdens of Moab, because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste and brought to silence, because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence. THe heavy tidings, which God sends by his prophet to Moab; Because the two great cities of Moab, Ar, and Kir, are suddenly, and inexpectedly surprised, and sacked. Therefore the foolish Moabites are gone up to their high places to weep, 2 He is gone up to Baiith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep; Moab shal howl over Nebo, and over Medeba, on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. and complain to their idol Chemosh, they make moan for their other cities also, both those in the heart, and in the skirts of the land, and they testify their mourning, by shaving of their heads, and beards. 4 And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh; their voice shall be heard even unto Iahaz: therefore the armed souldiers of Moab shall cry out, his life shall be grievous u●to him. Their two other famous cities, of Heshbon, and Elealeh shall shriek, and howl, so loud, that their noise shal be heard to the utmost confines of the land; even the men of war, which should by their courage, cheer up others, shall in a despair of success, cry and lament, and their life shall be but a grief and burden to them, for that they are in a sad expectation of death. 5 My heart shall cry out for Moab, his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three yeares old, for by the mounting up of I uhith with weeping shall they go it up: for in the way of Heronaim, they shall raise up a cry of destruction. My heart tells me that Moab shall cry out to his cowardly fugitives, which run away to the utmost borders of Judah, even, as a young heifer of three yeares old belloweth after her fellowes, for they shall follow them, over hills and dales, from one side of the country unto another; and shall raise a woeful hubbub after them. And the waters that flow through the plains of Moab, 6 For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate, for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing. and the vale of Nimra, shall be utterly dried up, the grass shall fail, the hay shall be parched up, and there shall be no show of ought, but drought and barrenness. The fearful cries and howlings of the Moabites are universal; no place is free; they fill the whole land, 8 For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab, the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beer Elim. and all the obscurest corners thereof. For the river of Dimon, which runs through Moab, shall( according to the name of it) be bloody with the slaughter of his people; and yet I have a further judgement in store, beyond this stain of Dimon; 9 For the waters of Dimō shal be full of blood: For I will bring more upon Dimon, Lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land. for the man that escapeth from the sword of the enemy, in that valley will I give up to be a prey to the wild beasts, the lions shall devour him. CAP. XVI. YEt, Moab, if at last, thou shalt relent, 1 sand ye the lamb to the ruler of the land, from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion. there may be a possibility of life, and recovery; which if thou desire to harken unto, sand then, first, according to thy old promise, and engagement, that tribute of lambs which thou oughtest to have paid to the King of Judah; sand it humbly unto him, even all of you from the utmost bounds of Edom, to mount Sion, where his court resideth. Else, be sure ye shall be like a wandring bide, 2 For it shall be, that as a wandring bide cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon. whose nest is pulled down; disappointed of your habitations; so as the daughters of Moab.( though near to you in blood) shall be glad to seek their lodging in foreign parts. go to then, bethink thyself of better courses, 3 Take counsel, execute Iudgement, make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noon day, hid the out-casts, bewray not him that wandereth. do right to all men, be thou harborous, and kind to thy brethren of Israel, yielding them as cool a shadow, in the midst of the heat of the day, as if it were mid-night; give shelter and entertainment to their chased,& distressed exiles, and bewray not him that, in his wandring, seeks to thee for succour. For God hath put an end to the calamities of his people, there shall be no more spoil, 4 The spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land. no more oppression of their cruel enemies to waste them. And in great mercy to his Church shall the throne of the Messiah be established; and he shall sit upon it, 5 And in mercy shall the throne be established, and he shall sit upon it in truth, in the Tabernacle of David. as a most just governor of his people; even in the place of his type and ancestor David, &c. But his lying and vain boasting shall deceive him, 6 But his lies shall not be so. neither shall they come to any effect. Therefore, 7 Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl, for the foundations of Kir-hareseth shall ye mourn, surely they are strike. one city of Moab shall condole with another, and all shall howl together, for the razing down of the prime city, Kir-hareseth; for the razing, even of the very foundations thereof, shall ye mourn in vain, not one of the inhabitants shall escape, surely they shall bee all destroyed. 8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah, the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto jazer, &c. Yea, not only the chief cities, but the whole region shall be laid waste; the fruitful fields and vineyards of Heshbon, and Sibmah, which were famous for their excellent grapes, shall be spoiled by the lords of the heathen; which shall not rest in the vastation of some parts of the land, but shall run over all, even to Jazer, which is in the utmost confines, &c. 9 Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of jazer, the vine of Sibmah, I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh, for the showting for thy summer fruits, &c. Therefore( shall the Moabite say) I will with a general lamentation( such as shall be heard from the uttermost skirts of the land) bewail the desolation of the excellent vineyards of Sibmah; &c. for the joy and acclamations that were wont to bee at the gathering of thy summer fruits, and for thy plentiful harvest, is now at an end, and shall be heard no more. 11 Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh. wherefore, my bowels shal in their yearning( through the vehemence of my passion) make a loud noise, and mine inward parts shall be moved for the chief city of Moab, to see the woeful desolation thereof. It shall come to pass that Moab, finding no relief in the petty-idols of his high places, 12 And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray, but he shall not prevail. shall come to his chief sanctuary, to implore the aid of Chemosh his god; but he shall not prevail. Within three yeares( which shall be as precisely set and observed, as the hireling uses to keep account of the time agreed upon for his service) all the glory of Moab shall be dashed, 14 Within three years as the yeares of an hireling and the glory of Moab shal be contemned: &c. CAP. XVII. 2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken, they shall be for flocks, which shall lye down, and none shall make them afraid. THe cities of Aroer in the region of Syria, shall be forsaken; and turned desolate; nothing shall be seen there but coats for shepherds, and their flocks, which shall feed in those solitary plains, without fear. 3 The fortress also shal cease from Ephraim, and the Kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall bee as the children of Israel, saith the Lord of hostes. And since Israel, and Syria will be joining together against Juda, I will be avenged on them both; Ephraim( which is the prime tribe of Israel) shall lose his strength, and Damascus the prime city of Syria, shall lose his kingdom; and so shall all Syria; it shall speed like to Israel, which it hath enticed to join in this unjust war. 5 And it shall bee as when the harvest-man gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm: and it shall bee as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim. And it shall bee as when the harvest-man gathereth close within his arm all those stalks of corn, which he can reach, that he may cut them off together; so shall the enemy deal with Israel, he shall cut them off, at once; even as a labourers sickle cuts the ears of corn, in the fruitful valley of Rephaim, where they stand thickest together. Yet, as in a field, after the most careful harvestman, 6 Yet gleaning grapes shalbe left in it, as the shaking of an Olive three, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough: four or five in the out-most fruitful branches thereof, saith the Lord God of Israel. there will be some gleanings left; and some grapes, after the gathering of the vintage, may be hide under the leaves, and some Olives left upon the out-boughes, after the three is most shaken; so shall it be here with Israel, some few of them shall yet bee reserved after the common destruction. And this correction shall have so prevailed, that now the remaining Israelites shall look up to their Maker, 7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker. &c. In that day shall the strong cities of the ten tribes, 9 In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left, because of the children of Israel; and there shall be desolation. be left unpeopled, and waste, even as a bough, whose Olives are shaken off; whose branch yet shall be left still for the sake of those Israelites, which I will reserve. Thou maiest bestow thy best husbandry upon thy plants, and upon thy seed, 11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief, and of desperate sorrow. and expect a plentiful increase, but when it shall come to the harvest, thy hopes shall be utterly disappointed; and thou shalt find no thing but cause of sorrow, and humiliation. Woe be to that great and numerous army of the Assyrians,& Ethiopians, which come up against Jerusalem, 12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise, like the noise of the seas. whose noise is loud, and hideous, like the noise of the sea, &c. The several nations which shall bee confederate against Judah, shall rush like the gushing of many waters, 13 The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters. &c. Behold, in the evening, there is horror and confusion in the host, 14 And behold at evening tide trouble, and before the morning he is not. through the slaughter made by the angel of God; and in the morning, there is not one left of an hundred fourscore and five thousand men; &c. CAP. XVIII. WOe to the land of Ethiopia, 1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia. and that part especially, which is comprehended in egypt, and the Maritine cost, whose frequent shipping doth shadow, as it were, other nations with her sails. That sendeth Ambassadors by sea, 2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the water, saying, go ye swift messengers to a nation scattered& peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto, &c. in vessells fit for that purpose, artificially framed of bulrushes, to avoid the danger of that rocky passage; to call together united nations from remote parts, to come up against that miserable and spoiled people of the Jews; whose land is overrun and over-spread with an inundation of enemies. 3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountaines: and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. Let all the inhabitants of the world, every where, take notice of the Lords revenge, which he will take of the enemies of his people; when he therefore lifts up his ensign on high, and bloweth his trumpet to call his troops to this battle, let all men consider and observe the certain and terrible success. 4 For so the Lord said unto me: I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of due in the heat of harvest. I will for a time forbear judgement, and be as a meet looker on, acting nothing, but in the mean time, I will have an eye to my Church, and people, and will bee to them, as a kindly heat is to the drooping herbs, or as a sweet due in the scorching heat of harvest. 5 For afore the harvest when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower: he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches. mean whiles, if their enemies prosper for a time, it shall not always be so; for when their hopes are comne to the height, he shall defeat them; immediately before the autumn, when the bud is come to perfection, when the grape is upon the point of ripening, I will cut off their sprigs, and boughs, with pruning knives, and disappoint all their expectation. 6 They shall be left together unto the fowles of the mountaines, and to the beasts of the earth:& the fowles shall summer upon them,& all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them. The carcases of their enemies shall bee cast out as dung, and shall be a prey both to the fowls of the mountaines, and the beasts of the field; and lye there rotting, both in the Summer and winter, till they be consumed. In that day, through the mercy of God remembering the miseries of his people; 7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts, of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto: a nation meted out& trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion. the remaining Jews shall offer themselves to him, as an holy, lively, acceptable sacrifice; even that despised and forlorn people of the Jews, that hath undergone all the despites, and oppressions of nations, and been over-whelmed with the multitude of enemies, shall devote themselves to the Lord in mount Zion, and his holy Temple. CAP. XIX. 1 Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt, and the idols of egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of egypt shall melt in the midst of it. BEhold, the Lord comes with a wonderful swiftness, and unresistible power, to be revenged upon egypt, and the idols of the egyptians shall be cast down before him; and the hearts of the egyptians shall be utterly dismayed. And I will give over the egyptians into the hand of cruel gangrenes, 4 And the egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel Lord: and a fierce King shall rule over them. which shall oppress them, as they have done my people heretofore; both of their own, and of the Assyrians, &c. And whereas, 5 And the waters shall fail from the Sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. they trust in the beneficial waters of Nilus, which gives them both plenty and protection; behold, their hopes shall deceive them, for those waters shall be intercepted, and dried up, Even their channels shall be quiter emptied, 6 And they shall turn the rivers far away, and the brooks of defence shal be emptied and dried up, the reeds and flags shall whither. and the waters derived into other streams; so as the mud thereof shall be hardened, and the reedes and flags which grew therein shall be quiter withered. That plant, 7 The Paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks shall whither, be driven away, and be more. which yeeldeth the rich commodity of Paper, which grows along the brooks, and every other thing which is set, or sown by those otherwise fruitful banks, shall now, through extremity of drought be destroyed, and lost. Moreover, through the failing of Nilus, all those curious and wealthy trades of them, 9 Moreover, they that work in fine flax, and they that wove net works shall be confounded. who work in fine flax, and wove net works, the matter whereof had wont to be imported by those streams, shall be utterly undone, and disappointed. All they that live upon the benefit of their fishponds, 10 And they shall bee broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish. and sluices; preserving in these commodious stews, those fishes, which they take, and sell for advantage of gain, shall be now defeated of their trade. Where now are those wise Counsellors, 11 Surely the Princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise Counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient Kings? and great peers of egypt, that made themselves so sure and safe against all events, I do now, by commission from God, tell them, they are no better then fools, yea then brutish, to what good issue are their fond brags now comne, wherein they suggested unto Pharaoh the glory of his wisdom, and of his princely descent? The Lord in his Justice hath given them up to a spirit of giddiness, and perverseness; 14 The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit. justly punishing their pride, with the seduction of their leaders, who have caused Egypt to go wrong in all their enterprizes, even as a man extremely drunk reeleth and staggereth out of his way. Nothing shall come to any good effect which the egyptians shall undertake, 15 Neither shall there be any work for egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush may do. from the highest to the lowest; all their attempts shall be unprosperous. In that day shall the Lord daunt the spirits of the egyptians, so as they shall become weak, 16 In that day shall egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid, and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it. and faint-hearted like women, and this shall be caused through their astonishment, and fear of the imminent judgements of God. 18 In that day shall five cities in the land of egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the Lord of hosts: one shall be called the city of destruction. Yet, even upon egypt itself will God have mercy, and compassion; and shall, of six cities of theirs, preserve five still for himself; which shall be reclaimed from their superstition; and conspire in their holy worship and service with Gods people; and swear by no other name but his; onely one of them shall be called a city rejected, and destroyed. 19 In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And the true religion of God shall be established, and flourish in the midst of the land of egypt, and in the utmost borders thereof shall be monuments of their holy devotion to the Lord. He shall sand them a temporal deliverer from their outward oppressions, 20 And he shall sand them a Saviour, and a great One, and he shall deliver them. and at the last a spiritual Saviour, and Almighty redeemer from the ghostly bondage of sin, and Satan. 23 In that day shall there be a high way out of egypt, to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into egypt; and the egyptian unto Assyria, and the egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. Neither shall this mercy be confined to egypt alone, but shall extend itself to other nations, no less averse from God, then it: both egypt and Assyria shall have free intercourse with each other; and shall communicate mutually in the same holy profession. And in that day, Israel shall come in as a third nation, to join with them both; 24 In that day shall Israel bee the third with egypt, and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land. so as Israel, egypt,& Assyria, shalbe blessed all together,& in each other, with an holy conjunction of mindes, in one, and the same truth of religion. CAP. XX. 1 In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod( when Sargon the King of Assyria sent him) IN the year that Tartan the great Assyrian captain came unto Ashdod( a Philistim city) when Sargon, or Senacherib( for he is called by both names) the King of Assyria sent him, &c. 2 go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot, and he did so, walking naked and bare foot. go, and put off that hairy garment which is about thee, the ordinary habit of a Prophet, and put off thy shoe from thy foot; and he did so, walking disrobed and barefoot. 3 Bare foot three yeares for a sign and wonder upon egypt, and upon Ethiopia. For a sign and token, that three yeares after this prophesy, the forces of egypt and Ethiopia, lead by Tirhaka, shall be utterly discomfited, and they stripped of that great power whereof they boasted. 5 And they shall bee afraid, and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of egypt their glory. And my people the Jews, shall be ashamed and confounded in themselves, to think they have been so foolish, to put their trust in Ethiopia, and egypt, so impotent protectors. And the inhabitants of this country, 6 And the inhabitants of this Ile shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation whither wee fly for help to be delivered from the King of Assyria; and how shall wee escape? which I have sequestered for myself, from the rest of the world, shall say; See to what broken reeds we trusted for our deliverance; how vainly have we feared, that we could not possibly be safe, and escape without them? CAP. XXI. THe heavy tidings sent to Chaldea, 1 The burden of the desert of the Sea; whirlwinds in the South pass thorough: so it cometh from the desert; from a terrible land. and especially to Babylon; As those whirlwinds which arise from the South are most furious, so shall this be which shall pass over thee, O Babylon, from the Medes; who, like a violent tempest shall rush upon thee, and turn thee over. It is a grievous vision to thee, O Chaldea, 2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously,& the spoiler spoileth: go up, O Elam, besiege, O Media: all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. which is shewed unto me, concerning thee; wicked men do their kind; The treacherous Syrian dealeth treacherously; and the cruel Babylonian spoileth unmercifully;& shall be dealt with thereafter; go up, O thou Persian, and besiege Babylon; O Media, do thou join thy forces in this service; I will give no respect to any of the sighs of that oppressing nation, but will give them over to a just destruction. I am deeply afflicted in myself, 3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me. to foresee these grievous judgements which are coming upon these secure enemies of Gods Church, &c. Proud and secure Babylon, says; 5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink, arise ye Princes, and anoint the shield. Furnish the tables with all delicates; let us feast ourselves merrily; dispose of our watches to make sure of a seasonable notice, and prevention of any enemy; eat, drink, but in the mean time, arise O ye Princes of Media and Persia, and make your armor, and munition ready. Thus saith the Lord, 6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. these things which I bid thee denounce against Babylon, are yet afar off; go therefore and set a watchman upon an high tower, and let him declare to thee what he seeth. And he saw far off, and first discerned a chariot, 7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horse men, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of Camels: and he hearkned diligently with much heed. then he descried a couple of horse-men; and a chariot drawn by asses,& another drawn by Camels; as a lively representation of those enemies, and those means whereby the Babylonian should bee overthrown, by Cyrus the King of Persia, &c. And he cried, with a strong voice, like a Lion; 8 And he cried as a lion ( as it is in the margin) My Lord I stand continually upon the watch tower in the day time, and I am set in my ward whole nights. My Lord as thou hast appointed me, so am I careful to keep my station in this watch tower, continually, both night and day, to observe what it shall please thee to represent unto me. 9 And behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horse men: and he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen. And behold, whiles I am speaking, here cometh a chariot, &c. the interpretation of which vision is withall given to me, by the hands of these enemies, Babylon is sacked, and destroyed, &c. O how the mighty arm of the Lord will thrash Babylon, 10 O my threshing, and the corn of my floor, &c. as the corn is threshed in the floor, that which, &c. 11 The burden of Dumah; He calleth to me out of Seir: watchman, what of the night? watchman what of the night? The children of Edom called to me out of mount Seir, as scoffingly desiring to know what I had to say against them; watchman, what news canst thou tell us of those calamities, which have been threatened against us? Men have talked of a night that is coming upon us, What saist thou to it? 12 The watchman said, The morning cometh& also the night; if ye will inquire, inquire ye, return, come. The watchman said; Ye please yourselves in the hope of a faire morning, but know also that there is night coming which shall bring much sorrow and confusion with it; but if ye have a desire of your own safety, return to your God, inquire after him; and submit yourselves humbly unto him. 13 The burden upon Arabia, In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travailing companes of Dedanim. Ye shall bee glad to hid yourselves in the desolate forrests of Arabia for fear of Senacherib; O ye travellers of Dedanim. 14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. The inhabitants of the land of Tema, in desert Arabia, pitying their chased neighbours, brought water to their thirsty companies, and bread to relieve their hunger, in that forced and sudden flight. Within a year, in the strictest account, even such as the hireling keeps for the stint of his work and bondage, 16 Within a year, according to the yeares of an hirling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail. even within that precise space, shall all the glory of Arabia fail. 17 And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar shall be diminished. Their archers, and those other strong& mighty Arabians, shall but cut off. CAP. XXII. 1 The burden of the valley of vision; What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the house tops? THe sad tidings sent to Judea; The region which( though low in scite) yet is advanced, and dignified with the manifold visions of God,& revelations of him, and his will, what is the matter with you, O ye men of Jerusalem that you are run up, for shelter and fear, to the tops of your houses? 2 Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle. Thou, O Jerusalem, that art so full of people, and full of noise; a populous, and jolly city; how is it that thy citizens are so base, that they do not stand it out in fight; neither are dead by the sword, but with fear rather? The rulers of Judea fled hither, to thee al together, 3 All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers, all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. as to a sure fortress; and now they are all taken by the enemy, they are all chained together, as captives, which fled from the remotest parts, for safeguard unto thee. I know, how little extremity of sorrow becomes the face of a prophet, look not on me therefore, 4 Therefore said I, Look away from me, I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. whiles I weep bitterly; neither let any man go about to comfort me, for I am resolved to mourn deeply for the spoiling of Jerusalem: A day of flying to the mountaines, for an escape, 5 And of crying to the mountaines. not without bitter lamentation, and fear of being found. The men of Persia bare the quiver that their archers might second, and gard the chariots, and horsemen, 6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield. and those of Media addressed their Target for a present defence. And here one discovered the closely-reserved magazines of Judea; 8 And he discovered the covering of judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armor of the house of the forest. and thou on the other side wert glad to run for munition to that common armoury, in that house which Salomon built in the forest of Lebanon, all shall be glad to bustle into arms for their defence. Ye were glad to survey diligently the breaches of the walls of the inner citadel, to make them up, 9 Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many,& ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool. how many soever; and dammed in the waters of the lower pool for the necessary use of the besieged. Ye have made good provisions both for your water, 11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool, but ye have not looked to the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago. and for your fortifications of the city, but in the mean time, ye have not looked up to the hand of the Almighty who hath made all these creatures, and can either curse them, or use them to your comfort and defence. It was the careless and desperate resolution of too many amongst you; what do wee make spare of these provisions? Let us feed, and drink liberally; 13 Let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall die. Our time is but short, let us spend it merrily; sorrow will come too soon, to morrow we shall die. go, get thee to this perfidious officer, 15 go, get thee unto this Treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house; and say, even to Shebna, who though a foreigner in blood, and false in heart, yet hath command in the house of Ezekiah; and say, What dost thou, being a stranger here, 16 What hast thou here, and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? go about to build thee a stately tomb in Jerusalem, as if thou wert some great Prince; and wouldest leave some worthy monument of thy undeserving name, to all perpetuity of times. Those chariots which thine ambition had prepared for thy glory and greatness, 18 And there the chariots of thy glory shall bee the shane of thy lords house. shall be the shane and reproach of Ezekiah, amongst foreigners; for that he entertained so wicked and unworthy an officer. 22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder, so he shall open and none shall shut, and he shall shut and none shall open. I will put into his hand( as a faithful officer) the whole administration of the court, and will trust him with the managing of the weighty affairs of the kingdom, under his sovereign; if he command, none shall forbid; and if he forbid, none shall obtain. 23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place,& he shall be for a glorious throne to his fathers house. And I will set him firm, and sure in this place of authority, so as he shall no more be removed, than a nail, that is driven up to the head; and he shall be an honour both to the royal throne, which he shall attend, and to his fathers house. Vpon him shall depend all the glory of his fathers house, 24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his fathers house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups even to all the vessels of flagons. both for the present, and for the future; and his government shall be so just, that all affairs both great, and small, of the Kings household, or the common wealth, shall be devolved upon his fidelity. In that day, shall the present steward Shebna,( who seemed sure enough established in his place) be removed and put out of office. 25 In that day, saith the Lord of hostes, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place, be removed,& be cut down and fall. CAP. XXIII. 1 The burden of Tyre, Howl ye ships of Tarshish for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in; from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them. THe heavy tidings sent to Tyre, That famous and rich city of Tyre shall be laid waste; howl therefore, and lament, O all ye sea-faring men, which had wont to make your traffic there; for now there is no harbour for you any more; they shall hear of this fearful news from the Grecians, and other western nations, whose help shall be used by Nebuchadnezar, in this war. 2 Ye inhabitants of the isle, thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. Ye inhabitants of Tyre, and the neighbouring Isles, which have had so rich trading with the Zidonian merchants, may now sit still at home, there shall be no more work for you. And by the commodity of the sea, on which it stands, the flax that grows in Sihor, 3 And by great waters, the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river is her revenue, and she is a mart of nations. and all other the profits that are brought down by the waters of Nilus, have been, as it were, a constant revenue to it; and it hath been the universal staple of trade for all nations. 4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon, for the sea hath spoken even the strength of the sea, saying, I travel not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. And thou the famous port of Zidon near adjoining, be thou also out of countenance; for the sea, over which Tyre hath wont to rule, hath now disclaimed all benfit of trade, and intercourse; and hath professed a barrenness of all further profits, and a cessation of navigation hereafter; whether for the increase of wealth, or for the multiplying of colonies, deduced thence. As these bordering nations were troubled at the news of Aegypts overthrow, 5 As at the report concerning egypt, so shall they be sorely pined at the report of Tyre. so they shall be extremely afflicted at the like report, concerning Tyre. All ye inhabitants, and neighbour merchants, 6 pass ye over to Tarshish; howl ye inhabitants of the isle, &c. now turn your trade another way, pass over to Cilicia, and there fix your traffic, &c. Is this the glorious, and jocund city, 7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient daies? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn. that was wont so to boast of her antiquity above all others, as founded by the ancient phoenicians, beyond the memory of records? now, shee shall be pulled low enough, for her own feet shall carry her afar off into captivity, and exile. Say then, in whose power was it, 8 Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, crowning the city, whose merchants are Princes,& c? or can it be to bring this desolation upon the mighty and rich state of Tyre, that royal city, whose merchants are as wealthy as the Princes of other countries,& c? pass away through thine own land into captivity, 10 pass through thy land, as a river, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no more strength. O thou renowned daughter of the sea, as swiftly, as an headlong river through his channel; There is no more strength in thee to hold out, or subsist any longer. Get thee for shelter to Cilicia, or to Greece, 12 pass over to Chittim, there also shalt thou have no rest. but there thou shalt have no rest. Behold the Chaldeans and Assyrians; they shall be thy destroyers, neither think thou strange of this, O Tyre; 13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans, this people was not till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness, they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof, and he brought it to ruin. for consider well, the Chaldees were no people of note, till the Assyrians raised them up from a wild unsettled course of life in the wilderness; yet now these Chaldees shall be employed for to overthrow the Assyrians, how much more shall both of them bee able to overthrow thee? Tyre shall lye waste, and remain in bondage, according to the just number of yeares of the captivity of my people, even for the space of seventy yeares, 15 That Tyre shall bee forgotten seventy yeares, according to the daies of one King, after the end of seventy yeares shall Tyre sing as an harlot. according to the utmost extent of the life and reign of any one King, in common account, and after that scutcheon yeares expired, Tyre shall begin to draw customers to her, by her plausible allurements, even as a beautiful harlot enticeth her lovers by the voice of her singing. So verse 16. She shall return to her wonted trading; 17 She shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world, upon the face of the earth. and shall exercise her deceitful, and meretricious traffic with all the nations of the world; enriching herself by the uttering of those adulterated commodities, which shee shall put off to all other kingdoms. But, at last, both Tyre itself, and her merchandise, 18 And her merchandise, and hire shall be holinesse to the Lord: it shall not be treasured, nor laid up, for her merchandise shall bee for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. and trade shall be sincerely consecrated unto the Lord; shee shall not covetously scrape together, and lay up treasure for the enriching of herself, but shall distribute it rather, and lay it forth for the benefit and behoof of Gods Saints. CAP. XXIV. 1 Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, &c. BEhold, the Lord will bring great judgements, and fearful desolation, upon all the regions round about, &c. 2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the Priest. All shall fare alike from the hand of God, for they shall be swept away at once, as well the people, as the Priest, &c. 10 The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, &c. And as other nations about shall be thus plagued, so even Jerusalem itself shall be broken down, and laid in confused heaps, &c. 13 There shall bee as the shaking of an Olive three, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done. Yet, there shall be reserved a small number, on whom I will have mercy, as some few olives, that are left upon the three after the shaking thereof, and some few grapes left growing after the vintage. 14 They shall cry aloude from the sea. They shall sound forth their thankful acknowledgements of Gods mercy, and the professions of their holy confidence in him, even from remote countries. 16 From the uttermost parts of the earth, have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous: but I said, my leanness, my leanness, Wo unto me: the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously, ye the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously. Even from the Gentiles in all parts of the world have we heard songs of rejoicing, and praises given to the righteous and merciful God. But, yet I felt within me a sensible apprehension of the secret complaints of Gods Church, in the sense whereof, I could not but cry out, Woe is me, I am even consumed with sorrow, to see the miscarriage of men, to see the bosome-enemies of the Church, treacherously conspiring against her. 17 fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. O ye inhabitants of the earth, there are unavoidable judgements prepared for you; ye shall be sure not to escape the hand of God; he will certainly meet with you; and if you can eschew one plague, yet ye shall bee sure to fall into another. So verse 18. 18 For the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. For, be ye assured that the Lord will arm heaven and earth against you; neither shall any place be able to secure you from his judgements. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro, like a drunkard, and shal be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again. I will testify my wrath by fearful earth-quakes, whereby the earth shall be so moved, as that it shall totter and reel on all sides, like a drunken man; and so will I revenge the sins of the inhabitants thereof, upon them, as that they shall bee pressed down under the weight thereof, and not be able to rise any more. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall not forbear to punish the greatest Potentates of the earth, as well as the meanest of their subjects; 21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the Kings of the earth upon the earth all shall taste alike of his wrath. They shall be all shut up in one common destruction, reserved for the just revenge of God; 22 And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many dayes shal they be visited. But yet after the patient enduring of many calamities, shall God, in his great mercy, condescend to have compassion on the remnant of them. Then the Lord shall be pleased to erect such a glorious government in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, 23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and and in jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. as that it shall put down the glory and brightness of the Sun, and moon in the heavens, it shal out-shine those bright, and lightsome planets; when the Messiah shall reign with power, and majesty in his Church, before his holy, and eminent ministers. CAP. XXV. O God, this is thy just and mighty work, 2 For thou hast made of a city, an heap: of a defenced city, a ruin: a palace of strangers, to bee no city, it shall never bee built. thou canst and dost demolish great and strong cities, at pleasure, thou hast made goodly palaces to be the lodgings of strangers; and those piles again hast thou ruined, never to be repaired. Thou art a sure refuge for the poor oppressed; 4 When the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. when the blast of fierce and terrible gangrenes beats upon them furiously, as a storm beats against a wall. Thou shalt abate the rage of violent enemies; 5 Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as a heat in a dry place, even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low. if their fury be as some scorching heat in a dry soil, thy mercy shall be as the shadow of a comfortable cloud, to refresh them; so as those that made account to triumph, and tyramnize over thy Church, shall be confounded. And in this mountain( the figure of the Church) shall the Lord of hosts make a gracious, 6 And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. and blessed feast to both Jews, and Gentiles, in which he shall feed them with all spiritual delicates, whereby they shall be nourished to everlasting life. And he will by that gospel, which shall go forth from his mountain of Zion, 7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people; and the vail that is spread over all nations. remove all that vail of ignorance, which is cast over the faces of all people; So as they shall clearly see the great and wonderful mysteries of salvation. 8 He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God, will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuk of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And the life that he will give to his chosen, shall bee a glorious, and perpetual one, such a one, as shall triumph over death, and alteration; in the issue whereof, all causes of mourning, and all pretences of reproach( which are wont to be cast upon Gods people) shall bee utterly and fully removed. For God shall settle his abode in his Church, for ever, 10 For in this mountain shall the hand of the Lord rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden for the dunghill. and shall tread down all the most malicious enemies thereof, even as straw is trodden in the dunghill, to make compost for the earth. And he shall stretch forth his hand against them for their destruction, 11 And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim. to enwrap them in his judgements; even as, &c. And the strong fortress of that high fort of thine, O Moab, 12 And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust. wherein thou didst so much pride thyself, as impregnable, shall he bring down and lay level with the dust. CAP. XXVI. 1 In that day shall this song bee sung in the land of judah, we have a strong city, salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. IN the day of the return from captivity, shall my people sing in the land of Judah, where they are replanted, this song: We have now a strong city; Jerusalem is abundantly fortified; the protection and safeguard of the Lord shall bee, and are the walls and bulwarks thereof. 2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Jerusalem hath been lewdly inhabited; but now after the gates thereof have been so long broken down, and are re-edified, they shall be set open to receive righteous, inoffensive, and conscionable inhabitants. 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. O God, thou wilt continue true peace, and happiness, to that man, whose heart is fastened upon thee, &c. 9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night, yea with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. There is no time, that I have held unseasonable to think of thee, and to long for thee; even in the night season, when others sleep, hath my soul been taken up with thee, &c. 10 Let favour bee shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness, in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly. Howsoever it pleaseth the long-suffering and merciful God to show favour to the wicked, in forbearing them, in provoking them with benefits, yet will they not be reclaimed and amended; but in the holiest place, and notwithstanding the most powerful means, will they practise lewdness, &c. Yea, 11 Yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. that fire of thy wrath which thou reservest for thine enemies, shall devour them. Lord thou wilt work out our peace and felicity, and wilt accordingly continue it to us; 12 Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. for thou also hast done great things for us, and hast brought about all our affairs. O Lord, we, 13 O Lord our God, other Lords besides thee have had dominion over us: but by thee onely will we make mention of thy name. who had not the grace to submit ourselves wholly to thy governance, have been justly given over to the tyranny of wicked rulers, who have exacted sinful obedience from us; but we will stick close unto thee alone, and through thy gracious aid, will hold firm to thy truth, and yield to no other religion, but that which thou hast prescribed us. They, even our enemies, 14 They are dead, they shall not live, they are deceased, they shall not rise, therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them. are dead without hope of reviving again; so are they brought down by thy hand, that they shall never be restored, &c. Alas, 18 Wee have not wrought any deliverance in the earth, neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. it was not in our power to work any deliverance for ourselves, upon earth; neither was it in our power to defeat the force of our enemies, and to discomfit them. But it was thou, O Lord, that hast wrought it for us; 19 Thy dead men shall live together, with my dead body shal they arise: awake and sing ye that dwell in dust: for thy due is as the due of herbs; and the earth shall cast out the dead. thou then in mercy, saidst; Be of good comfort; Those whom thou gavest up for dead men, shall yet bee revived; yea, those that sleep in the dust, yet shall one day arise, and live; with this body of mine, which I shall ere long lay down, shall they arise from their graves; Awake therefore, and rejoice, O ye my faithful ones, who are now resolved to the very dust of the earth; for ye shall be happily restored; as ye see the herbs, which in winter lay as dead, by the sweet dews of the spring are revived, so shall it be with you; ye shall then spring up gloriously, the earth cannot hold you from your happy resurrection. Betake thyself to a sure confidence in mine assured mercy, and protection, and retire thyself a little, 20 hid thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation bee over-past: till I have executed mine indignation upon thine enemies. For the Lord from heaven his dwelling place, 21 For behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth, for their iniquity. manifesteth his power, and justice, in executing judgements upon the inhabitants of the earth. CAP. XXVII. IN that day, the Lord, by his mighty power, 1 In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish Leviathan the piercing Serpent, &c. shall execute his due vengeance upon Satan, that old, and subtle serpent, and all his complices, the Kings of egypt, and those other malignant enemies of his Church. 2 In that day, sing ye unto her; A vineyard of read wine. In that day sing ye unto her; My Church is as a vineyard of the most rich, and precious wine. Howsoever I am provoked, yet I am patient; and give not way to a just fury; 4 Fury is not in me: who would set the briars and thorns against me in battle: I would go through them, I would burn them together. Oh that I had to do rather with thorns,& briars, then with my vineyard; I would soon make an end with them, and burn them at once; But, for my own Israel, if( as he doth) he know my omnipotence, 5 Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me: and he shall make peace with me. and how easily I can revenge myself, and thereupon bee desirous to humble himself, and make peace with me; let him make peace with me, I am ready to accept it. 6 He shall cause them that come of jacob to take root: Israel shall blosome and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. And though the Lord might justly pull up the house of Jacob by the roots, that it might never sprout again, yet he remembering his mercy, shall onely so lop the posterity of Israel, that they shall blossom, and bud forth again, and fill the world with their increase. 7 Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him, or is he slain according to the slaughter of thē that are slain by him? Hath not God put a difference betwixt his correcting of them, and his punishing their enemies? or hath he destroyed them, in the same manner that he hath destroyed those whom he intends utterly to root out? 8 In measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it, he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the East wind. When this house of Jacob then shooteth forth, thou wilt not deal in rigor with it; if it bear not as it should, thou wilt not cut it up by the roots: And if thy could and pinching wind blow upon this herb, so that it withers the leaf, yet thou wilt so call in those bitter blasts, that they shall not utterly nip that plant of thine, and bereave it of life. 9 By this therefore shall the iniquity of jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his sin, when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalk stones, that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up: It is onely Gods intention, that by these afflictions the iniquity of his people may be purged away; this is all the fruit he expects of his fatherly chastisements, to take away their sins; and namely, their idolatry; which they shall so detest, that they shall make all the stones of their idolatrous altars, as chalk stones, beaten to powder; and shall cut down, and deface the groves, and Images which had formerly deluded, and bewitched them. 10 Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken,& left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed,& there shall he lye down, and consume the branches thereof. Yet, though God will at last show this mercy, for all this, in the mean time, Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness; the beasts shall feed, and lodge there, as in a waste ground; and the grass, and bushes shall grow so rank there, that the beasts shall onely crop the tops thereof. 11 When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come and set them on fire, for it is a people of no understanding. And when the boughs so browsed on, shall whither, they shall be broken down; the very women shall burn them; this must be done; for it is an ignorant and disobedient people; so as, for the time, God will be very severe against them, &c. And it shall come to pass in that day, that since the house of Jacob is now as a little corn, 12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beate off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. left in a chaffe-heape, the Lord in his threshing floor shall beat off all the dross from that grain of his; and shall call them home; both from the channel of Euphrates, and from the streams of Nilus, out of Assyria, and egypt, and ye shall be gathered, though not all at once, yet one by one, O ye children of Israel. So verse 13. CAP. XXVIII. WOe to the ten Tribes of Israel, 1 Woe to the crown of pride; to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose gloriour beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine. which are both puffed up with pride, and grown to a shameful excess of surfeiting, and drunkenness; Whose girlonds upon their heads( withering in the banquets, whiles they are worn) are a just resemblance of their fading glory, and beauty, who are the intemperate lands of those rich and plentiful valleys of Israel. Behold, the Lord hath a mighty, 2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail. and strong Assyrian in store, which shall come upon them like a tempest of hail, &c. Those proud girlonds of the drunken Israelites shall be cast to the ground, and trampled under feet. 3. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim shal be trodden under foot. The rich crop which crowneth the fat& fertile valleys of Israel shall be suddenly destroyed; yea, 4 And the glorious beauty which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer. shall be snatched up, before it can have leisure to ripen, &c. But, as for the tribe of Juda, in that day shall the Lord of hosts be, as a crown of glory to it; 5 In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty unto the residue of his people. and as a flourishing and beautiful garland to this residue of his people. He shall give true judgement, and discerning to the judge, and true valour, and courage to the soldier, 6 And for a spirit of judgement to him that sitteth in judgement,& for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. that beats back the enemy, and assails him in his own gate. But yet even they also,( for a great part of them) have given themselves unto drunkenness; and have been miscarried through wine; not the base sort onely, 7 But they have also erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way: the Priest& the Prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink, they err in vision, they stumble in judgement. but even the Priest& the Prophet, which should have been examples of holinesse, and sobriety, &c. So as they have failed, not onely in their other carriages and actions, but in those very visions, which they have received from God, and in those sentences of judgement, which they should have given from God. To what purpose do we cast away instruction upon an incorrigible people? it is all one, as if God should direct his precepts and counsels to a child new weaned from the breast; 9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord. so uncapable are they of wholesome doctrine. To them, as unto new weaned children, there must be both leisure and assiduity in teaching, 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little. one precept upon another, one rule after another; first they must bee taught to know their letters, then to spell them; by little at once must they be taught all that is put into them. 11 For with stammering lips& another tongue will he speak to this people. So is God forced to deal with this people; he is fain to frame himself to speak unto them, as unto children, in a stammering and unperfit language, such as they can be able to pronounce. 12 To whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing, yet they would not hear. For in his own language they would not hear him; when God said; lo, where you may find true rest, and peace to your own hearts, and ability to comfort others, yet they would not understand him. But since the word of the Lord, which was delivered to them, 13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little, that they might go and fall backward, and be broken, and snared and taken. one precept upon another, one rule after another, by a little at once, with all assiduity, and leisure, prevailed not with them, to their instruction, it shall be of force to obdure them, and an occasion of their fall, and further judgement. Because ye have vainly promised safety, and impunity to yourselves, notwithstanding all the judgements threatened against your sins, and have taken the more liberty to your lewdness hereupon, 15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement, when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us, for wee have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hide ourselves. as if ye were at a fee with death and hell; and had said, when the fierce judgements of God shal come upon others, we shal escape well enough, for the very lies we have made shall secure us, and our falsehood shall hid us from vengeance. Therefore, thus saith the Lord; what I have said, I will perform; and behold, for this purpose, I have appointed my son, the true Messiah, to be the foundation, to bee the sure, and precious corner ston of the everlasting fabric of my Church, 16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a ston, a tried ston, a precious corner ston, a sure foundation, he that believeth, shall not make hast. in whom all my promises, and judgements shall be fulfilled; he that believes shall rest himself contented with this all-sufficient means of his comfort, and salvation, and shal not either hasten to look out for other helps, nor be ashamed of trusting to this. And upon this foundation, and this corner ston will I raise the structure of my Church; which shall be built up in judgement, 17 Iudgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies. and righteousness, with wisdom and integrity; as for those wicked hypocrites, that lurk under the false name and pretence thereof, the just judgements of God shall sweep them away, &c. And as for that false security, 18 And your covenant with death shall bee disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge shal pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. wherewith ye fond hypocrites pleased yourselves, as vainly boasting of a covenant made betwixt you, and death, and hell, so as these judgements should not, either come near, or not hurt you, ye shall find, that it shall not hold; but that, contrarily, when the vengeance of God shall seize upon you, ye shall be utterly overwhelmed with it. After the time that the judgement is once begun; 19 From the time that it goeth forth, it shall take you, for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night, and it shall be a vexation, only to understand the report. it shall continue without intermission, morning and evening, night and day, and it shall be no small part of affliction, but to hear and understand the report of those calamities. These wicked ones shall have small ease during the continuance of their lewdness; 20 For the bed is shorter, then that a man can stretch himself on it, and the covering narrower, then that he can wrap himself in it. they shall bee as a man that lies upon a bed too short and straight for him; or that in a could night, is allowed a narrow coverled only, that will not reach to wrap him over, so deficient, and unsatisfying shall be all the comforts of the wicked. For the Lord will rise up, and show his power against these wicked men, as he did against the philistines, 21 For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perasim, he shall be wrath as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work, and bring to pass his act, his strange act. in Baal Perazim, as he did against the Amorites, in the valley of Gibeon, that he may glorify himself by doing some strange, and marvellous execution upon them. do not therefore mock at these fearful denunciations of Gods wrath, lest your stubborn struggling against the just proceedings of God, 22 Now therefore bee ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. entangle you so much more, and make your bands more close and pinching; for certainly, God hath revealed to me his certain determination to bring a fearful vastation upon the whole earth, which hath so grievously corrupted her ways. do ye not know that God hath his seasons and opportunities for al his proceedings with men? 24 Doth the ploughman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? he is not always taken up with one act; Doth the ploughman spend his time altogether in ploughing the ground, to prepare it for seed; doth he ever labour in breaking the clods? Hath he not other work to do, after this? 25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fetches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat. when he hath laid the earth smooth, and level, doth he not cast the several seeds, and grains into the bosom of the earth, in their meet seasons? &c. When he hath done that, and hath brought these several kinds of grain into the barn, 27 For the fetches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned upon the cummin, but the fetches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod. he doth not thrash them out all after one fashion; for the fetches are not beaten out with the ordinary instrument of threshing, nor is the cummin crushed out with the cartwheele; but lesser force will shake out these seeds, even a flaffe, or a rod. 28 Bread corn is bruised, because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen. But, that corn that is for bread, is bruised out with more force, by the strength of the flail, or wheel; because he will not ever be working upon it, to fetch it out of the husks, wherein it lies, by those violent means which are used to this purpose. 29 This also cometh forth from the Lord of hostes, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. Since the Lord of hosts hath given this wit, and understanding to plain men, for the managing of their affairs, in due times, and fit ways; how much more shall he, who is infinite in wisdom, contrive his own works, both of mercy, and judgement with men? CAP. XXIX. 1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel the city where David dwelled, add ye year to year, let them kill sacrifices. WOe to the Temple of Jerusalem, and thee, O Altar, yea, to that whole city of David; let the destruction be a little deferred, from one year to another, and in the mean time do ye fearelesly kill, and offer your sacrifices, as if ye expected no danger. 2 Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall bee heaviness and sorrow, and it shall be unto me as Ariel. Yet in my appointed time I will distress the Altar& Temple; and there shall be heaviness and sorrow; and the whole city shall be to me, as an altar imbrued with blood. 4 And thou shalt bee brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shal be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust. And thou shalt speak hollowly,& faintly out of the low estate of humiliation, into which thou shalt be cast; thou that hadst wont to speak big, and loftily; now so shall thy voice be changed, that it shall sound weakly, and hollowly, as one that hath a familiar, and speaks inwardly; or, as if it came like some soft whispering sound, out of the crannies of the earth. Moreover, those hired forces of strangers, to which thou trustest, 5 Moreover, the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall bee as the chaff that passeth away, yea it shall be at an instant suddenly. shall be dispersed, as small dust with the wind, and those powerful and fierce warriors, whereof thou boastest, shall be as chaff, blown away, in an instant, suddenly. For God himself( who is the Lord of hosts) shall take upon him the execution of these judgements upon thee, and shall testify his displeasure by thunders, 6 Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Hosts with thunder, and with earthquakes. and earthquakes, &c. 7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision. And the multitude of these nations, that fight against the Altar, temple, city of Jerusalem, and that distress her, shall come upon her( in respect of her deep security) as some fearful dream upon a sleeping man. And whereas the Jews vainly pleased themselves with a false hope of deliverance from their enemies, 8 It shall even bee as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth, but he awaketh, and his soul is empty; or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold he drinketh, but he awaketh and behold he is faint, and his soul hath appetite, so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. and raising of their siege, they shall be no less disappointed then an hungry man that dreams of meat, and seems to himself to eat, but when he awakes he finds that his stomach is still empty, &c. So shall it be with the conceit of defeating the multitude of nations, that fight against mount Zion. fix yourselves upon the thoughts of these judgements, and wonder; yea, cry out, cry aloud in the sense of this wrath; But, alas, why do I thus speak unto them? they are grown senseless, and stupid; they are drunken, 9 Stay yourselves and wonder, cry ye out,& cry, they are drunken, but not with wine, they stagger, but not with strong drink. not so much with wine, as with their false security, and giddy imaginations, &c. For the Lord in his justice, 10 For the Lord hath powred out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes, the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. for a punishment of your Idolatries, and excess, hath given you up, to a secure insensiblenesse; shutting up the eyes of your mind, that you should not see your fearful condition; and that, not of the meaner sort only, but of your very prophets, and rulers, who should be the common seers for the rest. Their religion and devotion is such, 13 And their fear towards me is taught by the precept of men. not as God hath prescribed unto them, but such as they have received from the unwarranted precepts of superstitious men. Their wise men, 14 For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hide. and their learned teachers shall bee besotted, so as they shall not be able, either to see the truth, or to deliver it unto others. Woe to those hypocritical contemners of God, which think themselves so cunning, 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hid their counsel from the Lord. that they can elude either the knowledge, or proceedings of God, &c. Surely, these plots and devices that you have, for the turning of things upside down, 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potters day; for shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? and working them to your own purposes, are no less in my hand to over-rule then the day is in the hand of the potter; Is it for you to take upon you the contriving of the events of things? is not this work proper only to me? shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? &c. However, your secure hearts may suggest to you, 17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? it shall be very shortly, that I will make these strange alterations in the world; woody forrests shall be turned into fruitful, and plain fields, and those fields which were lately fruitful, shall become a wild desert forest. But notwithstanding these judgements, 18 And in that day shal the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. I will be gracious to mine own remnant; and will open their ears, that they may hear, and enlighten their eyes, that they may see the things belonging to their peace. Those cruel men that are ready to take the utmost advantage against a man, 21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought. for but a word speaking, and lay twigs, and snares to catch the prophet, which openly reproves sin, and disgrace the upright, and conscionable, causelessly. They, that before, carelessly mocked at the prediction of these denounced evils, 24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured, shall learn doctrine. shall now come to understand the truth of them. CAP. XXX. 1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me, and that cover, with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin. WOe to these rebellious Jews( saith the Lord) that will be consulting with flesh and blood, in their affairs;& hiding their plots, as if they could keep them from mine eyes; and seeking other protections, then my spirit hath suggested unto them, they do herein but add one sin to another. 2 That walk to go down into egypt, and have not asked at my mouth, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh That without ever asking counsel of me, go to crave aid, and succour of the egyptians; and make account to strengthen themselves with the forces of pharaoh, &c. For, no mean men, but the very Princes of Judah were sent as ambassadors, 4 For his Princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to hands. to the furthest parts of egypt to treat with them upon this business. 5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor bee an help nor profit, but a shane and also a reproach. But the end of that embassage, is but shane and disappointment; for it will appear that those egyptians shall not be able to help them, yea, that their assistance shall turn to a reproach, and disadvantage unto them. 6 The burden of the beasts of the south into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old Lion, the viper and fierce flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of Camels, to a people that shall not profit them. The sad tidings that are sent to the men of Judah, under the name of those beasts, which shall be sent by them with presents into egypt; even into egypt which hath been of old, a land of trouble,& anguish to Israel; from whence ravenous, and venomous beasts have wont too frequently to annoy, and endanger all passengers; yet thither will the men of Judah needs carry their rich gifts, upon the backs of asses, and the bunches of camels, to fee a people that cannot, that shall not avail them. The egyptians help shall be utterly in vain; and therefore have I earnestly warned, 7 For the egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose, therefore have I cried concerning this, their strength is to sit still. and admonished the people of Judah; that their best strength had been in sitting still, and trusting to their God, without the employment of these untrusty assistants. prophesy to us those news that may please us; and, 10 prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. tell us plausible tidings, how false and deceitful soever. Let not the holy one of Israel trouble us any more, 11 Cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before us. with these harsh, and unwelcome prophesies. Your state shall be, for this iniquity of yours, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. like to the case of a riven wall, whereof one part is ready to fall from the other; which buncheth out in the rapture therof, as continually threatening a certain ruin, that shall come suddenly upon it, and in the fall, a breaking in pieces. Thus are ye, and thus shall ye bee; 14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters vessel, that is broken in pieces. yea he shall yet break you into smaller sheards; even like to the sheards of a broken pitcher, &c. Thus saith the Lord; did not I tell you, 15 For thus saith the Lord God, the holy one of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence shal be your strength, and ye would not. that your safest, and surest way was to call back your messengers from egypt, and to rest quietly and confidently upon the assured protection of your God; yet ye would not do so; but would needs follow your own projects. No, said ye; we will sand speedy messengers to our neighbour Princes, and will trust to their aid, 16 But ye said, No, for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee. therefore shall ye make as much hast to flee before your enemies, &c. For the Lord is a God, 18 For the Lord is a God of Iudgement. full of merciful moderation in the proceedings of his judgements, &c. Thou shalt enjoy the presence of thy priests, 20 Thine eyes shall see thy teachers. and prophets. And God shall bless thee with pure, 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way walk ye in it. and wholesome doctrine, directing thee in the way of truth, and holiness, saying to thee, upon all occasions of thy doubts, or temptations, This is the way, walk in it, &c. Thou shalt then, 22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graved images of silver, and the ornament of thy melted Images of gold. in an holy indignation conceived against thy former Idolatry, defile, and deface all the ornaments, and appurtenances of thy late images, of silver and gold, &c. Vpon which act of detestation of that Idolatry, 23 Then shall he give the rain of thy seed that thou shalt sow the ground withall. God shall bless thee with a sensible benediction; he shall give sweet and seasonable rain to that seed thou hast fowne, &c. Thy very cattle shall be full fed, 24 Shall eat clean provender which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. even with well famned and pure grain, &c. Even upon the dry and barren hills, which are wont to be patched with a droughty heat, 25 And there shall bee upon every high mountain and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter when the towers fall. shall springs of living waters break forth, which shall flow forth into clear and plentiful rivers; So will God have this land of his to be richly refreshed, even then, when the towers of their enemies shall be ruined, and demolished. 26 Moreover the light of the moon, shall bee as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven dayes, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of the wound. And so glorious shall that restitution of the Church be, as that the estate thereof shall bee seven times more bright, and beautiful then it was before; and whereas formerly God gave illuminations to men in a weak imperfect degree, like to the light of the moon, now he shall give them clear and perfect, like the Sun; and if any were clearly enlightened before, now they shall bee raised to an height of knowledge, seven sold more; and this shall be in the dayes of that blessed Gospel of peace, wherein God will bind up, and heal the wounds of his afflicted ones. 27 Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger. In the mean time, behold the power of the Lord shall manifest itself in grievous judgements upon the Assyrians, and those other banded enemies of his Church; so as, they shall see, and feel him coming against them in a terrible manner, burning with anger, &c. 28 To sift the nations with the sieve of vanity, and there shall be a bridle in the laws of the people, causing them to err. To sift the nations with that sieve, which shall descry their vanity, and cause their utter dispersion; and that bridle of correction, which is wont, in the mouth of tractable creatures to guide them; and keep them in order, shall, in his judgement upon these stubborn enemies, be an occasion of their erring out of the way. 29 As when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord to the mighty one of Israel. As when a man goes with holy triumph, and melodious exultation up to the Temple of God, in an holy solemnity, &c. And the Lord shall let the world see that this revenge upon the Assyrians, 30 And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard; and shall show the lighting down of his arm. is his own work: which he shall declare, both by his fearful thunders out of heaven, as also by that dreadful execution which his powerful arm shall perform amongst them, &c. 31 Which smite with a rod. Which was a cruel scourge unto other nations. So shall the Lord smite him again, and smite him soundly, and deep, so as the prints of his staff shall be seen upon him; 32 And in every place, where the grounded staff shall pass which the Lord shall lay upon it, it shall be with Tabrets and haps, and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. and, wheresoever the Lord shall lay this heavy hand upon him, the judgement shall be entertained with the joy, and acclamation of all his oppressed neighbours, as a benefit to themselves;& in all his terrifying battles, will the Lord, with this staff of vengeance fight against him. For God, from the foundations of the world hath ordained a place, 33 For Tophet is ordained of old, yea for the King it is prepared, he hath made it deep and large, the pile thereof is fire and much wood, the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. and state of torment for his wicked, and reprobate enemies; yea; for the proud King of Assyria, and all those cruel gangrenes, which do here oppress his Church, hath God prepared, a woeful, and inconceivably dreadful damnation, in hell fire; which is poorly represented in that hideous valley of Benhinnom, wherein with much shrieking and horror, the bodies of men are consumed in the fire; but alas, what is that flamme, to this unquenchable one, which is kindled by the breath of the Lord, as with streams of brimstone; and therefore never can go out, never can be abated. CAP. XXXI. YEt, they shall find that, 2 Yet he is also wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words. though they vainly hoped to hid their counsels from the Lord, they shall have to do with a God wiser then themselves; who will resolutely bring evil upon them, and not retract it, &c. The Lord will no more forbear to fight for Zion against the Assyrian, 4 So shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. then a lion will forbear his prey for the voice of a shepherd. Yea, as we see some fowles, 5 As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend jerusalem. in a care to preserve their young, fly about the head of him that is climbing up to scale their nest, so careful is the Lord to defend his Jerusalem, &c. The Assyrian shall fall by the sword, 8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man, and the sword not of a mean man shall devour him. not of a mighty man, but of a mighty angel; and the sword, not of a mean man, but of a spiritual executioner shall devour him, &c. And Senacherib shall pass over to Ninive his strong hold, for fear, and with shane; 9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his Princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in jerusalem. and his Princes and Captaines shall bee afraid to gather any more under his ensign, saith God, who dwelling in his Temple at jerusalem, sends forth from thence his just vengeance upon his enemies. CAP. XXXII. BEhold the Messiah, 1 Behold, a King shal reign in righteousness, and Princes shall rule in judgement. the true King of his Church shall reign in righteousness, and those who shall have the administration thereof, under him, shall rule in due equity and moderation. And that man( God, 2 And a man shall bee as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest: as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. and man) shall be a sure refuge to his elect, in all their distresses,& calamities; and shall be a gracious refreshing to them, even as a clear river in a dry wilderness, is to the thirsty traveller; or as the shadow of a great rock, in an hote scorching season, and climate, is to the weary passenger. 5 The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. There shall be so right a discerning of all things, that virtues shall not pass for vices, nor vices be mistaken for virtues; but men shall be esteemed as they are. 9 Rise up ye women that are at ease, hear my vioce ye careless daughters give ear unto my speech. Rise up, ye nice and dainty dames of Judah, and Jerusalem, and give ear to this speech of mine, O ye careless women, who have given yourselves hitherto, onely to ease, and delicacy. 10 For the vintage shal fail, the gathering shall not come. God will hold you short of those means of your riot, for the vintage shall fail, the harvest shall disappoint you. 12 They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. They shall lament for those plentiful means of sustenance, for the corn, and for the vines; the fruit of both which shall come short of their hopes. 15 until the spirit be powred upon us, from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. until the spirit of renovation bee poured upon us from God; until it please him to breath comfortably upon us, so as our wilderness may be turned into a fruitful field, and that field, which now goes for fruitful, be in comparison thereof accounted but as a desert forest. 16 Then judgement shall dwell in the wilderness. Then there shall be an holy& wise administration of justice in those places, which were before reputed wild and desert, &c. 19 When it shall hail, coming down on the forest, and the cities shall be low, in a low place. When violent storms shall bluster upon the earth; and fall both upon the forest, and towns, with such fury, that the city shall be uncovered therewith,& utterly abased. 20 Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that sand forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass. Ye shall in the mean time be so blessed with increase, that wheresoever you sow your seed( though in morish and watery fens) yet it shall abundantly prosper, and grow so rank, as that ye shall be fain to sand in your cattle to eat down the first head thereof. CAP. XXXIII. 1 Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee: when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt bee spoiled. WOe to thee, O thou cruel Assyrian, that spoilest Gods people causelessly, and unprovoked; and dealest treacherously with those, that have offered no such measure unto thee; for God will be sure to meet with thee in thine own way; when thou hast done spoiling the Iewes, the Chaldees shall begin to spoil thee, &c. 2 O Lord, be gracious unto us, wee have waited for thee, bee thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. O Lord, be gracious to us thy chosen people; wee have ever hitherto depended upon thee, thou hast been the refuge of our fore-fathers; as thou hast been their God of old, so renew thy favour and protection to us, every day; and be thou our salvation in the time of trouble. 3 At the noise of the tumult, the people fled, at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered. Upon the noise of the tumultuous onset of the Jews, the multitudes of the Assyrian army fled; when thou, O God, didst but seem to rouse up thyself, all those nations were suddenly dispersed. As when the country is amnoyed with caterpillars, 4 And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpillar. all sorts of people run forth( even women and children) to destroy them at once, and even the weakest can kill them with ease, so shall all the people run forth to gather this spoil of the Assyrians, &c. The main strength, 6 And wisdom and knowledge shall bee the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure. and stability which thy times shall have, shall consist in the true spiritual wisdom, and in the knowledge of God; and the greatest treasure of thy good King Ezekiah shall be the fear of the Lord. Behold, for the time, 7 Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without, the Ambassadors of peace shal weep bitterly. Jerusalem shall be put to great distress; their Captaines and souldiers shall be discouraged, and their Ambassadors, that went to treat for peace, shall return discontented, and sorrowful. The whole country mourneth, and languisheth, 9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness, and Bashan, and Carmel, shake off their fruits. even those parts which are remotest; and every Province thereof beareth his own proper share in this misery; The Cedars of Lebanon are cut down, the corn of Sharon, and the fruitful pastures of Bashan and Carmel are wasted. Now when things are comne to an extremity, 10 Now will I rise, saith the Lord. will I rise, saith the Lord, &c. Ye have conceived great hopes of victory and triumph, 11 ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble, your breath as fire shall devour you. but you shall go away with a shameful foil; yea, ye shall perish by your own plots; the fire which your own breath hath kindled, shall devour you. Those that are profane and godless in Jerusalem, 14 The sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites: who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? are, not without cause, much terrified; and those hypocrites, which would not believe the predictions of these evils, are now overwhelmed with fearfulness; and now they are ready to say; Alas, how shall we be able to endure this wrath of God, which is gone out against us? &c. He shall dwell in a safe place, 16 He shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks, bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure. inaccessible to all enemies; and utterly impregnable; and shall have all things cast in his way, which are necessary for his sustentation. Whosoever thou art that walkest thus uprightly; thou shalt see the Court of Jerusalem restored to his full glory, though Ezekiah bee under hatches for the time, 17 Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. yet thou shalt see him in his wonted port and magnificence; and thou shalt see him subduing other remote kingdoms, and ruling over them. Thine heart shall think upon the terror thou wert in, when thou distractedly askedst for thy officers; 18 Thine heart shall meditate terror; where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the Towers? where is the clerk of the band? Where is the receiver? Where is the survaior of the works? as if these could have availed thee. Thou shalt not be forced to see and endure the tyranny of those fierce and cruel Assyrians, 19 Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech then thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. to live under the servitude of a nation, whose barbarous and harsh language thou understandest not. But there,( even in Jerusalem) will the Lord be unto us in stead of all the rivers, and ditches, and bulwarks of defence which other cities boast themselves of; 21 But there the glorious Lord, will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams, wherein shall go no galley with oars. yea he shall give Jerusalem protection without danger; In other cities and countries where they have the commodity of large rivers and inlets from the Sea, there may be perhaps some peril of advantage to an enemy; and opportunity of invasion, but here shall be no such matter, no galley shall go here with oars, &c. 23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast: they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided, the lame take the prey. But for thee, O Assyrian, howsoever thou camest like a well rigged ship to this siege, yet thy tacklings do not hold, thy mast totters; yea, so shall God ply thee with storms, that thou shalt not so much as spread a sail, but shalt be wrecked, and spilled, and every one, though lame and impotent, shall share in the spoil of thee. 14 And the inhabitant shall not say: I am sick; the people that dwell therein, shall be forgiven their iniquity. But, my people shall, in the mean time, be kept in safety, and health; for so much, as the very cause of their suffering, which is their iniquity, shall be removed and forgiven. CAP. XXXIV. 3 And the Mountaines shall be melted with their blood. ANd the mountaines shall so run down with blood as if they were melted and dissolved into it. 4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved. And in that great day of the Lord shall the very frame of heaven feel an apparent alteration, &c. 5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven, behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse to judgement. For my judgement, decreed in heaven, shall be fearfully executed upon the known, and professed enemies of my Church; upon those people, whom I have accursed to an everlasting condemnation. God shall take full vengeance on his enemies; his sword shall be, 6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness: and with the blood of lambs, and goates, with the fat of the kidneies of rams, &c. as it were, fed with the blood of his great and noted adversaries; this slaughter of his shall be like to that of an universal sacrifice, which shall be killed on the altar of the land of Edom, and all the regions of his proud opposites. Neither shall the tame cattle onely be the matter of this sacrifice, 7 And the Vnicornes shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the Bulls, and their land shall be soaked with blood. as the poor and quiet lambs, which have no power to resist; but the wildest and fiercest of all other creatures( as the Vnicorns, and Bulls, &c.) figuring the most lawless and potent enemies of Christ, shall be exposed to this bloody oblation; and their land shall be drenched and soaked with their blood, &c. It is the time, 8 For it is the day of the Lords vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. wherein God will give a full satisfaction, and retribution of the wrongs that have been done to his Church, in the consummate plagues of his enemies. There shall be nothing but horror, and burning; 9 And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch. for in stead of streams there shall be liquid pitch; and in stead of dust, brimstone; and a fire shall be put to both of them; so as the whole world shall bee but as one flamme. As for those hostile countries that have made havoc of jerusalem, they shall be laid waste in the mean time; 11 The cormorant and the Bitterne shall possess it, the owl also and the Raven shall dwell in it, and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion and the stones of emptiness. and turned to an habitation of solitary, doleful, and dismal birds; God shall condemn them to perpetual confusion and ruin, never to be either built, or inhabited. See Isa. 13.21. 14 The wild beasts, &c. the satire shall cry to his fellow. Inquire after this prophesy which I have delivered to you from the Lord, and compare it with the event, 15 There shall the great owl make her nest, &c. 16 seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and red, no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate, for my mouth it hath commanded; and his spirit it hath gathered them. ye shall find none of these particulars to fail; but these fowls of solitude and desolation shall nest, and breed here; none of them shall want her mate; I have spoken it as from God, and his power shall call them thither, and fasten them there. He hath distributed the land to them for their use, 17 And he cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein. and his just providence hath divided it to them, by line, there they shall take up their abode for ever. CAP. XXXV. THe kingdom of Christ shall come, 1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall bee glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. wherein he shall rule by the gospel of peace, at what time all things shall flourish; even those places which now seem to bee forlorn deserts shall then rejoice, and blossom as the rose. That which was once a dry sandy desert, 2 The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. shall be now as fresh and green, as Lebanon, and as plentiful, and rich as Carmel and Sharon, &c. Comfort yourselves therefore in the Lord, 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands. O ye that are weak and dejected, &c. That barren soil that was parched, 7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of waters, in the habitation of Dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. and burnt up with drought, shall flow with abundance of water, &c. and those desolate and dry deserts which were wont to be the habitation of Dragons, shall now turn moist, and fruitful, so as the rushes, and reeds shall cover it. It shall not only be civill, and accessible, but holy and gracious; 8 And an high way shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness, the unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for those, the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. none shall dare to set their foot there, who are unclean, and perversely wicked; but it shall be for those that are holy and conscionable; and the path shall bee so beaten with frequent passengers, that those which are otherwise simplo and ignorant, cannot err therein. Neither shall it retain so much of the nature, and use of a wilderness, as to give harbour to Lions, or any other ravenous beasts; 9 No Lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shal go up thereon, it shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. Men of a cruel, and bestial disposition shall find no place there, only the redeemed shall bee meet inhabitants thereof. CAP. XXXVI. See 2. Kings 18. CAP. XXXVII. See 2. Kings 19. 30 And this shall bee a sign unto thee, ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself, and the second year that which springeth of the same. ANd now for thee, O Ezekiah, that thou mayst know that this deliverance comes only from the Lord, let me tell thee, that God shall second this mercy, with another; thy freedom, with a plentiful increase of this land of thine, which is now wasted, and defaced with war; which yet shall, through the miraculous blessing of God become so fruitful, as that, for two yeares together, it shall yield thee a large and rich crop, without the labour, or seed of the husbandman, &c. CAP. XXXVIII. See 2. Kings 20. 11 I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord in the land of the living. I Said, I shall no more have the comfortable fruition of Gods presence in his house, amongst the men that live here on earth. 13 From day even to night wilt thou make an end of me. This very day, ere the night come, wilt thou make an end of me. O Lord, by those words and powerful acts that proceed from thee, 16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit. is the life of man both had and maintained; and, in special, this life of mine, whereby my breath is still kept in me, is an immediate work of thine, &c. Man, when he is once dead, 18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee. can do thee no more service here upon earth, &c. CAP. XXXIX. I do in all humility submit myself to the good pleasure of God, 8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, good is the word of the Lord, which thou hast spoken, he said moreover, for there shall be peace and truth in my daies. and do aclowledge that God hath dealt very graciously with me, howsoever, for though I had deserved a present punishment, yet it hath pleased him in mercy to respite it, and to vouchsafe to grant, that true religion and peace shall be continued all my daies. CAP. XL. SHe hath received from the hand of Gods justice a large proportion of misery; double to that, which, 2 For she hath received of the Lords hand double for all her sins. if their sins had not forced him to this necessary infliction, he would have imposed on them. God shall have his prophets, 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness. who in the most forlorn estate of his Church, shall excite those Princes and governours, under whom his people shall be; for a preparation for their return out of the Babylonish captivity; and as that return shall be a type and figure of the delivery of Gods Church from spiritual tyranny; he shall have his Evangelicall harbinger, before the coming of the Messiah; which shall be the voice of a crier in the wilderness, &c. God shall remove every difficulty, 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shal be made low. and impediment which shal ly in the way of the restauration of his Church and people, &c. As the grass withereth, and, as the flower fadeth, upon every nipping wind, or scorching sun; so do, 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it, surely the people is grass. and shall the most glorious of the sons of men, if God, in his displeasure shall but breath upon them never so little. O Sion, and Jerusalem, do ye proclaim to all the world, the infinite goodness of your God to you, 9 O Sion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid, say unto the cities of judah, behold your God. and therefore take all advantage of the highest mountains, to publish it, that it may be most, and best heard; since it is to you that God imparts the first tidings of a saviour, do ye gladly, and zealously divulge it to all the earth, and say to the other cities of Judah, concerning the Messiah to be exhibited in the flesh, Behold your God. If there be any of his elect ones, 11 He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently led those that are with young. that is weak and distressed, and that is over-pressed with the conscience of his own unworthiness, such a one will he pitty and relieve. 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance. What needst thou care, O Israel, for all the world, if thy God be for thee; alas, how poor a thing are all the nations of the earth, if they be compared to the power of the Almighty? they are but as one drop of a bucket to a whole spring, yea to the sea itself, &c. Lift up your eyes to heaven, and consider the mighty power of him that made all this glorious frame; 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by names, by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power, not one faileth. that hath marshaled all those bright and goodly stars, like some mighty and innumerable host; he knows them all severally, and distinctly, and hath ordained their several times of rising, and when he bids them come forth, not one of them do, or can fail of his appearance. CAP. XLI. 1 keep silence before me,( O ye lands)& let the people renew their strength I Have a contestation with my people, which I would have the very heathen to be the witnesses of; come therefore, O ye foreign nations, and give ear, &c. 2 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over Kings? Who was it that fetched faithful Abraham from ur of the Chaldees? and caused him to travel to the promised land, and gave him the victory over divers Kings? &c. I the Lord am he, that alters not with time, and occasions; 4 I the Lord the first,& with the last, I am he. as I was to the first, so am I to the last; as I was before all things, and had my being of myself, so I give being and sustentation to all things that shal be unto the very end. 5 The isles saw it, and feared, the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came. The nations round about were witnesses of the great works I did for my people, in their deliverance, and feared; even the remotest of them were afraid, and combined together, and assembled; 6 They helped every one his neighbour, and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. And encouraged themselves mutually, notwithstanding, in their Idolatry; as though they would make head against the true God. 7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith,& he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil. The foolish artificers agreed amongst themselves to make an idol, and one of them hartned another to the work, &c. 14 fear not, thou worm jacob, and ye men of Israel I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer the holy One of Israel. Be not dismayed, O ye my despised people of the Jews; how base and despicable soever ye seem in the eyes of your enemies, the world shall see, and find, that ye are dear to me, and that I will help and deliver you. 15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth; thou shalt thrash the moumtaines, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. And, however the world do now insult upon you, I will raise you up, to a power of just revenge; and will enable you to subdue your greatest and proudest enemies, so as ye shall humble them to the very dust. And whereas the dry and barren wilderness may seem a just discouragement of your passage, and return, 19 I will plant in the wilderness the Cedar, the Shittah three, and the myrtle, and the oil three, I will set in the desert the fir three, and the pine and the box three together. I will cause that to be pleasantly planted, and coolly shaded, with variety of goodly trees, of all growths and statures. He that maketh choice of such gods, as ye are to worship and adore, shall be no other then an abomination unto the true God. 24 An abomination is he that chooseth you. I will, in the fullness of time, raise up a Messiah, 25 I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come; from the rising of the Sun shall he call upon my name, and he shall come upon Princes as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth day. who shall call mine elect out of all coasts of the world, to my holy service; and he shall by his mighty power subdue those great potentates of the earth, who have opposed themselves to him. CAP. XLII. he shall make no noise in the world, 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. but shall come without either pomp or tumult. Those that are humbled, and contrite, shall he rather relieve, and comfort, 3 A bruised reede shall he not break, and the smoking flax shal he not quench, he shall bring forth judgement unto truth. then add any thing to their sorrow and affliction, and those that have received but the weakest beginnings of grace, shall have no discouragement from him, but shall be rather cheered up by him; yet so shall he be gracious to the penitently dejected, that he shall not bear with the obstinate sinner; but shall give severe judgement upon him, according to the justice of his demerits. The foreign nations, even of the Gentiles, shall yield themselves over joyfully to his government. 4 And the isles shall wait for his law. I will give thee for that Saviour of the world, 6 And give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. in whom my covenant of saving mankind was founded of old even in those ancient promises, which I made, both in Paradise to the first parents of mankind, and after, to Abraham the father of the faithful; not onely to that one chosen nation, but even to the Gentiles also, to whom I have ordained thee as a light, to guide them unto salvation. That, 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners, from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. whereas mankind was utterly bereaved of the light of all divine knowledge, now, by his illumination their eyes might be opened to see the things belonging to their peace; and whereas they were shut up in a miserable bondage to sin and satan, he might graciously deliver them, &c. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountaines. Let the most barbarous of all nations know that they have cause to praise and magnify the mercy of the Lord, for that interest which they shall have in this work of redemption; let therefore the wildest Arabians sing and celebrate this great goodness of God our Saviour. 14 I have long time holden my peace, I have been still and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman, I will destroy and devour at once. I have long time refrained myself from a revenge of mine enemies, and delivering of my Church; now I can forbear no longer, but will suddenly express my love to the one, and my vengeance on the other; even as a woman, who hath long bitten in her pain, yet when the last throws of her child-birth come upon her, cannot forbear to cry out. 19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect,& blind as the Lords servant? However the rest of the world may pretend for their ignorance, and blindness, yet my chosen people, who have had such means of knowledge from me, might well put me into expectation of great skill in, and conscionable care of my commandements, and now behold( to their shane be it spoken) who is so blind as their wilfulness hath made them? yea, not the ordinary sort of them only, but even my messengers and prophets, who have challenged much perfection to themselves, they have hood-winkt themselves from beholding the certain truth of my judgements. 21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness sake, he will magnify the law and make it honourable. The Lord is well pleased, for his gracious promise sake, to make good all that ever he hath undertaken, concerning his people, and to glorify himself in the fulfilling of his word. 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled, they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hide in prison houses, they are for a prey,& none delivereth, for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. But this people make themselves unworthy, and uncapable of the great mercies of God, and will needs bee guilty of those great miseries, and calamities that are coming upon them; for they shall be robbed, and spoiled, and fettered in dungeons, and be exposed to an utter vastation. CAP. XLIII. 1 I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. I Have taken special notice of thee, above all other nations; and have entred into terms of more near and dear respects unto thee. 3 I gave egypt for thy ransom, Aethiopia and Seba for thee. When Senacherib did so furiously besiege thee, I fetched him off, and diverted his warres to egypt, and Aethiopia, and so made them to be thy ransom, and rescue. So also verse 4. 5 fear not, for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the East, and gather thee from the West. I will bring all the true seed of Israel out of their spiritual captivity, from all the corners of the world, even from the East, and West. As also from the North and South; 6 I will say to the North, Give up, and to the South, Keep not back, bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. so as all that belong to mine election shall in Christ be gathered unto me. So also verse 7. Bring forth those people that were once blind, 8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. but now I have given them eyes, and those who were once deaf, but now I have given them ears. It is for your sakes, 14 For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their Nobles, and the chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. ( to contrive the return of you my people from your captivity) that I will sand Cyrus against Babylon, where you are detained, and will give him victory against those Princes and Nobles of the Chaldeans, whom ye are subject unto, who shall be glad to make use of their ships for their flight and escape. As I will address, 19 I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. and accommodate all things for the return of my people, from their captivity,( so as no convenience shall be wanting thereunto) so also, will I give all gracious helps to all my chosen ones from the utmost coasts of heaven, for their conversion to my true Church. Those that are the most bestial and savage among all the people of the world, 20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls, because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. shall wonder at the great favours which I show to my people, and shall give glory unto me both of power, and mercy. Those oblations, which thou hast formally made unto me, have not been such, as I cared to receive from thee; 23 Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings, neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices, I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. I have not been beholden to thee for a true devout consecration of thyself, and thy services unto me, all these have been only outward, and fashionable. So also verse 24. Thou hast cast heavy and intolerable burdens upon me by thy sins; 24 For thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. as if my mercy served for nothing but to humour thy wickedness; yea thou hast pressed me so far, as that I am now weary of enduring thy provocations. If thou hast any thing to say for thyself; 26 Put me in remembrance, let us pled together, declare thou, that thou mayst be justified. speak it out freely, I give thee full scope to pled thy own cause with me; and, if thou canst, do thou either justify, or excuse thyself. Therefore I have determined to disregard, 28 Therefore I have profaned the Princes of the sanctuary, and have given jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches. and expose to contempt the chief Priests and rulers of my sanctuary and to give up Jacob to destruction, and Israel to the reproach of all nations. CAP. XLIV. 6 I am the first, and I am the last, and besides me there is no God. I Am the onely true, eternal God; without all possibility of alteration; and therefore will be ever approved most constant to my own decrees, and purposes. 7 And who as I, shall call and shall declare it and set it in order for me? Since I decreed, before ever any of your Idol-gods were extant in the world, to select a people to myself from the rest of the earth, which of your false gods could, or can order their vocation, and government as I have done, &c. 12 Yea he is hungry and his strength faileth, he drinketh no water, and is faint. weak, and foolish man will bee making a god to himself; and finds himself hungry, and thirsty, and faint, with the very work, whiles he makes it, yet so eager is he in that business, as that he forbears his own necessary sustenance in his zeal to finish it. 18 They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes that they cannot see, and their hearts, that they cannot understand. God hath in his just judgement, given them up to a strange besottednesse, and hath suffered their idol to bereave them of their wits, and senses, so as, though they have both hearts and eyes, yet they neither see, nor understand. 20 He feedeth of ashes, a deceived hart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his house, nor say, Is there not a lye in my right hand? That which should be his comfort, is his affliction and misery; he trusteth to his idol, and that shall no more help him, then ashes can feed and nourish him; he hath given way to these idolatrous fopperies; and now they have utterly infatuated him; so as he hath not the grace to bethink himself of his fond and wicked courses. 28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying to jerusalem, Thou shalt be built, and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. That saith of Cyrus,( that Persian Monarch, who shall after many yeares be born) he is the man that shall favour, and restore my people, and perform my pleasure concerning their return from the Babylonish captivity: who shall also give order for the re-edifying of the walls of Jerusalem, and the Temple. CAP. XLV. 1 Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him: and I will loose the loins of Kings to open before him the two leaved gates, and the gates shall not be shut. THus saith the Lord, concerning Cyrus, who is yet unborn, whom I have ordained to be the King of Persia; whom I have decreed to prosper in all his designs, and to make him victorious over all nations, and to subdue mighty Kings, so as they shall be glad to open unto him their most defenced cities. 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness,& hidden riches of secret places. I will give thee those treasures, which have been long laid up in the secret store-houses of Kings, &c. 5 I girded thee, though thou hast not known me. I have girded thee with honor, and power, though thou hast not considered whence these favours have comne, neither hast thou, O Cyrus, so well known me, as to abdicate thine Idolatry, and to worship me aright. Let all my creatures( saith the Lord) conspire together to the furtherance of the restored happiness of my people; let the heavens, and the clouds, 8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies poure down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousnsse spring up together: I the Lord have created it. and the earth contribute all the blessings( which are committed unto them) to their enlargement, and prosperity; and convey unto them the just performance of all the merciful promises they have had from me. Shall the work rise up, and control the workman, and say; He hath no skill? 9 Or thy work, he hath no hands? I who am the faithful guardian of my Church have raised up Cyrus, who in future times shall come, 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways, he shall build my city, and he shall let go my Captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts. and prosper in his great enterprises; and he shall build up the walls of Jerusalem; and shall sand back the captive Jews into their country, not being hired thereto by any price, or reward, but by my immediate instigation. See Ezra. 1. The egyptians, and the Ethiopians, 24 Thus saith the Lord, The Labour of egypt, and Merchandise of Ethiopia, and of the Sabeans, men of stature shall come over unto thee, and they shall bee thine, they shall come after thee, in chains they shall come over, &c. and Sabeans shall be tributary to Cyrus; and the benefit of their labour and merchandise shall by him bee improved to the building of Jerusalem; so as the great enemies of Gods Church shall voluntarily submit themselves thereunto; and shall aclowledge that Gods presence is in her, and his power for her. All this shall be done for thy people; but, in the mean time they shall have need of patience; 15 verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel the Saviour. for thou wilt for a long while seem to hid thy face from them, O thou God and Saviour of Israel, and wilt give them up into grievous affliction. CAP. XLVI. THe great idols of the Chaldees, 1 Bell boweth down, Nebo stoupeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy laden, they are a burden to the weary beast. in whom they so vainly trusted, shall now be pulled down, and carried away in carts, as the spoils of the Persian conqueror, the beasts shall drag them away, and complain of their weight. Remember this, and show yourselves to be not more brutish then beasts, 8 Remember this; and show yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. to worship those things which yourselves have made; but men, endued with reason, which alone is able to teach you to abhor this gross idolatry, &c. 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shal stand, and I will do all my pleasure. Who from the beginning of times, and ever since, have still foretold you what would come to pass, both till this present, and in the times yet to come; which I have so infallibly performed, that you may hereby well know the immutable certainty of all my decrees. 11 Calling a ravenous bide from the East, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country. Calling Cyrus from the East to execute my decree, who shall come swiftly upon the wings of speed, to do what I have determined, and shall devour the kingdoms of the earth, before him, &c. 13 I bring near my righteousness: it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry, and I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory. Howsoever ye have deserved to set me off from you, yet will I not suffer your incredulity to frustrate those gracious promises, which I have made for the deliverance of my people; but will, in my just time, perform them, and will bring salvation unto Zion, and there settle it, for the happiness of my people Israel. CAP. XLVII. 1 Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. O Thou glorious city of Babylon, which bragst of thine impregnablenesse, and might; come down( for so thou shalt) and sit in the dust, for thither shalt thou be humbled; thou shalt no more rule over nations, but shalt be subject to anothers power; neither shal there be any more place for thy wanton delicacy, but thou shalt bee harshly and roughly entreated of thy conqueror. 2 Take the millstones and grinned meal, uncover thy locks: make bare the leg: uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Make account to undergo the cruelest bondage; wherein thou shalt be put to grind in mills,& be whipped to all servile and base works; and your coy dames, and proud wantons shall go now carelessly with their locks uncovered, and neglected; and shall be forced to walk barefooted to their captivity, through the stony ways, and unknown rivers. 3 I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man. I will not deal with thee in any gentle or moderate manner, but in all extremity; the revenge of men may be prevented, or mitigated, mine shall not. CAP. XLVIII. 7 They are created now, and not from the beginning, even before the day when thou heardest thē not, lest thou shouldst say, Behold, I knew them. THey, even those hidden things are inexpectedly brought about, and were not revealed to thee before hand; lest thou shouldst say; I foreknew them well enough. 8 And wast called a transgressor, from the womb. Thou wast a stubborn and rebellious people, even from my first dealings with thee; ever since I sequestered thee for my peculiar. I have taken courses with thee for thine amendment, 10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver: I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. not for thy destruction; I have tried thee with the fire of affliction, but not with so extreme a fire, as wherewith silver is tried, that would have burnt thee up, and not have refined thee; I have testified my choice and allowance of thee upon this fiery try all. I will free you, O my people; behold, 20 go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth. ye shall go forth of Babylon; ye shall be rescued from the hand of the Chaldees; go ye therefore from thence with triumph and exultation; and proclaim the great goodness of your God to all the world, &c. CAP. XLIX. O All ye foreign nations of the world, listen unto me, 1 Listen, O ye Isles, unto me, and harken ye people from far; the Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowls of my mother hath he made mention of my name. your Saviour, and redeemer; The Lord, who before all times, had decreed me to be the mediator of his Church, hath accordingly performed it, and hath from my miraculous conception, and birth, set me apart to the accomplishing of this great work. He hath given power and efficacy to his word in my mouth, that thereby I may rule my Church, 2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand hath he hide me, and made me a polished shaft, in his quiver hath he hide me. and subdue my enemies; his almighty protection hath been over me; and he hath destined me, from all worlds, to be a fit and perfect instrument of his service. Then I said, I have omitted nothing on my part, 4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain, yet surely my judgement is with the Lord, and my work with my God. that I might do, for the gaining of my people, the Jews, but all my cost and pains that I have bestowed upon them, is no better then cast away; but it is mine everlasting father( with whom I am one) who gives full approbation of all that I have done; who graciously accepts of both my active and passive obedience. So also verse 5. 5 Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I bee glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. Though Israel be so obstinate that he will not reap the proffered benefit of my redemption, yet my glory with the Lord shall be no whit the less. Yea this is not all the honor that God my father will put upon me; for behold, saith he, 6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee, for a light to the Gentiles, that thou maiest be my salvation, &c. it were a poor matter, if thy redemption and rule should be onely limited to the tribes of Israel; no, I will so extend, and advance this glorious and happy office, and work of thine, that it shall reach unto the Gentiles, all the world over. 8 And give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages. I have given thee to renew, and establish that covenant, which is between me and my Church; to raise up and settle all my chosen upon earth; and to bring into my Church those which pertain unto it, so as even the most desolate parts thereof may be furnished and peopled. 9 They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall bee in all high places. Such plenty of provision will I make for my people, that the very high ways, and dry and barren mountaines shall yield them abundance of nourishment, and increase. 12 Behold, these shall come from far: and lo, these from the North and from the West, and these from the land of Sinim. From all the coasts of the earth shall the Jews return to Jerusalem, in figure of that general recourse, which shall be from all the nations under heaven, to the holy Church of Christ, under the gospel. 18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together and come to thee: as I live saith the Lord, thou shalt surely cloth thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee as a bride doth. And now, O my Church, lift up thine eyes, and look round about thee; Behold the multiplicity of all those nations wherewith thou art encompassed, all these shall come in and submit themselves unto thee; their number and accession shall be an excellent ornament unto thee, wherewith thou shalt deck thyself, as a Bride doth on the day of her wedding. The children, which thou, O my Church, shalt have of this new supply of the Gentiles, 20 The children, which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too straight for me. since the casting off thy former issue of the Iewes, shall be so multiplied, that they shall have cause to complain of the want of room. Then shalt thou have occasion to think; How comes it about, 21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children and am desolate, a captive and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? that I am blessed with so large an issue, seeing my former brood is lost, and perished? O God, this is thy wondrous mercy, thus to comfort me in my extreme desolation, and captivity; thou, by the immortal seed of thy word hast begotten them to thyself; and hast nourished and bread up them accordingly, &c. Whereas now the Princes of the world are opposite unto thee, 23 And Kings shall bee thy nursing fathers, and their queens the nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth. then, Kings and Queens shall gladly take upon them thy patronage, and protection; yea they shall in all humility yield themselves over to thy spiritual authority, &c. But now your diffidence is ready to say; Is it possible that the Iewes should be taken out of the hands of so great a Monarch, 24 Shall the prey bee taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? as the King of Babylon; or the captive, which was according to the law of war seized upon, and possessed, rescued from so powerful a victor? So verse 25. 26 And I will feed them that oppress thee, with their own flesh, and they shal bee drunken with their own blood, &c. I will give them up to a civill and intestine war, so as they shall be the mutual slaughterers of each other; and that with an insatiable fury, &c. CAP. L. HOw willing ye are to put off the fault, 1 Thus saith the Lord, Where is the Bill of your mothers devorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have you sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. and cause of your punishment from yourselves, to me, saith the Lord; as if I had put you away, and cast you off,( being once my acknowledged wife) without all just reason? or( being once my acknowledged children) had sold you to my creditours; go to then, let the bill of divorce be shewed, that it may appear why I rejected you; and let it bee known how and to which of my creditors I have, upon any contract, put you over; No, ye people of Israel; ye are they who have sold yourselves for your iniquity, and for your wicked and adulterous mis-demeanours are ye put away. Whereas ye ought to have sought me, 2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? I have sought you, and been disregarded; when I came to you in my gracious solicitations, and invited and called you by my loving admonitions, you turned the deaf ear, and gave no respect unto me; What means this neglect of yours? am I now less able to help and redeem you, then I formerly was? &c. As I did then over-spread egypt with a three dayes darkness, 3 I cloth the heavens with blackness, and I make sack cloth their covering. so I can still( when I please) vail the face of heaven with blackness, and put it into a mourning habit. God the Father hath given to me, 4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. the Messiah his eternal Word and son, power to express him fully and exquisitely unto his people; that I should bee able to speak comfortably to the weary and distressed souls; he doth not intermit to furnish me continually with his good Spirit; but ever assisteth me with his divine and inseparable grace to all the acts of my mediation. My God is with me, yea, He is in me, 8 He is near that justifieth me, who will contend with me? and one with me, and I with him, so as I cannot but be born out against all that shall stubbornly contend with me, &c. That seeth nothing but cause of discomfort, 10 That walketh in darkness, and hath no light. and dejection without all appearance of mitigation. Behold, 11 Behold, al ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled: this shall you have of mine hand, ye shall lye down in sorrow? all ye that out of your own thoughts raise up to yourselves imaginary comforts, not fetching true grounds of consolation from above; make use of those your own devices, please yourselves in your own projects; All that ye shall get at my hands, is sorrow and disappointment. CAP. LI. 1 Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. bethink yourselves, and look back to your first original, consider how easy it is for me, who gave you a being from the dry and barren loins and womb of Abraham and Sara, to revive and raise you up in your greatest distress. 3 For he shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places,& he will make her wilderness like Eden. Thus shall the Lord comfort Zion, when shee is most hopeless, he will so restore her, as that the most desolate parts of his Church shall be fruitful, and beautiful, as the Paradise of Eden, &c. 9 Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art not thou he that hast pulled down the pride of egypt, and discomfited Pharaoh that proud King? 14 The captive exile hasteneth that he may bee loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. The captive Jews now lying under an uncomfortable exile, shall soon address themselves to their return, let them not faint under their bondage, for they shall not long continue under it. I have put my word into the mouth of thee, my Prophet, 16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens,& lay the foundations of the earth. and thy fellowes, but especially into the mouth of that great and divine Prophet and redeemer of my Church; I have held my safe protection over thee, and him, that by the saving doctrine which I shall sand into the world, and that mighty and effectual work of his mediation, I may set at peace, and settle all things both in heaven and earth, &c. 17 Thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling,& wrung them out. Thou hast drunk deep of the grievousest of Gods outward afflictions, such, as thou mightst, and didst justly tremble to taste of; even the bitterest part thereof hast thou been forced to receive into thy soul. 18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth, neither is there any that taketh her by the hand, of all the sons that she hath brought up. She is left utterly disconsolate; those that should bee most dear, and most respective to her( .i. my Church) even those spiritual sons, whom shee hath brought forth to an outward profession, they ungratefully forsake her, and deny her their needful offices and attendance. Yea, those unthankful sons of thine are involved in the same calamity with thee; 20 Thy sons have fainted, they lye at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net, they are full of the fury of the Lord, and rebuk of thy people. if they would, they cannot help thee; they are caught, and entangled like some wild bull in a roil, and so lie roaring in vain, within thy streets; for the wrath of the Lord hath thoroughly seized upon them, without all possibility of redress. 21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted& drunken, but not with wine. hear this, ye that are giddily distracted, not with wine, but with extremity of sorrow: Behold I have taken off from thee those heavy afflictions under which thou didst justly tremble, 22 Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling. &c. CAP. LII. stir up thyself, and rouse up thy drooping spirits, 1 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion, put on thy beautiful garments, O jerusalem the holy city; for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised,& the unclean. O my Church, deck thyself with the robes both of joy, and holiness; for my pure worship shall be restored unto thee; there shall be no place within thee for the invasion of thine heathen enemies, and the pollution of the profane. It was your own iniquity that sold you into the power of your enemies, I took no price at all for you; 3 For thus saith the Lord, ye have sold yourselves for nought, and ye shall be redeemed without money. and therefore am not bound to any restitution, which might be demanded of me, but will freely deliver you. Now therefore, 5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? what have I in lieu of this miserable affliction of my people; why should I forbear to revenge it,& c? How welcome and pleasing are the Prophets of God, 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation. who upon the mountaines of Judea preach these glad tidings of peace, and deliverance; and how more welcome are those Evangelicall teachers that proclaim everlasting salvation to all believers,& c? This shall not be a thing muttered in secret; thy spiritual watchmen, the seers of God, shal lift up their voice, 8 Thy watchmen shall lift up their voice, with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion. and publish it to all the world, with joy and thanksgiving and shall be( some of them) eye-witnesses of this gracious deliverance. The Lord hath shewed his mighty power to all the nations round about, in this rescue of his chosen people, &c. Make yourselves ready therefore, O my people, 10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations. to depart out of Babylon, get you forth joyfully, from the place of your captivity; and in the mean time, 11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing, go ye out of the midst of her, be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. keep yourselves undefiled with the corruptions of that wicked nation; and ye the Priests and Levites, that have charge of the holy things of God, see that ye sanctify yourselves, and hold clear from all those Babylonish pollutions. For ye shall not go out of Babylon, 12 For ye shall not go out with hast, nor go by flight, for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will bee your rearward. as ye went out of egypt, with hast, and tumult, or, as people that flee from an enemy, but in a peaceable and triumphant fashion; for the Lord shall go before you, and follow you in so plain a manifestation of his powerful presence, that you shall find no cause of doubt, or fear. Behold that Messiah, 13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. by whom I shall fully restore my Church, shall work wisely, and succeed prosperously in that glorious service; he shall be exalted and advanced above all the Kings of the earth, yea, above all the powers of heaven. 14 As many were astonied at thee( his visage was so marred more then any man, and his form more then the sons of men.) Indeed, the outward appearance of that Son of God, was so exceeding mean, and contemptible( more then the ordinary fashion of the sons of men) as that those who beholded it, were astonished, to see such a majesty shrouded in so plain and homely an outside. 15 So shall he sprinkle many nations, the Kings shall shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall they consider. But yet, in the efficacy of his appearance, he shall be so glorious, as that, when he is graciously pleased to distil his holy word upon the nations, Kings shall stand amazed at the power of him, who worketh so mightily by it, for they shall see, and hear that which they never could have imagined should possibly have comne to pass. CAP. LIII. 1 Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? BUt woe is me, though we bring such certain and happy news of a Messiah, into the world, yet, how is the incredulous world besotted, that it will not believe our report? what blindness hath darkened the eyes of men, that they will not see the mighty power of the Godhead, in this weakness of human flesh? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground, he hath no form nor comeliness. For, to the eyes of men he shall seem despicable, at the first, and by degrees shall grow up to an acknowledged perfection: He hath no loveliness or glory in his outward appearance, &c. 4 Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him strike, smitten of God, and afflicted. It is for our sakes that he hath subjected himself to al those griefs and sorrows, which he underwent; that he might sanctify our afflictions to us, and deliver us from greater judgements; Yet, our unthankfulness will not aclowledge it, but is ready to cast his sufferings upon his own deservings, as if God had strike him for his own demerits. 5 The chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes are we healed. He was chastised to work our peace, he was smitten that we might be healed. 8 he was taken from prison& from judgement, and who shall declare his generation? forhe was cut off out of the land of the living. He was indeed arraigned, and adjudged to a shameful and painful death, but that could have no power over him, he was mightily rescued from it, by the power of his Godhead; and now lives for ever; neither shall or can there be any end of his eternal duration, howsoever, for the time, he was cut off from living amongst men, &c. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked,& with the rich in his death, because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. He was given up into the hand of wicked and violent men, to be by them put to death amongst malefactors; although he had done nothing amiss, neither was any guile found in his mouth. Yet it pleased God the father to humble him, and standing in our stead, 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he hath put him to grief, when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shal see his seed, he shall prolong his daies, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. to hid his face from him, but with an intention of much glory to him, and happiness to his Church; for, when thou, O Lord, shalt cause his life to be offered up for the satisfaction of our sins, he shall, by the efficacy of his blood, raise up a plentiful issue to his Church, and shall be everlastingly glorified, and work happily for the good of his chosen; effecting all that which God hath determined for the salvation of mankind. He shall see, and feel the happy success of his labours, 11 He shall see of the travel of his soul,& shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many, for he shall bear their iniquities. and sufferings, and shall find abundant comfort and satisfaction therein, herein shall many, yea all that belong to Gods election be justified, in that this righteous and perfect Saviour is known, and apprehended by them; and in that they are known and accepted of him, for he hath undertaken to satisfy for all their iniquities. Therefore, 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because he hath powred out his soul unto death,& he was numbered with the transgressors,& he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. after he hath overcome the sharpness of death, I will honour him with a glorious triumph; wherein he shall, according to the manner of great conquerors, divide the spoil of his enemies; insulting over death, grave, and hell, because he hath been obedient to the death, yea the death of the cross; and was hanged on the three of shane and curse, betwixt two malefactors; and upon that cross bore the sin of all those that pertain to him; and, both at his death, prayed for his persecutors and tormentors, and at my right hand makes perpetual intercession for his Church. CAP. liv. rejoice, O thou Church of the Gentiles, 1 Sing O barren, thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing, and cry aloude thou that didst not travel with child, for more are the children of the desolate then the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. which wert before utterly barren, and fruitless, yielding no children to God; for now, the children of thee which wert not formerly regarded, as my spouse, are more then those of the Church of the Jews, whom I professed to love and respect. So also verse 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Well may I compare the great inundation of thy sorrow and affliction, to the deluge in Noahs time, 9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me, for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn, &c. wherewith the earth was overspread; and, as I then swore, &c. so have I now sworn that I will never give my Church over to any utter vastation. O thou my poor distressed Church, 11 Oh thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold I will lay thy stones with faire colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires which now seest no cause of joy, or mitigation of thy sorrow; comfort thou thyself with the expectation of what blessings I have laid up for thee; for how despised soever thou now seemest, I will exceedingly adorn, and beautify thee. 12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of Carbuncles,& all thy borders of pleasant stones. I will make the Evangelicall Church far more glorious, then that which was under the law, there shall nothing be wanting that may set forth the beauty, and majesty thereof. 13 And all thy children shal be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children. God will by the gracious illuminations of his spirit teach his will unto thy children; and shall by miraculous gifts upon them, testify the descent of his holy ghost; and thy true and faithful children shall enjoy a sweet and unspeakable peace in their consciences. 15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee, shall fall for thy sake. Yet shalt not thou expect such a quiet condition, as may be free from all hostility, and opposition; no, there will be enemies banding together against thee, but without all success from me; they shall fail and miscarry in their designs against thee; for that I have undertaken thy protection. 16 Behold I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work,& I have created the waster to destroy. It is my Almighty hand, that moderates, and overrules all those powers; that set themselves against thee; Are weapons the instruments of thy hurt? Behold, I have made the very smith that makes them, and the arm that useth them to destruction. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee, shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in Iudgement, thou shalt condemn. Men may device means to do thee harm, but they shall not prevail against thee; and those malicious tongues that stir against thee, to accuse, and reproach thee, shall be shamed, and convicted by thee, &c. CAP. LV. 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat, yea come buy wine& milk without money, and without price. HO, every one who is humbled under the conscience of his own wants, and unworthiness, let him now, under the reign of grace, and the powerful kingdom of Christ, have recourse to his gracious Saviour, and let him freely and fully partake of all spiritual comforts and blessings, whereby his soul may be refreshed and saved. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? harken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, &c. Why do you, O ye vain sons of men, spend your labour, and cost, upon the search and pursuit of those comforts, which have no true and solid contentment in them? give care unto me with all diligence, and furnish yourselves with those graces, which shall bee sure to nourish you up, unto eternal life. 3 Even the sure mercies of David. Even those blessings and mercies which by my promise, and covenant I assured unto David my servant. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, I have ordained this successor of David to be a perfect mediator of the new Testament, for the behoof of my people; to be the head, and leader of my elect. Behold thou shalt call the Gentiles, 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee, shall run unto thee. which were hitherto unregarded of thee, to be thy Church; those that have hitherto walked, as without God in the world, shalt thou now convert unto thee, &c. However ye may fond measure me by yourselves, 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. ye shall find my thoughts and disposition is not like to yours, implacable in cases of offence, neither are my proceedings like yours. For ye, O my people the Jews, 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be lead forth with peace, the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you, into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. shall go forth of your Babylonish captivity, with joy, and be lead peaceably forth, towards your own land; and all the creatures of God shall( as it were) rejoice in your deliverance, and applaud your comfortable return. And whereas, before, your land was amnoyed with men, that were harmfully troublesone, and cruel, 13 In stead of the thorn shall come up the fir three, and in stead of the brier shall come up the myrtle three, and it shall bee to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. like thorns that are ready to ●eare every passenger, now it shall be planted with persons inoffensive, and beneficial, such as yield a pleasant and comfortable shade, and profitable use unto men; and this change shall be to the everlasting praise of God, and for a memorial of his never-fading goodness to his Church. CAP. LVI. ANd now, 1 Thus saith the Lord; Keep ye judgement, and do justice, for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to bee revealed. that ye may be worthy of this high calling of God, do ye approve yourselves careful to perform all acts of charity, and justice one to another; so shall ye be capable of that deliverance, and salvation, which I have determined unto you. Neither let the man who is sensible of his own defects and unworthiness, say, 3 Neither let the Eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry three. Behold I am not a man meet to receive grace from God. For thus saith the Lord unto those selfe-dejected souls, 4 For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths& choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; who yet make conscience of keeping my Sabbaths, and desire to be approved of me, in those things which I have required, in an honest, and humble simplicity. Even to them will I be gracious, above their desire, 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house, and within my walls, a place& a name better then of sons and of daughters, I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. and expectation, I will honour them in my Church, and more then supply unto them, those blessings, whose want they so much bewailed; and I will give them a blessed, and lasting memory amongst my Saints. Those, who are the sons of them which are aliens from the common wealth of Israel, that yet are now, 6 Also the sons of the stranger that join themselves to the Lord. by an holy profession joined unto the Lord, &c. 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Those will I gladly admit into thy Temple, and into that Church, whereof the Temple is a figure, and give them true spiritual joy in my service, &c. 8 The Lord God which gathereth the out-casts of Israel, saith, Yet will I gather others to him, besides those that are gathered unto him. The Lord God, whose onely grace and mercy it is to gather together his dispersed Church, saith; Yet will I also gather the Gentiles into the fold of Christ my son; besides those which do already profess his name. Yet before there be room for these comfortable promises, 9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea all ye beasts in the forest. ye must make account of great calamity, to befall my people; Come therefore, all ye beasts of the fields, and forest, ye savage Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, and the rest, and for the time make havoc of my flock. 10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogges, they cannot bark: sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Alas, the watchmen of my people, their spiritual overseers, are altogether blind, and ignorant,& not so only, but as they are blind, so they are dumb also, not opening their mouths, to give warning of the dangers of my people, and the judgements which are imminent over them; even like unprofitable dogges, which being set to keep the house, have no tongue to bark, nor eyes to see, but lye sleeping in a corner to no purpose. 11 Yea, they are greedy dogges, which can never have enough; Yea, as they are blind, and mute, so they are also ravenous, and devouring; their appetites is ever craving and insatiable, &c. 12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine,& we will fill ourselves with strong drink? and to morrow shall bee as this day, and much more abundant. And besides all these, they pamper themselves, and flatter the security of my people; and are ready to say; Tush, however the Prophets foretell these grievous things, let us make much of ourselves; and eat, and drink, and be merry; These sad events shall not happen; wee shall in the times to come, speed as well, as wee have done, yea better, and more happily. CAP. LVII. 1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. WHiles sensual men do thus please themselves, God takes away his godly& righteous servants from amongst them, and they have not the grace, or wit, to consider, that this is a presage of great judgement, which shall fall on the heads of those wicked ones, that are left behind. 2 he shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. But that just and upright man, who walked constionably with God, howsoever the wicked think him a loser by his death, doth now enter into everlasting rest and happiness; and shall sweetly sleep in a bed of ease, till the morning of the resurrection. But for you, ye wicked and rebellious seed, 3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. who are wont to brag of your pedigree from faithful Abraham, when as indeed ye are a degenerate, and adulterous issue, draw near, and hear my just contestation. do ye well consider, 4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? that it is against the Almighty God ye have scornfully set yourselves? that ye have jeered and flouted at his dreadful judgements,& c? Inflaming yourselves with the abominable lusts of your spiritual fornication with your idols, in every grove, 5 Inflaming yourselves with Idols under every green three, slaying the children in the valleys under the cliffs of the rocks? and causing your children to be slain in the valleys as sacrifices to your Moloch? Thou choosest thee an idol out of the river; 6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion. even from amongst those rocks, or stones, which the stream hath smoothed; and this must be thy God, &c. Every hill hath been an high-place, 7 Vpon a lofty& high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifices. distinated by thee to thine idolatry; and thither hast thou climbed to offer thy sacrifices. Every where, even behind the doors, 8 behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another then me, and art gone up, &c. and posts of thine house, hast thou set up shameful monuments of thine idolatry; For thou hast committed spiritual whoredom with other gods; and hast yielded thyself over, to be defiled with their beastly abominations, even upon the first fight. And thou madest means to the King of Assyria, 9 And thou wentest to the King with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst sand thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell. and temptedst him with thy precious presents( which thou fearest to him in great abundance, by thine ambassadors) to commit spiritual fornication with thee; and didst abuse thyself too shamefully unto that idolatrous pagan. The length of the way did not so discourage thee, 10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way: yet saidst thou not, there is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand: therefore thou wast not grieved. as to cause thee to desist from this journey of thine; thou wentest on, and, because thou foundest success( as thou imaginedst) in thine enterprise, thou foundst no remorse for what thou hadst done. Thou hast had no fear of me before thine eyes, 11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy hart? have not I held my peace, even of old,& thou fearest me not? else thou couldst not; thou durst not have lied unto me, and dissembled with me; no, thou hast not remembered my presence, nor feared my revenge: and all this is, because I have forborn to execute speedy judgements upon thy sins. But now, I will lay thee open; 12 I will declare thy righteousness: and thy works: for they shall not profit thee. all the world shall see how just and righteous thou art; thy good carriage shall be discovered to thy shane and dishonour. 13 When thou criest let thy companies deliver thee, but the wind shall carry them all away, vanity shall take them. When thou criest out in thy distress, let these thy goodly associates help, and deliver thee; but for them, I will blow them away, as wind doth the dust, they shall vanish to nothing, &c. 14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people. They shall again inherit their old home, at Jerusalem, and shall return to my Temple, and shall encourage and persuade each other to an holy, and conscionable profession of godliness, and to a removal of all impediments, that might hinder their piety, and obedience. 16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wrath: for the spirit should fail before me. I will not always bee exercising my people with heavy afflictions; neither will I always show myself angry with them; for then the weak spirit of man must needs sink under the burden, and be utterly daunted, &c. 17 I hide me, and was wrath, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I was displeased with him, and withdrew my grace from him, and he went on frowardly in those wicked ways which his own heart suggested unto him. I have well seen the courses, which he takes; and might take just occasion to be revenged of him; 18 I have seen his ways and will heal him: I will led him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners. but I do rather pitty his perverseness, and will help him( though undeservedly) and restore his wonted comforts to him, and to those that are compassionately affencted with his sorrows. 19 I create the fruit of the lips: peace, peace unto him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord, and I will heal him. I do put into the mouths of my Prophets, those tidings of peace, whereby the hearts of my people shall be cheered; and have put the word of reconciliation into the mouths of my Evangelicall preachers; whereby they may be saved; Both of these messengers shall come with the happy news of peace, both unto Jews and Gentiles. CAP. LVIII. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness. YEt, they do, in an outward formality, make a goodly profession; as if they were zealous in seeking me, and delighted in knowing my laws, &c. 3 Wherefore have wee fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have wee afflicted our souls, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast, you find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Will you know the reason why your fasts are not accepted of me? Behold, whiles you make a show of austerity therein, ye give yourselves to carnal pleasures, and exact, on that day, which should be solemnly holy, the hardest labours, and most servile works. 4 Behold, ye fast, for strife& debate,& to smite with the fist of wickedness, ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Behold, though ye do formally fast, yet you do still give yourselves to strife, and contention, to cruel extortion, and oppression; and colour these wickednesses, with a show of mortification, and holinesse; such a fast as this is, is not that, which shall win any favour or acceptation to you, or to your devotions. Then shalt thou be blessed with an happy renewing of all comforts upon thee; 8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of the Lord, shall be thy reward. thy prosperity shall be suddenly restored; then shall all beholders aclowledge thee for just and righteous; and whereas now, thy shane is too apparent, then, the glory of the Lord shall encompass, and deck thee. If thou shalt take off thine hand from oppressing thy poor brethren, and abstain from all injurious actions, 9 If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity. which may be to their prejudice, and shalt refrain thy tongue from speaking vainly, or lewdly. If in a feeling compassion of the miseries of the needy, thou shalt enlarge thy bounty, and relief to him: 10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness bee as the noon day. and shalt yield comfort to the afflicted soul; God shall turn thy sorrow and calamity, into joy and happiness. And those that shal be of thee, shall build again the old neglected walls of the city; and Temple of Jerusalem, and raise up those foundations which shall continue for many ages after, &c. 12 And they that shall be of thee, shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations. If thou shalt refrain thy foot from walking( far or servilely) on the Sabbath; and refrain thyself from doing thine own works, or taking thy own carnal pleasures on my holy day; and shalt, contrarily, 13 If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, and shalt honour him. take delight in a conscionable sanctifying of that day of the Lord, as that, which is by thee accounted a day of Consecration to thy God, and worthy of great reverence, and honor, &c. Then shalt thou find unspeakable comfort in the Lord; then I will cause thee to possess, and rule over that highly situated, and fruitful land of Judea, 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord, &c. and will maintain thee with that inheritance, which thou hast now from thy forefathers. CAP. LIX. ALl their projects and actions are either vain, 5 They hatch Cockatrice eggs, and wove the spiders web: he that eateth of their eggs death, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. or wicked; full of deadly poison; to the invenoming of all that deal with them; whosoever therefore meddleth with them cannot bee free from the danger of infection, and death. Their works,& designs, which are least harmful, 6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works; of iniquity, and the act of violence in their hands. are yet utterly vain, and unprofitable; how ever they may undertake much, their labours come to nothing, either for the benefit of others, or their own safeguard, &c. Whosoever walketh in them, shall never have and enjoy true peace in his soul; 8 Whosoever goeth therein, shall not know peace. nor expect to bee blessed, and prospered from above. 9 Therefore is judgement far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity: for brightness, but wee walked in darkness. Therefore hath God withdrawn the hand of his merciful protection, and gracious administration, from us; and we are yielded up to be a prey of rapine and injustice; Wee wait for comfort and prosperity, but wee find nothing but sorrow, and misery. All the light of our former comfort is taken from us, and we are so affencted with the judgements God, as that we know not how to guide ourselves in our present condition; 10 Wee grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night, we are in desolate places as dead men. we cast about for helps, and directions in vain, and miscarry in the use of them, we are carried captive into desolate places, out of the society of men, as if we were dead carcases, cast aside for the grave. We do in all fashions of sorrow, bemoan ourselves; either roaring out in the extremity of our grief, 11 Wee roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves. as bears in a forest, or more silently murmuring our complaints, as doves on the house top, &c. 15 Yea, truth faileth,& he that departeth from evil, maketh himself a prey. Yea, truth and honest sincerity is failed amongst men; and he that will not run with men, into the same excess of riot, but maketh conscience of their evil ways, is exposed to the scorn, and spoil of the world, &c. 16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: Therefore his arm brought salvation unto him, and his righteousness, it sustained him. And he saw that there was no man that would interpose himself, and labour for the reforming of these foul corruptions, and wondered to see so general a barrenness of grace, as that there was not one man to stand out for his Church, either to sue for it, or to endeavour the redress of it; Therfore God resolved, since there was no help, or hope in human means, to take the cause into his own hand; and to work mightily the deliverance and salvation of his people, by his own power, and justice. 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head, and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was cad with zeal as a cloak. To which purpose, the Almighty hath compleately armed himself, with righteousness, and salvation, and zeal, and means of vengeance upon his enemies, that his people may well see, how both forward, and powerful he is, to rescue them, and to plague their oppressors. 19 When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. When the enemy shall come furiously upon them, like a raging and impetuous flood, the almighty shall wage war with him, and join battle accordingly against him to his destruction. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in jacob, saith the Lord. The Redeemer of the world shall, in his due time, be revealed, and shall personally come to mount Zion; and shall save all penitent sinners in his whole Church upon earth. Amongst, 21 My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart not of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth, and for ever. and above all other testimonies of my favour to thee, my Church, this shall bee most remarkable; that I will give thee my word, and my spirit, for instruction, for sanctification; the one shall not depart out of thy heart, nor the other out of thy mouth; but shall perpetually continue to thee, and to thy seed after thee, unto the end of the world. CAP. LX. ARise out of the dust, and sorrow, 1 Arise, shine, for the light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. O thou my afflicted Church;& be thou glorious; for the time is comne, wherein God is purposed to comfort, and to honor thee, before the eyes of the world. For behold, the darkness both of ignorance, 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people, but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall bee seen upon thee? and calamity, shall be upon the rest of the earth; but, as it was with thee in Goshen, so it shall be now again, the Lord shall cause the light both of knowledge and comfort to arise upon thee. Thou shalt assemble cheerfully together, 5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged, because the abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. and thine heart shall bee full of astonishment, and wonder, and thankfulness; because the store of those foreign nations, which by divers seas are severed from thee, shall be converted unto thee( my Evangelicall Church) all the forces; and excellent graces of the Gentiles shall be added unto thee. The multitudes of several nations shall come, 6 The multitude of Camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Median and Ephah: all they from Sheba shall come, they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord. and sand in, unto thee, according to their sundry commodities, and means of conveyance, all manner of rich and precious presents, whereby they shall testify their homage, and joy in that God, which hath honoured them with the high calling of the children of his Church. So cheerful and so frequent and universal shall bee the sacrifices, which shall bee offered unto God, 7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebajoth shall minister unto thee, they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory? in joy and thanksgiving, as that all the Arabian flocks shall be gladly consecrated to this service; and shall ascend up in an holy smoke, to the God of heaven; and I will exceedingly glorify my Church, wherein I am honoured. Then shall my Church, wondering at so frequent a confluence, say, Who are these that come flying, 8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? as thick as clouds, and as swiftly as the doves to their windows. Surely the foreign nation, shall bee called into the Church, even from beyond the seas; 9 Surely the Isles shall wait for me,& the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord. the ships shall bee employed therefore, to bring in both their persons, and their treasures to be dedicated to the service of God, &c. And in a type of the restauration of my Church, behold the sons of strangers shall help to re-edify the walls of Jerusalem; and their Kings shall give bountiful gifts towards the repairing of the edifices thereof, 10 And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their Kings shall minister unto thee. &c. The doors of the Church under the gospel shall be always open, they shall not be shut, either by night, or day, 11 Therefore thy gates shall bee open continually, they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought upon any man; but shall be wide opened, to receive all comers; that the riches of the Gentiles, and their Kings and Governours, may have a clear, and free ingress thereinto. As there neither is, nor can be any salvation out of Christ, or out of the Church; surely that person, or that nation, 12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee, shall perish, yea those nations shall bee utterly wasted. and kingdom that cometh not in, and submitteth not to the government of Christ, in his Church, cannot choose but perish. All the tall Cedars of Lebanon, and all those other varieties of trees, both for building, and sculpture, shall gladly be employed to the re-edifying of the material temple; 13 The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir three, the pine three and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious. and all persons both honourable and mean, shall joyfully be employed to be the pceces of my spiritual Church, and Sanctuary; so as the place, where I shall fix my foot, and dwell for ever, shall be beautiful, and glorious. 14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee, shall come bending unto thee. The posterity of those that persecuted thee( O my Church) shall come in, and with all reverence submit themselves unto thee, &c. The Gentiles, and their Kings, which heretofore have been hostilely bent against thee, 16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of Kings. shall now lay to nourish, and sustain thee, even as the mother doth her child, with the milk of their breasts; and shall yield thee their best succour, and assistance, &c. 17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron, I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. I know you will much lament the ruins of the glorious Temple; but, be of good cheer, it shall be better built, then before; in stead of the former brass, it shall now be enriched with gold; and in all the whole fabric the change shall be to the better; and whereas you have served under an hard bondage of the Babylonians; now, in stead of those tyrannous officers, you shall have peace; and in stead of exactors, justice. 18 But thou shalt call thy walls salvation,& thy gates praise. The safeguard of God shall be in stead of walls unto thee, and thy gates shall be full of the praise of thy God. 19 The Sun shall be no more thy light by day, neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee, but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. There shall be a certain stability, and fixedness of the happy estate, wherein thou art; thou shalt not bee subject to any more interchanges of light, and darkness, or depend upon those outward means of comfort, which are wont to convey it to the world; But the Lord himself, who is ever one, and unchangeable, shall be thine everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. So verse 20. Those that are the true, and lively members of the Church, shall be all sincere, and upright, not wicked, 21 Thy people also shal be all righteous, they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hand, that I may be glorified. not hypocritical; they shal be unremovably fastened in their holy station; as being the branches of my own planting, and the work of my own hands, which I have made for the glory of my mercy. Though thou be now small in number, 22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation; I the Lord will hasten it in his time. yet thou shalt become exceeding populous, and thou, which art now weak, shalt become a strong and mighty people; I the Lord will in due time( and that ere long) accomplish it. CAP. LXI. THe Spirit of the Lord is upon me, the Messiah, 1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me, to preach good tidings unto the meek, he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. and Mediator; and hath endued me with power, and virtue from above, and authorised, and sent me to preach the glad tidings of salvation to the humble, and contrite soul, to proclaim liberty to those which are now in miserable captivity under Satan; to release those which are bound with the chains of their sins. To proclaim the acceptable time of redemption, 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn. now fully comne to the world; and of just vengeance of our God against the malicious enemies of his Church; to their confusion, and the comfort of those, whom they have unjustly afflicted. To set a day of deliverance to them which mourn in Gods Church, whether for their sins, 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, in planting of the Lord, that he might bee glorified. or under their afflictions, to put off all the sack-cloth, and ashes, and sad ceremonies of their dejection; and in stead thereof, to give them cheerfulness, and joy, and thankful acknowledgements of mercy, that those, which before were as fruitless, and sapless stocks, may now be called( and so approved) the fruitful and flourishing trees of righteousness; such as God hath by his spirit planted in his Church for the glory of his own mercy. In a just type of which restauration, 4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations. my people the Jews shall build again those ruinous walls that had lain scutcheon yeares waste, &c. And those which are strangers to you, both in nation, 5 And strangers shall stand& feed your flocks, and the sons of the alient shall be your ploughmen, and your vine dressers. and religion, shall be ready to be helpful unto you upon all occasions, of your outward and secular employments. 6 But ye shall bee name the priests of the Lord, men shal call you the ministers of our God, ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall you boast yourselves. Whiles ye shall be a royal priesthood, consecrated unto the Lord,& to his holy service; participating of all those comforts, which God hath laid up in store for them which now are called Gentiles; whose future glory and happiness shall be an accession unto yours. For that shane, and grief which ye have endured, you shall have an abundant recompense of joy and comfort; and in stead of your former confusion, 7 For your shane you shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therfore in their land they shall possess the double, everlasting joy shall be unto them. ye shall now bee rewarded with contentment, and cheerfulness, in the fruition of your manifold blessings; the happiness of their return to their own land shall make double amends for their captivity: and they shall find cause of everlasting joy. I the Lord love sincerity, and true dealing in the carriages of men; 8 For I the Lord love judgement, I hate robbery for burnt offering, and I will direct their work in truth. I cannot abide that men should pretend a sacrifice to be offered unto me, when they mean nothing but fraud, and violence; that they should hope to please me with a stolen oblation; I will direct and enable them to serve me faithfully, &c. 9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles,& their off-spring among the people. Their seed, which shall be appointed to carry the word of God unto the Gentiles, shall be highly honoured of them, and their off-spring, among that people with whom they shall be united, &c. CAP. LXII. 1 For Zions sake, will I not hold my peace, and for Ierusalems sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. FOr my Churches sake I will not cease, till I have accomplished the great work of her redemption, and have fully finished, and openly manifested the glory, and salvation of mine elect. And those that are now far off, even the now-despised Gentiles, shall aclowledge thy righteousness( O my Church) and that not the meaner sort, but even Kings, 2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all Kings thy glory,& thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name. and Princes, shall bless and celebrate thee; and thou shalt be honoured, as with a new estate, so with a name also which the Lord shall put upon thee. See verse 4. 3 Thou shalt also bee a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. God shall put exceeding glory upon thee; and shall cause to shine forth in thee, the praise of his wonderful mercy; so as he shall unspeakably honour himself by honouring thee. 4 Thou shalt no more be termed forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed desolate, but thou shalt bee called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah; for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. And that new name which he will call thee by, is this; now whereas thou art, both in name, and condition, forsaken, then thou shalt no more either be so, or be so called; but shalt both be, and be called my delightsome spouse, for as much, as, both thy person, and thine obedience shall be graciously respected of me. The outward and bodily marriage is and shall be the image of this spiritual; behold as a young man espouseth a virgin, 5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons mary thee. so shall thy faithful ministers espouse thee unto me, &c. Behold, I have set over thee, O my Church, faithful pastors, and teachers; 6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls( O jerusalem) which shal never hold their peace, day nor night; ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence. who shall in season and out of season be instant to deliver my messages unto thee, ye that speak from the Lord, and are his ambassadors to his Church, do your duty constionably, hid no part of Gods counsel from his people; and be earnest with God in the behalf of his Church. Oh, be ye ever importunate in your prayers; 7 And give him no rest till he establish, and till he make jerusalem a praise in the earth. not ceasing, till God have perfitted his great work for his Church, which he hath determined and begun, investing his chosen ones with full glory. The Lord hath engaged himself by his oath; 8 The Lord hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely, I will no more give thy come to be meate for thine enemies. and hath sworn by his power and omnipotence, that he will no more give over his Church to the utter waste and spoil of their enemies, &c. My Church shall be as a populous, and well traded city, which shall be full of infinite resort; go to then, 10 go through, go through the gates, prepare you the way of the people, Cast up, cast up the high way, gather out the stones, lift up a standard for the people. O my spiritual overseers, pass through the gates diligently,& frequently; and make way for that happy concourse, which shall be thither; remove those hindrances, and scandals, which may lie in the way of my people; and call all mine, to an holy, and constant profession, and maintenance of my truth. CAP. LXIII. WHo is this,( shall my wondering Church say, 1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with died garments from Bozrah, this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength, I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. concerning her God, and Saviour) who is this that comes out from among the troops of his enemies, with garments distained with blood, even this, that is decked with the glory of his victory and triumph? Dost thou ask, who I am( O my Church) shall he say, I am thy righteous, and holy redeemer, mighty to save, and deliver mine elect. Wherefore then, O Saviour, 2 Wherefore art thou read in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the wine fat? art thou thus suited in crimson,& dyed read with blood? If thou be so powerful to save us, how hast thou not delivered thyself from this effusion of thine own blood? Or is it the blood of enemies that hath thus drenched thy robes? so that thou lookest as one that hath been treading in the wine press, all tainted with the blood of the grape? 3 I have trodden the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with me, for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury, and their blood shall bee sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. It is true, O my Church, I have been indeed treading the winepress of my fathers wrath, I have been crushing& trampling upon all the clusters of mine enemies; even I alone, by my mighty power, have trod them under my feet, without the supply of all other helps; the victory is mine alone, which I will in my good time fully accomplish; for I will, in my just anger, bee exquisitely avenged of all those that maliciously rise up against me; and will give proofs to the world of my vengeance, and their sufferings. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. For I have eternally decreed, and set the day, wherein I shall be perfectly revenged of the proud and wicked enemies of my Church, and wherein I shall fully redeem my faithful people. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help,& I wondered that there was none to uphold. I saw there was no help to be expected from any finite creature; and being much affencted to see so remediless a desolation of my Church, I addressed myself to the work, and by my own power wrought their deliverance, &c. 8 For he said, surely they are my people, children that will not lye, for he was their Saviour. For he said, surely, these are my chosen ones, my peculiar people; they will stick fast to me, and will not degenerate into wicked and lewd courses; so he, who expected this holinesse and perseverance from them, was a Saviour unto them. 9 In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence saved them. In all their afflictions he pitied them, and did( as it were) suffer with them; and the angel of his covenant( who still appears before his face to intercede for his Church) saved them from the dangers of manifold destructions, &c. 11 Then he remembered the daies of old, Moses and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the Sea, with the shepherd of his flock; where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? Then he remembered the daies of old; and those ancient passages, that were betwixt Moses and his people, whose posterity in their present distresses, are ready to say; Where now is that God, that did so powerfully bring his people through the sea, by the hand of Moses their leader? Where is he that did then put his holy spirit into that faithful guide of his people? He, that lead them through the read sea, with no less security and confidence, 13 That lead them through the deep as a horse in the wilderness. then an horse walks in an even and smooth down, &c. So verse 14. 15 The sounding of thy bowels,& of thy mercies toward me, are they restrained? The yearning of thy bowels, and thy tender compassions towards thy people. O God, how boldly may we sue to thee, 16 doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel aclowledge us not. since thou art our father; nothing in the world can strip us of this relation to thee; whatever become of all these terms of cognation,& consanguinity which the world can afford, surely nothing can hinder this our challenge of interest in thee, and however, we have made ourselves by our sins unworthy to be owned by our father Abraham( if he could take notice of these earthly things) yet do not thou cast us utterly off, from the benefit of that covenant which thou madest with him, and his seed, &c. O Lord, we know, if thou guide us not, 17 O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? we cannot but err; why hast thou withdrawn thy spirit from us, upon the just desert of our sins, so as we have thereupon gone astray from thy laws? why hast thou, in the punishment of our wickedness, given us over to the hardening of our own hearts before thee, &c. It is but a little while( in comparison of the promise, 18 The people of thy holinesse have possessed it but a little while, our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary. and covenant made to thy people) that thy peculiar, and select nation have possessed this good land, and now our adversaries have destroyed thy holy Temple. They can challenge no part in thee; we are thine own charge, and chosen inheritance; 19 We are thine, thou never barest rule over thē, they were not called by thy name. thou hast given laws to us, and hast exercised a special sovereignty over us; thou hast not done so to them; they were never so endeared to thee, never so much graced by thee. CAP. LXIIII. OH that thou wouldest magnify thy mighty power in the deliverance of thy people, and for that cause, 1 Oh that thou wouldest rent the heavens, that thou wouldst come down, that the mountaines might flow down at thy presence. that thou wouldst tear open the heavens before thee, that they may give way to thy coming down; and the mountaines might melt, and flow like water, at the terror of thy presence. Oh that thy presence to the world, 2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence. might bee as fire to metal, or to water; to melt the one, to cause the other to boil; that all the adversary powers might with horror and confusion know thy greatness& omnipotence and that all the nations( which now forget thee,& slight thy power) might tremble at thy presence. Thou hast done many, 4 For since the beginning of the world, men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, besides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. and great wonders for thy people of ancient times; such, as whereby thou hast approved thyself to be the only true God; so as the ear hath not heard, nor the eye seen the clear demonstrations of any god, but thyself; of such infinite power and mercy, to provide so graciously, and miraculously, for those that depend upon thee. 5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth, and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wrath, for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. Thou hast heretofore given merciful proofs of thy favour to our forefathers, who rejoiced in thee, and lived holily before thee; and so thou art ready to do, to those that awfully and thankfully aclowledge thee, and adore thee, in the ways of thy justice, and mercy; but as for us, thou art displeased with us, for wee have done wickedly before thee, whereas, if wee had the grace to continue in those ways of thine, we should be sure to be saved. 6 But wee are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,& we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away. But we are all very abominably sinful before thee, and our very best services and obediences are full of odious and shameful corruptions; and therefore, under this displeasure of thine, wee cannot but fall away, as a dry leaf from the three, and the just punishment of our iniquities, like a wind, hath blown us away, and dispersed us. CAP. LXV. 1 I am sought of them that asked not for me: I am found of them that sought me not, I said, behold me, behold me unto a nation that was not called by my name. WHatsoever become of you, my late people of the Jews, my covenant shall be made good with another nation, whom ye think not of; Behold, the Gentiles shall come in your room, I am sought of them, which were before utter aliens from me,& my Church; and I am accordingly found of them, which heretofore sought me not; I called a people unto my Covenant of grace, which had before no relation unto me, either of name or interest: 2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good; after their own thoughts. I have made continual and important means to these rebellious Jews, who yet will not be reclaimed, but walk on lewdly, and stubbornly, in their own vain and sinful lusts. That sacrificeth in those groves, which they have in their private orchards; and upon their owne-erected altars, 3 That sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick. according to their vain and superstitious fancies, contrary to the charge of God, who hath confined their services, and oblations, to his Altar at Jerusalem. 4 Which remain among the graves,& lodge in the monuments, which eat swines flesh,& broth of abominable things in their vessels: Which in devilish fashion gave themselves to the practise of necromancy, consulting with evil spirits, under the form of the dead; and making no difference of those meats, which the law hath made abominably unclean. 5 Which say: Stand by thyself, come not near to me: for I am holier then thou: these are a smoke in my nose: a fire that burneth all the day. Which in the pride, and scorn of their heart, are ready to say to the holy Prophets of God; admonishing them of their sins; Tush, I regard thee not, keep thy counsel to thyself; I am holier then thou; These are tedious and noisome to me, and their proud hypocrisy is such, as shall provoke my perpetual indignation to burn them up like an unquenchable fire continually. Thus saith the Lord; 8 Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not, for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants sake, that I may not destroy them all. As a man that intends to cut down, or root up a sour ill-fruited vine; and finding one branch of it, yielding a kindly& pleasing grape, forbears to destroy it; So will I do with my people; though, in a generality, they deserve an utter extirpation; yet, for the sake of some of them, whom I have found careful and conscionable, I have resolved not to destroy them all. A people that shall inherit and possess that my mountainous country of Judea. 9 An inheritor of my mountaines. And there shall bee a frequent rehabitation of the whole land of Israel, and Juda; 10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of anchor, a place for the herds to lye down in, for my people that have sought me. the late-desolate pastures of Sharon, and the fruitful valley of anchor, shall bee again put to use, and serve for the feeding,& grazing of your flocks, and herds. But ye are they that forsake the Lord, 11 But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troupe, and that furnish the drink offering, unto that number. that do wilfully neglect my chosen mountain of Zion, and my holy Temple there, that offer sacrifice to a base rabble of counterfeit gods; and furnish drink offerings to all the innumerable hosts of heaven. Therefore will I design you to destruction, &c. 12 Therefore will I number you to the sword. ye have made a fashionable profession of service to me; but there hath been no truth therein; 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: Behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall bee thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall bee ashamed. and ye shall speed accordingly; for, behold, those that are indeed my true and faithful servants, shall eat, and drink, and rejoice, and enjoy the good things of the land; when ye hypocrites, shall be held short of all these comforts, and shall be punished with shane, and want. So verse 14. And that name, whereof ye now vainly boast, 15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name. shall no more be disgraced by you; but contrarily, in stead therof, your name and memory shall be execrable to all my chosen, so as when they would curse another, they shall say, So may God curse thee as he did the Jews; For the Lord God shall destroy thee; and call his servants, out of other nations, and by other names; even by the glorious names of Christians. And all the earth over, 16 That he that blesseth himself in the earth, shall bless himself in the God of truth, and he that sweareth in the earth, shall swear by the God of truth, because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hide from mine eyes. men shall give themselves to the holy and conscionable worship of God; whether they pray, or whether they swear, or whatsoever act of religion they do, it shall be directed to the onely true God; for God hath determined to put a final end to the calamities of his Church, and not to see their grievous distresses any longer. Behold, I will renew all things by the power and government of my son Christ; 17 For behold, I create new heavens, and a new earth: and the former shall not bee remembered, nor come into mind. the whole world shall be then cast in a new mould; the former condition, which served only for a shadow of the future, shall then vanish, and be no more of use, or remembrance. Be ye glad, and rejoice for ever, O ye faithful souls, which shall receive the benefit of this happy renovation: 18 But bee you glad and rejoice for ever, in that which I create: for behold, I create jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. for, I will give fullness of joy unto my Church, and will make my people eternally blessed. There shall be a perfect age and stature in Christ; no deficiency either in a nonage, 20 There shall bee no more thence an infant of dayes, nor an old man that hath not filled his dayes: for the children shall die an hundred yeares old, but the sinner of an hundred yeares old shall bee accursed. or a decrepit estate; but all shall attain to their due growth; the child shall not die till he be an hundred yeares old; and shall reach to an happy maturity;& those that are old, shall enjoy a strong and vigorous age; Thus spiritually blessed shall they be that are in Christ; but those who are out of him, are no less miserable; for the sinner, though he enjoy a long life, here on earth, yet is, and shall be accursed; the length of his dayes shall add to the extremity of his torment. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, &c. See Esa. 11.6. CAP. LXVI. 1 Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool, where is the house that ye build unto me, and where is the place of my rest? WHy do ye, vain Jews, think to merit me, and boast yourselves of a Temple built to me? as if that were a sufficient cover for all your hypocrisy and jailor; No; ye know well enough I have no need of an house of your making; I have another manner of house of my own, even the heaven of heavens is the roof of it, and the earth is the floor of it; in that I can and do gloriously dwell, without any material fabric of yours. 2 But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. My love and respect is to that man that is of a true, broken, penitent, faithful heart, he is a fit Temple for me to dwell in, &c. Without this, all your legal compliments of ceremonies are not onely vain, 3 He that killeth an ox, is as if he slay a man. but odious; he that killeth an ox in a formal sacrifice to me, is as pleasing, as if he had murdered a man, &c. I will make choice of their own delusions, 4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them, &c. wherewith to punish them; they thought to deceive me with their hypocritical devotions, and I will make their very hypocrisy, their confusion; and will bring upon them those judgements which they most of all feared, &c. Those false brethren of yours that hated you for your piety and goodness, were ready to say, 5 Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shal appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. we are more careful to glorify God, thē yourselves; or let God glorify himself by his judgements where they are deserved, but, they shall once find it otherwise with them; for God shall appear to your joy, and their confusion. Behold, their judgement is not afar off; hearken; 6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the Temple: a voice of the Lord, that rendereth recompense unto his enemies. me thinks I do already hear a voice of noise, and tumult from the city of Jerusalem, and from the Temple, which shall be wasted; even a fearful voice of that just God which rendereth vengeance to his enemies. My Church under the gospel shall be exceedingly fruitful; she shall bear children unto her God, 7 Before she travailed she brought forth: before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. with great ease, and speed; yea, she shall bear a generous, and manly issue, before she finds the throws of her travel. So verse 8. What marvel can there be of this easy, and speedy multiplication of the Church, when as the Lord himself hath undertaken the work; Is there any thing impossible, or difficult to the Almighty? finite powers may fail; but shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth, saith the Lord, 9 Shall I bring to the birth,& not cause to bring forth, saith the Lord? & c? Behold, I will give an happy, 12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles, like a flowing stream, then shall ye suck, ye shall be born upon her sides, and bee dandled upon her knees. and glorious condition to my Church; her peace, and prosperity shall over-flow her, like a full river; and the glory, and excellency of the Gentiles shall come gushing in upon her, like a strong torrent. Then shall ye sons of the Church your mother, suck the breasts of her happy nourishment, and she, like an indulgent mother, shall bear you close to her, in her arms; and shall dandle you on her knees; and testify her dear love and care of your tendance, and education. Ye, which lay like dry bones scattered upon the earth, 14 And your bones shall flourish like an herb. shall then live again, and flourish, as an herb of the field, &c. For, behold, the Lord will come in a furious, 15 For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his Charets like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury. and terrible manner, to take vengeance on his enemies; so as his adversaries shall bee confounded with the horror thereof, &c. 17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens, behind one three in the midst, eating swines flesh, and the abominations, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord. They that give themselves to their idolatries in their private groves within their Orchards, with all fond ceremonies of superstition, making choice of some one three above the rest, more peculiarly consecrated to their false God;& do wilfully transgress the law of God, in eating those things which are forbidden, as abominably unclean; they shall be consumed together, both the superstitious, and the profane, saith the Lord. 18 It shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see my glory. The time shall come, when out of all nations and tongues I will gather me out an holy Church to myself, and they shall be partakers of that grace, which hath hitherto been appropriated to the Jews, and as my truly adopted children, shall inherit my gory. 19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will sand those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, pull and lord, that draw the bow, to Tubal and javan, to the Iles afar off, that have not heard my famed, neither have seen my glory, and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. And, amid the common judgement, I will set a mark upon them whom I will have reserved; and those that do escape of them, I will sand as my messengers to the nations round about, to convert them unto me; I will sand them, both by sea and land, to all parts of the earth, as to Cilicia, to afric, to the lesser Asia, to the Parthians, Grecians, Italians, and to the Isles afar off, that have not formerly heard of my name, nor seen my glory; and they shall publish my gospel amongst the Gentiles. And they shall be a means to turn the hearts of the world, 20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord, out of all nations, upon horses and charets, in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts to my holy mountain jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel, into the house of the Lord. unto God, and to win men from their superstitions, and impieties, to the service of the true God; so as out of all nations, there shall bee some added to the Church, and shall hasten, by all the several means of their conveyances, to join themselves to the assemblies of Gods people; with no less zeal, and purity, then now the children of Israel are wont to serve and worship God, in the house consecrated to his name. And of these converted nations, will I take some to my immediate service, 21 And I will also take of them for Priests, and for Levites, saith the Lord. to be peculiarly devoted to me, in the public ministration of my Church, saith the Lord. 22 For as the new heavens, and the new earth which I will make, shall remain before me. And this happy condition of my Church, shall be during, and permanent; so as there shall never want those, that shall profess my name upon earth, &c. 23 And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another,& from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. Whereas, under the law, there were set, and fixed solemnities, in which God was publicly attended upon with sacrifices, and thankful celebrations; now these festivities, and religious duties shall be perpetual, and continue without all intermission; and all nations shall, at all times, come to worship before me, saith the Lord. 24 And they shall go forth and look upon the ca●kases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. And those that have sincerely professed me, shall bee made the witnesses of the heavy vengeance of God upon them that have wilfully rebelled against me; who shall be tormented with perpetual anguish of conscience, and lye unrecoverably under the sense of the fearful wrath of God; and bee a woeful and abominable spectacle to Angells; and men. jeremiah. CAP. I. THe words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, 1 The words of jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the Priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. that famous high-priest, who found the original book of the Law; which Jeremy was one of the Priests that dwelled in Anathoth, a town, within three miles of Jerusalem, which in the tribe of Benjamin was allotted peculiarly to the Priests. To whom the word of the Lord came, 2 To whom the word of the Lord came in the dayes of josiah, &c. in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the dayes of Iehojakin, &c. unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, &c. unto the carrying away of jerusalem captive, &c. in the thirteenth year of King Josiah, and continued long with him, in so much as he prophesied one and forty yeares, under the reigns of josiah, Jehojakin, and Zedekiah, besides those yeares, which he lived after the captivity. Before ever thou wert conceived in the womb of thy mother, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a Prophet unto the nations. I fore-ordained thee in mine eternal counsel, to be a worthy instrument of my glory; and before thou wert born into the world, I set thee apart to this great service; and pre-determined thee, to be a Prophet to the nations. Then said I, Alas, O Lord God, behold, I am unfit, 6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God, behold, I cannot speak, for I am a child. and unable, and unworthy to carry thy great messages to the Kings, and Princes of this world; I am a very child, both in yeares, and abilities. And the Lord said unto me; Never pled thine age, 7 But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall sand thee, and whatsoever I command thee, thou shalt speak. or disability; for I will give thee a mouth, and wisdom, I will sand thee forth on my errand, and furnish thee sufficiently for the service thou goest about; go therefore to all that I sand thee, and speak all that I command thee. See, I have this day made thee a Prophet, 10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. not to the Jews onely, but to the nations round about also; to several countries, and kingdoms, with commission to deliver my messages, concerning the destroying, and rooting out, the planting and establishing of their dominions, and soverainties. 12 Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen, for I will hasten my word to perform it. It is true; thou seest indeed an almond three, in a figure and representation of that hast, which I will make in the performance of my judgements; for as that is the first three which puts forth, so it well betokens the speed of my executions. 13 And the face thereof was towards the north. And the fore-part thereof to the fire-ward, was, by the situation of it, towards the North. 14 Then the Lord said unto me; out of the North, an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. Then the Lord said, This cauldron or boiling pot is Judea, this fire is the affliction, and vastation which it shall undergo, and from out of the North,( even from the Babylonians) shall this desolation come upon all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the North, saith the Lord. For lo, I will call the neighbouring kingdoms of the north, in assistance to the Babylonians, and they shall come, &c. Therefore, stir up thy courage, and rouse up thy spirits. 17 Therefore gird up thy loins. 18 For behold, I have made thee, this day, a defenced city,& an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land. For behold, I do this day confirm thee against all the opposition, which shall be made unto thee; thou shalt be more surely defenced from henceforth, then a strongly walled city, more firm then a pillar of iron, or walls of brass, &c. CAP. II. 2 Thus saith the Lord; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown. I Remember well how graciously I dealt with thee of old, and how well thou wert affencted to me in my first choice of thee for my people, and how we were mutually engaged to each other, by covenants, and professions of love, when I lead thee in the wilderness, and carried thee,( with miraculous sustenance, and preservation) through an uncultured desert. 3 Israel was holiness unto the Lord, and the first fruits of his increase; all that devour him, shall offend, evil shall come upon them, saith the Lord. Israel was then consecrated to the Lord, and set apart for his service, as the first fruits are wont to be sequestered and devoted to God; so as all that devour them, bring evil upon themselves. The very priests which should be the leaders of my people, 8 The Priests said not, where is the Lord,& they that handle the law, knew me not, the Pastors also transgressed against me,& the Prophets prophesied by Baal. do not inquire after the Lord, but after their own profits, and occasions, and they that handle the law, do not aclowledge me, and give me that observance, which they ought, &c. and the prophets turn from God to Baal, and prophesy in his name, &c. Look about, where ye please, 10 For pass over the isles of Chittim, and see,& sand unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be any such thing. take view of any whatsoever foreign nation, Grecians, Arabians, or whom else soever, and see if you find the like inconstancy, and impiety amongst them. Is there any one of them that hath been induced to change those deities, 11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? which they have professed to adore and yet they are no gods at all,& c? What dost thou make of thyself, O Israel? 14 Is Israel a servant, is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled? dost thou go for a son, or for a slave rather, that thou art thus spoiled? Thy enemies have comne fiercely upon thee, 15 The young lions roared upon him and yelled,& they made his land wast. and have roared, and ramped upon thee, like Lions, &c. Yea, 16 Also the children of Noph, and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head. not only those Lion-like Assyrians have comne upon thee, but the weak effeminate egyptians have risen up, and prevailed against thee. And now, what hast thou to do with ambassages to egypt; what vain confidence is this, 18 And now what hast thou to do in the way of egypt to drink the waters of Sihor? Or wh●t hast thou to do in the way of Assyria to drink the waters of the river? that thou puttest in treaties of aid with them? Or, wherefore dost thou sand other ambassadors to Assyria, and cravest their friendship, and succour, as if the waters of Jordan were not for thee, but thou must drink of Nilus and Euphrates? I bestowed much care and cost upon thee, 21 Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed. in my first choice of thee; then thou wert a peculiar and holy people unto me, &c. And now, O Israel, thou art so foul, 22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord. that by no human means whatsoever, which thou canst reach unto, it is possible for thee to cleanse and wash off the filthy spots of thine iniquities before me. See what thou hast done in the valley of Benhinnon, 23 See thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done, thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways. and in those other dales, where thou hast sacrificed by the brooks; thou hast been eagerly set upon thine Idolatries, and hast run to them with no less hast and speed, then the dromedary is wont to rid the way. Yea, thou hast been utterly unreclaimable, 24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure, in her occasion who can turn her away, al they that seek her, will not weary themselves, in her month they shall find her. like to a wild ass in the wilderness, which runs wild and loose snuffing up the wind; scorning to be either bridled, or turned in her course; all they that pursue after her, do but weary themselves in vain; until the time come that upon her impregnation, the burden of her womb shall force her to rest. refrain thyself, at last, from thine abominable prostitutions, 25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod,& thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, there is no hope no, for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. wherein thou hast laid thyself naked to the fornications of thine idolatry; and quench this wicked thirst of thy sinful lusts; but thou continuest obstinate, and sayest secretly; There is no hope of my reclaiming; No, I have taken a deep affection to the strange gods of the Gentiles, and I will go after them. 30 In vain have I smitten your children, they received no correction, your own sword hath devoured your Prophets, like a destroying lion. In vain have I bestowed my chastisements upon you, for ye have not made any good use of my corrections; you have been the murtherers of Gods prophets amongst you; even as a fierce lion have ye devoured them. 31 O generation, see ye the word of the Lord, have I been a wilderness unto Israel, a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords, wee will come no more unto thee? O ye unthankful generation; attend to this word of the Lord; have I been barren of my favours to you, have I yielded you no variety of comfortable fruits? have I not enlightened you with the knowledge of my name,& my laws? and now, when I have brought thee into thy promised land, and settled thee there, thou art ready to say, in thy presumption; We are Lords, and have gotten to ourselves these dominions, wee will regard thee no more. 33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therfore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways. What profit canst thou expect by seeking the friendship, and aid of the egyptians? and trimming up thyself for their acceptation? thou art both infected by their wickedness, and hast corrupted others by the wickedness wherewith thou art infected. 34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents, I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these. Thou art plainly found guilty of the blood of my prophets, which thou hast cruelly shed; there needs no secret search for the finding out of this murder of thine, it is open, and apparent to the eyes of the world. Why goest thou about to alter thy dependence? and in stead of Babylon, 36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria. to rely upon egypt? that trust shall fail thee; thou shalt be ashamed of this vain confidence of thine, as Ahaz was of his trust in the Assyrian. 37 Yea thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thy head. Thou shalt go forth from him with extreme mourning and lamentation, &c. CAP. III. 1 They say, if a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another mans, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord O My people, thy wickednesses are many,& great, and yet( such is my mercy) I could be content, upon thy repentance, to pardon them. Thou art my wife, and hast committed whoredom; thou hast betaken thyself to another husband, and therefore hast made thyself uncapable of my reacceptance, by the law; Yet return again to me; and I am ready to receive thee, saith the Lord. Thou hast frequently committed spiritual fornication in thine high places; 2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lain with; in the ways hast thou sate for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness yea thou hast tempted others to these Idolatrous practices; and hast been ready to solicit, and draw on this sin with them, waiting for these opportunities of thine Idolatries, as the Arabian waits for a pray in the wilderness, &c. Thou art grown impudent and shameless in thy 〈◇〉. 3 Thou hast an whores forehead, &c. Yet wilt thou not, after so many and grievous afflictions, begin to recollect thyself, and to aclowledge me, 4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me. &c. Israel and Judah are both shamefully wicked, and yet, 11 And the Lord said unto me, the backsliding Israel hath justified herself more then treacherous judah. of the two, Judah is worse then Israel; her treachery is so much more, as shee had more favours from me. go, and proclaim these words, even to those Israelites, which are now captived amongst the Medians in the North; and since Judah will not hear, say to them, return thou backsliding Israel, 12 go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return thou backsliding Israel. &c. For I had made an holy covenant with you; and will, 14 For I am married unto you; and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion. upon your repentance, call some of you back again to your land, and to my Temple. They shall no more trust to the outward formalities of Gods worship, 16 They shall say no more; the ark of the covenant of the Lord, neither shall it come to mind, neither shall they remember it, neither shall they visit it, neither shall that bee done any more. and to the fashionable profession of religion, as if the very name, and presence of the Ark were enough to save them, neither shall their thoughts be upon these outward helps, as all-sufficient and acceptable, &c. At that day they shall aclowledge the true Church of God, as holy; 17 At that time they shall call jerusalem the throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered unto it. and as the seat of Gods spiritual government; and the Gentiles shall together with them flock unto it, &c. They shall both come together out of their spiritual captivity, into the bosom of my Evangelicall Church, 18 And they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers. &c. But I said, How shall it come about that thou which deservedst not the name of a servant, 19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, my father, and shalt not turn away from me. shalt become a dear son unto me, and shalt have a pleasant and happy inheritance bequeathed unto thee; even a blessed room in my Church? and I answered myself again; It is by the means of thy faithful invocation of me; and of thy true repentance, and holy obedience, that this shall bee effected. Even in those high places, 21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel; for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the Lord their God. where the offence was committed, a voice was heard of weeping and supplication of the children of Israel, lamenting their former wickedness; and calling for mercy, to that God whom they had forgotten. 23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountaines. In vain is deliverance and salvation hoped for from those Idols, which we have worshipped on the hills, and h●gh places, &c. 24 For shane hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth. This shameful Idolatry is that which hath undone both our late forefathers, and us, &c. CAP. IIII. 3 Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. HItherto, O my people, your hearts have been like to a rough, thorny, uncultured ground; but now, break up this fallow ground of yours, by an unfeigned repentance, and root up these thorns of your corruptions. 4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of judah? As ye are outwardly circumcised, so also do ye cut off the fore-skin of those inward corruptions, which your heart is defiled with, &c. 5 Declare ye in judah and publish in jerusalem,& say, blow ye the trumpet in the land, cry, gather together, and say, assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities. Make proclamation in Judah, and Jerusalem; and muster your forces together; assemble yourselves, and( for fear and expectation of the enemy) agree to go up into the defenced cities. 6 Set up the standards towards Zion, retire, stay not, for I will bring evil from the North. Draw your troops towards Jerusalem, and make hast, for I will bring evil upon you from the Babylonians, &c. The Chaldean is comne forth, like a fierce Lion out of his thicket, or den, even Nebuchadnezar, the great conqueror of the Gentiles, is upon his way, 7 The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way. &c. 10 Then said I, Ah Lord God, surely thou hast greatly deceived this people,& jerusalem, saying, ye shall have peace, whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul. Then said I, Ah Lord God, surely this people and Jerusalem, will be ready to cast upon thee the imputation of deceiving them; in that those, which have pretended to prophesy in thy name, have said, ye shall have peace, whereas there is nothing but slaughter, and vastation. Nebuchadnezar came( like a boisterous wind upon the bleak hills, 11 A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan nor to cleanse. ) up against Jerusalem; not to fan or winnow my people, but to blow them quiter away. Behold, he shall come up, as some black cloud that threatens a tempest; 13 Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his Chariots shall bee as a whirlwind. and his chariots shall come rattling swiftly as a whirlwind, &c. 15 For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim. I do already hear a voice from the remotest parts of the land which runs along towards Jerusalem, proclaiming with much horror and astonishment, the coming in of the enemy. Yea, the very nations round about, 16 Make ye mention to the nations, Behold, publish against jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of judah. take notice of that miserable desolation, which is coming upon. Jerusalem, and give intelligence to each other, of the fearful mischief, which is now towards them. The besiegers of Jerusalem shall keep so strict a watch over the city, as the keepers of the field are wont to do of those cattle which are committed to their charge, 17 As keepers of a field are they against her round about, because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the Lord. so as not one man shall be allowed to stir out of the walls; and all this, because of their rebellions. O the unspeakable sorrow and affliction, that I feel for the misery of my people; my bowels yearn, and my heartakes within me, 19 My bowels, my bowels, I am pained at my very heart, my heart maketh a noise in me, I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard( O my soul,) the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war to think of this woeful destruction which is approaching to Jerusalem; I cannot contain myself, but I must break forth into lamentation; because I do, as it were, hear before hand, the sound of the Trumpet of Nebuchadnezar, and his alarm to this miserable war. So also verse 20.21. Alas, 23 I beholded the earth, and lo it was without form and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. what a fearful confusion do I foresee every where; the earth shall be so laid waste, as if it had never had any form; the face of heaven shall yield no light of comfort to the earth. So verse 24. I looked, and saw all turned to a woeful solitude; 25 I beholded, and lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. there was not so much as one man to bee seen in a country; nay, the very birds of the air had forsaken this desolate place, as not yielding them any means of repast. Thou which now art richly clad in crimson, 30 And when thou art spoiled what wilt thou do? though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself faire, thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life. and scarlet, and decked with precious ornaments of gold, and which stainest thy skin with artificial paintings, and all this to procure and draw on thy wanton lovers, what wilt thou do? for those egyptians whom thou wouldst 'allure, will despise thee, and seek thy ruin. For I have heard a shrieking, and lamentation in Jerusalem, as the outcries of a woman in the very pangs of her travail, 31 For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travel. &c, CAP. V. ANd though they make an outward and fashionable profession of the name of the Lord, 2 And though they say, the Lord liveth, surely they swear falsesly. in worshipping him, in swearing by him, yet it is but in falsehood, and hypocrisy. 4 Therefore I said, Surely, these are poor, they are foolish: for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgement of their God. Therefore I said, by way of excuse, Alas these are poor and silly men, ignorant of their duties, taken up wholly with servile trades; and have neither means nor leisure to know the ways of the Lord, and the laws, and statutes of their God. 5 I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them, for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judgement of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds. I will get me to the nobler, and learneder sort, their Princes, and Priests, &c. and behold, I found these worse then the other; they have rebelliously broken the yoke of their obedience, and cast away the cords of Gods Law. 6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evening shall spoil them. Wherefore, I will give them into the hands of their cruel enemies, the Babylonians, which like ravenous beasts shall fall upon them and devour them, &c. 7 How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots houses. How canst thou expect pardon, and favour at my hands, O Jerusalem? thy children have forsaken me, and betaken themselves to the worship of false Gods; and when I pampered them with my blessings, they made an ill use of my mercies, and riotously ran forth into both bodily, and spiritual adultery; and impudently trouped together to work filthiness. 10 go ye up upon her walls, and destroy, but make not a full end: take away her battlements, for they are not the Lords. go ye Babylonians, go upon the walls of Jerusalem, and destroy them; but yet make not an utter waste, and perfect havoc of that sinful city; demolish the battlements, and turrets thereof, for now I the Lord do not challenge an interest in them. 14 Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Because they have disparaged my word in the mouths of my Prophets, and have said, it is but wind, they shall find it otherwise; Behold, I will make thy word to bee as fire, and this people as wood; so as this thy despised word shall be to the utter destruction of this nation. 15 lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel. Behold, I will bring a nation upon you from out of Chaldea, &c. 16 Their quiver is an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men. Their quiver shall be full of deadly arrows, that shall sand many to their graves, &c. 24 That giveth rain, both the former and the latter in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weekes of the harvest. That giveth seasonable rain in the autumn, and spring; and reserveth a dry season for the gathering in of the harvest. If ye have been abridged of these comfortable and meet seasons, 25 Your iniquities have turned away these things. ye may thank your iniquities, which have justly procured it, &c. CAP. VI. O ye children of Benjamin, 1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of jerusalem, and blow the trumpets in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem, for evil appeareth out of the North, and great destruction. the inhabitants of jerusalem, gather you together, and agree to flee out of that your city; and give warning to Tekoa, to do the like;& set your Beacons on fire in Beth-haccerem; that all may understand that the enemy is coming down against you, out of Chaldea, with great fury, and violence. The great leaders of those northern people with their troops, shall come before jerusalem, &c. 3 The shepherds with their flocks shall come unto her. Then shall the eager and furious commanders say, 4 Prepare ye war against her, arise and let us go up at noon: woe unto us, for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. hasten your preparations against her; arise, let us take the day before us; the time flees away, the evening hastens on, let no minutes be lost for our assault. At last yet, be thou warned, O jerusalem, lest, 8 Bee thou instructed, O jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee. ( if thou continuest obstinately) I do utterly cast thee off, and abhor thee, &c. They shall make an exquisite dispatch of the inhabitants; as the vine-gatherer, 9 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, they shal thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grape gatherer into the baskets. when he hath pulled off the most remarkable clusters, goes over the three again, and gleanes those bunches that remained; so shall the Chaldean enemies, search for the remainders of the Iewes, escaped in the ●irst destruction. Therefore, I neither may, 11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord: I am weary with holding in: I will power it out upon the children abroad. nor can contain myself from breaking forth into the expressions, of the fury of the Lord, I am weary with holding it in; I will freely declare, and denounce it amongst you, &c. In stead of seasonable, and conscionable reproofs, 14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying peace, peace, when there is no peace. they have gone about to salue up the spiritual sores of my people with flattering, and plausible words; saying, peace, peace, all shall be well; when there is nothing but fear, and danger. At least, if ye will not hear my Prophets, yet hearken to the sound of the Trumpet, which tells you of the approach of the enemy; but they wilfully said, wee will not hearken. 17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, harken unto the sound of the trumpet: but they said, We will not harken. To what purpose do ye think to please me with sweet incense, 20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba? and perfumes coming afar off from Sheba, offered on my altars? &c. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will prepare, 21 Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them, &c. and lay before this people means of ruin and subversion, by which, both the fathers and children shall perish together. 22 Behold a people cometh from the North, &c. See Chapter 1. verse 14. and Chapter 2. verse 15. and Chaper 4. verse 7. 27 I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou maiest know and try their way. As for thee, O my Prophet, I have set thee as in a watch-tower, to descry the ways of my people; yea, I have made thee as a strong tower, and fortress against all the rage of them: So that thou mayst fearelesly discover, and repove them. 28 They are brass, and iron, they are all corrupters. Whereas they pretend to be of the best metal, gold, or silver; they are indeed no better then brass and iron, they are all but falsifiers, and corrupters. 29 The bellows are burnt, the led is comsumed of the fire, the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away. Whereas we went about to melt them, under that pretence of pure silver, the labour is lost, the bellows are burnt, that led( which is mixed to make it run) is consumed of the fire; the founder trieth to melt it in vain, for that wickedness which is in them, is tough, and unremovable. 30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. If they will needs therefore go for silver, let them do so, but they shall then go for such silver, as they are, reprobate and drossy; for how ever they are reputed amongst men, God hath rejected them. CAP. VII. 11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of Robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord. YE think all is well, if ye present yourselves into my Temple; though you bring with you the guilt of manifold sins; ye come hither full of theft, of oppression, of injustice; Is my temple, think ye, for such clients? Is this house, which is called by my name, fit to be a den of thieves and robbers? Behold, I have well seen, and noted with how wicked dispositions, and hollow hearts ye come hither, saith the Lord. 12 But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it, for the wickedness of my people Israel. look back now unto my place, which was in Shiloh, where my ark was, for some time, kept; It is the holinesse of my ark that makes my Temple holy, and behold, that ark of mine was before in Shiloh: But did the presence of my ark there shelter that place from sorrow and desolation, &c. 18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire; and the women knead their doughty to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to power out drink offerings unto other gods. All the sort of them, of all ages, and both sexes, conspire together in their Idolatry, children, fathers, women, put their hands to the work, and all agree to offer cakes, in way of sacrifice, to the sun or moon, &c. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, 21 Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel, Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. ye brag much of your costly sacrifices, that ye offer unto me; go, take your bullocks, and sheep, and make yourselves good cheer with them. mourn thou solemnly, O jerusalem, 29 Cut off thine hair, O jerusalem, and cast it away; and take up a lamentation on high places. and express thy sorrow, by public acts of humiliation, that the world may take knowledge of it, &c. They have set up altars to their idols, 30 They have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. in my very Temple, to pollute it, &c. As 2 Kings 21.4. They have built altars to Moloch, in the high places of Tophet, 31 And they have built the high places of Tophet. &c. So great a slaughter shall bee therefore in Jerusalem, that there shall not be room enough in the valley of Tophet, for the burial of the slain; and thereupon, 32 Therefore behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter. that valley shall change the name, and bee called the valley of slaughter. CAP. VIII. THe calamity that I will bring upon the Iewes, 1 At that time saith the Lord, they shall bring out the bones of the Kings of judah, and the bones of his Princes, and the bones of the Priests, and the bones of the Prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of jerusalem out of their graves. and jerusalem, shall not rest in the living, but shall reach to the very dead; for the very bones of their Kings, and Princes, and Priests and Prophets, shall be torn up out of their graves. Thus saith the Lord; The fall of jerusalem is great, and fearful; but yet, if they had grace to repent, 4 Thus saith the Lord: Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? not desperate; If they would return to me, should not I turn in mercy unto them? How do ye Priests and Scribes say; 8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the Law of the Lord is with us? lo, certainly in vain made he it, the pen of the scribes is in vain. We are wise and learned; and the Law of the Lord is with us; when in the mean time ye live contrary to it? certainly, if this be to know& make a right use of the law, the law should seem to be to small purpose either in the making, or writing of it. Those that have made this profession of wisdom, 9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken, lo, they have reje●ted the word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them? have shamed themselves by their unanswerable practise; lo, they have cast off all care of doing that, which the word of God enjoins them, and how then can they challenge any true wisdom to themselves? See chap. 6. verse 14. 11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people, slightly, &c. 14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there, for the Lord our God hath put us to silence: and given us waters of gull to drink. Why do we sit still( ye say) while the enemy shall come and cut our throats? let us enter into our strong cities and stand upon our defence; and rest there till these Babylonians be departed: Alas, ye shall rest there indeed, but for ever; for the Lord our God hath there intended to give us up to the slaughter; he hath there appointed us that bitter potion which we must drink up, &c. 16 The snorting of his horses were heard from Dan, &c. See Chap. 4. verse 15: 17 For behold, I will sand Serpents, Cockatrices among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord. Behold, I will sand the Chaldees among you, cruel and implacable enemies, which will by no means bee won to relent, but shall oppress you, even unto death. fain would I put off this deep sorrow, that I have conceived, for the imminent destruction of my countrymen, 18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. and cheer up my heart with some kind of comfort; but I cannot. For behold, me thinks I hear already, the shrieks, and cries of the Jews, 19 Behold, the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people, because of them that dwell in a far country: is not the Lord in Zion, is not her King in her? Why have they provoked me to anger, with their graved images, and with strange vanities? because of the Babylonians, that are comne in, upon them, from Chaldea; and yet they are still ready to presume upon their title, and interest in God; and say, Is not the Lord worshipped by us, in Zion; do not we profess him? doth not he profess himself the King and God of Jerusalem? Alas; to what purpose is this idle formality? they profess me indeed( saith God) but they provoke me, the whiles, to anger, with their idolatries. The harvest is past, and the summer is ended; 20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. which might have given us hopes and opportunities of succours, yet we hear of none from Egypt, or any other our associates; so as we are now out of all hopes of deliverance. 21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people, am I hurt, I am black: astonishment hath taken hold on me. Alas, how am I afflicted with this miserable condition of my people? How do I mourn for them; how am I astonished to think of the mischief that is towards them? Oh that there were any possible means of redress of this calamity! 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? Oh that there were any medicine for this sore, or any physician to apply it, for cure! But alas, it will not, it cannot be, there is no remedy to be hoped for( so as this people are affencted,) there is no way but destruction. CAP. IX. 1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people. OH that I could sufficiently bewail( since I cannot redress) this woeful desolation of Jerusalem, and my people; Oh that I were all dissolved into tears for this lamentable slaughter which is coming upon them. They bend their tongue for lies, 3 And they bend their tongue like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth. and slacken it for the truth; having no courage to defend it, and too much to oppose it, &c. They pretend to be pure metal; behold, 7 Behold, I will melt them, and try them, for how shall I do for the daughter of my people? I will melt them, saith the Lord, and try them in the fire of affliction; for how can I do otherwise with them, since they are utterly unreformable? And if in the subversion of jerusalem my people shall hope to find succour in the mountaines, 10 For the Mountaines will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burnt up, so that none can pass through thē, neither can men hear the voice of the cattle, &c. and waste deserts, I cannot but weep, and wail, to think how they will be miserable disappointed there; for the rage of the enemy shall reach so far, as to burn up, and destroy their most retired places; and to make them unfit for the use either of man, or beast. A place of horror and desolation. 11 A den of dragons, &c. How lamentable it is that amongst all this people there should be so few( if any at all) that understands, 12 Who is the wise man that may understand this, and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord, hath spoken that he may declare it? and will faithfully declare what it is that brings this destruction upon the Land, &c. Behold, 15 Behold, I will feed thē, even this people with wormwood,& give them water of gull to drink. in stead of comfort I will give this people the bitterest anguish& sorrow, and will bring upon them the most grievous calamity that can be conceived. Call for those mourning women, 17 Call for the mourning women, that they may come, and sand for cunning women, that they may come that are wont to be hired for the public lamentations at funerals, and let them be set on work to practise the saddest expressions of their waylings and sorrow. For the Chaldeans have scaled our walls, 21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entred into our palaces, to cut off the children from without,& the young men from the streets. and entred into our cities, and are now breaking upon us, in our houses, to inflict a sudden, and cruel death upon us, wherein they will spare no age, or sex; but put all mercilessly to the sword. Behold, the day is comne, saith the Lord, 25 Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised. wherein I will punish all together, both Iewes which are circumcised, and their uncircumcised abettors; no difference shall be made in this slaughter. Yea, I will punish the circumcised, 26 egypt, and judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon,& Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart. in their inward and spiritual uncircumcision; The Gentiles that are in the remote corners of the world are indeed outwardly uncircumcised; but my people the Iewes are uncircumcised in their harts;& this uncircumcision is so much more odious then the other, by how much the filthiness of the soul is worse then that of the body. CAP. X. 2 And bee not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the heathen are dismayed at them. BEE not foolishly superstitious in observing those good or ill daies, and fortunes,( as they are called) which the vain heathen think to be notified in the stars, the signs of heaven; it is for those pagans to be dismayed with the predictions of those dismal events. 3 For the customs of the people are vain. For, howsoever those nations, the Chaldees, and egyptians carry a reputation of wisdom; yet sure their practices show them to be vain and sottish, &c. 5 They are upright as the palm three, but speak not. They must be( such as they are carved) upright, as the palm three, for they cannot bow themselves to alter their posture, &c, 14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge, every founder is confounded by the graved Image: for his melted Image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. Every workman is brutish, whiles he so imploies his skill, as to make a god to himself, by his own art; every founder, if he had but reason to consider it, must needs be confounded in himself at the sight of his own folly, in making that image which he will adore: wherein( mean while) there is nothing but falsehood, and deceit; for, though it counterfeit a kind of life, yet there is no breath in it. 16 The portion of jacob is not like them, for he is the former of all things. But the true God, who is the portion and happy inheritance of Jacob, is not like to these dunghill deities; he is the maker of all things, &c. truss, and pack up all thy precious commodities, O thou that inhabitest not the villages only, 17 Gather up thy wears out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress. but the strongest fortresses; and address thyself for thy flight, or captivity. 18 Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once. Behold, I will suddenly and violently cast out the inhabitants of the land, as a ston out of a sling, &c. Wo is me, for that grievous case, wherein I am, my affliction is exceeding sore, 19 Woe is me for my hurt, my wound is grievous but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it. and unspeakable; but, recollecting myself, at last, I resolved, surely, this is the mischief that I have brought upon myself,& which is justly allotted unto me; I will therefore bear it, as I may, since I cannot avoid the undergoing of it. 20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken; my children are gone forth of me, and they are not, there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains. My tent is spoiled,& those cords wherewith it should be stretched forth, are broken in pieces, so as mine habitation is wasted; and my children which should aid me, are carried away into captivity; and there is none that may afford me any help to the settling of me again. The spiritual leaders of my people are become brutish, being indeed, the chief cause of this great desolation; and have not sought the Lord, 21 For the Pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord. &c. See chap. 1.15. and 5. verse 15. 22 Behold the noise, &c. See Prov. 16.1. and 20.24. 23 O Lord I know, &c. O Lord, correct me, but in a gracious moderation, 24 O Lord, correct me, but with Iudgement, not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. not in the extreme rigour of thy justice, not( as we have deserved) in thy wrath, and displeasure. CAP. XI. ANd the Lord said unto me, 9 And the Lord said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of judah, and among the inhabitants of jerusalem. The men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem have banded together, and conspired wilfully in evil; and have resolved to hearten each other in wickedness; yea, they have made an agreement with Idolatrous Israel, that they will go on in their provocations of me. Every of thy cities, O judah, have had a several god, 13 For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O judah, and according to the number of the streets of jerusalem, have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. and every of thy streets, O jerusalem, hath a several altar consecrated to a shameful, and abominable idol; even altars to burn incense unto Baal. What have the Iewes( once my beloved people) to do in mine house( saith God) seeing they have committed spiritual fornication with many Idols, 15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing shee hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou dost evil then thou rejoicest. and those sacrifices, which now they pretend to offer, are not holy oblations, but profane and common flesh; yea, O my people, thou art comne to that height of impiety, as that thou rejoicest in evil. Thou seemedst, and accordingly hadst the name of a faire green olive three; and mad'st show of goodly fruit; but when thou turnedst wild, God hath set fire on thy boughs, and hath broken down thy branches. 16 The Lord called thy name, a green Olive three, faire and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. Let us not only burn his prophesies, but kill the man; 19 Let us destroy the three with the fruit therof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living. let us dispatch him from off the earth, &c, O God, I do not desire it in any malice to thē, or thirst of revenge; but in an holy zeal of thy glory, being by thee so directed, I committing my cause to thee, 20 Let me see thy vengeance on them, for unto thee have I revealed my cause. pray for a sight of thy just retribution to them. CAP. XII. IF striving with thine own townsmen at Anathoth thou hast not prevailed, 5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of jordan? how shouldst thou think to do good upon them of Jerusalem; since there is no less difference betwixt them in the heady course of their sins; then betwixt foot and horse; And if in thine own quiet country they have wearied thee, how much more must thou expect this success from the proud inhabitants of jerusalem? I the Lord, therefore, have for these wickednesses forsaken my Temple, I have left that which was my professed heritage; and that people, which was the dearly beloved of my soul( being now degenerated) I have given up into the hands of the enemy. 7 I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage, I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies. That which was my dear people doth now rebel against me, and roar out against me and my prophets, like a lion in the forest, 8 Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest. &c. 9 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bide, the birds round about are against her: come ye, assemble al the beasts of the field come to devour. Hereupon, the enemies of my people come up against them, by my just instigation; and all nations come up round about, as birds are wont to come wondering about some strange fowle; and invite each other to the spoil. See chap. 6. verse 3. I was once your pastor saith God; but, since ye would not be guided by me, now ye shall have store of other manner of pastors; that shall led you in your kind; that shall destroy my vineyard, 10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard. &c. 16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people to swear by my name( the Lord liveth, as they taught my people to swear by Baal,) then shal they be built in the midst of my people. I will make one Church of Iewes, and Gentiles; and if those nations shall frame themselves to the true worship of my name, and to the profession of the religion of my people, then will I establish them in my Church, as true and lively members thereof. CAP. XIII. 1 Thus saith the Lord unto me, Go get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. GEt thee a girdle( the emblem of thy people, whom I have heretofore kept close unto me) and put it upon thy loins, in figure of what I have done for the jews, and put it not in water, to show how carefully I have kept the people hitherto from all adversity. See verse 11. 4 Take the girdle that thou hast got which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates. Then the Lord charged me, by way of vision; Arise, go to Euphrates, &c. And behold, the girdle was marred, in figure that the Iewes should lye rotting, 7 And behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing. and forlorn in the dungeons and caves of Chaldaea, and Assyria. 12 Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Every bottle shall bee filled with wine, and they shal say unto thee; do wee not certainly know, that every bottle shall be filled with wine? Thus saith the Lord God of Israel; My people is like to an earthen bottle; and every bottle shall be filled up to the brim with wine; Then shall the hearers take this prophesy in great scorn; and say, what wonders are these thou tellest us; as if we knew not that the use of bottles is to be filled with wine; tell these things to children that understand nothing. Then shalt thou say unto them; 13 Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; Behold I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the Kings that sit upon Davids throne,& the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of jerusalem with drunkenness. even thus every inhabitant of this land, even, the Kings, Priests, Prophets, and all the inhabitants shall bee filled up with the wine of Gods wrath; and shall be( as it were) drunken therewith so as he shall no more know what to do, or which way to turn him, then a drunken man. And those earthen pots of yours shall be dashed one against another, 14 And I will dash thē one against another. &c. Before your feet( whiles ye are driving into captivity) stumble in your dark, 16 Before your feet stumble upon the dark mountaines. & nightly passages over the mountaines, &c. Those cities of egypt, which ye trusted to, for a refuge unto you, in your extremity, shall be shut up against you, for fear of the Chaldees; and none dare open them to receive you, there will be no remedy, judah must bee carried away captive. 19 The cities of the South shall be shut up, and none shall open them, judah shall be carried away captive. Lift up your eyes, 20 Lift up your eyes,& behold them that come from the North, where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? and behold the troops of the Babylonians, that come up against you? Alas, what shall now become of that people which hath had thee all this while in possession, O miserable judaea? Thou that now cavillest, and despisest my word; 21 What wilt thou say when he shal punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be Captaines& as chief over thee; shall not sorrows take thee as a woman in travail? what wilt thou then say, when these cruel Chaldees shal come upon thee;( thou hast already enured them to be captains over thee,& hast acquainted them with thy government, and given them advantages, by calling them formerly to thine aid) shalt thou not then bee overwhelmed with sorrow and distress? And if in thy secret murmur thou shalt expostulate, 22 And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? for the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare. and say; wherefore is all this mischief comne upon me? the answer is ready, and easy; for the greatness of thy unreformable wickedness, art thou thus exposed to the shane, and ignominy of the world. Alas, ye are so habituated in evil, 23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomend to do evil. that there is no hope at all of your reclaiming; as soon may the Blackmore turn white, or the Leopard spotless, as ye may turn good, after so long& obstinate persistance in your wickedness. I will put thee to the greatest shane and confusion that can be conceived; 26 Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shane may appear. that thou mayst appear odious to the eyes of all beholders. CAP. XIIII. 2 judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish, they are black unto the ground. judah mourneth, all the inhabitants that go through the gates of their cities, languish, they are discoloured with their famine, and are in the depth of their sorrow cast upon the ground, &c. 3 And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters, they came to the pits, and found no water. Their Princes, and Nobles sent the meaner people to bring them water in that extremity of drought, but none was to be had, &c. 6 And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons, their eyes did fail because there was no grass. Not men only, but the very beasts also shall feel the misery of this famine and drought; in so much as the wild asses shall stand upon the rocks, and pant, and gape for the air, and draw in the cool wind, to refresh their hot, and thirsty throats, as dragons are wont to do, in the sandy and scorching wildernesses; and their sight shall fail them for want of repast. 8 Why shouldst thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a way-faring man, that turneth aside to tarry for a night. Thou that wert wont to dwell, and continue amongst thy people, why shouldst thou be now, as a stranger, that passes through the land, and lodges there a night, and away. 10 They have not refrained their feet. They have not abstained from any evil way. 21 do not disgrace the throne of thy glory. do not utterly disgrace and cast off that kingdom, wherein thou hast hitherto ruled, and reigned; and wherein thou hast so manifested the glory of thy power. 22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain, or can the heavens give showers? And now, O ye fond Iewes, are there any of those vain Idols of the Gentiles, which ye have worshipped, that can cause the rain to descend upon this your droughty earth? &c. CAP. XV. 1 Then said the Lord unto me, Though Moses& Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people; cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth. THe time was, when Moses and Samuel, in their several seasons, interceded with me, for the ancestors of this people, and prevailed, but now, if they were both together upon earth, and should sue to me for this their posterity, they could not prevail with me, to draw my affections to them, or to divert my judgements from them. 4 Because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah King of judah, for that which he did in jerusalem. Because of that horrible Idolatry, and wickedness that was committed in Jerusalem, under the reign of Manasseh, whose impiety is so much more aggravated, in that he was the son of good Ezekiah. 6 I am weary with repenting. I have so oft suspended those judgements, which I threatened against thee, and so long forborn thee, as that now I can endure thee no longer, I will toss, 7 And I will fan them with a fan in the gates of the land. and scatter them in all the defenced cities of the land; as corn is shaken, and dispersed in the winnowing, &c. I have brought up against the mother city Jerusalem, 8 I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men, a spoiler at noon day; I have caused him to fall upon it suddenly,& terrors upon the city. a young and courageous victor, which shall spoil it, even the Chaldean, who shall make open havoc of it, I have set him upon it in my justice, and have brought these terrors and desolations upon it. Even the strong and vigorous woman, 9 She that hath born seven, languisheth, she hath given up the ghost; her sun is gone down while it was yet day. that hath been the mother of many children, now languisheth, and gives up the ghost; her life is untimely ended, &c. Wo is me, that ever my mother bare me to bee thus vexed with the contention, and opposition of all men; 10 Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast born me a man of strife, and a man of contention to the whole earth, I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury, yet every one of them doth curse me. Yet, I have done, I have deserved nothing, that might procure me this heart-burning,& spite amongst them; I only followed my calling, close, and intermeddled not with the affairs of the world; I have neither given, nor taken use, and yet every one is ready to revile me. If thy strength, O Judaea, be as iron, canst thou think thine iron so strong, 12 Shall iron break the Northern iron,& the steel. as that it can break the iron and steel of the Chaldeans. Least whiles thy long suffering, 15 Take me not away in thy long suffering. and patience bears with them, I, in the mean time, be murdered by them. So soon as thy words were delivered to me, 16 Thy words were found and I did eat them,& thy word was unto me the joy& rejoicing of mine heart, for I am called by thy name O Lord God of Hosts. I did receive them with a ready, and willing heart; yea thy word was my greatest joy, and honor; for I am called by thy name, O Lord; even the prophet of the Lord of hosts. I sate mourning, and solitary, in sad and thoughtful dumps, because of the sins of thy people, 17 I sate not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced, I sate alone because of thy hand, for thou hast filled me with indignation. and because of thy judgements; for, upon both these, my heart was full of sorrow; And that sorrow was increased by the envy and indignation, which this prophesy( committed unto me) hath brought upon me. O Lord, thou hast promised to deliver, and free me; 18 Wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar,& as waters that fail. and wilt thou be as one that breaks his word; and as some land-waters, that make a great show, after a shower, but sink away, and disappoint the passenger. If thou bethink thyself of this thine impatience, 19 Therefore thus saith the Lord, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them. and of thy too much regard to this murmuring, and disobedient people, I will so confirm thee, that they shall bee forced to aclowledge thee my faithful servant; And if thou do wisely make difference betwixt erroneous doctrine, and the truth, and betwixt the godly and profane persons, then will I admit thee to bee my mouth unto my people; do not thou yield way unto them in their lewd courses, but let them( if it may be) come in to thee. 20 And I will make thee unto this people, a fenced brazen wall, &c. See Chap. 1. verse 18. CAP. XVI. 6 Neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them. THere shall be no body left in the land to make any passionate expressions of their mourning for them being dead; so as to cut their flesh, or to shave their hair: either to wound, or deform themselves for their sakes. 7 Neither shall any ( as in the margin) break bread for them in mourning to comfort them for the dead; neither shal men give thē the cup of consolation to drink for their father. Neither shall there be any left to make funeral feasts for them, to comfort them in their mournings for the dead; neither shall they( as the manner is in those feasts) give them the cup of consolation to drink down their sorrow for the deceased, &c. 14 Therefore behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said: The Lord liveth that brought up the Children of Israel out of the land of egypt; The dayes come, wherein God shall not so much be celebrated by the memory of his deliverance of his people out of egypt, which was long since done, 15 But the Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the North,& from all the lands, whither he had driven them. As by the fresh remenbrance of the great mercy that he hath wrought for his people the Jews, in bringing them back from their captivity in Babylon, and all those lands, whither they were driven, &c. 16 Behold, I will sand for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them, and after will I sand for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. But, in the mean time, their desolation shall be grievous, and universal; I will call for the Chaldeans, which shall be as so many fishers, to drag them out of their good land; and as so many hunters to chase them from their homes, and to drive them from all their refuges. 18 Because they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things. They have pestered, and defiled this land, which I choose for my inheritance, with the carcases of their abominable sacrifices, which they have made to their Idols, and with those very shameful idolds to which they have sacrificed. 19 And shall say: Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein is no profit. The Gentiles shall come, and say; Surely our fore-fathers have been miserable mis-led, and trained up in gross idolatry, and false superstition; &c. 20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? He that is man and not God, shall he be able to make gods? shall that power which is finite and weak, take upon him to make that which is infinite? 21 Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know; I will cause them to know my hand and my might, &c. Therefore, I will with this one judgement convince them of my might, and omnipotence, and they shall know that there is no Lord, no God beside me. CAP. XVII. THe state of Judah is desperate; 1 The sin of Judah is written with a pen of Iron, and with a point of a diamond, it is graved upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars. their sin is not slightly sprinkled upon their skins, but is deeply engraven in their hearts; even with a pen of iron, with a point of a diamond; so as it may not be denied, and cannot be amended; and if they would smother their secret inclinations, yet their Idolatries are publicly written, upon the horns of their altars; that all the world may see them. So as their children and posterity, 2 whilst their children remember their altars and their groves, by the green trees upon the high hills. seeing these monuments of their altars and groves, cannot but call to mind( and into practise also) the superstitions of their forefathers. O thou, my chosen and defenced mountain, in which my people do so vainly trust, thou shalt be as unable to gard them from the fury of the enemy, as if thou wert but a plain field; all thy riches, and treasures shall be a spoil to the Chaldean; and thine high places wherein thou hast sinned, shall be wasted alike throughout all thy borders. 3 O my mountain, in the field I will give thy substance, and all thy treasures to the spoil, and the high places for sin, throughout all thy borders. And thou( O my people, 4 And thou, even thyself shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee, and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever. the Jews) shalt be taken away from this thy native land of inheritance, which I gave thee, &c. ye have stirred up such mine anger, and indignation against you, as will not be again appeased for ever. That man shall be like the heath in a dry wilderness, that shall not partake of the sweet showers when they fall, &c. 6 For he shall bee like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh. The wicked and deceitful man shall be disappointed of his hopes of gain; as the partridge sits on those eggs, 11 As the Partridge sitteth on eges, and hatcheth thē not: so he that getteth riches& not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his dayes, and at his end shall be a fool. which she never laid, and can never hatch, and bring forth to perfection; so he that fraudulently, and unjustly gathers wealth, shall not enjoy it, but shall leave it, in the midst of his dayes, and in the end, shall find that he hath been a fool. God hath highly honoured Judea above all the nations of the world, in that he hath erected in her, 12 A glorious high throne from the beginning, is the place of our Sanctuary. the place of his Sanctuary; which is that high and glorious throne, wherein God from the beginning ordained,& decreed to seat himself. They that take part against me, 13 And they that depart from me shall bee written in the earth. how ever they boast themselves to be the holy and noble offspring of faithful Abraham, and Gods peculiar people, yet their memory shall be either base, or forgotten; their names shall bee written in the dust of the earth, &c. 15 Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now. Behold, this obstinate,& incredulous people, is ready to say, Where is this word of the Lord, which we hear so much talk of? we have been told of grievous things; of plagues, and famines, and the sword; but where are they? Why do they not come; as it is foretold us? 16 As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee, neither have I desired the woeful day, thou knowest: that which came out of my lips, was right before thee. As for me, O Lord, it is thou that hast called me; and I have not dared to bee averse from following thee, in that charge, which thou hast laid upon me; neither have I been ambitious, and desirous of this sad, and busy task, as thou well knowest, and that which I have spoken, is thy true message and no other. As ye Jews have shamefully broken all my other commandements, so also this of my Sabbath; but now, recollect yourselves; and reform this abuse; see that you do no servile work on that day; bear no burden on that day of the Lord, in, or out at the gates of jerusalem. 21 Thus saith the Lord, Take heed to yourselves,& bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of jerusalem. So verse 22. 23 But made their neck stiff, &c. But wilfully hardened their hearts; and resolved to persist in their obstinacy, &c. 25 Then shall there enter into the gates of this city Kings and Princes, sitting upon the throne of David. Then shall your Kings and Princes be established in this throne of David, and shall rule over you, and maintain that royal magnificence, which is meet for them, amongst you, &c. CAP. XVIII. 12 There is no hope, &c. See Chap. 2. verse 25. 13 ask ye now among the heathen, &c. See Chap. 2. verse 10.& 11. 14 Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the could flowing waters, that come from another place, be forsaken? WIll any man be so foolish, as when he may make use of the pure snow of mount Lebanon, which he may take up from the clean rock of his own field, to seek afar off for some dirty puddle? Or when he may have the cool flowing waters from his own crystal Spring, to go lad out of the muddy channel? 17 I will show them the back, and not the face in the day of their calamity. I will not so much as look at them, in their distress, but turn my back upon them, as they have done upon me. 18 Then said they, Come, and let us device devices against jeremiah: for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the Prophet. Let us lay a plot for jeremiah; he is a false Prophet doubtless: for( whatsoever he saith) it cannot be, that God should utterly take his Law from the Priest; or his counsel from the wise, or his word from the Prophets; but so he hath done, so he shall do, if this man may bee heard; come, let us raise slanders, and accusations against him, &c. CAP. XIX. HAve filled this valley with the blood of those children which they have offered unto Moloch. 4 And have filled this place with the blood of innocents. In this place, 6 Therefore behold, the day is come, saith the Lord, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter. wherein you have pleased your Idols with innocent blood, shall your blood bee abundantly shed; so as, this valley shall change the name, and in stead of Tophet, be called a valley of slaughter. I will utterly cross the hopes, and conceits of judah, and jerusalem, concerning this very place; for whereas they thought to have endeared themselves to me the more, by so zealous oblations of their own children, 7 And I will make void the counsel of judah and jerusalem, in this place, and I will cause thē to fall by the sword before their enemies. they shall find how much I hate this their cruel Idolatry, by that destruction, which I will bring upon them, by the sword of the enemy, &c. I will make this whole city of jerusalem, 12 Thus will I do unto this place, saith the Lord& to the inhabitants thereof, and even make their city as Tophet. like unto Tophet, a place of slaughter, and burial for the inhabitants. CAP. XX. NOw Pashur the son of Immer the Priest, who was next in place to the high Priest;( as being his vicar, or assistant in the government of the Temple) heard that jeremiah, one of his own order, prophesied these things. 1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the Lord, heard that jeremiah prophesied these things. The Lord hath not called thee Pashur which signifies an enlarging of thy rule; or diffusing of terror, 3 The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib. and paleness unto others; but he hath now called thee, Magor-missabib; that is, fear on every side; which shall hereafter possess thee, and thine. O Lord, this people are still crying out that I am deceived in this my prophesy; but, if I be deceived, 7 O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived, thou art stronger then I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. O ye fond country-men, know that I am deceived by him that can neither deceive, nor be deceived; even by thee O Lord, the God of truth; It is thou that hast put me upon this task, I could not, I durst not withdraw my obedience from thee; and now, I am, for doing my duty, made a scorn, and derision to the world. For since I spake from thee, I am so ranted, and reviled, 8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil, because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision daily. and persecuted on all sides, that I cannot but complain and cry out of their intolerable violences, and cruelties; for I do daily suffer reproach, and scornful insultations on all hands, for delivering thy message. 9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, but his word was in mine heart, as a burning fire shut up in my bones. Then was I ready in my weakness, to give in, and to resolve not to speak any more these unpleasing things, in his name; But I had not the power to hold in that word which I had received, it was as a burning fire within my bosom, yea in my very bones, &c. 10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side, report, say they, and we will report it, &c. For I heard the defaming of many, and especially of him whom I have justly name, fear on every side: which said, raise scandals and accusations against him, and we will second them, &c. 13 14 15 Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord, for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hands of the evil man. Cursed be the day, &c. I have cause to sing praises unto the Lord, who hath delivered me from the very mouth of the pit; out of that miserable condition, wherein I was overtaken with so weak, and sinful an impatience, as to curse the day, wherein I was born, &c. CAP. XXI. 4 Behold I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the King of Babylon. I Will utterly disable all your forces, and your weapons that are in your hands, from hurting or opposing your enemies, or helping yourselves, &c. O thou King of judah, the heir of Davids throne; Do thou stir up thyself zealously and faithfully to do justice in thy place; 12 O house of David, thus saith the Lord, Execute judgement in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled, out of the hand of the oppressor. deliver, and right the oppressed, &c. Behold, I am against thee, O jerusalem, who hast vainly trusted hitherto in thy strength, and situation; it is not that defenced valley, 13 Behold, I am against thee, O inhabitant of the valley,& rock of the plain, saith the Lord, which say, who shall come down against us, or who shall enter into our habitations? wherein a great part of thee( towards mount Libanus) is seated, nor the forts of thy plain, that can keep out my power, or the power of that enemy( the Chaldean) which I shall stir up against thee. I will kindle a fire in the forest of Libanus, and by the goodly Cedars thereof will set jerusalem on a flamme, 14 I will kindle a fire in the forest thereof, and it shall devour all things round about it. which shall devour it to ashes. CAP. XXII. 4 For if ye do these things, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house Kings, &c. See chap. 17.25. 6 For thus saith the Lord unto the Kings house of judah, thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon, yet surely I will make thee a wilderness,& cities which are not inhabited. THus saith the Lord unto the Kings house,( which is his ancient court,) upon the hill of Sion; As mount Gilead is the prime hill of all those mountaines, which go under the name of Lebanon; so art thou the most eminent, and remarkable place in all judea; yet surely thou shalt( through my just judgement) become a very wilderness. They shall cut down those choice Cedar-beames wherewith thou art built; and cast them into the fire. 7 And they shall cut down thy choice Cedars, and cast them into the fire. Never take up lamentations for them that are slain in the siege, for they are past their pain; 10 Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him, but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his n●tive country. but weep for those miserable men, that are lead into captivity; for they shall endure a lingering death, and never return back to their home. Woe be to thee, jehoiakim, 13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness,& his chambers by wrong, that useth his neighbours service without wages, and giveth him not for his work. which buildest a goodly royal palace, out of the extreme oppressions of my people; putting them to servile works for that purpose without all recompense of wages for their labour. Which saist; I will not take up with the old and mean buildings of my Ancestors, 14 That saith, I will build me a wide house,& large chambers. I will set up a sumptuous pile, fit for a King to dwell in, &c. Dost thou think to reign ever the more happily, 15 Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in Cedar? did not thy father eat and drink and do judgement and justice, and then it was well with him? and securely, for that thou hast closed up thyself in cedar? Thy father, good King josiah, lived in much content, and happiness by doing justice, and right unto his subjects; and prospered in so doing. They shall make no public lamentation for him, 18 They shall not lament for him, saying; Ah Lord, or Ah, his glory. at his funeral, as they are wont to do for their former Princes. But his carcase shall be shamefully left unburied, exposed to the fowls of the air, or to ravenous beasts, 19 He shall be butted with the burial of an ass. even as the carcase of an ass, which is left to rot in a ditch &c. go up then( O miserable judah) go up to the highest mountaines, that look towards Assyria, or egypt, 20 go up to Lebanon, and cry& lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages; for all thy lovers are destroyed. and call for the aid of those thine associates, in whom thou hast trusted; thou shalt find small comfort in them, they shall be destroyed together with thee. All thy great friends, and Patrons shall vanish into wind; and thy confederates shall go into captivity, 22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity. &c. O ye citizens of jerusalem, 23 O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy rest in the Cedars, how gracious shalt thou bee when pangs come upon thee, the pain of a woman in travail? which dwell in goodly houses made of the Cedars of Lebanon; in how woeful a plight shall ye be, when your calamity shall come upon you? where will then be your pride and delicacy; wherewith ye now please yourselves? As I live, saith the Lord, if Iechoniah the son of jehoiakim King of judah, were as near, and as precious to me, as the signet upon the right hand useth to bee to him that wears it, yet I would pluck him thence, 24 As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of jehoiakim King of judah, were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence. and cast him away, into captivity. 28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken Idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out? &c. Is this man( Jechoniah) then so vile, and base a thing, as thou makest him? is he a likely man to be cast out, together with his family, and seed, into a foreign captivity? O ye inhabitants of the earth, take diligent heed to this which I shall now deliver unto you. 29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord. Take notice, that it is enacted in heaven, that this Jechoniah shall never have issue, 30 Thus saith the Lord, writ ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his daies, for no man of his seed shall prosper, &c. that shall sit upon the temporal throne of David; no man of his seed, in succeeding times shall so prosper, as to be King in Judah. CAP. XXIII. 3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock, out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds,& they shall be fruitful and increase. IN that happy time of restauration, I will gather the remnant of mine elect people, out of all countries( both them of Judah, and of Israel) into the bosom of my Church; where they shall be fruitful of all good works. I will set over them, holy, conscionable, able pastors, which shall feed them with the food of life, 4 And I will set shepherds over them which shall feed them. &c. 5 Behold the daies come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, &c. See Isai. 4. verse 2. 6 In his daies judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely, and this is his name whereby he shall bee called, The Lord our righteousness. In his daies those that belong to his true Church, shall be saved; and delivered from their spiritual enemies; And he shall be endued with infinite wisdom, righteousness, and holinesse; in so much, as we shall be made the righteousness of God in him. 14 They shall no more say, the Lord liveth which brought the children of Israel out of the land of egypt, &c. See chapter 16. verse 14. and 15. 9 Mine heart within me is broken, because of the Prophets, all my bones shake, I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holinesse. My heart within me is extremely grieved and vexed, because of the false prophets, which misled the people; I am in a great agony, and distress for them; I am not myself for extremity of passion, to think of those heavy judgements, which the Lord hath intended, and threatened( in his holy, and just vengeance) to bring upon this people. The land groaneth, 10 For because of swearing the land mourneth, the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. and mourneth under that fearful and ordinary profanation of the name of God, by false, and rash oaths; the pleasant pastures of those plains where their flocks had wont to feed; are now dried, and parched; because the men of Judah take wicked courses, and employ their power to violence, and oppression. They shall fall, 12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on and fall therein, &c. and perish in the just punishment of their sins, as those that in the night time, walk in slippery places; so shall they be driven hastily forward, and fall, and mis-carry under the vengeance. If we shall make comparison betwixt the late prophets of Israel, or the ten Tribes, with those of Judah, and Jerusalem; surely the Prophets of Israel, or Samaria, were foolish, and superstitious; they prophesied in the name of Baal, and caused my people to err 13 And I have seen folly in the Prophets of Samaria, they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. through their false doctrine, and idolatrous practices. But I have noted the Prophets of Judah and Jerusalem to be extremely vicious in life, and abominably filthy; 14 I have seen also in the Prophets of jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evil doers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as sodom, and the inhabitants therof as Gomorrah. they do not onely commit shameful adulteries, and make a trade of lies; but they hearten and encourage wicked men in their lewdness; so as no man can be reclaimed in regard therefore both of their sin, and punishment, they are in no better case to me, then the inhabitants of sodom and Gomorrah. See chapter 9. verse 15. 15 Behold I will feed thē with wormwood, &c. fear not the sad predictions of this man( say these false Prophets) for he speaks at random; 18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? howsoever he pretends; who hath been of counsel with God? What man hath been so familiar with the Almighty, as to take messages from him? Behold, God shall rush suddenly, 19 Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind, it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. and violently upon these men; and shall carry them away, like some furious whirlwind, which cannot be either avoided, or resisted. At last, ye shall by woeful experience find all this verified, and shall then be deeply affencted with it. 20 In the latter daies ye shall consider. I gave no commission to these prophets, yet they run, 21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. as of their own heads, &c. If they had received directions, and errands from me, 22 But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, thē they should have turned them from their evil way, &c. and had delivered them accordingly, to my people, they should have laboured to have turned them from their lewd courses. What do ye make of me, saith the Lord? 23 Am I a God at hand saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? do ye think me a God that may be eluded, or fled from? do ye think that I take notice onely of that, which is done near hand? and not of that which is done afar off? They are their own prophets, they are not mine; they have broached the deceivable imaginations of their own hearts. 26 Yea they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart. 28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream, and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully, what is the chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord? Away with all fraud in this holy service; That prophet which hath but dreamed, let him confess it is but a dream; and he that hath indeed a vision, and word from me, let him deliver it as my message, faithfully; for what hath this chaff of idle dreams, to do with the pure grain of my visions, and revelations? 29 Is not my word like as a fire, saith the Lord, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Is not my word a powerful word? is it not as a fire to burn up all the chaff, and stubble? is it not as an iron hammer to break the hardest, and most rocky hearts in pieces? 30 Therefore behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my word every one from his neighbour. I am against those prophets, saith the Lord, that fraudulently, and cunningly keep back the word of the Lord from the people; and that take from each other( by compact and agreement) those prophesies, which themselves have falsely devised, and unjustly ascribed unto God. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues and say; He saith. I am against those prophets, which by their smooth tongues persuade the people, it is the word of the Lord, which they deliver; when it is nothing but their own fancy. 33 And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest shall ask thee, saying; what is the burden of the Lord? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the Lord. When they shall ask thee in scorn; Now, prophet, what is the burden from the Lord? thou shalt answer them; What is the burden, do ye ask? lo this is the burden, I will utterly cast you off, saith the Lord. 34 And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people that shall say, The burden of the Lord, I will even punish that man and his house. And that man, whether Priest, or Prophet, or whosoever, that shall scornfully ask thee this question, I will plague both him, and his house. 35 Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the Lord answered; and what hath the Lord spoken? Neither would I have, indeed, any mention amongst men, of any burden in my messages; as if there were nothing but heavy tidings sent by me to my people; In stead thereof, lot them rather say, What hath the Lord spoken? &c. 36 For every mans word shall be his burden. Though there were no prophet to denounce judgement against men, yet every man would be a prophet to himself; his very conscience would sufficiently lay before him the just judgement of the Almighty. CAP. XXIIII. ANd now all these threatened judgements, 1 The Lord shewed me& behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the Lord, after that Nebuchadrezzar King of Babylon had carried away captive Ieconiah the son of jehoiakim King of judah, and the Princes of judah, with the carpenters and Smiths from jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon. being accordingly executed, upon Judah and Jerusalem, in so much as the King of Babylon had now carried away Jechoniah King of Judah, and the Princes of Judah, and their artificers, unto Babylon; yet so as that some of the people remained still in the land, under Zedekiah King of Judah, who exalted himself against Nebuchadnezar the King of Babylon; God, willing to show the estate of both those sorts of people,( those which yielded to go into the captivity, and those that resolved to stand out and stay at home) shewed me two baskets of figs, as the emblem and figure of them both. Thus saith the Lord; 5 Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; like these good figs, so will I aclowledge them that are carried away captive of judah, whom I have sent out of this place, &c. That basket of good figs represents those Iewes, which are carried away into the captivity of Babylon; who as they are humbled, and bettered by their affliction, so shall be dealt with by me, accordingly. For I will take special care of them, 6 For I will let mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land. both to preserve them there, and to bring them back again, &c. The other basket of ill figs, which cannot be eaten, represents those Jews that stay still stubbornly behind, 8 And as the evil figs which cannot be eaten, they are so evil: Surely thus saith the Lord, so will I give Zedekiah the King of judah, and his Princes, and the residue of jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of egypt. and will needs follow Zedekiah, to rebel against the King of Babylon, and those that seek harbour in egypt; and these shall speed accordingly, for I will give them up into the hand of the Chaldees, &c. CAP. XXV. BEhold I will bring against thee the Chaldeans and those other their northern associates, 9 Behold I will sand, and take all the families of the North; saith the Lord, and Nebuchadrezzar the King of Babylon my servant, &c. with Nebuchadnezar the King of Babylon whom I shall employ for my executioner in this service, &c. I will take fro● you all mirth and gladness; yea, all commodities for the use, and convenience of living; 10 And the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. so as your life shall be doleful and miserable. For those proud and imperious Chaldees, which held my people in servitude, for seventy yeares, 14 For many nations& great Kings shall serve themselves of them also. will I give to be a prey to other great Kings and nations, and they shall share their dominions amongst them, &c. 15 Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand; and cause all the nations to whom I have sent thee, to drink it. See Isa. 51.17. And do thou denounce all these judgements unto all those several nations to which I sand thee; and assure them that they shall all drink of this bitter cup, in their due seasons. 16 And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will sand among them. They shall not be able to avoid those fearful judgements which thou threatnest from me; but shall so undergo them, as that they shall be astonished therewith, and grow madly impatient; because of the destruction that I will sand amongst them. Then I took the cup at the Lords hand, and gave it to be pledged of all those nations to whom the Lord had sent me. 17 Then took I the cup at the Lords hand, and made all the nations to drink; unto whom the Lord had sent me. 20 And all the mingled people, and all the Kings of the land of Vz. To all those mingled people of several nations which are hereafter mentioned, &c. And the Kings of those countries which are beyond the sea, 22 And the Kings of the Isles which are beyond the sea. whether Isles, or continent. Take ye deep of this cup of fury and vengeance, do not think that a taste, 27 Drink ye and bee drunken, and spew, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will sand among you. or small draft will serve the turn; No, an easy revenge will not content me, saith God; ye shall be so punished, and plagued by my just hand, as that ye shall not be yourselves; but in an amazed distractednesse, ye shall fall, and perish. 28 Ye shall certainly drink. See verse 16. 30 The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation, he shall mightily roar upon his habitation, he shal give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. The Lord shal declare from heaven his great fury, and indignation against the wicked, he shall roar like a fierce lion, and shout out aloud, and call up the Babylonians to their task of slaughter, as they that tread the grapes, do, by their loud cries, encourage each other to the work. As an earthen vessel that is curiously wrought, whiles it holds sound, 34 And ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. is well esteemed; but if it once fall, and break, is worth nothing, and is only fit to bee cast upon the dunghill; so shall ye be unto me. 38 he hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate. He hath forsaken his Temple, as a lion forsakes his den; whiles he abode in that Temple of his, he was as a strong lion to defend his people; but now, he hath given them up to desolation, and spoil, &c. CAP. XXVI. 6 Then will I make this house like Shiloh. See chapter 7. verse 12. ANd sate down in that new gate of the Temple, 10 And sate down in the entry of the new gate of the Lords house. which King Iotham had built, to appease the tumult and to hear the cause of jeremiah. See Genes. 6.7. 13 The Lord will repent him, &c. But though there was vehement importunity used for the putting of jeremiah to death, 24 nevertheless, the hand of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, was with jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death. both by the priests and people, yet Ahikam the son of Shaphan wrought so for him, that he was delivered out of their hands. CAP. XXVII. IN the beginning of the reign of jehoiakim, 1 In the beginning of the reign of jehoiakim the son of josiah King of judah, came this word unto jeremiah from the Lord, saying, when all things were quiet, and successful; this word of the Lord came to jeremiah, to be executed afterwards in the reign of Zedekiah. The Kings of Edom, and of Moab, 3 And sand them to the King of Edom, and to the King of Moab, and to the King of the Ammonites, and to the King of Tirus, and to the King of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to jerusalem unto Zedekiah King of judah. and the King of the Ammonites, and of Tirus, and Zidon will sand ambassadors to Zedekiah, to treat of a confederacie against the King of Babylon; do thou therefore sand unto them these fetters, and yokes, to let them know, that they shal all come under the yoke& bondage of the King of Babylon. See Chapter 25. verse 9. 6 The King of Babylon my servant. until the time be expired, which God hath prefixed for the period of that monarchy; and then many nations, 7 until the very time of his land come, and then many nations and great Kings shall serve themselves of him. and great Kings shall come and divide it amongst them, as a common pray. If ye submit yourselves to the Babylonians, ye shall both be preserved, and, in due time, restored. 12 Bring your necks under the yoke of the King of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. And there they shall be, until the time of their restauration, and restitution by Cyrus, 22 And there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the Lord, then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place. whom I will stir up to be gracious unto my people. CAP. XXVIII. I Will deliver, and free my people from the captivity, 2 I have broken the yoke of the King of Babylon. and bondage of the King of Babylon; Within the space of two full yeares, 3 Within two full yeares. &c. Thou, O Hananiah, hast broken the yokes of wood; 13 go, and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, thou hast broken the yokes of wood, but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. but I am commanded, from the Lord, to make them yokes of iron; to signify that this bondage, which thou saidst should be within two yeares, utterly freed and discharged, shall be continued in a more grievous, and cruel manner, then before, and that without all possibility of escaping, or mitigation; until the prefixed time of seventy yeares be expired. CAP. XXIX. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. I Know what I have decreed concerning you; even favour, and deliverance in my appointed time, and not extirpation, and destruction, so as ye shall, at the last, have that happy issue which ye desire, and expect. 17 And I will make thē like vile figs that cannot be eaten, &c. See Chapter 24. verse 8. For every one that in a frantic humour, takes upon him to be a Prophet; 26 For every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, &c. and delivers his own distracted fancies for visions from God, &c. CAP. XXX. 3 For lo, the dayes come saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and judah, saith the Lord, and I will cause thē to return to the land, that I gave to their fathers. HOwsoever God will not so suddenly free his people from their captivity, as is falsely foretold by some flattering prophets, yet surely he hath set the time, wherein he will most certainly accomplish it, &c. It is not for a man( we know) to travel with child; how then is it, 6 ask ye now and see whether a man doth travel with child: wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travel, and all faces are turned into paleness. that the men hold their hands on their loins, and move their bodies in a woeful complaint of pain, as if they were women in the very throws of their delivery; and all faces by the paleness thereof bewray fear and astonishment? It is the time of the most grievous trouble, and calamity to the posterity of Jacob; 7 It is even the time of Iacobs trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. but, at last it shall end well; and they shall be delivered from it. 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up unto them. They shall serve the Lord their God, and Christ his son, the successor of David, in his spiritual government, whom I will in due time sand into the world. 12 For thus saith the Lord, thy bruis is incurable. Thine affliction( in regard of any human help) is utterly remediless, &c. 13 There is none to pled thy cause, that thou maiest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. There is none so much, as to solicit for thy cure, and redress; nor any means left, whereby it may be( in mans reason) effected. 14 All thy lovers have forgotten thee, they seek thee not, for I have wounded thee with the wound of an enemy. All those confederate nations that professed friendship to thee, have quiter forgotten thee; for I have deeply afflicted thee, by the cruel hand of the Chaldeans, &c. Because they have insulted upon thy misery, and despised thee, as an out-cast and forlorn people, saying; 17 Because they called thee an outcast, saying, this is Zion whom no man seeketh after This is that goodly hill of Zion; once the pride, now the scorn of the world. CAP. XXXI. THe people, 2 Thus saith the Lord; the people which were left of the sword, found grace in the wilderness, even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. which were left of the sword in the siege and sacking of Jerusalem, found favour in the land of their captivity; even the remainder of the Iewes, when I took order for their settling, for the time, in the land of Chaldea. O jerusalem, thou shalt be built again; 4 again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O Virgin of Israel, thou shalt again bee adorned with thy Tabrets, and shalt go forth, in the dances of thē that make merry. and shalt have again minstralsie, and mirth within thy walls: O my Church, thou shalt be happily restored, and filled with true spiritual joy. Those fruitful hills of Samaria, which have lain long waste, shall be stored with excellent vines; 5 Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountaines of Samaria, the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. and those that plant them, shall eat the grapes plentifully, and make no spare of them. Yea, not only those of judah, 6 For there shal be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God. but even those of the ten Tribes of Israel, which have been long dispersed, and neglected, shall be gathered together to jerusalem; and be encouraged by their spiritual watchmen, to join together in submission to the true Church. Behold, 8 Behold, I will bring them from the North country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind, and the lame, the women with child, and her that traveleth with child together. I will bring them back again from Babylon and fetch them up from all coasts, and will make them a type of my Evangelicall Church; into which I will call all sorts of persons, even those that are most full, and most conscious of their own infirmities, &c. I will led them aright by the guidance of my word, in the safe, and happy ways of life, holily, 9 I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, in a strait way wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first born. and inoffensively; for I am a father to my faithful ones. Therefore they shall come, and sing in the great Congregation, and most eminent assemblies; and shall meet cheerfully together, to enjoy the holy things of God, 12 Therefore shall they come& sing in the height of Zion,& shal flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock, and of the heard: and their soul shal be as a watered garden,& they shal not sorrow any mor eat all his word and Sacraments, and their soul shall be refreshed, as a new-watered garden in a drought; and they shall have no more cause of dejection, and hopeless sorrow. methinks I hear a voice in the high place, or mountain,( whence it may sound furthest;) a voice of mourning and lamentation; Rachel the mother of joseph and Benjamin, seems to mourn for her children( those of Ephraim and the other tribes) long since desolated; 15 Thus saith the Lord, A voice was heard in Ramath, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refused to bee comforted for her children, because they were not. and will not admit of any comfort, because they are scattered, and vanished without all hope of restauration, or return. Thus saith the Lord to mourning Rachel, refrain thy weeping, for those sons of thy womb, the distressed Israelites; 16 Thus saith the Lord, refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears, for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord, and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. for that desolated region shall flourish again; thou shalt receive comfort after thy sorrow; and those children, of thine, shall return from the land of their captivity. In that end, which God hath prefixed to thy sorrows and sufferings, there is hope, yea assurance, that thy children shall come again to their native country. 17 And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again, &c. I have heard those of the ten Tribes bemoaning themselves, 18 I have surely heard, Ephraim bemoaning himself thus, Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, &c. after their captivity, thus; Thou hast afflicted me, O Lord,& I am humbled; I was as a wild young bullock, unaccustomed to the yoke, but now, thou hast caused me to stoop unto it, &c. Surely after that thou hadst wrought upon me, and showed me my sin, I repented, 19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented. &c. 20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord. Would any man think that Israel, thus afflicted, and( as it were) neglected, were my dear son? that he were a child wherein I take pleasure, and delight. Yet he is so, and howsoever I have dealt severely with him, both in my words and actions; yet I do in mercy still remember him; and the bowels of my compassion yearn towards him. 21 Set thee up way-markes; make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward the high way, even the way which thou wentest: turn again. Thou shalt return to thine own land, O my people, and therefore set thee up way-markes, as thou goest; heap up stones, for the direction of thy passage, through the wilderness; and set thy thoughts to remember all the turnings of the way; and address thyself towards thy return, &c. 22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the Lord created a new thing in the earth: A woman shall compass a man. How long wilt thou waver, and stagger in thy belief, O thou rebellious Israel? for the Lord, which hath undertaken this deliverance, shall do a strange and marvellous thing in the earth; Though the strength of the enemy be great, and terrible, and the weakness of my people is noted, and despicable, so as they are but as women, in comparison of their manly adversaries; yet these weak effeminate Iewes shall prevail against those stout, and manly Chaldeans. When I shall have brought them back from their captivity; 23 When I shall bring again their captivity, the Lord bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holinesse. and planted them again in their land of judah; they shall with joyful acclamations aclowledge the goodness of God, and pray for a continuance and increase of mercy, saying, the Lord go on to bless and prosper thee, O Jerusalem, which now from thy ruins, and edsolation, art raised up to bee an habitation of justice; and bless thy Temple, wherein now holinesse shall re-inhabite. Upon these sweet, and comfortable visions, 26 Vpon this, I a waked, and eheld, and my sleep was sweet unto me. wherein the Lord revealed to me his good pleasure concerning his Church, I awaked; and was exceedingly cheered up, and delighted with the remembrance thereof. I will cause my Church( which now seems to lye wast, 27 Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel, and the house of judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. and barren) to yield so plentiful an increase of converts to me, as the rich ground doth of the seed which is sown in the furrows of it,; and will also multiply unto it all outward helps for the maintenance and strength thereof. In those dayes, after I shall have humbled my people, 29 In those dayes, they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the childrens teeth are set on edge. & restored, and comforted them again, they shal give me the praise of my justice and mercy, and shall not be ready to murmur against my proceedings as too severe, and unjust, so as they have been apt to do in saying; The fathers have offended, and the children are punished. But shall willingly aclowledge that every man of them hath smarted for his own iniquity; 30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity, evrie man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shal be set on edge. and hath had sins enough of his own, to warrant Gods proceedings against him. Behold, the dayes of the Messiah are coming, 31 Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will make a a new Covenant with the house of Israel: wherein I will make a new covenant with my Church. Not according to the form of that legal covenant, which I made with their fathers, 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers. &c. But this shall be my covenant of grace, with them, under the gospel( which shall bring with it the power of regeneration, and salvation by Christ; 33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those dayes, saith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and writ it in their hearts, and will be their God. In those daies of mine Evangelicall Church, I will work mightily in the hearts of my people, and will bring them, by the inoperation of my spirit, to the obedience of my law; which being formerly written in tables of ston, shall now bee engraven so in the hearts of men, that they shall out of love, and willing obedience frame themselves thereunto, &c. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord. And there shall bee so clear a light of my gospel, shining forth unto men, as that they shall not so much need the help of others instruction, in the grounds and principles of religion; but shall be enlightened from God, with a competent measure of knowledge, even from the meanest and weakest novice in Christianity, unto the greatest proficient therein, &c. Hath ordained a due, constant, and regular motion of the moon, and stars, for a light by night. 35 And the ordinances of the moon, and stars, for a light by night. 36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. If that course which I have set in nature, for the motions of the heavens, may be altered, then, may it be possible for my Church to fail upon earth. 37 If heaven, &c. then I will also cast off all the seed of Israel, for all that they have done, saith the Lord. There can bee nothing more impossible, then that I should utterly cast off my people( notwithstanding their ill deservings of me) so as that not a remnant of them should be preserved. 38, 39 Behold, the daies come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. The dayes shall come saith the Lord, that this city of Jerusalem( which yet stands in her full glory) shall after the rasing and destruction of it, be fully built up again, in all the whole compass of it, from the one end to the other; And( which is thereby typified) my Evangelicall Church shall be built upon the ruins of the Jewish, 40 And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse-gate towards the East, shall be holy unto the Lord. in a complete form, and bee wholly consecrated to the Lord. So also verse 40. CAP. XXXII. 5 There shall he be until I visit him, saith the Lord. THere shall he be, until the time that I shall put an end to his captivity by death, &c. 8 Buy my field I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin, for the right inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine, buy it for thyself, then I knew that this was the word of the Lord. Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth; It is true indeed, that the enemy is now in possession of it; so as no man may, or dare look forth towards it; yet out of an assurance that it shall in due time be freed, and redelivered, do thou give me money for it, before hand; since thou art the next of kin, and the purchase pertains unto thee by the Law. And accordingly I bought the field of Hanameel, my cousin german, that was at Anathoth, 9 And I bought the field of Hanameel my uncles son, that was in Anathoth, and weighed him the money, even seventeen shekels of silver. and paid him the money for it. Lay up these evidences sure, in an earthen vessel, where they may bekt ep from rotting, for a long time; 14 And this evidence which is open, and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many dayes. as those whereof I shall have most certain use hereafter; For this land shall be in due time repossessed, &c. Thou punishest the sins of the fathers in those children, wherein they do still live; 18 And recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them. who being as it were parts of their parents, it cannot bee but their parents must justly( in temporal things) suffer in them. Behold, 24 Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it. those mounts which are cast up for the siege of Jerusalem, &c. They have utterly neglected me, and wilfully refused to give ear, 33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face. and respect to that which I delivered unto them, &c. They have set up their abominable altars to their Idols, in the Temple which is consecrated to my name, 24 But they set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to defile it. to defile it. I will unite them both in their judgements, and in their affections, and in their practices; 39 I will give them one heart and one way, &c. so as they shall happily agree together, both to think and to do the same things. There shall be an ordinary course of bargains, 44 Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about jerusalem. and purchases; and all those forms of legal transactions, which are wont to be in use upon these occasions, &c. CAP. XXXIII. IN those cities which are built upon the hills, 13 In the cities of the mountaines, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the South, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Ierusalen, and in the cities of judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the Lord. and those which are low built in the valleys; even in all the region of Judea, and Samaria, shall be a peaceable habitation of my people; so as the shepherd may there in their fields,& pastures, securely feed his flocks, and tell their number at his own leisure. Behold, the dayes draw on, 14 Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the children of Israel, and to the house judah. wherein I will perform those gracious promises of mercy, and deliverance, which I have made to my people of judah, and Israel. 15 At that time will I cause the branch of righteousness to grow up unto David, &c. See Isa. 4.2. 17 For thus saith the Lord, David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel He that is the true son of David, shall evermore sit in the throne, and rule and reign over his Church, to the end of the world. Neither shall there be any interruption of that perfect Priesthood, 18 Neither shall the priests, the levites want a man before me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meate offerings, and to do sacrifice continually. which shall be performed, by that all-sufficient Mediator, who shall offer up a full sacrifice to his Father, and present our prayers& spiritual sacrifices unto God. 20 If you can break my covenant of day and night, &c. See Chap. 31. verse. 36. CAP. XXXIIII. 5 But thou shalt die in peace, and with the burnings of thy fathers the former Kings which were before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee, &c. but thou shalt die of thy faire death; not violent, but natural; and shalt be honourably butted, after a princely manner, with store of sweet odours burnt about thy coffin, and in the vault where thou shalt be laid. After that King Zedekiah, being admonished of this point of the law, 8 After that the King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at jerusalem to proclaim liberty unto them. had dealt with the people effectually, to dismiss those of their own nation, out of their service, in the end of the seventh year, according to the prescript of the law, and proclamation was made hereof accordingly. 10 Then they obeied and let them go. They yielded for the time, and gave way for the performance of this edict; and gave freedom to their Jewish servants. 11 But afterwards they turned, and caused the servants, and the handmaids, whom they had let go free to return, and brought them in subjection for servants and for handmaids. But afterwards they repented of their good act, and injuriously recalled their lately-dismissed servants, and handmaids, into their former servitude. Behold, I do give full liberty to the sword, and to the pestilence, and to the famine, 17 Behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence,& to the famine. to seize upon you, &c. Ye know, ye made a covenant with me, in that ancient solemn manner, 18 And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof. that was used by your father Abraham; wherein you, dividing the calf into halves, passed between the two halves of it, wishing, by way of execration, to be so divided, if you did not observe this promise, and covenant of yours; and now, ye have palpably broken this part of your covenant with me; therefore I will give the transgressors hereof into the hand of their enemies. Into the hand of the King of Babylons army, 21 Into the hand of the King of Babylons army, which are gone up from you. which is now for the time departed from your siege, to go up against egypt, but, however ye have vainly imagined, shall return to your cost. See chap. 27.5. CAP. XXXV. ANd I brought some of the house of Jonadab the son of Rechab, into the court of the Temple, 4 And I brought them into the house of the Lord, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah a man of God, which was by the chamber of the Princes. and led them into one of those chambers, which are appointed therein for the Priests,& Levites; even into the lodging of one of the holiest of the Priests, next to the chamber of the chief governor of the Temple, &c. And in that holy place, I did set before those sons of Rechab, pots of wine, and cups, and, as of my own motion, wished them to drink wine. 5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine. For Jonadab the son of Rechab, three hundred yeares ago, charged all us that should come of his loins, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever. 6 For jonadab the son of Rechab our father, commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever. That ye may live long in the land where your forefathers, the Kenites were, and ye now are strangers. 7 That ye may live many daies in the land where ye be strangers. CAP. XXXVI. I Must keep close, upon the command of the Lord, 5 I am shut up. See Chapter 27.4. and not stir forth. Now the King sate in the winter house; for it was in the month of November, when the season grew to bee somewhat could, and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. 22 Now the King sate in the winter house, in the ninth month,& there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. But the Lord raised up means of hiding, 26 But the Lord hide him. and concealing him from the fury of King Jehojakim. CAP. XXXVII. IN stead of Jechoniah the son of Jehojakim, 1 In stead of Coniah the son of jehojakim. who took upon him to reign, for three moneths, and then yielded to the King of Babylon. Then Jeremiah the prophet, 12 Then jeremiah went forth out of jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the mids of the people. taking the advantage of the removal of the Chaldean army, from the siege of jerusalem, went forth with the rest of his country-men, to go into his native place, in the tribe of Benjamin, to live apart there, for a time. Thou hast hitherto set out the power, 13 Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans. and future success of the Chaldees, and now thou art secretly slinking away to them. 21 Then Zedekiah the King commanded that they should commit jeremiah into the court of the prison and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers street, until all the bread of the city were spent. Then Zedekiah the King being moved with some compassion towards jeremiah, commanded him to a larger custody, where he had some more liberty, and gave charge that he should have( notwithstanding the extreme scarcity of the time,) every day a piece of the ordinary and common bread of the city allowed unto him, &c. CAP. XXXVIII. 4 he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city,& the hands of all the people in speaking such words unto them. he discourageth the souldiers within the city, and all the inhabitants of jerusalem, that they have no heart to make resistance unto the King of Babylon, &c. 5 For the King is not he that can do any thing against you. For my power, you see, is grown into disregard amongst you; you have the law in your own hands. 7 The King then sitting in the gate of Benjamin, When the King was sitting in the public place of judicature; Ebedmelech went purposely out of the Court unto him, 8 Ebedmelech went forth of the Kings house, and spake to the King, saying, saying, &c. And those women shal make excuses for thee, and say; Thy Princes and followers have set thee on, to do that which thou wouldst otherwise never have attempted, 22 And those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee, thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back namely, to revolt from the King of Babylon; their power and importunity hath thus swayed thee; and through their solicitation, thou art brought into this miserable inconvenience; and they have themselves also revolted. CAP. XXXIX. 9 And those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained. THose that stirred up Zedekiah to this defection, and joined with him, in that revolt, together with the rest of the people, of any better fashion. 14 And committed him to Gedaliah, &c. that he should carry him home, so he dwelled among the people He commanded Gedaliah, to whom was committed the chief rule of all the affairs of Jerusalem, by Nebuchadnezar, that he should take jeremiah home to his house; so jeremiah lived at large, in free liberty, amongst the people. 17 Thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. Thou shalt not be delivered into the hands of the courtiers of Zedekiah, whose envy thou hast drawn upon thee for my sake. 18 But thy life shall be for a prey unto thee, because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. Thy life shall be reserved safe unto thee( whatever become of thy outward estate) and shall be given thee, as a reward of thy kindness to my prophets, and religious confidence in me, saith the Lord. CAP. XL. AFter this charge given, 1 The word which came to jeremiah from the Lord, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the gard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of jerusalem and judah, &c. concerning the custody of jeremiah, yet he was, amongst the other captives,( which were carrying away towards Babylon) driven forward in his chains, as far as Ramah; at which place, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took notice of him, and from thence gave him his liberty, and free option, either to return, or to go forward. 4 Behold I loose thee this day from the chains, &c. Now when those captaines of the Iewes( which had before saved themselves, by flight, 7 Now when all the captaines of the forces which were in the fields, even they, and their men heard that the King of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahiakam governor in the land. upon the first report of the approach of the Chaldean army, which were dispersed in the country) heard that the King of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor. CAP. XLI. fourscore of those Iewes which remained still in the land of judea, came in a mournful fashion, 5 Even fourscore men, having their beards shaved and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring thē to the house of the Lord. to condole the late misery of their brethren, and their whole land; and brought with them oblation, and incense to offer unto the Lord in his Temple. counterfeiting a mutual sorrow with them, and expressing it very passionately all the way. 6 Weeping all along as he went. CAP. XLII. WHether it be pleasing to us, or, 6 Whether it bee good, or whether it be evil. whether it be grievous, and displeasing, we will be sure to do it, &c. See Genesis 6.7. 10 For I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you. CAP. XLIII. ANd amongst the rest, johanan took with him( by strong hand) jeremiah the Prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah, 6 And jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah. down into egypt. Nebuchadnezar, 10 I will take Nebuchadnezar the King of Babylon my servant, and I will set his throne upon these stones that I have hide,& he shall spread his royal pavilion over them. whom I employ in the executions of my judgements upon divers nations; and I will cause him to reign over this land of egypt; and to erect his throne in this court, and city of Tahpenes. 12 And he shall array himself with the land of egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment. And he shall go forth, thence, richly laden and arrayed with the wealthy spoils of egypt; as a shepherd, in a bleak wind, wraps his cloak round about him, and so walketh compassed with that unweldy garment, &c. 13 He shall break also the images of Bethshemeth that is in the land of egypt. And he shall break down all the images in the stately Temples of Heliopolis, which is the mother-city of that infamous superstition, &c. CAP. XLIIII. 14 For none shall return but such as shall escape. NOne shall return into the land of judah, but such as shall speedily withdraw themselves out of egypt,& make an escape from this wicked johanan, who hath brought us hither. 17 To burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to power out drink-offerings, &c. To burn incense to the Sun, or moon; and to offer sacrifices unto them, &c. Did not our husbands both aid and animate us in those sacrifices which we thus offered? 19 Did wee power out these drinke-offerings to her, without our husbands? I will not endure that so much as an outward profession shall be made of my name, and worship, by any man of judah, in the land of egypt. 26 I have sworn by my great name, saith the Lord, that my name shall no more be name in the mouth of any man of judah, in all the land of egypt CAP. XLV. 3 Thou didst say, Wo is me now, for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow. THou madest great moan for the extreme misery of thy people; and cryedst out, Woe is me for the grievous calamity that is comne upon us, &c. 4 Behold, that which I have built, will I break down, and that which I have planted, I will pluck up, even this whole land. I have determined to execute my decreed judgements against this whole land; it is not for thee to repined, or be too much moved at this just severity. And is it time for thee now, in this extreme desolation, 5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not, for behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord, but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. and danger of all things, to be casting for any great matters for thyself? For, behold, I will bring a common destruction upon this people round about; and thou mayst think thyself well dealt with, if thou canst go away with thy life; this is the best booty that thou canst hope for, which way soever thou goest. CAP. XLVI. 6 Let not the swift flee away, nor the mighty man escape, they shall stumble and fall toward the North by the river Euphrates. swiftness of foot shall not avail the nimble, neither shall strength avail the mighty man; they shall all be cut off; and fall by the hand of the Babylonians. 7 Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers? What mighty monarch is this that cometh in like a swelling flood, and threats to sweep all before him like an impetuous torrent? It is even the proud King of egypt, 8 egypt raiseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers, and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth, I will destroy the city, and the inhabitants thereof. that riseth up thus like a flood; and swelleth like a furious river; who is ready to say; I will go up to Chaldea itself, and will( by my powerful inundation) cover all the face of the earth, I will destroy Babylon, and kill the inhabitants of it. Mount on your horses, O ye egyptians, 9 Come up ye horses,& rage ye charets, and let the mighty men come forth, the Ethiopians and the Libyans that handle the shield& the Lydians that handle and bend the bow. and drive your chariots, with a furious speed; let our mighty associates of Ethiopia, and Lydia, &c. come forth, and join their invincible forces with ours. For this is the day wherein the Lord God of hosts hath a great slaughter to be made, and much effusion of mans blood, in the country of Chaldea, 10 For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries, &c. by the river Euphrates. go ye vain egyptians, go up to Gilead, and take thence good store of balm with you, to cure the wounds which ye shall receive of the Chaldees; and yet, these precious applications shall bee to no purpose, 11 go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines, for thou shalt not be cured. for thou shalt be past all possibility of curing. All the nations round about have taken notice of thy shameful flight, and thine out-cries have filled the land; for in that numerous army of thine, when it was once disordered, and put to flight, 12 The nations have heard of thy shane, and thy cry hath filled the land; for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, and they are fallen both together. one of thy mighty men stumbled upon another, and hindered each other in their escape, so as they are fallen together, under the sword of the enemy. Let it be openly declared, and published in all the coasts of egypt, in Migdol, Eastward; in Noph, to the South, and in Tahpanhes, to the North, 14 Declare ye in egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph, and in Tahpanhes; say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee, for the sword shall devour round about thee. that the Babylonian shall come in upon them; bid them look to themselves, and stand upon their guard, for danger and destruction is near unto them. The foreign souldiers, which were drawn into this war, shall fall out one with another; and, whether in their mutinies, or in their flight, 16 He made many to fall, yea one fell upon another, and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword. shall be an occasion of one anothers slaughter; and when it is too late, shall say, let us away from hence,& return to our own country, and get us out of the reach of this destroying sword of the Babylonians. For as for this Pharaoh, the King of egypt, whom we came to aid in his warres; he is nothing but words; 17 They did cry there, Pharaoh King of egypt is but a noise, he hath passed the time appointed. he talks, and brags much; but he performs nothing; he undertakes, and disappoints, so as no trust is to be given to him. 18 Surely as Tabor is among the mountaines, and as Carmel by the sea, so shall he come. Mount Tabor is not more surely fixed among the rest of the mountaines, nor Carmel is more unremovably seated upon the sea-coast, then this word of mine is firmly fixed in heaven, and shall undoubtedly bee performed: The King of Babylon shall come against egypt. 20 egypt is like a very faire heifer, but destruction cometh, it cometh out of the North. egypt is wild, and wanton with her wealth and pleasure, as some young faire heifer never used to the yoke; but destruction is now coming upon her from the Chaldees. 22 The voice thereof shall go like a Serpent, for they shall march with an army, and come against her with axes, as hewers of wood. They shall no more loudly bellow out, but shall bee glad, like a Serpent, to creep into holes, and by their secret hissings, and silent complaints to express their sorrows, for the Chaldean army shall march against them, and shall utterly overthrow them. 23 They shall cut down her forest, saith the Lord; though it cannot be preached; because they are more then the grasshoppers, and are innumerable. If egypt bee as a thick well-growne forest, they shall cut down all the goodly trees therein; although they bee, indeed, so many, that they are past numbering. Behold, I will punish that populous city of Alexandria, 25 Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh. the rich staple of egypt; and Pharaoh, &c. CAP. XLVII. 2 Behold, waters rise up out of the North, and shall be an overflowing flood: BEhold, the Chaldeans arise out of the North, like mighty waters, and with their swelling flood shall over-flow the land of the philistines, &c. 3 At the noise of the stamping of the hoofes of his strong horses, at the rushing of his Charets, and at the rumbling of his wheels, the fathers shall not look back to their children for feebleness of hands. Men shall be so amazed, and affrighted with the fearful noise of his army; the stamping of his horses, and rattling of his Chariots; that the fathers shall not so much as find time to look back to their children, in the hast of their flight. Extreme mourning is comne upon Gaza, and all those maritime parts of the country of the Philistimes; 5 baldness is come upon Gaza; Ashkelon is cut off with the remnant of their valley: how long wilt thou cut thyself? in so much as they tear their hair, and cut their flesh for sorrow. CAP. XLVIII. 1 Against Moab, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, woe unto Nebo, for it is spoiled: Kiriathaim is confounded and taken, Misgab is confounded and dismayed. HOwsoever Moab( an ancient enemy, though near in blood to Israel) may prosper for a time, after that both Israel, and Judah are overthrown, yet he shall not escape the severe hand of God; Woe therefore unto the chief cities of the Moabites; to Nebo, to Kiriathiearim, and to Misgab, for they all shall be destroyed. The like ruin shall befall to the rest of their cities, to Heshbon, and to Madmena; the Chaldees have resolved, and threatened to cut off Moab from being a nation, 2 There shall bee no more praise of Moab: in Heshbon they have devised evil against it: come and let us cut it off from being a nation. &c. In the mountaines and valleys shall be nothing but howling and desolation; 5 For in the going up of Luhith, continual weeping shall go up: for in the going down of Horonaim, the enemies have heard a cry of destruction. whiles the Moabites climb up the hill to the high-seated city of Luhith, and whiles they pass down to the plain of Horonaim; they shall not be able to contain themselves from lamentation; so as their very enemies shall hear their womanish, and fearful ejulations. Away, and flee, if ye may, O ye Moabites; 6 Flee, save your lives, and bee like the heath in the wilderness. save your lives by a speedy flight; and get you into the wilderness, and live there, though ye be but like the shrubby heath, that hath a low and obscure being in the desert. And Chemosh thy false God, 7 And Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his Priests, and his Princes together. unto whose aid thou hast trusted, shall go into captivity with thee; and his Priests, and those Idolatrous Princes that worship him; ye shall all go together. And now, O ye Chaldeans, 10 Cursed bee he, that doth the work of the Lord deceitfully,& cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. bestir you in this slaughtei, lay about you, and spare none, it is Gods revenge which ye do now execute; Cursed bee ye if ye slacken your hands, and keep back your sword from blood. Whiles Israel was in continual exercise, 11 Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed. and correction, Moab hath a long time taken his ease; and hath been as a vessel of strong wine, that hath been long settled upon his lees; not at all racked, or drawn out into another vessel; so as he hath his full vigour, and verdure of his long-continued pleasure and felicity still in him, without all diminution, or change. I will therefore sand enemies upon Moab, 12 Therefore behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will sand unto him wanderers that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessells, and break their battles. which shall alter the case with him; which shall broach these their settled vessells, and draw them out into a grievous captivity; and break their cask in pieces. And Moab shall be ashamed of his god Chemosh, 13 And Moab shall bee ashamed of Chemosh, as the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence. as the house of Israel was ashamed of their calves in Dan, and Bethel, wherein they vainly trusted. How is this strong and glorious nation, 17 How is the strong staff broken, and the beautiful rod. on whom we learned, as the staff of our confidence, broken in pieces, &c. And thou, O Dibon, the faire city of Moab, 18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst: for the spoiler of Moab, shal come upon thee; and he shall destroy thy strong holds. come down from thy glory, and take up with the lot of thy neighbours; thirst, distress, destruction. And ye inhabitants of Aroer, who durst not trust to your walls, 19 O inhabitant of Aroer, stand by the way and espy, ask him that fleeth, and her that escapeth,& say, What is done? but are fled into the desert, run to the way-side, and ask of the still-fleeing passengers, even of the women that have escaped; what the Chaldees have done to your forsaken walls and houses. And judgement is comne upon all the parts of the land of Moab; both the mountainous tracts thereof, and the plains; upon all the several cities that appertain thereunto, as upon Holon, Jahazah, Mephaath, 21 And judgement is come upon the plain country, upon Holon, and upon Iahazah, and upon Mephaath. &c. So verse 22, 23, 24. The pied of Moab is cut off, and the strength of it is broken, saith the Lord. 25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the Lord. Lay deep and grievous afflictions upon him, O ye Chaldees; 26 Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the Lord, Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision: let him drink largely of your vengeance; for he lifted himself up against the Lord; Let him be overfilled with sorrow and anguish; and bee exposed to the scorn and derision of the world. For was not Israel a scorn and derision unto thee? Yea was he not causelessly so? 27 For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy. for what had he offended thee? however guilty he were in his carriage to mewards, Yet to thee he was inoffensive; not withstanding thou insultedst in his fall, and joyedst in this miscarriage. O ye Moabites, run from your cities, and defenced places, 28 O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities and dwell in the rock. and hid yourselves in the holes of the rocks, &c. I know his great stomach, and his proud brags, but it shall not bee so with him, 30 I know his wrath saith the Lord, but it shall not be so, his lies shall not so effect it. as he imagineth, his great words, and presumptuous undertakings shall not carry it. 32 O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee, with the weeping of jazer: thy plants are go●e over the Sea, they reach even to the Sea of jazer. O thou city and region of Sibmah, famous, for the excellency and fruitfulness of thy vines, I will weep for thy destruction, as I wept before for the vastation of Jazer thy nighbour; thy citizens are transplanted, and carried over the sea, they are carried down to be shipped at the port of Jazer, 34 From the cry of Heshbon even unto Elealeh. &. See Esa. 15. verse 4. and 5. and verse 6. 34 As an heifer of three yeares old, &c. waters of Nimrim shall be desolate. 37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. There shall be all the signs and effects of an extreme mourning, all over the coasts of Moab; every head shall be shaved, every beard clipped, every skin slashed, and every of their loins covered with sackcloth. See Esa. 15. verse 8. 38 There shall bee lamentation generally upon all the house tops, &c. The Chaldean shall come swiftly upon him, as an Eagle upon his prey, and shall spread his wings over Moab. 40 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, he shall fly as an Eagle,& shall spread his wings over Moab. See Esa. 24. verse 17. 43 fear and the pit and the snare shall be upon thee, &c. They that fled, 45 They that fled, stood under the shadow of Heshbon, because of the force: but a fire shall come forth out of Heshbon, and a flamme from the midst of Sihon, and shall devour the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones. thought they should find good shelter in the strong forts of Heshbon; but they shall be deceived, for so far shall Heshbon be from being able to defend itself, that the destruction which shall begin there, shall reach unto all the utmost parts of the dominions of Moab, and shall light upon the head of those insolent undertakers, that were the cause of these warres, and tumults. The people that worshipped their false god Chemosh, perisheth, 46 The people of Chemosh perisheth. &c. CAP. XLIX. HAth Israel no posterity at all to inherit his lands? 1 Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? Why then doth their King inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his city? How comes it then that the Ammonitish King takes upon him to inherit Gad, the possession of one of his tribes; and causeth his people to dwell in the cities of Israel? Then shall Israel come to take possession of the land of the Ammonites, 2 Then shall Israel bee heir unto them that were his heires, saith the Lord. which had usurped the possessions of Israel. howl, O Heshbon, 3 howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled: cry ye daughters of Rabbah. the chief city of the Gadites( usurped by Ammon) for Ai the neighbour city is spoiled, and let Rabbah the great city of the Ammonites mourn, &c. Wherefore dost thou glory in thy rich and fruitful valleys, O thou proud and rebellious issue of Ammon, 4 Wherefore gloriest thou in the valleys, thy flowing valley, O backsliing daughter? & c? Those of Teman in the land of Idumea had wont to be accounted wise men; What, 7 Concerning Edom, thus saith the Lord of hosts, Is wisdom no more in Teman? Is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished? is there no wisdom now left amongst them? hath their wit utterly failed them, that they cast not how to bee freed from the danger of the Chaldeans? Let the inhabitants of Dedan, a city of Edom, flee; 8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan, for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him. For I will bring upon them that calamity which is justly owing to the sons of Esau, whom I have rejected; &c. 10 I have uncovered his secret places, and he shall not bee able to hid himself: his seed is spoiled. But I have wholly despoiled Edom; and have left him no hiding place; I have stripped him of all his forces; his seed is destroyed, &c. If thou have any orphans, or any widows left, I will take order for them, 11 Leave thy fatherless children, I preserve them alive, and let thy widows trust in me. saith the Lord; Yea, I will take order that thou shalt have none left alive. 12 For thus saith the Lord, Behold, they whose judgement was not to drink of the cup, have assuredly drunken, and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? For thus saith the Lord, Behold, even my people the Jews, which in comparison of thee, had no reason to be put to these extremities of judgements, they have been plagued severely, by my just hand, and shalt thou think to go unpunished? &c. 13 For I have sworn by myself, saith the Lord, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a wast and a curse, and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes. I have firmly and irrevocably decreed, that thy prime city, Bozrah, shall bee perpetually desolated, and the daughter-cities that appertain to it, shall be laid waste for ever. I have certain and infallible revelation from the Lord; 14 I have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent unto the heathen, saying, Gather ye together, and come against her, and rise up to the battle. ( and summons is gone out from him unto the Chaldeans, and Assyrians to that purpose) that God will sand a powerful and irresistible enemy against Edom; he calls together the dreadful forces of these great Kings to set upon it. 16 O thou that dwellest in the cliffs of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldst make thy nest as high as the Eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord. O thou, that hast wont to brag of thy strong and impregnable forts, and Situation; that thy towers are high, and invincible; know, that if thou shouldst build as high, as the Eagle makes his nest, I will bring thee down thence, saith the Lord. 19 Behold, he shal come up like a lion from the swelling of jordan, against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her, and who is a chosen man that I may appoint over her? for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? who is that shepherd that will stand before me? Behold, the proud Edomite comes up against the Chaldean, like some fierce lion that is driven by the swelling of the streams of Jordan to change his den, and to seek his prey in the mountaines; but I will suddenly make him to run away from that mighty enemy; And who is the man whom I shall choose out to be the leader of this great design? Even Nebuchadnezar the King of Babylon; I have thus decreed it; and, who shall alter my determinations? Who will take upon him either to direct, or to oppose me? 20 Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out. Surely the very meanest and basest of the Chaldean army shall discomfit, and overthrow the proud inhabitants of Teman, &c. So great shall be the noise of the fall of those walls, 21 The earth is moved at the noise of their fall: at the cry, the noise thereof was heard in the read Sea. and the shouts, and shrieks of the people; as that it shall be heard very far off; even as far as the read Sea, which is very remote from it. Concerning Damascus. 23 Concerning Damascus, Hamath is confounded and Arpad, for they have heard evil tidings: they are faint hearted, there is sorrow on the Sea, it cannot be quiet. Antiochia and Arpad cities of Syria are dismayed, and confounded; for they have heard the fearful rumours of the Chaldean preparation; and are faint-hearted; and the Isles that lye near about are extremely affrighted. How is it that so goodly and famous a city as Damascus, so praised, so admired, 25 How is the city of praise not left, the city of my joy? hath not the favour to bee spared from sacking and vastation? I will cause a fire to bee kindled in the wall of Damascus, which shall consume the palace of Benhadad, 27 And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces of Benhadad. that ancient and cruel enemy of Israel. Arise, O ye Chaldeans, 28 Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the East. go up against those of Kedar, or Arabia; and spoil those that dwell towards the eastern cost. Arise, get ye up unto the wealthy nation of the Kedarens, 31 Arise, get you up into the wealthy nation that dwelleth without care, saith the Lord, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone. that dwell without care in their tents; abounding with flocks and herds in the desert; where they dwell apart without cities, or towns. I will overthrow the archers of the Parthians, 35 I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. and their confines, on the Sea coasts; and break their bows wherein their chief strength consisteth. And I will bring upon them, enemies, 36 And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them towards all those winds. from all the coasts of heaven, which shall prevail against them, and scatter them to all the coasts of the world, &c. And I will be known to triumph over those Parthians, 37 For I will cause Elam to be dismayed, before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the Lord, &c. and will erect amongst them a throne for that King whom I have designed to it; having utterly destroyed all their native Kings and Princes. But at the last under the reign of the Messiah will I call these Elamites into my Church, saith the Lord. 39 But it shall come to pass in the latter dayes, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the Lord. See Act. 2.9. CAP. L. 2 Say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces, her Idols are consumed, her images are broken in pieces. THat Babylon, which hath been a scourge to my people, and to all the nations round about, is now taken itself, and seized upon in my wrath; Their great Idol Bel, in whom they trusted, is confounded, their great Monarch is overthrown; and all their petty gods, and Images are broken in pieces. For the mighty nation of the Medes and Persians shall come up against her, 3 For out of the North there cometh up a nation against her. &c. In those daies the children of Israel, and the children of Judah shall( through the favour of the Persian monarchs) go up together, 4 In those daies, and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of judah together, going& weeping; they shall go and seek the Lord. weeping for joy, to return to their country, and to the place of Gods worship and service. Their Kings, and Priests, and Prophets have mis-led them into abominable Idolatries; 6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountaines; they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place. they have seduced them to superstitious devotions, on their high places; persuading them to go, one while to one idol, another while to another; till they had forgotten the Temple of God, to which God had appointed them to confine their service. Get you gone, O ye Jews, go with joy and gladness, out of Chaldea, 8 Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the chaldeans,& be as the hee-goates before the flocks. the land of your captivity; and go forth with courage and speed, as the hee-goates are wont to go before the rest of the flock. 9 From the North country. See verse 3. 12 Your mother shall be sore confounded, shee that bare you shall be ashamed: Behold the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land and a desert. Your mother-city, Babylon, shall be sore confounded &c. and Chaldea, which was the queen of all nations, shall now be cast behind all the rest, and become a very wilderness, a barren desert. 16 Cut off the sour from Babylon,& him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword, they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every man to his own land. Spare not so much as the husbandman that soweth the corn in the fields of Babylon, or the reaper thereof; let no man escape, though never so harmless, or never so useful; as for the hired forces, they shall run away, every one to his own home. Israel is as a sheep scattered from the flock; those heathen Kings, 17 Israel is a scattered sheep, the lions have driven him away: first the King of Assyria hath devoured him, and last this Nebuchadrezzar King of Babylon hath broken his bones. which were fierce as Lions, have driven them out of their country; first the Kings of Assyria made havoc of them; then, Nebuchadnezar the King of Babylon hath perfected their destruction. I will bring Israel back from his captivity to his own land, 19 And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan. and he shall now be as a sheep grazing upon the fruitful hills of Carmel, and Bashan, &c. There shall not be found in Israel those sins, 20 In those daies, and in that time, saith the Lord the iniquity of Israel shall bee sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of judah, and they shall not be found, for I will pardon them whom I reserve. and that heinous iniquity, which was the cause of their late captivity; and the sins of Judah shall be done away, through my grace, and mercy. go up, Ye Medes and Persians, against the territories of Babylon, even against the land of these proud rebels, against the land of those who have visited my people with the sword, and merciless destruction, and do ye utterly destroy them, 21 go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod: waste and utterly destroy after them. &c. How is it that Babylon, which was the hammer to beate all other nations in pieces, 23 How is the hammer of the whole earth cut asunder and broken? is now broken in pieces? &c. A sword shall be upon their lying Astrologers, 36 A sword shall bee upon the liars. and Diviners, unto whom they trusted. So verse 3. 41 Behold, a people shall come from the North, &c. See Chapter 49.19. Behold the Babylonians shall come up, &c. 44 he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of jordan, &c. See chapter 49. verse 20. 45 Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out. CAP. LI. A Furious adversary, which shall come in, 1 A destroying wind. as a strong tempestuous wind. I will sand unto Babylon the Medes and Persians, 2 And will sand unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land. which shall put them to the fan of tribulation, and dispersion, &c. Suffer not, O ye Medes, 3 Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine; and spare ye not her young men the Babylonian archers so much as to bend their bows, &c. But cut them off in the first offer of their assault; and make no spare of any of them, &c. 6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul, &c. See Chapter 50.8. Continue not in Babylon, whiles ye may be free; but depart away from the danger both of her sins, and judgement. 7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lords hand, that made all the earth drunken, the nations have drunken of her wine, therefore the nations are mad. Babylon hath been hitherto as a golden cup, out of which God would have all the nations of the earth drink their bitter draft of his wrath, and indignation; they have drunk out thence, and have been so grievously afflicted by her cruelty, that they have been ready to run mad with grief. 8 Babylon is suddenly fallen& destroyed; howl for her, take balm for her pain, if so bee she may be healed. Babylon is suddenly fallen, howl and mourn, O ye her associates, for the down-fall of so great a Monarchy; and, if it may be, use some helps for her recovery. Alas, we have not slackened our endeavours,( shall they say) to have succoured, and relieved her; but all in vain; for her wound( which Gods wrath hath inflicted upon her) is utterly incurable; 9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one to his own country, for her Iudgement reacheth unto heaven. Away therefore, let us shift for ourselves; let us run every man to his own country; and leave her to the revenge of the almighty; which is indeed so great, as that it reacheth to the very heavens, &c. 10 The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God. The Lord hath magnified his great mercy, and truth to us, in that he hath taken upon him the patronage, and protection of us his people; and hath been thus openly revenged of our enemies: oh come therefore, and let us declare in his holy Temple, the great works of our God. 11 Make bright the arrows, gather the shields. Now therefore, ye Medes, and Persians, address yourselves to the fight; scour up your armours, brighten your arrows, &c. 13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures; thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness. O thou great and wealthy Babylon, that wert seated upon the famous river of Euphrates; which divided itself for thy commodity, and made many Islands for thy profit, and defence; thine end is now comne. 14 Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillars, and they shal lift up a shout against thee. I will fill thee with enemies so thick, as if they were swarms of caterpillars. See for the rest of the verse. chap. 25. verse 30. 17 Every man is brutish by his knowledge, &c. See Chap. 10. verse 14. 19 The portion of jacob is not like them. See Chap. 10. verse 16. 20 Thou art my battle-ax and weapons of war, for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms. O Babylon, I have hitherto made use of thee, for the subduing of divers kingdoms, and for breaking of many nations in pieces. 25 Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the Lord, which destroyest all the earth, and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make, &c. Behold, I am against thee now, O Babylon, thou huge pile of perdition; which hath hitherto crushed the whole earth with thy vastness, and power, &c. I will make thee like an hill of rubbish, an heap of burnt ruins. Muster up together the kingdoms of both Armenias, and of the lesser Asia; 27 Call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni,& Ashchenaz: appoint a captain against her; cause her horses to come up as the rough caterpillars. set generalls and captaines over the appointed bands, cause the troops of horses to come in, as thick as the swarms of caterpillars; and all, to go up against Babylon. The city of Babylon is like a threshing floor, the sheaves that are in her, must bee beaten, 33 The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor, it is time to thrash her; yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come. and thoroughly trodden out; her harvest is now near at hand, wherein God will lay upon her, with the flail of his heavy judgements. Nebuchadnezer the King of Babylon( shall Jerusalem say) hath devoured me, he hath utterly destroyed me, 34 Nebuchadrezzar the King of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me. &c. And now, let God repay to Nebuchadnezar, and his Babylonians, the violence which they did to me, 35 The violence done to me and to my flesh. and my people, &c. They shal roar together in their pain, and horror, like lions, 38 They shall roar together like lions. that yell for hunger, &c. When they are heated with wine in their feasts, 39 In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the Lord. and drunken in their merry banquets, quaffing healths and praising their gods in the bowls of my Temple, even then will I bring the sword of Cyrus upon them; and smite them that they shall sleep their last. See Daniel 5. What an incredible thing is this? 41 How is Sheshach taken? and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised? How can it be that Babylon, the great mistress of the world should thus be spoiled, and defaced,& c? The innumerable and mighty host of the Medes is, like a raging sea, broken in upon Babylon; &c. 42 The Sea is come up upon Babylon. I will break in pieces, and put to shane the Idol Bel, 44 And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up. that was worshipped of the Babylonians, and will fetch out of his mouth those many and rich offerings which were made to that dunghill deity, &c. See verse 6. 45 go ye out of the midst of her. Cyrus against Belshazzar. 46 Ruler against Ruler. The heavens and the earth and all creatures shall rejoice, 48 Then the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, shall sing for Babylon. and praise God for the just destruction that is brought upon Babylon. As Babylon hath slain my people of Israel, 49 As Babylon hath caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth. so the Babylonians shall be slain, all the earth over; and in Babylon, shal fall those of all the countries round about, which shall be there slaughtered. 51 For strangers are come into the Sanctuaries of the Lords house. Pagans have comne into the sanctuary of Gods Temple, and have defiled it, and razed it to the ground. Through all her land, those that are not slain right out, 52 And through all her land the wounded shall groan. shall lye groaning, and roaring for the pain of their wounds. 57 I will make drunk her Princes, &c. See verse 39. 58 And the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary. In vain shall the people labour to quench that fire which is kindled for the consuming of Babylon. THE LAMENTATIONS OF jeremiah. CAP. I. 1 How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people? how is shee become as a widow? she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is shee become tributary? WOe is me for Jerusalem; how woefully is the case altered with her? she that was of late exceeding populous,& thronged in her streets with men, is now left alone, like a solitary widow: She that, of late, was a commander of many provinces, is now become a tributary to an usurping commander. 2 Shee weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks. No time gives her any respite from her mourniing; night and day doth shee poure out her tears, &c. Many Jews, to avoid the miserable servitude of the Chaldees, 3 judah is gone into captivity, because of affliction, and because of great servitude, shee dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtake her between the straits. have betaken themselves to a voluntary transmigration to other nations; hoping there to find rest; but even there, have these Babylonian persecutors overtaken them, so that they are surprised in those straits, which could no way be avoided. 5 Her adversaries are the chief. Her adversaries are her commanders, &c. Shee cannot hid her shane any longer; that loathsome annoyance of hers, 9 Her filthiness is in her skirts, she remembreth not her last end, therefore she came down wonderfully, she had no comforter. which shee would fain have concealed, appears even in her very outward garments; and so faithless is shee grown, that she will not apprehended the assurance of her final deliverance, &c. O all ye passengers, that travel this way; stay a while, 12 Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow. and behold my miserable ruins; and indeed, can ye pass by, and not view them; and not seriously consider of them? And, if ye do seriously think of them, say then, was there ever city or people in so woeful a plight as I am,& c? God hath seemed from above to cast fire brands into my towers, and palaces, 13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them. whereby my goodly buildings are consumed, &c. That yoke of my grievous servitude, 14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand. under the Chaldees, which my sins have justly called for, is bound about my neck by his punishing hand, &c. Jerusalem is counted as an abomination unto them, 17 jerusalem is a menstruous woman among thē. as loathsome, and unclean. I called for the aid of my associates, and allies; but they deceived me, 19 I called for my lovers, but they deceived me. &c. Thou wilt bring upon them the judgements which thou hast threatened; and then, 21 Thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called,& they shall be like unto me. they shall bee in the like plight that I am in. CAP. II. ANd remembered not his Temple, the place of his former abode, in the day of his anger. 1 And remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger. He hath, in his anger, weakened, 3 He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the home of Israel. and cut off all the strength of Israel, &c. That Tabernacle of his, 6 And he hath violently taken away his Tabernacle, as if it were of a garden, he hath destroyed his places of the assembly. which he had settled amongst us, for our comfort, and protection, he hath now turned up, as if it were a garden, fit to be digged up for the use of plantation, &c. As we had wont in our solemn feasts to make a noise of joy, and thankful acclamations in thy Temple, 7 They have made a noise in the house of the Lord, as in the day of a solemn feast so now they make no less noise of tumult, and insultation over us, He hath destinated, and appointed it to razing, 8 He hath stretched out a line. and ruin, &c. With what example of like misery shall I go about to comfort thee? 13 What thing shall I take to witness for thee, &c They have seen false visions, 14 But have seen for thee false burdens, and causes of banishment. and pretended to bring those messages from God, which were never sent, and by this means have wronged thee, and have been the causes of this thy captivity. Those whom I have born, and bread up with all care, and anxious diligence, hath mine enemy consumed. 22 Those that I have swaddled and brought up, hath mine enemy consumed. CAP. III. 1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. I Jeremiah am the man, that have seen this great affliction which the Lord hath in just anger, brought upon his people. 2 He hath lead me and brought me into darkness, but not into light. He hath brought me into the gloomy darkness of affliction, and hath given me no glimpse of comfort. 4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old. He hath worn out my body with sorrow, &c. 5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gull and travel. He hath besieged me with evils; and compassed me about with misery and grief. 6 he hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath shut me up under discomfort, and heaviness, and laid me aside in the dungeon, as a dead man out of sight. 9 He hath enclosed my ways with hewn stones, he hath made my paths crooked. He hath laid in my way unremovable impediments, and hath crossed me in my designs. So also verse 11. 16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. He hath beaten me down with such force, as that my teeth are broken; and my mouth being dashed against the ground, is full of gravel with the fall. 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. I recall to my mind these following meditations; and thereupon I conceive hope and comfort. 27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. It is good for a man to be exercised early with afflictions, and to acquaint himself with Gods chastisements. 28 He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath born it upon him. Such a one will sit silently alone, and patiently bear that hand of God which is upon him. 29 He putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope. And humbles himself under that good hand to the very dust; if there may be hope, by his true humiliation and fervent prayers, to obtain favour from God. 30 He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him, he is filled full with reproach. In the mean time, he meekly yields over himself to the oppressing hand of a persecutor; and patiently bears his reproach. 34 To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth. For, however the wicked impatience of men may suggest, it is not the manner of God to crush under his feet those that are already humbled. 35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the most High. Or, to shift off the trial of any mans cause, that he should not have a full hearing of his plea, before his great and righteous tribunal. So verse 36. Who is he that will undertake to effect any thing without the Lord; or will say, 37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? that ought can be done which he willeth not? It is onely good, and just, 38 Out of the mouth of the most high, proceedeth not evil and good. which can proceed from the mouth of God; there is no unrighteousness in his decrees, and proceedings. Why then doth any living man complain of Gods hand? Why doth he murmur, when he suffers the due punishment for his sins? 39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins. See Isai. 24.17. 47 fear and a snare is come upon us. I am the matter of their mirth and songs. 63 I am their music. CAP. IIII. WHiles Jerusalem stood upright with God, 7 Her Nazarites were purer then snow. her votaries were holy and innocent, &c. For this their cruelty they are strike with the hand of God, so, as that they are driven to wander in the streets, 14 They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments. without habitations; groping for the way like blindmen; being so defiled with innocent blood as that men could not touch their very garments, without uncleanness. No part of the city was free from very foul pollution; 15 They cried unto them, Depart ye, it is unclean, depart, depart, touch not: when they fled away and wandered, they said among the heathen, they shal no more sojourn there. on all sides might be heard that cry; appointed to the Lepers, Depart, depart; I am unclean; at last, there was no way but to flee away from that defiled city; they fled therfore at uncertaines,& wandered they knew not whither; so much as it was said among the heathen; There will be no more hope of their return, to dwell in Jerusalem. We depended upon hope and aid from t●e Aegy●tians, which could not succour us, 17 In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us. nor preserve themselves. They hunt and chase us up and down in our streets; 18 They hunt our steps that we cannot go in our streets. they follow us at the heels, so as we cannot so much as look out of our doors, &c. These Chaldean persecutors are so swift, 20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord was taken in their pits. that it is vain to hope for an escape from them, &c. Yea, which makes up the measure of our sorrow and misery, our King Zedekiah, the anointed of the Lord, who was dear to us, as our very breath and life, was taken by them in their pursuit, &c. Rejoice, O thou ancient enemy, 21 Rejoice and be glad O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the Land of Vz: the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked. the posterity of Esau, that dwellest in the land of Vz; rejoice thou in our ruin and desolation, as thou pleasest, but this cup of the Lords vengeance shal come( in due time) unto thee also; and thou shalt drink deep of it, and the shane of thy wickedness shall be discovered. CAP. V. 7 Our fathers have sinned, and are not, and wee have born their iniquities. See jer. 31.29.. NOt only the Princes and great commanders of Chaldea have ruled over us, 8 Servants have ruled over us. but even their very slaves insult upon us, and exercise cruelty upon us, &c. 9 We gate our bread with the peril of our lives, because of the sword of the wilderness. Even before this destruction, during the time of the siege, we were fain to get our bread with the peril of our lives; because of the sword of the enemy, that lay encamped about us. 12 Princes are hanged up by their hand. Our Princes were driven to make their own hands their executioners, &c. 13 They took the young men to grinned, and the children fell under the wood. They put our young men to all the servile and base drudgeries, that could bee devised, and compelled our children to undergo those burdens, which they were not able to carry. 16 The crown is fallen from our head: Woe unto us that we have sinned. All our glory is quiter gone and utterly cast down to the ground. The hill of Sion, where the Temple stood, which was so honoured, so frequented, is now so desolate, that the very foxes walk upon it. 18 Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it. EZEKIEL. CAP. I. 1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. IT came to pass in the thirtieth year after the Jubilee, and the finding of the original copy of the law, in the month of July, and the fifth day of that month; when I was among the Hebrew captives in Chaldea, by the river Chebar, that God revealed himself to me, and put into me the spirit of prophesy; and represented divers visions to the eyes of my mind. 2 In the fifth day of the month which was the fift year of King Iehoiachins captivity. In the fift day of July which was in the fifth year of the first deportation into Babylon, and captivity there. And the efficacy of Gods spirit did show itself in, 3 And the hand of the Lord, was there upon him. and upon me, in his holy revelations. And behold, I looked; 4 And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the North, a great cloud, and a fire unfolding itself,& a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. and God shewed me a representation of those fearful tempests of calamity, which yet were to come upon his people, by a whirlwind, arising from the North,( whence their further persecution and captivity was to come) by a dark cloud; and fire enfolded within it, to signify the trial which they are to undergo: but there was a pleasing brightness about that cloud, and out of the midst of that fiery splendour, there was, as it were, a shining colour of amber, to signify the presence of Gods powerful grace, and mercy, in the midst of all the fiery trials of his Church. And out of the midst of that fiery brightness, came four Angells, in the likeness of four living creatures, whose number was proportioned to the four corners of the world; And this was their appearance; They had the shape and likeness of a man. 5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures, and this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one of them had four faces, 6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. to signify their ready address to receive whatsoever command from God, which way soever it should be delivered, and every one of them had four wings, to signify their swiftness in execution of all the charges of God. The legs of these Angells were strait up, like the legs of a man, and their feet were round, as the circumference of a calves foot; for the greater fitness of that turning motion, which they should be put unto;& they had a sparkling kind of brightness in their moving, like to that of burnished brass. 7 And their feet were strait feet, and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calves foot, and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the likeness of hands, to signify their aptness to execute the will of God; and those hands were under their wings, to imply that their motion is not of themselves, but such as is regulated,& directed by the secret instinct of God; all the four Angells had both faces and wings. 8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides, and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined together, at their tops, 9 Their wings were joined one to another, they turned not when they went: they went every one strait forward. to signify their full concord, and agreement in fulfilling Gods command; and they went unanimously together, and all moved right forward, without turning to the right hand or to the left. And for the likeness of their faces, 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion on the right side, and they four had the face of an ox on the left side: they four also had the face of an Eagle. it was according to the several qualities, which are eminent in four noted creatures; a Man, a lion, an ox, an Eagle; such were these Angels, to signify that they were understanding as a man, strong as a lion, serviceable as the ox, as the Eagle, swift. 11 Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward, two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. Such were their faces; as for their wings, two of them were stretched upward, to signify their relation unto and dependence upon Gods charge; and were joined together, in a signification of the perfect concord, and joint agreement in all their services;& two of them covered their bodies, to signify the hidden nature of these celesticall spirits, beyond the reach of all human comprehension. 12 And they went every one strait forward, whither the spirit was to go, they went: and they turned not when they went. And they went in this posture all together, strait forward, which way soever the Spirit of God moved them to go; not turning at all to either hand. 13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire,& like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures, and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning. As for the colour wherein these Angells appeared, they seemed to bee like unto burning coals of fire, or like to burning lamps; to represent both the glory, and the terror of those spiritual creatures; and this fiery glittering seemed to be diffused over all these Angells; and did cast out a bright lustre from it, and did, as it were, dart out lightning upon the eyes of the beholder. 14 And the living creatures ran, and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. And the Angells made so speedy dispatch, as that their motion was as the sudden flash of the lightning. Now, as I beholded these four Angells; behold I might see four wheels appearing upon the earth, 15 Now as I beholded the living creatures, Behold, one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. by those four Angells, to signify the perpetual mutability of all these inferior things. The appearance of every one of the wheels, and their work, 16 The appearance of the wheels,& their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness, and their appearance& their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. was of a sea-colour, to show the vanity and instability of these earthly things; and they four had one likeness, to show the constant uniformity of Gods proceedings with men; and their work was, as it were of a Sphere, wherein one wheel seemeth to be set cross to the other; to show that however God hath most wisely and ordinately disposed all things, yet they seem to us intricate and perplexed. 17 When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they returned not when they went. When they moved, they moved all four together; and went right on to the period appointed. 18 As for the rings, they were so high, that they were dreadful, and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. As for the out-most roundells of those wheels, they were of a vast and dreadful height; and they were on all sides thereof full of eyes; to show that there is not the least motion in any of these earthly things, which is not directed by an eye of divine providence. 19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them: and when the living creatures were lift up from the earth, the wheels were lift up. And to show that all these worldly alterations,& changes have a dependence upon the powerful preordination, and instinct of God,& are over-ruled by those ministering spirits, to whom he committeth the managing thereof; When the Angells moved on, the wheels moved by them, and when the Angells were lifted up, the wheels were lifted up also. Which way soever the spirit of God directed them to go, thither they went; 20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go, and the wheels were lifted up over against them, for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels. and if by the power of that almighty Spirit the Angells were raised upward, the wheels were accordingly raised; for the same spirit that moved the Angells, did also move those wheels to concur with them; God by his Angells transfusing into these earthly creatures the power of their governance and motion. So also verse 21. And the colour of the firmament, 22 And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal stretched forth over their heads above. which was spread over the heads of these four Angells, was as the colour of a glorious crystal, which had in it a kind of majestical brightness. And under this shining firmament were the wings of these four Angells reached strait forth, one towards another; which( as was formerly said) being four to each; two of thē served to be stretched forth for the meeting of the wings of their fellowes; and the other two covered their own bodies. 23 And under the firmament were their wings strait, the one towards the other, every one had two, which covered on this side, and every one had two, which covered on that side their bodies. And when they moved, I heard the noise of their wings, 24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host. in their motion, very loud and strong, as of gushing waters, or of thunder; and the noise of that voice which was heard over them, was as the shouting of an host, &c. So also verse 25. And to show that all these motions both of the Angells, and the inferior creatures, 26 And above the firmament that was over their heads, was the likeness of a Throne, as the appearance of a sapphire ston, and upon the likeness of the Throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. proceed from the infinite wisdom, and power of God; above the firmament that was over their heads, there was the likeness of the glorious throne of the Almighty; bright and shining of a celestial colour;& upon that throne was there the likeness of a man s●ting; even that God, who would afterwards take upon him the shape of man, for mans redemption. And I saw the resemblance of a glorious amber-coloured brightness, and as of a perfectly-inflamed, 27 And I saw as the colour of Amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it: from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. and ardently read fire round about within it; from the appearance of his loins upward; and for the other part, which was from the appearance of the loins downward, the resemblance of a bright fire, but less digested; to show that the son of God( though all glorious, yet) in that part which concerns his creatures, and wherein he reveals himself to men, he remits of that fiery and incomprehensible Majesty, and descends graciously to our capacity, and apprehension. CAP. II. ANd the Spirit of God entred into me, and put courage into my heart, together with the outward sound of his word; and raised me up from my grovelling, and set me on my feet. 2 And the Spirit entred into me, when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. 5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear( for they are a rebellious house) yet shall know that there hath been a Prophet among them. And they, whether they will hear, or will not hear( as they are more like; for they are a stubborn people) shall yet bee convinced of their rebellion by thy prophesy, and shall, by the event, feel& find, that they have had a Prophet amongst them, whereby their sins are either reformed, or shall be more deeply punished. 6 And thou son of man be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briars and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among Scorpions: be not afraid of their words, &c. Though this people shall be to thee as briars, and thorns, which shall prick and wound thy soul; and thou must dwell among scorpions, which shall sting thee unto death, yet be not afraid, &c. Open thy mouth, and in signification, and assurance that thou dost obediently receive these messages, which I deliver unto thee, and wilt be ready to utter them to my people, eat that which I shall give unto thee. 8 Open thy mouth and eat that I give thee. CAP. III. 1 Moreover he said unto me, son of man, eat that thou findest: eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. MOreover he said unto me in this vision of mine, son of mane, ate that which I now offer thee. 2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. See chap. 2. verse 8. Then me thought, I did eat up that roll, and though it were written within, and without, with lamentations, yet in my mouth, 3 Then did I eat it, and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness. as I was chewing it, it seemed to bee sweet as hony; so pleasing a contentment there is in an holy obedience to the commands of God. 8 Behold I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads. Behold, I have given thee boldness, and courage, to bear up against their strong oppositions; so as thou shalt not be daunted with their out-facings. Yea, I have put an invincible courage into thee, 9 As an Adamant harder then flint have I made thy forehead. so as no force of theirs shall be able to prevail against thee, &c. Blessed be the name, 12 Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place. and praised be the glory of the son of God, who sits upon this throne of Majesty. And I heard the noise of the wings of those Angels, 13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing. which I saw, and the noise of those wheels, which were moved by them, in an applause or acclamation to that praise, and celebration of the name of Christ, as that wherein all creatures conspire. So the Spirit of God lifted me up from the ground, on which I lay; and removed me from that place, 14 So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit, but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me. separating me also( for the time) from the common society of men; and I went away very heavy, and pensive, and much troubled in my spirit, for the sad purport of this vision; but the power of Gods Spirit was forcible, and prevalent with me, so as I was not too much dejected, either with that fearful apparition, or that grievous errand. again, 20 again when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. when a man that carries himself as righteous, and is in his whole course inoffensive doth turn away from that his holy profession, and give himself over to a trade of wickedness, and I meet with him in that sinful course, and surprise him with my judgements, he shall die, &c. Those good actions which he hath formerly done, 21 nevertheless, if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not,& he doth not sin, he shall surely live. and his fore-past holy carriage shall not be so respected, as to keep him from just condemnation, &c. And behold, there it pleased God to give me a representation of his glorious presence, as before when I was by the river Chebar, 23 And behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar. &c. See verse 14. 24 Then the Spirit entred into me, &c. Their wickedness shall tie up thy tongue, 25 They shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them. and cause thee to keep close from them, &c. I will impose silence upon thee for a judgement to them, 26 And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb,& shalt not be to them a reprover. so as thou shalt not reprove their mis-deeds any more. But when I renew my commission to thee, 27 But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, thus saith the Lord God, He that heareth let him hear, and he that forbeareth let him forbear and bid thee to speak, I will then give thee a freedom of speech unto them; and thou shalt say; Thus saith the Lord; Whether they hear thee, or hear thee not; it is all one to thee; do thou thy duty, and it sufficeth, &c. CAP. IIII. 1 Take thee a tile, and lay it before thee,& portray upon it the city, even jerusalem. MAke thee upon a Tile, a model or draft of the city Jerusalem. 2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it: and cast a mount against it: set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about. And then make the model of a siege laid against that so-pourtrayed city; in all the representations of those hostile actions, that are wont to be done against a city that is beleaguered. And, to signify the strength, and invinciblenesse of that siege, 3 Moreover, take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it for a wall of iron between thee and the city,& set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it: this shall be a sign to the house of Israel. set a pot of iron between thee and that city; and then do thou set thy face against it, as if thou wert the besieger of it; and this shall be a sign to all the people of Israel, what they shall really expect to be performed against them. lie thou also upon thy left side, and by thy quiet and still lying thereon, represent unto the house of Israel( the Ten Tribes) how long I have lain patiently under the many provocations, 4 lye thou also upon the left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the daies that thou shalt lye upon it, thou shalt bear their iniquity. which I have had from those rebellious Israelites; according to the number of the dayes wherein thou shalt( in vision) lie upon that side, thou shalt represent my patience under the iniquity of the house of Israel. So many dayes as thou shalt( in the appointment of this vision) lie upon that left side, 5 For I have laid upon thee the yeares of their iniquity, according to the number of the daies, three hundred and ninety daies, so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel for this purpose; so many have been the yeares that I have quietly forborn to revenge the iniquities of Israel, that is, three hundred and ninety yeares,( answerable to so many dayes) since their defection under Jeroboam. And when thou hast done this, in a figure of what I have done for Israel, 6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lye again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of judah forty daies, I have appointed thee, each day for a year then lie another while, upon thy right side, to represent my bearing with the iniquity of the house of Judah; forty daies are in thy vision appointed for this posture, in figure of forty yeares that I have been provoked by the sins of Judah. Thine arm shall be uncovered, 7 Thine arm shall bee uncovered. to signify the vehemence, and readiness of execution which shall be in the besiegers of Jerusalem. 8 And behold, I will lay bands upon thee, and thou shalt not turn thee from one side to another, till thou hast ended the daies of thy siege. And to show the immutable certainty of that my decree for the besieging of Jerusalem, I will lay bands upon thee, in this vision, that thou mayst not change sides, till the dayes of that fore-appointed siege be fulfilled. And, as thou shalt thus represent the siege, so also in the sequel, 9 Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils,& millet, and fitches,& put them in one vessel,& make thee bread thereof according to the number of the dayes that thou shalt lye upon thy side, three hundred and ninety daies shalt thou eat thereof. thou shalt represent the famine which shall fall upon Jerusalem; Take thee therefore all kinds of grain, wheat and barley, and beans, and lentils, and fitches, and put them all together, and make bread of this mesline; and eat thereof, for the space of three hundred and ninety dayes; to signify that in that straight siege, there shall be such scarcity, as that they shall be glad of the coursest sustenance. And thy meate, which thou shalt eat, 10 And thy meat which thou shalt eat, shall bee by weight twenty shekels a day, from time to time shalt thou eat it. shall be stinted unto thee, according to five ownces, the day. Neither shalt thou have full scope to drink how much water thou pleasest, 11 Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the six part of an hin, from time to time shalt thou drink. but shalt have it allowed thee by measure, about a pint a day; and so shalt continue. And thou shalt make it up in the form of barley cakes, and shalt bake it( in stead of coals) with mans dung, 12 13 And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man in their sight. in the sight of the people; to signify that extreme pollution, whereto God will give over his people; among the Gentiles. Then said I; Ah Lord God, behold, as I have been consecrated to thy service, in the priesthood, 14 Then said I, Ah Lord God, behold, my soul hath not been polluted, for from my youth up even till how have I not eaten of that which death of itself, or is torn in pieces, neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth. so I have carefully kept myself from all legal pollutions from my youth; I have not eaten ought that is forbidden by thy law; but have avoided all those offensive meats of what kind soever; and now, thou knowest that this excrementitious fire which thou injoynest is( besides the loathsomeness) unclean by thy law. See Leviticus 26. verse 26. 16 I will break the staff of bread. CAP. V. TO foresignify that variety of miserable desolation, 1 And thou son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barbours razor and cause it to pass upon thine head, and upon thy beard: then take the balances to weigh, and divide the hair. which shall come upon Jerusalem, take thee a sharp knife, even a barbors razor, and therewith cause all the hair of thy head, and beard to be shaved off; the hairs of thy head and beard represent the numerous inhabitants of Jerusalem; all they shall be cut, by several ways of destruction; and therefore take thy balances, and weigh thine hair into three equal parts. One third part shalt thou burn with fire, 2 Thou shalt burn with fire a third part in the midst of the city, when the daies of the siege are fulfilled, and thou shalt take a third part,& smite about it with a knife, and a third part thou shalt scatter in the wind, and I will draw out a sword after them. to show the extremity of that calamity which a third part of the inhabitants shall endure in pestilence& famine in the siege; Another third part thou shalt smite about with a knife, to show, that a third part of them shall fall by the sword; and one other third part of it thou shalt scatter in the wind, to signify their dispersion in the captivity, which shall be attended also with much cruelty afterwards. See verse 12. 3 Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind thē in the skirts. But thou shalt take up a few of those hairs, out of this division, and shalt blind them in thy skirts; to signify that there shall be a small remnant yet reserved of my people. 4 Then take of them again and cast them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire: for thereof shall a fi●e come forth into all the house of Israel. Then afterward, take of them again which thou hadst reserved in thy skirts, and cast them into the midst of the fire, to signify that those remainders shall put themselves into miserable affliction, and at last shall bring an utter destruction to all the house of Israel. I will sand a grievous famine upon them, which like unto deadly arrows, 16 I will sand upon them the evil arrows of famine. shall pierce through their souls. CAP. VI. 3 Ye mountaines of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. THe men of Israel will not hear; hear therefore, O ye mountaines of Israel, which are less deaf then they, hear ye the judgments that God hath denounced against the sinful remainders of Israel. 9 And they that escape of you, shall remember me among the nations, whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish hart which have departed from me, and with their eyes which go a whoring after their idols. And those that escape of you shall remember me among the nations, &c. and bethink themselves how I have been over-provoked by their wicked idolatries; in that they have departed from me;& have abandoned themselves, to their shameful and abominable Idols, &c. Be thou vehement, and passionate, in expressing thy sorrow and indignation for the sins and judgements of thy people; and therefore smite thine hands together, and stamp with thy feet, and say, Alas, 11 Thus saith the Lord God, Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say Alas. &c. Yea, more desolate then the most horrid, craggy, forlorn wilderness in the world. 14 More desolate then the wilderness towards Diblath. CAP. VII. 5 An evil, an onely evil, behold, is come. THat evil is come upon thee, which alone shall make a dispatch of thee, there will need no other to second it. 7 The day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountaines. The day of thy grievous trouble is actually, and really comne; which thou shalt find sensibly, to be no empty and vain sound of an echo among the mountaines, but a true and feeling destruction. 10 The rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded. That rod of punishment, wherewith they shall bee smitten, howsoever it come from Chaldea, and hath put forth thence, yet the root of it, is from themselves, even from their own pride. 21 Violence is rise up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs, neither shall there be wailing for them. And from this root is grown up cruelty, and violence, and that violence hath shewed itself in open wickedness, and outrageous oppositions unto good; which shall bring upon them so perfect a destruction, as that none of them shall be left alive to bewail the dead. The time of this judgement is at hand; 12 The time is come, the day draweth near, let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof. wherein all shall be enwrapped in one common calamity; So as there shall be no difference betwixt the condition of the buyer, and the seller; for wrath is indifferently gone out upon all sorts. And, whereas in the ordinary sale of Israelitish lands, 13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof which shall not return: neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life. the seller is wont, in the year of Jubilee, to return to those possessions, which he hath aliened; now it shall not be so; though he be then alive, yet there shall be no challenge or recovery of that which he hath sold; for this captivity shall be universal, which is foretold in this vision, and that which shall not admit of any such return, as might restore this generation to their ancient inheritance; neither shall any wicked man have cause to encourage himself in the vain confidence of his impunity for his sin. And though the men of Israel train, and muster, 14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready, but none goeth to the battle, for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof. and make great preparations of a warlike resistance, yet all this shall be in vain; for they shall never be able to stand in the day of battle; for my wrath fights against all the multitude of them. And if any of them shall escape( as some shall escape) the sword,& pestilence, 16 But they that escape of them, shall escape, and shall be on the mountaines like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity. yet their life shal be rather more miserable then death; for they shall bee fain to hid their heads in the desert mountaines; and shal be like the fearful doves, that want shelter in the valleys; all of them protracting a woeful life, onely to suffer, and languish under the conscience of their own wickedness. And whereas they formerly trusted to their riches, 19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord, they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity. now, they shall cast their silver and gold in the streets, as utterly unprofitable for their relief, &c. now, they shall well find, how little power this wealth of theirs hath to satisfy their souls; and to content their hearts; because it is that which they have made an occasion of their sin, by their unjust, and wicked confidence, they have put in it. As for his beautiful, and glorious Temple, he placed it in great majesty among them, 20 As for the beauty of his ornaments, he set it in majesty, but they made the images of their abominations, and of their detestable things therein; therefore have I set it far from them. as that which might well be their best, and greatest ornament; but they have notoriously profaned it, in setting up their abominable idols therein; therfore, have I forsaken both them, and it, and give it over to the pollution, and vastation of the heathen. Make thee a chain of iron, to signify the miserable bondage and captivity which is coming upon thy people; for the land is full of bloody crimes, 23 Make a chain, for the land is full of bloody crimes. &c. 26 Then shall they seek a vision of the Prophet: but the law shall perish from the Priest, and counsel from the ancients. Then shall they be glad to inquire after the Prophet of God, to know what the issue of things shall be: but in a just punishment of their former neglect, and security, God shall take away his gifts from their Priests, and Prophets, so as they shall not be able to declare his will unto them for their direction, and preservation. CAP. VIII. 1 That the hand of the Lord God fell there upon me. THe Spirit of the Lord was powerful with, and upon me, in a divine rapture, and vision. Then I beholded, and lo, there was shewed to me the likeness of an human shape; 2 Then I beholded, and lo, a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward fire: and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. whose lower parts from the loins downward, were as the colour of fire; and from the loins upward, of a clear and pleasing brightness, like unto amber, to signify that that God, who is graciously majestical in himself, is terrible in the revenges of his wilful enemies. 3 And he put forth the form of an hand,& took me by a lock of mine head, and the spirit lift me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate, that looketh toward the north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. And from this appearance of an human shape, there was an hand put forth, which took me( as it seemed unto me in this vision) by a lock of the hair of mine head; and( me thought) the Spirit of God, lifted me up betwixt the earth and the heaven, and brought me( not in body, but in vision) to Jerusalem, to the very door of the Inner gate of the common court; even that gate, which looketh towards the North; where was the shrine of that abominable idol of Baal set up, which provoked the just jealousy of the Almighty. 4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel, was there according to the vision that I saw in the plain. And behold, there I saw the same representation of the glory of the God of Israel, which had been formerly shewed unto me in the vision, which I had by the river of Chebar. Then said he unto me; son of man, it is too much that thou seest this one shameful Idol; but thou shalt yet see many more, and besides this open abomination, thou shalt see hidden, and secret; Dig now in the wall, and when I had( in my vision) digged in the wall, behold, a door 8 Then said he unto me, son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. seemed to appear. 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Iaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. And there stood before those Idols, all the Judges and rulers of Israel, which God had appointed to be seventy in number; and in the midst of them, the president of that senate Jaazaniah, the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand, in which he had offered incense to all the abominable Idols; and thesume thereof went up, as a thick cloud, for the abundance thereof. Then said he unto me, son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of Israel, 12 Then said he unto me, son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The Lord seeth us not. ( who should be good examples of peiety and holinesse to the rest) do in this secret, retired room, unseen un-noted; how they heap up gods to themselves, every one according to his own vain imagination? For they say; Tush, not onely are we hide from the eyes of men, but even the eyes of the Lord himself descry us not, &c. And behold, there sate women, after the manner of the egyptian Idolatry, bewailing the loss of Osiris, 14 And behold, there sate women weeping for Tammuz. the husband of their beastly goddesse Isis, whose superstition was joined with abominable filthiness. And lo, they put forth accursed branches of several wickednesses to the just provocation of Gods anger unto their own destruction. 17 And lo, they put the branch to their nose. CAP. IX. ANd behold, 2 And behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the North, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand, and one man among thē was clothed with linen, with a writers Inke-horn by his side. there appeared six men( according to the number of the six princiall gates of Jerusalem, in representation of so many destroying Angells,) which came from the way of the North; which lieth towards Chaldea; and every man had a weapon of slaughter in his hand; and there was one amongst them, resembling the son of God, the gracious mediator betwixt God and man, which was clothed with linen, to signify his everlasting Priesthood; with a writers inkhorne by his side; for the resemblance of his eternal consignation of his elect, and his careful marking them out for their preservation, &c. And the glorious God of Israel; 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the Cherub whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. who had wont to have his seat betwixt the Cherubims, which covered the ark, went up from thence, to show them that he meant to remove away from Israel; and yet, not all at once, but by degrees, and therefore he removed first only to the threshold of the Temple, &c. go through all the streets of Jerusalem, 4 go through the midst of the city, through the midst of jerusalem,& set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh, and that cry for all the abominations that be done in midst thereof. and set a note, or mark of distinction upon all those that sigh, and mourn for all the abominations that are done therein; that those men may be mercifully reserved from the common destruction. 7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain, go ye forth: and they went forth and slay in the city. And he said unto him; since my house hath been so shamefully defiled by idolatries, do not ye spare to defile it,( together with the courts there) with the blood, and the carcases of the slain. And it came to pass, whiles( in this vision of mine) they were slaying them, and I was left, beholding this slaughter, that I fell upon my face 8 And it came to pass while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God. in an humble deprecation of further vengeance, &c. CAP. X. 1 Then I looked, and behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the Cherubims, there appeared over them, as it were a sapphire ston, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. THen I looked, and behold; the appearance of my first vision was presented unto me; in the firmament that was above the head of those four Angells, there appeared the likeness of a throne made of a bright, and glorious Saphire-stone; to signify the majesty of God, which over-ruleth, and disposeth of all those heavenly spirits. Then God Almighty, who sate upon this throne, spake unto that angel of the Covenant, 2 And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, go in between the wheels, even under the Cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the Cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in my sight. who was clothed with linen, as being so the high Priest of his Church, that he is withall the just Judge of the world; and said unto him; Go thou amongst these angelical representations,( who hast most right to dispose of them) and fill thine hand with the coals of Gods vengeance( not from the altars which thy people have polluted, but) from between the Cherubims of heaven( who rejoice to contrive just revenge against wicked men) and scatter them over the city, that it may bee consumed with the fire thereof. 4 Then the glory of the Lord went up from the Cherub, &c. See Chap. 9. verse 3. 7 And one Cherub stretched forth his hand from between the Cherubims, unto the fire that was between the Cherubims: and took thereof, and put it into the hands of him that was clothed with linen, who took it, and went out. And one of those four Angells stretched forth his hand from between the other Cherubims, and reaching to that fire, which was ready between the Cherubims, took thereof, and as an obsequious minister unto Christ the son of God, delivered it into his hand; who, according to the charge given him by God, took it, and went out. 9 And when I looked, behold, the four wheels by the Cherubims, one wheel by one Cherub, &c. and the appearance of the wheels, was as the colour of a Beril ston. So also verse 10. See chapter 1. verse 16. See chapter 1. verse 17. 11 When they went, they went upon their four sides, &c. And the whole compass and frame of the wheels, 12 And their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. both in the upper, and lower parts thereof, were full of eyes round about; to show, that however the course and events of things seem so unstable, and uncertain, as if all things ran upon wheels; and there do also appear a certain intricatenesse, and perplexity in the proceedings thereof, yet that the infinite and most wise providence of God hath foreseen and fore-ordained all things to his own holy purposes. And the voice of God spake to the wheel in my hearing; 13 As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel. as therein showing that he takes perfect notice of the events of things, and both gives and judges their motion. See chap. 1. verse 10. 14 And every one had four faces, &c. See chap. 1. verse 12. 16 And when the Cherubims went, the wheels went. Then the Lord removed the Testimony of his presence from the Temple; 18 Then the glory of the Lord departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the Cherubims. and forsook even the very threshold thereof; and stood on high over these four Cherubims; as signifying that for the great abominations of Israel, he had withdrawn himself from them. And these four Cherubims lifted up their wings, 19 And the Cherubims lift up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were besides them, and every one stood at the door of the East gate of the Lords house, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. and mounted up from the earth, where they seemed formerly to stand, to heaven-ward, in my sight; and according to their motion also the wheels were lifted up;& both the Cherubim, and wheels stood over the outer-gate of the great court of the Temple; and the glory of the Lord appeared on high above them; to show, that now he would no more bee sought of them in that material house, but above in heaven. CAP. XI. I Was in vision brought to the East gate of the outmost court of the Temple; and behold, 1 And brought me unto the East gate of the Lords house, which looketh Eastward: and behold, at the door of the gate five and twenty men. at the door of the gate there were five and twenty of the selected rulers of Israel, &c. Which say; Tush, this threatened destruction is far enough off; It was an idle word of Jeremiah, 3 Which say, It is not near, let us build houses: this city is the cauldron, and we be the flesh. that this city is the cauldron, we the flesh, the Chaldees the fire; well and long shall we, for all these menaces, enjoy our city, and ourselves. 7 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the cauldron: but I will bring you forth out of the midst of it. ye that so pleasantly scoff at the words of my Prophets, know, that ye do fulfil them too justly; Those men, whom your cruelty hath slain, and laid in the midst of your city, they are the flesh; and this city is the cauldron; but for you, I will take order you shall not bee boiled within these your walls; I will cast you out hence, and prepare judgement for you elsewhere. So also verse 11. And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah, being a man of great reputation among the people, and a prime ruler in Israel, died; Then as in his death seeing an image the of imminent destruction of the rest, I fell down upon my face, and said, 13 And it came to pass when I prophesied, that Pelatiah, the son of Benajah died: then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said. &c. Never complain of the taking away of some noted governors of Israel, 15 son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly are they, unto whom the inhabitants of jerusalem have said, Get ye far from the Lord: unto us is this land given in possession. as if the whole Church were in danger of extirpation by their loss; for both these proud and secure inhabitants of Jerusalem, are well worthy of this judgement; and when they are gone, my Church shall continue; for those thy brethren,& kinsfolk,& the rest of Israel which are now in captivity, are they, in whom my Church shall live, and of whom these insolent inhabitants have said; They are gone far enough from the Lord; as for us we shall surely continue safe in the land of our possession; 16 Yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary, in the countries where they shall come. However, I have removed them from my local and material sanctuary, yet will I be to them in their exile, and captivity, in stead of an other sanctuary; for I will both protect them, and give them gracious testimonies of my presence with them. 19 And I will give them one heart, and will put a new spirit within you: and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. And I will give them an holy and happy accordance in my Truth; and will renew a right spirit in you: and will take away that perverse and obstinate disposition, which is naturally in them, to that which is good; and will give them a ●endernesse of heart, such as may make them capable 〈◇〉 the good impressions of my spirit. 21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things, and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God. But as for those that walk on in their wicked and abominable idolatries, doing those things which may be pleasing to their false gods, I will requited them according to their deservings, saith the Lord. 23 And the glory of the Lord went up, &c. See chap. 10. verse 18. CAP. XII. THerefore, thou son of man, prepare thee all necessary commodities for a remove, and long exile; and pack up thy fardells by day, in their sight, 3 Therefore thou Son of man, prepare the stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight. &c. And, that thy very actions may bee prophetical, Dig thou through the wall in their sight; 5 dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby. to foreshew unto them, that they shall not have a free egress out of their city, but shall be glad to seek all secret evasions to save themselves. Thou shalt hoodwinke thyself, and hid thy face, 6 Thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel. so as that thou see not the ground; to foreshow the great anxetie, and sorrow, wherewith the Jews shall depart into their captivity, and withall, the excaecation of their King Zedekiah; who shall not behold that Babylonish earth, that he shall tread upon; for I have made and appointed this act of thine to be a presage of their future captivity. Say, God hath appointed to prefigure, 11 Say, I am your sign, like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them. and foresignify in me, what he means to do unto you, &c. I will encompass, 13 My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans, yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there. and take him by the forces of the Chaldees, as a fish is taken by a net, &c. and I will bring him to Babylon, yet shall he not see the land before him, for his eyes shall be put out by the King of Babylon, there shall he live, and die in a woeful blindness. Those few will I purposely leave alive, 16 But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine and from the pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come, and they shall know that I am the Lord. that they may give glory to me, in confessing the shameful abominations of their people, which brought all this fearful desolation upon them, so as the very heathen may herein justify me and know me to be the Lord. son of man, when thou eatest thy meales, do thou, in thy feeding, express a kind of trembling, 18 Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness. and quaking; and in thy drinking of water, express a frightfulnesse, and amazed suspicion of the approach of an enmie. What mean the Jews to mock at thy prophesies, and to say; Tush, 22 son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying; The dayes are prolonged, and every vision faileth? either it will be long ere these things fall out, or never; they are but vain bugs wherewith the prophets would affright us? CAP. XIII. 3 Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing. WOe unto the foolish prophets that speak of their own heads, even the fancies of their own brains, and have had no vision at all, nor no commission from God. 4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Oh Israel, thy prophets taking advantage of the dispersion of those, which might keep them in order, do nothing but spoil, and waste thy poor, and miserable remainders; as foxes are wont to spoil those vineyards that lie aloof off from their owners. 5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Where the wickedness of the people had made breaches in their walls, it had been your part to have made them up, by wholesome doctrine, and admonition; that so the judgements of God might have been kept out; but ye have not done so at all; nor used any wholesome preventions of these evils; that so Gods people might have been able to stand in the face of their enemies, in the day of battle. 9 They shall not bee in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shal they enter into the land of Israel, and ye shall know that I am the Lord God. They shall not be admitted, as prophets, in the assembly of my people; neither shall they be registered in the roll of the house of Israel; neither shall they ever have the favour to return unto that good land; but shall live and die out-casts from the holy common-wealth of my Church. 10 And one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar. One laid false grounds of comfort, and the other flourished them over with unsound, and plausible pretences. 11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall; there shall be an overflowing shower, and ye O great hail stones shall fall, and a stormy wind shall rent it. Say unto them, which lay these false, and tottering grounds, that they shall fall, how faire soever they seem; their false doctrine of peace shall bee beaten down by that inundation, that storm and tempest of the Chaldees, which shall come in upon them. 18 And say, thus saith the Lord God; Woe to the women that sow pillows to all armeholes, and make kerchiefes upon the head of every stature to hunt souls: Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? Woe to the false prophetesses also, that speak pleasing and plausible words to all hearers,& fit every mans humour with their flattering divinations, purposely that they may entrap, and beguile miserable souls; Will ye persist thus to beguile and ensnare the silly souls of your followers? and will you take upon you to pronounce sentences of life, and good speed where you please? 20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, &c. I am against those your fraudulent insinuations, and plausible falseshoods, wherewith ye deceive and betray the souls of men; I will utterly frustrate and shane these your cunning suggestions; and deliver those souls which ye have ensnared therewith. So also verse 2. Because with lying prophesies ye have made the heart of my faithful people, sad, 22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked. in terrifying them with those evils, which shall not come; and encouraged wicked men, by securing them, against those evils which shall surely fall upon them, &c. Therefore I will so shane and confounded you, 23 Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations, for I will deliver my people out of your hand, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. that ye shall not dare to broach any more of your lying divinations; and my people, whom ye have hitherto deluded, now being sufficiently assured of your falsehood, shall be delivered from the danger of your deceits. CAP. XIIII. son of man, 3 Son of man, these men have set up their Idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them. these men have given up their hearts to Idolatry; and have wilfully laid blocks of iniquity before their own faces, that they may stumble thereat, and fall; contemptuously rejecting my counsels, and ordinances; and is it fit, that such mis-creants should come( as these hypocritically do) to inquire ought from me? I the Lord will answer him that cometh; 4 I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his Idols. but not as he expecteth, and desireth; rather, according to his deservings, in judgement, and indignation, for those many and abominable Idolatries whereof he is guilty. That I may convince the house of Israel in their own hearts, 5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart. of their foul impiety, and abominable wickedness, &c. I will oppose myself against that man, 8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people. 8 nflict sensible judgements upon him; and will make him a fearful example of my just revenge, in every mans mouth, &c. And if the Prophet be deceived, when he hath spoken a thing, 9 And if the Prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing; I the Lord have deceived that Prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him. I the Lord in my just judgement have given up that Prophet to deceit, for a punishment both of his own sin, and of the notorious wickedness of the people, and I will accordingly stretch out my hand against him, in executing my vengeance upon him, &c. And the people also, which trusted to the counsels, and predictions of those false prophets, shall bee duly punished for their iniquity, 10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity. &c. 13 Will break the staff of bread, &c. See Leviticus 26.26. 14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel,& job were in it, they should deliver but their own souls, by their righteousness saith the Lord God. Though there were men never so gracious with me, amongst you; even Noah, whom I saved from the deluge; Daniel, whom I saved from the common slaughter of the Chaldean-wise-men,( and after from the lions;) Job, whom I delivered from those extreme sufferings, under the hand of Satan, and whose intercession I accepted for his friends; yet, they should no otherwise prevail with me, but for the preserving and rescue of their own lives, by their righteousness, saith the Lord. Yet behold, all shall not be thus destroyed; but there shall be left a remnant, that shall be brought forth into captivity, in your sight; behold they shall bee brought forth unto you; and ye shall well see their ways, and doings to have been so abominable, as that ye shall willingly justify my proceedings against them, in all the evil, that I have brought upon Jerusalem. 22 Yet behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and Daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way, and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon jerusalem. So also verse 23. CAP. XV. 1, 2, 3, 4. son of man, what is the vine three more then any three, or then a branch which is among the trees of the forest? shall wood be taken thereof to do any work; or will men take a pin of it, to hang any vessel thereon? Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel. THe vine is a noble plant, in respect of the fruit it bears, but in regard of the wood thereof, no shrub is so mean; it is so far from yielding boards, or timber, as that there cannot so much as a pin be made of it, to hang ought thereon; lo such is Israel, if it bore good fruit, it would be dear and precious to me; but, in itself, it is but mean, and base, in comparison of other nations, and that which is unfit for any service; It is only meet to bee cast into the fire for fuel, &c. CAP. XVI. 3 And say, Thus saith the Lord God unto jerusalem, Thy birth,& thy nativity is of the land of Canaan, thy father was an Amorite,& thy mother an Hittite. NEver brag of thy descent from Abraham; no, thou hast so utterly degenerated from the faith, and obedience of that holy patriarch, that thou hast justly forfeited all thy claim of him; rather thy birth, and thy nativity may, and must be derived from those Canaanites, into whose corrupt manners thou art declined; and so art thou incorporated into their wicked corruptions, as if thy father were an Amorite, thy mother an Hittite, neither of them of the chosen and holy seed. And in how miserable a condition I found thee, 4 And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born, thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to suppling thee, thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. all the world knoweth; even utterly languishing under the egyptian servitude, so as thy case was no less desperate then that a new born child, whose navel is not cut, and, to whom the mid-wife performeth not those offices, which are necessary for the first entrance, and entertainment in the world. No eye pitied thee, 5 None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee, but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the loathing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. or was inclined to show thee any mercy, or do thee any favour at all; yea rather thou wert hated and despised by thine hosts, and neighbours of egypt; and wert left forlorn to the cruelty,& scorn, and intolerable oppression of those thy tyrannicall persecutors. And when looking down from heaven, 6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live, yea I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live. I saw thee in this woeful, and loathsome plight; given up by the world, as lost, I then took compassion on thee, and even then, in thine utmost extremity determined thy preservation, and said, yet Israel shall live. I have so blessed thee, that thou not only injoyest life, 7 And thou hast increased and waxed great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments, thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare. but, withall, art plentifully stored with those favours, and benefits, which serve for pleasure, and ornament; and thou art now grown to a great perfection, of knowledge and profession; whereas before thou wert utterly destitute of all good things. And now, 8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold the time was the time of love,& I spread my skirt over thee. when thou wert thus beautified by my graces and favours, I began to cast my affections upon thee, as that Church, whom I would espouse to myself; and immediately, professed myself to be thy spiritual husband; contracting myself unto thee by a firm covenant, mutually passed betwixt us; and thou becamest my peculiar people. Then I sanctified thee from thy natural corruptions; 9 Then washed I thee with water, yea I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. and cleansed thee from thy sins, and gave thee the anointing of my spirit. And decked thee with all those varieties of graces, 10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and covered, &c. and virtues, which I plentifully communicated unto thee. So also verse 11.12. and part of the 13. I did not only make outward provisions for thee, 13 Thou didst eat fine flower, and honey, and oil, and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom. but I fed thee also spiritually with those heavenly delicates of my Sacraments; and thou wert become glorious, and beautiful, in the eyes of the world; and now, of an obscure, and despised handful, wert grown up into a kingdom. 15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot, because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was. And now, being thus favoured, and graced by me, thou grewest proud of thine own worth; and forgatest me, and gavest thyself over to all uncleanness; and now being sought to as some famous courtesan, thou hast yielded over thyself to the spiritual fornications of all the nations round about thee. 16 And of thy garments thou didst take,& deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and plaidst the harlot thereupon; the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so. And thou hast abused my graces unto wantonnnesse; those ornaments of wit, of strength, of wealth, which I had bestowed upon thee, thou hast turned to the countenancing, and furtherance of gross Idolatries. So also verse 17. and 18. and 19. &c. 25 And hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms. Thou hast communicated in Idolatry, with every nation, that hath had any intercourse with thee. 26 Thou hast also committed fornication with the egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh,& hast increased thy whoredoms to provoke me to anger. Thou hast both renewed leagues, and interchanged Idolatries, with the egyptians, which are noted for monstrous in this impiety; and hast increased thy spiritual whoredoms above measure. The like wickedness hast thou also committed with the Assyrians, 28 Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable. as if thy lust after Idols were utterly unsatiable, &c. So also verse 29. 30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord God, seeing thou dost all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman? How hast thou even spent, and exhausted thyself with this odious filthiness, saith the Lord; as some notorious and most infamous strumpet. I will put thee to shane and confusion before the faces of those which consorted with thee, 37 And will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they, &c. in thine Idolatries. 41 And I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more. I will so judge thee, that thou shalt be disabled from any further commission of this spiritual whoredom; and shalt be stripped of any power to give the hire of fornication, to thy mercenary lovers. 42 So will I make my fury towards thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry. So will I abundantly satisfy myself with that revenge which I shall take of thee; as that my fury and jealousy shall be at an end, as having no further object to work upon. Because thou hast not remembered, both the favours that I did thee, 43 Because thou hast not remembered the daies of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, &c. and the covenants that thou madest with me, in my youth; but hast provoked me in all these things; I will bring thy deserved judgements upon thee; and will make thee sure enough from adding this lewdness to thine other abominations. Thy notorious sins shall be the ordinary by-word, 44 Behold, every one that useth proverbs, shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter. and tabletalk of the world, who shall say, As is the mother Canaan, so is the daughter Judah. Thou art just thy mothers daughter, 45 Thou art thy mothers daughter, that loatheth her husband, and her children, and thou art the sister of thy sisters, which loathed their husbands, and their children, your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite. like her in wickedness, and sin; as she, so thou, hast cast off thy God, and hatest all those that pertain unto him,& the whole family of you, is all of one and the same strain; thy sister is of no other disposition; your mother( in respect of your manners and condition) was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite. And thine elder sister, is Samaria, 46 And thine elder sister is Samaria, shee and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister that dwelleth at thy right hand is sodom, and her daughters. or the Ten Tribes of Israel, she, and those her daughter cities, that lye to the North, and thy younger sister that dwells to the Southward, is sodom, and the cities appertaining to her. Yet thou hast not contented thyself to do after the example of their abominations, but, &c. 47 Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations. Behold, 49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness. these were the most eminent sins of thy sister sodom, even pride, excess of diet, extreme idleness and security; and want of respect and mercy to the poor and needy, &c. Thou hast made thy sisters wickednesses to appear small in comparison of thine. 51 And hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done. Thou which hast passed thy sentence upon the foul sins of sodom, and Samaria, 52 Thou also which hast judged thy sisters, bear thine own shane for thy sins that thou hast committed more abominable then they. now make account to undergo the shane, and judgement, which thy own greater and more abominable sins have deserved, &c. And if the captivity of sodom, and that of Samaria, 53 When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria, and her daughters; then will I bring again the captivity of thy captives in the midst of them. and the towns round about them both, shall be ever reversed; then look that thine also, O Judah, shall be so; but as there is no possibility in their return, so there is none in thine. Thou never thoughtst of the judgement, 56 For thy sister Sodom was not mentioned by thy mouth in the day of thy pride. which I brought upon thy sister sodom, in raining fire and brimstone upon their heads; whiles thou wert transported with thy security, and pride. 57 Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the philistines which despise thee round about. Before that God, by his inflicted judgements, brought forth thy wickedness to the notice of the world; and before he made thee a reproach to the Syrians, and their neighbouring nations, and to the philistines, and the people adjoining; all which have despitefully insulted upon thee. Then shalt thou bethink thyself, and recall to remembrance those wicked ways wherein thou hast walked, 61 Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger, and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. and be ashamed; when thou shalt also adjoin unto thee, the Gentiles, as partners of thy happy conversion; whom thou shalt be a means to bring home into my Church; but not by virtue of any covenant of thine, but of my own, which is the new Covenant that I shall make with my chosen under the gospel. 63 That thou maiest remember, and bee confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shane. That thou maiest remember thy old wickednesses, and be soundly humbled under the sense of them, and not have a word to say for thyself; because of the shane of thy former vileness, &c. CAP. XVII. NEbuchadnezer the King of Babylon is a great Eagle; his long wings, and many feathers are his several dominions; Whose divers colours, are the rites, and various forms of government, in those sundry nations; he came into Judea, where Lebanon is renowned and conspicuous; and took away King Jechoniah, the highest branch of the Cedars there. 3 And say, thus saith the Lord God, A great Eagle with great wings, long winged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the Cedar. 4 He cropped off the top of his young twigs; and carried it into a land of traffic, he set it in a city of Merchants. He cropped off the top of his young twigs, all their prime nobility and able soldiery, and carried them into captivity, and set them in Babylon. 5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field, he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow three. He took also of the seed royal, even Zedechiah, and planted him in the fruitful land of Judea; where he had store of means to have lived, and flourished. 6 And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him; so it became a vine, &c. And he grew up, and prospered exceedingly, and became a great, and wealthy Prince; howsoever tributary to Babylon; both his family and his power were greatly enlarged. 7 There was also another great Eagle with great wings, and many feathers; and behold, this vine did bend her roots towards him,& shotforth her branches towards him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation. There was also another great King, of ample dominions, and mighty power; even the King of egypt, and behold, Zedechiah thus set up by Nebuchadnezer, yet did unthankfully incline unto, and rely upon that King of egypt, to bee supported by him in his revolt. He was( if he could have kept him so) well planted in his own soil, which was rich and plentiful, &c. 8 It was planted in a goodly soil, by great waters, that it might bring forth branches. Thus saith the Lord; shall this man prosper in his treachery, and ingratitude? No, that great Monarch, 9 Say thou, thus saith the Lord God, Shall it prosper, shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof that it whither? from whom he is revolted, shall take just revenge on him; and shall utterly defeat, and root him out, &c. So also verse 10. Thus saith the Lord, I will, at the last, work out the delivery and redemption of my people; 22 Thus saith the Lord God, I will also take off the highest branch of the high Cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, &c. out of the seed of David, will I raise up the Messiah, and set him on high in mine holy Church. Even in my glorious Evangelicall Church, will I exalt his power; and he shall spread my gospel, 23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it, and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly Cedar, and under it shall dwell all fowle of every wing, in the shadow, &c. and enlarge his spiritual dominions all the world over; and all his elect shall shrowded themselves under his grace, and protection, &c. And all the people of the earth shall know, that I have brought down the proud and mighty gangrenes of the world, and have exalted this meek, 24 And all the trees of the field shall know, that I the Lord have brought down the high three, have exalted the low three; have dried up the green three, and have made the dry three to flourish; the Lord have spoken, and have done it. and despised Saviour of mankind above every name, that is name in heaven, and in earth. CAP. XVIII. See jer. 31. verse 29. 2 The fathers have eaten sour grapes, &c. ye have no reason to murmur against me, as either partial, or rigorous; for, 4 Behold, all souls are mine, as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine; the soul that sinneth, it shall die. are not all souls the work of my creation; one as well as another? and hath not every workman a will to wish well to his own handiworke: were it not therefore for sin, no soul should die. But if a man do sincerely apply himself to the keeping of Gods Law, 5 But if a man bee just, and do that which is lawful and right. and carefully endeavour to do that which is just and right. 6 And hath not eaten upon the mountaines, neither hath lift up his eyes to the Idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbours wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman. And hath not given way to superstitious, and idolatrous sacrifices, neither hath given any worship to the idols of Israel; nor hath suffered himself to be defiled with Adultery, nor hath been polluted with that legal uncleanness of unseasonable copulation, with a woman set apart for her disease. He that hath not given forth his money upon usury, neither hath upon any pretence, 8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase. taken increase from the hands of the borrower, &c. 10 If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doth the like to any of these things: If now this upright man, beget a son that is a robber, or a murderer, or is guilty of any other notorious violation of Gods Law: And doth not set himself to do any of the holy duties required, 11 And that doth not any of these duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountaines, and defiled his neighbours wife; but yeeldeth to idolatrous practices, and to adulteries, and other uncleannesses; Shall that son, because he is descended of holy and good parents, 13 Shall he then live? he shall not live. live, and have the blessings of a comfortable life continued unto him? No; he shall not live, &c. 14 Now lo, if he beget a son that seeth all his fathers sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doth not such like. Now if this degenerated and wicked man beget a son, that seeth, these sins of his father, and, upon due consideration, avoideth, and abhorreth all his evil ways. No soul shall be adjudged to death for any sin, but his own; 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall bee upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. that universal contagion of our first parents sin, hath spread itself over every soul; and by our propriety therein, hath made us liable to death; but in our personal derivation from our following parents, there can be no guilt of death to any man; the son shall not be condemned to death, for the sin of the father, &c. But he that doth righteously, shall speed well with God, and be graciously accepted; he that doth evil, shall receive according to the wickedness he hath committed. If that man who hath been formerly wicked, shall now prove truly penitent, 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my Statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall not die. and turn from all his sins, and hereafter live holily, and constionably in this present world, he shall surely live, and not die. So verse 22. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die, saith the Lord God,& not that he should return from his ways and live. Is it any pleasure to me that men should be wicked, or that those which are now wicked men, should die everlastingly, saith the Lord God? Is it not rather my desire, that men should repent, and that the repentant should live; is not this the very sum of my gospel, which I sand into the world? do not I call, and cry and sue to men that they would return from their sins, and be saved. But when that man who hath, all the while, 24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doth shal, he live? all his righteousness that he hath done, shall not be mentioned in his trespass that trespassed,& in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. carried himself righteously, and unreproveably, shall now( as being weary of his holy courses) turn away from his upright disposition and conversation, and give himself over to all those abominations, which wicked men commit, shall that man,( by virtue of his former inoffensive carriage) live? No, all his formerly professed righteousness shall be forgotten, and q●●te unregarded; and he shall be dealt with according to the present condition of his sin. So also verse 26. CAP. XIX. WHat is Judea thy mother, 2 And say, What is thy mother, a lioness: she lay down among lions, shee nourished her whelps among young lions. even the whole land wherein thou dwellest? she is no better then a fierce, and cruel lioness; she consorted with other merciless, and cruel nations; and framed herself, and her people accordingly. She brought forth one amongst the rest, 3 And she brought up one of her whelps, it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey, it devoured men. noted for a lion-like disposition, even Jehoahaz the son of good Josiah, who tyrannized for a time over his people. In so much, as the neighbour nations heard the same of his mis-government, and set upon him and took him violently away; and brought him captive in chains unto egypt. 4 The nations also heard of him, he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains, unto the land of egypt. Then, 5 Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion. when shee saw herself disappointed of the hope of his success, she set up another of the seed royal by the allowance of Pharaoh Necho; even Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah. And he ruled fiercely, 6 And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men. and wickedly amongst his people; and followed those courses of oppression, and violence, which his brother had lead him to. And he usurped, and took to himself their widdowed palaces, and laid waste their populous cities, 7 And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities, and the land was desolate, and the fullness thereof by the noise of his roaring. through his cruel extortions; yea he made the whole land desolate, and by his unmerciful exactions, and cruel menaces, exhausted the fullness thereof. Then the nations being moved with his insolency, 8 Thē the nations sent thee against him on every side from the Provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit. set against him on every side, and both by force and policy, surprised him; and he was captived by them. 10 Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters, she was fruitful, and full of branches by the reason of many waters. Thy mother is like a vine in the time of her first peaceable plantation; set in a moist and fruitful soil, and thereupon yielded abundance of branches, and those branches, abundance of grapes. 11 And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bear rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height by the multitude of her branches. And she brought forth many, and potent Princes, which bore rule over my people, and she grew populous and mighty; famous and renowned amongst the nations about her. But now, through her unanswerablenesse to Gods proceedings with her, and to her own good beginnings, she is justly plucked up in fury, 12 But she was plucked up in fury: she was cast down to the ground, and the East wind dried up her fruit, her strong rods were broken and withered, the fire consumed them. and cast down to the ground, and dried up, and withered, with the severe judgements of the almighty; Her Princes, and all those of her blood royal are consumed, and utterly rooted out. And now, she is carried away( in a woeful captivity) to be planted in the barren wilderness 13 And now shee is planted in the wilderness. of Babylon, &c. 14 And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that shee hath no strong rod to bee a sceptre to rule: this is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation. And a destruction is risen from among themselves, even from the treachery of Zedekiah, which hath utterly consumed the remainders of her hopes; so that now, there is no more likelihood of any of the royal blood to be exalted to her government, &c. CAP. XX. WIlt thou any more denounce,& inculcate my despised judgements unto them? Or, wilt thou pled with me for them, any more? No; rather lay before them the abominations of their fathers; 4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers. and so leave them to their deserved punishments. 5 When I lifted up my hand, unto the seed of the house of jacob, &c. When I solemnly swore by myself for the confirmation of that covenant, which I made with the seed of Jacob, &c. 7 Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, &c. Cast ye away, every one of you, those abominable Idols, which your eyes have seen, and affencted. Moreover also, I gave them my Sabbaths, to bee a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. Moreover also, as I gave them( together with the rest) a royal law which was written in the very heart of man, so I did peculiarly give them my Sabbaths, as a special cognisance of my people; whereby they might be known to be severed from all others; and might have this bond of sanctifying my name, above all other nations. Wherefore I did, in my just judgement, 25 Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgements whereby they should not live. give them up to their own inventions, so as they made to themselves wicked laws, and perverted their ways before me. And I yielded them over to a pollution with their own gifts, and oblations; 26 And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb. so as in those things wherein they vainly hoped, and pretended to please me, they foully defiled themselves; namely in their superstitious and Idolatrous lustrations; wherewith they wickedly thought to consecrate the fruit of their womb, &c. Yet in this, 27 Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me. your fathers have shamefully reproached me, in that being so graciously dealt with, by me, yet they demeaned themselves wickedly, and rebelliously against me. For, 28 For when I had brought thē into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices and there they presented the provocation of their offering. when I had brought them into the land of Canaan, which I had promised, and swore to give unto them, they cast their eyes upon those hills, and groves, wherein the heathen had wont to offer their Idolatrous sacrifices; and there, contrary to my commandement, they made their sinful oblations, to provoke me to wrath against them, &c. Notwithstanding that I dissuaded them for these Idolatrous courses; and sharply reproved them; 29 Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? expostulating with them, the vanity& wickedness of these services of theirs; what mean you thus to frequent your forbidden altars? do you not know that I have confined my worship to one place? Why will ye thus wilfully transgress my law? &c. And I will bring you into the desert land of your captivity under the heathen; 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I pled with you face to face. and there will I argue this case with you; laying before you those offences, wherewith you haue justly provoked me. I will cause you to pass under the rod, 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant. both of my correction, and my guidance; and will recall you to the memory, and recognition of that bond of mutual covenant, which hath been made betwixt us. As for you, O ye house of Israel, thus saith the Lord; I will have none of your halfe-services; never hope to divide betwixt me, and your idols; since ye will not bee wholly mine; go ye, serve ye every one his Idols, 39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God, go ye, serve ye every one his Idols. &c. But for you, 40 For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land serve me, there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the, &c. that are the true spiritual seed of faithful Israel, ye shall all serve me in mine holy Church, and I will both expect, and graciously accept of those services, and devotions, which ye shall offer unto me. So also verse 14. and 42. 46 son of man, set thy face toward the South, and drop thy word toward the South, and prophesy against the forest of the South field. Sone of man, turn thy face toward Jerusalem, which lieth southward from the land where thou art, and utter thy words towards that cost; and prophesy against the sinful land of Israel, which hath been as some wild forest in those southern parts. 47 And say to the forest of the south, hear the word of the Lord: thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green three in thee,& every dry three. And say to the land of Israel; hear the word of the Lord, &c. I will bring a grievous destruction upon thee, by the hand of thy merciless enemies, which like a furirious, and unquenchable fire shall utterly consume thee, &c. So verse 48. 49 Then said I, Ah Lord God, they say of me, doth he not speak parables? Then said I, Ah Lord God, this perverse people are apt to take exceptions against me; and now they quarrel me for the obscurity of my prophesies; and say, This man speaks riddles, and parables, we know not what he means. CAP. XXI. lo then, without all parables, I say unto thee plainly; O thou son of man set thy face towards Jerusalem, 2 son of man set thy face toward jerusalem. &c. I will make no spare at all; but will sweep away every living man in the common destruction; even the righteous, and the wicked; 4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked. the righteous will I remove to their advantage and glory, the wicked to their utter confusion, &c. 5 That all flesh may know that I the Lord have drawn forth my sword out of his sheathe: it shall not return any more. That all flesh may know, it is my judgement, that is thus severely, and unpartially executed upon Israel. Sigh thou therefore, O thou son of man, sigh so deeply, 6 Sigh therefore thou son of man with the breaking of thy loins, and with bitterness sigh before their eyes. and strongly, as to break thy girdle from thy loins, and by this sighing of thine, intimate unto them that great sorrow which is coming upon them. This sharp sword is not for correction, or for the pruning of superfluities, which I am wont to practise upon my beloved children; 10 It contemneth the rod of my son, as every three. but for an utter excision both of stock, and branches; and will leave no way, either for the amendment, or for the being of any in Israel. 13 Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod, it shall be no more, saith the Lord God. Because it shall be a fiery trial indeed; And what if this sword scorn to rest in an affliction onely of my people; but shall at once cut them off, that they shall be no more? Surely thus it shall do, saith the Lord God. See chapter 16. verse 42. 17 I will cause my fury to rest. Describe thou in a table, a draft of two ways, 19 Also thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the King of Babylon may come, both twain shall come forth out of one land; and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city. by which the sword of the King of Babylon may come; Let the ways run on together, as coming from one place; and then, when they come to the parting of them, Let one way led to Rabbah the city of the Ammonites, and another to Jerusalem the chief and defenced city of Judah. 20 Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to judah in jerusalem the defenced. For the King of Babylon shall stand at the parting of two ways, and, being in a doubt whether way to take, 21 For the King of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. shall use divinations for his direction, &c. The sorcerers, and soothsayers shall agree upon his assaulting of Jerusalem; 22 At his right hand was the divination for jerusalem, to appoint captaines, to open the mouth in the slaughter. and shall thereupon give him advice, to prepare for that siege, to attempt the sacking, and destruction thereof with all courage and violence, &c. But this prophesy of thine shall seem to them as a false prediction, even to them, 23 And it shall bee unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths; but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken. which have dared to swear the certainty of the contrary success; But this great enemy will reckon with them, for all their former iniquity, and they shal be surprised with judgement. And thou, O profane and wicked Prince of Israel, 25 And thou profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end. Zedekiah, whose time of just punishment is now comne, wherein thine iniquity shall be called to a full account, and dispatch. Thus saith the Lord; 26 Thus saith the Lord God, Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. Take away the kingdom from that treacherous Prince; he shall not rule any more; let Jechoniah, who is now unregarded, be exalted; and let Zedekiah, who is now advanced, be brought low. I will utterly overturn, for ever, 27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more until he come, whose right it is,& I will give it him. this kingdom of judah and Israel; and it shall never be erected any more, until the Messiah come whose right it is, and to him will I spiritually give it. Thus saith the Lord concerning the Ammonites, 28 And thou son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the Lord God, concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach. and that their reproach, which they have been ever apt to cast upon my people; even thus say, Even for you, O ye children of Ammon, is the sword also prepared, &c. 29 Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lye unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain of the wicked whose day is come, when their, &c. Whiles thy wisards feed thee with false predictions, to stir thee up against those already miserable and distressed Israelites, against those wicked revolters from me, whose judgement is now to be fully accomplished. 30 Shall I cause it to return into his sheathe? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created in the land of thy nativity. Shall I cause that slaughter of thine to cease? No; I will inflict this vengeance upon thee, in thy very home, in the place where thou wert born, and bread. 31 And I will power out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath. I will come against thee like a mighty, and terrible tempest, in the fierce fury of my wrath, &c. CAP. XXII. 2 Wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? See chapter 20. verse 4. 9 In thee they eat upon the mountaines. IN the midst of thee, there are those that offer idolatrous sacrifices to their false Gods, in their high places. 10 In thee have they discovered their fathers nakedness; in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution. Amongst thy people there are those, who have committed filthiness with their own parents; and have lain with those women, which have been separated for their legal, or natural uncleanenesses. 18 son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross, all they are brass and tin, and iron and led in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. son of man, the house of Israel was to me as the most precious mettall, but now, it is shamefully degenerated into dross; and the best of them is either extremely embased with their sins, or else become nothing but more offal, and corruption. 19. 20. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Because ye are all become dross, behold therefore I will gather you into the midst of jerusalem. Behold therefore( saith the Lord) Because ye are thus depraved, I will deal with you accordingly; I will gather you all up, as into one furnace, which shall be Jerusalem; and there I will sand the fire of my judgement upon you, and consume you. So verse 21. and 22. 24 son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. Thou art a land notoriously unclean with thine abominable sins, and therefore shalt be seized upon by my judgements, without mitigation; when my fire shall flamme up to consume thee, there shall not be so much as a shower of rain to fall upon thee, for the quenching thereof. Their prophets have soothed them up in their sins, 28 And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them. and, in a base flattery, have spoken plausible tidings to them, no less false then pleasing, &c. I sought for some faithful and innocent man amongst them, that might stand up, 30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, &c. and intercede with me fo● the removal, or protraction of my judgements, &c. CAP. XXIII. son of man, Israel, and Judah, which were in their original but one people, now, since their division, were and are two daughters of one, and the same mother. 2 son of man, there were two women the daughters of one mother. They began to learn and practise Idolatries in the land of egypt; 3 And they committed whoredoms in egypt, they committed whoredoms in their youth, there were their breasts pressed, and there they bruised the teats of their virginity. even from their first entrance into the calling of my people; there and then, were they corrupted with the gross superstitions of the heathen. Both of these divided people, had their names from a Tent, or Tabernacle; Israel, 4 And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister, and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters; thus were their names Samaria is Aholah, and jerusalem Aholibah. or the ten tribes( which is the greater part) is Aholah, his own Tabernacle; which she would needs erect, according to her own device, to draw away clients from my Temple; judah is Aholibah my Tent, or Tabernacle, fixed in her; because of the place of my worship, settled there; and both of these have their denominations from the two chief cities in them, Samaria, the chief city of Israel, is Aholah; and jerusalem, the chief city of judah, is Aholibah. And Israel( which is Aholah) played the spiritual harlot, whiles she professed to be mine; and was miscarried into gross Idolatry, by the Assyrians her neighbours. 5 And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine, and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbours. Which were rich and proudly set forth; 6 Which were clothed with blue, Captaines and rulers, all of them desirable young men, horsemen riding upon horses. men of great account, both for their wealth, and power, and valour. Neither yet did she give over those superstitions, 8 Neither left she her whoredoms brought from egypt; for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and powred their whoredom upon her. which she brought with her, out of egypt; for, in her first beginnings they corrupted her with their Idolatrous services; and infected her with their abominations. And she became a noted, and remarkable example of Gods judgements amongst the nations. 10 She became famous among women. 11 And when her sister Aholibah saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love then she, and in her whoredoms more then her sister in her whoredoms. And when Judah and Jerusalem saw this; in stead of being warned by her sister Israel, she drew her wicked practices into example; and became more lewd, and idolatrous then shee. 12 She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, Captaines and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding, &c. She also fell into a sinful league with the Assyrians, and into love of their Idolatries; being besotted with the admiration of their wealth, and power, and bravery. 14 For when shee saw men portrayed upon the wall, the Images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion. For when she did but see the pictures of the Chaldeans set forth in lively colours, by the hand of the painter, ere she was acquainted with their persons; 15 Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, al of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity. She did no sooner see their habit, and gorgeous attire( wherein they were set forth like so many Princes, to grace them in the eyes of the beholders) according to the proud fashions of the Babylonians of Chaldea, where they were born, and bread; But presently, upon the first sight( like a wanton strumpet) she fell into extreme love with them, 16 And assoon as shee saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. and dotage upon them; in such sort, that she could not bee at rest till she had sent ambassadors into Chaldea to treat of a league with them. 17 And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them. And those Babylonians easily condescended to the motion, and entred into terms of friendship with her, and by this means had opportunity to infect her with their foul Idolatries. 20 For she doted upon their paramours whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses. For she was besotted with a lust after their spiritual whoredoms; who were most notoriously Idolatrous; even above the common rank of the other heathen. 21 Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the egyptians, for the paps of thy youth. Thus, thou didst revive, and recall the lewd abominations of thy first times; when the egyptians defiled thee with their wicked Idolatry. 22 Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side. Behold, I will stir up against thee those nations, upon whom thou wert so fond, to beleague thyself with them; with whom thou art now fallen out, and art at deadly defiance; and I will bring them to invade thee on every side. They shall set upon thee the marks of thine adultery; they shall slitt thy nose, and thine ears, for an harlot; and those that shall escape the shameful reproaches of their whoredom, shall fall by the sword, 25 They shall take away thy nose and thine ears; and thy remnant shall fall by the sword. &c. They shall strip thee of all thine ornaments; 26 They shall also strip thee out of thy clothes, and take away thy faire jewels and carry away all that wealth, wherein thou hast prided thyself. Thus will I make thee past the danger of committing lewdness against me, any more, 27 Thus will I make thy fifteens to cease from thee,& thy whoredom brought from the land of egypt. and of renewing thine old egyptian Idolatries, &c. I will make thee take deep of those grievous judgements, which thy sister Israel hath tasted of. 31 Therefore will I give her cup into thine hand. So also verse 32.33.34. See Isaiah 51. verse 17. 34 Thou shalt even drink it, and suck it out. And how madly discontented soever thou shalt bee with this judgement, 34 And thou shalt break the sheards thereof, and pluck off thine own breasts. yet shalt thou not be able to put it off; but shalt rather, in thine indignation, tear thine own breasts, &c. And furthermore, And furthermore, that ye have sent for men to come from far, unto whom a messenger was sent, and lo they came for whom thou didst wash thyself, paintedst thy eyes, and deckedst thyself with ornaments. that like a petulant harlot inflamed with lust, thou hast sent thy pandar-like messengers afar off, to fetch thine Idolatrous paramours unto thee; for whose lewd entertainment thou didst make all kind of lascivious preparation, addressing thyself to work this spiritual wickedness with them. So also verse 41. Yea, 42 And a voice of a multitude being at ease, was with her, and with the men of the common sort were brought Sabeans from the wilderness, &c. not only these choice Idolaters were sought unto, but even the common rabble of all the most debauched heathens, were brought unto thee, for the employment of thy spiritual filthiness; even base drunkards, from the most despised corners of the wilderness; which set out themselves with those ornaments which their savage condition would afford. Then said I, 43 Then I said unto her that was old in adulteries; Will they now commit whoredoms with her, and she with them? this people of judah is now grown old in her spiritual adulteries; It is more then time for her to leave off these sinful courses; and will shee yet continue her whorish Idolatries with other nations, and they with her? Yet, I saw no end of those her odious fornications; 44 Yet they went in unto her, as they go in unto a woman that playeth the harlot; so went they in unto Aholah and unto Aholibah the lewd woman. but she persisteth in her abominable uncleannesses; the nations round about her, consort with her in her Idolatries; Thus they do with Israel and judah, without fear or shane. 45 Because they are adulteresses, and blood is in their hands. Because they are guilty both of Idolatries, and murders in a very shameful measure; in that they have shed the blood of their children, in sacrifices to their false gods. 49 And ye shall bear the sins of your Idols. And ye shall bear the punishment of your odious idolatry. CAP. XXIIII. 3 Thus saith the Lord, set on a pot, set it on, and also poure water into it. THus saith the Lord God; I have appointed thy very actions to be significant, and prophetical; set on a pot therefore, &c. 6 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God, Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it, bring it out piece by piece, let no lot fall upon it. Wherefore, thus saith the Lord, Jerusalem that bloody city is that boiling pot; whose scum is in it, for that it is not purged from those foul sins, wherewith it aboundeth; The fire under it, is the extreme calamity which it shall suffer; The flesh and bones which are in it, are those Jews which have fled thither for safety, and defence; they shall be boiled therein, through the great misery they shall endure; put thou in thine hook, and bring out the flesh, and bone, weal, where soever it lights, without any choice, or deliberation, to show that every one of them shall be fetched out thence, without difference. 7 For her blood is in the midst of her, she set it upon the top of a rock, she poured it not upon the ground to cover it with dust. For the blood which she hath shed, is conspicuous, even in the very midst of her; as if it had been spilled upon some high eminent rock, where it could not bee hide, nor soaked in; she did not poure it upon the ground, that it should be covered with the dust, and so unseen. So verse 8. 9 I will make the pile for fire, great. I will greatly aggravate her judgements. 10 heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burnt. See that full and exquisite vengeance be executed upon all the inhabitants of that wicked city. So verse 11. 12 She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her, her scum shall be in the fire. Shee hath wearied herself with her false worship, and with flatteries of her safe condition; and all her wickedness is still within her, unrepented of; unamended; and shall be, together with her, fit matter for my wrath to work upon. 13 In thy fithinesse is lewdness. That rust and scum which is in thee, is thine abominable lewdness, &c. son of man, behold, 16 son of man, behold, I take away from thee, the desire of thine eye with a stroke, yet neither shalt thou mourn, nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. I take away from thee that dear wife of thine, in whom thou tookest true contentment: I will inflict the stroke of death upon her; and yet, I forbid thee to mourn, and weep; shed no tears for this great loss of thine, for a sign to this people. Make no show at all of mourning for that thy dear consort; but demean thyself, so, 17 forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tyre of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. as if thou hadst no loss, or sorrow; neither make thou any funeral banquet, as the manner of the people is. Behold, 21 Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth: and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left, shall fall by the sword. I will cause my Temple to be exposed to the profanation of the heathen; and I will give into their hands, your young men, your wives, your daughters, and whatsoever is dear and precious unto you; and they shall fall by the sword of the Babylonians. And ye shall do as I have done, ye shall make no sign of any mourning, or lamentation for them, &c. 22 And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips. So verse 23. Thus do I figure out, 24 Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done. and act upon Ezekiel that which I will do unto you, &c. CAP. XXV. look thou towards the cost of the Ammonites, and in this posture, do thou prophesy against them. 2 son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites,& prophesy against them. Because thou didst insult, 3 Because thou saidst Ah against my sanctuary, when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel. and rejoice in the profanation of my Sanctuary, and in the destruction of Israel, &c. Behold, therefore, I will deliver thee, and thy country to the hands of the Babylonians, for their possession, 4 Behold therefore, I will deliver thee to the men of the East, for a possession. and inheritance, &c. And, 5 And I will make Rabbah a stable for Camels, and the Ammonites, a couching place for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the Lord. I will make thy chief city Rabbah wherein are the palaces of thy great Princes, to become a stable for Camels; and the land of the Ammonites will I make a desert, for the pasturing· of sheep; 8 Thus saith the Lord God, because that Moab and Seir do say, behold, the house of judah is like unto all the heathen. Thus saith the Lord; Because the Moabites, and Edomites have triumphed in the desolation of my people; and have scornfully said; We see no difference betwixt Judah, and other nations; their God hath had no more power to preserve them, then the Gods of their neighbours. 9 Therefore behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities, which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon,& Kiriathaim. Therefore will I cast open the frontiers of Moab, how strongly soever defenced with their wasted cities; and will give up all the richest, and pleasantest part of their country. 10 unto the men of the East with the Ammonites, and I will give them in possession that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations. Unto the spoil of the Babylonians; and together therewith, will I deliver up the land of the Ammonites, to be so utterly wasted, that the memory of it may not remain among the nations. I will make Edom desolate in all the coasts thereof, no part of the country shall be free from destruction. 13 And I will make it desolate from Teman, and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. 14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger, and according to my fury. And I will execute my vengeance upon Edom, by the same hand that hath plagued my people Israel; even the Babylonians; who shall also employ those captive Israelites, which live unde● them, in this service, &c. 16 And I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the Sea cost. I will cut off both those philistines that dwell in the in-land; and those that inhabit along by the sea-coast. CAP. XXVI. 2 son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against jerusalem, Ah, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me, I shall be replenished now, she is laid waste. BEcause Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, in rejoicing at her ruin; Ah, she that was the most populous, and best-traded city of the East, is now laid waste; all her traffic and wealth shall now be turned unto me, I shall be enriched in her spoil, and decay. 4 I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. I will cause not onely her rich treasures to be carried away, but her very soil and earth shall be taken off, and removed, that she may be left as barren as the rock. 5 It shall bee a place for the spreading of nets in the Sea. It shall no more be a frequented city; but a wast place for fishermen to lay abroad their nets in, &c. 15 Shall not the Iles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee. Shall not all the Sea-coasts round about, be afraid, and amazed at the famed of thy destruction, &c. Then all the Princes of those maritime regions, 16 Then all the Princes of the Sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall cloth themselves with trembling. on all sides, shall be disheartened with the news of thy ruin; and shall lay aside their pomp, and jollity, and shall be wholly possessed with fear, and trembling, &c. When I shall bring the Babylonians upon thee, who like a deluge of waters, 19 When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited, when I shall bring up the deep upon thee. shall violently break in upon thee, and swallow thee up. With those people which are long since dead and gone; then I shal, at the last, restore the former glory, 20 With the people of old time, &c. And I shall set glory in the land of the living. with an increase thereof, unto the remainders of my Church; here upon earth. I will make thee a terrible example to all cities and countries, in my utter destroying thee, &c. 21 I will make thee a terror; and thou shalt be no more. CAP. XXVII. ANd say unto Tyrus, 3 And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the Sea, which art a merchant of the people for many Iles, &c. O thou that art situate upon the Sea-coast, as a fit and famous Port; which art renowned for the traffic of merchandise, all the world over. They have prepared all things that belong to thy shipping, in a degree above necessity, and convenience; 5, 6 They have made all thy ship-boards of fire trees of Senir: of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars: the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches of yvorie. even to wantonness, and excesse-full curiosity: the timber thereof is not of any ordinary and base wood, but rare and precious; and thy benches, in stead of wood, which others use, are of the costliest ivory, brought from far. And where others sails are of plain canvas; 7 Fine linen with boridered work from Egypt. thine are of fine linen curiously embroidered with Egyptian work, &c. Thy mariners were the slaves of Sidon, 8 The inhabitants of Zidon, and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee were thy pilots. and Damascus, both strong and skilful; and thy pilots were the cunning Seamen of thine own breeding. The ancient, and experienced men of Gebal, 9 The ancients of Gebal, and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkes. who were noted for most expert Ship-wright, were employed in the building, and calking of thy vessells, &c. The Persians, and Lydians,& Moores, 10 They of Persia, and of lord, and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee. famous for their prowess, and skill in military affairs, both by Sea and land; though far distant from thee, yet are glad to bee entertained, for thy warriors; they have devoted their shields and helmets to thy service, &c. Thy valiant neighbours were, 11 The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadims were in thy towers, they hanged their shields upon thy walls: with thine own forces, upon thy walls round about; and upon thy towers of defence: and have both guarded, and beautified thee with their shields. All cities and countries round about striven to furnish thee with those commodities, which they yield; and the traffic whereof might be gainful to themselves; 12 Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kind of riches; with silver, iron, tin. The famous port of Tarshish traded with thee in all variety of riches, in silver, iron, tin, &c. The Grecians, and Iberians, and Cappadocians traded in the persons of men, 13 javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy merchants, they traded the persons of men, and vessells of brass in thy market. which they sold to thee, and in vessells brass. So verse 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 26 Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters, the East wind hath broken thee in the midst of the Seas. Those that have the government of thee have brought thee into a sea of misery; Nebuchadnezar, like a boisterous east-wind, hath broken thee in pieces. Shall fall into the hands of the Babylonians, and by them be destroyed. 27 Shall fall into the midst of the Seas, in the day of thy ruin. The noise of thy victors shouting, and of thy citizens crying, 28 The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots. and shrieking, shall be such, as shall make thy suburbs to shake therewith. 31 And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee; and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart. They shall by tearing their hair, and girding themselves with sackcloth, testify their vehement mourning for thee, &c. In the time when thou shalt be destroyed by the Babylonian forces( which like a raging Sea shall come in upon thee) thy trade, 34 In the time when thou shalt be broken by the Seas, in the depths of the waters, thy merchandise, and all thy company in the midst of thee shall fall. and all the commerce that thou hadst with other nations, shall utterly fail. CAP. XXVIII. 2 And thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, &c. Though thou set thine heart as the heart of God. THou hast said; I am out of the reach of mans power; my seat is higher then that it can bee infested by the force, or malice of men, &c. though thou hast in thy proud thoughts equalled thyself with God. And, as thou art greater then all others, so, in thine own conceit, 3 Behold, thou art wiser then Daniel, there is no secret that they can hid from thee. thou art wiser then even Daniel himself; thou knowest all secret things, as well as he, in whom is the spirit of the most high God. 8 And thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the Seas. And thou, that hast fond imagined thyself a God, shalt die the death of thine ordinary vassals, notwithstanding thy strong forts, and bulwarks of the Sea. Thou shalt die such a death, as an insolent, 10 Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised, by the hand of strangers. and godless pagan is worthy of, by the hand of the Babylonians. Thou givest out thyself as absolutely perfect both in wisdom, and beauty; 12 Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. so as no addition can be made to thee in either of these. Thou hast abounded with all delicacies, 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious ston was thy covering: the Sardius, topaz,& the Diamond, the Beril, the onyx, and jasper, the sapphire, the emerald,& the Carbuncle, and gold, the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee, in the day that thou wast created. as if thou hadst lived in Eden, the garden of God; and where others make them coverings of homely, and ordinary matter, thy canopies are beset with all the precious stones, that can be reckoned: and with the best of metals: neither hast thou needed to take any care for thy varieties of pleasures; for thy curious music was prepared for thee, even from thy very birth. Thou advancest thyself to be as that glorious Cherub; which covereth the ark of God; so dost thou spread thy protection over thy land; and, 14 Thou art the anointed Cherub that covereth: and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God: thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. so have I appointed thee to do; yea thou tookest upon thee, as if thou wert that God, which is worshipped in his holy Temple, and as that Almighty one, who walketh above in the clouds, among the lightnings and thunder-stones. Thou didst arrogate a kind of perfection to thyself, in all thy ways; even from thy very nativity, 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways, from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. till thy wickedness broke forth notoriously to thy just conviction. By the confluence of much people, upon the occasions of thy merchandise, and the oppressive bargains, 16 By the multitude of thy Merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God, and I will destroy thee, O covering Cherub from the midst of the stones of fire. that are used therein, thou art full of fraud and violence, and art thereupon grown exceedingly sinful; therefore will I cast thee out from those vainely-pretended rights, which thou claimest in the Temple of God; I will destroy thee, O thou false Cherub, from the ark, whose covering thou wouldest resemble; and strike thee down from those clouds, where thou affectest to walk among the fiery meteors. By the multitudes of thine iniquities thou hast defiled those places of majesty and devotion which thou wouldst have to be thought sacred, &c. 18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities. The wounded and distressed inhabitants shall be called to reckoning, in the midst of her streets, 23 And the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword, upon her on every side, and they shall know that I am the Lord. for their many and grievous sins; by the sword of her enemy, the Babylonian. 24 And there shall bee no more a pricking briar unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about thē that despise them. I will put an end to the sorrows of my Church; these heathens shall no more gull, and grieve them, neither shall the nations round about insult upon their miseries, and trample upon them, &c. 25 When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall bee sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land, that I have given to my servant jacob. When I shall have gathered my chosen people out of all the nations of the earth, amongst whom they are dispersed; and shall be sanctified in them, before the rest of the world; then shall they enjoy a quiet rest, in my Church, which I have appropriated to them. So verse 26. CAP. XXIX. 3 Behold I am against thee Pharaoh King of egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself. BEhold, I am thy professed enemy, O Pharaoh, the proud King of egypt; who like a great dragon or whale, liest securely in those watery regions of thine;& hast said; Nilus is my own, no enemy can take it from me. 4 But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales. But I will put the hooks of the King of Babylon, into thy jaws, and will draw thee out of those watery forts of thine; and drag thee up to the dry land; and, for thy Princes and people, which are as the lesser sort of fishes, they also( as sticking to thy scales) shall be plucked out with thee, &c. 5 And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers, thou shalt fall upon the open fields, thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered, I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field, and to the fowls of the heaven. And I will leave thee upon the Libyan sands, exposed as a prey to the souls of the air, and the beast of the field; both thee, and thy Princes and people; thou shalt be slain, and thine army in the open fields, and there shall ye lye scattered, and shall not bee brought together for sepulture. They have been a deceitful, and untrusty stay to the house of Israel; 6 Because they have been a staff of reede to the house of Israel. like a crazy reed, which breaks under the hand of him that leans upon it. 10 From the tower of Syene even unto the border of Aethiopia. From the south borders of egypt, unto the North, shall the land be utterly desolate. 11 No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shal it be inhabited forty yeares. It shall lye waste, and uninhabited; without traffic, without culture, for the space of forty yeares. They shall return again to reinhabit, 14 And I will bring again the captivity of egypt. as well the mid-land country, as the skirts and borders of egypt their native land; and they shall be there restored to a tributary state, under the Persians. Every man had worn his hair from off his head, 18 Every head was made bald,& every shoulder was peeled, yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it. and his skin from his shoulders, in carrying burdens for raising up mounts against Tyrus; yet did he not find that booty for his army therein, which he expected. In that day will I raise up Israel again, to a recovery of strength, and comfort; 21 In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth,& I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them, and they shall know that I am the Lord. and will cause the mouths of my people to be opened, in the confession, and praise of my name amongst the Babylonians; and they shall know and aclowledge me to be the Lord. CAP. XXX. THe day is near at hand, wherein the Lord will take vengeance on the heathen, 3 For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen. which have oppressed his people. So verse 4. and 5. From the southern cost of egypt along unto the North parts thereof, shall they be slain with the sword. 6 From the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord God. In that day will I cause messengers to go forth by sea, in ships of speed; 9 In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships, to make the careless Aethiopians afraid,& great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of egypt, for lo it cometh. to carry the sad news of Aegypts destruction, to the Aethiopians; who shal be exceedingly affrighted therewith; and shall be no less pained with the fear of the same evil, then egypt is with the sense, and smart of it. I will deliver up the land into the hand of the Babylonians; as if it were conveyed to them, 12 And sell the land into the hand of the wicked. by bargain and sale. And I will execute my utmost judgements upon the several provinces, and chief cities of egypt, 14 And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgement in No. upon Pathros, Zoan, and Alexandria. So also verse 15. and 16. and 17. At Daphnis there shall be a dark and gloomy day of slaughter and death, 18 At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of egypt, and the pomp of her strength shal cease in her, as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shal go into captivity. when I shall there make an end of the Tyrannicall government of egypt;& all her pomp, and glory of her strength shall utterly cease; and she shal be under a cloud of sorrow, and obscurity; and her people shall be carried away into captivity. 21 son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh King of egypt, and lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a rouler to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword. son of man, I have already discomfited a great part of the forces of Pharaoh, King of egypt; The loss that he hath already sustained, shall not be repaired again by any means, for the preventing of his utter subversion. CAP. XXXI. 2 Whom art thou like in thy greatness? THink not that no King is comparable to thee in power, and greatness. 3 Behold, the Assyrian was a Cedar in Lebanon with faire branches, and with a shadowing shrowded, and of an high stature, and his top was, &c. Behold, the King of Assyria was a greater Monarch then thyself; he was( in comparison of thee) as a tall Cedar in Lebanon, largely spread. 4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers. Whose roots were thoroughly watered with constant streams, &c. So verse 5, 6, 7. 8 The Cedars in the garden of God could not hid him; the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches, not any three in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. The greatest Princes in the most flourishing kingdoms of the world could not stand in comparison with him; but all of them were forced to vail to him, as more powerful and glorious then themselves. So verse 9. I have therefore delivered him, and his proud Ninive into the hand of Nebuchadnezar, 11 I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen, he shal surely deal with him, I have driven him out for his wickedness and his Babylonians; he shall deal with him as he deserves; I have rooted him out for his wickedness. So verse 12. 14 To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot. To the end that none of the proud princes of the earth should hereafter dare to exalt themselves in the over-weening, and confidence of their own strength, and glory, &c. 15 I covered the deep for him. I caused those waters wherewith he was nourished, to take up a mourning, and lamentation for him. 18 To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth. O Pharaoh, thou that art thus like to the Assyrian, amongst all the Kings of the earth, in glory, and magnificence; thou shalt also be like him in thy ruin; Thou, with the other Princes of the world, shalt be brought down into the grave;& shalt be destroyed in the midst of thy fellow-heathens, &c. CAP. XXXII. THou art a cruel tyrant among thy neighbour nations, 2 Thou art like a young lion of the nations. as a young lion is among the beasts. See chapter 29.5. 4 Then will I leave thee upon the land, &c. And whereas thou now, 6 I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountaines. like a whale swimmest in the great waters of thy land, in stead of those waters shall be the blood of thy people, wherein thou maiest swim; which shall cover the earth up to the very mountaines, &c. And when thou, which art reputed the great light of the world, shalt be extinguished; 7 And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the Sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light. the very face of the heavens shall seem to be covered with darkness; The Sun shall seem clouded, and the moon without light; so great a change shall thy subversion seem to make in the world. So also verse 8. I will also affright, 9 I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shal bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries which thou hast not known. and amaze the hearts of many nations, round about thee, when I shall bring unto them, both the rumour, and the expectation of thy destruction; even those countries shall be terrified which are not so much as known unto thee. So also verse 10. Then will I give those troubled nations rest, 14 Then will I make their waters deep,& cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord God. and tranquillity, they shall be as calm as deep waters, and their rivers shall flow as smoothly, as oil, without any vehement, and unquiet agitation. Make thou some resemblance of the casting down of egypt, 18 And cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go, &c. and the adjoining nations( her partners) into the grave, as dead corpses. What nation is there, 19 Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down and be thou laid with the uncircumcised. whom thou thinkest able to compare with thee, in strength and glory? But now, how strong and goodly soever thou art, go down into the dust; and be laid together with thy godless, and lewd companions, of the profane heathen. The valiant and mighty warrior before-deceased, 21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hel with them that help him: they are gone down, they lye uncircumcised, slain by the sword. shall, as it were out of his grave, speak to egypt, and his associates; and shall say that they are brought down as well as he; they lye slain by the sword; and are taken away in their uncircumcision, and sinfulness. 22 Ashur is there, and all her company, his graves are about him. The great King of Assyria, and all his company is comne down to the grave, &c. The graves of his companies, and complices, are set in the sides of the buriall-place, 23 Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about the grave: all of thē slai●e. round about the grave of Ashur, which lies in the midst of his attendants; all of them slain, &c. There is the Prince of the Elamites, neighbours and assistants to the Assyrians; 24 There is Elam, and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword. and all their troops; whose graves are round about the grave of their commander, all of them slain by the sword, &c. 26 There is Meshech, Tubal and al her multitude, her graves are round about him. There are the Princes of the Cappadocians, and Iberians, and all their multitude round about their graves, &c. 27 And they shall not lye with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war, and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall bee upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. They shall not lye with those mighty ones of the heathen, who die naturally; being not stripped of their weapons of war, having their swords laid peaceably under their heads in their graves; but they shall lye amongst the mangled, and slain; and shall carry the marks of their sins in their carcases, though for the time they were terrible to the world. verse 29.30. as verse 24. 31 Pharaoh shall see them, and shall be comforted over all his multitude. Pharaoh shall, as it were, see this world of people coming down to the grave with him; and shall comfort himself, with such store of company in death, &c. CAP. XXXIII. 5 But he that taketh warning, shall deliver his soul. BUt he that taketh warning, stands upon his own defence, and preserveth his life. If( according to thy prophesies) God have determined to reckon with us, 10 If our transgressions and our sins be upon us and we pine away in them, how should we then live. for our sins, and to bring judgement upon us, to what purpose shall our conversion be? and how shall we live, though we do amend? 12 The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression. So also verse 13. See Ezek. 18. verse 24. 22 Now the hand of the Lord was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came, and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning& my mouth was opened. The powerful motion of Gods Spirit was upon me, &c. in the evening, before the coming of that escaped messenger from Jerusalem;& put words into my mouth not suffering me to keep silence any longer. If Abraham, being but one, 24 Abraham was one,& he inherited the land. but we are many, the land is given us for inheritance. had this land given to him for his inheritance; how much more may wee, his seed( to whom it is deduced,) being many, challenge a due interest in it. No, deceive not yourselves, 25 Wherefore say unto them, thus saith the Lord God, Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your Idols, and shed blood, and shall ye possess the land? ye are not the sons of faithful Abraham; your works are contrary to his; Ye do wilfully transgress my commands; ye eat the blood together with the flesh, which I have forbidden; Ye are guilty both of Idolatry, and murder; and can ye challenge to possess the land in the right of Abraham. Ye rely upon the confidence of your own sword, &c. 26 Ye stand upon your sword. They come to thee with reverence, and respect, as the manner of my people is; 31 And they come unto thee, as the people cometh, and they sit before thee, as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them. and they sit before thee to hear thy words, in an awful and attentive fashion; but they will perform nothing of that which is commanded them, &c. They seem to take much pleasure, 32 And lo, thou art unto them, as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument. and contentment in thy sermons; even no less, then a man would do in the hearing of an excellent song, of one that hath a pleasant voice, and plays sweetly on an instrument, &c. And when these judgements shall come to pass, 33 And when this cometh to pass,( lo it will come) then shal they know that a prophet hath been among them. which I have premonished; then they shall know, and find( too late) that they have had a true Prophet of God among them, whom they unworthily disrespected. CAP. XXXIIII. WOe to those rulers and to those teachers, 2 Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves, should not the shepherds feed the flocks. and spiritual guides of Israel, that feed and pamper themselves; whereas their duty and office is, and should be, to feed the souls of my people; and to govern and rule them aright. Ye take of the best commodities of the people under your charge( neither is that grudged unto you; 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye cloth you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the flock. ) and make use of their personal employments, as occasion is offered; but ye do not perform your duty to them again; ye do not teach, and govern them, as ye ought. Those particular offices which pertain to your charge, 4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have you healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost. as comforting the weak, healing the sick, binding up the broken-hearted, reclaiming and reducing those that have erred; ye have not accordingly done; but rather have tyranously, and cruelly exercised an imperious authority over them. The same allegory holds verse. 5.6.7.8.9.10. Behold, since my shepherds are careless; I myself will make diligent search for my sheep, 11 For thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I, even I will both search my sheep, and seek them out. that are scattered, and lost, and I will find them wheresoever they are strayed. So verse 12. 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountaines of Israel by the rivers, &c. And I will fetch them from those several lands, whereinto they were driven by their miserable captivity; and will bring them back into their own country; and will feed them carefully, and plentifully, in my Church. So verse 14, 15, 16. 17 Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. Behold, I judge between one man, and another; between the lambs, and kids; between the rams and goates; as I do now put a difference between those of my own flock, and the world; So, hereafter I will exquisitely sever them; the one to my right hand, the other to my left. 18 Seemeth it a small thing unto you, to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures. Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have taken away from my people that wholesome doctrine which I prepared for their spiritual nourishment; but ye must also foully corrupt that which yet remaineth of my law, &c. 19 And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet. As for my people, they are fain to take up with that doctrine which ye have depraved by your unjust, and sinful glosses, and traditions, &c. Behold, I will judge between the proud justiciaries, who are puffed up with a conceit of their own worthiness, 20 Behold, I, even I will judge between the fat cattle, and between the lean cattle. and the poor dejected souls, that are mean in their own eyes. Because ye have insolently despised, and scornfully entreated the weak-hearted; 21 Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns till ye have scattered thē abroad. and in stead of easing their afflicted consciences, have been ready to gaule and burden them more, till ye have made them utterly weary of their stations in my Church. And I will bring my Church, both Jews and Gentiles, 23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David: he shal feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. under the government of that one King, and Prophet of my chosen; even the Messiah, the true heir and successor of David; and he shall both teach, and rule them. So also verse 24. And I will make with them a covenant of everlasting peace, betwixt me and them; 25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land, and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the would. and will keep from them those spiritual dangers, and annoyances, that may be hurtful unto them; and they shall be safe and secure, even in the places, that would seem to threaten the greatest peril. And I will exceedingly bless, and prosper them, 26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill, a blessing, and I will cause the shower to come down in his season. and all that sincerely profess an holy relation to my Church, and will water them plentifully with heavenly doctrine, &c. And I will make them a glorious plant, 29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall bee no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shane of the heathen any more. being fast rooted in that promised Messiah; and being incorporated in him; and they shall no more be consumed with a spiritual famine; nor be trampled upon by the enemies of my Church. CAP. XXXV. BEhold, I am against you, O ye children of Esau, 3 Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee. that inhabit mount Seir. In time of their calamity, which fell upon them, 5 In the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end. when the measure of their iniquity was full. Because thou hast said; These two nations of Israel and Judah, and their countries, wasted by the Assyrian, 10 Because thou hast said, these two nations, and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it, whereas the Lord was there. and Babylonian, shalbe mine,& we will possess it; whereas,( how ever this land is abused) yet it is the Lords peculiar; and therefore out of thy reach, and free from any challenge of thine. CAP. XXXVI. ANd your name is scornfully taken up in the lips of your busy, and insulting enemies; 3 And ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people. and ye are made a by-word, and reproach of the people. I have sworn by myself; surely the heathen that are round about you, shall be put to that shane, 7 I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that are about you, they shall bear their shane. and confusion, wherein they have rejoiced to see you, and to insult over you. Because they say unto you; Thou, O Land, art fatal to thine inhabitants, 13 Because they say unto you, thou land devourrest up men, and hast bereaved thy nations. and hast consumed them in divers successions; and hast made away with the nations that dwell in thee. 17 Their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman. Their continual practise was as foul and odious to to me; as can be expressed by any legal uncleanness. They caused my holy name to be scorned, and evil spoken of, 20 They profaned my holy name, when they said to them, these are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land. in that it was said of these so wicked and lewd persons; Lo, these are the select people of the Lord, and those that were inhabitants of his holy Land. When I shal glorify myself, by working your deliverance, 23 When I shall bee sanctified in you before their eyes. and your apparent reformation before their eyes. 26 And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. I will take away your perverse, and rebellious disposition, and I will give you a tenderness of heart, and an aptness to bee wrought upon by the motions of my spirit. 37 I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them, I will increase them with men like a flock. I will so do this; that yet, I will be sought, and sued to, by the house of Israel for this blessing upon them, and then I will give such an increase to the men, as I am wont to give to their fruitful flocks. 38 As the holy flock, as the flock of jerusalem in her solemn feasts, so shall the waste cities bee filled with flocks of men, &c. As Jerusalem in her holy feasts, is filled with whole flocks, and herds of those cattle, that are brought up thither for sacrifice; so shall all the waste cities of Israel be filled with flocks of men. CAP. XXXVII. 1 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones. THe powerful motion of Gods Spirit was with, and upon me; and carried me, in vision, into the midst of a valley full of the bones of the slain. 3 And he said unto me, son of man, can these bones live? and I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. son of man; Thinkest thou it possible that these bones should live, and be restored to that estate of this present life, which they were lately in? and I answered; O Lord God, this is more then flesh and blood can conceive; human reason cannot think so; but thou knowest what thou hast to do; and to thee, nothing is impossible. 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. So I spake to those bones, as I was commanded; and whiles I was in speaking, the vision represented to me a noise that filled the valley,& a motion of those bones, and a meeting together of them, bone to bone. 8 And when I beholded, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon thē,& the skin covered them above, but there was no breath in them. And the vision showed me the sinews, and flesh coming upon them, and the skin covering them; but as yet no life was inspired into them. In a representation of that powerful Spirit of God which gives life unto man, 9 Then said he unto me, prophesy unto the wind, prophesy son of man, and say unto the wind, Thus saith the Lord God, Come from the four quarters, O breath, and breath upon these slain, that they may live. I was bidden in vision to call to the winds from all the coasts of heaven, to breath upon these new-reformed bodies; that they might live. So verse 10. son of man, 11 son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel, behold they say, our bones are dried, and our hope is lost, wee are cut off for our parts. these bones are a perfect resemblance of the whole house of Israel; Behold, they say; We are not onely dead, but our carcases are dissolved, our bones dried, all our hopes and possibilities of life, and recovery, utterly cut off. Behold, O my people, I will so restore you, 12 Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves,& bring you into the land of Israel. as if I opened the very graves, and infused a new life into you; even so will I recover you to your former state in the land of Israel. Yea, there shall not onely be a life, 16 Moreover thou Son of man, take thee one stick, and writ upon it, for judah, and for the children of Israel, his companions, then take another stick and writ upon it for joseph the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions. but a conjunction of Israel, and Judah; for the signification whereof take thee two sticks,& in the one of them writ, For Judah, and the Benjamites his companions; In the other writ, For Joseph, and his son Ephraim, and the rest of the ten tribes of Israel, their companions. And when thou hast so done, join one of the sticks to another; and they shall be so pieced together, 17 And join them one to another into one stick, and they shall become one in thine hand. in thine hand, as if they were but one stick. Behold, 19 Behold, I will take the stick of joseph which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellowes, and will put them with him, even with the stick of judah, and make them one stick and they shall bee one in mine hand. I will take the ten tribes of Israel( which are comprised under the name of Joseph, and Ephraim, and their fellowes)& will put them together with the tribes of Judah, and Benjamin, and will make them one nation, and they shall be one in my hand. And I will unite my Church, all the world over, in one, and one King( even the Messiah whom I shall sand) shall be King to them all; 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountaines of Israel, and one King shall be King to them all, and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they bee divided, &c. & they shall no more be so divided in profession, as if they were several kingdoms, ruled by divers sovereigns; but in the main substance of religion shall be one. See Ezec. 34.23. 24 And David my servant shall bee King over them, &c. 26 I will make a covenant of peace with them. See Ezec. 34.25. 26 And I will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for ever. I will set my Church in the midst of them; which shall continue to the end of the world; and I will dwell in their hearts, as in my Temple, for ever. So verse 27. CAP. XXXVIII. 2 son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech& Tubal, and prophesy against him. son of man, denounce thou judgements against those Princes, and countries of the Gentiles, which shall, before the restauration of the Church by the coming of the Messiah, infest, and oppress my people. Behold, I am against thee, thou King of Syria, and against all those assistant Princes, 3 Behold I am against thee, O Gog, the chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal. which aid thee in thy cruel dealings with my people. 4 And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy chaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses, &c. And I will bring thee back again from thine own land, by my over-ruling power, and will set thee on, and all thy forces, against Judah; and thou shalt come up against it with a mighty army. 5 6 Persia, Ethiopia and Libya with them: all of them with shield and helmet. The rest of the nations also, even Persians from the East, Ethiopians from the South, the Moores from the West, the Phrygians from the North shall join with them in this onset. 7 And bee thou a guard unto them. And do thou encompass them round about with thy forces on every side; so as they shall not bee able to stir forth. 8 After many dayes thou shalt be visited: in the latter yeares thou shalt come into the land, that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste. After many yeares, I will visit thee, with my judgements; for some two hundred yeares hence, thou shalt invade the land of my people; whom I shall have brought back from their captivity, and shall have gathered home out of many nations; even the mountaines of Israel which have been long wasted, &c. 9 Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land. Thou shalt for suddenness,& fury, come like a storm, and for a multitude and frequency, like a dark cloud shalt cover the land. 10 And thou shalt think an evil thought. Thou shalt conceive, and harbour many subtle, and cruel thoughts, and projects, against my people. 11 And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unhallowed villages: I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely,& all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates. I will go up to a land, that is easily invaded, and overrun; as that which consists of unwalled villages, not able to bear out an assault; I will go to a secure people, that dwell( as they think) safely, in the confidence of the strength, and number of the inhabitants. Those nations that have heretofore wont to live by sharking, and spoil, and those seafaring men, who, 13 Sheba and Dedan, and the Merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof shall say unto thee, art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy compaine to take a prey, to carry away silver and gold? upon the Sea-coasts, have exercised piracy; shall say unto thee: Art thou comne to rob, and waste? Hast thou gathered thy company to take booties? to carry away silver and gold? Why didst thou not take us along with thee,& c? Thus saith the Lord, In that day, when my people of Israel give themselves over to security, 14 Thus saith the Lord God, In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it? and false confidence in their own strength, shall it not bee made known to thee, that thou mayst bee the executioner of my anger against them? When I shall be acknowledged just and righteous in executing those judgements, which thy hand, 16 When I shall be sanctified in thee, O God, before their eyes. O multitude of adverse nations, shall inflict upon Israel, before their eyes. CAP. XXXIX. See chap. 38. verse 1. 1 O Gog, the chief Prince of Mesheck and Tubal. I Will so consume thee, that onely the sixth part of thy forces shall be left alive; and I will, 2 And leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the North parts, and will bring thee upon the mountaines of Israel. in my just judgement, fetch thee from the borders of the North, to fall upon my Church, in great fury, and malice. I will make voided, and frustrate all the attempts and endeavours, which thou shalt use against my people; 3 And I will smite the bow out of thy left hand,& will cause thine arrows to fall out of thy right hand. and disappoint all thy warlike preparations. I will sand my fierce judgements upon the enemy of my Church; and upon those that, 6 And I will sand a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the Iles. being separated and guarded by the sea, live securely confident of their own safety, &c. Such store of these military weapons shall bee taken from their enemies, as that those bows, and arrows, 9 The bows and arrows, and the hand-staves and the spears; and they shall burn them with fire seven yeares. and staves, and spears shall yield them fire-wood for many yeares. I will cause these cruel,& hostile nations to leave their carcases in great abundance behind them, 11 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the East of the Sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers, and there shall they bury Gog, and all his multitude,& they shall call it the valley of Hamon-Gog. in the land of Israel;& there they shal be cast into pits,& valleys, near to the common road, So as all passengers shall stop their noses, by reason of the noisome scent of the dead bodies, and the valley shall bear the name( for ever after) of this frequent sepulture of the nations. 12 And seven moneths shall the house of Israel bee burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. And so great shal be the multitude of the slain, as that my people of Israel( by whose hand this slaughter shall be done) shall bestow many monthes in burying them; not so much out of respect to their dead enemies, as for their own sakes, that their land may be cleansed from the impurity, and annoiance of those carcases. So verse 13. and 14. 15 And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a mans bone, then shall he set up a figure by it, till the buriers have butted it in the valley of Hamon-Gog. And the passengers that pass through the land, when any of them seeth a mans bone, then shall they lay an heap of stones upon it, to give notice to the buriers, that they fetch all those scattered bones to the common burying place of Hamon-Gog. 16 And also the name of the city shall be Hamonah; thus shall they cleanse the land. And there shall be a city erected near to this common buriall-place; and ye shall give it a name of multitude; because of the innumerable company of those bodies, which shall lye there interred. 17 Gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountaines of Israel, &c. Assemble yourselves on every side, to that great slaughter, that I have made, of the bodies of men; wherewith ye may feast yourselves abundantly. So verse 18. and 19. I have plentifully stored my Church with graces of sanctification, 29 For I have powred out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God. saith the Lord God. CAP. XL. 2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the South. I Was, in vision, brought( as me seemed) into the land of Israel; and was, by the spirit of God, set upon a very high hill, even the hill of Sion, under the side whereof, was the frame of the city Jerusalem, on the south. 3 And he brought me thither, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand,& a measuring reed. And behold, there was a man( indeed the son of God) whose appearance was bright and glorious, like unto burnish't brass; and he had in his hand a line of flax to measure the outward and more spacious courts of the Temple; and a measuring reed for the walls, and buildings, &c. And behold, he shewed me a description of the Temple, in all the courts thereof; 5 And behold, a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the mans hand a measuring reed of six cubits long, by the cubit, and an handbredth, so he measured the breadth of the building, one reede, and the height one reede. and the three walls encompassing them; and first, of the out-most wall which environs the rest round about; and in his hand he had a measuring reed of six cubits long; every cubit whereof had one handful added to it, above the common and ordinary length thereof; so as, whiles the common cubit was but of five handfuls, this cubit was according to the rate of six handfuls to each cubit, so he measured this outmost wall, and found it one whole reed, that is, six cubits in breadth, and one whole reed, or, six cubits in height. Then when he had measured the out-most wall that encompasseth the whole mount of Sion; 6 Then came he unto the gate, which looketh toward the East, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate which was one reede broad, and the other threshold of the gate which was one reede broad. he went right from the East to the West-ward, till he came to the next enclosure of the Temple; and whereas there are five gates in that wall; one to the East, another to the West, one to the North, and two to the south, he went to the eastern gate, and ascended up the stairs thereof; and whereas the gate was double leaved he measured the breadth of the threshold, which was six large cubits broad, in either of the leaves of that gate. And whereas there were little rooms made in the inside of the gate, backing upon the wall, 7 And every little chamber was one reede long,& one reede broad, and between the little chambers were five cubits. each of those rooms were six large cubits broad, &c. The rest unto Chapter 43. is a local description only, of the measure of the several buildings, pertaining to the Temple; which cannot be expressed in plainer terms: all the difficulty of those passages, being only in the apprehension of the fashion, and quantity of that fabric. CAP. XLIII. son of man, 7 Son of man, The place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the hou●e of Israel no more defile, neither they nor, &c. I will hereafter purge my Church from those foul corruptions, wherewith it hath been blemished; so as my people shall no more profane my holy place, and defile themselves with their abominable Idolatries; nor by the carcases of those which they offered to their Idols, in the high places. In setting up their own false, 8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, &c. and superstitious worship, together with the true worship of my name, and in contestation therewith, &c. Now, let them put away from me their Idolatries, and the murders they have done, 9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their Kings far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever. in sacrificing men to their Idols; and I will continue my gracious presence with them, for ever. CAP. XLIIII. NOw whereas there were two degrees, or distinctions of the sanctuary, 1 Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the East, and it was shut. the one which was called The holy place; the other called, The most holy place, or The holy of holies; he brought me, in the spirit, to the entering of the gate of the outer sanctuary, which looked Eastward; and that gate, which I had seen formerly open( as that by which the glory of God visibly entred into the Temple) was now shut. 2 Then said the Lord unto me, This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened,& no man shal enter in by it, because the Lord the God of Israel hath entred in by it, therefore it shall be shut. Then said the Lord unto me, This gate shall continue shut; and no ordinary person shall ever enter in by it; because the Lord God of Israel hath honoured, and hallowed it by entering in thereby; therefore it shall never be put to any common use. 3 It is for the Prince, the Prince he shall sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate,& shall go out by the way of the same. It is for the Prince of that holy Tribe, the high priest only; he alone shall be allowed to eat the consecrated bread, within the holy place; and to have ingress, and egress that way. 7 In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary to pollute it. In that ye have ordained, and appointed those to be priests in my sanctuary that are strangers both in blood, and in religion; and have given them a place of ministration in my Temple, to pollute it, &c. 9 No stranger uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my Sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel. No stranger that is uncircumcised, either spiritually, or corporally; wicked in heart, and life, and an alien from my Church, shall be admitted to serve in my sanctuary; although he be one that lives among my people. 10 And the levites that are gone away far from me when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their Idols, they shall even bear their iniquity▪ And those of the Tribe of Levi, which, being in the office of priesthood, were in the defection of the rest of Israel carried away to Idolatry; they shall undergo punishment for their sin. Yet they shall not utterly be excluded from the meaner businesses, that belong to my Temple; 11 Yet they shall bee ministers in my Sanctuary having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house, they shall slay the burnt offering, and the sacrifice for the people, and they shal stand before them to minister unto them. as from taking charge of the gates of the house, &c. They shall be allowed to slay the burnt offering, and the sacrifice for the people; and they shall minister to the people, but they shall not be admitted to offer any sacrifice to God, for them. Because they polluted themselves in ministering unto the people in their Idolatrous sacrifices, &c. 12 Because they ministered unto them before their idols, &c. They shall not gird about them any woollen garments, which may cause their bodies to sweat, 18 And they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat. that those holy vestments may be soiled; or any outward uncleanlinesse may be caused thereby. When they are before God, in his Temple, 19 And when they go forth into the outer court, even into the court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay thē in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments, and they shalt not sanctify the people with their garments. and service, they shall be clad with peculiar,& holy vestments, but, when they go forth amongst the people, they shall not wear those hallowed robes, as if in their familiar conversation, they would tie them to a religious observance, and an expectation of holinesse to be derived from them. CAP. XLV. WHen ye shall divide the land by lot for inheritance ye shall set apart a meet parcel thereof, 1 Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the Lord, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shal be ten thousand. for holy uses, even for the service of God, and the maintenance of his priests; the length of it thus separated, shall be five and twenty thousand reeds, according to the large measure of cubits; and the breadth shall be ten thousand, &c. Of this portion of ground, 2 Of this there shall bee for the Sanctuary five hundred in length, with five hundred in breadth square round about,& fifty cubits round about, for the suburbs thereof. there shall bee a plot laid forth for the building of the sanctuary; which shall be in the whole extent thereof five hundred reeds in length, and so many in breadth; it shall be full square, and for fifty cubits round about the bounds hereof, shall be wast ground, free from any employment of building. And, on both sides of that portion of land, 7 And a portion shall be for the Prince on the one side, and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion; and before the possession of the city from the West side westward, and from the East-side Eastward▪ and the length shall be over against one of the portions from the West border unto the East border. which is laid forth for the sight of the sanctuary, and of the city, and for the maintenance of the Priests, shall be a portion of land laid out for the Prince; on the west-side shall be his western portion; and on the East-side, his eastern portion; and the length of it shall be over against each of these portions from the West borders of it, to the East. I do appoint him a constant and fixed possession of land in Israel; 8 In the land shall bee his possession in Israel, and my Princes shall no more oppress my people. for a royal maintenance of him, and his family; and my Princes and governours shall not be put( for want of a due and settled provision) to raise means to themselves by the oppression of my people, &c. CAP. XLVI. 1 Thus saith the Lord God, The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the East, shall be shut the six working daies, but on the Sabbath it shal be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. THe East-gate of the third wall, which is of the court of the Priests, wherein the Temple was built, shall be shut the six working daies; but on the Sabbath, and on the first day of the month, which is the day of the new-Moone, it shall be opened. 2 And the Prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priest shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate. And the Prince only shall enter by the way of that gate; and when he is to enter, shall stand at the post of that gate, until the priest shall have prepared his burnt offering, and peace offering; and then when they have made this safe way for him, he shall come in, having first bowed down, and worshipped at the threshold of the gate, &c. 3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the Lord, in the Sabbaths,& in the new moons. Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door ●f this gate before the Lord; but they shall not presume to enter in by it; only they shall bow, and worship aloof at that door, on the Sabbaths, and new-Moones. 10 And the Prince in the midst of them when they go in, and when they go forth, shall go forth. And the Prince shall observe the same times of my service with my people; both for his coming in, and for his going forth. 20 That they bear them not out into the outer court, to sanctify the people. There they shall boil the trespasse-offering, and bake the meat-offering; that they bear them not out into the outer court, where the people are allowed to assemble, as if the common sort of people should share with them in their sanctification, since this privilege of these holy services, rests in their own persons. CAP. XLVII. AFterward, this heavenly, 1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house, and behold waters issued out from under the threshold of the house East-ward, for the forefront of the house stood toward the East, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the South side of the Altar. and divine guide of mine brought me back from this outer court, where were the boiling houses of the sacrifices, unto the door of the Temple; and behold, from under that door by which the glory of God had formerly entred, and which was now shut; there issued a stream of waters, to signify the plenty of graces, which are derived from God to his Church; which are yet raised by degrees,& from shallow, and weak beginnings arise to great height& perfection. So verse 2, 3, 4, 5. And, 7 Now when I had returned, behold at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side& on the other. to show the plentiful fruit that arises from these graces of his Church and Children, behold, upon the bank of this holy and spiritual stream, there were many, and fruitful trees growing on both sides thereof. These waters shall pass through the whole land, for they shall flow towards the east-country, 8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the East country,& go down into the desert, and go into the Sea, which being brought forth into the Sea, the waters shall be healed. which is the higher part of Judaea, and from thence into the champain country thereof; and so fall into the sea, whose unwholesome waters shall be therewith healed; even so shall the sanctifying graces of Gods spirit be enlarged over his whole Church, through the world; and shall sweeten, and season all the souls that shall be therewith endued. And it shall come to pass, 9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live, and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither, for they shall bee healed, and every thing shal live, whether the, &c. that all those which shall be partakers of these holy graces, shall live for ever; and there shall be very great increase of all good works, and conscionable obedience wheresoever they shal be found. So also verse 12. And it shall come to pass, that my Church shall be plentifully stored with holy, and able teachers, 10 And it shall come to pass that the fishers shall stand upon it, from Engedi even unto Eneglaim: they shall be a place to spread forth nets, their fish shall be according to their kinds as the fish of the great sea. ( which are fishers of men) and they shall spread abroad their wholesome doctrines, all over the earth, and they s●all take large draughts of souls, which shall by their ministry be converted to me. But those which are resolutely wicked, 11 But the miry places thereof, and the marshes thereof, shall not be healed, they shall bee given to salt. and given up to a reprobate sense, they shall not be reformed or bettered by these means of Salvation; but shall bee left to their wonted obdurednesse, and corruption, and so to their final condemnation. 15 And this shall bee the border of the land toward the North side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad. And the extent of my Church shall be so enlarged; as that it shall reach all the world over, even from one end of the world to the other; which I would have to be figured, by the extending of the bounds of this re-promised land towards the North, from the mediterranean Sea all along the coasts of the kingdom of Damascus. So also verse 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. CAP. XLVIII. 8 And by the border of judah, from the East side unto the West side, shall be the offering which they shall offer of five& twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the other parts, &c. ANd bordering upon the inheritance, or possession of Judah shall be( from the East to the West) that portion of five and twenty thousand reeds, which is set apart for the sanctuary and the Priests, &c. Of that ground that is thus separated for public use,( which is 25000. reeds) ten thousand reeds being set apart for the Priests, 15 And the five thousand that are left in the breadth, over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city. and ten thousand for the Levites, there will be five thousand remaining in the breadth thereof for secular use, even for the building of the city, &c. And those that are appointed for the public service, and ministration of the city, 19 And they that serve the city, shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel. shall not onely be employed in the attendance of the ordinary inhabitants thereof; but shall be serviceable to all that shall resort thither, from all the tribes of Israel. 20 All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand, by five and twenty thousand ye shall offer the holy oblation four square, with the possession of the city. All the portion that shall bee set apart for these holy uses, shall bee five and twenty thousand reeds square; the length being equal to the breadth; that parcel of the ground for the city, being taken into the measure. And these are the utmost limits or reach of the grounds belonging to the city, 30 And these are the goings out of the city, on the North side, four thousand and five hundred measures. of the North side 4500. measures, &c. DANIEL. CAP. I. WHich he carried into the land of Chaldea to the temple of his false god; 2 Which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god, and he brought the vessells into the alms-house of his god. not so much for the ordinary use of his Priests, as to be laid up for monuments in the alms-house that pertained to his Idol god, even Bel, the god of the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians. Such as might bee fit both for birth, and person, 4 And such as had ability in them to stand in the Kings palace. and parts, to be attendants upon the Kings person, &c. But Daniel, finding by the change of their names, 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart, that he would not defile himself with the portion of the Kings meate, nor with the wine which he drank, therefore he requested of the Prince of the eunuchs, that he might not defile himself. that there was no other meant but a change of their religion, and manners, resolved to hold his own holy courses; and determined in himself, not to eat of those Babylonian dishes, that were prepared for him by the Prince of the eunuchs; which he could not possibly do, without much danger of defilement; since both their meat, and manner of dressing had in them much contrariety to the Law of God; therefore he requested the Prince of the eunuchs that he might enjoy the liberty of his conscience, and might not be pressed to the use of a prohibited diet. They were specially appointed, therefore, 19 Therefore stood they before the King. to wait upon the Kings person. CAP. II. IN the second year after Daniel and his fellowes were admitted to the attendance of Nebuchadnezar, 1 And in the second year of the reign of nabuchadnezzar, nabuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep broke from him. the King Nebuchadnezar dreamed a divinatory, and perplexed dream, wherewith he was much disquieted; both, for the matter of the dream, and for the loss of it out of his memory; the thought whereof did so afflict him, that his sleep departed from him. I have utterly forgotten the thing that I dreamed, 5 The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me, the dream, with the interpretation thereof. which for the time did exceedingly affect me; now then that which I require of you, is, to recall to my thoughts the dream that I had, and to give me the interpretation of it, &c. 9 For ye have prepared lying, and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed. Ye have intended onely to delude me with lying, and delatory answers, until some other occasions may divert me from this earnest inquiry, &c. With him and in him is all perfection of knowledge, and power of illumination. 22 The light dwelleth with him. 39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. After thy line is expired, there shall arise another kingdom of the Medes and Persians, who shall sway the sceptre, yet so, as they shall not arise to that glory, and magnificence which thou hast attained; These are the breast and arms of silver, which thou sawest joined to the golden head of thine Empire; And after this succession of government is ended, there shall come a third kingdom in the place thereof, which shall be that of the Grecians; less glorious and excellent then the other of the Medes,; which shall be, as brass in comparison of their silver, or thy gold, the extent of which third Empire shall reach to the rule of the whole earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall bee strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces, and subdueth all things, and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces, and bruise. The fourth kingdom shall be that which shall arise out of the division of the graecian Monarchy, upon the death of Alexander the great; in which, the several Kings of Asia the less, and Syria, and egypt shall bear the sway; but especially, that of Seleucus Nicanor, which shall have the rule of Syria, and Babylonia, and shall over-top the rest,& offer most violence to the Church of God; which shall be as the legs of iron; in respect of strength and hardness; for as iron breaketh all things in pieces, so shall this tyrannicall government crush, and extremely oppress Gods people. 41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters day, and part of iron: the kingdom shall be divided, but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, for as much as thou sawest the iron mixed with mirie day. And whereas thou sawest the feet, and toes, part of day, and part of iron, it foreshewes to thee the same fourth kingdom, divided in itself, and in process of time, weakened,& sensibly abated of the former power; the iron of it figures strength, and power, but the day, fragility, and weakness. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of day, 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of day, so the kingdom shall bee partly strong, and partly broken. so those substitutions, and under-governments, which shall bee subordinated to this fourth kingdom, shall be of a mis-tempered mixture, some of them strong and able to subsist, others weak, and brittle. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry day, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another even as iron is not mixed with day. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with a base kind of day; it fore-signifies, that these kingdoms thus divided, shal endeavour to unite, and conjoine themselves by leagues of marriages, for Berenice the daughter of ptolemy Philadelphus, King of egypt, shall be matched with Antiochus King of Syria; but this conjunction shall not hold, neither shall be any more possible to continue, then it is possible that iron and day should make, and hold a perfect mixture. And in the dayes of some of those Kings, 44 And in the dayes of these Kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces, and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. which shall be derived from this stock,( and namely of Herod; who shall tyrannically usurp the kingdom of Judah) shall the God of heaven sand the Messiah, and shall erect that spiritual Kingdom of his, which shal never be destroyed; and this kingdom shall be proper to Gods Church, and shall be administered,& ruled only by his anointed King, the Saviour of the world, and shall out-weare the forenamed Monarchies, and when they are extinct, and forgotten, shall last for evermore. This Messiah is the ston, 45 For as much as thou sawest that the ston was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the day, the silver, and the gold. which thou sawest cut out of the mountain, without hands, that is ordained, and sent from heaven, by the eternal counsel and decree of the Almighty; who by his omnipotent power, and infinite wisdom, hath determined to subvert all these successions of kingdoms, and Monarchies, according to his good pleasure, &c. Then the King nabuchadnezzar, 46 Then the King nabuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation, and sweet odours unto him. as admiring the prophetical spirit of Daniel, and imagining some divine power to be in him, worshipped Daniel, and commanded his people, and servants that they should offer sacrifices to him, as to a more then human person. Then Daniel, as desiring to prefer his parteners, 49 Thē Daniel requested of the King, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon, but Daniel sate in the gate of the King. and colleagues, made svit to the King, that he would make Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the chief rulers over the Provinces of Babylon; But Daniel was appointed to be the prime officer of the Kings court. CAP. III. THen the Chaldeans, 1 nabuchadnezzar the King made an image of gold, whose height was three score cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits, he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. moved with envy at these Jewish governors, and desiring to have some advantage against the Jews, moved nabuchadnezzar to erect an image of gold( as a monument of his own greatness) seventy foot high, and nine foot broad, which he set up accordingly, not in some obscure desert, but in the well known, and frequented plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon; for the use of public adoration. There are certain Jews, whom, 12 There are certain Iewes, whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: these men O King, have not regarded thee, they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image, which thou hast set up. at the request of Daniel, thou hast made governours over the province of Babylon, even Shadrach, &c. these men, O King, have not given that respect to thee, which thy greatness requires, they are refractory to thy commands, and enemies to thy gods; refusing to serve them, or to worship thy golden image; which is so much more intolerable, for that they have dared thus to affront thee in that very province, the charge whereof thou hast committed unto them. 16 O nabuchadnezzar we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. O King nabuchadnezzar, wee are not to seek of a ready answer to this charge of thine; neither can we take any thought to avoid this danger, which thou threatnest unto us. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us. If thou have firmly and resolutely determined to deal thus with us; we know that our God whom wee serve is able to deliver us, &c. 25 And the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. And the form of the fourth is very bright and glorious, above the possibility of all human beauty and resplendence. 28 And have changed the Kings word. And have boldly varied from that charge which was given by the King, &c. CAP. IV. 8 Whose name was Belteshazzar according to the name of my god. WHose name was( since his coming to Babylon) changed to Belteshazzar, in allusion to the name of Bel, the great God of the Babylonians, &c. 13 And behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven. And behold, an holy angel of God came down from heaven; one, who is charged with the careful inspection of these earthly things. And he cried, &c. 17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones. This charge is not given by the sentence of one angel alone, but by the joint consent of all the powers of heaven, &c. 19 Then Daniel( whose name was Belteshazzar,) was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him: the King spake and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof trouble thee, Belteshazzar answered and said, my Lord, &c. Then Daniel( whose name was Belteshazzar) was much troubled in his thoughts for the space of a whole hour, not with the disquisition of the signification of the dream, but with the consideration of those great, and fearful things, which were portended, and fore-signified, by that dream, unto King nabuchadnezzar. It is decreed in heaven, and the execution of it, is committed to the Angells of God, that thou shalt be driven from the society of men, 25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the due of heaven, and seven times shal pass over thee, till thou know that the most high ruleth in the kingdom of men. and in an extremity of a sottish melancholy, thou shalt both spend thy time amongst the beasts of the field, and repute thyself as one of them, and accordingly demean thyself, both for thy diet, and lodging; so as whiles thou liest abroad, thou shalt bee wet with the due of heaven; and seven yeares shall pass over thee, in this forlorn condition, till God have thoroughly humbled thee, and taught thee to know, and aclowledge his infinite power, &c. wherefore, O King, as it hath pleased thee to inquire my interpretation of this dream of thine, 27 Wherefore, O King, let my counsel bee acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor, if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillitie. so now vouchsafe to accept, and regard the counsel which I do thereupon give thee; since God hath threatened these things against thee, be thou careful to turn away from those sins wherewith thou hast provoked him, unto an holy and righteous carriage before him; in stead of those sinful courses which thou hast hitherto taken, resolve now to demean thyself religiously, towards God, and mercifully towards his afflicted people; and if there be any possible means to continue thy peace, and welfare, this is it which I have now prescribed thee. All that time he endured, abroad, 33 And his body was wet with the due of heaven, till his hair was grown like Eagles feathers, and his nailes like birds claws. the extremity of the could in winter, and of the scorching heat in summer; until his hair was overgrown to cover his body, in a savage manner, and his nailes were grown over his fingers like claws, so as he was become not more neglected, then monstrous, and deformed. CAP. V. NOw when those seventy yeares were expired, 1 Belshazzar the King made a great feast to a thousand of his Lords, and drank wine before the thousand. which God had appointed for the reign of nabuchadnezzar, and his issue, Belshazzar, his debauched grand-child made a sumptuous feast, to a thousand of his Lords and( besides his custom) sat with them openly, at that royal banquet. Belshazzar whiles he was drinking wine, 2 Belshazzar, while he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessells, which his father nabuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in jerusalem, that the King and his Princes, his wives and his concubines might drink therein. commanded( in a scorn and reproach to God) to bring forth those vessells of gold, and silver, which his Grandfather nabuchadnezzar had brought out from the Temple of God, which was in Jerusalem; that the King, and his Princes, his wives, and concubines, might please themselves in insulting upon that God, whose spoils they were. So verse 3. And, as they drank their wine in these once-hallowed vessells; they triumphed over that God, 4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of ston. to whom they had been consecrated; and magnified the power of their idols of gold, and silver, &c. as if by their might these victories had been atchived, and these rich spoils obtained. 5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a mans hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the Kings palace, and the King saw the part of the hand that wrote. In the very same hour, whiles they were offering this affront to the God of heaven, it pleased the just& powerful God, to show, that he took notice of this presumptuous impiety; and therefore he caused a sudden and dreadful apparition of the fingers of a mans hand, as it were, writing over against the Candlestick, where it might best be seen, upon the plaster of the wall of the banqueting house; and the King only, at first, saw these fingers that thus wrote. Then the Kings colour began to go away, and he waxed pale, 6 Then the Kings countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. and ghastly; and his mind was so troubled at this fearful, and strange sight, that he grew( as it were) suddenly paralytic; his joints seemed, as if they had been quiter loosed, and, in an extremity of trembling, his knees smote one against another. And this is the writing that is written, mean, mean, Tekel Upharsin; 25 And this is the writing that was written, mean, mean, Tekel Vpharsin; that is, God hath perfectly numbered and reckoned up the daies both of the Babylonish Empire, and the Jewish captivity; and their utmost date is now comne; And the same God hath well considered all thy ways, and actions; and hath found thee utterly unanswerable both to his benefits, and to thine own place; and therefore hath determined to cast thee aside, as light gold, not fit for further use; And now hath taken a course to cut thee off from the earth; and to give thy kingdom into the hands of the Medes and Persians. 30 In that night was Belshazzar the King of the Chaldeans slain. And accordingly that very night Belshazzar the King was slain by the hands of Gadata, and Gobrya, two of Cyrus his noblemen; who, that very night, surprised Babylon, and became Lord of that monarchy. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two yeares old. And Darius, the Median, father in law to Cyrus, by the consent and appointment of Cyrus,( whom he had aided in this war) took upon him the kingdom, being threescore and two yeares old. CAP. VI. 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find none occasion nor fault. THen the other two presidents, and the hundred and twenty Princes sought to get some advantage against Daniel, in matter of government, or accounts for the Kings profits, but they could find none, &c. All we the presidents and governours, and Princes of thy kingdoms, 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governours, and the Princes, the counsellors and the captains have consulted together to establish a royal statute,& to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty daies save of thee O King, he shall be cast into the den of Lions. have consulted, which way we may do thee the most honor; and most ingratiate thee with thy subjects, now, at thy first entrance into thy throne; and we have found no way more faire, and plausible then this we have decreed, that none of thy subjects shall( for the space of thirty daies) make any petition to any God, or man, save to thee, O King; that by this means they may be brought and enured to an awful, and divine conceit of thy greatness, and may be encouraged to have access unto thee, for the more endearing of thee to them, upon the grant of their suits; and, if any man shall violate this decree, we have sentenced him to be cast into the den of lions. Now, 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed,& gave thankes before his God, as he did afore time. when Daniel knew that this writing was signed( which he well understood to be irrevocable) he, notwithstanding, continued his wonted devotions, to his God; He therefore, being in his house( not willing to conceal his pious exercises) opened the window of his chamber, to the south-west-ward, that he might( according to Salomons word, and the practise of Gods people) look towards the Temple( though now demolished) and kneeling upon his knees, three times a day, at morning, noon, and evening, he prayed to God, and gave thankes before his God, as he had wont. He bent all his thoughts, 14 And set his heart on Daniel to deliver him, &c. and laboured by all means possible to deliver Daniel. CAP. VII. I Saw in my vision by night; and behold, 2 Daniel spake, and said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the haeven striven upon the great Sea. to show me the blustering and embody state of all these earthly kingdoms, and affairs, me thought, the four winds of the heaven blew, and fought( as it were) together upon the great sea. And from that sea( which signifies the world) there arose four great beasts, divers one from another, 3 And four great beasts came up from the Sea, divers one from another. to represent those four great Monarchies, whereby the kingdoms of the earth are swayed; which had and shall have different forms of administration. The first, which was the Babylonian Monarchy, 4 The first was like a Lion,& had Eagles wings, and I beholded till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a mans heart was given to it. was a lion, in respect of the power and fierceness thereof; but this lion had Eagles wings, to show the incredible swiftness, and speed of his conquests. And I beholded, till those several regions, and commands, wherewith the Babylonian had feathered himself, and furnished his empire, were plucked away, by the hands of the Medes and Persians; so as now these wings of his sovereignty, being pulled and plumed,( wherewith he formerly soared up) he was fain to trust to his feet; and therein to find his own weakness; whereby his courage was so abated, that in stead of the stoutness of a lion, he was glad to take up with the weak heart of a man. 5 And behold, another beast, a second like to a bear and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it, and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. The second monarchy of the Persians, was figured by the second beast, it was like a bear, less noble, and generous then the Babylonian; more slow, and dull, but no less cruel; and it raised up one dominion of all those former kingdoms, united to the Babylonian empire; and this devouring beast had three ribs in his mouth; to show the torn and wasted remainders of all those kingdoms( in all the three coasts of the known habitable world,) which he hath greedily eaten up; to whom it was by the just decree of the Almighty encharged, that he should rouse up himself, and destroy many nations, in revenge of those quarrels that God had against them. 6 After this I beholded, and lo, another like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowle, the beast had also four heads, and dominion was given to it. After this, I beholded, and lo the third Monarchy of the Macedonian or grecian,( being presented by a Leopard) succeeded; more fierce and subtle then that other of the Medes; which, by reason of the exceeding swiftness of dispatch( especially of Alexander the great, in his achievements) had four wings attributed unto it, This great Empire was divided( upon the death of Alexander) into four kingdoms; and for the time, it was of great power, and large dominion. After this, there was in my night visions, represented unto me, 7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly, and it had great iron teeth; it devoured& broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it, and it was divers from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. the tyrannous Asiaticke kingdom, in the figure of a fourth beast, which was dreadful, and terrible, and exceedingly strong; it had great teeth of iron, to signify those cruel pressures, wherewith it should tear and grind the distressed remainders of Gods people; and it did accordingly exercise extreme tyranny over them, by devouring them, and crashing their bones in pieces, and stamping them under his feet; and this beast, as it could not( by reason of the many varieties which were found in this government) be figured by any one shape, so was it, in the fell and bloody disposition thereof, quiter different from the former; And in this regiment there shall ten Kings succeed; which were represented by the ten horns of this beast. 8 I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots, and behold in this horn were, &c. And I took good view of those ten horns, which signified the ten Kings; and I saw one little horn, which came forth amongst the rest,& the last of the ten, which in the coming up, defeated three of those ten; and behold in this horn, there were eyes of sharp understanding, and quick conceit; but, withall, there was a mouth which was full of blasphemy. 9 I beholded till the thrones were cast down, and the ancient of daies did sit whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head, like the pure wool; his throne was like the fiery flamme, and his wheels as burning fire. As in my vision I saw the erection, and the standing of these great monarchical thrones, so I saw the casting of them down, by the long-suffering, yet just hand of the Almighty: for which purpose, I saw a glorious representation of his judgement set; and therein was a majestical resemblance of the Judge, even the eternal God, whose being was before all times; who was all compassed about with perfect purity, and righteousness, signified by the whiteness of his garment, and his hair; his throne was full of terror, even like to a fiery flamme; and the wheels( on which it stood) were as a burning fire; to show that his judgements will unavoidably find out his enemies, and consume them. To the same purpose was there a representation of a fiery stream, issuing forth from before him, 10 A fiery stream issued,& came forth from before him, thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him, the Iudgement was set, and the books were opened. signifying the execution of his vengeance upon his enemies; infinite numbers of glorious spirits stood before him, to wait upon his Majesty;& according to the forms of human Judicature, there were laid open the acts, and most certain records of those things which had been done by these four beasts; but especially by the last of them. I beholded then, and I saw the last monarchy, 11 I beholded then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beholded even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flamme. and that proud horn thereof( the last King of that rank) whose mouth had dared to speak those great blasphemies, called to reckoning for those notorious impieties, and himself destroyed, and cast into that unquenchable fire. As concerning the rest of those Monarchies, 12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. they had( by the just decree of this Judge,) their dominions weakened, and in a sort extinguished; yet so, that they had some small remainders of a being, till the appointed time that God had set for the romans to put a full dispatch unto them. Moreover, I had, in my night visions, 13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, one like the son of man, came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the ancient of daies,& they brought him near before him. represented unto me one, like to Jesus Christ, the Son of man,( who is withall, the eternal son of God) who to show his deity, came in the clouds of heaven to descend to the earth; and now, in the fullness of time, came to take our nature upon him, and to accomplish the great work of mans redemption; who presented himself before God the Father, as the Mediator betwixt him, and mankind. And there was all power given him in heaven, 14 And there was given him dominion and glory, and a kingdom that all people, nations and languages should serve him, his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that, which shall not be destroyed. and earth; and he was, by the eternal decree of God, appointed to be the glorious King of his Church for ever; so as there can be neither any bounds, nor any term of his dominion. 15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I Daniel was much perplexed in my thoughts at the consideration of these wondrous visions, and was unquiet in myself, till I might attain to the interpretation thereof. 16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this; so he told me, and made me know the interpretation. I came therefore( me thought) to one of those glorious Angells, which stood about the throne, and enquired of him the meaning, and purpose of these representations, &c. 17 These great beasts, which are four, are four Kings which shall arise out of the earth. These great beasts which are four, are the resemblances of four great Empires, which shall successively arise on the earth; The Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian, Asian. 18 But the Saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. But at last, after all the persecutions, and oppressions of violent enemies, the Church and Saints of God shall prevail, and shall have, and enjoy, the benefit of the perpetual and peaceable government of Christ, their King, for evermore. 19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast. Then was I earnestly inquisitive after the signification of the fourth beast, &c. See verse 7. and 8. 21 I beholded,& the same horn made war with the Saints, and prevailed against them. I beholded, and that last horn( which was the last of the race of Seleucus) persecuted Gods people exceedingly, and prevailed against them. 23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be divers from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. Thus he said, the fourth beast resembleth the fourth of these great imperial governments, which shall bee worse to Gods people then all the rest; this shall be the usurped kingdom of the posterity of Seleucus Nicanor, which, upon the extinction of the line of Alexander the great, shall set up a new kingdom in Babylon; and tyramnize most cruelly over the Church of God, the people of the Jews; and waste, and destroy it, to his utmost. 24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten Kings that shall arise; and another shall arise after them, and he shall be divers from the first, and he shall subdue three Kings. And the ten horns, are ten several Kings, which shall arise and succeed, out of this stock, in this government; and the last of the ten( which shall be more cruel, then his fellowes) shall be that bloody King, Antiochus Epiphanes, who shall defeat, and displace three Kings, to make room for himself. 25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the Saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shal be given into his hand, until a time and times, and the dividing of time. And he shall blasphemously, and impiously oppose himself against the religion of the most high God, and shal endeavour, all he can, to root out the Jewish people, and shall go about to change, or abrogate, their solemnities, and their laws; and they shall( in the just proceedings of God) be given up into his hand, for the space of three yeares, and somewhat more. But the powerful and righteous Judge of the world, 26 But the judgement shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume, and to destroy it unto the end. who noteth all his wicked courses, shall soon call him to account for all his cursed impiety, and intolerable cruelty; and shall bring his kingdom to utter ruin. And after this the Son of God being exhibited upon earth, his Church shall be enlarged, 27 And the kingdom and dominion,& the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shal be given to the people of the Saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. so as all the kingdoms& dominions upon earth shall submit themselves to the regiment of their God, and Saviour. Hitherto, I have related the speech, which the Angel had with me, 28 Hitherto is the end of the matter; As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me but I kept the matter in my heart. concerning these great affairs of the Church, and the world; As for me Daniel, my thoughts were much perplexed with the consideration of these wonderful visions; and my very countenance could not but bewray much trouble in my heart; but I did carefully lay up, and meditate on all these dreadful representations. CAP. VIII. THere was a second vision represented unto me, 2 And I saw in a vision, and it came to pass when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam, and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Vlai. wherein, me thought, I was at Shushan, in the royal palace, within the borders of Persia; and was sitting by the river Ulai; which runneth by the said Palace, and city. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and I saw certain other resemblances of those same three kingdoms, and Monarchies, which shall follow upon the expiration of this of Babylon, which is now near to an end; 3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river, a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high, but one was higher then the other,& the higher came up last. the first whereof was represented to me, under the type of a ram with two horns, in signification of the two kingdoms united of Media and Persia, and these two stomachs were very high and great; but the Median government was in time before that of Persia; and the higher in power was the later in time. I saw this Persian Monarchy assailing all the nations round about, both towards the West, and the North, 4 I saw the ram pushing west-ward,& north-ward, and southward, so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand, but he did according to his will& became great. and the South; neither could any kingdom stand before it, or be free from the power, and subjugation thereof; by the spoils and ruins of all which, this kingdom became great. And, as I was considering, behold a rough goat, figuring the graecian, or Macedonian Empire, 5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the West on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. came from the West, and invaded all the kingdoms of the earth; and he came on, so swiftly, as if he had not touched the ground in his passage; and this Empire was famoused, and enlarged by an eminent King, which was Alexander the Great, who is set forth by that notable horn, which arose between the eyes of this graecian goat. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. And this Macedonian Monarch came to the Persian ram, which had those two great titles,& kingdoms; and set upon him in the fury of his great, and unresistible power. And I saw him assault the Persian Monarchy, being moved with choler, 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and broke his two horns, and there was no power in the ram to stand before him. and rage, and smite it, and break off his two great dominions of Media and Persia; and there was no power in the Persian to stand before him, &c. Therefore the Macedonian Monarchy waxed very great, and strong: and when it was at the strongest, Alexander the great( who was the remarkable horn betwixt the eyes of that goat)( in his return from his Eastern conquest) died; 8 Therefore the heegoat waxed very great, and when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and for it came up four notable ones, toward the oufre winds of heaven. and in his stead came up four governours, which were the chief commanders under him, and divided his kingdoms amongst them; even in all the coasts of the world; Cassander possessed himself of Macedonia, Seleucus of Syria, Antigonus of Asia the less, and Ptolomee of egypt. 9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the South and toward the East, and towards the pleasant land. And shortly after, the government coming into two hands, Seleucus of Syria, and Ptolomee of egypt, out of the one of them( namely Seleucus) there came forth, at last, a King, which seemed but of small power at his first beginnings; even Antiochus Epiphanes, who became afterwards exceeding great, extending his dominions both to the Southward, and to the East, and to the choice, and pleasant land of Judea. 10 And it waxed great even to the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host, and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. And this King grew mighty, and insolent; daring to war against the God of heaven,& his Saints on earth; and against some o● them he prevailed accordingly; casting to the ground, and trampling upon those that were most noted for piety, and holinesse. 11 Yea he magnified himself even to the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Yea, he presumed to exalt himself so far, as to offer defiance to the God of heaven; and by him, the daily sacrifice( which God hath enjoined to his people, and all the public service required by Gods Law) was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary defiled and broken down. 12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground, and it practised and prospered. And a whole army of apostates were given over( by reason of their great sins and transgressions) to take part with him against the holy worship of God; and they spitefully opposed the truth of God, and prevailed in their impious practices. Then I heard one angel speaking; 13 Then I heard one Saint speaking, and another Saint said unto that certain Saint which spake, How long shall bee the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary, and the host to be trodden underfoot? even an angel speaking to Christ, the eternal Son of God, who hath all secrets exactly numbered; and saying to him; How long shall be the continuance of the matter contained in this vision? how long shall the daily sacrifice be abolished, and interdicted? How long shall be the time of this desolation, which our transgressions have caused? How long shall it be, that the sanctuary, and the people of God shall be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, 14 And he said unto me, unto two thousand and three hundred dayes, then shall the sanctuary bee cleansed. ( in whose behalf this question was moved by the angel) It shall bee for the space of two thousand, and three hundred natural dayes, or, six yeares, three moneths, and eighteen dayes; at the end whereof the sanctuary shall be cleansed, and Gods worship restored. And I heard the voice of him, 16 And I heard a mans voice between the banks of Vlai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. who was the word of his father, speaking in the tone of a man, betwixt the banks of Vlai; which called, and said, Gabriel, it is the pleasure of him who is the God of spirits, that thou make this man to understand the vision. understand, O son of man; 17 understand O Son of man, for at the time of the end shall be the vision. for at the expiration of the time determined, shall this vision be accomplished. See verse 2. of this chapter. The interpretation of the rest of this Chapter is in the precedent verses. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns, are the Kings of Media, and Persia. And towards the latter end of the kingdom of the Seleucidae, when the transgressions of the world, 23 And in the later times of their kingdom, when the transgressions are come to the full, a King of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. and of my people are come to their full height, there shall arise a King of a fierce countenance, and disposition; and one that is of a great wit, and deep understanding; even Antiochus Epiphanes. And his power shall be great; yet shall not he do so great things by his power, as by his craft, and subtlety; 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power, and he shall destroy wonderfully. by both, he shall destroy wonderfully, &c. By faire, and colourable treaties, 24 And by peace shall destroy many, he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he shall bee broken without hand. and pretences of peace he shall destroy many; he shall exalt himself against God himself; but he shall speed accordingly; for he shall be brought to a most miserable death by the immediate hand of God, plaguing him for all his wickednesses. And the vision which concerned the continuance of this calamity for the space of so many natural dayes, 26 And the vision of the evening, and the morning which was told, is true; wherefore shut thou up the vision, for it shall be for many dayes. as are therein expressed( namely 2300.) is true, wherefore make thou full account of the performance of all this vision; and keep it close to thyself; for it will be long, ere all things contained in these several visions shall be accordingly accomplished; even no less then the space of three hundred yeares. I was secretly astonished in myself at the consideration of this vision, 27 And I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. but I kept it to myself,( according to the command of God by his angel) and did not reveal it unto any man. CAP. IX. 2 I Daniel understood by books the number of the pieces, whereof the word of the Lord came to to jeremiah the prophet that he should accomplish seventy pieces in the desolations of jerusalem. I Daniel understood by the relation of those histories, which were written of those affairs,& times, that the number of yeares, which God had in his word to Jeremiah the Prophet, predefined, for the continuance of the captivity of the Jews, and the desolation of Jerusalem, viz. seventy yeares, were now near to their expiration. 14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us. Therefore the Lord hath let slip no opportunity, nor no means, that might inflict just punishment upon us, &c. 21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. Whiles I was uttering my prayer unto God; The angel Gabriel, whom I had seen before in my late vision, being sent immediately from God, came to me, and cheered me up, about the time of the Evening sacrifice. 24 Seventy weekes are determined upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophesy, and to anoint the most Holy. Within the space of four hundred, and ninety yeares( which are seventy weekes of yeares, or seventy times seven) the people of God shall have a double blessing happily conferred upon them; that is, a free and gracious remission of sin, and everlasting righteousness, by the exhibition, and by the death, and passion of Christ the Saviour, who shall fulfil all those prophesies which have been before of him, and shall preach to the world that saving gospel, which is only able to give them life; and by his eternal Priesthood shall make way for his Church, to the true Holy of holies, even the glorious sanctuary of heaven. Know therefore, and understand, that from the first year of King Cyrus, 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandement to restore and to build jerusalem, unto the Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weekes, and three score and two weeks, the street shall be built again, and the wall even in troblous times. wherein his edict goes forth for the return of the Jews to their native country, and for the building of Jerusalem, until the death and accomplishment of the great work of the Messiah, shall bee four hundred and ninety yeares; or seventy weekes of yeares( accounting seven yeares to a week;) which said number of four hundred ninety yeares, shall be thus reckoned and subdivided; forty nine of the first yeares( which are seven weekes of yeares) shall be taken up in the building of the Temple, and restauration of Gods worship, and service: from thenceforth to the last septenary of yeares, when the Messiah shall suffer death, shall be four hundred thirty four years; In which time the city and the walls shall indeed bee built up, but the people of the Jews shall undergo manifold troubles and vexations. And after the end of the said four hundred thirty four yeares, from the restitution of the Temple, 26 And after threescore and two weekes, shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself, and the people of the Prince that shall come, shall destroy the city, and the sanctuary, and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. shall the Messiah bee slain, not for any cause that shall bee found in him, but for the sins of men, which by that redemption, he shall expiate; neither shall he have any more part in that city; for the Romans shall soon after come, and destroy Jerusalem, and the Temple; and shall sweep away all before them, like some violent inundation of a flood; and, from the beginning to the very end of this war, there shall be grievous desolations to this people. And in the last of those septenaries, 27 And he shall confirm the Covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the over-spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall bee powred upon the desolate. he shall by preaching of the gospel of peace and institution of Evangelicall sacraments, establish and confirm his everlasting Covenant with all believers; and in the midst of that septenary, he shall put an end to all the legal sacrifices, and rites, by his one all-sufficient sacrifice made for the sins of the world; And, for the sinful city Jerusalem, he shall cause it to be overrun with the abominable Legions of the Roman victors to the utter desolation thereof, and shall not cease till all the judgements which are determined unto it, be fully consummated, and poured out upon that miserable city. CAP. X. 4 As I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel. I Was( in vision) by the side of the great river Tigris. 5 Then I lift up mine eyes and looked,& behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Vphaz. And behold, the son of God stood before me, in the form of a man clothed in pure white linen( to signify his perfect holinesse) and his loins were gird about with a girdle of the finest gold. His body was of a bright celestial colour; and his face glorious, and shining, like the appearance of lightning; his eyes( from which nothing can be hide) were beamie, 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms, and his feet like in colour to polished brass,& the voice of his words, like the voice of a multitude. and piercing, like flames of fire; his arms, and feet were resplendent, like to polished brass, to signify the pureness and unquestionable perfection of his proceedings; and the voice of his words was mighty, and forcible. And when I heard the dreadful voice of his words, I was cast( as it were) into an ecstasy; with my face grovelling to the ground; being, for the time, bereft of the use of my senses, 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. through astonishment. But that angel which hath the guardian-ship of the kingdom of Persia, pleaded earnestly with me, for these one and twenty daies, in a desire to retain thy people somewhat longer; but lo, Michael, one of the chief of Angels, 13 But the Prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one& twenty daies; but lo, Michael one of the chief Princes came to help me, and I remained there with the Kings of Persia. who standeth out in favour of thy nation, came to advance, and to set forward the execution of my will, concerning my Church; But I decreed for holy and just causes, to withhold my appearance from thee, for a time upon the occasion of the affairs of the King of Persia. I am induced to interpret this Prince of the kingdom of Persia, to bee an angel; because, in the same verse, and verse 21. Michael is termed the Prince of Israel; and one Prince of these spiritual governments is brought in pleading against another; Neither is it probable that Christ is here meant by Michael, sith it is▪ he who in this glorious appearance speaketh to Daniel, concerning Michael. 20 Then said he, knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the Prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo the prince of Grecia shal come. Knowest thou wherefore I came unto thee? Even least thou shouldst think thyself neglected by my absence, or delay; and now, I will return to pled with the angel of Persia for your remove; and when I, together with my people am gone forth thence, the angel that is for Greece, shall come,& prevail mightily against the Persian kingdom. 21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the Scripture of truth, and there is none that holdeth with me in these things but Michael your Prince. But I will show thee the particularities of these passages, which are enrolled in the counsel of Gods everlasting decree; wherein, I will let thee know, that neither the Persian, nor the graecian Monarchy shal long subsist; but ye, my Jewish people, shall not be cut off, notwithstanding the great malice of your enemies, neither shall ye need to fear; for Michael your Prince, and spiritual Guardian, is ready at hand to attend your safety, and to yield his service to me, in your protection. CAP. XI. ALso, I, in the first year of Darius the meed, 1 Also, I in the first year of Darius the meed, even I stood to confirm and to strengthen him. even I( though insensibly to men) stood out for the confirmation of that Monarchy of his. And now I will show thee the true event of future things. Behold, 2 And now will I show thee the truth, Behold, there shall stand up yet three Kings in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer then they all; and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. there shall stand up three Kings successively in Persia, after this Darius, who shall yield up his kingdom to his partner, and successor; namely Cyrus, Cambyses his son, and Darius Histaspis; And the fourth( which shall be Xerxes the son of that later Darius) shall be far richer then they all; both through the treasures left by his father, and his own exactions; and in the pride and confidence of his strength, and great riches, he shall stir up all those of the East, to war against Grecia. But, a mighty King, even Alexander of Macedon, 3 And a mighty King shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. shall stand out against him, and shal over-throw the Persians; and shall rule very powerfully,& with great freedom, and absoluteness. And when he shall have thus overcomne, 4 And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shal bee broken, and shall bee divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides those. and continued his Monarchy for seven yeares, his kingdom shall be broken in pieces; and shall be divided amongst his four peers, towards all the four coasts of heaven; divided, I say, not to his posterity, for the two sons of Alexander the great,( namely Alexander, and Hercules) shall shortly after die without issue; but to four of his chief commanders, Seleucus shall have Babylon, Cassander Macedonia, Antigonus Asia, and Ptolomee egypt; but these Kings shall not be able to carry that sway and greatness,( in this subdivision of their state) which that great Monarch bore before them; For his Kingdom shall be plucked up, and parceled out to others besides them of his own loins. Now, I shall tell thee what shall befall, 5 And the king of the south shall be strong, and of one of his princes, and he shall be strong above him, and have dominion. after this division; in the intercourse of the affairs betwixt two of these great sharers of the Monarchy; The King of egypt( who is the King of the south) shall be strong, and mighty; and one other of the posterity of one of those Princes( even of Seleucus Nicanor) shal be stronger then he, &c. 6 And in the end of yeares they shall join themselves together: for the Kings daughter of the South shall come to the King of the North, to make an agreement, but he shal not retain the power of the arm, neither shall he stand nor his arm, but she shall be given up, and they that brought her, and he that begot her, and he that strengthened her in these times. And after some yeares these two Princes, the one being the King of egypt, or of the South; the other, the King of Syria, or of the North, shall join in a league together; For the King of Aegypts daughter( viz. Berenice, the daughter of Ptolomee Philadelphus) shall match in marriage with Antiochus Theos, the King of Syria; But she shall not able to maintain, and continue either her marriage, or the league betwixt those Kings; Neither shall the said Antiochus hold firm to his engagements, but the said Berenice shall be forsaken, and given up by Antiochus, who shall receive again his former wife Laodice, lately cast off,( to make way to that other wedlock with Berenice) and afterwards, upon war hereupon raised betwixt Ptolomeus evergetes, the brother of Berenice, and Antiochus King of Syria, she shall( together which her son, and all her retinue) fall into the hands of Seleucus Callinicus the son of her rival Laodice, and by him be miserable slain. 7 But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate▪ which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the King of the North. But out of the same stock whence she came, shall one stand up, in revenge of her death, even her brother Ptolomee evergetes, which shall come with an army, and enter into the fortress of the King of Syria, &c. So when these things are thus dispatched in Syria, the King of egypt shall come back, and return into his own land. 9 So the King of the South shall come into his kingdom, and shall return into his own land. But the sons of Seleucus Callinicus, King of Syria,( which were Seleucus, Ceraunus, and Antiochus the great) not digesting this defeat, 10 But his sons shall be stirred up, and shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come,& overflow and pass through: then shall he return, and bee stirred up even to his fortress. and slaughter, shall raise a new war against the King of egypt, and gathering great forces together, shall come powerfully up to invade, and recover those parts of Syria, whence they were driven; and one of them, shall so far prevail by his strong incursions, that he shall passe● through Syria and Judea, and having rescued them, shall return to his own fortress. And the King of egypt, Ptolomee Philopator, being herewith exeedingly moved to rage, 11 And the King of the South shal be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the King of the North: and he shall set forth a great multitude, but the multitude shall be given into his hand. and desire of revenge, shall come forth the third time, and fight with the King of Syria, viz. Antiochus the great; and shall bring a great and mighty army against him; the issue whereof shall be, that the forces of Antiochus shall bee delivered into the hands of Philopator the King of egypt; and Syria, by this means, again recovered from him. 12 And when he hath taken away the multitude his heart shall be lifted up, and he shall cast down many ten thousands, but he shall not bee strengthened by it. And when he hath had this great victory, the heart of the King of egypt shall be lifted up with pride; and he shall fall to a cruel persecution of Gods people, whereof he shall slay many thousands, but all this weakening of his pretended enemies, shall be no strengthening of his power. For the King of Syria( Antiochus the great) shall yet again come upon the egyptian with greater forces, 13 For the King of the North shall return, and shall set forth a multitude greater then the former,& shall certainly come( after certain yeares) with a great army,& with much riches. then the former, and shall set upon him more strongly, and fiercely then before. And in those daies many of the neighbour nations shall take part against the King of egypt; 14 And in those times there shall many stand up against the King of the South: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision, but they shall fall. also many of thy people shall turn Apostates, following Onias, and to fulfil that prophesy of Esaiah( That the altar of the Lord shall be in egypt) shall build a Temple at Heliopolis; but they shall fail of their hopes, and utterly miscarry. So Antiochus the great King of Syria, shall come, 15 So the King of the North shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities; and the arms of the South shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there bee any strength to withstand. and besiege the strongest cities and forts of egypt, and shall take them; and the forces of egypt shall not be able to stand against him. But the said Antiochus coming against the egyptian, shall do what he pleases, 16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shal stand before him, and he shal stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed. and none shall so much as resist him; and when he hath subdued that land, he shall also seize upon Judea( that glorious land of Gods chosen people) and shall lay it waste by his powerful army. And he the said Antiochus shall address himself and the whole power of his kingdom, 17 He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him: thus shall he do, and he shall give him the daughter of women corrupting her: but shee shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. ( and that not without faire and plausible conditions) to get the full and peaceable possession of egypt; for which cause, he shall give his daughter Cleopatra, to wife, unto Ptolomee Epiphanes; treating with her by corrupt counsel to destroy her husband; but she shall not be mis-carryed by that wicked counsel of her father, but shall rather favour and adhere to her husband. After this, 18 After this shall he turn his face unto the Iles, and shall take many, but a Prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease without his own reproach, he shall cause it to turn upon him. shall Antiochus King of Syria set upon more remote nations, and shall take many of them; but the roman governor shall soon repress him, and take away the reproach cast upon that state, by those his victories, and shall return the reproach of a foil upon him, in forcing him to dishonourable conditions, of disclaiming any right in, or challenge to Europe, for ever after. 19 Then he shall turn his face towards the fort of his own land: but he shall stumble and fall. Then shall he be glad to retire himself to his own forts in Syria; but even there, he shall miserable mis-carry; for, whiles he shall go about a sacrilegious pillage of his idol Temple by night, the inhabitants shall fall( in great indignation) upon him and his souldiers, and kill them in the place. After him, there shall succeed in his room, a son of his, 20 Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom, but within few daies he shall be destroyed, neither in anger nor in battle. Seleucus Philopator, or Soter, who shall be a great exactor upon his subjects, and a spoiler of the sacred treasures of the Temple; but within a few daies after this sacrilegious practise, he shall be destroyed by poison, in the hand of Heliodorus, by the subornation of his brother Antiochus Epiphanes, affecting the kingdom after him. And, in his place, shall thereupon succeed a vile and notoriously-wicked, 21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person to whom they shall not give the honor of the kingdom, but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. and infamous person, even Antiochus Epiphanes; to whom, the States of that kingdom shall not willingly yield the regiment thereof, but he shal by treachery, and secret circumvention work himself into the throne, so as he shall come in, without any public opposition, and shall by fraud, and flattery possess himself thereof. 22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflowen from before him and shal be broken, yea also the Prince of the covenant. But, when he is once settled in the throne, he shall as it were, with a strong deluge, bear over, and kill those that stood against him, yea even his brother Seleucus;( or, rather Ptolomeus Philometor,) who joined in the league with him, shall be spoiled by him. 23 And after the league made with him, he shall work deceitfully, for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. And, after the league made thus with Philometor, he shall work deceitfully, for he shall( upon faire pretences of friendship to his nephew) come into egypt with a very small troop; but such picked and able men, as by whose hands he shall do great matters. He shall upon these pretences enter peaceably upon those territories of Syria, 24 He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province, and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers fathers, he shall scatter among them the prey and spoil, and riches, yea and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds even for a time. which were under the command of the egyptian, and shall set garrison souldiers in the chief forts, which his fathers never did before him, and he shall corrupt the souldiers with bribes; to make them his; and shall lay plots for the taking of the strongest holds of Syria; when he shall find the time fit for his purposes. And he shall raise great forces against the King of egypt, his nephew, the son of his sister Cleopatra, 25 And he shall stir up his power, and his courage against the King of the South with a great army, and the King of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army: but he shall not stand, for they shall forecast devices against him. namely Ptolomee Philometor; and shall set upon him with a great army; And the King of egypt shall raise a powerful army to meet him; but shall not be able to stand before him; for his nobles shall device treacherous counsels against him, to betray him. Yea, his very courtiers, 26 Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meate shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow, and many shall fall down slain. and professed servants shall be the means of his destruction, and the army of Antiochus shall defeat that of Philometor, and many of them shall be slain. And, 27 And both these Kings hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table? but it shall not prosper, for yet the end shall be at the time appointed. when Antiochus shall have over-run a great part of egypt, and this war shall seem to have an end, and a colourable reconciliation shall be treated; both these Kings hearts( viz. of Syria, and egypt) shall bee secretly set to do mischief to each other; and they shall make false professions of friendship, at one Table; But their designs shall not prosper; for the time appointed for the issue thereof, is not yet comne. Then shall Antiochus return into his land of Syria, 28 Then shall he return into his land with great riches, and his heart shall be against the holy Covenant, and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. with great riches, the spoils of egypt; and his heart shall be set to oppose the ordinances, and true religion of God, professed by his people; which when he hath bloodily persecuted, he shall return into his own land. At the time appointed by God( which is, two yeares after the peace made) when Philometor being fallen off from him, 29 At the time appointed he shall return and come toward the South, but it shall not be as the former, or as the later. shall have ●●de means to procure the aid of the roman forces ●●all Antiochus return,& come towards egypt; but it shall not bee with that prosperous success, that he had formerly; and shall once more have afterwards. For the Roman sea-forces, 30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him, therefore he shall be grieved& return and have indignation against the holy Covenant: so shall he do, he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy Covenant which lye in the Mediterranean Sea, shall come against him, and drive him back; therefore he shall return with sorrow enough; and shall be full of indignation against the holy religion of the Jews; He shall even return; and shall hold intelligence with Jason, and Menelaus, and other apostates from the true religion; to do further mischief to the Church of God. And the Roman governors shall aid him in this horrible profanation of Gods Temple, and worship, 31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. and both he, and they, shall take away that daily sacrifice which God hath appointed; and they shall place abominable idols in Gods Temple, and shall fill the holy place with Pagan-souldiers, whose work is nothing but ruin and desolation. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall bee holpen with a little help, but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. Now when they fall from their faith and religion, they shall have but small helps to raise them up, and recover them; yet the example of the constancy of some worthy Martyrs shall be a means to work upon divers of them; but very many shall through their flatteries, and plausible persuasions be drawn away. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end, because it is yet for a time appointed. And not onely those of the meanest rank for knowledge, and understanding, but even those which are noted, and eminent, shall fall; wherein Gods purpose is for the trial, and purging of his Church, that the hypocritical professors being removed, it may be pure& holy; but this trial and affliction shall not be perpetual; it shall bee till the end of that time which God hath appointed unto it. 36 And the King shall do according to his will, and he shal exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation bee accomplished. And this proud Antiochus shall do what him listeth; and shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above all that is called God; and shall speak horrible blasphemies against him, that is the onely true God, and shall go on prosperously in his wicked courses, till the full measure of Gods indignation be made up against him; and till the time of his severe judgement shall come, &c. He shall be a perfect Antichrist, not regarding even those gods, 37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god, for he shall magnify himself above all. which his fathers worshipped, but scorning all whatsoever deities; and shall be voided of those natural affections which are commonly incident into men; being only bent to fulfil his cruel▪ and bloody desires, without all respect either to m●●or to God himself, over whom he shall, in the pride of his heart, exalt himself. 38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a God whom his fathers knew not, shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. But yet in the seat or Temple of God in Jerusalem he shall fashionably honour Jupiter Olympius, a graecian god, whom his fathers knew not,( as being only acquainted with the Syrian deities,) him, I say, he shall honor with gifts and offerings of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds of Judea; setting up the image and worship of this strange god, 39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall aclowledge, and increase with glory, and he shall cause them to rule over many,& shall divide the land for gain. in thē all; and, those base persons, whom he shall affect, he shall advance to great glory; and shall cause them to rule over many better then themselves; and shall share the land of Judea amongst them, for a reward of their unworthy service. And at the time fore-appointed by God( which shall be two yeares after the setting up of this Idolatry in Judea) shall the King of egypt make head against this Antiochus King of Syria, 40 And at the time of the end shall the King of the South push at him, and the King of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind with charets. and the King of Syria shall come against him, like a whirlwind, &c. And having overrun egypt, 41 And he shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be over-throwne. he shall again enter into the goodly land of Judea, and many Countries shall be wasted by him, &c. And the Ethiopians shall submit themselves to him, and follow him in his warres. 43 And the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings shall come to him, from the East, 44 But tidings out of the East and out of the North shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many. which shall trouble him; viz. that the Parthians have invaded his coasts, and so also from the North of egypt, where he shall then be; that the Jews are endeavouring a revolt from him; therefore he shall go forth of egypt, with much fury, and revengeful resolutions to destroy many. And he shall resolve to settle his palace in Judea between the Mediterranean, and the dead Sea, 45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the Seas, in the glorious holy mountain, yet he shall come to his end, and none shal help him. even in the glorious holy mountain of Sion; yet he shall be defeated, and brought at last to his end; and when he shall have diverted his forces against the Persian, he shall be shamefully foiled, and none shall help him. CAP. XII. ANd at that time, 1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people, and there shall bee a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. when Antiochus shall have left his affairs in Judea together with his son, to the charge of Lysias, and shall go himself, upon his expedition, against the Parthians, then shall Michael stand up, that great Archangel, which standeth for the children of thy people, very seasonably, in respect of the great trouble, and affliction of that nation; which shall have been so great, as never was since there was a people upon earth; and at that time, shall be begun the happy deliverance of thy people, even of every of my elect servants, whose names are written in the book of life. But the full deliverance of all my chosen ones( which is figured by that other) shall be onely accomplished in the day of their final resurrection, 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shane and everlasting contempt. wherein all flesh shall arise from their graves; though to different, and contrary ends; for some shall rise to everlasting life, and some to shane and everlasting confusion. And they that are spiritually wise to know God, and themselves, shall have meet proportion of glory, 3 And they that bee wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever. and shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; but, those which are the means to convert, and save others, shall be yet more glorious, and shall shine as the stars in that firmament for ever. But thou, O Daniel, keep thou these words to thyself; 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words,& seal the book even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall bee increased. record them safely, but, when thou hast done, seal them up, till the determined time, when they shall bee communicated to the world; at which time many shall take pains to be informed of my truth, and the state of my Church; and knowledge shall be increased. Then I Daniel looked, and behold there stood two other Angels by the side of the bank of the river tigris, 5 Then I Daniel looked, and behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river: one on the one side, and the other on the other side. And the one of them, as desiring to look into these great mysteries, 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river; How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? said to Christ, the great angel of the covenant, who was the man clothed in linen; and who stood upon the waters by tigris, all this while; How long shall it be to the end of all these wonderful events? And I heard Christ, the eternal son of God, to to answer him again; 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand, and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by him that liveth for ever, that it should bee for a time, times and an half:& when he shall have aacomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. who lifting up both his hands towards heaven, the place of his throne, swore by himself, and his eternal Father, and blessed Spirit: that this calamity of his Church shall be but short, even for the space of onely three yeares, and some few dayes; after which, the true worship of God,( which shall be defaced at jerusalem) shall be restored; and at the end whereof, the hostile power of Antiochus, wherewith Gods people shall have been amnoyed, and grievously vexed, shall be scattered, and utterly defeated. And I Daniel heard, but I did not distinctly and clearly enough understand the answer that was given; then I besought Christ, 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things. the Word of his Father, that he would be pleased to give me a more clear and full understanding of these things. 9 And he said, go thy way, Daniel, for thy words are closed up, and sealed till the time of the end. And he said; go thy ways Daniel, and content thyself with so much as is already revealed unto thee, for the particularities of these prophesies are not to be fully conceived, till the time of the fulfilling of them. In the mean time know, that this general affliction which shall befall my Church, 10 Many shall be purified and made white and tried, but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. shall have different issues, for many who are Gods elect shall be bettered thereby, and made more holy and perfect; but others again, shall rather be hardened in their wickedness; and none of the wicked shall regard either the judgements, or mercies of God, or take heed to these promises or threatenings, but the godly wise will lay both of them to heart accordingly. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall bee taken away by Antiochus Epiphanes, 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shal be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand& two hundred and ninety dayes. and that abominable army of his shall seize upon the Temple, and all the holds of Judea, until the time that the same Antiochus shall be forced to yield to, and confirm the reformation made by Judas Macabeus, shall be three yeares, seven moneths, and thirteen dayes; which shall be, seven moneths and three dayes after the banishing of that shameful idolatry of Antiochus, and the beginnings of his happy restauration of Gods true worship. Yet, even after this blessing, 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty dayes. there is another worth your expecting, which is the death of this cruel tyrant, Epiphanes; that shall fall about two moneths after this later period; happy is he therefore that waiteth patiently upon God, and lives to see this effected, at the end of three yeares, and about nine moneths from the first erection of that his detestable idolatry. But go thou thy way, and rest in peace, 13 But go thou thy way till the end bee: for thou shalt rest and stand in the lot at the end of the dayes. contenting thyself with so much, as is revealed to thee; and quietly hold that station, wherein God hath placed thee, in an humble and silent expectation of these events, till the very end of thy dayes. HOSEA. CAP. I. WHen God first revealed his will to Hosea, 2 The beginning of the word of the Lord by Hosea: and the Lord said to Hosea, go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms, and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom departing from the Lord. and gave to him his first charge; the Lord said unto him; Thy very person, and thine actions are prophetical; and thou therein shalt carry a type of the relation betwixt me, and the Church of Israel; go therefore, and for a resemblance of my respects to sinful Israel, take unto thee a wife, that hath heretofore been noted for unchastity,( howsoever now reclaimed) and beget children of that wife, which was once blemished with known fornication; For such is the state of Israel towards me; the land hath been notorious for her spiritual whoredoms; departing from the Lord to abominable idols. 3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, which conceived and bare him a son. So, in obedience to the command of God; and for a sign to Israel; the prophet went and took to wife Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, a woman formerly noted for incontinency; which conceived, and bare him a son. And the Lord said unto the Prophet Hosea; Call his name jezreel; 4 And the Lord said unto him, Call his name jezreel: for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of jezreel upon the house of jehu,& will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. for, ere long, I will avenge upon the posterity of jehu, the blood, which he in his cruelty and ambition shed in jezreel; which slaughter however in my just judgement, it were deservedly executed, yet as it was the act of treachery, and undue affectation of dominion in the chief agents therein, shall be accordingly punished; for Zacharias, the son of jeroboam( the last of that line,) shall after six moneths reign lose both his life and his Kingdom, by the hand of Shallum; and with him, the posterity of jehu shall be extinguished. And, from that day, I will cause the state of Israel to impair and sink more, 5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of jezreel. and more; till at the last, I shall cause the kingdom thereof to cease by the hand of Salmanasar King of the Assyrians, and shall utterly overthrow all the strength of Israel, in the valley of jezreel. Now Israel thus wasted, shall be( as it were) changed to the condition of a weak and womanish remnant; 6 And she conceived again,& bare a daughter,& God said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. for the signification whereof, the Prophes once-infamous wife conceived again, and bare a daughter, and God said unto him; Call her name, Lo-ruhamah; not obtaining mercy; for Israel, being thus given over by me, shall receive no further mercy from me, but I will utterly leave them to spoil, and dispersion; neither shall they be any more a kingdom. 7 But I will have mercy upon the house of judah, and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by hors-amen. But, as for the house of judah, I will have mercy upon them, and repair their kingdom; not by any force of arms, nor by the power of any warlike assistance, but by my own effectual inclination of the heart of Cyrus the King of Persia, whose favour shall re-establish them in their country. Now, when she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, and God had for some yeares expected the amendment of his people Israel, 8 Now when she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and bare a son. Gomer conceived, and bare a son. Then said God, Call his name, Not my people; for I had before cast off Israel from being a kingdom: 9 Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi, for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. now I will cast them off from being at all any people of mine; I will not own them for mine any more. 10 Yet the number of the children of Israel, shall be as the sand of the Sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered, and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the Sons of the living God. Yet, for all this, know, that I will make good that promise, which I made to Abraham, concerning the number of his seed, no less innumerable then the sand of the Sea; for, to my spiritual Israel( which are the true seed of the promise) shall this word be surely fulfilled; they shall be happily increased; and of them,( whereas there was no face of a Church, no appearance of a people of God) now it shall bee clearly manifest, that they are a chosen generation, and a peculiar people unto me. Then shall my Church be gathered out of all coasts, and out of both Israel, and judah, 11 Then shall the children of judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of jezreel. out of Iewes and Gentiles shall mine elect be called, by the voice of the gospel, and shall submit themselves to one head, Christ Iesus; and shall be gathered into one jerusalem, which is above, the mother of us all; Oh, how great and glorious shall that day be, wherein, being delivered from the servitude and captivity of sin, they shall be adopted for the sons of God, and heires of glory. CAP. II. ye Prophets of God, say ye unto those few of Israel, 1 Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi, and to your sisters, Ruhamah. which are as yet mine, and those, to whom I have yet shewed mercy, in withholding them from the wickedness of their fellowes; say thus. Lay before the face of this Church of Israel, 2 pled with your mother, pled: for shee is not my wife, neither am I her husband, let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts. your common mother, boldly and freely, her notorious sins, and enforce them against her; let her know that this demeanour of hers is not such, as is fit for my wife, neither will I be to her, as an husband; charge and advice her to repent of all her wickedness, to put away all those her spiritual fornications, wherewith she hath defiled herself. Lest I strip her naked of all those blessings, 3 Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst. wherewith I have endowed her, and leave her in that forlorn estate, wherein she was, ere I choose her for my Church, lest I give her up to utter desolation, and barrenness, leaving her destitute of all hope and comfort. As for those several persons, which appertain unto her, and are,( as it were) the sons of her womb, 4 And I will not have mercy upon her children, for they be the children of whoredoms. I will not have mercy upon them in forbearing their punishment; for they are bread and born in the practise of gross Idolatry. For their mother, 5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil, and my drink. the Church of Israel hath given herself over to spiritual fornications; and hath said, I will follow the fashions of the egyptians, and Assyrians, to whose league and friendship I have betaken myself; and from whose bountiful Gods, I have received my maintenance. Therefore behold, I will take a course to prevent thy gadding after these thy adulterous mates; I will set an hedge of thorns in thy way, 6 Therefore behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall that she shal not find her paths. restraining thee by mine afflicting hand, yea I will wall up her passage by the siege of an enemy. I will frustrate all her hopes and desires; so as, howsoever she be affencted to her idols, 7 And she shall follow after her lovers, but shee shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband, for then was it better with me then now. and her heathenish confederates, yet she shall not bee able to make any use of them; Then, when she is thoroughly crossed, and humbled by my afflictions, she shall begin to entertain penitent thoughts, and shall say within herself; I will return to my God, whom I have offended; for it was better with me, whiles I kept me to his sincere, and holy service then it is now. For, whiles she took these lewd courses, she had not the grace to consider, 8 For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and her gold, which they prepared for Baal. that it was I, her God, to whom she was beholden for all those blessings, which she enjoyed, even for her wine, and oil; yea, for that very silver and gold, which she wickedly bestowed upon her idols. And, because she would not aclowledge this, therefore I will bereave her of those my blessings, 9 Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax, given to cover her nakedness. & will take away from her my corn, and my wine, wherewith shee was wont to be fed& refreshed, even in that season, when she makes most account of enjoying it; and will take back my wool, and my flax, wherewith I clothed her; that she may learn to know whence she received these benefits. 10 And now will I discover her leanness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand. And now, I will make her unthankfulness, and vain confidence openly known to the world, and convince her of it, before her professed confederates; and none of them shall bee able to deliver her out of my afflicting hand. 11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast dayes, her new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. I will take from her all her solemn rejoicings, in abridging her of her feast-days, and new moons, and Sabbaths, wherein she was wont to make public professions of mirth. 13 And I will visit upon her the dayes of Baalim, wherein she burnt incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings, and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgot me, saith the Lord And I will then call her to account for those festivities of Baalim, wherein she did idolatrously burn incense to those her false Gods, and set out herself, in her best dresses, for the honor of her idols, and the pleasure of her heathenish confederates, and forgot me, saith the Lord. 14 Therefore behold, I will 'allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. Therefore behold, I will take all courses to reclaim her; I will earnestly solicit her with all wholesome counsel; and will bring her into captivity, and will therein, yet speak comfortably to her; sustaining her in the midst of her grievous adversity. And in her return from thence, 15 And I will give her, her vineyards from thence, and the valley of anchor for a door of hope, and she shall sing there, as in the dayes of her youth, and as in the day when shee came up out of the land of egypt. I will give her those vineyards, which she had deservedly lost; and will thanked her into that valley of anchor, which is on this side Jordan, as her entrance into that hoped, and promised land of her inheritance; and there she shall rejoice, and sing, and live cheerfully, as she did in her first possession of it, when shee came out of the land of egypt. And, in that day, thou shalt call me, Ishi, my husband; 16 And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali. and shalt no more call me, Baali, my Lord; which name, howsoever I mis-like not in itself, yet, because it carries with it, the sound and remembrance of your former idol, I will not abide to be put upon me. For I do so hate and detest those your idols, 17 For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more bee remembered by their name. as that I will not endure the very mention of their names, but damn them to perpetual forgetfulness. And, in that day, will I ordain, and give charge to all creatures, that they shall bee helpful unto them, 18 And in that day will I make a Covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowles of heaven,& with the creeping things of the ground, and I will break the bow and the sword, and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lye down safely. and forbear any annoyance of them; even to the beasts of the field, and fowles of the air, and to the creeping things upon earth; and I will pacify all enemies; and prevent all those wars, that may be in danger to be raised against them, and will cause them to dwell safely, and peaceably. And I will renew my everlasting Covenant with thee, I will be thy God, thou shalt be my people; 19 And I will betrothe thee unto me for ever, yea I will betrothe thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgement,& in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will be thy husband, and Saviour, thou shalt be my Church and Spouse, inseparably united unto me; to whom I will graciously communicate my perfect righteousness; and whom I will embrace in my just acceptation, in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even marry thee unto myself, 20 I will even betrothe thee unto me in faithfulness and thou shalt know the Lord. in all faithful plighting of our mutual troth, one to another; and thou shalt find that I am, and will be a gracious Lord unto thee. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, 21 22 And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth: and the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil, and they shall hear jezreel. that all creatures shall receive a command from me to contribute their several blessings to my people; as if the heaven, and the earth, and the wine, and oil, and my people Israel, did join all together both to sue for, and to confer those benefits unto my Church, which their several natures and condition can, and do yield unto them. 23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth, and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy,& I will say to them which were not my people; Thou art my people, and they shal say, Thou art my God. And I will so multiply my Church in the earth, as if I had sown it with men; and I will so alter the estate of things, as that my mercy shall magnify itself upon that people, both of Jews and Gentiles, that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, I have chosen thee to be my people; and they shall say again in a blessed restipulation, Thou art my God. CAP. III. 1 Then said the Lord unto me, go yet, love a woman( beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress) according to the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. THen said the Lord; go, and by this act that I do now enjoin thee, show to Israel their sin, and their shane, and punishment; go then, and make profession of love to a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress; and bring her home to thee; and make it known, that thou dost it in a type of that love, which the Lord beareth towards the adulterous nation of Israel, who Idolatrously looks after other gods, and gives herself to intemperate courses. 2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of Barley, and an half homer of Barley. So I went according to the command of God, and, for no great price, I porcured such a woman( beloved of friend; though otherwise infamous, and proclaimed her a type of Israel. And for that purpose, I said unto her, Thou shalt continue as a widow in my house mourning for many dayes; 3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many dayes, thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not bee for another man, so will I also bee for thee. and shall not be permitted to play the harlot, neither will I suffer thee to have the liberty of conversing with any other man. Neither will I come to thee to converse with thee, The following words are {αβγδ}& etiam ego ad te; the negative particle( {αβγδ}) being here to be understood to be repeated; so as the words seem to run) Neither will I be to thee. For the children of Israel, who have been guilty of these spiritual fornications, 4 For the children of Israel shall abide many daies, without a King, and without a Prince, and without a sacrifice; and without an Image; and without an Ephod; and without Teraphim. shall( for a just punishment of their uncleanness) bee left desolate for many yeares;( for from the time of their deportation into captivity till the restauration of my spiritual kingdom, by the Messiah, shall be six hundred, and four score yeares) in which time they shall bee without a King, without a Prince, without a sacrifice; and( in short) without any face either of a Church, or common-wealth, yea even of so much as a Church miserable depraved by those superstitions,& corrupt services, which are now in use amongst them. Afterward, 5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their King, and shall fear the Lord, and his goodness in the later dayes. when the son of God shall be manifested in the flesh, the children of Israel, together with all my whole Church shall return, and submit themselves to the worship of the true God, and of the Messiah, the true son, and successor of David; and shall bee holily and religiously affencted to God, and his service in the dayes of the gospel. CAP. IIII. THey break out into horrible outrages, 2 They break out, and blood toucheth blood. and murders are so frequent, as that one overtakes another without any distance, or intermission of bloodshed. Yet let no man trouble himself, 4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another; for this people are as they that strive with the Priest. and lose his labour in reproving those sins, which he sees committed; for thy people are obstinately bent to continue in their wickedness; they are such as will be ready to brawl and quarrel with the messengers of God, that shall endeavour to reclaim them. Therefore will I bring swift judgement upon thee; 5 Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the Prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. thou shalt speedily fall, and thy Prophets with thee; for if thou fallest in the day, thy Prophets shall not be long after thee, they shall fall in the night, and I will destroy the very Church, and kingdom, whereto thou appertainest. My people are destroyed for lack of the true knowledge of me their God, and of my Law, &c. 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. They make a gain of the sins of my people, 8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. and feed themselves fat with their sacrifices; willingly giving way to their sins, for the benefit of their oblations; and being well pleased with their gainful iniquities. So as they shall be all too like to each other; 9 And there shall bee like people, like Priests; and I will punish them for their ways. wicked people, and wicked Priests; The peoples sins deserved to be punished with such Priests; and such Priests have helped to make the people thus wicked, &c. They shall eat, and yet not find the benefit of their sustenance, in an increase of strength, 10 For they shall eat and not have enough, they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase, because they have left off to take heed to the Lord. or satisfaction of appetite; they shall spend their bodies in the acts of their lust, and shall have no increase of issue; for that they cast off all care of Gods service, and their obedience to him. They are so besotted with their whoredoms, 11 whoredom, and wine, and new wine take away the heart. and drunkenness, that they have lost all the sense of whatsoever grace, and goodness; and are utterly bereft of all care of God, or themselves. 12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. My people are so sottish, as to go unto their wooden Images, for either counsel, or prediction of future events; a piece of a stick is their god, and their oracle; for this gross idolatrous disposition( whereto they have long inclined) hath drawn them into these foul enormities, and hath drawn them a whoring, from under their onely true God. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredoms, nor your spouses when they commit adultery, for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots, therefore my people that doth not understand, shall fall. I will not so far favour you as to punish your daughters, or your wives, when they play the harlots; whiles I respected you, and took keep of you, I was ready to correct you for your mis-deeds, but now, I have given up the care of you; and will not chastise that in your children and wives, which ye, that are the parents and husbands, are willingly guilty of; for ye yourselves go aside with your harlots; and spend the good ch●are of your sacrifices, upon whores; therefore( as I before denounced the sentence) the people( both one, and other) that do not understand, nor seek after God, shall perish. 15 Though thou Israel play the harlot, yet let not judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, The Lord liveth. But though Israel( or, the ten Tribes) be thus mis-caried with Idolatry, yet let not the infectious example of their sin so far prevail, as that Judah, and Benjamin should bee tainted therewith; go not ye, O men of Judah, so far as Gilgal( the utmost bounds of your region on this side Jordan) upon any Idolatrous pilgrimage; neither go ye up to the golden calf of Bethel;( yea of Beth-aven rather, the house of vanity) neither do ye in your solemn oaths apply my name to your idols, as to say of them, The Lord liveth. 16 For Israel slideth back, as a back-sliding heifer, now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place. For Israel is sliden back from her profession; as some wild and stubborn heifer draws back to pull his neck out of the yoke; and now, the Lord will lay them open to judgement, as if some silly lamb, in a large pasture should bee exposed to the violence of some devouring beast. 17 Ephraim is joined to Idols, let him alone. Ephraim( or the ten tribes of Israel) have given themselves over to Idolatry; meddle not thou with them, O Judah; If Israel will needs offend, let him sin without thee. 18 Their drink is sour, they have committed whoredom, continually, her rulers with shane do love, Give ye. Their intemperance is odious, they have committed whoredom continually; her rulers are all for bribes, and are not ashamed to say, Give. But they shall bee miserable dispersed; the wind of Gods judgements is ready to carry them away, upon the wings thereof, 19 The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sa●●●fices. into fearful desolation; and they shal rue the time that they yielded themselves over to those their Idolatrous sacrifices. CAP. V. ANd give ye ear, O house of the King of Israel; 1 And give ye ear. O house of the King, for judgement is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah,& a net spread upon Tabor. for judgement is towards you; because when as my people were, according to my command, to go up to sacrifice at Jerusalem, ye procured wait to be laid for them, both at Mispah, at mount Tabor( as a fowler would lay nets, and snares for birds) to intercept them in their way, and to draw them back to your own Idolatrous altars. And the revolted Israelites are profound, 2 And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. and subtle in their plots, to draw the slaughter of the sacrifices to the place of their own choosing; though I have not forborn my vehement rebukes of them all. I know Ephraim, the chief of those ten Tribes; 3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hide from me, &c. and the rest, which make up the kingdom of Israel, are not hide from me, &c. Judah also( since he would not be warned to avoid the sins of Israel) shall partake of their judgements, 5 judah, also shall fall with them. as well as of their iniquity. They shall go with whole flocks and herds of their sacrifices, to seek the Lord, to appease his wrath, 6 They shall go with their flocks, and with their herds, to seek the Lord: but they shall not find him. and recover his favour; but they shall not find grace and acceptation at his hands, &c. They have dealt treacherously against the Lord; 7 They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, for they have begotten strange children, now shall a month devour them with their portions. for they have trained up their children in heathenish Idolatry; now therefore in a very short space shall they, and their land be devoured by the enemy. Make speedy preparation therefore for the war; Blow the cornet in Gibeah, the utmost border of Judah, 8 Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah, cry aloud at Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin. and blow the trumpet in Ramah, the utmost border of Israel; cry a loud at Beth-aven that is betwixt both; and do thou O Benjamin, consider what thou hast to do when the enemy is at thy back. Even that leading tribe of Ephraim shall bee desola●● in the day of my vengeance; 9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuk, among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be. I have signified unto the tribes of Israel, what they shall surely find, how incredulous soever they may be for the present. The Princes of Judah were lawless in their carriage, 10 The Princes of judah were like them that remove the bound; therefore will I poure out my wrath upon them like water. as men that resolved not to regard those bounds, and limits, which my law hath set unto them in their callings; therefore, I will abundantly poure out my wrath upon them. Ephraim is oppressed by the Assyrian, 11 Ephraim is oppressed, and broken in judgement; because he willingly walked after the commandement. and gone to wrack; because he willingly walked after the commandement of their wicked, and Idolatrous governors. 12 Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of judah as rottenness. Therefore will I consume Ephraim, as a moth eateth a garment; and will consume Judah, as a worm( or rottenness) consumeth wood; so will I decay them by an insensible, yet certain judgement. When Israel saw the danger, wherein he was, he made means to the Assyrian for help; 13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Iareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. and when Ahaz, the King of Judah was in distress, he sends to Tiglath Pileser, that should stand out for him, but all in vain; neither shall any aid of mortal man be able to cure you of those wounds, which the hand of my justice shal inflict upon you. I will go, saith the Lord, and will withdraw myself from them; 15 I will go and return to my place, till they aclowledge their offence, and seek my face; in their affliction they will seek me early. not giving them any testimony of my grace, or presence; till they shall be humbled in the sense of their sins; and seek to recover my favour in their affliction; And if any means can possibly prevail with thē it must be this; In their affliction they will seek me instantly. CAP. VI. 1 Come, and let us return unto the Lord. ANd in their seeking after me, they shall exhort, and excite one another to repentance; Come and let us return, &c. After a very short space of our afflictions he will be gracious unto us, 2 After two dayes will he receive us. and so cheer and restore us, as if he had given us a new life, &c. Then shall we attain to the perfect knowledge of the Lord, 3 Then shall we know, if wee follow on to know the Lord, his going forth is prepared as the morning, and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. if we do carefully and constantly persist in using those good means that he hath appointed; he shall then so reveal himself to us, as the sun shows himself to the world, in his morning-rising; by degrees ascending to his full height, and he shall come to us( not at once) but as the rain, that falls down by drops, even as the rain of the autumn, and Spring, that descends sweetly in soft and gentle showers. 4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early due it goeth away. " O Israel and Judah, what course should I take with you? I have neglected no means of your good; yet there is no hold to bee taken of you: some profession you make, but it is altogether fickle, and inconstant; your appearing goodness vanishes away, like as a morning cloud, or an early dew in summer. Therefore, I have wrought upon them by my prophets, denouncing judgement against them; 5 Therefore have I hewed them by the Prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. I have as it were, smitten them dead by the terrible threats of my punishments; and I have given them such means of information, as have been no less clear then the light itself, that goeth forth upon the world. For it was true inward goodness, and mercy, 6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God, more then burnt offerings. that I required of them, and not the outward formalities of sacrifice; and the true knowledge of God was that which I called for, more then their burnt offerings. But they( like the right sons of Adam) have transgressed the covenant, that I made with them, &c. 7 But the like men have transgressed the covenant. Even Gilead itself( a city of the Priests) is a society of notoriously wicked men; and is full of murders. 8 Gilead is a city of thē that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. Also, O Judah, corrupted Israel hath prepared an harvest of revenge for thee, 11 Also O judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people. in sowing the seeds of Idolatry in thee; upon occasion of that captivity whereinto thy brethren of Israel lead thee, under Pekah, the son of Remaliah, from which I procured and wrought thy deliverance. CAP. VII. WHen I would have healed those ten tribes of Israel, by the medicines applied by my Prophets, 1 When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood. then did the iniquity of Ephraim, which was the chief of them, and the wickedness of Samaria( the chief city of Israel) break out most outrageously, &c. They are readily obsequious to their governors in all their wicked commands; 3 They make the King glad with their wickedness, and the Princes with their lies. and do gladly soothe them up with their lies and flatteries. They are all adulterers, burning with filthy lust, 4 They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the Baker: who ceaseth from arising after he hath kneaded the doughty, until it qe leavened. as hote as an oven heated by the Baker; who forbears meddling any further with that flamme, whiles the doughty, that he hath kneaded, be sufficiently leavened; in which space the heat of the oven grows to the height. In the day of the solemnity of our King, there hath been excess of surfet and drunkenness, 5 In the day of our King, the Princes have made him sick with bottells of wine, he stretched out his hand with scorners. whereinto the Princes have not stuck to draw in their sovereign himself; so as he hath been miscarried to consort with them, in their wicked debauchednesse. They have given up their heart to beastly concucupiscences, 6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lye in wait; their Baker sleepeth all the night, in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire. wherewith they have burned like an oven whiles they lye in wait for an opportunity of fulfilling those wicked lusts; even like an oven, which the Baker hath over-night filled with kindled wood, and awaking in the morning finds flaming with a strong fire. They have burned with unclean, 7 They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their Iudges: all their Kings are fallen, there is none among them that calleth unto me. and with malicious desires, and affections, and have made away with many of their governors; All their late Kings have comne to an untimely end; and indeed there was none of them that had any piety, or goodness, or that cared to call upon me. 8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people, Ephraim is a cake not turned. For Ephraim, he hath mixed himself with heathens, and is a professed associate with them; Ephraim is grown irresolute in his religion; like a cake that is half doughty, and half baked; so is he, half Israelite, half Pagan. 9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. God hath sent foreign enemies to spoil, and wast his country, and to carry away his substance, yet he is not sensible of this divine hand; yea, that part of his cake which is not turned is grown musty, and hoary, and worthy to be cast out, yet he perceiveth it not. 11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without heart; they call to egypt, they go to Assyria. Ephraim is like a silly dove; going on without wit, without heed, into that net which is spread for him; they call to egypt, they go to Assyria for help; whereas these will be their bane. 12 When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them, I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven: I will chastise thē as their congregation hath heard. I will bee as a fowler to this silly dove of Ephraim, I will spread my net upon them, and catch them in their own devices; I will fetch them into the compass of my judgements, as the fowls of heaven are caught in a snare; I will chastise them, in the same manner that my Prophets have fore-warned them. 13 Woe unto them, for they have fled from me; destruction unto them, because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. Woe be unto them, for they have forsaken me;& have vainly sought help of impotent strangers; Destruction will fall upon them, because they have willingly transgressed against me; though I have done much for them, and delivered them from their enemies, yet, they have falsely and injuriously imputed these benefits to their egyptians, and Assyrians, and not to me. 14 And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. And though they have made show of some great repentance, and humiliation, howling and crying upon the beds of their distress, yet they have not, with their harts unfeignedly sought unto me; They can meet together to consult how to prevent, or remedy their dearth; but they nevertheless rebel against me, who do justly sand it. 15 Though I have bound and strengthened their arms yet do they imagine mischief against me. And though I have deserved well of them in strengthening their hands against their enemies, and giving them many victories, yet do they requited me with imagining mischief against me, distrusting my prower or will to save them. 16 They return, but not to the most High, they are like a deceitful bow. They turn to their Idols, in stead of the most High God; they turn aside like a broken bow, shooting out their arrows at a wrong mark, &c. CAP. VIII. 1 Set the trumpet to thy mouth: he shall come as an Eagle against the house of the Lord. CAll the people to war; The Assyrian enemy shall come like an Eagle against the professed Church of God, the people of Israel, &c. 2 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee. Israel shall feignedly cry unto me, and challenge favour from me; and say, My God, wee make profession of thy name. They have set up Kings, but, 4 They have set up Kings, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold, haue they made them Idols, that they may be cut off. ever since their defection, I have had no hand in the appointment of them; for they have not been of the seed of David, which I have chosen, but men of their own designing. And as they have made Princes, so they have made gods to themselves; for of their silver, and gold have they made them idols; as if they had aimed at nothing else, but their own destruction. O Samaria,( the chief city of Israel, 5 Thy calf O Samaria, hath cast thee off, mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency. ) the calf which thou hast made and worshipped, hath failed thee; and left thee miserable; Mine anger is justly kindled against those Idolaters; How long will it be, ere they bethink themselves of their wicked ways, and attain to their former innocency. The Israelites did not receive it from the Gentiles, 6 For from Israel was it also; the workman made it, therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces. but they themselves made it: and since it was of their making, it cannot be God; no it is nothing but mere metal, and shall be used accordingly, for it shall be broken in pieces. And as for them, they s●all even reap, 7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk, the bud shall yield no meal; if so bee it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. as they have sown, they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirl wind; they have trusted to vanity, and they shall receive loss, and disappointment; A famine shall come upon them; The grain that they have sown shall yield no stalk; or, if it have a stalk, yet that stalk shall yield no ear; or, if an ear, yet that ear shall yield no substance of meal; or, if it do yield any, the strangers( their enemies) shall swallow it up. Israel is now swallowed up of their heathenish enemies, 8 Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles, as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. now shall they be to the Gentiles as broken vessells, that are put to base uses. For they are gone up to Assyria, to seek for help, 9 For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself; Ephraim hath hired lovers, like a wild ass that wanders alone by himself in a dry desert, to seek that water which he cannot find; Israel hath sent out to solicit, and hire confederates. But, 10 Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the King of Princes. though they have hired abettors among the nations, yet will I fetch them up together, to a common destruction; and they shall now sorrow, too late, for the charge of that tribute, that was raised upon them to pay to the great King of Assyria. Because Israel hath set up many altars in Dan, 11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. and Bethel, and other high places, to sin in their Idolatrous devotions; those altars of theirs shall be unto them both an occasion of their sinning, and a motive of my just judgements. 12 I have written to him the great things of my Law, but they were counted as a strange thing. I have given unto them my royal Law, and have left it recorded for them; that it might bee a perpetual direction to them; but they have slighted it, as if it were a thing that concerned them not. 13 They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it: but the Lord accepteth them not, now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins, they shall return to egypt. They have made faire shows of religious services; they have presented me with their sacrifices, and have eaten the flesh of them, accordingly, but the Lord regardeth not these outward formalities; now he will rather remember their iniquity, and take account of their sins; they shall return to an egyptian captivity. 14 For Israel hath forgotten his maker,& buildeth temples, and judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will sand a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof. For Israel hath forgotten his maker, and, contrary to his commandment, buildeth Temples to their Idols; and Judah( contrary to the command of the same God) hath multiplied fenced cities, as trusting in his own strength; but I will sand the Assyrian, as a fire, upon the cities of Israel, and the Chaldean into the cities of Judah, and they shall consume, and waste the palaces thereof. CAP. IX. 1 Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward vpon every corn floor. THou hast no reason, O Israel, to rejoice, as other people; because thou hast provoked thy God, by thine abominable Idolatries; thou hast loved to give an oblation to thy gods, in every corn-floore, of that wheat, the plenty whereof thou hast ascribed to the bounty of thine Idols. 2 The floor and the wine press shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her. And now because they have thus abused these blessings of God, it shal be just with God, to withdraw them; I will sand famine, and enemies, upon them; so as their corn, and wine shall fail them; neither shall they reap their expected comfort therefrom. 3 They shall not dwell in the Lords land, but Ephraim shall return to egypt and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria. They shall not dwell in this land of Israel, which God hath chosen; but Ephraim shall return to a miserable captivity in egypt, and shall be forced to eat unclean and forbidden meats, in the land of Assyria, whither they shall be carried. 4 Their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners: all that eat thereof shall be polluted, for their bread for their soul, shall not come into the house of the Lord. Their Sacrifices shall bee utterly unpleasing unto him; even like such, as are offered by the sad heart, and hand of a professed mourner; which cannot but displease that God, who requires cheerfulness in those that approach to his altar. All that eat thereof shall be polluted; for God hath ordained that their feasts for the dead,( being ever attended with sorrow) shall not be used in the house of the Lord. What will ye do, O ye Israelites, 5 What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the Lord? when ye are once driven into your captivity; what will ye do in the solemn feast-days, which God hath appointed to bee cheerfully celebrated? For lo, they shall be cast out of the holy land, 6 For lo they are gone, because of destruction, egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them; the pleasant places for their silver nettles shall possess them, thorns shall be in their Tabernacles. and lye open to destruction; egypt shall take them up, and make them sure enough for returning; Memphis shall be their burial place; those pleasant closerts, and cabinets, wherein they had wont to hid their treasures and jewels, shal be overgrown with nettles; their neat Tabernacles shall be covered with thorns and briars. Ye shall know, O Israelites, 7 The Prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity and the great hatred. that those your false prophets, which have said, Peace, peace, are but fools, and those your spiritual guides, that have mis-led you, no better then mad men; whom yet God hath justly sent amongst you, as a punishment of your iniquity, and of your hating to be reformed. Ye falsely imagined that these prophets of Ephraim, 8 The watchmen of Ephraim was with my God, but the Prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of God. were sent of God, and had familiar acquaintance with him; but ye shall find your prophets to be but as a snare of the fowler, laid in your ways to entrape you;& such, as have procured the hatred of your God against you. They have deeply corrupted themselves, 9 They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the dayes of Gibeah. as in the daies of Gibeah, of Benjamin, when the shameful outrages of the wicked inhabitants were abated by the strength of their tribe, &c. Israel was no less pleasing to me, at the first, 10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness, I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig three at her first time, but they went to Baal-Peor,& separated themselves unto that shane, and their abominations were according as they loved. then ripe grapes would bee to a thirsty traveller, in a dry wilderness; I esteemed your forefathers,( those fruitful Patriarkes,) as the most choice, and first ripe figs: but their sinful progeny fell off, and degenerated to Idolatry, applying themselves to the worship of Ball-Peor; and separating themselves to that shameful idol; and choose to themselves several abominable deities, according as they were affencted to the parties, that worshipped them. As for Ephraim; their glory, which is in their strength, 11 As for Ephraim, their glory shall flee away like a bird, from the birth and from the womb, and from the conception. and number, shall fly away like a bide; since their children shall be slain, even from their very birth, yea, even from their conception, by their cruel enemies. And though they do live to bee brought up to mans estate, yet will I then so bereave them, 12 Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea woe also to them when I depart from them. that there shall not be a man left amongst them; Yea, they cannot but expect, and feel all manner of miseries, when I remove my presence, and protection from them. Ephraim, or Israel, is like unto Tyrus, 13 Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place, but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer. and next in glory thereunto; it finds itself planted in a rich, and goodly, and no less fortified place, and is thereupon puffed up with a foolish-selfe confidence. But Ephraim shall find himself deceived, his hopes shall fail him; his children shall fall under the hand of a murdering enemy. 14 Give them O Lord: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb, and dry breasts. Give them, O Lord; what shall I entreat thee to give them? even that which they would think to be a judgement, mis-carrying wombs and dry breasts; that they may never bring forth, or nourish up children to Idolatry, or slaughter. 15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings, I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their Princes are revolters. Their old wickedness cleaves unto them still, even that which they bewrayed in their ancient incircumcision; and in their humorous desire of the change of their government, and challenge of a King, even there I began to take displeasure against them for their wickedness; which still so continues, that I am resolved to drive them out of that good land of mine; I will love them no more, for all their Princes are revolters, both from their rightful King, and from my true religion. CAP. X. 1 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself, according to the multitude of his fruit, he hath increased the altars, according to the goodness of his land, they have made goodly images. ISrael is a vine indeed, but a fruitless one, or, if he bear fruit, it is to himself; for the advancing of his own profit, and pleasure: As his wealth and abundance increaseth, so doth his Idolatry; look how much he is pampered with his store, so much more doth he spend upon his goodly Images. 2 Their heart is divided, now shall they bee found faulty, he shall break down their altars. Their heart is divided in the choice of their gods; now shall the jealous God find out their guiltiness; he shall in his just indignation break down their altars, &c. 3 For now shall they say, we have no King, because wee feared not the Lord, what then should a King do to us? For now they shall say, we are left destitute& helpless; we have no King to defend us; because we feared not the Lord, who was wont to be our King; therefore he hath given us up; and what then can a King do for us? 4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant, thus judgement springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field. They have made no conscience of their oaths, and covenants; but have broken them at pleasure: Yea even judgement itself; which should be sincere, and sacred, is grown miserable depraved, and hateful to my people, yea, no less deadly then the hemlock of the furrows is to the taste. 5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it. The inhabitants of Samaria shall justly fear, because those calves which they worshipped in Beth-aven, are already destroyed; for the people thereof shall mourn, expecting( as they well may) the same measure; &c. The nobles of Samaria shall be carried to Assyria, 6 It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present, to King Iareb, Ephraim shall receive shane, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel as a present to that great King. Ephraim shall receive shane by his projects, and Israel shall too late be ashamed of his vain and wicked plots. As for Hoshea, the King of Samaria, 7 As for Samaria, her King is cut off as the foam upon the water. he shall be cut off, and blown away into captivity, and shall vanish and sink as a bubble or foam in the water. The high places also of Bethel( or Beth-aven rather) wherein Israel hath so palpaply sinned, 8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come upon their altars, and they shall say to the mountaines, cover us, and to the hills, fall on us. shall bee utterly destroyed; and laid so waste, that the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their very altars,& the inhabitants shall be so terrified with the sword of the enemy, that they shall wish themselves under ground; and speak to the hills and mountaines, to fall upon them, and shelter them from that fury. O Israel, thou hast sinned, ever since that foul offence, 9 O Israel thou hast sinned from the dayes of Gibeah, there they stood, the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them. that was done in Gibeah of Benjamin; thou hast continued, and aggravated their sin; yet thou hast not been taken down for it; here was no war moved by the rest of the tribes( as was in Gibeah) against those children of iniquity which did that shameful act upon the Levites concubine. But this shall be no advantage to them; 10 It is in my desire that I should chastise them, and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. For it is my purpose to take their punishment into mine own hands; I will cause the Assyrians to bee gathered together against them; when I shall correct them for their two calves in Dan and Bethel; betwixt the worship thereof, and my service, they have halted, as an ox that passeth betwixt two furrows. Ephraim is as a delicate young heifer, 11 And Ephraim is an heifer that is taught and loveth to tread out the corn, but I passed over upon her faire neck, I will make Ephraim to ride, judah shall plow, and jacob shall break his clods. that loves to tread out the corn, when it is in the floor, but cannot abide to draw the plough, or harrow; he loves to enjoy blessings, but not to earn, and work them out; but I did put my hand upon the faire neck of Ephraim, and find this heifer fit enough for the yoke; I will put all my people to those services they art fi for; If need be, I will put Ephraim to the saddle, Judah to the plow, Israel to the harrow. Give yourselves to all holy& conscionable endeavours; 12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord till he come, and rain righteousness upon you. sow to yourselves in holinesse, and righteousness; and reap mercy and loving kindness from the Lord; Break up the fallow grounds of your hearts, by a true, and serious repentance; For it is time for you to turn to the Lord, and to seek to recover his favour; so far, as that he may rain upon you the showers of his grace, and mercy, whereby ye may appear righteous in his sight. 13 ye have ploughed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity, ye have eaten the fruit of lies. But, alas, contrarily, ye have ploughed up deep furrows of wickedness, and have reaped a large crop of iniquity; ye have fed yourselves with the lying hopes of your vain self-confidence, &c. 14 As Salman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children; As Salmanasar spoyled Beth-arbel, amongst other the cities which he conquered; wherein he was so cruel, as to dash the mother, and children one against another; So shall the Idolatry wrought in Bethel, bring the like destruction upon you, 15 So shall Bethel do unto you, because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the King of Israel be utterly cut off. because of your great wickedness; in one morning shall the King of Israel, be utterly cut off; there shall no long time need for the accomplishment of this judgement. CAP. XI. 1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of egypt. WHen Israel was but newly entred into league and covenant with me, then I loved him; and called that son of my love out of the bondage of egypt, by the hands of Moses and Aaron. 2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim. As those their holy leaders, and their ensuing successors called them; So they perversely turned their backs upon them; and sacrificed to Baalim, &c. 3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms: but they knew not that I healed them. I did with Ephraim, as mothers, or nurses do by their little infants. I taught him to go; holding him by the arm, whiles he moved his feet; but they considered not the great favours that I did them, and did neither answer, nor aclowledge my mercies. I drew them unto me by the strong persuasions of reason, and with bonds of love; and I did to them, as a kind husbandman to his well-respected team; I took off the yoke from them, and I laid meat unto them; 4 I drew them with cords of a man, with hands of love, and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. I withdrew their burdens, and refreshed them with mercies. 5 He shall not return into the land of egypt, but the Assyrian shall bee his King, because they refused to return. He shall not go any more into the land of egypt, to seek aid; but the Assyrian shall surprise him, and be his King; because they refused to return to me. 7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me, though they called thē to the most high, none at all would exalt him. My people Israel are bent to backe-sliding from me; although my Prophets called unto them, and persuaded them to turn unto the most high; yet they would not obey, nor be won to exalt and glorify their God. 8 How shall I give thee up Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. O Ephraim, how shall I carry myself towards thee? If I should regard thee according to thy demerits, I should give thee up, O Israel, to my fearfullest judgements; but how can I endure to deal thus with thee? how can I make thee a sad spectacle of my wrath, like those five cities of Sodom, which were consumed with fire from heaven? Surely it goes against my heart to think thus to proceed with thee, I cannot but revoke that dreadful sentence which I was ready to pass against thee. For I am a gracious and immutable God; 9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God and not man, the holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. and not a man subject either to passion or change; I that am the holy one of Israel am yet still in the midst of thee, by my favour, and thy( howsoever impaired) worship: and I will not turn to thee in the extremity of my wrath, to consume thee. Those of my Church, whom I shall choose from both Jews, and Gentiles, shall walk holily and obediently, 10 They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. in the ways of God; He shall sand forth the strong, and mighty voice of his gospel; and shall call all his elect ones; and when he shall powerfully speak unto their hearts, his children shall awfully submit themselves to him, even from the utmost ends of the world. They shall come with an awful reverence unto God, 11 They shall tremble as a bide, out of egypt: and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the Lord. and shall hasten their address unto him; upon the wings of their holy desire, out of all lands, even out of egypt, and Assyria, and all those parts where they have been most distressed; and I will establish them in my Church, saith the Lord. In the mean time Ephraim makes a profession of my name, but false and counterfeit; 12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Saints. and the house of Israel serves me, but in hypocrisy; as being full of Idolatry,& section; But judah, are yet, had not swerved from God, but continued faithful, as the true children of those holy Patriarkes. CAP. XII. EPhraim pleaseth himself with following vain and idle hopes; he daily adds to his own disappointment, 1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the East wind, he daily increaseth lies and desolation, and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into egypt. and desolation; they project how to make themselves strong by their leagues with the Assyrians; and they sand of their most precious presents to insinuate with the egyptians. Neither is Judah altogether free; 2 The Lord hath also a controversy with judah,& will punish jacob according to his ways: accorto his doings will he recompense him. God hath just quarrels against this better part of the posterity of Jacob, and will proceed against them according to their doings. Israel is a crafty deceitful merchant; he makes use of false balances; and loves to oppress his brethren. 7 He is a Merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand. And Ephraim said; yet I am become exceeding rich; 8 And Ephraim said, yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me, that were sin. I have prospered wondrously in the increase of my substance; and yet, I have so carried the matter, that in all my labours,& contracts, no man can accuse me of iniquity, or say, herein thou hast sinned. 9 And I that am the Lord thy God, from the land of egypt, will yet make thee to dwell in Tabernacles, as in the dayes of the solemn feast. And I that am the Lord thy God, and have so approved myself ever since I brought thee out of the land of egypt, do yet offer in my long suffering to continue thy peaceable habitation, and to give thee opportunity of celebrating thy feast of Tabernacles as thou wert wont. I have also sent my Prophets unto thee, and have by them declared my will, 10 I have also spoken by the Prophets,& I have multiplied visions& used similitudes, by the ministry of the Prophets. and purposes towards thee, and have given them visions, and revelations concerning thee: and have used all clear and familiar means of thine instruction by them. 11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity, they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal, yea their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field. do ye think there was more iniquity in the Gileadites that are already carried away captive, then in you? Surely the rest of Israel is in the same case; they all lye open to the same judgement; they sacrifice to their idols, in Gilgal also; yea their altars are as frequent every where, as the clods are in the furrows, of the fields. 12 And jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. I have not deserved this at their hands, I have been always graciously ready to preserve them; I protected Jacob, when he fled into the country of Syria; where Israel your father served Laban for a wife; and, for a wife kept the sheep of that hard father in law. 14 Ephraim provoked him to anger, most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. Notwithstanding all the mercies of God, both late, and ancient, Ephraim provoked him to anger, most grievously; therfore shall God lay upon him the punishment of his own sin; and that reproach which his wickedness hath cast upon God, will God justly return upon Ephraim. CAP. XIII. 1 When Ephraim spake, trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. EPhraim was once very awful to the rest of his fellowes, so as whiles he spoken, the other tribes were ready to tremble; but when he once fell to his Idolatry, in worshipping Baal, he lost his reputation, and no reckoning was made of him. 2 They say of them; let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves. They say to them; let those that would sacrifice to God, do honor to those calves of Dan and Bethel, in which God is worshipped. 5 I did know thee in the wilderness. I did not onely bring thee out of the land of egypt, but I bestowed many favours upon thee in the wilderness, &c. 6 According to their pasture, so were they filled, they were filled and their heart is exalted. According to the height of their feed, so was their pamperednesse, and pride; they were no sooner filled, then their heart was exalted; &c. O Israel, 9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thine help. I have not been wanting to thee in my favours, and blessings; thou canst not tax me of any defect of mercy; but thou wouldest not harken to me, but wouldest needs procure thine own destruction; so as thy misery and undoing is thine own; all the hope and remainder of thine help and salvation, is in, and from me. I will be thy King; 10 I will be thy King: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities, and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a King and Princes. in vain hast thou trusted to any other; thou hast found it to thy sorrow; where is there any other in all thy cities, that can deliver thee; where are those judges of thine, those great rulers, of whom thou saidst; give me a King, and Princes? What were they, what are they able to do for thee? Thou seest how I gave thee thy first King, Saul, 11 I gave thee a King in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. in mine anger, and now take away thy last King Hoshea, in my wrath. Let no man be offended that I took not a sudden revenge on Ephraim; 12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up: his sin is his. I have bundled up all his sins together, and trussed up his iniquities, for a meet day of punishment. His calamities shall come upon him, 13 The sorrows of a traveling woman shall come upon him, he is an unwise son, for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. as the pains of child-birth upon a woman; It is his fault, and his misery that he sticks so long in the birth; were Ephraim wise, he would make his peace with God; that he might by his mercy bee delivered fully from those miserable straits wherein he is. Let them repent, 14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave: I will redeem them from death; O death I will bee thy plagues: O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hide from mine eyes. and I will deliver them from all their distresses; yea, even from death itself, and from the power of the grave. O death, I will vanquish& consume thee; O grave, I will destroy thee for ever, and will never repent me of that victory. But now, as the case stands with Ephraim, 15 Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an East-wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountains shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure. though he be fruitful among his brethren, yet I will fetch the Assyrian upon him; who, like an east-wind from the wilderness, shall blast him; and utterly dash all his hopes, and carry away all his treasures, &c. CAP. XIIII. go unto him with humble submission, 2 Take with you words and turn to the Lord, say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: So will we render the calves of our lips. and turn to the Lord, and say; O God, forgive all our iniquity, and receive us to mercy; so will we offer up unto thee the sacrifices of our thanksgivings. 3 Ashur shall not save us, wee will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. We will no more trust to the King of Assyria, to save us; we will no more trust to our own munition, and warlike preparation; neither will wee any more make Idols of the works of our own hands; for now we find and profess, that thou only art that God, in whom the fatherless and distressed can, and shall find redress, and mercy. 5 I will be as the due unto Israel: he shall grow as the Lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. I will be comfortable and refreshing unto Israel, even as the dew is to the mowne grass; so as he shall grow up in beauty, as the lily, and in strength, and height, as the Cedar in Lebanon. 7 They that dwell under his shadow, shall return: they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine, the sent theraof shall be as the wine of Lebenon. They that dwell under the shadow of my Church shall there find comfort, and rest; they shall grow up fruitfully, as the corn in a well tilled field, and sprout forth, as the most generous vine, to the great joy& contentment themselves, and others. I shall be to thee as a tall, and shady fir three; and whatsoever fruit thou yieldest, 8 I am like a green fir three, from me is thy fruit found. it shall bee of my giving; thou shalt be beholden to me for it. IOEL. CAP. I. 4 That which the Palmer worm hath left, hath the Locust eaten;& that which the Locust hath left, hath the cankerworm eaten;& that which the cankerworm hath left, hath the caterpillar eaten. THe famine wherewith I have plagued Israel is very grievous; which I have caused through the strange increase of noisome worms in the land, all which have as it were agreed to waste all the fruits of the earth; for that which the Palmer worm hath left, the locust hath consumed;& if the locust hath left any thing, the cankerworm shall devour it, &c. every one of these shall come after other, in a succession of spoil; and all of them shall destroy the fruits of the land. 5 Awake ye drunkards, and weep and howl all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine, for it is cut off from your mouth. Even ye drunkards, which are wont to be most insensible of judgements, shall now have reason to howl, and mourn; because the hopes of your new wine is utterly cut off, even, when it was ready to fall into your mouths; you vintage is forestalled by these consuming vermin, in the very height of your present expectation. 6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion. For there are infinite troops of noisome vermin comne upon my land, strong,& numberless, which shall so devour the fruit thereof, as if they had the teeth of lions, &c. The branches thereof appear white by reason that the bark is eaten off from the boughs. 7 The branches thereof are made white. O distressed Judea, 8 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth, for the husband of her youth. do thou mourn and lament for this plague of famine, as a virgin girded with sackcloth, mourneth for the death of her betrothed husband. The earth yeeldeth not so much, 9 The meate offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord; the Priests the Lords ministers mourn. as wherewith to make a meate offering, or drink offering unto the Lord; the corn, and wine, and oil is so utterly consumed; so as the Priests, the Lords ministers, have just cause to mourn. So also verse 10.11.12.13. Alas, wretched men that we are, 15 Alas for the day: for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shal it come. wee do already endure much misery from the afflicting hand of God, but yet more is coming; Oh( woe to us) how shall we be able to abide the extremity of those his plagues which are at hand- O Lord, to thee will I cry, 19 O Lord to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flamme hath burnt all the trees of the field. who onely art able to redress this woeful estate of ours; for the scorching drought hath devoured all the herbage of the wilderness; and the fiery beams have burnt up all the trees of the field. So also verse 20. CAP. II. O ye Priests and Levites of the Lord, 1 Blow ye the Trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand? call ye the people together in Zion; give warning to all the inhabitants of Judea, of that sad and fearful day of revenge, which the Lord denounceth against them; for it is nigh at hand. A day of heaviness and sorrow, 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning a spreadeth upon the mountaines: a great people and a strong, there hath been never the like, neither shal be any more after it, even to the yeares of many generations. a day of utter discomfort, such a one, as is quiter overspread with horror and darkness, like a gloomy morning which hides the light of the sun from all beholders; or to a world of noisome creatures, in strong& mighty bands, comne upon your land to devour it; such as the like hath never been, never shall be in succeeding generations. 3 A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flamme burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness, yea, and nothing shall escape them. In the fore-part of their troops, they devour all before them, like a fire; and behind them all looks as if the flames had burnt it up; where they have not yet been, the land looks richly,& plentifully, and pleasantly, like to the garden of Eden; but where they have passed, it looks like a desolate wilderness, all is consumed, nothing can escape them. 4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and as horsemen so shall they run. Their appearance shall be terrible to the people, like to the appearance of horses, armed for the warres; and they shall hastily overrun the land, as if they were horse-men that ran in their full speed. 5 Like the noise of Chariots on the tops of mountaines shall they leap. The noise which they shall make in their swarms, and motions, shall be like to the noise of chariots on the tops of mountaines, &c. 7 They shall run like mighty men, they shall climb the wall like men of war, and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks. There shall be no place free from their assault and annoyance; they shall creep up the walls of the cities; as valiant men are wont to scale them in a siege; they shall march on in those ways which God hath appointed them, as if they were men trained to the warres. So also verse 9. 8 And when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall be such enemies, as the sword cannot bee able to destroy;& such, as if they do fall upon the sword, yet their lightness shall deliver them from hurt. 10 The earth shal quake before them, the heavens shall tremble, the sun and the moon shall bee dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. They shall come upon you in such number as shall amaze, and affright the world; and shall by their infinite and thick swarms, obscure the very light of the sun, and moon, and stars. 11 And the Lord shal utter his voice before his army, for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word, for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it? And the Lord shall, as the great general of these his forces, encourage, and stir them up to this their execution; whereto they shall be enabled by him, both in their number, and power to perform it. Do not rest in an outward ceremony of sorrow, viz. in the rending of your garments, 13 And rent your heart and not your garments:& turn unto the Lord your God. but see that ye humble your hearts and souls before God, &c. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meate offering and a drink offering, unto the Lord your God. Who knoweth whether your humiliation may not yet prevail with him, and cause him to deject, and take off his judgements; and in stead thereof, to bestow a blessing of plenty upon us; So as there may be both matter and occasion of the sacrifices of our thanksgiving unto the Lord. Let al sorts and degrees& ages be assembled together, 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation: assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts, let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. for a solemn humiliation; both the ancient, and the children,& sucklings; let all be afflicted with a general abstinence; and let the bridegroom and the bride forbear the pleasures of their new-made marriage& shut up their wedding with mourning. Let the Priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep, 17 Let the Priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the poarch and the altar. and mourn, even in that place, where all sorrow and lamentation was wont to be interdicted, between the poarch and the altar, &c. Then will the Lord be graciously affencted towards his people, and, in a merciful compassion of them, 18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people. will call off those evils, which they groan under. But I will remove far off from you, 20 But I will remove far off from you the Northern army, and will drive them into a land, barren and desolate, with his face toward the East sea, and his hinder part towards the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. this mighty army of noisome creatures, which came upon you, from the Northern coasts; and will drive them into the dry, and barren wilderness, which lies towards the South, yea I will disperse them into the four winds, so as the fore-part or van-gard of them shall fly to the East sea; and the hinder part, or the rear shall bee carried to the West-sea; And the stink of this vermin, where it shall fall, shall be exceeding offensive and contagious, &c. Be comforted again, O ye beasts of the field, for now that this plague is removed, 22 Bee not afraid ye beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness do spring. the grass of your pastures begins to spring again, &c. And he will cause the rain to descend upod the earth, 23 And he will cause to come down for you the rain; the former rain, and the later rain in the first month. in all fit seasons; both the former rain( which is in autumn after your seed is cast into the earth;) and the later rain, which is in the spring in March or april, for the filling of the ear. Neither will I content myself with the abundance of my temporal blessings conferred upon you, 28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will power out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy: your old men shal dream dreams; your young men shall see visions. but I will poure upon you my spiritual gifts, also; and will, in the daies of the Gospel, give you plentiful revelations; filling your sons and daughters, your young men, and old, with a large measure of the true saving knowledge of me and my Name; as also enriching them with miraculous graces and abilities by the descending of my Spirit upon them; enduing them with power of tongues, and with the gifts of prophesy. So also verse 29. And after those times, both before the destruction of Jerusalem, and before the last judgement, 30 And I will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earthblood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. I will show wonders, and fearful signs, both in heaven, and in earth; the heavens shall seem read, and fiery, and vaporous. 31 The sun shall bee turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. The sun shall lose his light, and shall seem uterly darkened, the moon shall be turned into the colour of of blood, before that great and terrible day of the Lord come. 32 And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be delivered, for in mount Zion and in jerusalem shall bee delivernce, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant, whom the Lord shall call. Neither is there any way, or means to escape the terribleness of this judgement, but by believing in the Lord Christ, and calling upon his name; for in the Church of God shall onely Salvation be had, and deliverance from the wrath to come, which salvation shall lye open, both to the believers of the Gentiles, and to the remnant of those Jews, whom the Lord shall call. CAP. III. 1 For behold in those dayes, and in that time when I shall bring again the captivity of judah and Iervsalem. FOr, behold in those dayes of my gospel, wherein I shall restore my Church, and deliver it from the spiritual captivity wherein it hath lain distressed. 2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down unto the valley of jehoshaphat, and will pled with them there for my people, and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and partend my land, I will gather all nations and will bring them into the face of my Church; and argue there with them, for the wrongs they have offered to my chosen servants, whom they have persecuted in their several nations; and made havoc of mine inheritance. And they have scornfully, and proudly tyrannized over my people, 3 And they have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink. and have cast lots upon them, as some slight commodities for sale, or exchange; and have given a boy for the price of their lust, to an harlot; and sold a girl onely for a cup of wine, to drink. 4 Yea,& what have you to do with me, O Tyre and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine, will ye render me a recompense; and if ye recompense me, swiftly, and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head. And for you, O ye neighbour nations of Tyre and Zidon, and all the cost of Palestine, what can ye have to pled for yourselves with me? are ye able to make me amends for the wrongs ye have done me? or do ye think thus to recompense unto me the hard measure which you may pretend to have received from me? Surely if you think thus to recompense me with injuries to my servants, I shall speedily return unto you the due recompense of your sins, upon your own heads. 10 Beate your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears, let the weak say, I am strong. turn the instruments of your husbandry into weapons of warres; and let those that are weak and fearful pull up their spirits and rouse up their courage. Thy Saints and Angells. 11 Thy mighty ones. Let the heathen bee stirred up, 12 Let the heathen bee wakened, and come up to the valley of jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge al the heathen round about. by my summons and come together into the valley of judgement, which is in the face of my Church; there will I show myself a just and unpartial retributor of all the wrongs of the heathen, round about. Put ye in execution, 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down, for the press is full, the fattes overflow, for the wickedness is great. those judgements which I have awarded to the enemies of my Church; for the time of my vengeance is now fully comne; their wickedness is comne to the height. Oh what multitudes, what infinite multitudes of wicked sinners shall then, and there be adjudged to torments, 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision, for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. in that place of the great and last judgement; For that great day of the Lord is near at hand; the terror whereof shall be unspeakable in that dreadful place of judicature. See chapter 2.31. 15 The sun and the moon shall bee darkened, &c. Christ the Lord shall pass a most fearful sentence of judgement from heaven upon the ungodly; 16 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth shall shake, but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. which shall be so terrible, that even the heavens and the earth shall shake therewith; but the Lord will be a gracious, and merciful redeemer, and comforter to his chosen ones, in the midst of all those terrors. So shall ye mine elect know, 17 So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain: then shall jerusalem bee holy, and there shal no strangers pass through her any more. that I am the Lord your God, who dwell in the highest heaven( figured by Zion in earth;) Then shall my Saints be gathered into that celestial Jerusalem, which is above, into which no unclean thing can, or shall enter. And it shall come to pass in those last times, 18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountaines shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim. wherein the gospel shall be published, that God shall give plenty of spiritual nourishment unto his Church; so as every part thereof shall abound with effectual help, and means of salvation; and from thence, shall flow forth those waters of like which shall water and refresh the souls of all that pertain to the election of God. As for those of egypt, and Edom, 19 egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. and all other the professed enemies of his Church, they shall be confounded and brought to nought; for the violences which they have offered to Gods children; and for the innocent blood which they have shed, in their cruel persecutions. 20 But judah shall dwell for ever, and jerusalem from generation to generation. But the elect of God shall dwell for ever in his holy habitation; and after their translation from the Church militant on earth, shall reign everlastingly in the glory of heaven. 21 For I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed, for the Lord dwelleth in Zion. For I will cleanse, and purge away the sins of those mine elect, which I had not before done away; and will deliver the chosen of the Gentiles from those iniquities wherewith they were polluted; which done, and the number of the elect being fully made up the Lord shall dwell everlastingly with them in his heavenly Zion. AMOS. CAP. I. 1 The words of Amos, who was among the heard-men of Tekoah, which he saw concerning Israel in the dayes of uzziah King of judah, and in the dayes of jeroboam the son of joash King of Israel, two year before the earthquake. THE words of Amos, who was one of the heard-men of Tekoah in the land of Judah, which he received from God, concerning the ten tribes of Israel especially; in the dayes of uzziah King of Judah( who was noted for his presumption in daring to offer incense in the Temple,) and in the dayes Jeroboam the son of Joash King of Israel; two yeares before that famous earth quake which fell out in the dayes of uzziah. 2 And he said, the Lord will roar from Sion, and utter his voice from jerusalem, and the habitations of the shepherd shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall whither. And he said; The Lord, who hath hitherto kept himself silent, and exercised his patient long suffering, shall now show himself terrible to the world; his judgements shall no less affright the people, then the roaring of a lion shal terrify the beasts of the field; so as his drought shall scorch the pastures,& cause the fruitfullest grounds to whither. 3 Thus saith the Lord, for three transgressions of Damascus, and for four I will not turn away the punishment thereof, because they have threshed Gilead, with threshing instruments of iron. Thus saith the Lord, for the manifold trasgressions of Damascus I will surely punish that wicked city and people; because they have grievously oppressed Israel, and especially the nearest border thereof, which is Gilead. 4 But I will sand a fire into the house of Hazael which shall devour the palaces of Benhadad. But I will sand a destruction upon the house of Hazael, the King thereof; which shall not rest in his person, but shal wast and devour the palaces of his son Benhadad; and this will I cause to be done by the hands of the King of Assyria. By whose power I will break down the forts of Damascus, 5 I will break also the bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the plain of Aven, and him that holdeth the sceptre from the house of Eden, and the people of Syria shall go into captivity unto Kir, saith the Lord. and cut off the inhabitants of the borders of Syria; and slay Rezin their King, from his palace of pleasure; and the people of Syria shall go into captivity into Kir. as 2 Kings 16. For the many& great offences of the philistines, 6 Thus saith the Lord, for three transgressions of Gaza, and for four I will not turn away the punishment thereof: because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom. & particularly, of their city Gaza, I will be sure to inflict punshment upon them; because they carried away my people into an absolute and remediless captivity to the Edomites. I will therefore plague them accordingly; 7 But I will sand a fire on the wall of the Gaza. for I will sand the sword, and the fire of the enemy upon all the land of the philistines, and specially, upon the walls of Gaza, &c. And I will cut off the inhabitants of all the several cities thereof; 8 And I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and him that holdeth the sceptre from Ashkelon, and I will turn mine hand against Ekron,& the remnant of the Philistimes shal perish, saith the Lord God. and the King of that people will I cut-off from his royal palace, and I will set myself against all the strong holds; and shall utterly extinguish the remainder of the philistines, saith the Lord. And remembered not that friendly league, 9 And remembered not the brotherly covenant. and covenant, that was betwixt Hiram their King, and Salomon. Because he hath been ever too forward to pursue the posterity of Jacob( brother to their ancestor Esau) in an hostile fashion; without all pitty; 11 Thus saith the Lord, for three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof, because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pitty, and his anger did tear perpetually, and kept his wrath. and would not admit of any reconciliation, but hath still raged incessantly against those of his own blood. But I will sand nabuchadnezzar into his country, to waste and spoil it, 12 But I will sand a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah. who shall destroy the city and region of Teman, and raze the palaces of Bozra. Because they used extreme cruelty towards Israel, 13 Because they have ript up the women with child of Gilead that they might enlarge their border ripping up the women with child; that there might bee no posterity left of them, to inherit those parts, which they had now taken in, to enlarge their own borders. But I will bring upon them nabuchadnezzar, 14 But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind. who shall invade their country, and set a fire on their chief city Rabbah; and shall come upon them with great fierceness and fury, like a tempestuous whirlwind, and shall utterly destroy all before him. CAP. II. 1 Because he burnt the bones of the King of Edom into lime. BEcause he so hated the Jsraelites, as that when the Edomites joined themselves to the aid of Israel; Moab, for extrem despite therof burnt the very bones of the King of Edoms son to ashes, in way of sacrifice to his gods. 2 But I will sand a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kerioth, and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of a trumpet. There I will sand nabuchadnezzar, as a fire upon Moab; which shall utterly destroy the chief city Kerioth; and Moab shall die in much horror in the midst of the tumults, and shrickes of war. For that upon every base, and worthless bribe, they have yielded so far to bee corrupted, 6 Because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes. as to sell justice, and to betray innocence, and to undo the poor, and helpesse. All their desire is after this unprofitable dust of the earth, 7 That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek, and a man and his father will go into the same maid, to profane my holy Name. silver and gold; which they eagerly affect to gain, even by trampling on the heads of the poor;& those that are meek spirited do they tyramnize over, and proudly oppress; and so are they given over to their filthy and incestuous lust, as that the father, and the son shane not to defile themselves with one and the same strumpet, to the great profanation& dishonour of my Name, which they have professed. 8 And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge upon every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their God. In their feasts, which they make to their Idols, they lay themselves down upon the carpets, which are laid to pawn for the need of their bretheren; wherein their Idolatry is not less odious, then their cruelty; for thus do they before every altar; and in the same feasts, they drink that wine, which is bought with the fines, and mulcts of those, whom they have unjustly condemned; even in the house of their Idols. 9 Yet destroyed I the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the Cedars, and he was strong as the oaks, yet I destroyed his fruit from above, and his roots from beneath. Yet I had deserved better things of them; for I destroyed the Amorites before them; which were tall and mighty giants; above the ordinary proportion of strength, or stature; yet I utterly rooted them out, for the sake of my people, and left no remnant of that race for their annoyance. But ye, contrary to my law, gave the Nazarites wine to drink, 12 But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink, and commanded the Prophets, saying, prophesy not that ye might corrupt them, and enjoined silence to my Prophets, whom I sent to tell you of your sins, and my judgments. Behold I am even over-laid with your wickedness, it is with me as with a cart that is over-pressed with a load of sheaves, 13 Behold, I am pressed under you, as a Cart is pressed that is full of sheaves. which goes heavily, and is ready to break under the burden. CAP. III. YOu onely have I chosen out from all other nations for my peculiar people, 2 You onely have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for al your iniquities. and have bestowed much cost and care upon you; therefore, since you have abused my mercies, and rebelled against me, ye shall be sure to be punished. Ye did walk holily with me, 3 Can two walk together, except they bee agreed. and then I walked graciously with you; but now since we are fallen out by reason of your great iniquities, it is not to be expected, we should hold together any longer, in those faire correspondences which were between us. Will the lion roar in the foreste when he hath no prey? or the young lion in his den, 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no pray? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? when he hath taken nothing? No more will the Lord denounce, or inflict his fearful judgements upon a people, but where there is just matter of their sins, to be avenged. Ye are as the bide, Gods judgements are as the gin, 5 Can a bide fall in a snare upon the earth where no gin is for him, shall one take up a snare from the earth, and having taken nothing at all? or snare; ye can not fall into the snare, or gin of my judgements, if your sins had not cast you thereinto; the snare is not wont to be taken up, if it have caught nothing; neither shall the judgements bee removed till they have effected that which they were sent for. Shal a Trumpet be blown in the city, 6 Shall a trumpet bee blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? to summon the inhabitants to the walls, when as the people find no cause of the fear of an enemy? no more would God by his Prophets denounce these imminent judgments, if there were not just cause to expect, and fear their speedy execution; and who shall, or can execute them, but the just and powerful hand of God? can there be any evil of punishment in the city, yea in the world, which is not of his sending, his inflicting? The Lord, like a dreadful and strong lion, 8 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophecy? hath roared out these menaces of judgements, who can choose but fear? The Lord hath committed his word of reproof and threatening to his Prophets; who can then hold his peace, and forbear to publish it? ye, O my Prophets, 9 Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountaines of Samaria, and behold the great trumpets in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. publish this in the very palaces of the philistines, and of the egyptians; and call to those heathenish nations, to bee witnesses, and judges of the heinous sins of my people; wish them to assemble themselves into the midst of Israel, and to take view of the great oppressions, and tumultuous disorders that are amongst them. 10 Who store up violence, and robbery in their palaces. Who store up in their houses those treasures which they have gotten together by rapine, and violence. 11 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, An adversary there shall be, even round about the land. Therefore, thus saith the Lord; A mighty adversary, even the Assyrian shall come and invade thy land, and shall spoil and waste it round about, &c. As the shepherd, when a lion hath been devouring amongst his flock, 12 Thus saith the Lord, as the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the children of Israel be taken out, that dwell in Samaria in the corners of a bed and in Damascus in a couch. finds left some mangled remnants of a leg, or an ear, which he carries home, to show the spoil that hath been done by that fierce beast, so shall it be with Israel; of all the body of Samaria, there shall be some one, or two left undevoured, for proof of that general slaughter& captivity;& those two perhaps sick and feeble persons; which were not able to stir out of their beds, or couches; and thus shall it be both with Samaria, and Damascus. 14 That in the day that I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him, I will also visit the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall bee cut off, and fall to the ground. In the day that I shall punish Israel, and call him to account for his many sins, I will reckon with him for his Idolatries in Dan, and Bethel; and for those altars which he hath erected there; and will cause those mis-erected altars to be beaten down to the ground. 15 And I will smite the winter house, with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shal perish, and the great houses shall have an end, saith the Lord. And the stately houses of their Kings; both their warm winter houses, and their pleasant summer houses, and their curious and beautiful houses of Ivory shall be utterly demolished, and perish. CAP. IV. 1 hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to your masters; bring and let us drink. hear this, O ye great, and rich men of Samaria that feed full& carelessly, like the Kine in the fat pastures of Bashan; ye who oppress the poor, and crush the needy, and say to your princes and Judges, set deep fines, and condemn freely, that we may feast upon the offences of the people. That he will by the power of the Assyrian snatch you away, 2 That he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fish-hookes. out of your country, as the fish is caught up out of the water, by the hook of the angler. And ye shall go forth of your cities,( as an heard of cattle out of a close; every cow through that gap of the hedge which lies before her; 3 And ye shall go out at the breaches, ever cow at that which is before her, and ye shall cast them into the palace, saith the Lord. ) so shall ye pass through the next breaches which are made in your walls, and shall cast away whatsoever is dear and precious to you in your forsaken palaces. 4 Come to Bethel and transgress, at Gilgal multiply transgression, and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three yeares. Go ye up now, O ye foolish Israelites, to your Bethel, if you please, and sin your fill; go up to Gilgal, and glut yourselves with the full scope of your iniquities; bring those your morning sacrifices( which are due unto God) bring and offer them to your idols; and, that which the law of God requires of you, for the maintenance of his Levites,( viz. to lay aside the tithes every third year for sacred use) do ye that to the priests of your idols. So also verse 5. Also, I have desired to reclaim you by afflictions, 6 And I also have given you cleannesse of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord. and therefore have sent want and scarcity amongst you, in all your cities, &c. I have sent unto you a very noisome and deadly pestilence; such a one as I sent upon the land of egypt, 10 I have sent among you the pestilence, after the manner of egypt. &c. I have overthrown some of your cities by the fire of the Assyrians, 11 I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord. as sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with fire from heaven, and ye of Samaria were left out of the common destruction, as a brand taken out of the fire; yet all this hath not moved you to return unto me, saith the Lord. Therefore since thou hast slighted all these judgements, and mercies, I am resolved to execute upon thee the severest of all my vengeances; 12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. and since thou hearest I have taken up this determination to proceed against thee, therefore prepare thyself, O Israel, to meet thy God, with unfeigned humiliation and repentance. For well thou knowest, it is no hoping to resist the power of the Almighty; 13 For lo, he that formeth the mountaines, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man, what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness,& treadeth upon the high places of the earth: the Lord the God of hosts is his name. it is he that formeth the mountaines, and infuseth the spirit into man, and knoweth, and declareth the thoughts of mans heart before he conceives them; it is he that can cloud the brightest day at pleasure; and can bring down the highest and strongest fortifications upon earth; he is the Lord of hosts, all things are at his command. CAP. V. THat Israelitish common-wealth which was as a virgin untouched, 2 The virgin of Israel is fallen, she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land, there is none to raise her up. is now fallen under the yoke of bondage; and so fallen, as that she shall no more rise; so is she forsaken, as that there is none to raise her up again. For so few shall be left alive, after the hard, 3 The city that went out by a thousand, shall leave an hundred. and long sieges of the Assyrians, that in those cities of Israel, whereout a thousand able men had wont to go forth to war, there now shall be left but an hundred, &c. 5 But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba. But go not up to the calves of Bethel, nor to the high places, and Idolatrous altars of Gilgal, and Beersheba; for, &c. 6 Lest he break out like fire in the house of joseph. Lest he sand the enemy upon you, which like a consuming fire shall devour the royal tribe of Ephraim, the posterity of Joseph, &c. 7 Ye who turn judgement to wormwood. Ye, who corrupt judgement, and make it grievous, and hateful to my people, &c. 8 seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth, the Lord is his name. seek ye him who maketh the great frame of the heaven, and all the glorious stars therein, who turneth the blackest night into a clear morning, and causeth the brightest day to end in a dark night; who causeth the waters of the sea to over-swell their banks, and to drown the face of the earth; the Lord is his name. They hate him that judgeth uprightly, and that doth freely and unpartially rebuk the wicked man upon the bench of justice; 10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. and they abhor him that speaketh justly. Forasmuch therefore, as ye do grievously oppress the poor; 11 Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat, ye have built houses of hewn ston, but ye shall not dwell in them. and extort from him costly gifts; howsoever ye have by your bribes, and exactions, built unto yourselves houses of hewn ston, yet ye shall not dwell in them, &c. Therefore those that are prudent, when they shall see these foretold calamities to fall upon Israel, shall lay their hands upon their mouths, in an humble silence, and aclowledge the justice of God in these events; 13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time, for it is an evil time. for the times shall be very grievous and miserable. Wherefore, that ye may avoid these plagues, frame yourselves to all holy, 14 seek good and not evil, that ye may live. and good ways, and avoid those wicked courses of the rest of Israel; so shall ye live, &c. 16 And they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation, to wailing. And husbandmen shall have their part in the common sorrow, for so much as their corn shall bee wasted and devoured, and those, whose trade and practise is to make common lamentation, shall now mourn in earnest, without an hire. 18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord: to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. Woe to those amongst you that mock at the tidings of this sad day of the Lord, and scornfully ask why it doth not come; and when it will come; they shall find that it will come, smally to their comfort; they shall find it is not a day for mirth, or pleasure, but for heaviness and sorrow. 19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and learned his hand on the wall, and a Serpent bit him. It shall be with you, as with a man, who flying from a lion, meets in his way, with a bear; and, to escape both, flies into an house; and laying his hand upon the wall, to get over, is bitten by a Serpent; so shall you shunning one danger, fall into another. do not think to please me with the musical harmony of your formal devotions; whiles I hear, 23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs. and abhor the discordous noise of your sins, &c. No, 24 But let judgement run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. notwithstanding all these your outward services I will cause my judgements to gush out upon you as waters; and my righteous vengeance as a mighty stream shall bear you over. Have ye not whole forty yeares together, 25 Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty yeares, O house of Israel? in the wilderness, bewrayed your averseness from me, and your inclination to idolatry, was it to me, that in this while ye offered your sacrifices; O ye house of Israel? No, 26 But ye have born the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your Images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. howsoever ye pretended to bear my Tabernacle, yet indeed ye did your services and oblations to your god Moloch, and the other images of those planetary gods, whom ye worshipped. CAP. VI. WOe to those that live securely, 1 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are name chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came. and pleasurably in Zion, and that trust to the impregnable situation of the city of Samaria, the mountaines whereof are held the strongest forts of that nation, whereto the house of Israel resorts. Look ye unto the most famous and best traded cities, 2 pass ye unto Calneh, and see, and from thence go ye to Hemath the great, then go down to Gath, of the philistines. Be they better thē these kingdoms, or their border greater then your border? and countries round about you; look to Calneh that wealthy city of Assyria; look to the great city Antiochia, then take view of Gath the well-knowne city of the philistines, and compare your blessings with theirs; and tell me whether these kingdoms be richer, and stronger, and larger then yours; yet these shall ye shortly see brought down. Yet ye are careless, and confident, 3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near. and put away from you all fear of danger; and thereupon grow outrageous, and cruel; in so much as ye strike into others a fear of your violence, and oppression. Ye give up yourselves to pride, and ease, 4 That lye upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stal. and delicacy: stretching yourselves upon your soft couches, and beds of yvorie, and pamper yourselves with the daintiest fare. They make themselves merry with the most pleasant music; 5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David: and device instruments of melody for their vain and wanton mirth, such as David invented for the praising and cheerful service of God. They let themselves loose to all intemperance and carnal pleasure, powring in wine out of their large bowls and anointing themselves with the most precious, 6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments, but they are not grieved for the affliction of joseph. and fragrant ointments; but in the mean time, they are not sensible of the miserable condition of Gods wrongfully oppressed servants. 7 Therefore now shall they go captive, with the first that go captive,& the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall bee removed. Therefore, since ye are the prime offenders, and( as it were) leaders of these sins, ye shall bee the first in the punishment thereof, even in that woeful captivity, which shall shortly ensue; and then there shall be an end of these your riotous and wanton pleasures. 8 I abhor the excellency of jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city, with all that is therein. I abhor this proud excess of my people of Israel, and hate those their palaces, which they have built in blood, and oppression, and therefore I will deliver up Samaria, and all that is therein to the hands of the Assyrians. 10 And a mans uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house; is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, no; Then shall he say, hold thy tongue, for wee may not make mention of the name of the Lord. And a man shall not have a brother, or a son left, to do him the last offices of his burial, but if his uncle or kinsman shall undertake to bring out his corps, he that is the overseer of these funeral rites of burning the dead joining with him in that work, shall say to that one which is left alive in the house, Is there any more remaining of the whole number of the family? and he shall say, no; Then shall the other answer again; Rest thou humbly, and silently in the just pleasure of the Almighty; this is his work; as for us, our sins have been so grievous, that in the conscience thereof, it is not for us to call upon the name of the Lord, for a release, or mitigation of his judgement. 11 For behold, the Lord commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts. For behold, the Lord whom we have provoked, commandeth these executions from the hands of the Assyrians; and will by their arm smite both the small and the great. 12 Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgement into gull, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock Is it possible, that horses should run upon the steep and craggy cliffs? or can it be that the husbandman should draw his plow through those hard rocks? So impossible is it that ye Israelites should continue to prosper, whiles ye remain thus sinful; for ye have corrupted judgement, and justice, and made it hateful, and deadly to the innocent. 13 Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, have wee not taken to us horns by our own strength. Ye which rejoice in your own strength, which is vain, and nothing worth; and say in the pride of your heart, have we not made ourselves strong and impregnable by our wit and power? 14 But behold, I will raise up against you a nation,( O how of Israel, saith the Lord the God of hosts) and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness. But behold, I will raise up against you( O house of Israel) a mighty nation, even that of Assyria, and they shall plague you, even from the one end of your country to the other; from Hemath, which is in the borders of the North, to Sihor the river of the wilderness, to the South. CAP. VII. THus hath the Lord God shewed me the judgement which he is about to bring upon the land; 1 Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me, and behold he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth, and lo, it was the latter growth after the Kings mowings. even that extreme famine which he shall cause through the abundance of locusts, and other noisome worms, which he will sand upon the earth; early therefore in the shooting up of the grass, after the first mowing thereof for the Kings use( which is wont to be sooner then the common mathe) he formed store of those hurtful vermin, and sent them upon the land. Then I, seeing the proceedings of this famine, said, 2 Then I said( O Lord God) forgive, I beseech thee, by whom shall jacob arise? for he is small. O Lord God, forgive us I beseech thee; if thou go on thus to plague us, who shall be left alive to continue the name and generation of thy people? For even now, as it is, the number of thy people is but small. The Lord thereupon ceased from this plague, 3 The Lord repented for this, It shal not be, saith the Lord. and did, as it were, say; No, it shall not proceed; Israel shal not be quiter wasted. The Lord God foreshowed me the judgement that he meant to bring upon Israel by the sword of Tigleth Peleser, King of Assyria, 4 Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me, and behold the Lord God called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep and did eat up a part. ( represented by a fire which should devour up the deep, and did eat up a part;) signifying that the fury and force of this King of Assur should utterly swallow up the kingdom of Syria first, and afterwards that part of Israel, which is beyond Jordan. As I have built up Israel by line and level, 8 Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my People Israel, I will not again pass by them any more. so will I also now make an exquisite destruction of it; and will lay it level with the ground; and I will not any more pardon, and pass by their wickednesses. Amos hath conspired against thee in Bethel, 10 Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel the land is not able to bear all his words. where is the greatest confluence of thy subjects. The words of his prophesy are intolerable; for he dishartneth the people; and works in them a mean and dishonourable opinion of thy government; and despair of their own safety. And Amaziah said to Amos; what makest thou here, 12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos,( O thou Seer) go, fly thee away into the land of judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there. O thou prophet, out of thine own country; go thy ways home; take this friendly and private counsel from me, retire home closely to thy own country of Judah; and there maintain thyself; and there bestow thy pains, and admonitions. But venture not any more to vent thy prophesies in Bethel; for thou knowest the condition of this place, 13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel, for it is the Kings chapel and it is the Kings court. it is both the Kings sanctuary, for his devotion, and the Kings court, for state; meddle not any more with prophesying here, lest thou provoke the Kings anger against thee. 14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophets son, but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of Sycomore fruit. I was no Prophet by my breeding and institution, I never was trained up to any such vocation, but was by my profession an heard-man, and spent my time amongst my cattle; and in that solitary life contented myself with such wild diet, as the Sycomores did afford me. 15 And the Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said unto me go prophesy unto my people Israel. And even then when I little thought of any such matter, it pleased the Lord to take me from that homely employment, and enjoined me this task of prophesying. 16 And drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. do not let fall the menaces of judgement upon the chosen people of God. Because thou hast forbidden me to prophesy, thus saith the Lord, 17 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Thou shalt die in a polluted land. &c. thou shalt die in the land of Assyria, which is polluted by detestable Idolatries, &c. CAP. VIII. 2 And I said, A basket of summer fruit: then said the Lord unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel, I will not again pass by them any more. ANd I said, a basket of summer fruit; then said the Lord unto me; I have heretofore gathered, and plucked off some of thy fruits, that is thy people; but now I come to thee, with a basket, to gather all that grows upon Israel; and will so make an end of this gathering, that there shall be no more of this kind left for hereafter. 3 And the songs of the temples shall be howlings, in the day, saith the Lord God. Instead of the songs, and music of the Temples of Bethel, and other high places, there shall be nothing but howlings, and shriekings of those that are slain, &c. 5 Saying, when will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn, and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the Ephah small, and the shekle great, and falsifying the balances of deceit. Saying, when shall we have done with these solemn feasts, wherein we are not allowed to buy and sell; would to God these new moons and Sabbaths were once past, that we might sell our corn at an high rate; making the measure of the wheat small, and the weights( wherein the silver is weighed) great and heavy; and falsifying the balances by deceit. 6 That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes and sell the refuse of the wheat. That we may cause the poor to sell themselves to our servitude, for a little silver, as being not able to sustain themselves; and that we may buy the needy for a pair of shoes, even for the basest necessaries; Yea and that by this means, we may put off, at an unreasonable rate, the very refuse and offal of the wheat. 8 And it shall rise up wholly as a flood: and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of egypt. And the judgement of God shall rise up, and overflow the land, as a flood; and the whole country shallbe overspread, and drowned therewith, as the plains are wont to be by the inundations of the river Nilus. Your sorrow shall be so extreme in that day; 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day. and that day shall be to you so black and gloomy, as if the sun were gone down at noonday; and as if darkness had covered the earth in the clearest day. Such a mourning will I cause amongst you, 10 And I will make it as the mourning of an only son. as when a mother mourns for her onely son, &c. Not a famine of material bread, 11 Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. &c. But a spiritual famine of the word of God which is onely able to feed, and save your souls. And they shall wander from the sea of Galilee, 12 And they shall wander from Sea to Sea, and from the North even to the East, they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the North across unto the East to seek the word of the Lord at the mouth of his Prophets, and shall not find it. Those Idolatrous Israelites that swear by the melted Images of Samaria; and say; 14 They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, thy God, O Dan, liveth,& the manner of Beersheba liveth, even they shall fall, and never rise up again. As the God which is worshipped in Dan, and the author of the religion of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall into utter perdition, and never rise again. CAP. IX. IN my vision I saw the Lord( having left the Temple) to stand upon the altar without, 1 I saw the Lord standing upon the altar, and he said, smite the lintell of the door, that the posts may shake, and cut them in the head, all of them, and I will slay the last of them with the sword. and he commanded his angel saying, smite thou the lintell of the door of the Temple, so vehemently, that the posts thereof may shake; in signification of that main stroke, which I will give the rulers of Israel; for I will cut them in the head( or principal men) every one of them; and as for the posts, which are the inferiors, 2 Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them. I will slay them with the sword of the Assyrian, &c. Neither shall they ever be able by any power, or policy, to escape my judgements, 3 Thence will I command the Serpent, and he shall bite them. though they should dig into hell, there shall my hand find them, &c. There will I command my Leviathan to swallow them up, &c. See chapter 8. verse 8. 5 And it shall rise up wholly like a flood, &c. It is he that hath built, 6 It is he that buildeth the stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troupe in the earth, he that calleth for the waters of the Sea. and preserved the several contignations of his orbs in the heavens, and hath made provision of those infinite armies of his creatures, to execute his revenges upon earth; it is he that by his command lets loose the waters of the Sea, &c. 7 Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel, saith the Lord, have not I brought up Israel out of egypt, and the Philistines from Caphtor and the Syrians from Kir? Is there any reason in you, O ye children of Israel, why I should respect you more than the very Ethiopians? Why should I make any difference betwixt you, and very philistines? If you say, I brought up Israel out of egypt, so also did I bring the Philistms out of Caphtor; and the Syrians from Cyrene, where they were captived. 9 Yet, shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. Yet shall not the least grain scape unsifted by falling to the earth, without agitation; every Israelite shall bee tossed up and down and dispersed in this captivity, no one shall be free. 11 In that day will I raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins and I will build it as in the dayes of old. In that day will I raise up my Evangelicall Church, which is the Tabernacle of the true and glorious son of David, the messiah of the world, even upon the ruins of the Jewish Church; which I will repair, and so make up the breaches thereof as that, both Jews and Gentiles, shall make up one Church; which shall be made as spiritually complete, as ever the Temple was materially of old. 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doth this. That the bounds thereof may be extended over all the earth, even to the remotest heathen, which shall then be called by my name, saith the Lord that doth this. Behold I will continue such plentiful increase of my blessings under the gospel, that one shall over take another, 13 Behold, the dayes come, saith the Lord, that the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed,& the mountaines shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. in a perpetual succession; as it is in a rich& fruitful soil, that the harvest is no sooner in, than the plough is put into the ground for another crop; and the vintage is no sooner done, that the seed is sown for a new harvest; thus shall it be with my Church, where one blessing endeth, another shall begin. Then even the driest and barrenest hearts shall yield excellent fruits of grace in very great abundance. 15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God. I will settle my Church upon earth, never to be rooted out by the violence of men, never to be prevailed against by the gates of hell, saith the Lord God. OBADIAH. 1 Wee have heard a rumour from the Lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. WE that are the prophets of God, have heard the Lord declaring his purpose concerning Edom;& sending his Angel to stir up the Chaldees against him, saying, 2 Behold I have made thee small among the heathen, thou art greatly despised Arise ye( and I shall assist you) to make war against the Edomites. Behold, though thou art but an handful, in respect of the rest of the heathen round about thee, and art but meanly thought of, for thy power; Yet thou art foolishly lifted up in the pride of thine own heart; and deceivest thyself, 3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee: thou that dwellest in the cliffs of the rock, whose habitation is high, that saith in his heart, who shall bring me down to the ground? with a false confidence in thine impregnable situation; thou dwellest aloft in the clefts of the rocks, which thou thinkest inaccessible, and sayest in thine heart, who shall bee able to bring me down? But know, that though thy forts, 4 Though thou exalt thyself as the Eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down saith the Lord. and castles were as high, as the Eagle can build her nest, or fly; yea, though thou couldst build as high as the stars, this should not avail thee; thence will I fetch thee down, saith the Lord. How art thou, contrary to thy expectation, 5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night,( how art thou cut off,) would they not have stolen, till they had enough; if the grape gatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes. utterly cut off, O Edom; without all remainders of hope of recovery? If thieves, if robbers by night come to steal from thee, they would onely take their bouty, so much as they can think enough to serve their turn, and leave the rest; If the grape gatherers come to pull the clusters from thy vine, they would leave some grapes for the gleaners, that shall come after. But as for thine enemies, the Chaldees, 6 How are the ●hings of Esau preached out? how are his hide things sought up? they shall ransack, and rifle all the things of Edom; and shall search out all thine hidden commodities, 7 All the men of thy confederacie have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee, have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee, they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee, there is none understanding in him. and carry them away at once. All those of thy confederacy, to whom thou trustedst, even the Moabites, and Ammonites, which were in league with thee, have deceived thee, and have driven thee out of thy own seat, even to the utmost borders of thy country; thine entire associates have craftily drawn thee into that inconvenience, which thou canst not avoid, nor remedy; and( for all thy pretence of wisdom) thou hast no understanding of this plot laid for thy ruin. As thy wise men, so thy valiant soldiers, 9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shalbe dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter. even those of Teman( which are most famous for skill and courage) shall be utterly cut off; that there may be none left alive in all the mount of Esau. 11 In the day that thou stoodst on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive. In the day of battle, thou stoodst opposite to thy brethren, the issue of Jacob; and wert willing enough, that the enemies should carry them away captive, &c. 13 Thou shouldst not have entred into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity. Thou shouldst not have entred into the gates of the cities of Israel, my people, in the day of their calamity, to help to spoil, and sack them, &c. 16 For as ye have drunk upon mine holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. For, as ye my people, which dwell and worship upon mine holy mountain, have drunk up the cup of my bitter affliction; so shall all the heathen pledge you continually of the same cup; yea, they shall drink it to the very dregs, and shall swallow it down; and they shall bee so cut off, as if they had never been. 17 But unto mount Zion shall bee deliverance, and there shall be holinesse, and the house of jacob shall possess their possessions. But, in the end, upon mount Zion shall be an happy restauration of my people; there shall be holy service performed to my name, in the reedified Temple; and the sons of Jacob shall bee restored to their old possessions. 18 And the house of jacob shall bee a fire, and the house of joseph a flamme, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them, and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau for the Lord hath spoken it. And I will make the house of Jacob,( both Judah, and Ephraim) to be as a fire, whiles the posterity of Esau, is as stubble; so as the fire of Israel shall consume the stubble of Esau, till there be none left of that accursed generation. And they of the South( which are the tribe of Judah) shall possess the mountainous Country of Edom; and they of Benjamin, 19 And they of the South shall possess the mount of Esau, and they of the plain, the Philistimes; and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria, and Benjamin shal possess Gilead. which are of the plain, shall possess the cities of the philistines; and the rest of Israel shall return to, and recover their ancient bounds of inheritance, with much enlargement; in a figure of the spiritual extending of the borders of my Church, under the Gospel, over all the coasts of the earth. And the host of those Israelites, which shall be returned from their captivity, 20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the canaanites, even unto Zarephath, and the captivity of jerusalem which is in Sepharad, shall possess the city of the South. shall possess the land of the Canaanites, even to the utmost bounds thereof, which is Sarepta, as they formerly enjoyed it; And the returned, captives of Juda( which are in Sepharad, the remotest part of Babylon) shall possess those cities of the South, which are their ancient limits. 21 And Saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lords. And God shall, from time to time raise up mighty, and gracious deliverers of his people in that his royal, and holy hill of Zion, which shall repress the rage of his enemies, and pull down the pride of Edom; and God shall challenge to himself the right and protection of his kingdom of Israel. jonah. CAP. I. ARise; go to Niniveh, the great city of the Assyrians, 2 Arise, go to Niniveh that great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness is come up before me. and denounce my judgements against it; for their wickedness is grown to that height, that I can no longer forbear it. But Jonah, fearing that the mercy of God in sparing the city would leave him suspected of a false prediction, 3 But jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish, from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Ioppa and he found a ship going to Tarshish, so he paid the fare thereof. bent his course another way, and going down to Joppa and finding a ship, ready bound for her passage, into the Mediterranean sea, he put himself into her, and paid the fare thereof, &c. Then, when Jonah had told the men, both his nation, 10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, why hast thou done this? for the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. and his religion, and his profession, and his heinous sin, in fleeing from the charge that God had laid upon him; they were exceedingly afraid; as being strike both with the sense of their own danger, and of compassion towards a person of such quality, who had so freely confessed himself, and his offence. Then the men were struck with an awful fear of the power, and majesty of that God, 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the Lord,& made vows. whereof they saw such proof, before their eyes; the sight whereof being added to the religious sermon of Jonah wrought so with them, that disclaiming all their idol gods, they offered a sacrifice to the only true God, and made vows to him( which they would carefully perform upon their return) to worship him at Jerusalem. CAP. II. THen Jonah spent that time of the three daies( wherein he was thus woefully imprisoned, 1 Then jonah prayed unto the Lord his God, out of the fishes belly. in the belly of the Whale) in his earnest prayers unto God, and in his humble, and hearty confessions of his great sin, against his God. 2 And said, I cried by reason of, &c. And after, when he was by the power of God delivered from that death, he uttered, and penned this song of thanksgiving, for so wonderful a mercy, &c. — out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my prayer. Out of that place of unspeakable horror, wherein I was for the time butted, as in the belly of a living and moving grave; I then failed not to cry unto thee, and thou heardest me. 3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas, and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. It was not the act of the mariners, Lord, it was thy just act to cast me into the deep; there I was by thine appointment in the midst of many seas;( for so did that fearful monster carry me from one sea to another) and the floods compassed me about. 4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight: yet I will look again toward thy holy Temple. Then said I; Lord, I am justly cast out of thy sight, into this place of horror; yet since thou still givest me life, and being, I will trust in thy mighty power, and infinite mercy, that thou hast reserved me for some further service to thee, in thy Church. 6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountain: the earth with her bars was about me for ever. I went down, in the maw of that vast and dreadful beast, to the bottom of the sea, even to the lowest foundations of the mountaines; the earth with all her rocks and hills was over my head, beyond all natural possibility of recovery, &c. 8 They that observe lying vanities, forsake their own mercy. Those foolish men that worship vain idols,( which are nothing but lies and falsehood;) forsake all the benefit of thy merciful protection, and deliverance. But I, &c. 10 And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out jonah upon the dry land. And the Lord commanded the Whale, and it accordingly did cast up Jonah upon the dry land. CAP. III. 4 And jonah began to enter into the city a daies journey, and he cried and said, yet forty daies, and Niniveh shall be overthrown. ANd when Jonah had spent one day in his preaching, and had gone through one third part of the city crying and saying, There are but yet forty dayes to come, ere Niniveh( except it repent) shall be destroyed. 5 So the people of Niniveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast. The people of Niniveh believed that word of God, delivered to them by his Prophet, &c. Let not the very beasts feed, nor drink water; that the men may be the more moved with that woeful moan, 7 Let them not feed, nor drink water. which those dumb creatures must needs make in their extremity. 10 And God repented, &c. See Amos 7.3. CAP. IV. DOst thou think this is a just cause for thee to be moved with anger, for that I have spared the Ninivites? And he said, in much weakness, and rash passion; 4 Then said the Lord, dost thou well to be angry? I do well to be angry, and think that I have just cause to be so fretted with this, which thou hast done, as to wish, 9 I do well to be angry, even unto death. in the bitterness of my soul, to be rid of my life. Then said the Lord, I have done this purposely to show thee thine own error, and weakness; thou hadst pitty on a sorry plant, which cost thee no labour, 10 Then said the Lord, thou hast had pitty on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow, which came up in a night, and perished in a night. which received no life from thee; which suddenly came up,& suddenly vanished. And should not I spare Niniveh, that great city, wherein are six score thousand infants, that have not lived to offend, and much cattle which are not capable of offence? how much are these better then the senseless plants of the earth? and these are the work of my hands, 11 And should not I spare Niniveh that great city, wherein are more then six score thousand persons, that cannot discern between their right hand, and their left hand, and also much cattle? and have cost me much care and regard; and such as require time, and leisure for their perfection; bethink thyself therefore how just reason I have to be angry at thy unmercifulness, which art angry at my forbearance of Niniveh. MICAH. CAP. I. THe Lord will, in a terrible sort, 3 For behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. manifest his power from heaven; and, as in the height of his fury, coming down from above, will trample upon the loftiest tops of the mountaines. In such manner, as that the great mountaines shall( as it were) melt, and dissolve under his feet, 4 And the mountaines shal be melted under him, and the valleys shall bee cleft, as wax before the fire, and as waters that are powred down a steep place. and the deep valleys shall be cleft asunder, and severed from the hills; the mountaines( I say) shall melt like wax, and the valleys shall run from the hills, as waters that are powred out from a steep place, run down from the place where they are powred. In short, all the ●hole earth shall be exceedingly moved, and affencted with the dreadful presence of God descending to punish the wickednesses of his people. 5 For the transgression of jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel, what is the transgression of jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of judah? are they not jerusalem? And all these judgements shal be for the Idolatries of Israel, and Judah: What then or who is the author of this great sin of Israel? Is it not the mother city Samaria, whose princes have erected and maintained those golden calves? And who is the author of those offensive high places of Judah? Is not Jerusalem, and those her Kings that have set them up, and countenanced them? 6 Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as planting of a vineyard, and I will power down the stones thereof into the valley. Therefore, I will raze and pull down Samaria, by the hands of the Assyrians; and make that high built city as an heap of stones laid together carelessly in the field; or as those hillocks of earth which are cast up for the planting of a vineyard; And I will cause the goodly stones of their stately palaces to be tumbled down into the valley, &c. 7 And all the heires thereof shal be burnt with the fire, and all the Idols thereof will I lay desolate, for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot. And all those costly offerings, and presents that were brought to their idols, as the hire of their spiritual fornication, shall be burnt with fire &c. as they have imagined foolishly that they have received their wealth, as the reward of their Idoll-service, which they have borrowed of the heathen; so shall they know, that it shall go back again the same way; for the Assyrians, who shall carry it away, shall impute it to their gods, as a reward of their Idolatry. 8 Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped, and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. Therefore, since these great evils are coming upon my nation, I, for my part, will spend my time in mourning, and bitter lamentation; I will lay down my Prophets weed; and go up and down heavily, and forelornely. This destruction by the hand of the Assyrians is uncurable; 9 For her wound is incurable, for it is come unto judah, he is come unto the gate of my people, even to jerusalem. for it is passed from Samaria, and is comne forward to Judah; and is now drawing on, towards the very gates of Jerusalem. Let no man tell the news of this calamity at Gath, the city of the philistines, 10 Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all, in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust. lest they rejoice, and triumph in our misery; oh let no man there bemoan our sorrows;& ye inhabitants of Aphrah( a city of Benjamin) role yourselves in the dust, for the miserable desolation that is coming upon you. 11 pass ye away thou inhabitant of sapphire, having thy shane naked, the inhabitant of Zaana came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel, he shall receive of you his standing. pass ye away into a woeful captivity, O ye inhabitants of the beautiful city of sapphire, pass along in your shane and nakedness; The inhabitants of Zaanan stood upon their gard, and came not forth as yielding to the enemy, upon the sad taking in of Bethezel; the enemy shall therefore receive of you, O Zaananites, the full recompense of that long siege, to which ye have put him. The inhabitants of Maroth, 12 For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good, but evil came down from the Lord unto the gate of jerusalem. shall bee much grieved for the failing, and disappointment of their hopes; they made account to have escaped this misery, but evil came down upon them from the Lord, and shall not stay there, but shall proceed on, till it come to the very gates of Jerusalem. As for you, O ye inhabitants of Lachish, 13 O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast, she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion, for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee. make all possible speed to escape by flight; put your swiftest beasts into your chariots, and drive away hastily; taking the advantage of your remoteness; Try if you can thus avoid the judgement, who were the authors of sin to the rest of Judah, next after the revolt of the ten tribes to their melted calves. Lachish was the first of the tribe of Juda, that both received, and diffused the infection to the daughter of Zion; The Idolatries of Israel were first found in thee, O Lachish. Therefore shalt thou be fain to give vain presents unto the philistines to help thee, 14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moresheth Gath, the houses of Achizib shall be a lye to the Kings of Israel. thou shalt have recourse to those false, and lying succours, which have been ever deceitful to the Kings of Judah, and so shall be still unto thee. As for thee O Mareshah, 15 Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah, he shall come unto Adullam, the glory of Israel. which hast thy name from inheritance, I will bring such an heir to thee, for thy land, as thou shalt never be able to dispossess, even the enemy which shall seize thee for ever; And he that is the glory and God of Israel shall execute his justice upon Judah, even as far as Adullam, the utmost cost thereof. Make thee bald, O land of Israel, 16 Make thee bald,& poll thee for thy delicate children, enlarge thy baldness as the Eagle, for they are gone into captivity from thee. in token of extreme mourning; and cut off thine hair in sorrow for thy delicate children which are slain, and captived; yea, enlarge thy baldness( the sign of thy grief) as the Eagle, which moults with age, being left without feathers, till her renovation; so do thou leave thyself without hair, or comfort for thy children, for they are gone into captivity from thee. CAP. II. 3 An evil from which ye shall not remove your necks, neither shal ye go haughtily, for this time is evil. AN evil which shall press you so heavily, that you shall neither be able to remove your necks from under it, nor lift them up in an haughty carriage; for it is a time of exceeding great affliction. 4 We be utterly spoyled, he hath changed the portion of my people, how hath he removed it from me? turning away he hath divided our fields. Wee be utterly spoyled, he hath altered the property of the land, and the condition of the people; for he hath put Assyrians into the possessions of Israel, and hath removed Israel into Assyria; yea, rather instead of returning to us in mercy, and restoring our land, he hath divided our fields to our enemies. 5 Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the Lord. Therefore when this judgement shall bee effected, there shall none remain of you, who shall have any lot or inheritance in the land of Israel. 6 prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy; they shall not prophesy to them that they shall not take shane. Yet they are ready to say unto my Prophets,( who fore-tell these judgements) prophesy not; neither will they allow my Prophets to say, that this shameful foil shall happen unto them. 7 O thou that art name the house of jacob, is the spirit of the Lord straitned are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? O thou, that wouldst bee name the house and seed of Jacob, is it for thee to hinder the spirit of prophesy? Is it not Gods doing to put these words into their mouths? And if ye were so affencted to God as ye ought, and so well disposed, as ye pretend, surely my predictions of these judgements would be greatly for your good. 8 Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy, ye pull off the rob with the garment from them that pass by securely, as men averse from war. Now of late, my people( as if they needed no enemy) are turned enemies to each other; ye strip the garments from the backs of travellers, that pass by securely, without any thought of such cruel, and hostile measure. And, as not content with this cruelty tow●rds men, ye offer violence to the women also; whom ye have forcibly taken from their own houses, 9 The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant, houses from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever. where they lived contentedly with their husbands; and to their children also, from whom ye have taken those privileges,& liberties of freeborn Israelites, which was the glory of that nation, and for which I had wont to receive glory from them. 10 Arise ye and depart, for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you even with a sore destruction. Away therefore, arise, and get you into captivity; for this land is no place for you; since ye have thus defiled it by your sins; it shall cast you out; and deliver you up to be destroyed by your enemies. 11 If a man walking in the spirit& falsehood do lye, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink, he shall even be the prophet of this people. I know well enough how I might please you; If a man would walk in a vain light fashion; and yield to prophesy nothing but lies unto you; and soothe you up in gluttony& drunkenness; and tell you of that free scope ye shall have to wine, and strong drink; he should be a welcome prophet to this people. But for me, I am not of that strain; 12 I will surely disemble O jacob, all of thee: I will surely gather the remnant of Israel, I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold. They shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. I have other tidings to deliver to you, from the Lord; which is this; I will( saith God) gather up all my people of Israel together, as a shepherd gathers his whole flock together into a fold; and( as it uses to be in such concourse) there shall be a great noise, and murmur in that thronged multitude. But this assembly shall not bee for their ease or comfort, but rather for their more full destruction; 13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up and have passed thorough the gate, and are gone out by it, and their King shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them. The Assyrian shall come in upon them, and break into this fold, and spoil and ravine, as he pleaseth; and my people shall be carried away through those breaches, into a miserable captivity, and their King shall be lead manacled before them; and the Lord of hosts( who hath justly contrived this desolation of his unworthy people) shall lead the way to the accomplishing thereof. CAP. III. O Ye rulers, 1 And I said, hear I pray you, O ●eads of jacob, and ye Princes of the house of Israel: is it not for you to know judgement? and governors of Israel( to you I speak) is it not your part both to know how to do justice to the oppressed, and to perform it accordingly? How is it then that you do contrarily? ye hate the good, and love the evil, 2 Who hate the good and love the evil, who plucked off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones. and offer all cruelty and violence to them; as some unfaithful shepherd, who in stead of feeding his flock, pleas off their skins, and devoureth their flesh. So also verse 3. Who, 5 That bite with their teeth and cry peace, and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. so as they may bee fed up with the largesses of the people, cry peace and happiness; but if they have not their mouths filled with gifts, are ready to load their niggardly hearers with threats of judgements. I will therefore utterly withdraw from you all vision, 6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision,& it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine, and the sun shal go down over the Prophets, and the day shal be dark over them. and ye shall no more see ought from me, than a man can see ought before him in the darkest night, my Spirit, which is as the sun, shall be fully set, and gone down upon your Prophets and there shal be nothing but darkness of ignorance before them. So also verse 7. But as for me, I am none of your soothing Prophets, 8 But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgement, and of might to declare unto jacob his transgression. no I am by the Spirit of the Lord filled with courage, and undaunted zeal; with true judgement, and bold resolution to declare unto Jacob his transgression, &c. They build them stately houses in Zion, and in Jerusalem, 10 They build up Zion with blood, and jerusalem with iniquity. with those sums which they have extorted from the very bowels of the oppressed innocents. Therefore, for your sakes shall mount Zion be so razed and leveled by the Chaldees, 12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be ploughed as a field, and jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountaines of the house as the high places of the forest. that it may be ploughed as a field; and Jerusalem shall become heaps of rubbish; and mount Moriah shall lye like the rockey, and wild hills of the desert. CAP. IV. 1 But in the last daies it shall come to pass that the mountain of the, &c. See Isa. 2.2. 2 He shall judge among the people, &c. and they shall beate their swords into plowshares. See Isa. 2.4. 5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his God, and wee will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. WHiles those that are without the pale of the Church walk after the false religion of their Idol-gods, we will walk in the profession of the holy truth of God for ever. 6 In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted. In those dayes of the gospel, will I call home to my Church, the Synagogues of the Jews; even those despised people, which are justly driven out of their land, and deservedly afflicted by me. 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation, and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth even for ever. And I will reduce those rebellious, and out-cast people, to the profession of my truth; and will make them true members of my Church; and the Lord Christ shall reign over that Evangelicall Church of mine,( consisting of Jews and Gentiles) in his heavenly Zion, from henceforth, even forever. 8 And thou O tower of the stock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion, the kingdom shall come to the daughter of jerusalem. And to thee, O thou famous hill of earthly Zion, shall this blessing first come; there shall be the first beginning of this glorious and powerful gospel, and kingdom of Christ; and from thee shall go forth to the whole Church of God. 9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee, is thy counsellor perished, for pangs have taken thee, as a woman in travel. Now therefore why art thou dejected, as if thou wert utterly cast off, as if there were no King to uphold and defend thee, no counsellor to take care for thee? Why art thou in these pangs of distress, as a woman in travel? And indeed, O my Church of Judea, 10 Be in pain and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travel, for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon, there shalt thou be delivered, there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. I give thee leave to be grieved, and pained for a time; for thou shalt be driven forth of thy cities, and carried away into the captivity of Babylon; but thou shalt not long lye under this affliction; the Lord thy God shall fetch thee thence, in his appointed time, and shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies; and all this shall be, in a type of the state, and deliverance of my Church, from the hands of their spiritual enemies. Even at this time many nations of the Assyrians and their assistants are conspiring together against thee; 11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, let her bee defiled, and let our eyes look upon Zion. that say, let us defile her streets with blood; and let our eye see Zion razed, and ruined. burr they little know what the Lord hath designed to them; they know not his counsel and purpose; 12 But they know not the thoughts of the Lord, neither understand they his counsel, for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. viz. that he intends their destruction, and will suddenly gather them into their graves, as the sheaves, in the time of harvest, into the barn. Arise then, O Jerusalem, 13 Arise and thrash, O daughter of Zion, for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hooves brass, and thou shalt beate in pieces many people, and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. the type of my Evangelicall Church; and be victorious over thine enemies, bee not thou wanting to the exercise of that power, which I have given thee; for I have made thee able to subdue all that rise up against thee, in which successful victories, thou mayst not challenge ought unto thyself, but shalt ascribe the gain, and praise thereof wholly unto the Lord of the whole earth. CAP. V. NOw, O ye troops of Assyrians, and Babylonians, 1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops, he hath laid siege against us, they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek gather yourselves together, to lay your siege against Jerusalem; they shall offer scornful usages to Ezekiah King of Judah. And thou Bethleem Ephratah, though thou bee but one of the smallest cities, both for extent, 2 But thou Bethleem Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. and for number of inhabitants, amongst all those of Judah; and therefore art easily taken, and overrun by the great Assyrian invader; yet thou hast wherein thou mayst exceedingly comfort thyself, and rejoice above all other cities upon earth; for in thee shall the great Saviour of the world be born; even that glorious King of his Church, who after his eternal generation of his Father, hath from the first beginnings of the world manifested and revealed himself to men. 3 Therefore will he give them up until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth; then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. But in the mean time, he shall suffer his Israel to be grievously afflicted; his Church shall be in travail of great sorrow, till she have received a deliverance thereof, by the birth of the blessed Messiah, who shall bee born into the world; And then, the elect amongst the Gentiles, shall join themselves with the believing Israelites, and both shall make up the Church, and kingdom of Christ. 4 And he shall stand& feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God, and they shall abide, for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And that great redeemer of the world shall continue and grow mighty in and through the strength of the Lord, and the Majesty and power of the Lord his God, wherewith his human nature is inseparably united for ever; and shall be received, and adored to the very ends of the earth. 5 And this man shall be the peace when the Assyrian shall come into our land, and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. And this Saviour shall be our peace, and deliverance from all our enemies, even from the Assyrians, when they shall invade our land, and when they, and the Babylonians shall have taken our palaces and possessed them, then shall the power of Christ raise up unto us, many gracious Kings and Princes of the Medes and Persians which shall procure our restauration. 6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof. And those Persian Kings shall make waste the land of Assyria, with the sword, and the land of Babylon in the entrances thereof, &c. 7 And the remnant of jacob shall be in the midst of many people, as a due from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. And those Jews which shall be called into the Church, shall be dispersed amongst many people, for their conversion; even as the due or showers that God sends down upon earth to fruiten it, without the aid or labour of man; so shall they be a means from God to diffuse the gospel all over the world to the great behoof and comfort of mankind. 8 And the remnant of jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people, as a lion among the beasts of the forest. And those that are converted to the Church, shall be so strong, and powerful amongst the Gentiles, in the greatest part of the world, as that they shall bee able to prevail against their opposers, and shall be awful unto them, even as a lion amongst the beasts of the forest, &c. Thine hand, O my Church, 9 Thine hand shall bee lift up upon thine adversaries. shall prevail against thine adversaries, &c. And in those daies of the gospel, I will give an happy peace unto thee, O my Church, 10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy Chariots. so as thou shalt have no use of horses, or chariots for thy defence. And I will take from thee all use of thy walled cities, and strong holds; since my protection, and thy peace shall be guard enough for thee. 11 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds. Or, I will take from thee all confidence in thy horses and chariots, and defenced cities; and thy trust shall be wholly set upon me. As for those wicked practices of sorcerers, 12 And I will cut off witch-crafts out of thine hand, and thou shalt have no more soothsaiers. and soothsayers, whereof thou hadst wont to make use in thy doubts, and extremities, thou shalt have no more recourse unto them; but thou shalt consult with me in all occasions. When all this shall be performed on thy part, 14 So will I destroy thy cities. I will not be wanting unto thee; but will then destroy those cities of thine enemies which shall rise up against thee. CAP. VI. ARise( saith God to me) and call the very senseless earth; even the hills and mountaines to record, 1 hear ye now what the Lord saith arise, contend thou before the moumtaines and let the hills hear the voice. of what I have to say against my people. Now therefore, O ye mountaines of Israel and Judah whose roots seem to reach down to the foundations of the earth, hear ye, since men will not hear; 2 hear ye, O mountaines, the Lords controversy and the strong foundations of the earth, for the Lord hath a controversy with his people. for the Lord hath a just quarrel against his people, &c. Remember what answers I did put into the mouth of Balaam, the son of Beor; how I drew blessings, even from his mouth, upon you, in stead of the curses, 5 O my people, remember now what Balak King of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord. which Balak would have hired him, to utter against you; remember all my gracious dealings with thee in all the passages of the wilderness, even from Shittim unto Gilgal, till thy very entrance into the land of promise; that ye may aclowledge the righteous proceedings of the Lord with you. And that, in a true remorse of soul, 6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord. ye may humble yourselves before him, and say within yourselves, wherewith shall I come before the Lord, &c. And if thou shalt once enter into these holy, 8 he hath shewed thee, O man, what is good. and penitent thoughts, O man, thou shalt not need to stay for a clear and full direction from him; lo, he hath already shewed thee what course to take; he hath taught thee what is good, and acceptable to him, &c. 9 The Lords voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name, hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it The voice of the Lord calleth( by me his Prophet) to the city of Jerusalem( and those that are wise-hearted will have a due and awful respect to thy name, O Lord,) hear O Jerusalem, hear thou the sad news of that sharp rod of affliction, which is prepared for thee; and consider, who it is that hath appointed it, for thy correction. 10 Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable. Notwithstanding all the reproofs, and menaces of my Prophets, are there not ill gotten goods scraped together, and hoarded up in the houses of thy wicked inhabitants? are there not false and scant measures which are abominable? 13 Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee. I will make thee sick( even to death) with my sharp and wounding stripes of affliction, &c. 14 And thy casting down shall bee in the midst of thee, and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver,& that which thou deliverest, will I give up to the sword. Thy casting down shall be in the midst of thine own streets, thou shalt fall, even within thine own walls; and thou shalt take hold on thy children, to deliver them from the enemy, but thou shalt not rescue them; and those, whom thou hast obtained to deliver from the present slaughter, will I soon after give up to the sword. 16 For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels, that I should make thee a desolation,& the inhabitants thereof an hissing, therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people. For those impious statutes of Omri the Idolatrous King of Israel, the father of Ahab, are still kept by you and all the wicked practices of the house of Ahab, and Jezebel, are in use amongst you; and ye walk in their counsels, &c. Therefore ye shall justly undergo that reproach, which is due to a people, of whom I have deserved so well, and have been so ill requited. CAP. VII. 1 Woe is me, for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grape gleanings of the vintage, there is no cluster to eat, my soul desired the first ripe fruit. WOe is me, that I can find so small comfort of my labours; it is with me, as with a man that after the vintage is past, seeks for a cluster of grapes, but can find none to eat; even so hath my soul desired( after all my preaching) to find some godly men,( which would have been to me no less pleasing than the first ripe grape is to the palate) and behold, there is none to be found. 3 That they may do evil with b●th hands earnestly, the Prince asketh,& the judge asketh for a reward: and the great man he uttereth his mischievous desires, so they wrap it up. That there may be no slackening of their endeavours to do evil, on all hands; the very Princes and Judges of my people seek after bribes, to corrupt justice; the great man doth not modestly smother his wicked desires of unlawful gain, but openly professeth it; and so they contrive their mischief accordingly. The very best of them tears, 4 The best of them is as a brier the most upright is sharper then a thorn hedge, the day of thy watchmen, and thy visitation cometh, now shall be their perplexity. and scratches like a brier; the most upright wounds, and pricks deeper then a thorn hedge; therefore there is judgement ready at hand for them, the day is coming of thy sharp visitation, wherein thy rulers, and false prophets shall be plagued for their corruption; even now is their perplexity at hand. Ye shall be put to such straits, 5 Trust ye not in a friend put ye not confidence in a guide, keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. that every one shall be glad to shift for himself in silence; not daring to trust to a friend, or to a guide; or to disclose his counsel to the wife that lies in his bosom. But every one shall be so intent upon his own escape, 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law, a mans enemies are the men of his own house. and preservation, as that the son will not spare the honor of his Father, if that shall lye in his way; the daughter will be casting off the respects due to her mother, and much more the daughter in law will put off all regard of her mother in law; and a man shall be justly suspicious of his own followers, and domestic servants, lest they shall betray him. Thus shall men be distracted with their fears, 7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord. but as for me, I will look unto the Lord, &c. rejoice not too much in my misery, O Idumea, 8 rejoice not against me, O mine enemy, when I fall, I shall arise. and Babylon; though I fall into captivity, yet I shal arise, &c. Now shall Babylon be subdued, 10 Now shall shee bee trodden down as the mire of the streets. and trampled under feet by the Medes and Persians. In that day that thy walls, 11 In the day that the walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed. O Jerusalem are to be re-edifyed, in that day shall the decree that was procured, for the hindrance of the work, be laid aside, and the endeavour of thine opposites shall be frustrated. In that day shall those of Juda, and Israel, 12 In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress, even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain. flock to thee out of Assyria, and from the strong cities of egypt and shall be re-established in their wonted fortresses, even as far as to the bounds of Euphrates, and from one sea to another, all the land over. Notwithstanding, in the mean time, for a space the land shall be desolate, &c. 13 Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate. In this mean time, O God, take thou care of thy people; Oh do thou feed, and govern them; 14 feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel, let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the daies of old. by thy gracious protection; led thou this flock of thine heritage, which now dwell solitarily in the wilderness of their captivity, into the midst of thy fruitful pastures of Carmel; let them feed in the rich fields of Balan, and Gilead, as in former times. Thy prayer is heard( saith the Lord;) I will do thus for thee, O my people; 15 According to the daies of thy coming out of the land of egypt will I show unto him marvelous things. and as I did in the daies of thy coming out of egypt do marvelous things for thee, so will I do again in thy coming out of Babylon. 17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth. The nations shall be humbled under the hand of my Church; they shall give way to them, to take possession of their former inheritance, and shall therefore move out of their places, as worms move out of the holes of the earth, &c. NAHVM. CAP. I. 1 The burden of Niniveh. THe heavy tidings that God sent to Niniveh, and to the whole kingdom of Assyria, &c. 3 God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth, the Lord revengeth and is furious, the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The Lord comes to revenge in fury, and terror, as in a whirlwind and tempest; and as the march of a great host raises dust in their passage, so in this motion of the Lord to his vengeance, the clouds are as the dust of his feet. The fruitfullest regions of Bashan, and Carmel, and Lebanon, 4 Bashan languisheth, and Carmel& the flower of Lebanon languisheth. at his command grow sear, and barren. 7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and he knoweth them that trust in him. He takes gracious notice of them that trust in him;& will deliver them. 9 Affliction shall not rise up the second time. God will make so full dispatch of his enemies the Assyrians at once, that there be no place for a second onset. 10 For while they bee folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry. For, whiles they combine themselves, and plot together in wickedness, as thorns are folded up together in an hedge; and whiles they are consorting together in their drunkenness, and excess, then, even then, shall the judgement of God fall upon them, and devour them, as the fire consumes the dry stubble. 11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, a wicked counsellor. There is one comne out of thee, even Rabshakeh, that both imagineth, and dareth to utter evil, against the Lord; a man that speaketh blasphemous words, and gives wicked counsels to my people. 12 Thus saith the Lord, though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through, though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. Thus saith the Lord; Though the Assyrians be secure and many, and strong, yet they shall be cut down, when the destroying angel shall pass through their camp; and for thee, O Jerusalem, if I have afflicted thee by his siege, yet I will afflict thee no more. For now I will confounded his power, 13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. and disappoint that yoke of servitude, which he had intended to thee; and free thee from the bonds of his subjection. And the Lord hath decreed concerning thee, O Senacherib, that thou shalt be slain of thine own sons, 14 And the Lord hath given a commandement concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown, out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graved image, and the melted image; I will make thy grave, for thou art vile. and shalt have no more of thy posterity to succeed in the following generations; and out of the house of Nisroch thy god, and other of thine idol Temples, will I cut the graved, and melted images; I will prepare for thee a speedy and miserable death, for thou art vile. Behold, upon the mountain of Sion, 15 Behold, upon the mountaines the feet of him that bringeth good tidings that publisheth peace: O judah keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows, for the wicked shall no more pass through thee, he is utterly cut off. and the other mountaines of Judah and Israel, there shall be a joyful gratulation of thy deliverance and peace, O Judah; and do thou rejoice accordingly, in thy God; keep thou thy solemn feasts, and perform thy vows cheerfully to the Lord thy deliverer; for this wicked tyrant shall no more pass through thy borders, he is utterly cut off. CAP. II. THe King of Babylon, nabuchadnezzar, 1 He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face, keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. who subdueth all before him, is comne up before thy gates; look well to thyself therefore; stand upon thy gard, fortify thy bulwarks, and rouse up thy courage to defend thyself. But notwithstanding all thy preparation, 2 For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of jacob, as the excellency of Israel, for the emptiers have emptied them out,& marred their vine branches and warlike forces, he shall prevail against thee, O Niniveh; For, if the Lord have turned away the excellency of Jacob, and Israel; and hath given it over to the spoil of the Assyrians; who have destroyed their vineyards, how much more will he deface the glory of Niniveh? Thine enemy of Babylon shall come fiercely upon thee, and with great pomp of terror; 3 The shield of his mighty men is made read, the valiant men are in scarlet, the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. the shield of his mighty warriors shall glitter with brightness, his valiant men shall be decked with scarlet; his charets shall whirl with such fury, that the fire shall sparkle out of their wheels; and the earth, and woods adjoining shal shake with the noise. So also verse 4. 5 He shall recount his worthies, they shall stumble in their walk, they shal make hast to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. Then shall the Assyrian muster up his forces, and call together his choice commanders; they shall so hasten towards Ninivehs defence, that they shall stumble in the way; they shall make speed to the wall thereof, and prepare their best fortifications. 6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. But all in vain, for those ports which led to the river, shall be broken open; and the palace of the King, and Temple of Jupiter Belus shall be demolished. 7 And Huzzab shall be lead away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall led her as with the voice of doves, tabring upon their breasts. And the queen shall be lead away captive; shee shall be lead away with her maids following her in a sad mourning, and lamentation, like to the doleful voice of doves, and beating their breasts for the anguish of her deportation. 8 But Niniveh is of old like a pool of water, yet they shall flee away; stand, stand, shall they cry, but none shall look back. Though Niniveh be noted of old, for rich and strong, and furnished with multitudes of inhabitants, as a pond with spawn of fishes; yet all this shall not avail her; for, all her inhabitants shall betake themselves to flight; they shall call up to each other to stand▪ but all shall run away; no one shall dare so much as to look back. 9 Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold; for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture. go to then, ye Babylonians, take ye the spoil of the silver and gold, which the fearful citizens have left behind them; neither can ye be able to carry away that store of glorious, and rich furniture wherewith that city aboundeth. 10 She is empty and void and waste, and the heart melteth,& the knees smite together, and much pain is in al loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness. Now is that great city empty, and void, and utterly despoiled; the hearts of the Ninivites melt with grief, their knees knock together with fear; they lay their hands on their loins( as if those were pained) in the vehement gesture of their lamentation, and the faces of them all are deformed with passion, and astonishment. 11 Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion walketh and the lions whelp, and none made them afraid. Where now is the place that was the feared dwelling of the lion-like Assyrians? What is becomne of the place, where the old Lion, even the gangrenes of Assyria walked, and where his Princes made themselves so secure, that nothing could affright them? 12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravine. These Assyrian gangrenes did not only take that prey from other nations, which might suffice themselves; but they purvayed for their children, for their followers, for their wives; and filled their store houses with abundance of the rich booties of the world. There shall be no more regard had to thine ambassadors, nor to those commanding officers of thine, 13 And the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard. which lately held the world in awe. CAP. III. WOe to the bloody city of Niniveh, 1 Woe to the bloody city, it is all full of lies, and robbery, the pray departeth not. &c. thou canst not make an end of fraud and rapine. Vengeance is near thee; 2 The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels. I do already hear the noise of the Babylonian whips in the hands of the charetiers, driving them furiously against thee, &c. Because of the multitudes of those spiritual fornications, whereinto( like some faire and tempting harlot, 4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations thorough her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts. the mistress of witchcrafts) thou hast drawn other nations; having so besotted them that thou hast made them the slaves of thy lust. See Ezek. 36. verse 37. 5 And I will discover. Art thou better then the famous and populous city Alexandria, in egypt, 8 Art thou better then populus No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea. which is situate upon the river Nilus, and had the waters to environ it; and is defenced with that great and Sea-like lake of Mareotis? O Alexandria, besides thine own strength, Aethiopia and egypt were thy sure stay; 9 Aethiopia and egypt were her strength, and it was infinite, Put and Lubim were thy helpers. thine assistants were without number; all the Africans, and, above all, the Libyans were thy helpers. Even so thou also, O Niniveh, shalt drink deep of the cup of Gods vengeance; 11 Thou also shalt bee drunken: thou shalt be hide. thou that wast once renowned over the world, shalt be glad to bee wrapped up in obscurity, and forgetfulness, &c. Thy people in the midst of thee are faint hearted as women, &c. 13 Behold thy people in the midst of thee are women. go to then, 14 Draw the waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds, go into day, and tread the mortar, make strong the brick hill. furnish thyself with provision for a siege; fill thy cisterns with water, fortify thy strong holds, make ready store of bricks to repair thy battered walls. But, all this shall avail thee nothing; 15 There shall the fire devour thee: the Sword shall cut thee off: it shall eat thee up like the canker-worme: make thyself many as the canker-worme: make thyself many as the locusts. notwithstanding all thy preparation, the fire, and the sword shall devour thee, it shall eat thee up, as the canker-worme doth the green leaf: were thy troops as many, as there are caterpillars upon the boughs; this number shall do thee no good for thy defence. 16 Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven, the cankerworm spoileth& fleeth away. Neither art thou any better for those multitudes of merchants, that pertain unto thee,( as thou hast many, like the stars in the heaven for number) for they( like to those cankerworms) when they have spoyled what they may in their deceitful trade, fly away from thee, and leave thee destitute. So also verse 17. 17 The crwoned are as the locust. Thy rulers also are like unto locusts, &c. 18 Thy shepherds slumber, O King of Assyria, thy nobles shall dwell in the dust. Thy Princes, O King of Assyria, shall bee dull, and dead-hearted;& they together with thy Nobles shall be laid in the dust mangled, and slain, &c. There is no hope of healing this deadly wound, which thou shalt receive from the Chaldees; 19 There is no healing of thy bruise, thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee, shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually. no, rather all nations round about shall applaud thy ruin, and clap their hands, for joy of thy destruction; for whom hast not thou provoked by thy wickedness continually? HABAKKVK. CAP. I. 3 Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. IT is but a vexation to me, O Lord, to see that iniquity which I cannot reform; I see every where cruelty and oppression before me; and when I reprove them, there are those that raise up strife, and contention against me. 4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgement doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous: therefore wrong judgement proceedeth. Hereupon it comes to pass, that the law is not pressed home, and judgement is neither denounced, nor executed; for the righteous are in the power and mercy of the wicked; so as it cannot be but that wrong judgement must needs proceed against the just, and innocent. 5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder heinously: for I will work a work in your dayes which ye will not believe, though it bee told you. But, to take away the ground of all this complaint, behold, O ye degenerated people of the Jews, and look upon those heathen, whom ye hate and contemn; and wonder at that, which I will bring to pass by their hands against you; even a work, which to your incredulity and self-confidence will seem incredible. They shall have the law in their own hands, 7 Their judgement and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. and they shall carve themselves, of your punishment, and their own advancement, at their pleasure. They shall come purposely to waste, and spoil; 9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the East wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. their very looks shall blast all before them like an east-wind; and they shall carry away a number of captives, as the sand of the Sea for multitude. They shall make a mock at those Kings, and Princes that will offer to resist them, &c. 10 And they shall scoff at the Kings, and the Princes shall be a scorn unto them. Then shall their King nabuchadnezzar, 11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his God. alter his determination of prosecuting his foreign invasions, and returning home to Babylon, shall bee puffed up with these his victories, and shall foolishly impute them to his god Bel. But, that I may turn my thoughts, 12 Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine holy One? we shall not die: O Lord thou hast ordained them for judgement, and O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. and my speech to thee, O Lord my God, mine holy One, I hope thou hast not designed us to utter extirpation; thou hast ordained these Chaldees, most justly, for our punishment, and set them on work for our correction, not for our destruction. Thou art of purer eyes, than to behold evil, 13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than thee. &c. Wherefore shouldst thou give way to the wicked Chaldees, to devour thy people that are more righteous than they. Wherefore shouldst thou put men into the same condition with the fishes of the sea; 14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no rule over them? amongst whom the greater devours the less, without al regard of any thing but power; or, into the same case with creeping things, which having no ruler, have therefore no protection, or safety from mutual violence? Even as such fishes doth Nebuchadnezar take thy people of Judah; he takes them up with the angle; and, 15 They take up all of them with the angle: they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag, therefore they rejoice and are glad. lest that dispatch should not be speedy enough, he catcheth them in his net, and gathers them in his drag, to cast them out into captivity; and rejoiceth, and triumpheth in this his advantage. And hereupon he and his Babylonians sacrifice to this net of their policy, 16 Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag: because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. and burn incense to the drag of their power, because they have, by them, increased their dignity and dominion. 17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations? Wilt thou therefore, O Lord, still suffer them to empty their net for a new draft? Wilt thou not restrain them from making spoil of the nations round about continually? CAP. II. 1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. SInce God hath appointed me to bee a watchman for his people, I will perform the charge committed unto me; I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the Tower, and carefully view, and listen what his pleasure is to do with them, and to reveal unto me; that I may give a good account of this my station, and message, when I shall be challenged for it. 2 And the Lord answered me and said, writ the vision and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. writ thou this thing, that I do now declare unto thee, in great text letters; and fix the writing publicly, upon many posts; and let it be so legi●le, that he who runs, may red it as he passes. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lye. For this vision is not to be presently fulfilled, but hath a time set, and determined, wherein it shal be accomplished; at the expiring whereof, it shall be apparently verified to the world, &c. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up, is not upright in him, but the just shall live by his faith. In any case, give thou full belief to this word of the Lord; for behold, that man which withdraweth his soul from trusting unto God, and will bee raising to himself projects of his own, as he is unsound and faithless to God, so is accordingly displeasing to him; but the just& upright man will depend upon the promises of God, and speed thereafter; 5 Yea, also because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people. for his faith in God shall both uphold his life here, and crown it with glory hereafter. Know therefore, that this proud Babylonian, under whom thy nation shall suffer, shall at last be met with, in his own kind; he is now transported, and( as it were) intoxicated with his ambition, as with wine; which carries him from home, to the invasion of other countries; and makes him as insatiable as hell itself, and as death, which can never be satisfied; whereupon he gathers unto him, all the kingdoms round about, and heaps up Crownes and sceptres to himself, over all the regions of the earth. 6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his: how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick day. But, when his turn comes, shall not all these nations, whom he hath subdued, seeing his overthrow, and utter ruin, insult upon him, and take up a taunting proverb against him and say; What is now become of the man that raled up those kingdoms whereto he had no right? How long hath he enjoyed these ill-gotten crownes? Where now is he that ladeth himself with extent of earth; and with the unprofitable weight of this base earthly trash? Shall not the Medes and Persians rise up suddenly against thee? and set upon thee, and spoil thee? 7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee? and awake that shall vex thee? and thou shalt be for booties unto them? and thou shalt be for booties unto them? Woe be to thee O insolent Babylonian, 9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil. that out of a covetous, and ambitious desire, scrapest together the wealth of the world, that thou mayst make thy nest on high in this Babylon; and that thou mayst be freed from all the fear, or power of an enemy. Thou vainly devisest thus to advance thine house, 10 Thou hast consulted shane to thy house, by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. but thou shalt find this to be the way to bring shane, and ruin upon it; even in this bloody violence, which thou hast used, in the cutting off many people, thou hast brought confusion upon thy house, and hast sinned against thy soul. For, if men should hold their peace, 11 For the ston shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. the very stones out of the wall, which thou hast raised by this cruelty, shall cry out against thee; and the beam out of the timberwork shall second this clamour against thine unjustice, and violence. Woe to him that buildeth, 12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity. and enlargeth his city Babylon with those bloody spoils, and rapines of other innocent nations. Behold, shall it not be just with the Lord of hosts, 13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hostes, that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity. to cross, and defeat all thy projects? and to cause this people whom thou settest on work in these buildings, to lose their labour; in that, they shall find they have wearied themselves vainly in raising up that pile, which shall soon be consumed with fire? The notice of which just revenge from God, 14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. shall so fill the world, as that it shall bee overspread with the acknowledgement of Gods just proceedings herein,( even as the sea is covered with waters, and shall give glory to his infinite justice. Woe to thee, O Nebuchadnezar, 15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink: that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou maiest look on their nakedness. that forcest thy neighbour Princes to drink deep of the cup of thy cruel affliction;& when thou hast brought them down into extreme misery, makest thyself merry by insulting upon their calamity. Thou art requited accordingly, 16 Thou art filled with shane for glory, drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lords right hand shall bee turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. for in stead of that glory, which thou promisest thyself, thou art filled with shane; Now shalt thou also drink deep of the cup of Gods anger, and thy shane and miserable impotency shall be discovered to the world; thou shalt bee made drunk with this bitter draft, from the hand of God, and thy shane and disgrace shall bewray itself palpably in a loathsome fashion, to the eyes of men. 17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee: and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of mens blood, and for the violence of the land of the city, and of all that dwell therein. For it shall be with thee, as with the wild beasts in the forest of Lebanon, which are violently chased by the hunter, and terrified in their pursuit; even so shalt thou be hunted by the Persian, because of the blood of men, which thou hast shed, and the violence that thou hast done to the lands, and cities of thy neighbours. 18 What profiteth the graved image, that the maker thereof hath graved it; the melted Image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? What then shall the Chaldean find himself benefited by his graved Images which he hath made; and what stay and safety( worthy of his reliance) shall he meet with in his melted Image, which is no other then a teacher of lies; to what purpose hath he made these dumb Idols of either kind? 19 That saith to the dumb ston; Arise, it shall teach. That saith to the senseless ston; Arise; and shall add; This image shall teach us future things; this oracle shall instruct us, 20 Let all the earth keep silence before him. &c. Let all the inhabitants of the earth be awfully affencted, before his Majesty. The Title. CAP. III. 1 A prophetical and supplicatory song of Habakkuk, set to mixed tunes. O Lord, I have heard the words spoken by thee, concerning the future captivity of thy people, 2 O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid; O Lord revive thy work in the midst of the yeares, in the midst of the years make known: in wrath remember mercy. and was much troubled with them; And now O Lord, since they must lye under thi● grievous affliction, for a time; make good upon them, the work of thy gracious preservation of them; uphold them, whiles those yeares of their misery continue; let thy merciful protection be made known to the world, &c. 3 God came from Teman, and the holy one from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. God hath given abundant proof of his power, and care over his Church; if we look to his ancient mercies, and dreadful manifestations of himself; when the Lord God came before his people from the South, even from egypt through the wilderness, heaven and earth were full of the Majesty of his glory. 4 And his brightness was as the light: he had horns coming out of his hand, and there was the hiding of his power. His brightness was as the light of the sun; he had radiant beams that came streaming out from him; and under those glorious rays his power was rather hide, then manifested. Before him, he sent the pestilence; 5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. and other consuming judgments were ordained, and executed by him upon his enemies, and rebells. When he fixed his station in Canaan, 6 He stood and measured the earth: he beholded and driven asunder the nations, and the everlasting mountaines were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting. and gave order by Joshua, for the dividing of the land of promise; he( by his very look) driven out the nations before Israel; those mountaines, which from their first creation, had been fixed to their places, were now so shaken at the awful presence of God, as if they had been scattered and removed from their foundations; those hills which had ever stood upright, now bowed; so dreadful and glorious is God for ever, in the manifestation of himself to his creatures. I saw the neighbouring nations of the Arabians, 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. and Aethiopians, in great distress; and the Midianites trembling under the expectation of his judgements, which he was ready to bring upon them, in the behalf of his people. O God, when thou dividedst the read Sea, 8 Was the Lord displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the Sea; that thou didst ride upon thy horses, and thy charets of salvation. and driedst up the river of Jordan, was it upon any displeasure that thou conceivedst against those waters? or wa it out of a desire to triumph over the sea, that thou didst, as it were, pass, in state, upon the horses, and charets of salvation, and deliverance, before thy people, through the channel thereof? or was it not for the confusion of those proud egyptians which pursued thine Israel. Thou didst draw forth, 9 Thy bow was made quiter naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. and bend the bow of thy mighty power among thine enemies, according to the oaths, which thou sworest to the tribes of Israel; even the word of promise which thou gavest them to settle them in that good land. Selah. Thou didst cleave in sunder the rivers which run upon the earth, to give way to thy people. The very mountaines felt the terribleness of thy presence, and shooke withall, 10 The mountaines saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lift up his hands on high. the over-flowing stream of the read Sea, and Jordan passed backward in their channels; the deep made a noise in his running together on heaps,& did lift up his waves, as so many hands to praise and magnify thy power. The sun, 11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation, at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of the glittering spear. and the moon stood still upon the command of Joshua, for the time, in the orbs of their heaven; in which extraordinary light of those standing plants, thy thunder and lightning and hailstones flew abroad, as so many arrows, or glittering spears, to wound thine enemies. 12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thrash the heathen in anger. In despite of which enemies, thou didst march through the land of Canaan, before thy people, in great indignation at their resistance, and didst subdue the heathen before them, in thine anger. 13 With thine anointed, thou woundedst the head out of the houses of the wicked, by discovering the foundation, unto the neck. Selah. With Moses thy servant, thou didst cut off the Kings, and Princes, which were the heads of those seven wicked nations, and leftest them destitute; even as when the head is cut off by the sword, the junctures thereof unto the neck and shoulders, are fully discovered. 14 Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages, they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly. Thou diddest with thine immediate judgements, and by the weapons of thy people, overthrow those which were the Princes, and leaders of those hostile forces; they came out furiously as a whirl wind to scatter& defeat Israel; and they rejoiced to think how easily their power and subtlety should be able to consume this poor handful of thy people. 15 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters. When thou led'st thy people through the Sea, thou didst, as it were, pass triumphantly with thine horses of war through the heaps of the great waters. 16 When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered at the voice, rottenness entred into my bones, and I trembled in myself that I might rest in the day of trouble; when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. I heard thy speeches, O Lord, as I before said, concerning those grievous afflictions, which thou hast threatened to bring upon thy people; and when I heard thereof, I was moved with much fear, and compassion; my heart trembled, my lips shooke; and I was even consumed with inward grief and heaviness; and all this sorrow, and consternation, should I think well bestowed; on condition, that I might rest in the day of the common calamity; when the Chaldees come up against my nation, and invade Judah with their troops. 17 Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the Vines, the labour of the Olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall bee cut of from the fold, and there shall bee no herde in the stalls. Although God should so cross us, as that none of these outward comforts should prosper in our hands; though our fig-trees should not yield us any blossoms, nor our vines yield us grapes, though our olive trees should fail us, after the labour and cost bestowed on them, though our fields should yield us no grain, nor our folds any flocks, nor our stalls any herds. 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord: I will joy in the God of my salvation. Yet I will depend cheerfully upon the Lord, even against hope, and joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk upon my high places, to the chief singer on my stringed instruments. See 2 Sam. 22. verse 34, &c. ZEPHANIAH. CAP. I. I Will utterly waste and consume all things from off this land of Judea, 2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord. which hath so grievously provoked me, saith the Lord; And I will destroy those abominable Idols which have been stumbling blocks to their followers; together with their Idolatrous clients. 3 And the stumbling blocks with the wicked. I will cut off those that remain of the worshippers of Baal, from this place; 4 And I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarins with the Priests. and the name of those Idolatrous Priests of his, together with those corrupt ministers of my sanctuary. And those that build altars on the roofs of their houses to the hosts of heaven, &c. 5 And them that worship the host of heaven: Do thou with an awful fear,& silence, 7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand, for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath been his guests. make account to see the execution of these judgements, from the Lord; for the day thereof is nigh at hand; the Lord hath made preparation to a very great slaughter, which he shortly intendeth. So also verse 8. In that day will I punish those, which violently break into the houses of their peaceable neighbours, 9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters houses with violence and deceit. and take away their goods forcibly, filling their masters houses, with treasures gotten by rapine and fraud. There shall be a general lamentation and shrieking in all the street, of Jerusalem, 10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that there shall bee the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. from the fish gates which is in the upper part of the cities to the lowermost gate, thereof; and great noises of the falling of houses,& outcries of men, from the hills, in the remotest parts of Jerusalem. howl ye inhabitants of the hollow valley of Cedron, 11 howl ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down: all they that bear silver, are cut off. for all the merchants which dwelled in those parts are cut off; all those rich men which had wont to drive a great trade with their silver, are now perished, and gone. And it shall come to pass in that day, 12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees, that say in their heart, the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. that I will make a curious search, in Jerusalem, and will leave no corner thereof unsought for the fetching out, and punishing of those soul, and secure offenders, which have hardened themselves with resolutions of wickedness; and have determinately settled themselves to live in their known sins, and say in their hearts; Tush, it is all one whether wee do good, or evil, the Lord will not regard it, whethersoever we do. 14 The great day of the Lord is near. The great day of Gods revenge upon Jerusalem is near at hand, &c. So also verse 15. and 16. CAP. II. 2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff. BEfore the command of God bring forth all this heavy judgement upon you; before the day of your captivity come upon you; which is coming upon you with such speed, and violence, as the chaff is driven with a strong wind, 3 seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth which have wrought his judgement, seek righteousness seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hide in the day of the Lords anger. &c. Pray to the Lord, O all ye that are well disposed,& conscionable upon earth, ye which have endeavoured to do that which is just and right before him; go ye on still to approve yourselves to him in your holy carriage, and good affections, it may be, that God will be pleased to deliver you from the common judgement. 4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon, a desolation, they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall bee rooted up. For ye shall see the hand of God( by way of fore-warning) upon all those cities, that belong to the philistines, upon Gaza, and Ashkelon, and Ashdod and Ekron; all these shall be destroyed, and rooted up openly before your eyes. 5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the Sea cost, the nation of the Cherethites, the word of the Lord is against you, O Canaan, the land of the philistines. Woe to the inhabitants of the cost of the Mediterranean Sea; even to the Cherethites, that dwell there; the word of the Lord threatens speedy destruction against thee, O thou region of Canaan, which art possessed by the philistines, &c. 6 And the Sea cost shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks: And those Sea coasts shall bee left desolate, and unpeopled; onely there shall be some solitary cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks, along those shores. 7 And the cost shall be for the remnant of the houses of judah, they shall feed thereupon, in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lye down in the evening, for the Lord their God shall visit them and turn away their captivity. And afterward, this whole tract shall be repossessed by those of the house of Judah; they shall bee settled in this country; and after their captivity is past,( as it were in the latter end of the day) they shall be the owners of the land and cities of the philistines; for the Lord their God shall in mercy remember them, and return them from their captivity. For he will destroy all the idols of the earth, 11 For he will famish all the gods of the earth, &c. and famish all those false deities, in withdrawing from them the offerings, and gifts of their deluded followers, &c. And not only Moab and Ammon, 12 Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword. but ye Ethiopians also, shall be slain( at my appointment) by the sword of nabuchadnezzar. So also verse 13. Even Niniveh, that mighty city, 13 And he will stretch out his hand against the North, and destroy Assyria, and will make Niniveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness. shall be so desolated by the sword of the Babylonian, as that flocks shall lye down in the midst of those, which were her streets; all the beasts of the countries round about may either pass or feed there; all the birds of solitariness, and desolation shall take up their lodgings, in the ruinous remainders of that goodly city; and the cedar-feelings thereof shall lye uncovered. So verse 15. CAP. III. WOe to Jerusalem which is filthy, 1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city. and polluted with abominable wickedness; Woe to the cruel and oppressing city, Jerusalem. Her Princes are fierce, and cruel, like roaring lions; 3 Her Princes within her are roaring lions, her Iudges are evening wolves they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. her judges are covetous, and greedy, like the hungry wolves, which range forth in the evening, which when they find a prey, devour it at once, and stay not to gnaw upon the bones, but swollow them down hastily. They have violently strained the law of God to their own senses, and to the favour of their wicked practices. 4 They have done violence to the law. The holy and just God is in the midst of her; 5 The just Lord is in the midst thereof, he will not do iniquity, every morning doth he bring his Iudgement to light, he faileth not, but the unjust knoweth not shane. both to observe her carriage, and to instruct her in the ways of his laws, and to punish her sinful failings, and doth, and will proceed accordingly; he will not be unjust in the forbearing her; but doth every day show some judgement, or other upon her wicked inhabitants; he faileth not, thus to correct, and warn her; but the unjust are not sensible of any shane, or danger that is towards them. I have given them sufficient warning by those judgements, 6 I have cut off the nations. which I have brought upon the nations about them, &c. I said of thee, O Jerusalem▪ surely thou wilt be premonished by my judgements, to fear me: 7 I said, surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction, so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them; but they rose early, and corrupted al their doings. Thou wilt receive good counsel, and instruction, that so I might turn away my threatened destruction from thee, howsoever I might afflict thee for a time; but they contrarily gave themselves to an eager, and wilful pursuit of their sins, and have shamefully corrupted all their doings. Therefore since both the nations, and ye, are so unreclaimably sinful, 8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I raise up to the pray; for my determination as to gather the nations that I may assemble the kingdoms, to power upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger. make account of an heavy day; wherein I will rise up to execute my vengeance upon you, and them; for my determination is, to gather the nations, and assemble the kingdoms, that I may enwrappe them in one common destruction, &c. 9 For then will turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord After which, I will restore peace to my people; and will so work with them, that abandoning all false worship and Idolatry, they shall with pure hearts and lips confess me their Lord Christ, &c. 10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed shal bring mine offering. From the remotest parts of the world shall suppliants be gathered into my Church; both Jews and Gentiles shall bring offerings unto me; and subject themselves to my gospel. 11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me, for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride,& thou shalt no more be haughty because of mine holy mountain. In that day thou shalt have no cause to be ashamed of all thy former offences; wherein thou hast transgressed against me; since both I have fully forgiven them, and reformed them also; for then I will take away from thee that vain pride and confidence, which too many of my people put in the holinesse of mount Zion, and the Temple there; as if that alone could secure them from all evils, and procure all blessings. 12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people and they shal trust in the name of the Lord. Rather, in the stead of these proud boasters, I will leave in the midst of thee, those meek, and humble souls which shall be vile in their own eyes, and shall place all their trust in Christ their Saviour. 13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity nor speak lies; neither shal a deceitful tongue bee found in their mouth, for they shall feed, and lye down, and none shall make them afraid. And those selected people, which shall give up their names to me, in my Church shall make due conscience of their ways; not daring, either to do wickedly, or speak deceitfully; for they shall be under the leading of a faithful shepherd; under whose power and mercy they shall feed safely and quietly, and none shall make them afraid. 14 Sing O daughter of Zion. Sing praises therefore unto the Lord, O thou Church of the faithful, &c. 15 The Lord hath taken away thy judgements, he hath cast out thine enemy, the King of Israel, even the Lord is in the midst of thee. The Lord hath removed away both thy sins, and his judgements, from thee; he hath subdued thy spiritual enemies under thee, &c. Thou shalt not have cause to fear any evil that may befall thee. So also verse 16.17. I will gather together, and comfort them that mourn after the solemn assemblies of Sion, 18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. grieving at their withholding therefrom, by their forced captivity; who are a feeling part of thee my Church; to whom the reproach of their long restraint was a burden. I will save the remnant of Israel that were maimed, and halting under too much oppression, &c. 19 I will save her that halteth, &c. HAGGAI. CAP. I. THe people make excuses for their neglect, 2 This people say, the time is not come, the time that the Lords house should be built. and say, the time is not yet comne for the building up of the Temple; fain would we be re-edifying it, but we see opposition made by our envious neighbours, so as it is not yet seasonable to go about it. Is it time for you, O ye Jews, 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your seeled houses, and this house lye waste? to build for yourselves, faire houses, and to take your pleasure in enjoying of them, whiles ye suffer Gods house to lye waste? Consider well the courses that ye take, 5 Consider your ways. & the success of your affairs. God hath justly crossed you in all your hopes, 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little, ye eat, but ye have not enough, ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink, ye cloath you, but there is none warm,& he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes and endeavours; Ye have sown much, expecting a goodly crop, but ye find little to reap, &c. and he that earneth wages, is never the better, never the richer; his gains do not prosper in his hands. go ye up to mount Libanus, cut down cedars, 8 go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house, and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. and bring them up to Sion, and build this Temple of mine, and though it be not done with that state, and magnificence, wherewith it was formerly, yet I will take pleasure in it, and account myself glorified in, and by it, saith the Lord. 9 I did blow upon it, &c. I crossed your hopes and designs in it, &c. CAP. II. 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory, and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? IF there be any yet alive amongst you, that saw this Temple in her first glory, as it was built by Salomon, ere it was rained by nabuchadnezzar, and sees it now in the present homely estate, wherein it is; will he not think meanly of it, as a thing not worthy to be regarded? 4 Yet now bee strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord, and be strong O josuah, son of Iosedech the high priest, and bee strong all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts. Yet now be of good courage, O Zerubbabel, &c. and be strong, and go forward cheerfully with the work, O ye people of the land; for I do both graciously accept, and will mercifully bless your endeavours herein. According to the word of my covenant with you, when ye came out of egypt, 5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you, fear ye not. that ye should be my people, and I would be your God; so will I perform my protection, and the presence of my spirit with you; fear ye not. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Once I did in great terror deliver my law; 6 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, Yet once it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth and the sea, and the dry land. and now ere any long time, I will once more work a great change in my Church, by the bringing in of my gospel; before, and in the exhibiting whereof, as I did formerly, in the delivery of the law, I will do wondrous things, both in heaven and earth, to the astonishing of the inhabitants thereof. 7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. And besides the prodigies in heaven, and earth, wherewith men shall be moved to amazement, I will cause great commotions of warres, amongst all nations, who shall be grievously embroiled; and then immediately, peace being restored to the world, the promised and desired messiah, the Saviour of the world shall come; and I will fill this house with the glory of his presence in it; for he shall come under the roof thereof. 8, 9. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts, the glory of this later house shall be greater then of the former, saith the Lord of hosts, and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. think not that I stand upon matter of cost, or price of metals; all the silver and gold which is hide in the bowels of the earth, is mine, and how easy were it for me, thus to adorn my house; but I would have you to know that the glory of this house of mine doth not consist in these outward things; no, the glory of this later house( though meaner in structure) shall be greater, then of the former, saith the Lord; in that my son the Saviour of the world, being clothed in flesh, shall come personally, and visibly under the roof of it; and that from thence shall the gospel go forth to all the world even that gospel of peace, which shall work a true and blessed tranquillity to every believer. 12, 13, 14. If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meate, shall it bee holy? and the priests answered and said, no: then said Haggai if one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? and the priests answered and said, it shall be unclean; then answered Haggai and said, so is this people,& so is this nation before me, saith the Lord, and so is every work of their hands, and that which they offer there, is unclean. As a man that toucheth, or carrieth about him a sanctified thing, is not thereby made clean and holy; neither doth thereby sanctify or make holy those other things, which he toucheth; So ye Jews, though ye have an holy altar, and there bee holy sacrifices offered thereon, yet this holinesse of your altar cannot sanctify you; But, as contrarily, if a man that is unclean, through any occasion of legal impurity, touch bread, or flesh, or any such thing, that very thing, which he toucheth, is by that touch made unclean; so ye Jews being morally polluted, and unclean, do by your sinful impurity pollute my altars, and offerings, and all the services that ye go about. And now I pray you, consider, 15 And now I pray you consider from this day, and upward, from before the ston was laid upon a ston, in the Temple of the Lord. and look back from this day, unto the time that the first ston was laid in the foundation( which is above one hundred yeares) since when there hath not been a ston laid upon it. In all that time of your slackness, and neglect, 16 Since those daies were, when one came to a heap of twenty measures there were but ten. I did so sensibly cross you, that you might well find it, in your corn, and oil, and wine, in all which your hopes failed you notably; 18 Consider now from this day, and upward from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the Lords Temple was laid, consider it: where one made account to have gathered twenty measures, he found but ten, &c. And now, that ye may see Gods blessing upon you, for setting your hands, to the building of his Temple, consider his dealings with you ever since the four and twentieth day of November( when ye began to renew the work of this building) consider. As yet the seed is so far from yielding an harvest-increase to the barn, that it is scarce sprouted up; 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet, the vine, and the fig three, and the pomegranate& the olive three hath not brought forth: from this day, will I bless you. as yet there is no proof of your other fruits, the vines, pomegranates, olives; but mark how plentifully from this very day, God will bless you in all these. I will make a sensible and wonderful alteration in the world. 21 I will shake the heavens and the earth. For I will overthrow the t●●ones of divers kingdoms, 22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen, and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them, and the horses and their riders shall come down every one by the sword of his brother. and will cause the opposite kingdoms of the heathen, to subdue one another; and besides the broils of foreign warres, I will cause the power of great kingdoms to be impaired, and overturned by civill divisions. 23 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts. But as for thee, O Zerubbabel, my faithful servant, which hast been zealous to advance my service, and to build my Temple; I will take thee and thy posterity into my dearest respects, and special care; for I have made choice of thee, as the man, from whose loins, in the fullness of time, I will take that flesh, wherewith I shall be clothed, saith the Lord of hosts. ZECHARIAH. CAP. I. 5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? YOur Fathers are dead; It is true, you say; and so are the Prophets too; both of them were men; it was not for them to live here, 6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the Prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned,& said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. for ever. But though my Prophets died, yet the words both of counsels, and menaces, which they delivered to your fathers, live still; and were acknowledged by those your fathers to be justly verified in, and upon them; whiles they freely confessed to Gods glory, and to their own shane; Right so as God threatened to deal with us according to our doings, even so hath he done; we are sinful and miserable, and he is just. In the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, 7 Vpon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat. which was the month of our January, &c. I had a vision by night; Christ the angel of the covenant represented himself to me as a man riding upon a read horse; 8 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a read horse, and he stood upon the myrtle trees that were in the bottom, and behind him were three read horses, specled and white. by that fiery colour implying his readiness to be revenged on the enemies of his Church; and he stood among the myrtle trees, that were in the valley, to signify the low and d●pressed condition of the Jews in their Babylonish captivity; and behind him were several Angels, that were ready to attend his commands, furnished with great power for that purpose. Then said I to the angel, which shewed me this vision; O my Lord, what are these? and the same angel answered me, I will show thee what these be. 9 Then said I, O my Lord, what are these? and the Angel that talked with me, said unto me, I will show thee what these be. And the great angel of the Covenant( Christ Jesus) who stood among the myrtle-trees, 10 And the man that stood among the mirtle-trees answered, and said, these are they, whom the Lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth. ( as taking the answer out of the mouth of that angel who spake in me) answered, and said; These are ministering spirits, whom the Lord hath sent to take view of all the parts of the world, and to give an account of the estate of earthly affairs. 11 And they answered the angel of the Lord that stood among the myrtle trees, and said, wee have walked to and fro through the earth, and behold, all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest. And those ministering spirits accordingly gave answer unto Christ, the son of God; We have according to our charge, and commission, passed to and fro, through the world; and behold, all the earth is now free from warres and open hostilities; for the Babylonian having tyranically spoyled thy people and his neighbours, is now at rest, and finds no opposition. 12 Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on jerusalem and on the cities of judah, against which thou hast had indignation these three score and ten yeares. Then Christ the mediator of his Church, answered and said: O Lord of hosts, how long will it be, ere thou show mercy to to thy chosen people, to Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah; whom thou hast now these seventy yeares afflicted, with a miserable captivity? I am much affencted with the miseries of Jerusalem, and of Zion; 14 I am jealous for jerusalem, and for Zion with a great jealousy. and conceive great and just indignation against the enemies thereof. I am highly offended with these Chaldees, which are now at ease, and take their pleasure; for, 15 And I am very sore displeased wath the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. I was indeed displeased with the sins of my people, and intended to chastise them for their offences; but these Chaldees prosecuted their own malice, and ambition, and aggravated their afflictions to their utmost. And Jerusalem shall bee built again after so long ruin, and desolation. 16 And a line shall bee stretched forth upon jerusalem. And behold, four horns of iron were represented unto me. Then said I, to the angel, 18, 19 Then I lift up mine eyes, and saw& behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What bee these? and he answered me, these are the horns which have scattered judah, Israel, and jerusalem. who shewed me this vision, what be these; or what do they signify? and he answered me. These are the enemies of my Church, which from all the four coasts of heaven have set upon, and spoiled Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. As those horns represented the enemies of the Church, 20, 21 And the Lord shewed me four carpenters; then said I, what came these to do? and he spake saying, these are the horns which have scattered judah, so that no man did lift up his head, but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lift up their horn over the land of judah to scatter it. which should push down all the cities of Judah, and Israel; so these carpenters represent the friends& favourers of my Church, which come to repair that which the despiteful heathen have demolished; and to redress all that mischief which those four horns have done. CAP. II. ANd said unto him; Make hast, speak thus to Zechariah, saying; Jerusalem shall not onely be re-inhabited, 4 And said unto him, run, speak to this young man, saying, jerusalem shal bee inhabited as towns without walls, for the multitude of men and cattle therein. but shall so abound with people, as that the walls thereof shall not be able to contain the multitude of them, which shall dwell there. For I,( saith the Lord) will be a sure protection unto her, 5 For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. against her enemies; and with my presence will encompass her, as with a wall of fire, which none dare approach: and as I will be her safety, without; so I will be her glory, within; for I will bee known to be her God, and manifest my presence there. 6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the North, saith the Lord, for I have spread abroad as the four winds of the heaven saith the Lord. Say then to the Jews; Ho, all ye my people, come away out of that land of your captivity; saith the Lord, for now I have enlarged you; and blessed you both with liberty, and such increase, that ye shall spread yourselves abroad all the world over. 7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. Make hast therefore, O ye the ancient inhabitants of Jerusalem, which dwell as yet in Babylon; and come out of that your exile, and servitude. 8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, after the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you; for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the restoring of glory to thee, O Jerusalem, I will not rest there; but will call unto reckoning( by him who is the mediator, and King of my Church) those nations which have spoiled you; and I will let the world know how tenderly I am affencted to you; and they shall find that he that toucheth you, doth, as it were, touch the apple of mine eye. 9 For behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall bee a spoil to their servants. For behold, I will but give a sign to those nations, by shaking my hand to them, that I have given way to the destruction of these your enemies; and they shall immediately become a spoil to those, which lately were their tributaries and servants, &c. 13 Be silent O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. O all ye sons of men, be ye awfully affencted to this great, and just God; whom ye have thus seen to manifest his power from heaven, for the deliverance, and preservation of his Church. CAP. III. ANd he shewed me in vision, 1 And he shewed me Ioshua the high Priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at this right hand to resist him. Joshua the son of Jehosedech the high Priest,( bearing the type of the son of God who is the everlasting high-Priest of his Church) standing before the Lord, to intercede for his people, and Satan( the adversary of Gods Church) standing ready to resist him. 2 And the Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuk thee, O Satan, even the Lord that hath chosen jerusalem, rebuk thee: is not this a brand puluckt out of the fire? Then Christ the Lord,( who was here resembled and represented in both his natures, in his humanity by Joshua, in his deity by the angel) said unto Satan; God, even the eternal Father, rebuk thee, O Satan; the Lord who hath chosen Jerusalem for the place of his worship rebuk thee, for that malicious opposition, which thou makest to his Church, and to this faithful high-Priest thereof; whom yet thou shalt in vain strive to resist; for is not he as a brand plucked out of the furnace of Babylon? dost thou not see Gods good purpose to him, and to his Church, in his delivery? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, 3 Now Ioshua was clothed with filthy garments. as the rags of his captivity; representing the high-Priest of the new Testament, who took upon him our sins, and infirmities, &c. 4 And he answered, and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, take away the filthy garments from him; and unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee,& I will cloth thee with change of raiment. And he said to those ministering spirits that stood before him; Take away from him these filthy garments, the base and loathsome weeds of servitude and sorrow; And to Joshua himself he said; Behold, I have determined to restore thee to the glory which pertains to thy great function; in token whereof, I have caused these rags,( the monuments of that thy bondage, and of those sins, which thou undertakest to expiate,) to be put away from thee; and I will cloth thee gloriously, in stead of these nasty garments. 5 And I said, let him set a faire mitre upon his head, so they set a faire mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And accordingly, I command you to set a faire mirer upon his head; let him be endowed, with all those graces, and abilities that may bee fit for the discharge of his office, and for his own ornament, and glory, &c. Then shalt thou, 7 Then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my Courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. ( and thy sons after thee) rule over my house, as chief Priest; and have the prime over sight and command of my courts; and at last will give thee a place in everlasting glory, so, as thou shalt walk gloriously in white, amongst these blessed Angells. And now O Joshua the high Priest, hearken thou, 8 hear now, O Ioshua the high Priest, thou and thy fellowes that sit before thee; for they are men wondered at, for Behold, I will bring forth my servant the branch. and those thy assistants in thy sacred function, that sit before thee;( they are by their places men whose persons do portend future things, to the Church; being made the signs of things to come, and therefore fit to know, and foreshow this great mystery) for behold, I will exhibit unto the world Christ the Saviour; whom I have ordained to work that great business of mediation for my Church; whose visible presence shal grace that Temple, which ye are now to build. In signification of which Saviour, I have laid before Joshua, 9 For behold, the ston that I have laid before Ioshua; upon one ston shall be seven eyes, behold I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will remove the iniquities of that land in one day. a ston, to resemble him who is the chief corner ston of his Church; whereon it shall bee firmly built; behold, he shall be a ston of note; all eyes of Angells and men shall be upon be him; all the graces of my Spirit shall be powred on him; and he shall be polished, and set forth with all the gifts thereof, above measure; and I will, for his sake, do away all the iniquity of my people, at once; so as it shall no more bee imputed to them. 10 In that day saith the Lord of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour, under the vine, and under the fig three. In that day shall my servants enjoy a true spiritual peace, and an happy communion with each other, in the favours, and blessings of God. CAP. IIII. 2 And behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which were upon the top thereof. ANd behold a candlestick all of gold, resembling the Church of God; with a bowl upon the top thereof( whence the several lamps were deduced) resembling Christ, the author of all the spiritual lights of his Church; seven lamps were thereon, resembling the teachers, and governours of the Church; seven pipes appertained to those seven lamps; resembling those means and conveyances of grace by which God enableth his servants to give light to his Church. 3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. And two olive trees stood by it; resembling the plentiful graces of Gods Spirit,& ever-flourishing doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, which are always ready at hand, to furnish those holy lamps, with sufficient abilities and matter of instruction to his Church. 6 This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel saying; not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts. This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, who is now in hand to build the Temple. think not that by thy might, and power thou art able to compass this great work; that this candlestick is furnished with these shining lamps; and that these lamps are furnished with a supply of oil, and that these olives live to yield that supply, it is not from man, but from the power of my holy Spirit who worketh al things for the good of my Church. Who are ye, O ye professed opposites to my people, 7 Who art thou, O great mountain, before Zerubbabel? thou shalt become a plain, and he shall bring forth the head ston thereof with shoutings, crying, grace, grace unto it. Sanballat, Tobiah, Rehum, Shimshai, and the rest of that wicked combination, which set yourselves against this work of mine; were ye as some huge mountain, yet before Zerubbabel, ye should be as a low, and level plain; In despite of you, he shall bring forth the head ston of the roof of my Temple, even the last ston, that shall make up the battlements thereof; and shall lay it upon the finished walls, with the shouting, and joyful acclamation of all my people; who shall praise God for his mercy, and pray to him for an happy blessing upon his Temple. So also verse 9. Why did ye, O ye faithless Jews, 10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice and shall see the plummet, in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven: they are the eyes of the Lord which run to& fro through the whole earth. look so discontentedly upon the mean foundations of this Temple? and weep to think of that goodly structure of Solomons, compared with this? there shall bee no cause of this disparagement; ye shall rather find reason to rejoice in this noble work, which ye see Zerubbabel in hand to finish, whiles, besides the glory of this work, ye shall aclowledge the abundant graces of Gods spirit powred out upon men( under this Temple;) and the infinite protection, and providence of God, which as it diffuseth itself to all the corners of the world, so especially hath magnified itself in the care of this Temple, and Jerusalem. See verse 3. 11 What are these two olive trees. Those two olive branches resemble the special graces, 14 Then said he, these are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. which God hath bestowed upon these two anointed servants of his, that stand before him, Zerubbabel, and Joshua; by whose means it pleaseth God to convey many favours and blessings to his Church. CAP. V. ANd I said; I see a roll of paper flying in the air, 2 And I answered, I see a flying roll, the length thereof twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits. of very great extent; for it is twenty cubits in length, and ten in breadth; so as it contains great store of writing therein. Then said he unto me; 3 Then said he unto me, this is the curse, that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth, for every one that stealeth shall be cut off, as on this side; according to it, and every one that sweareth, shall be cut off, as on that side, according to it. In this large roll is written that curse, which perraines to all wicked sinners, over the face of the whole earth; for every one that stealeth shall be punished, and cut off, according to the judgement set down in that roll; and on the other side, every one that sweareth, shall be cut off, according to the judgement specified therein. And he said, this is an Ephah that is now represented unto thee, 6 And I said, what is it? and he said, this is an Ephah that goeth forth. he said moreover, this is their resemblance through all the earth. as passing forth, before thee; to signify the measure of the iniquity of my people, made fully up; and he said, This Ephah is the resemblance of the great measure of all the sins of Israel, heaped up together against me by them, all the world over. 7, 8. And behold, there was lift up a talent of led; and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the Ephah. And he said, this is wickedness, and he cast it into the midst of the Ephah, and he cast the weight of led upon the mouth thereof. And behold, there was also represented unto me a leaden weight; and withall, a woman sitting in the midst of the Ephah. That woman which he cast into the midst of the Ephah, resembled the person of those wicked Jews, which he meant to cast out of his Church; of whom he said; These are so wicked; that they are as wickedness itself, that leaden weight, which he laid upon the mouth of the Ephah,( to depress the woman there enclosed) resembled that heavy weight of judgement, wherewith he decreed to load, and humble those wicked ones, of the Jews; from which they should not rise up, till his season appointed. 9 Then lift I up mine eyes, and looked, and behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings,( for they had wings like the wings of a stark) and they lift up the Ephah between the earth. Then lifted I up my eyes, and looked, and behold the executioners of Gods just sentence( resembled by two women,) which had the wind in their wings,( to resemble the exceeding speed which they should make in the performance of their charge) lifted up the Ephah, to carry it away with them. 11 And he said unto me, to build it an house in the land of Shinar, and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base. And he said unto me; These carry away the wickedness of the Jews, together with the owners thereof, into Babylon, whence it came; and there shall it settle and grow; where it first had its accursed original. CAP. VI. 1 Went out from between two mountaines, and the mountaines were mountaines of brass. WEnt out from the unchangeable decree of God. 5 These are the spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. These are four angelical, and heavenly powers, which upon the command,& mission of the Lord of the whole earth, go forth to all the parts of the world, to execute his will amongst men. 6 The black horses which are therein go forth into the North country' and the white go forth after them, and the grisled go forth toward the south country. Those Angels which are represented by the black horses, are they, which go forth into Babylon for the punishment of those Chaldees, which have afflicted Gods people; and those that are represented by the white horses, go forth thither also, for the comfort and preservation of those Jews, which are left there; Those which are represented by the grisled, go forth towards Judea, to take order with those neighbour enemies, which resist the work of the Lord in the hands of Gods people. Those which were represented by the bay( as not being designed to any particular place, 7 And the bay went forth, and sought to go, that they might walk to and fro through the earth. ) went forth to pass to and fro through the whole earth; to take charge of the Church of God, scattered in all the parts of the world, &c. Behold, 8 Behold, these that go toward the North country have quieted my spirit, in the North country. those Angels that were sent to Babylonward have done that acceptable service, on which they were sent; both in comforting Gods people, and punishing their enemies which are in those parts. Then take of the silver and gold which is offered to the Lord, 11 Then take silver, and gold, and make crownes and set them upon the head of Ioshua the son of Iosedech the high priest by those Jews which are comne from Babylon; and make two crownes thereof; and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high-priest who represents him who is the eternal High-priest, and King of his Church. Saying, Behold the man, who is the true type of the Messiah, that flourishing branch of the stock of Jesse; 12 Saying, behold the man whose name is the branch, and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the Temple of the Lord. even this Joshua; he shall grow up and prosper out of Sion, and shall build up the Temple of the Lord; in type of Jesus the Mediator of the new Testament, who shall fill heaven and earth with his glory, and shall build up a spiritual Temple, which shall endure for ever. So also verse 13. He shall be both a Priest in his Temple, 13 He shall be a Priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall bee between them both. and a King in his throne; and a Prophet to his Church, giving counsels of peace and eternal salvation to both Jews, and Gentiles. And those crownes shall be kept, 14 And the crownes shall be to Helem, and to Tobiiah. and hanged up in the Temple of the Lord, as a memorial and monument of the liberal offering made by Helem, and Tobiah, &c. Vpon whose laudable example, 15 And they that are far off, shall come and build in the Temple of the Lord. not only those which are near, but those which are far off in place of habitation, shall come up, and offer munificently towards the building of the Temple of the Lord, &c. CAP. VII. 1 In the fourth day of the ninth month even in Chisleu. IN the fourth day of the month of November. 2, 3. When they had sent unto the house of God. Sherezer, and Regem-melech,& their men to pray before the Lord,& to speak unto the Priests, which were in the house of the Lord of hosts, and to the Prophets, saying, should I weep in the fift month, separating myself as I have done these, so many yeares. When the body of the then-Jewish Church which were returned from the captivity, and planted in Judea, sent certain deputies, or messengers, in the name of the whole, to offer up their religious devotions in the Temple; and to inquire of the Priests of the Lord, and the Prophets, concerning the anniversary observation of that fast, which they had hitherto kept in the fift month upon the sad remembrance of the destruction of the Temple; saying, Wee have hitherto duly kept this solemn fast for many yeares; but now, we desire to be informed by you, since that the Temple is now repaired, and finished, whether it be fit and requisite, that wee should continue that fast of the fift month any more, afflicting ourselves with the memory of the demolishing of that, which is now so happily reedified. 5 When ye fasted and mourned in the fift and seventh month, even those seventy yeares, did ye at al fast unto me, even to me? When ye fasted and mourned both in the fift month for the Temple, and in the seventh for Gedaliah, did ye do this( even all these seventy yeares) out of any charge of mine; or did ye it out of any true remorse for those sins of yours, which pulled these judgements upon you, and not rather out of a sense of your own sorrow, and misery? 6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves. And contrarily, when, on your other solemn festival daies, ye did eat, and drink, and make merry; was it out of any spiritual joy ye had in me, and my service, and not rather for your own pleasure, and jollity. 7 Should ye not hear the words, which the Lord hath cried by the former Prophets when jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south of the plain. Should ye not rather have hearkened to the words which the Lord spake loud in your ears, by the former Prophets; when Jerusalem was in her glory and prosperity: and all her daughter cities round about her; when the plains of the South parts were fully, and richly inhabited? which if ye had done, this misery and desolation had not seized upon us; wee had had no need of these mourning fasts. Yea, they wilfully hardened their hearts against the counsels given them by the Lord; and made them as hard as an adamant ston, 12 Yea, they made their hearts as an Adamant ston. which is utterly impeirceable, &c. 14 For they laid the pleasant land desolate. They by their great sins exposed this pleasant land to utter spoil and desolation. CAP. VIII. See Zechar. 1. verse 14. 2 I was jealous for Zion, with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great, &c. IF it seem a thing strange and difficult unto you,( the remnant of the people) that Jerusalem should be thus blessed with peace& prosperity; 6 If it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these daies, should it also be marvelous in my eyes, saith the Lord of hosts? it is no whit strange or difficult unto me; saith the Lord of hosts. Behold, I will both preserve, 7 Behold I will save my people from the East country, and from the West country. and fetch home my people from all the coasts of heaven; from the East and West-countries; and from the North( viz. of Babylon) much more. Be ye of good courage, 9 Let your hands bee strong. and go cheerfully about the work. For before these daies, 10 For before these daies, there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast, neither was there any peace to him that went out, or came in, because of the affliction; for I set all men, every one against his neighbour. whiles ye slackened the building of the Temple, ye lived in penury and want; your labours were heartless, and despiteful; ye were infested, and endangered with enemies, so as ye could not stir out of your houses, without peril; for, as a just punishment of your neglect, I did cause both outward, and inward broils and quarrels, to be raised up amongst you. But now, it shall be otherwise; 11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people, as in the former daies, saith the Lord. since ye address yourselves to this work, hearty and willingly, I will bee favourable, and gracious to you, saith the Lord. &c. As I justly decreed to punish you, 14 As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts. when your fathers provoked me to wrath by their sins, and by their wilful neglect of my work; and accordingly performed it, faith the Lord. So again, &c. Thus saith the Lord; 19 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fift, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall bee to the house of judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts, therefore love the truth and peace. Be not careful of the keeping of those your solemn fasts; for I will turn all those fasts of yours,( both that which you keep in the fourth month, in memory of the breaking down of the wall of Jerusalem; and that which you keep in the fift, in memory of the burning of the Temple; and that which ye keep in the seventh, in memory of the murder of Gedaliah; and that which ye keep in the tenth, in memory of the first siege laid to Jerusalem) all these will I turn to joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts unto the house of Judah; therefore, be ye careful to carry yourselves holily, justly, peaceably, before your God. 20 21 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people and the inhabitants of many cities, and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts. And more then so, I will give an happy increase to my Church; many people and nations shall be added unto it; and shall cheerfully join together, and encourage each other in my service, both by their hearty counsels, and examples. So also verse 22. 23 In those daies it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a jew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. In those dayes it shall come to pass, that the Gentiles shall be added to the Church; in such number, and zeal, as that many of them shall resort to one well-informed convert of the Christian-Jewes, and shall desire to bee taught by him in the truth of godliness. CAP. IX. 1 The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall bee the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord. THe heavy message that God sends to those cities and countries which have offered cruel violence to his people; in particular, this errand of judgement shall light upon the region and city of Damascus; which shall be accordingly executed upon them; since the eyes of the neighbour nations round about, but especially of all the tribes of Israel, are earnestly intent to expect this revenge from the hand of the Lord. 23 And Hamah also shall border thereby, Tyrus and Zidon, though it bee very wise, and Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust. Neither shall Hamath be freed there from; nor Tyrus and Zidon, though they be crafty and subtle enough, to use all human power, and wit, for their own safety, and evasion; and though Tyrus have built strong holds for her defence, and have heaped up great treasures of wealth, &c. 4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea, and she shall be devoured with fire. But the Lord will sand an enemy against her, even Alexander of Macedon, which shall subdue and vanquish her, and defeat her power by sea, and she shall bee consumed with fire. 5 Ashkelon shall see it, and fear, Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron, for her expectation shall be ashamed,& the King shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. The confederate cities of the philistines, Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron, shall see it, and fear, for that confidence which they had put in the strength of the Tyrians, shall now disappoint them, to their shane and loss; for Gaza shall no more have a King, nor Ashkelon, an inhabitant. And Ashdod shall be inhabited by a people, 6 And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod,& I will cut off the pride of the philistines. not her own; and I will, in all these territories, pull down the pride of the philistines, by stripping them of their dominions. And I will by this means so humble them, 7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; but he that remaineth, even he shal be for our God, and he shall bee as a Governor in judah, and Ekron as a jebusite. that they shall be no more bloodily minded toward my people;& shall grow up to a religious care of avoiding all legal pollutions; and those that remain of them shall be constionably devoted unto God; and shall become friends and patrons of my people, within my Church; yea, even those of Ekron shall so have a part in my Church, as the Jebusite hath in the material and outward Jerusalem. And I will protect, and defend my Temple, 8 And I will encamp about mine house, because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth, and no oppressor shall pass through them any more, for now I have seen with mine eyes. ( as it were by a camp pitched about it) against any enemy whatsoever, that shall offer any violence against it; for I have well noted, and pitied thy late affliction. rejoice greatly, O ye inhabitants of Zion, and shout for joy, O ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, 9 rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion, shout O daughter of jerusalem; behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. for ye shall see the Messiah, the everlasting King of the Church coming personally into your streets; he is just, and righteous, and brings salvation with him to all believers; And withall, he is lowly and meek; not making his approach in a royal, pompous, and majestical manner,( though he could command all the glories of heaven and earth to attend him) but in a mean, and homely fashion, riding upon an ass, with her colt following her; even like to him that came to take upon him the estate of a servant. I will draw my Church to an happy accordance, 10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from jerusalem: and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace unto the heathen, and his dominion shall be from Sea, even to Sea, and from the river, even to the ends of the earth. so as both Jews and Gentiles shall be linked together in the bonds of peace; there shall therefore be no more need of your chariots, O Israel; or of your horses O Judah; or, of any weapons of war; for the common Saviour of both, shall unite them together, and shall extend the bounds of his spiritual dominion, all the world over. As for thee, O Zion, whose covenant with me, is made, and confirmed by the precious blood of the messiah, 11 As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant, I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. in that new and everlasting Testament, I do herein give thee a type of thy future deliverance from all thy spiritual miseries, in that, I have brought forth thy captives, out of the miserable captivity of Babylon, wherein they were woefully distressed. 12 turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope, even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. return ye then, to the forts of Zion, and Jerusalem, O ye hopeful captives, that are yet remaining in Babylon; for I do this day declare unto you, that I have prepared blessings for you above your expectations; and( whereof this is a type) turn ye into my Church, all ye that pertain to mine election, out of the world, wherein ye are held captive; and know, that I have prepared happiness for you above the thoughts, and desires of your hearts. 13 When I have bent judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. But in the mean time, I shall make some war-like use of Judah and Ephraim, and raise the forces of Jerusalem, against the Grecians, and Syrians, wherewith they shall be vexed, and will give good success to their courageous, and well-fought battles. 14 And the Lord shall be, seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning. And the Lord shall give good proof of his gracious protection of them; and shall manifestly show that he fighteth for them from heaven, &c. They shall subdue their enemies afar off, as with sling stones, 15 The Lord of hosts shall defend them,& they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones, and they shall drink and make a noise, as through wine; and they shall bee filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altars. and with other killing engines of war; and they shall rejoice in their victory; and shall feast for joy, and shout out in their triumphs, as men filled with wine: and shall, in the cheerfulness of their hearts, offer store of sacrifices of praise unto God; so as, both the bowls of the Temples, and the horns of the altar shall carry an abundant testimony of their frequent devotions. And, however they have been formerly despised, and trod upon, 16 For they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as ensign upon his land. yet they shall now be advanced to such honor, that they shall be as the precious stones of a royal crown, or as an ensign, which is lifted up with honour over the heads of the people. 17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty? come shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maides. For how great is the blessing, how great is the beauty wherewith God shall, upon those victories, grace, and adorn his people? there shall be prosperity, and plenty, every where amongst them, so as they oung men shall be full fed with feasts, and their very maides shall bee refreshed with new wine: all sorts and ages shall have cause to rejoice in their God. CAP. X. 1 ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the later rain, so the Lord shall make bright clouds and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. ask ye of the Lord, rain, in the due season thereof; even the later rain for the filling up of the fruits of the earth; so the Lord will, according to his promise, hear you, and give change of weather; causing in the clouds, to led in store of rain; such as may plentifully water the earth, that it may yield store of grass in every field. It is the Lord that must help you; as for your idols, 2 For the Idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lye, and have told false dreams, they comfort in vain, therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled because there was no shepherd. whereto ye have hitherto trusted, they have vainly deluded you; and your wizards have abused you in false visions, and dreams, and have pretended to give you those comforts which have failed you in the issue; therefore, both they and you were driven into captivity, as a flock of sheep into the fold, and found no protection, but rather much discomfort and misery, because of the want of a shepherd to guide, and defend you. Mine anger was kindled against the false Prophets, 3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and punished the goates, for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle. and wicked rulers of my people; and I punished those( rather goates, than bel-weathers) which lead my flock out of their way; for the Lord of hosts hath sharply chastised the people of Judah; and hath designed them to hard conflicts, even as some stout horse is made for the day of battle. From his decree came forth all the plots of the siege, 4 Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together. the tents pitched before their walls, the weapons of war, which were used in that assault, and every oppressor that offered violence to them, did but execute his just pleasure upon them. But this sad condition of theirs shall not last always; 5 And they shall be as mighty men which tread down their enemies. for the Lord hath determined happy success, and victories unto his people; they shall be as mighty men, which tread upon their enemies, &c. And I will, by the voice of my word, 8 I will hiss for them& gather them, for I have redeemed them; and they shall increase as they have increased. call them together into one Church; for I have redeemed them; and they shall multiply exceedingly. And I will so dispose of them, that they shall be sent all the world over, for the gathering of my Church, 9 And I will sow them among the people, and they shall remember me in far countries, and they shall live with their children and turn again. even as the seed is cast into several furrows of the large field, for a more plentiful increase; and they shall publish my gospel in remote countries; and both they, and the children whom they beget unto the faith, shall live, and turn to their God, and Saviour. And I will gather my Church out of all the coasts under heaven, out of egypt, and Assyria, 10 I will bring them again also out of the land of egypt,& gather them out of Assyria, and I will bring them into the land of Gilead& Lebanon, and place shall not bee found for them. and all other countries; and, in type thereof, I will fetch up my people the Jews, from those regions, where they have been captived, and bring them again into Judea; and they shall grow to such numbers there, that the place shall not bee able to hold them. No seas, 11 And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shal dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of egypt shall depart away. or rivers shall hinder the propagation of the gospel; as, in type thereof, when the Jews shall return towards their country, God will rather work miracles for them, than that they shall be hindered in the way; he will again cause the sea to give them passage, and will dry up Jordan before them; and subdue all those their proud enemies of Assyria, and egypt, which had prevailed against them. CAP. XI. 1 Open thy door, O Lebanon: that the fire may devour thy cedars. A Grievous destruction will light upon thee, O thou ingratefull land of Judea, for those repulses, and indignities, which thou shalt offer to the Lord of life; Open thou therefore thy doors( O thou Temple of Jerusalem) that the fire may devour thy cedars. 2 howl fir three, for the Cedar is fallen, because all the mighty are spoiled howl O ye oaks of Bashan, for the forest of the vintage is come down. howl, and lament, O ye nobles, for your Princes are fallen; all the men of power in Judea are spoiled; make lamentation, O ye of the meaner rank of Israel, for your great men are cut off. 3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds, for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young Lions, for the pride of jordan is spoiled. There is great wailing, and mourning of the rulers, and Priests,( who should have fed and guided my people) for their glory is at an end; all the stout gallants of Judea do now roar, and lament; for the magnificence of Jerusalem, and the strength of jury is utterly wasted and comne to nothing. 4 Thus saith the Lord my God, feed the flock of the slaughter. Thus saith the Lord, my God; yet amongst these Jews, which I have justly set out for this slaughter, there is a flock of mine, whom I have due care of, let them be carefully fed, and looked unto. 5 Whose possessors slay them, and hold themselves not guilty, and they that sell them say, blessed be the Lord; for I am rich, and their own shepherds pitty them not They are in a perilous, and woeful case; for their own governours, and spiritual guides slay them, and think they do therein good service, and their victors( Titus, and his romans) sell them as merchandise; and rejoice in the wealth which they have raised from their price: and their own governours do not so much as pity them. 6 For I will no more pitty the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord: but lo, I will deliver the men every one into his neighbours hand, and into the hand of his King, and they shall smite the land. For the rest, I will have no more compassion on the inhabitants of the land, who have called for the blood of that just one, to be required of them, and their children; for I will deliver them into the hand of each other, to be slain in civill discord; and into the hand of the roman, whom they professed to be their King; and by both these means they shall be consumed, &c. 7 And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock, and I took unto me two staves: the one I called beauty, and the other I called bonds, and I fed the flock. As for that part of my flock, which are appointed as sheep to the slaughter, for my names sake; I will carefully feed them; even you, O my poor little flock; and for this cause I took unto me two pastoral staves; the one, which I called Beauty, was the staff of mercy, and gracious and pleasurable protection; the other, which I called Bonds, was the staff of unity, for the conjoining of my Church; or of correction, and just censure of the offenders; and with these, I guided my little flock accordingly. Your three sorts of leaders, Kings, Priests, and Prophets, I cut off together, in a very short space; 8 Three shepherds also I cut off in one month,& my soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me. they were well worthy of my just extirpation; I loathed them for their corruption and wickedness, and they no less abhorred my laws, and justice. Then said I of this refractory, 9 Then said I, I will not feed you: that that death let it die, and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off. and perverse people of the Jews; I will take charge of you no more; whatsoever calamity befall you, I will not put my hand to redress it, &c. And I took my staff, 10 And I took my staff, even beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people. even the staff of my safeguard and protection, which I called Beauty, and cut it in sunder; that I might thereby signify; that, as this people had broken the covenant which they made with me, by their wilful disobedience, so that I would free myself from regarding my promise of favour, and preservation made to them. Those humble and meek servants of mine, 11 And so the poor of the flock that waited upon me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. that wait constionably upon me( in that sinful and perverse generation) well knew that this was the just will, and pleasure of God; to deal thus severely with so rebellious a people. Thus I fed my charge, and at the last, 12 And I said unto them, if ye think good, give me my price: and if not, forbear: so they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. I said unto them; if I be approved of you as your shepherd, give ye me a return of those respects that are due to me, and that price and reward, which my over-sight and labour calls for at your hands; but if otherwise ye accept not of me, and my function, forbear. This I required of them, but they, in stead of returning their holy obedience, and due thankfulness unto me, weighed out thirty pieces of silver, which they gave unto a traitor, as the price of my life, which should by his perfidiousness bee betrayed into their hands. And the Lord said unto me; 13 And the Lord said unto me, cast it unto the potter; a goodly price, that I was prized at of them, and I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter, in the house of the Lord. make known by this thy prophesy unto the people, that this thirty pieces shall be cast unto the potter; say to them, it is a goodly price whereat ye have valued me; And accordingly in vision, I took those thirty pieces of silver; and shewed them, that this sum( which should be offered to bee delivered back to the high Priests in the house of the Lord) should by them be put into the hands of a potter, for the purchase of a field for burial. 14. Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even bonds, that I might break the brotherhood between judah and Israel. Then I cut asunder mine other staff of unity, which I called Bonds, that I might thereby signify, that I had let loose all brotherly, and peaceable respects betwixt the true professors of the gospel, which are the spiritual Judah, and the revolted, and erroneous sons of the spiritual Israel. 15 And the Lord said unto me, take unto thee, yet, the instruments of a foolish shepherd. do thou( for a sign unto them) take unto thee such a staff, and such a scrip, as no wise shepherd would bear, as being mis-fashioned, and use-lesse; and let thy gesture and carriage be thereafter. 16 For lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear the claws in pieces. And this shall foresignify unto them, that I will give way to a shepherd, not more foolish then wicked, to arise in my Church; even the Antichrist of the latter times; who shall cast off all care of my flock; either of seeking the strayed, or fetching in the weak and tender ones, or healing the broken, or carrying the lame and impotent; but contrarily, he shall persecute my Church, and make a prey thereof; feeding himself fat, with the rich means, which he shall take from the great, and mighty; and cruelly tyrannizing over the weak, with extreme violence; smiting, and wounding them, that they may be disabled to stand up against him. 17 Woe to the idol shepherd, that leaveth the flock: the sword shall bee upon his arm, and upon his right eye; his arm shal be quiter dried up, and his right eye shall bee utterly darkened. But, woe be to that false pastor, which onely carries the name and semblance of an Evangelicall shepherd, who leaveth the flock to be wasted and spoiled; the just revenge of God shall be, both upon the power, and policy of that man of sin, his power shall be abated, and utterly weakened, by the breath of the mouth of God; and his craft& policy shall, at the last, end in disappointment, and confusion. CAP. XII. 1 The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel saith. THe heavy message which God sends to the world, in the favour and behalf of his Church; Thus saith, &c. 2 Behold, I will make jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against judah▪ and against jerusalem. Behold I will make my Church to be unto all the enemies thereof, as an intoxicating cup; which they shall no sooner offer to touch, by a wilful siege, or opposition but they shall be either giddy, or senseless. 3 And in that day will I make jerusalem a burden some ston for all people, all that burden themselves with it, shall bee cut in pieces: though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. And in that day will I make my Church as some weighty, and unwieldy ston; which when the enemies thereof shall lift at, and strive to raise it up, it shall fall upon them, and crush them in pieces, Yea, though all the people of the earth should join their forces together to remove it, yet they should mis-carry under the burden. The malicious world may combine together against my Church, but it shall not prevail, 4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment,& his rider with madness, and I will open mine eyes upon the house of judah. I will defeat all their hostile attempts; their horses of war will I smite with astonishment, and their riders with stupidity, and senselessness; and I will look down graciously upon my Church, for their deliverance and preservation, &c. And the governours of my people shall say, 5 And the governours of judah shall say in their heart, the inhabitants of jerusalem shall bee my strength, in the Lord of hosts their God. in their heart; There is al sufficient strength, and safeguard to me, and to all the true members of the Church of Christ, in the Lord of hosts, our God, so as wee need not fear what man can do unto us. Yea, 6 In that day will I make the governours of judah like a hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf, and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left; and jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in jerusalem. I will not only give a defensive power to my people, but will make them prevalent, and victorious over their enemies, so as I will cause the governours of my Church to be as coals on the hearth, whiles their enemies are as a faggot laid thereupon; or, to be as a torch of fire, in their enemies sheaf; which shall soon consume them to ashes, and my Church shall continue itself in despite of all opposition; and the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against it. The Lord shall save first those that are of the villages of Judah; that is, the weakest of his people, 7 The Lord also shall save the tents of judah first, that the glory of the house of David, and the glory of the inhabitants of jerusalem do not magnify themselves against judah. and those of the out-skirts of his Church; that the glory of the more noble and courageous champions of Christ may not magnify itself, over the feeble and obscure, but that all may ascribe their salvation to the Lord. He that is weak in himself, 8 And he that is feeble among them, at that day shall be as David, and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. shall bee as strong as David,( who overcame the bear, and the lion, and the Philistim) in the power of his God; and those that are eminent in this holy profession of Christianity, shall bee as the Angells of God, invincible, and able to do all things, through him that strengtheners them. And I will power out upon my Church, 20 And I will power upon the house of David,& upon the inhabitants of jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one that mourneth for his onely son. ( beginning at Jerusalem and Zion) a great and apparent measure of my Spirit; and, besides those common gifts, I will endue them with the sanctifying graces of my Spirit, and with the spirit of prayer, and supplication; and they shall, by a lively faith, look up to me their Saviour and redeemer, whom they have pierced upon the cross; and they shall mourn for that violence which was offered to the Lord of life, dying for them, even as one mourneth for his only son, &c. 11 In that day shall there be great mourning in jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. In that day, wherein the Messiah shall suffer, there shall bee great mourning, both in Jerusalem, and in all the tribes of Israel; all those many disciples of Christ, whom he shall have won by his wonderful miracles, and heavenly doctrine, shall mourn, and lament, even like as the Jews mourned for the death of Josiah, in the valley of Megiddon. 12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart, the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart. And all that believed in him, throughout all Judea, and Samaria, and Galilee, shall take up a solemn mourning for the death of him, from whom they expected the redemption of Israel; the family of the house of David apart, as that which shall be more nearly interested in him, by consanguinity, and kindred, &c. CAP. XIII. 1 In that day there shal be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of jerusalem, for sin, and for uncleanness. IN that day of the passion of the son of God, there shall be a fountain opened, even in the side of that blessed redeemer, which shall flow forth, for the cleansing of all penitent, and true believers, from all their sins, and all their spiritual uncleannesses; that precious blood, which shall issue thence, shall bee an all-sufficient laver for all repentant, and faithful souls. 2 And it shall come to pass, in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more bee remembered, and also I will cause the Prophets, and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. That gross Idolatry, wherewith the world was infected, shall now cease; and the very names and mention of those Pagan Idols shall be forgetten; and the oracles, whereto they resorted in all their doubts, shall cease; and those Prophets, and Priests, which attended upon the unclean spirits( who were agents in these wicked delusions) shall be cut off. 3 And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begot him, shall say unto him, thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies, in the name of the Lord: and his father and his mother that begot him, shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. And if any false Prophet shall yet take upon him to use these wicked divinations; his very parents that begot, and bore him, shall rise up against him, and out of their detestation of his sin, shall be both his accusers, and his executioners; so shall the zeal of Gods glory prevail with them above all natural respects. 4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive. And the false teachers, which shall arise in the Church shall be convinced of their errors;& so laid open by the light of the gospel, that they shall not any more, under colourable pretences, deceive Gods people. But contrarily, 5 But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman: for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth. the false teacher shall be confounded in himself; and be forced to confess that he hath erred; and that God hath not given him any warrant for the broching of his erroneous doctrines, or any lawful calling in his Church; but that his education and breeding hath been in another way, even in secular employments from his youth. 6 And one shall say unto him, what are these wounds in thine hands? then he shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. And when one shall say unto him; what are these grievous censures that are inflicted upon thee? Then, he shall answer? These are just censures, wherewith I was branded in the holy Church of God, by them which did seriously and lovingly seek my conversion. O thou, my sword of affliction, awake, arise, 7 Awake O sword against my shepherd, and against the man, that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts; smite the shepherd and the sheep shall bee scattered, and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. and lay about thee; smite him that is nearest and dearest unto me; even him that is my coequal, and coetrnall Son, the image of me the invisible God, saith the Lord of hosts; smite thou this great shepherd of my Church, and his sheep,( .i. his disciples, and followers) shall be scattered; and shall both forsake him, and be severed from each other; for, even against those disciples also( as well as against their master) will I stir up enmity, and opposition in the world. And, it shall come to pass, 8 And it shall come to pass, that in the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off, and die; but the third shall be left therein. that if Judea be divided into three parts, equally; two of those three shall die, and miscarry under the great judgements which I will bring upon the land, for this murder of the Lord of life; and onely the third part shall be left alive. And that third part, which shall bee left alive, 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined. shall pass under many fiery trials of grievous afflictions, wherewith they shall be refined, as silver is refined, &c. CAP. XIV. BEhold then, O Judea, and Jerusalem, 1 Behold the day of the Lord cometh and thy spoil shall bee divided in the midst of thee. the day of the Lords vengeance cometh; the Romans shall divide thy spoils in the midst of thee. For I will gather an army of all nations, 2 For I will gather all nations against jerusalem, to battle, and the city shall be taken. brought together against thee, by the Romans; and Jerusalem shall be taken, &c. Onely, a remnant( viz. the third part) of the people, 3 Then shall the Lord go forth and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. have I reserved, which shall not be cut off with the rest, but shall still continue the name of my Church and people. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east, and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley, and half of the mountain shall remove toward the North, and half of it toward the South. After this, the Lord Christ shall in a terrible manner come to judgement; when he shal descend down to the earth, the mountaines shall bee cloven in sunder before him, in a fearful motion at his appearance: even the mount of Olives( where he set his last foot-step upon earth) shall be divided in the midst, to the East, and to the West, and there shall be a great valley betwixt these two halves, thus dissevered; whereof one half shall be fallen to the North-ward; and the other half to the South. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountaines: for the valley of the mountaines shall reach unto Azal; yea, ye shall flee like as ye fled from before the earth-quake in the daies of uzziah King of judah, and the Lord my God shall come, and all the Saints with thee. And ye shall flee through this new valley, which is made by this division of the mountain, for it shall bee very large, and reacheth far, ye shall flee away in great fear, and astonishment, like as ye fled from before that terrible earth-quake, which was in the daies of Uzziah;& the Lord my God shall then come in glory, together with all his Saints, and Angels. 6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shal not be clear, nor dark. And it shall come to pass in that day, that there shall not be a vicissitude, or interchange of light and darkness. 7 But it shall bee one day, which shall be known unto the Lord, not day nor night, but it shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light. But it shall be perpetually lightsome, as one continued day, which the Lord shall make to hold for ever; without this variety of sun-shine, and darkness; so as when by the wonted natural course of time, it should be evening, it shall then be as bright as at the high noon. 8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from jerusalem, half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea, in summer and in winter shall it be. And in that day, the waters of life, and everlasting refreshing, shall flow forth from the midst of the heavenly Jerusalem, to all the Saints of God, every where, without all stop and intermission. 9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth, having subdued all his enemies, there shall then be none, that shall make head against him, but all shall adore him, as their only Lord and God. 10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of jerusalem, and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited, in her place: from Benjamins gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananiel, unto the Kings wine presses. All things shall be then made even, and smooth in the whole Church of God; and there shall bee infinite store of eternal mansions, prepared for all the elect of God; even as if( in type thereof) the whole cost about the material Jerusalem should bee leveled, and stately built, and populously inhabited. So also verse 11. Such shall bee the day, and the issue of the last judgement; 12 And this shall bee the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people, that have fought against jerusalem. but, in the mean time also, God will punish the enemies of his chosen; even all those that fight against his Church shall have visible judgements inflicted upon them, &c. Neither shall God onely punish them with his own immediate hand, 13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them, and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall raise up against the hand of his neighbour. but he shall cause thē to be the executioners of each other, in those civill tumults, which they shall raise up amongst themselves. And, even the Jews themselves shall be the first that shall fight against this spiritual Jerusalem, 14 And judah also shal fight at jerusalem, and the wealth of all the heathen round about shal be gathered together, gold and silver, and apparel in great abundance. the Church of Christ; and together with them, all the heathens round about shall oppugn it; and make use of all their power, and riches for the suppressing of it. But they shall not prevail; for both they, 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents as this plague. and all their substance, and might shall mis-carry; and the punishing hand of God shall fall heavily both upon them, and their assistants in this evil quarrel; they shall be all enwraped in the same common destruction. And it shall come to pass, that those, 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles. which are left alive of the nations,( which made opposition to the gospel of Christ) shall humbly, and gladly submit themselves to the worship, and service of God their Saviour; and shall cheerfully join themselves to his Church, in the religious adoration of him, upon all occasions. Those, 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto jerusalem, to worship the King the the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. who wilfully refuse to join themselves to the Church of God, under the gospel, from them will God sensibly withhold his blessings, even his seasonable rains, and the plentiful increase of the earth. And if those of egypt, 18 And if the family of egypt go not up, and come not that have no rain, there shall bee the plague wherewith the Lord will smite the heathen, that come not up to keep the feast of Tabernacles. which have ordinarily no rain( being supplied by the fruitful waters of Nilus) shall forbear, and refuse to join in the service of God with the rest of his Church, they shall be no less plagued with drought, and scarcity, than the other nations that depend upon the moisture that descends from above. 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holinesse unto the Lord, and the pots in the Lords house shall bee like the bowls before the altar. In that day there shall bee so general and happy a peace, that there shall be no need of horses of war; but the bells wherewith those horses were wont to be adorned, shall be consecrated to the Lord, and converted to the holy use of the Temple; and there shall be such store of offerings, on all hands, as that the pots of the Temple which are for the use of the sacrifice, shall be as frequent, as the small bowls that stand before the altar. Yea, such exceeding store shall there be of sacrifices, as that all the pots in Jerusalem and Juda, 21 Yea every pot in jerusalem and in judah shall be holinesse unto the Lord of hosts, and all they that sacrifice, shall come& take of them,& seeth therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts. shall bee put to this holy employment; In a type that every one that is a true Israelite shall offer up himself a living sacrifice to God, and shall present unto God, liberal gifts, and thankful oblations for the maintenance of his Church, and service; and there shall no impure person, nor stranger from the common wealth of Israel bee admitted to challenge a place in the holy Church of God. MALACHI. CAP. I. 2 I have loved you, saith the Lord: yet ye say, wherein hast thou loved us? was not Esau Iacobs brother, saith the Lord, yet I loved jacob. I Have loved you, O my people Israel, saith the Lord, ye that are returned from the late Babylonish captivity, I have loved you and done great things for you; yet ye( unthankful as ye are) will not aclowledge it, but are ready to say; wherein hast thou loved us? let me then convince you of my favours. Were not Esau and Jacob brothers, did they not both proceed from one womb,& from one loins? yet without all merit of yours, or his, I loved Jacob freely, and graciously. 3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountaines, and his heritage waste, for the dragons of the wilderness. And in comparison of you, hated Esau, and his posterity the Idumeans, so, as that I have, for your sakes, laid wast those cities, which they inhabited in the mountaines, and desolated his heritage by the sword of the Babylonian unrecoverably; so as it is turned desert, and fit only for wild beasts, and dragons; whereas I have returned you to your old inheritance, in peace. And howsoever these sons of Esau, say; 4 Whereas Edom saith, we are impoverished, but we will return, and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hostes, they shall build but I will throw down; and they shall call them the border of wickedness, and the people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever. wee are indeed brought down, and our cities are spoiled, but why should not we return( as well as ye the sons of Jacob) and build up our ruined towns also; yet, thus saith the Lord; In vain shall they attempt to repair their wasted cities; for, if they build, I will pull down; and I will cause them to be branded with the sensible mark of my displeasure; so as, all the regions about, shall call them; The country noted for wickedness; and the people against whom the Lord hath conceived an everlasting indignation; whereas you, O Israel, are embraced with mercy and compassion, and restored to your ancient territories. And behold your very eyes shall be witnesses, 5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, the Lord will bee magnified from the border of Israel. both of these my favours to you, and of this my severity to the sons of Esau; and ye shall be forced to say, the Lord hath well deserved to be praised and magnified, from all the coasts of Israel. This indeed I have deserved from you; 6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master, if then I be a father, where is mine honour, and if I be a master, where is my fear, saith the Lord of hosts, unto you O Priests, that despise my name, and ye say, wherein have wee despised thy name? but how is it performed on your part? A son is wont to honour his father, and a servant his Master; ye call me your father, yourselves my sons, ye call me your master and yourselves my servants, if then I bee your Father, &c. saith the Lord of hosts, even to you, the guides of my people, O ye the Priests of my sanctuary; for even ye, who should be exemplarily holy; even ye have despised my name; and yet ye stand in your own justification, and say, wherein have we despised thy name? Let me tell you then, and convince you of your sin; 7 ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar, and ye say, wherein have wee polluted thee, in that ye say, the Table of the Lord is contemptible. ye have cast contempt upon me, in that ye have offered base, and unworthy oblations upon mine altar, yet still ye stand upon your innocence, and say; wherein have we cast contempt upon thee? I tell you again, in that ye have a base opinion of the table of the Lord, and think any thing good enough for it. Hath not the Law of God expressly forbidden you to offer the blind, or lame, or sick beasts, 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor, will he bee pleased with thee, or accept thy person, saith the Lord of hosts? in sacrifice to God? and is there not good reason? go ye and present such like gifts to your very governours( men like yourselves) will they take them well from your hands; and not rather think that you put a scorn upon them; will they not accordingly sand you away with a just scorn, saith the Lord of hosts? 9 And now I pray you beseech God, that he will be gracious unto us, this hath been by your means, will he regard your persons, saith the Lord of hosts? And now, if ye like well of these courses, go on to offer these unmeet and disgraceful oblations to God; and call to him, notwithstanding, that he will bee well pleased with them, and with you, for them,( thus ye have done hitherto, and have provoked God against us) see yet whether he will accept of such offerers, and sacrifices; saith the Lord of hosts. 10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought, neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar, for nought; I have no pleasure in you. I have not dealt thus with you; but have abundantly recompensed all your services; which of you is there among all the Levites of my Temple that hath shut the doors of my house, unrewarded? which of you is there that hath so much as kindled a fire on mine altar, for nought? yet ye have had no regard unto me again; I will be affencted to you accordingly; behold, I have no pleasure in you, &c. 11 For from the rising of the Sun, even to the going down of the same, my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering. Neither shall my worship, and service be confined to you; but I will hereafter enlarge it to all the ends of the world; for, from the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, my name shall be honoured, and adored of the Gentiles( who are as yet without God in the world) and they shall in every place( not in my Temple onely) offer pure and holy sacrifices unto me, &c. 12 But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, the table of the Lord is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even his meat is contemptible. But, as for you, ye have profaned, and abused my name, in that ye have entertained base conceits of my sacrifices; and have held the oblations offered unto me, as meate vile, and contemptible, and unworthy of any other respects than scorn. 13 Ye said also, behold what a weariness is it, and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts, and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick. Ye said also, what a toil is this we are put unto, in killing, and dividing these base, and worthless sacrifices? whereas, would ye but have signified the least dislike of these unmeet oblations, they would have been exchanged for better; but all was alike to you, ye were willing enough to take what was brought you, and to offer that which was torn, and lame, and sick, &c. 14 But cursed bee the deceiver which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing, for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. But, cursed be that hollow, and falsehearted Jew, who having in his flock a male, without spot, or blemish, fat, and well liking; yet( after his vow) sacrificeth unto the Lord a lean, blemished, unsound female; for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts; I look for the best, who have made all; and my name is great and dreadful in all the world; the Gentiles shall adore, and magnify it, how ever it be slighted of my unworthy people of Israel. CAP. II. BEhold, I will punish you with dearth; 3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts, and one shall take you away with it. your seed shall corrupt; and your fields shall yield you no increase; and I will scornfully cast the dung of your sacrifices( in your solemn feasts) upon your faces, and so cover you over with it, that ye shall be carried away, as an heap of compost; so basely will I cause you to be reputed of my people. And ye shall know that I have decreed, 4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandement unto you, that my covenant might bee with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. and commanded this contempt to be powred upon you; that ye might repent of your sins, wherewith ye have provoked me, that so, I might continue that covenant, which I made with the tribe of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. I covenanted with my priesthood of that Tribe, to give them preservation, and welfare; 5 My covenant was with him of life and peace yea the life of grace and true spiritual peace, &c. For it is required, 7 For the Priests lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. and expected of the Priests of Gods Sanctuary, that they should be men of knowledge, and heavenly wisdom; so as their breasts should keep, and their lips should express to the people, the right understanding of divine things; and to them should the people resort for their information in the law of God; for God hath appointed them to be his messengers, to deliver his will to men. Why do ye tax us for our unlawful marriages with infidels? was not Adam one common father to us all? 10 Have we not al one father? hath not one God created us? why do wee deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers? hath not one God created us all? why do ye therefore charge us with treacherous dealing with our brethren, and profaning the covenant of our forefathers in that we do promiscuously match with our heathen neighbours? Yes, O ye Jews think not to evade thus, 11 judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel, and in jerusalem: for Judah hath profaned the holinesse of the Lord, which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. Judah hath dealt treacherously with God, and with those lawful wives whom they had formerly taken; and an abomination is committed in Israel, and in Jerusalem itself; for Judah hath profaned the holy institution of marriage, which the Lord hath both made,& highly respected; and hath taken( as an addition of a second marriage) unto his bed, the daughters of Pagans and Infidels. The Lord will not suffer these wicked conjunctions to prosper; he will cut off the man that doth this, 12 The Lord will cut off the man that doth this, the master of the scholar out of the tabernacles of jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of hosts. together with his posterity; and his abettors, out of the congregation of Israel; and though he should think to pacify God with offerings, yet God will not accept them, or spare him. 13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. And this ye have added unto your other sins; ye have dealt so cruelly, and unjustly with your wives, as that ye have caused them to wash the altars of God, with the tears of their weeping, and complaints, so as that God( who hateth all iniquity) regardeth not the offerings you present unto him, any more, &c. Yet ye stand stiffly upon the justification of your innocence, and say, What have we done, or wherein have we deserved this disrepect to our sacrifices? Know then, that it is for your treacherous and unjust dealing with the wife of your youth, with whom you were lawfully married; of which solemn contract, the Lord himself( the institutor of marriage) hath been witness; even those your lawful wives have ye abused; yet they are ordained of God for the comfortable companions of your life; and by a firm, and indissoluble covenant, conjoined unto you. 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, yet is shee thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. yourselves, if ye shall but look back to the first original act of God, shall necessary be convinced: for did not God make one woman onely for one man? yet he had power( who was, and is the God of the spirits of all flesh) to have made more; this had been as easy for him; wherefore did he therefore conjoin one woman onely to that one man, and why doth he still continue his ordinance of the same single copulation? but, that herein he took care that the children( the issue of such wedlock) should be holily, and lawfully begotten: Take heed to yourselves therefore, and keep yourselves within the compass of Gods ordinance, and suffer not your unbridled spirits to break forth into these inordinate desires, and wicked concucupiscences; let no man offer wrong to the wife of his youth, in taking in a stranger unto his bed. 16 For the Lord the God of Israel saith, that he hateth putting away, for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts, therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. For the Lord God of Israel( howsoever ye may unjustly pretend his allowance of this common dismission of your wives, upon every fleight occasion) professeth to hate these your causeless repudiations of them; and whosoever doth this( what colour soever he set upon it) yet doth but cloak a violence, and wrong, which God will revenge, &c. 17 ye have wearied the Lord with your words; yet ye say, wherein have wee wearied him, when ye say, every one that doth evil, is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them, or where is the God of judgement? Moreover, besides all these actual wickednesses, ye have extremely urged the patience of the Lord, with the words of your blasphemies; yet ye are ready to face out this sin also, and say, Wherein have we thus offended in our speeches? Know then, that ye have shamefully blasphemed God, in that ye say; It is all one whether a man be good, or evil; every one that doth evil, speeds as well at Gods hands as the best; and he delights in wicked doers; else they should not so prosper as they do; Where is the justice of God in the mean time? or how is he a God of such integrity and unpartial retribution, as he is reported? CAP. III. BEhold, 1 Behold, I will sand my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his Temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in, behold, he shall come saith the Lord of hosts. I will stop the mouths of all such blasphemous cavillers; I will, in my appointed time, sand my messenger John the Baptist, and he shall prepare the way before my personal and visible coming; lo the Messiah, even the Lord, whom ye wait for, shall ere long come into his Temple; that great messenger of the Evangelicall covenant, whom with joy of heart ye, my faithful ones, have long expected, behold, he shal come, saith the Lord of hosts. But how shall the guilty and wicked ones of the world abide the day of his coming? 2 But who may abide the day of his coming,& who shall stand when he appeareth, for he is like a refiners fire,& like fullers soap. how shall they be able to stand before him, when he appeareth? for he shall come to purge, and refine his Church. And he shall address himself zealously, and exquisitely, 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. to rid his Church of all that corruption of doctrine, and manners, wherewith it is defiled; and especially, he shall reform the Priests of the new Testament, and quit them of that dross of error, and unrighteousness, wherewith that holy calling hath been formerly impured; that they may with clean hands offer up holy sacrifices unto their God. Then shall all the services of his holy Church be pleasing, and acceptable unto the Lord; 4 Then shall the offerings of judah and jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the daies of old and as in former yeares. no less then the best sacrifices of Abel, and Melchisedech, and of all the holy fathers in the old Testament. And whereas ye lately said, 5 And I will come near to you to judgement, and I will be a swift witness against the Sorcerers. Where is the God of judgement? behold, now ye shall see, and find where he is; I will come close to you in judgement, and will take a speedy course of vengeance against the sorcerers, &c. FINIS. A PARAPHRASE VPON THE HARD TEXTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. By Jos. Exon. LONDON, Printed by M. Flesher, for Nathaniel Butter. Anno Dom. 1632. THE gospel OF S. MATTHEW. CAP. I. THE roll, 1 The book of the generation of Iesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. or cat●logue of the Pedigree of Iesus Christ; according to the flesh, derived from those two most remarkable progenitors, David and Abraham; to whom the promises were most clearly and fully made of the Messiah, to be deduced from their loins. And Sal●mon begot Booz of Rahab, 5 And Salomon begot Booz of Rahab, and Booz begot ob of Ruth, and ob begot less. who received the spies in Jericho; and Booz begot ob of Ruth, the Moabitesse; which two women, being foreigners from the common-wealth of Israel, were both mercifully received into the Church of God, and honoured with the progeniture of Christ. Of Joram was descended Ozias; betwixt whom were interposed three Kings,( Ahaziah, Joash, 8 And Ioram begot Ozias. and Amasiah) whereof mention is not made( whether for that they were of the seed of Ahab; or for that, there being no danger of omission in so known a pedigree, there might be a just observation of the intended number, of the generations specified.) And Josiah begot Joakim and his bretheren; 11 And josias begot jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon. and that Joakim begot Joachin, or Jechoniah, near to the time that they were carried away captive to Babylon; so as Josiah was the Grandfather of Jechoniah. In the time of the captivity, 12 After that they were brought to Babylon, jechonias begot Salathiel. Jechoniah( whom God pronounced childless, in respect of any succession to the throne) begot Salathiel his second son. And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, 16 And jacob begot joseph the husband of Mary. being of the same Tribe and family; so as they had the same common Ancestors; 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations:& from David until the carrying away into Babylon, are fourteen generations. which were therefore wont to be reckoned by the males, and not by the females. So in the line or pedigree of Abraham to David, are fourteen descents; and from David to the carrying away into Babylon, fourteen descents, &c. Then Joseph her betrothed husband, being a just man, 19 Then joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. and therefore not willing to cloak that unchastity, when he suspected in his espoused wife; and on the other side as a merciful and loving husband, being not willing to prosecute the rigour of the law against her, resolved to put her away privily. 20 fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that is conceived in her is of the holy Ghost. fear not to aclowledge Mary for thy wife, and to make a ritual consummation of that marriage, which is contracted betwixt you; for that which is conceived in her, is not of any mortal seed, but is miraculously wrought by the power, and operation of the holy Ghost. 25 And knew her not, till she had brought forth her first born son, and he called his name Iesus. And Joseph in reverence of that divine work of the holy Ghost, and that blessed conception which was wrought in her; yielded so much honour to the body of Mary his wife, as that he altogether abstained from all carnal knowledge of so holy a vessel: and when this onely child of hers was born, according to the vision and premonition, which he had from God, he called his Name Jesus, or Saviour. CAP. II. 1 Now when Iesus was born in Bethleem of judea, in the daies of Herod the King; behold, there came wise men from the East, to jerusalem. Now, when Jesus was( upon occasion of the Tribes going up to their several Cities to be taxed) born at Bethleem( not that of Zebulon but of Judah) in the reign of Herod the first, being a Tributary King of the Iewes, under the romans, there came wise men from the eastern coasts,( whether of Chaldea, or rather) of Persia, to the City of Jerusalem. 2 Saying, where is he that is born King of the Iewes: for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him. Saying, where is he, whom we know by assured revelation from God, to bee born the true King of the Jews; and that not a Prince of any natural, and ordinary rank, but such a one, as is designed, and notified from heaven, for some marvellous purpose: for there hath appeared unto us in the East a miraculous star which signifieth his coming into the world, and wee are come afar off, to present our homage, and worship unto him. See Micha 5. vers. 2. 6 And thou Bethleem, &c. That very star, 9 When they had heard the King, they departed, and lo the star which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. which they had formerly seen in the East,& had guided them to Jerusalem, now appeared unto them again, and( as moving lower in the air) went visibly before them, till it came to Bethleem, and there stood still over the house, where the new-borne child was. And notwithstanding the homeliness of the place, 11 And fell down and worshipped him:& when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. and the mean appearance of the parents, and the poornesse of the furniture, and provison for that birth, they acknowledging some more than human majesty in that child, fell down and worshipped him; and presented unto him the most precious gifts which their country yielded, even gold, frankincense and myrrh. So as herein was fulfilled and verified, 15 That it might bee fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord, by the Prophet, saying; Out of egypt have I called my son. in an higher nature and degree, that which was spoken by the prophet Hoseas, saying; Out of egypt have I called my son; for that, which he spake of the people of Israel, which were the sons of God by choice, and adoption, was now fulfilled in him, who was the natural, and eternal son of his Father. And slay all the children that were in Bethleem &c. and that were two yeares old and under, 16 And slay al the children that were in Bethleem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two yeares old and under, according to the time, which he had diligently inquired of the wisemen. that he might make sure work, and might certainly light upon the child, whose birth the wisemen had signified unto him; he did therefore resolve to cast beyond the time declared by them so far back, as there should bee no likelihood of possibility for that designed child to escape. Then was again fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the Prophet, 17 18 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by jeremy the Prophet, saying; In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping,& great mourning; Rachel weeping for her children, and would not bee comforted, because they are not. concerning Rachels weeping for her sons of the Tribe of Benjamin; shee being butted at Bethleem, was brought in, as it were in her grave, so deeply lamenting the loss of her posterity, carried away captive into Babylon, as that the voice of her weeping was heard a far off, even at Ramah in the Tribe of Benjamin; and now, well may she renew that her lamentation, when so many innocent children were thus cruelly slain within the sight of her grave. And he came, and abode in a City of Galilee, 23 And he came and dwelled in a City called Nazareth, that it might he fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, he shall be called a Nazarene. called Nazareth, that in the very place of his dwelling, there might bee an allusion to that style, or title which is frequently given to him of the Prophets, by whom he is called Netzar: so as, out of this ground, the appellation which is given him of a Nazarene, how ever it be objected to him, by way of reproach, is rather a notable proof of his answerableness to that prediction of the Prophets; especially that of Esay, who by the root of Jesse, whence he should come, describes Bethlehem( the dwelling of jesse) for the place of his birth, and by that Netzar, which should arise from that root, meant to allude to the place of his abode and education. CAP. III. 4 And the same John had his raiment of Camels hair, and a leatherne girdle about his loins, and his meate was locusts, and wild honey. ANd the same John preached in those villages which were scattered in the desert, lived in an austere, and retired fashion, being clothed in an unusual, rough, neglected habit; and feeding on such homely, and voluntary diet, as that wild place would afford, that by this strange manner of his life, the mindes of men might be raised to a conceit of some extraordinary matter, both in his person and message. O ye Pharisees, and saducees, who are rather venomous serpents, than men, so full are ye of despite, and wickedness; 7 O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? how comes it about that ye are grown thus spiritually wise, to seek thus seasonably to avoid the wrath and judgements of God to come; by betaking yourselves to this holy institution of baptism, and washing in this sacred laver of regeneration? Who hath put this into your hearts? Can this be any other, but a motion of the spirit of God, whose blessed suggestions, if ye would follow to purpose. 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance; See that your repentance be serious, and effectual; do not content yourselves what this formal profession, but bring forth such fruits both of good affections, and of good works, as may be meet for true penitents; and as will necessary flow from true grace wrought in the heart. 9 And think not to say within yourselves, wee have Abraham to our father: For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Do not rest in this, or boast of it as an all-sufficient privilege, that Abraham is your fater afther the flesh: the thank of this, is Gods, and not yours; neither is this any more then the power of God is able to do for these very stones of the wilderness; of which he is no less able to make children unto Abraham, then he was to make Adam of the day, or Eve of his rib. 10 And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees: Therefore every three which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hue en down and cast into the fire. Please not yourselves therefore with these pretences, but know, that now God intends to take a severe and round course, with all the hypocritical, and fruitless professors of his name; Grant that Abraham is your root,& that ye are sprung up from him, yet know that Gods judgement, like an axe, is now laid to you, to hue you down speedily,( that ye may be cast into hell fire) if ye bring not forth good fruit, such as may beseem the trees that grow from such a root. I indeed, as being a mere man, 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire. can onely apply unto you the outward sign of baptism, which is a Sacrament of repentance, and spiritual regeneration; and can go no further; but the great messiah of the world, whose fore-runner I am, and whose shoes I am not worth to bear, hath a power infinitely above mine, he shall confer upon you the inward graces of his spirit, which is of a purging and cleansing quality, and shall so work upon your souls, as the fire doth upon metals; which Spirit of his, shall on the day of Pentecost descend upon your heads in the form of fiery tongues. The Church of God is like a corn floor, 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor,& gather his wheat into the garner, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. wherein there is not onely wheat, but chaff, and straws, and dross, and much offal. The Messiah, whom I fore-run, comes with a fan in his hand, whereby he will cleanse and purge his Church, by the effectual and powerful preaching of his gospel, which shall seal up the good unto everlasting life; so as they, like unto pure wheat, shall bee by him set apart for the garner of heaven: whiles the wicked, as the chaff and soil of the floor, shall bee swept up, and cast by him into unquenchable fire. It is not for thee to stand upon these points of the excellency of my person, above thine; 15 And Iesus answering, said unto him; suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, then he suffered him. now at this time when my baptism is in hand; do thou readily yield to that which I require of thee; as that which God the Father hath willed both me to undergo, and thee to perform; for thus it is fit for us to acomplish( in all due obedience) all that part of Gods will, which concerns us. And there was a visible kind of opening in the heaven, as if the curtain of the sky had been drawn, 16 And lo the heavens were opened unto him,& he saw the Spirit of God descending like a Dove, and lighting upon him. and a glorious brightness shew'd itself, as it were, above the firmament; and he, who had before received the Spirit, not by measure, now that he was to enter upon the execution of this work of mans redemption, he saw the Spirit of God descending upon him, in the form of a Dove, and lighting upon him; as in a gracious and public attestation from heaven of the designation, and enabling of him to so great a work. CAP. IV. 1 Then was Iesus lead up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. THen was Iesus moved by the Spirit of God, to go aside into the wilderness, that he might there enter the combat with the greatenemy of mans salvation; that so he might begin this great office in many and strong temptations. 4 It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. It is not the very material substance of bread that can, or doth maintain the life of man, but the blessing of God, giving power to that bread to nourish; neither is Almighty god tied to the ordinary means of bread, as if without that he could not sustain mans life, but he is able by his infinite power, either to create new means, or to work without, or against the means. Then Iesus, that he might give all advantage to the challenges of Satan, 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on the pinnacle of the Temple. suffered himself to be lead to jerusalem, and to be set upon an high pinnacle of the Temple. 7 Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. See Deuteron. 6. Verse 16. 8 again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. And represented to his eye divers countries round about, and withall represented to his imagination all the kingdoms of the world, and the magnificence and glory thereof, setting them forth in all their pomp, and pleasure, and royalty. he departed into the upper Galilee, 12 he departed into Galilee. which was out of Herods dominions, called Galilee of the Gentiles. 16 Galilee of the Gentiles, the people that sate in darkness &c. See Isay. 9. Verse 1. and 2. 19 And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Follow me, and I will prefer you to an higher function; for whereas now your trade is this toilsome fishing in the sea, I will advance you to that spiritual calling, wherein you shall take men in stead of fishes; by the nets of wholesome doctrine, drawing them up out of the sea of the world, into the ship of my Church. CAP. V. 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ANd he composed himself to speak unto the multitude; and taught them, saying. 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed is the end ye all aim at; and that which the most men are apt to mistake; ye are wont commonly to account them blessed, which abound with wealth,& honour,& pleasure;& those( on the contrary) miserable, who are wanting in any of these: but I must teach you other Doctrine; would ye therefore know who are truly blessed. Howsoever then the world esteems them, they are blessed, who being dejected by the hand of God, have learned to make a good use of his affliction, being thereby inwardly humbled under that mighty& just hand; for God will recompense their want with abundance, their abasement with heavenly glory. And whereas the world accounts none blessed but the merry and jovial; 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. I tell you that they are blessed who mourn for their sins; and are sadly affencted, whether with their own, or others evils; for this sorrow shall end in joy and comfort. Blessed are the lowly and gentle, and patient and long-suffering; for God shall reward their humility, 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. and meek and quiet disposition, with a comfortable fruition of these earthly blessings, and of better above. Blessed are they, 6 Blessed are they which do hunger& thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. who when they have so moderated their appetite, that their desires are no other than just and equal, yet wait and languish under the forbearance and want thereof, and do eagerly affect spiritual blessings; for God will find a time to satisfy their longing, and to fill them with all good things. Ye my Apostles and Disciples are unto the world as salt is to meat; 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it bee salted: it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to cast out, and to be trodden under foot. without your Doctrine the world would be altogether unsavoury; consider therefore in what state ye are; the greater your use and service is, the more is your danger and judgement. Other things when they have lost their savour, recover it by the virtue of salt applied unto them; but if salt itself have lost the savour, what can be able to fetch it again? Even so, ye serve to season the graceless hearts, and lives of men, by your good Doctrine and life: but if ye yourselves become graceless, what remedy can there be for you? Other things when they have lost their nature and good qualities, yet even after their corruption may bee useful for some purposes; but for salt, if that have once lost the savour, it is, it can bee good for nothing; and therefore must necessary bee cast out as utterly unprofitable. Even so it is with you, if ye shall degenerate from this holy calling, wherein ye are set. God hath not given unto you, these stations, 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under abushell. or these graces, that ye should keep them to yourselves, and smother them in an obscure privacy; but that ye should bring them forth to the benefit of the world, and improve them to the direction and salvation of many, as men do not light a candle to hid it, &c. 17 think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Because ye hear some doctrines from me, whereto your ears were not formerly enured, do not imagine, or conceive, that I am come to make any innovation, or change of that doctrine, or holy covenant that is contained in the law of Moses, or the Prophets; no, it is so far from that, as that I am come to make good, and ratify, and perfect the same; in that by my spirit I shall quicken the dead letter of the law; and really exhibit and perform that which was shadowed out by the figures of the Law. 18 For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle, shall in no wife pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled. For verily, I say unto you, the truth of this law is firm, and stable, and inviolable; as soon shall the frame of heaven and earth be dissolved, as any the least part of the law shall miscarry and fall to the ground unfulfilled; or as the truth, and equity of any clause of the moral law of God shall cease or be abrogated. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandements, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven? but whosoever shall do, and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall break any one of these Commandements( which in the opinion of men shall seem the very least and sleightest) and shall either by example, or doctrine, draw men to a neglect, or violation thereof, he shall justly be held unworthy to sustain any the meanest place, or charge in the Church of God, under the gospel; but on the contrary, he who both in life and doctrine shall set forth, and commend this law of God to his people, that man shall be accounted worthy of great honour, and respect in Gods Church. 20 For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The Scribes and Pharisees take upon them to be the great masters of the law, and profess much rigorous austerity in their traditional observations, but in the mean time, they place the breach, and fulfilling of the law, in outward actions, and do by their false glosses corrupt the holy law of God: except therefore ye go further than they, both in the understanding, and observing of this law, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time: Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of judgement. Ye have heard that it hath been taught of old, by those which have taken upon them to be expositors of the Law. Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall outwordly violate this law, by an actual and malicious shedding of innocent blood, shall be in danger of a capital punishment. 22 But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause, shall bee in danger of the judgement;& whosoever shall say unto his brother Racha, shall be in danger of the counsel: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire? But I say unto you, that not onely the outward act of murder is a breach of the Law; but the inward mispassion of the heart also; and therefore( that I may express the degrees of Gods displeasure, and wrath by those three degrees of punishment, which are wont to be inflicted in those three several orders of Courts, and proceedings of judicature amongst you; amongst whom the lesser offences are punished by the judgement of three authorised officers; the greater by the Sanhedrim or counsel of three and twenty: the greatest of all by the Supreme Sessions of sixty one) I say unto you, that even rash, and causeless anger( as coming under the first head) deserves a just punishment from Gods hand; but if that anger break forth into gestures of scorn, and disgrace, it goes yet higher, and deserves a further degree of judgement, but if it shall yet proceed further into words of reviling, and contumely: it then, as a notorious offence, incurs the danger of the highest degree of punishment; such as is reserved for the hainousest malefactors. And there remembrest that thy brother hath a just quarrel against thee, 23 And there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee. and that thou hast given him cause of unkindenesse. And if there bee a controversy betwixt thee and thy neighbour, so as you are going to law about it; 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him, lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer. be thou so inclined to peace, as to take up the matter speedily, betwixt you two, ere ye come to a public trial of it; lest, upon the pursuit of thine adversary, thou bee foiled in the cause, and the Judge deliver thee into the hands of the officer, &c. But I say unto you; 28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. That adultery doth not onely consist in outward act onely, but in the wicked concucupiscences of the heart, so as whosoever looketh lasciviously upon a woman, with a will& desire to feed his lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if this bee difficult for a man to avoid all lustful glances, yet it must be laboured for, 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish. and there must bee a firm resolution taken up in the soul, rather to part with the dearest part or member of our bodies, than to yield it up as a weapon of unrighteousness unto sin. For it were much better for thee that one &c. So also vers. 30. Ye do easily yield that the name of God may not bee taken in vain in your oaths, 34 But I say unto you, swear not at all, neither by Heaven, for it is Gods throne. but ye think it not unlawful( according to your common practise) to swear by heaven, or by earth, or by the Temple, or Jerusalem, or by your head, or any such like created subject, and herein ye think ye may have liberty enough, so as these names cannot be taken in vain, nor make you liable to perjury: but I say unto you, swear not unnecessarily by God himself: neither swear at all by these creatures, as they are such; and if ye do swear falsely by them, as in relation to God their maker, ye make yourselves no less guilty of perjury; for there is none of them which hath not some reference unto God: heaven is his throne, the earth his footstool, &c. 38. 39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth; but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Ye have heard the gloss of the Scribes and Pharisees, warranting retaliation of injuries, even in the cases of private revenge: but I say unto you, Do not return one evil turn for another: but be so inclinable to peace and meekness, that ye rather be ready to take a second wrong, than to return the first. So also verse 40. and 41. 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven, is perfect. Do ye labour and strive towards perfection; and propound unto yourselves the pattern of God your heavenly Father; imitate ye his holinesse; and though ye may never hope to attain to a full measure thereof, yet endeavour that your holinesse may be conformable to his in the manner of it, for truth and sincerity; and that it may not rest in any measure which it hath achieved, but may still aspire unto more. CAP. VI. 3 But when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what &c. DO thine alms so secretly, that, if it were possible, thou mightst even hid them from thine own self. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face. When thou fastest privately, upon the occasions of thine own humiliation, make no show of it, outwardly to others, but rather compose thyself to cheerfulness in the view of thy neighbours. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. See Luke 11.3. 13 led us not &c. See Luke 11.4. 22 The light of the body is the eye; if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. As the eye is to the body, so is reason to the soul; the light and direction to all the other parts, and faculties: if the eye of the body be clear, all the members of the body receive perfect direction for their motions. But if there be a blemish, or defect in the eye, 23 But if thine eye bee evil, thine whole body shall bee full of darkness: if therefore the light that is in thee bee darkness, how great is that darkness? all the body wants guidance: so, if the reason, or understanding faculty be rightly informed; all the other powers of the soul are steered aright; but if that be corrupted, there is nothing but darkness, and disorder, and miscarriage in the soul. No man can serve two opposite masters, 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other: ye cannot serve God and Mammon. neither can he divide himself betwixt them, to please them both: if he love the one, he must disrespect the other. If he lay to please the one, the other will be offended: So it is betwixt God and riches. If ye bee the servants and vassals to your wealth, ye cannot bee the servants of God. Be ye not anxiously, distrustfully, 25 Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, &c. carkingly careful for the things of this life, for your food, or apparel, or any other necessary or convenient thing for the maintenance of your present life. Every day hath trouble and care enough pertaining to the present occasions thereof, 34 Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. we need not burden it besides, with a sad and afflictive thoughtfulnesse for the affairs and events of future times. CAP. VII. do not presume to pass a rash and uncharitable judgement upon others, 1 judge not, that ye be not judged. that God may not enter into a severe judgement with you. do not impart the holy things of God, 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rent you. the divine mysteries of salvation, unto profane and irreligious, and malicious scorners, neither do ye cast away the most precious counsels, and ordinances of God upon filthy persons, who are resolved to wallow in their known uncleannesses; Lest they do both contemn those sacred institutions, and return unto you scoffs, indignities, persecutions. See Matth. 3.30. 19 Every three that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, &c I never took any approving knowledge of you; 23 I never knew you. ye may perhaps have made formal professions of me, but I never gave allowance either to you or them. And he taught them with much power, 29 For he taught them as one having authority,& not as the Scribes. and evidence of the Spirit, stirring their hearts with his effectual and heavenly doctrine, which he delivered, and inclining them to believe,& embrace what he taught them, and not in that fashionable, could, and heartless fashion which the Scribes used in their expositions of the Law. CAP. VIII. 4 And Iesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man, but go thy way, show thyself to the Priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded for a testimony unto them. IT is not yet seasonable for thee to divulge this cure, that I have wrought upon thee;& therefore I do, for the time, enjoin thee silence; but in the mean time, neglect no duty that the Law requireth of thee, though thy healing have been thus extraordinary, yet do not think that it exempteth thee from that charge, which God by Moses imposeth upon thee; go therefore, and show thyself to the Priest, that he may pass his allowance of thy full recovery; and offer thou the gift prescribed in the Law that by this act of thine, my very enemies may be convinced of the truth, and certaintly of this miracle. 9 For I am a man under authority, having souldiers under me; and I say to this man, go, and he goeth:& to another, come and he cometh: and to my servant, do this, and he doth it. If I that am a man under the authority of another,( viz. the Tribune of my band) have yet this power, that my word can bee obeied by those that are under my command; so as if I say to my servant, go; he goeth: if I bid him come, he cometh: how much more shall thy word alone, who art so powerful, and absolute, be prevalent to effect that which thou commandest. do thou therefore but speak the word onely, and my servant shall be healed. 10 verily, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith; no, not in Israel. This Centurion, ye see, is a gentle; yet hath he shewed in this svit of his, such a marvellous strength of faith, that I have not found the like, even in Israel, which should have more reason to believe. 11 And I say unto you, that many shal come from the East and West, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But thus it shall bee, as in him, so in others also, that are yet strangers, and aliens from the Church of God; for I say unto you, that beyond, and out of the bounds of judea, from all the remote regions of the world, there shall many be called into my Church; who from the East and West, shall bee admitted into the participation of the same glory, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,( the holy patriarches of my ancient Church) in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall bee cast out into utter darkness: there shall be weeping& gnashing of teeth. But many of those, who by their privilege and profession are my selected people, even the Jews( to whom the Church of God seems now to be confined) shall be utterly disclaimed, and rejected; and in the end shall be cast down into hell, where there is nothing but horror, and extremity of sorrow, and pain, and torment. That even in this sense also might bee fulfilled that word of Isaias the prophet; viz. 17 That it might bee fulfilled which was spoken by Isaias the Prophet, saying: himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. That as he did in his own person undertake to bear our sorrows; and infirmities: so also, by his divine power he removed and took away the bodily complaints and sicknesses of men, as he did away their sins, which are the causes of their sufferings, so also their diseases and infirmities, which are the effects of their sin. And Jesus saith unto him, 20 And Iesus saith unto him; the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. If in the purpose of following me, thou hast any aim at thine own ease, or honour in the world, thou shalt bee much mistaken; for though I be the true Son of God, yet now I have taken upon me the form and estate of a servant; and, in this humbled condition of mine, I do not so much as provide a set house-roome for myself and my family; wherein I have willingly abased myself below the very fowles of the air, and the meanest beasts upon earth. The Foxes have holes, &c. But Jesus said unto him; 22 But Iesus said unto him: follow me, and let the dead bury their dead. Those that are truly called by me, must not delay their answerable obedience; no not for a day; but must presently address themselves to my service: as for that excuse which thou makest of burying the dead, it is a work needful indeed to be done; but there are enough besides fit for this business; even those which lie still dead in their sins, and have not entertained any good purposes of betaking themselves to the seeking and following the means of salvation. O thou Jesus the son of the everliving God, 29 And behold, they cried out, saying: what have we to do with thee Iesus, thou son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? it is our great misery that wee are fallen into thine hands; what wilt thou now do with us? dost thou mean now to accomplish our full torment before the day of final judgement? CAP. IX. ANd Jesus seeing the faith both of the palsied man, 2 And Iesus seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy: Bee of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee. and of those that brought him, said unto the sick of the palsy: son, be of good cheer, thou art comne hither, in desire and confidence of cure, I will give thee more than thou askest; thou comest hither for the recovery of thy bodily health, I give thee( besides that) an happy restitution to a good estate of soul; thy palsy is healed, thy sins( the cause of this evil) are forgiven thee. 6 But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins: then saith he to the sick of the palsy: Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. Ye know well, that no finite power can forgive sin, which is an offence of an infinite majesty; onely therefore an infinite power can remit it: and now that ye may know the son of man hath this power in his hand, I will demonstrate it to you, by this miraculous effect; None but an infinite power can so far transcend nature, as by a mere command, instantly to restore legs and strength to this impotent man; you shall now see it done by me. Then saith he to the sick of the palsy; Arise, take up thy bed and go to thine house. 9 Sitting at the receipt of custom. Sitting in the Tole-booth of the Publicans, to gather up the rents, and taxes that the Jews were to pay unto the romans; their masters. 10 Behold many publicans and sinners came& sate down with him and his disciples. Many Publicans and persons that had been noted for infamous, and known offenders, as consorting together( being abandoned by their neighbours in a conceit of the unlawfulness of their conversation) came, and sate down with him, and his Disciples. 13 I will have mercy, and not sacrifice. See Hosea 6. vers. 6. For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. I come not to call them that are just, and righteous in their own conceit; but those that are convinced in themselves of their own sinfulness, those am I comne to call home to me, by a true and hearty repentance: as for those other, how can they be capable of repentance and conversion, when they think they have done nothing worthy to be repented of. 15 And Iesus said unto them, Can the children of the Brid-chamber mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them: But the daies will come, when the bridegroom shall bee taken from them, and then shall they fast. There is a time for all things; there are times of feasting, and times of mourning and abstinence; marriage feasts are of all other wont to be times of mirth, and jollity. look then how unproper it would bee for the Bride-men that attend the wedding to fast, whiles the bridegroom is celebrating his marriage, with great cheer, and mirth; so unfit would it be for my disciples to fast and mourn, whiles I, their master and Saviour, am personally present with them; but as when the wedding feast is over, and the bridegroom is gone, the guests may then give place to fasting, and sad austerity, and it is seasonable so to do; even so shall my Disciples, when I am taken from them, find it meet to mourn, and humble themselves by fasting, and such like bodily exercises. There must be great wisdom and discretion in making choice of those things, 16. 17 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment; for that which is put in, to fill it up, taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse: neither do men put new wine into old bottles, else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. which are fit to be imposed upon several persons; that which is meet for one, is not meet for another; my Disciples are like unto a cloth, or a bottle; an austere course of life is like to a new rough cloath, or to new wine, that is full of strong and busy spirits. Now look how unmeet, and dangerous it is to piece a new cloath to an old, or to put new wine into an old crazy cask( for hence the rent in the garment grows greater, and the wine breaking the cask is spilled and lost:) so unfit& inconvenient it might be, to put my disciples( which are yet but novices in this holy profession, they have undertaken) to overstrict, and difficult, and severe courses; which afterwards upon better experience, and more seasoning they may be fit for. He saw the minstrels that were wont to be hired for funeral lamentations, 23 he saw the minstrels, and the people making a noise. and the people also with much noise expressing their sorrow. The maid is not in such a state of death, 24 For the maid is not dead, but sleepeth; and they laughed him to scorn. as under which shee shall continue, but she shall be so soon revived, as if shee had onely stepped for a while, and were now to be awaked; and when ye shall see her presently to be raised up, and move, ye will be ready to imagine it was no other, &c. Here is a great and plenteous harvest towards, 37 The harvest truly is plenteous; but the labourers are few. of many souls, that are to be gathered into the barns, and granaries of the Church, and of heaven; but the labourers and teachers, by whose painful ministry they are to be gathered in, are but few. CAP. X. IT is not yet time to preach these glad tidings of salvation, 5 go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any City of the samaritans, enter ye not. to the Gentiles; they shall in their season be called, but onwards, do ye confine your pains and preaching, within the bounds of Judea; and do not so much as go aside into any of the cities of the Samaritans, who though they challenge an affinity and interest both of blood, and religion, yet for those gross mixtures of heathenism, and heresy, and idolatry, which they have entertained, are not worthy to be so far respected by me, as to be privileged with this my first mission unto them. But go ye rather to those my peculiar, 6 But go ye rather to the lost sheep. and selected people of Israel, who are( as it were) lost in their own infidelity, and disobedience, and labour to reclaim them. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in in your purses, Make no provision of money for the charge for your journey; as if ye should labour, and travel upon your own cost. 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat: Neither carry with you provision of victuals, neither take with you change of suits; whether of coats for your backs, or of shoes for your feet, or of staves for your hand, but content yourselves with what you have then about you; and if any of these should fail you, in your way, they shall be supplied unto you, by those among whom ye bestow your pains, for the workman is worthy of his maintenance, whithersoever he goes. 11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go thence: When ye enter into a city, or town, inquire who may bee the fittest host for you, and most worthy( through his good report, to be graced by your presence; and when ye have pitched in any house, do not change your lodging, whiles ye remain in that city, that ye may not seem inconstant, or delicate, and may by this means give discontent to your first host. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it be not worthy, then let your peace return to you. And if the house be worthy, let that blessing which your prayers have wished thereunto, fall upon it; but if it be not worthy, those well-wishes of yours shall return back into your own bosoms. Shake off the dust of your feet, to signify unto them that ye do not mean to have ought to do with them, 15 Shake off the dust of your feet. and to let them see that their contempt of my message hath made them so odious to God, that the very dust of their streets, is a kind of pollution to the feet of those that tread upon it. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their Synogogues. They are wolves and not men, amongst whom I must sand you; take heed therefore of these wolvish men, for they will persecute you for your message sake, and deliver you up, as offenders, into the hands of authority, and scourge you in their assemblies. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought, how or what ye shall speak. When they deliver you up to their rulers, be not ye too fearfully solicitous what answers ye shall give; neither do herein trust too much to your own wit, and dexterity of replying; but know that the spirit of God shall be present with you, and shall put answers into your mouth &c. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. It is not enough for you, that ye have in one city endured persecution, but when ye have suffered there, ye must betake yourselves to another city. For verily I say unto you, all the cities of Israel must have this gospel of mine, preached unto them by you, but ere ye can have gone through them all, I the Messiah who sand you, will personally second you in this mission of mine; and make manifest to the world my power and kingdom. I am the great master of the family, my Church: 25 If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? ye are my servants, and attendants therein, if they have not stuck to cast reproaches upon me your master, in so high a degree, as to call me a devil; how much less do ye think will they spare you of my household? 26 fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, and hide that shall not be known. fear them not therefore: neither be discouraged with the obscureness of this errand of the gospel which I do now commit unto you; for, howsoever it be now onely preached in corners, in some little parcel of the world, it shall spread forth to all the utmost coasts of the earth; and howsoever the despiteful world do now load you with slanders, and unjust reproaches, yet the day shall come, wherein your innocence and their malice shall be openly manifested unto all the world. Be not therefore afraid to publish this message of mine; What I deliver to you in private, speak ye openly; 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house tops. and what I speak to you alone, do ye proclaim it aloud from those places whence your voice may be best heard. Let the tyrants of the world threat what they please; 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. they cannot do ought against you, but what is limited by my providence: even the meanest of all the creatures are not exempted from the care and over-ruling power thereof: what bide is more cheap, and worthless than a sparrow, whereof two are sold for a farthing? and yet the eye of divine providence is so over them, that nothing can befall to one of them, but what your Father in heaven hath predetermined. But for you, 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. so precious is your life in the sight of God, that every thing that pertains unto you, even the very hairs of your head, is regarded by him; so as your enemies cannot touch one of those hairs without the allowance of the Almighty. You are mistaken, 34 think not that I am come to sand peace on earth: I came not to sand peace, but a sword. if ye think that upon the coming of the Messiah, there shall be nothing but outward peace in the world; no, make account rather of the contrary, for it will fall out, through the corruption of mans nature, that he shall take occasion from the gospel to be moved to unquietness, both in himself, and with others; and Satan, the common enemy of mankind, being enraged with the publication thereof, shall stir up broils and oppositions against it: so as not peace, but war and contention will( through the wickedness of devils and men) follow upon the preaching of this gospel of peace. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father. For it will follow upon my coming( as if it had been a thing intended by me therein) that the son hating and persecuting my truth, will make head against the father, which embraceth and professeth it, &c. 39 he that findeth his life shall lose it. he that makes so dainty of his life, as that,( when he is thereto called) he will not expose it to danger, or loss, for my names sake, shall be sure to loose it everlastingly. CAP. XI. 2. 3 He sent two of his Disciples, saying, Art thou he that should come, or do wee look for another? John sent two of his Disciples to Jesus to inquire of him; whether he were the Messiah that should come. Not for that John the Baptist did any way doubt of this truth; who had heard the voice from heaven acknowledging Jesus to be the son of God, and had seen the Spirit descending upon him; and had said so often, and long before, Behold the lamb of God, &c. But that by this means he might procure a full confirmation hereof to his disciples; who( he knew) would be sent back by Jesus fully convinced; and settled( by his wonderful miracles, and heavenly doctrine) in this persuasion and assurance. 5 And the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. The deaf hear, the dead are raised up, so as I have by many undeniable miracles made good unto the world the truth of this, whereof ye inquire; and moreover, tell your master, that in me is fulfiled that which Esaias fore-prophecyed of the messiah to come, that the gospel is preached to the poor. 6 And blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me. And blessed is he that doth not take occasion to be offended at my mean and homely condition; but sees and acknowledges majesty and power in this my outward poverty and infirmities. 7 What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed shaken with the wind. To what purpose went ye out into the wilderness, to see John Baptist? What conceit, or expectation drew you thither? Did you think to see there a man light, and unconstant to his own courses and resolutions? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment: behold they that wear soft clothing are in Kings houses. Or did you think there to see a man gaily, or richly clothed; this kind of outward bravery of apparel is to be look't for in the courts of Kings and Princes; not in a rude desert. No, ye say ye went out to see a Prophet, for such indeed ye aclowledge him; 9 But what went ye out for to see? a Prophet, yea I say unto you, and more then a Prophet. and yet ye regard not the testimony that he gives concerning me; herein ye are not mistaken, that ye hold John no less then a Prophet; yea, let me add somewhat to your valuation of him; I say he is more than a Prophet. See Malach 3.1. Behold I sand. Verily I say unto you, 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he. that among all those ancient Prophets which have been most famous in the world in former times, there hath not arisen one greater, or more honoured in his function, than John Baptist. They all have spoken of the messiah to come, and this hath been their principal glory, that they have foreshowed him to the world, long before he was exhibited: but this is the privilege and honour of John, that he points to that Saviour, and messiah already exhibited. And in the very same regard, the meanest minister under the gospel, may justly challenge to have a more excellent office and function than John the Baptist; for that he preacheth the same Saviour, as having fully satisfied for mankind, triumphed over death and hell, ascended into the glory of heaven. Ever since the dayes of Johns first preaching, 12 And from the dayes of John the Baptist, until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. until now, there hath been much zealous search after the gospel; and such confluence of holy clients to the Evangelicall Church, as if they would forcibly thrust themselves into it; with such eagerness do men follow the ordinances of God, the means of grace, as if they would offer a kind of religious violence to heaven. Neither is it any wonder, 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. that God works now so strongly and vehemently in the hearts of men; for now in the dayes and preaching of John, the gospel which was formerly hide under types and shadows, is clearly opened, and revealed to the world; so as he doth fully make up all that which in the Law and Prophets was fore-signified. And if ye had grace to know, and acknowledgee it; 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias which was for to come. whereas the last Prophet Malachy told you of an Elias, that should come before the day of the Lord; ye should see and find that this John is the fore-promised Elias, in whose power and Spirit he is come, to prepare the way before me. He that hath not an outward onely, 15 he that hath ears to hear, let him hear. but an inward and hearing ear, let him hear, and receive this which I deliver unto you. But alas, what shall I say to this generation, 16 But whereunto shal I liken this generation? or whereto shall I liken them? It is just with them, as in the ordinary proverb of the boyes playing with their fellowes in the market place. It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows. Whose word( in their sport) to each other, is, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced, &c. Even the very same word may I take up against this people; we have spoken comfortable things to them, and they have not so far believed, as to rejoice therein: we have justly bewailed their dangerous condition, and they have not been affencted with sorrow, and fear. 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath a devil. Neither way are they to bee reclaimed, whether by austerity, or sociablenesse: by gentleness or rigour. for John came severely, and sadly to them, in a retired and hard course of life; and they say, he hath a devil. 19 The son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners, but wisdom is justified of her children. And again, the son of man came in a kind, affable, and plausible manner, conversing with them sociably, at their tables; and they say; Behold a man that loves his paunch and his palate well; a Glutton, a Winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners; with whom he freely eats and drinks, at Matthews late feast, and upon every occasion. But however, the false pretenders unto wisdom, are ready to pass these unjust verdicts, and to spend their censures thus injuriously; yet those who are the true sons of wisdom, can, and will give a justifying, and approving testimony of me, and of my carriage and Doctrine. 21 For if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. For the mighty and admirable miracles which have been done in you, had been enough to have converted those impious, and infamous Cities of Tyre and Sidon; and in all human probability, had those works been done amongst them, they would have been convinced thereby, and have been drawn to a serious, and solemn repentance. So also, the latter part of vers. 23. 23 And thou Capernaum which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell. And thou Capernaum, which hast been so frequented by me, as if thou hadst been my native City, and by this honour of my presence, and continual Doctrine, and miracles, hast been exalted far above all other Cities, and hast had better, and more means of salvation, than they all; shalt for thy unproficiencie, and contempt, be cast down unto hell, &c. 25 I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hide these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. I thank thee O Father, who being Lord of heaven and earth, having therefore absolute power to dispose of all things, according to thy good pleasure; hast thought good to hid the great mysteries of salvation from the worldly wise and great clerkes of the world, and to reveal them to plain, simplo, unlearned souls. In your recourse unto me, 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. do not dream of liberty and ease, as if the following of me should secure you from all troublesone restraints of your corrupt nature; but know that you must submit yourselves to the discipline of my Spirit; and yield yourselves over to the obedience of my command; and learn of me that lesson of meekness and humility, which you see so plainly and eminently practised in me. Which if ye shall compose yourselves unto, 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ye shall find the obedience which I require of you, to bee easy, and pleasant. CAP. XII. OR have ye not red in the Law, 5 Or have ye not red in the Law, how that on the Sabbath dayes the Priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? how that on the Sabbath dayes, the Priests are appointed to undertake laborious works, in the Temple, concerning the sacrifices,( which are double offered that day) and are notwithstanding blameless? See Hose 6.6. 7 I will have mercy, &c. See Esa 42.1. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry, &c. See Esa 42.3. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break. Is this that Messiah, 23 Is this the son of David? that was promised should come from the loins of David, and succeed in his kingdom? Wee cannot deny indeed, 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said: this fellow doth not cast out devills, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devills. but that this man doth cast out devills; but this is done of him by way of compact, not by way of command; he useth the aid and power of a greater devil to eject the less. Howsoever there may bee much collusion amongst the evil spirits, 26 Aand if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself: how shal then his kingdom stand? voluntarily yielding to a seemingly forcible action, for the deceiving of men, yet a true hostility there is not amongst them; and if one devil should cast out another by strong hand, as ye see me do, the kingdom of darkness could not stand. ye see some of your own nation and blood, 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devills, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your Iudges. who make use of my name for the ejecting of Devills; so as in their mouths, my name is allowed as powerful to prevail against the evil spirits; they shall bee sufficient witnesses to convince you, and judges to sentence you; for ye give approbation to them which make use of my name to this purpose, and yet make opposition to me whose power enables them hereto. 28 But if I cast out Devills by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. But if I by the divine power of the almighty Spirit of God, do cast out devills; this, as it is a just honor to me, so it is a great privilege and happiness unto you, for hereby you are assured that that kingdom of the messiah, which ye have so long expected and desired, is now come unto you. 29 Or else, how can one enter into a strong mans house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Which kingdom of mine cannot possibly take place, unless Satan bee first powerfully ejected by me; for, since that evil spirit hath gotten so strong possession( as he hath done) of the world; how is it possible to enter upon his hold, and to spoil and defeat him, in all his wicked practices, except he be first disabled, and personally vanquished? 30 He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad. It had been your parts, both for your own honour and safety, to have set forward, and advanced this spiritual kingdom of mine; which if ye do not, I can account you no better than the enemies thereof; for, in this case there is no neutrality; he that is not for me, is against me; and he that doth not bestir himself to gather with me, even whiles he stands still, scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the holy Ghost shall not bee forgiven unto men. And now whereas the Scribes have not stuck, against the light of their own conscience, to accuse me of casting out devills, through Beelzebub, their case is fearful, for herein they have maliciously sinned against the evidence of Gods Spirit, convincing their hearts of the truth; and this condition is woeful, and desperate; for I say unto you, that all those sins which wee commit against God upon frailty, or ignorance, or sudden and forcible prevalence of a temptation, are yet capable of forgiveness; but the malicious blasphemy that a man utters against the known truth of God, wilfully opposing the illumination, and conviction of Gods Spirit, is a sin, as uncapable of remission, as of repentance. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in the world to come. And whosoever out of ignorance, or mistaking, or by the seducement of others, shall speak words of reproach, and blasphemy against me, the son of man, under the colour of this outward infirmity, and meanness which appeareth in me, it may bee forgiven to him; but whosoever doth despitefully, against his own knowledge and conscience, and against the light of Gods Spirit shining into his soul, make opposition to the son of God, or that saving truth that concerneth him; it shall never be forgiven to him. There is nothing more odious to God, 33 Eeither make the three good, and his fruit good: or else make the three corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the three is known by his fruit. than a false and counterfeit profession of holinesse; I could therefore wish you Scribes and pharisees to bee such as ye seem, either be good, and show to be such by the fruits which ye bear; or, if ye will needs be corrupt, and wicked, let the world know you for such; howsoever your works will descry you one time or other; the three will be known by his fruit. ye have out of the evil treasure of your heart brought forth blasphemies against me, 36 But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. whereof ye shall one day give a fearful reckoning; for I say unto you, that even for those words which are but idle, useless, unprofitable, men shall be called to a strict account, in the day of judgement; how much more for wicked, and blasphemous? Nothing will satisfy the Jews, 39 But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet jonas. who are a wicked and adulterous brood, but signs and wonders, whereby their infidelity might be thoroughly shamed and repelled; still therefore they call for strange and miraculous works: wherewith, although in my own due time I shall abundantly convince them; yet now, for the present, Jonas the Prophet shall be in stead of many signs unto them. For as Jonas the Prophet, after three dayes, 40 For as jonas was three dayes, and three nights in the whales belly: So shall the son of man be three dayes and three nights in the heart of the earth. and three nights, spent in the whales belly, was restored to the light again, and preached to the Ninivites: So shall the son of man, after part of three dayes, and nights, spent in the grave, be restored to life again, and publish, and confirm the glad tidings of salvation to men. That Ethiopian queen which came out of the South from Saba shall rise up in judgement &c. 42 The queen of the South shall rise up in the judgement. Certainly, 43, 44, 45. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh thorough dry places, seeking rest& findeth none, Then he saith, I will return into my house, from whence I came out: and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept and garnished; then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked then himself, and they enter in and dwell there, and the last state, &c. it must needs be that the Jews are in worse case, then if they had never received the knowledge of God, and of his law; for the devil hath more advantage over them, that have once known the will of God, and have for the time been freed from his tyranny, if they do again give way to the entertainment of his wicked motions; for then the evil spirit, finding( by consent) a second harbour there, seizeth on their hearts with more power, and freedom, then ever, and tyrannizeth over them without all controlment. Behold, his mother, 46 Behold his mother and his brethren stood &c. and his kinsmen stood without &c. 49. 50. And he stretched forth his hand towards his Disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren: for whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said to the messenger, Behold, you tell me of my mother, and near kinsfolk; I do not deny due respects to my parent, according to the flesh, and to those which are of my natural and bodily kindred; but I would have you know, that it is the spiritual kindred that I do most affect, and stand upon; These therefore that by a true and lively faith are spiritually incorporated into me; these that do carefully and constionably give up themselves to the obedience of God, my heavenly Father, these are they that may justly challenge an holy consanguinity with me; and this conjunction of grace in the soul doth more endear my mother and kinsmen unto me, then all earthly, and bodily regards whatsoever. CAP. XIII. 3 Behold a sour went forth to sow. BEhold, the word of God is as the seed; the preacher is the sour or seedsman; men are the soil; Gods messengers by his appointment go forth to preach his word, and gospel to men. 4 By the way side. See our Saviours exposition. Vers. 19. 5 Some fell upon stony places. See verse 20, 21. 7 Among thorns. See Verse 22. 11 he answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Although I do speak in these riddles, or parables, yet the illumination of that spirit which is given to you, will sufficiently clear these things unto you, who are acquainted with these divine mysteries; but as for those that have not this light from above, they understand them not, their infidelity is justly punished with ignorance of all saving doctrine. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not from him shall be taken away, even that he hath. For whosoever through my goodness and mercy hath any measure of grace wrought in him, that man in the effectual use of those means which I afford unto him, shall have yet more; but whosoever hardeneth his heart to refuse those gracious offers which are made unto him, it is and shall be just with God, to take away from him those helps, and tenders of means and previous dispositions which are made unto him. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not. Therefore speak I unto them in parables, because they have brought this willing blindness upon themselves, that in seeing they see not; and this wilful deafness, that in hearing they hear not &c. See Esay. 6. Verse 9. 14 By hearing ye shall hear, and shall &c. See Esay 6. Verse 10. 15 This peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing &c.& should be converted, and I should save them. See our Saviours exposition of this parable, Verse 37, 25 But whiles he slept his enemy came, and sowed ●aress. 38, 39, 40. of this Chapter. The gospel of my kingdom, 31, 32 The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a three: so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. in regard of the happy growth and success thereof, may well be resembled to a grain of staid; which being one of the least of all seeds, at length grows up to a strong and branched plant; and exceeding the quantity of an herb, becomes, as it were, a little three, able to yield sufficient perches for the birds that resort unto it; even so my gospel from weak and contemptible beginnings shall spread forth to that largeness of extent, as that it shall reach unto all the nations upon earth. Or, 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hide in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. upon the same reason this gospel of mine is like unto leaven, which though in a very small quantity it be hide amongst much doughty, yet seasoneth the whole batch: so shal this gospel of mine diffuse the power and virtue thereof to all the whole mass of the habitable world. As the Church or spiritual kingdom of God here upon earth, 47, 48, 49. again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind, which when it was full, they drew to shore, and sate down and gathered the good into the vessels but cast the bad away: so shall it be at the end of the world: the Angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. is thus largely diffused through efficacy of his gospel; so it may not be conceived to be pure, and free from all sinful mixtures, whiles it is here below; rather it is like unto a dragge-net, which is cast into the sea, and fetches up much variety, not of great, and little fishes onely, but of stones, and sea-weed, and shells, and mud, altogether; which when it is drawn to the shore, is disburdened of all the unprofitable load thereof; and yeeldeth the good provision of fish unto the vessels of the owner; so doth the Church of God, here, for the outward, and visible composition of it, it containeth not onely sound, and holy, and faithful men, but even the secretly vicious, sly hypocrites, hollow, and faithless professors; but at the end of the world, when this great net is drawn up to the shore, the Angels shall come forth, and make a due separation of the wicked from among the just. 52 Then said he unto them; Therefore every Scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure, things new and old. These parables I have delivered, and expounded unto you, not onely for your own information, but also for the instruction of others; for know, that it is not onely required of you to understand the mysteries of my kingdom, yourselves; but to be able to teach them unto others also: so as if ye will be meet doctors of my Evangelicall Church, ye ought to be furnished with all variety of divine knowledge; that as a good householder lays up, and fetcheth forth store and change of good provision for his guests and family, so may ye that are my ministers, and messengers to the world be stored with plenty of saving knowledge, and heavenly doctrine. 54 And when he was come into his own country, And when he was come to Nazareth, where he was brought up, &c. 54, 55, 56. Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? is not this the Carpenters son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren james, and joses, and Simon, and Iudas? and his sisters, are they not all with us? whence then hath this man all these things? Do not we know the birth and breeding of this man? Is he not the son of Joseph the carpenter? Is not his mother called Mary? Are not his cosens and near kinsmen, James and Joses men well known of us? Are not his kinswomen here amongst us? Whence is it, that having not been trained up in the schools, he should come by this marvellous wisdom and knowledge, and whence are these his miraculous works? CAP. XIV. 22 And straightway Iesus constrained his Disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. IEsus laid a vehement charge and command upon his Disciples( who were otherwise unwilling to have left him) that they should take ship, and go before him to the other side of the lake. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night, Iesus went unto them, walking on the sea. In the last quarter of the night, which was the morning watch, when they had been long tossed in the sea with contrary winds, Jesus came unto them; walking on the sea. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Iesus. Lord, since it is thou, I am so confident of thy power, that if thou shalt but bid me, I dare venture to set my foot upon the waves, and walk to thee. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid: and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord save me. But when he found that the wind was strong and boisterous, and the billows rough, he was afraid, and now as his faith bore him up before, so his fear made him begin to sink, &c. CAP. XV. THou know'st that we have a tradition from our late Elders, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders: for they wash not their hands, when they eat bread. ( though no law of God for it) that for the fear of many incident pollutions, wee should both before, and in our meales wash often; why do thy disciples violate and neglect this good order, set by our wise Elders in their repast? But he answered, and said unto them; 3 But he answered and said unto them, why do you also transgress the commandement of God by your tradition. ye are apt to take exceptions at my Disciples for transgressing the traditions of men; but in the meame time ye yourselves make no conscience of transgressing the commandements of God, by these your vain, and ill grounded traditions. But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or mother; 5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father, or his mother, it is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me. Content yourselves my parents; I have vowed and consecrated unto God that part of my substance which might have been beneficial, and helpful unto you; and now I may not alienate or revoke it. And thereupon give no aid or assistance to his father or mother, 6 And honour not his father, or his mother, he shall be free. he is free from this bond wherein he is tied by the law both of God and nature, &c. In vain do they worship me, 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines, the Commandements of men. whiles in stead of my holy laws( which onely are able to bind the conscience) they obtrude upon men the devices of their own brains; and require the strict observation thereof, with the neglect of Gods precepts. The Scribes and Pharisees have found fault with my Disciples for eating with unwashen hands; 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man: but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. but know ye that the soul of a man is not polluted with that which he puts into his mouth; the creatures of God are in their nature good: and these outward foulenesses of the hand have no moral guilt in them; but those things which defile a man, are the wickednesses that come forth from an unclean heart; and so break forth into the expressions of the mouth, and hand. See verse 17, 18, 19. Master, 23 sand her away, for she crieth after us. thou art not wont to repel importunate suitors; be pleased to grant her request, for she crieth ●fter us. 24 But to the lost sheep the house of Israel. See mat. 10.6. 26 But he answered, and said, It is not meet to take the childrens bread and to cast it to dogs. The Jews are the select family of God, and the children of the house; the Gentiles are but as dogs; despised and hated, as those that are without God in the world; it is not meet to communicate those favours and blessings which I have intended to the children of my Church, to these contemptible aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. 27 Truth Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters table. O Saviour, I do not expostulate with thee for this so hard appellation; I do meekly yield myself such as thou hast termed me; but if I be a dog, give me at least the common privilege of this despised creature. I require not a whole morsel, I desire but a crumb of thy favour: the dogges are allowed to lick the crumbs that fall from their masters table, vouchsafe me but this small offal of thy mercy, and it shall be enough. CAP. XVI. 3 O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times? O Ye hypocrites, can ye prognosticate faire or foul weather by the face of the sky, which is more difficult and uncertain, and can ye not by those clear predictions of the Prophets, and the miraculous demonstrations of my power, discern the time of my coming into the world? 6 The leaven of the pharisees. The sour and faulty doctrine: the vicious and distasteful glosses of the Pharisees. See verse 11, 12. 17 And Iesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Iona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my father which is in heaven. Blessed art thou Simon the son of Joanna, who hast thus believed with thy heart,& thus confessed with thy mouth; for it is not from any power of nature, that thou couldst have conceived thus of me, it is my Father which is in heaven who by his holy Spirit hath wrought this faith in thee. 18 And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I say unto thee: that it was not for nothing, that I have heretofore given thee the name of Peter, which signifies a ston; for thou hast herein approved thyself a living ston in that foundation of my Prophets and Apostles, whereof I myself am both the chief corner ston:& also the firm rock( by thee confessed) on which that foundation of my Church is so surely laid, as that the powers of hell shall never be able to prevail against it. And I will give unto thee, as my prime Apostle, 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall bee bound in heaven; whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall bee loosed in heaven. and to the rest of thy fellowes( in whose name thou hast made this gracious confession) and to their lawful successors, the keys of the kingdom of heaven; so as by their censures, and Doctrine, they shall either open the gates thereof, to the faithful and penitent: or shut them upon the impenitent, disobedient, unbelievers; And what sentence they shall herein pass( in a right and well-grounded proceeding) shall bee accordingly ratified in heaven; whether it bee to bind over men to condemnation, or to acquit them of their sins, to their justification, and salvation. Then Peter took him aside, 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuk him saying; Bee it far from thee Lord: this shall not be unto thee. and began to expostulate with him, saying; Lord, have not I confessed,( and thou hast approved it) that thou art the son of the living God; how is it then that thou talkest of suffering, and dying? these things cannot agree; do not bode so ill things to thyself; rather thou shalt live& reign, and make all us great and happy. But he turned to Peter, and said; 23 But he returned and and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me Satan, thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that bee of God, but those that bee of men. When thou saidst well, I gave thee a title of love and honour; but now when thou speakest thus carnally, I cannot but give thee thine own; It is Satan that suggests this lewd counsel to thee, and thou sufferest thy tongue to be misguided by that tempter; since therefore thou playest his part, I shall justly call thee by his name: Get thee behind me Satan, for these motions of thine, argue a mind that is fleshly, and sensual, and not holy, and rightly informed in, and disposed to the things of God; who by my sufferings and death, hath graciously purposed the redemption of mankind. If any man will profess to bee my disciple, 24 Then said Iesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. let him deny and renounce his own will, and resign himself wholly over to be guided, and disposed of by my Spirit; and let him resolve to undergo all crosses and afflictions, that shall bee laid upon him for my Names sake; and so let him follow me. Verily I say unto you, 28 Verily I say unto you, there bee some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. ye shall have no cause to think it long, ere I the son of man shall come in the glory of my Father; for I will ere long give you very glorious representations, and tastes of this ensuing Majesty. Some of you shall live to see, not onely the image of my future glory in my transfiguration, but the entrance and progress of my kingdom, both in my powerful resurrection, and glorious ascention, and in the happy success of my gospel, thorough many parts of the world. CAP. XVII. 4 Lord, it is good for us to bee here, if thou wilt let us make here three Tabernacles; one for thee,& one for Moses, and one for Elias. OH Lord, how glorious a light is this? how happy were it if wee might continue here, and enjoy this blessed sight still. Below there is nothing but trouble and danger towards thee; let us keep ourselves well where wee are; and if it please thee, let us build three Tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, one for Elias; as for us, wee could bee content to lie abroad, so wee might be sure of such a presence. 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Iesus charged them saying; Tell the vision to no man, until the son of man bee risen again from the dead. do not make report of this my glorious transfiguration to any man whomsoever; till that my resurrection shall have convinced the world of my divine power; which in the mean time must lie shrouded under my manifold infirmities. And his disciples hearing him to speak of his resurrection, 10 And his disciples asked him, saying; Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come? and supposing that his glorious manifestation of his kingdom to the world should be effected, before any suffering that he should undergo; asked him saying, Master, if thy kingdom bee so near, how is it that wee hear not of the coming of Elias? for we have been taught by the Scribes, that Elias must come before that great day. 12 Elias is comne already. See Matth 11.14. 15 Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for oft times he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is at certain set seasons of the moon, sore vexed with a devil; who violently handleth him, and casteth him sometimes into the fire, and sometimes into the water. O ye faithless and perverse Scribes and pharisees; ye have been insulting upon my disciples, 17 O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I bee with you? for that they could not eject this devil, and now think to find the same advantage against me; how long shall I be pained by being amongst you? &c. 21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting. Howbeit, this kind of Devills requires more than the ordinary means of ejection, to dispossess them: for whereas ye have cast out others by your sole command, there must bee more done to these more stiff, and tenacious Spirits; besides command, here must be earnest prayer unto the God of Spirts; and because devotion is apt to grow dull and faint, here must bee an exercise of fasting& abstinence to set an edge upon it, and to stir it up. What thinkest thou Simon; 25, 26. What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the Kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, of strangers. Iesus saith unto him; Then are the children free. Caesars officers call for that tribute from us, which was instituted and a pointed to be paid for sacred uses; wee are privileged persons; is it due to bee paid by us? do earthly Princes require these payments of their children and familiars? how much less fit is it then that he who is the King and Possessor of all the world, the Lord of heaven and earth should pay tribute to any earthly sovereign for himself, or his? Yet, however I might justly challenge this freedom, 27 Notwithstanding, lest wee should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up: and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. lest they, who know not the just ground of my immunity, should be scandalised at my forbearance, as if I did not yield due homage and respect to secular powers, go thou to the sea, and cast in an hook, and take up the first fish that is caught, and in his mouth thou shalt find a piece of silver, of the value of two shillings six pence; that take, and give it to them for me, and for thyself; in whose house I abide. CAP. XVIII. MAster, 1 Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? which of us shall be the greatest in that glorious kingdom, which thou art about to restore unto Israel? 3 Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Verily, I say unto you; Except ye put off all ambitious thoughts, and become meek and humble as little children; ye shall not be meet to take up any stations, in this my spiritual kingdom here, and much less in the glorious kingdom of heaven above. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. It is my rule to measure greatness by humility, whosoever shall so humble himself, as this little child, abasing himself in his conceits, below all others, that man is, and shall be, the greatest in my kingdom. 5 And who so shall receive one such little child, in my Name, receiveth me. And whosoever shall show kindness to one of these my lowly, and meeke-spirited servants, for my sake, I shall esteem it as done to myself. And whosoever shall offer any wrong or indignity to any one of these humble clients of mine, 6 But who so shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him, that a millstone were hanged about his neck,& that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. that believe in me; it were better for him, that he were drowned in the depth of the sea, or under-went any other temporal death; for this unjust measure of his shall be punished with eternal. 7 Wo unto the world, because of offences; for it must needs bee that offences come, but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh Wo bee to the world, because of those many stumbling blocks, which men lay in each others way to salvation: such there will be every where, but wo to those, by whom they are laid. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, &c. See Matth. 5.29. 10 For I say unto you, that in heaven their Angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For they are in so high, and dear respect with God, that he that appointed his Angells in heaven to take charge of them here on earth, and they are ever ready, pitching their tents about them; and do ever attend either to their safeguard, 13 And if so bee that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety& nine, which went not astray. or revenge. he is more affencted with the recovering of that one sheep which was lost, than with the safety of the rest of the flock; because the danger wherein that one sheep was, and the care, and fear that he was in, for it, caused his joy to be thereupon increased. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault, between thee and him alone: if he will hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. When thy brother hath done an offence, whereto thou onely art privy, do not at the first bring him to public censure, but first deal privately with him, for his repentance, and reformation; and if he shall receive the good counsel and admonition thou gavest him, thou hast gained thy brother. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him bee unto thee as an heathen man,& a publican. And if he shall neglect the advice and reproof of them, make thy complaint to them who have the managing of the public censures of the Church, that they may proceed against him accordingly. But if he neglect or disregard those public courses of his reformation, let him bee avoided of thee as a man unworthy of thy conversation, or respect; no less, than as if he were a mere heathen or publican; the one whereof religion makes odious, the other his trade of life. 18 Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, &c. See John 20.23. 19 again, I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. The single prayers of faithful suppliants shall not want audience and respect from God; but when they are doubled, by the conjunction of the hearts of more suitors, and the united forces of many fervent desires, they cannot but be more effectual; and shall receive a gracious acceptation from my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. For, so highly do I respect the assemblies of my faithful servants, that where any number of them shall be met together in a sincere desire to do me service, I will be there present with them by my Spirit, for the exciting, and directing, and accepting of their holy endeavours. I say unto thee, 22 I say not unto thee, until seven times: but until seventy times seven. thou mayest not be too severely niggardly of thy remissions, to bound them within a set and small number; but must bee open-handed to a free forgiveness, though it be never so oft, where thou shalt see likely arguments of repentance; and hopes of amendment. CAP. XIX. NEither God, 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts, suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. nor his servant Moses ever allowed this course of your frequent, and mis-grounded putting away of your wives, upon slight and unwarrantable occasions, onely God by Moses, because he saw your cruelty and hard-heartedness towards your wives,( to avoid further extremities,) gave order that since ye would needs put off your wives, upon undue causes, or else do worse, ye should give them such a writing, as might testify that this dismision of theirs was not for any crime by them committed, but upon some other dislikes. But if ye look to the first institution of marriage, ye shall find that from the beginning it was not so: this liberty was not granted to the husband to put away his wife. His disciples say unto him; If it bee so, 10 His disciples say unto him, if the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to mary. that what distaste soever the wife give unto her husband, he may not( save onely in the case of adultery) put her away, it is the best way for a man to avoid this yoke of bondage; and not at all to mary. Ye say it is the best way to abstain from marriage; 11 But he said unto them, all men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. but all men are not capable of this resolution; but only they who by a special gift of God, have the power of continency. For, there are two sorts of eunuchs: some of necessity, 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mothers womb: and there are some eunuchs which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heavens sake: he that is able to receive it, let him receive. and some of will. Those which are eunuchs of necessity, are such, as either are born such, or such as are made so by men, forcibly. The other, which are voluntary eunuchs, are those, who by the power of the holy Spirit, have subdued their lustful desires, and so brought their bodies in subjection, as that being freed from the inordinate heat of their unruly affections, they give themselves freely over to the service of God. He who finds himself able by the help of prayer and abstinence to maintain and receive this state and gift of continency, let him receive it. 14 But Iesus said; Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. For of them, and such as they are, so humbly and meekly affencted, doth the kingdom of heaven consist. Upon what ground is it that thou givest me this title of Good; 17 And he said unto him; Why callest thou me good; there is none good but one, that is God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandements. for herein thou affirmest a greater truth than thou art ware off. There is none good but one, and that is God, onely; he is truly and absolutely good, and he alone; so as, whiles thou callest me good, thou implyest me to be, what I am, the true God. It is a great and good demand which thou hast made, how thou mayest come to heaven; although if thou knewest the exactness of the Law, and thine own weakness, thou wouldest easily find that it is not doing, that can bring thee thither, but believing; but, if thine aim bee to purchase heaven by thy works, behold thy task lies open before thee, keep all the laws and commandements of God; which if a man do, he shall live in them. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: What lack I yet? Lord, if this bee all that is required of me, I am safe enough; for all these have I kept exactly, and carefully, ever since I came to the yeares of discretion; having not failed( in respect of any main violation) in any of them; I there no further matter then to be performed for the attaining of eternal life? 21 Iesus said unto him; If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me. Alas young man, they self-love hath made thee apt to mistake thyself, and thy condition; the truth is, there is no one of these commandements which thou hast not broken; for the law of God is spiritual, and doth not onely reach to the outward act, but to the inward motions, and dispositions of the heart; but since thou standest upon thine own abilities, and perfections, herein shalt thou give proof of thy sincerite in loving God above all things,( which the Law requireth) go thy ways, sell that which thou hast, and give it to the poor, for the sake of that God, who shall remunerate this bounty of thine with better treasures in heaven: and when thou hast done, come and follow me, as a true and constant disciple. 24 It is easier for a camel to go thorough the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing in the world more difficult, than for that man, who hath set his heart upon his riches, to enter into the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, ye that have followed me in this mine humbled estate upon earth, 28 Verily I say unto ye, that ye which have followed me; in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. shall in the day of the great restauration of all things, when the elect shall enter into a new life of unspeakable glory; even in that great and dreadful day, when the son of man shall sit upon his throne of majesty, to judge the quick and the dead; then shall ye my Apostles,( who are now despicable and mean) have the honor to sit upon several thrones, to second and assist this awful act of final judgement, of the rebellious tribes of Israel. As for those, who have not gone so far, as to forsake, 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or lands for my names sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. & abandon all things, but only some particular comforts, whether houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father or mother, or children, or lands for my names sake, because they could not enjoy any of these together with the profession of my Truth, and gospel, they shall receive( in lieu thereof) that true and solid consolation, which shall be more unto them, than an hundred fold so many several favours, and blessings here, and at last, everlasting glory and happiness. But let none of you, my Disciples, 30 But many that are first, shall be last, and the last shall be first. presume of his forwardness and precedency of time, as if therefore he should out-strip all others in the favour of his remuneration: for many of those which are now( as in the first hour) called to the profession of my gospel, shall yet be cast behind divers others, which shall be later in time: and even those which shall come latest in time may be the first in dignity, and glory. CAP. XX. AS some great and careful householder that hath hired labours at a set rate into his vineyard; 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 13, 14. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard: And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard: And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, and said unto them, go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you, and they went their way; and when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny: But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more, and they likewise received every man a penny. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way, I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. calling in other workmen at several houres, at the later end of the day, is pleased to give an equal retribution to those that came latest into the vineyard, with those that came in first: making good his promise and agreement with the first, whiles he is bountiful unto the latter; cannot be challenged to have done any wrong to the first, in his liberality to the last: even so, God the great master of this earthly family, having called some more early to the service and profession of his name, some later, if he shall please to give a like gracious remuneration to all, cannot justly be excepted against: since if some have cause to magnify his bounty, yet no man hath cause to complain. Lord, thou knowest I am thy kins-woman: and therefore worthy to be respected of thee before a stranger: two of my sons have attended thee thus long: we are persuaded that thou being the messiah, 21 Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left in thy kingdom. shalt restore a glorious temporal kingdom to Israel, grant me this favour, that these two sons of mine may be chief peers under thee, and may be next of honour to thy own person. 22 But Iesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask: Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they say unto him, we are able. I know there are more hands in this svit, then thine own: thy sons have set thee on to move this. But ye know not what it is, that ye sue for; ye think of reigning, and jollity, and magnificence, but I must call back your thoughts to sadness and suffering: much sorrow must be endured by me, ere I can reign, and triumph: neither is my sovereignty such as ye fond imagine, outward and earthly. Tell me then, have ye fully digested the expectation, and resolution of those crosses, and afflictions which ye must undergo? can ye drink of that bitter cup, wherein I shall begin to you? Can ye endure to be baptized in blood, as ye shall see me to be? They say to him; Wee are resolved, both that wee are able, and to be willing to take part with thee in whatsoever measure shallbe offered unto thee. 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them, for whom it is prepared of my Father. And he saith unto them: as ye are my Disciples, and followers, ye shall indeed take part with me in my sufferings, make account of smarting and bleeding for me, and with me: but as for that glory which ye sue for, know that it is mistaken: my kingdom is spiritual, and my glory is, and shall be heavenly: there are indeed degrees of honour and happiness above; but I came not now to dispose of them: my Father in heaven hath ordained and predetermined, before the foundations of the world, upon whom he will confer these celestial honours and precedency, and eminence of glory; the end and purpose of my coming is, to purchase heaven for you and the rest of my Church: as for the principal rooms, and ranks of glory, there is a bold ambition, and curiosity in you to move for them, and it is no part of my commission to give you satisfaction therein. When the other ten Apostles heard of this high, 24 And when the Ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. and ambitious motion, which was made for their two fellowes, the sons of Zebedee, they swelled with envy, and secret indignation, to think that these two should make such earnest svit, to outstrip all the rest of their society; and every one began to compare himself with others, and to put himself forward into a competition of the like honour. But Jesus called them aside and rebuked them, saying, 25 But Iesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great, exercise authority upon them? ye do utterly mistake the matter; ye think belike that it is,& shall be in the governing of the spiritual kingdom of my Church, as it is in the temporal regiments, and courts of earthly Princes, ye dream of secular sovereignty, and rule each over other; but the case is quiter otherwise here; here is no dominion to be exercised by any of you over the rest; as if ye were great sovereigns, and your brethren base subjects, thus it is indeed in the government of earthly Princes. But it shall not be so among you, 26 But it shall not bee so among you: But whosoever will be great among, let him be your Minister. my Apostles and Disciples: there must needs indeed be distinct orders in my Church: neither is it possible that there should be a mere parity without confusion; but this necessary inequality must be without a proud overlinesse, and insolent domineering over your brethren: all the ambition that I do allow amongst you, is, who shall be most serviceable to my Church, and most obsequious to the rest of his fellowes. CAP. XXI. See Zachar. 9. verse 9. 5, 7. Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold thy king cometh unto thee, meek and sitting upon an ass, and the colt, the foal of an ass, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. ANd they brought both the ass, and her colt, and put their clothes upon them, and they set him upon the asses colt thus clad, which had never been used to the yoke, or carriage; and he road thereon in great humility and homely state from Bethphage to Jerusalem. O Lord do thou save and maintain, 9 Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. and prosper the kingdom of this true son of David; Blessed is this true and onely Messiah, which cometh unto us, in the power and authority of the God of heaven. O God, do thou in the highest heaven bless and save him, and give happy success to his rule over us. 10 And when he was come into jerusalem all the city was moved, saying, who is this? And when he was come into Jerusalem with this joyful acclamation of the people; all the city was full of noise, and stirring: and as he passed the street with this attendance, the multitude seeing the train, asked, who is this that is followed with such confluence of people, and such loud gratulations? 12 And Iesus went into the Temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the Temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves. And Jesus went up( in this equipage) to the Temple of God; and did now( the second time) cast out all them that bought and sold cattle and doves, and other things useful for their sacrifices from the courts of the holy Temple; and overthrew the tables of those money-changers, which were employed in these bargains, and the seats of them that sold turtles, and pigeons for their oblations. 13 And said unto them, It is written, my house shal bee called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves. And said unto them: It is written by the Prophet Esay: My house is consecrated to holy devotion, to the use of prayer, and all other the sacred services of God; but now, well may the complaint of jeremy be taken up: ye have made it a den of thieves, in misemploying it to your fraudulent bargains, and gripping transactions. 19 And when he saw a fig three in the way he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves onely, and said unto it, let no fruit grow on thee hence forward for ever; and presently the fig three withered away. And when he saw a fig three in the way, he came purposely to seek that fruit which he knew he should not find ripe and seasonable, that he might hence take occasion to work that exemplary miracle upon it, which ensued; for when he found onely store of leaves upon it, and no fruit, that he might in this three show how much he hates, and will punish a formal profession( such as the Jews made) of religion, without an answerable fruitfulness, he cursed the fig three, and said; let that which is thy fault, be thy punishment; thou bearest no fruit at all; whereas the nature of thy kind is ever to have one fruit under another, always some, though not ever in a full maturity; since therefore thou bearest no fruit at all, never mayst thou more bear any fruit: and presently the fig three, as blasted with that word of judgement, withered. 21 Verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig three, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done Verily I say unto you; that which ye have seen me to do, by my divine power, the same shall ye do by the power of your miraculous faith; if ye can steadfastly believe, without wavering and doubts, ye shall not onely be able, by your command to remove the sap from a three, but ye shall be able to remove the greatest mountain, by your word, out of the place wherein it is, and to cast it into the sea. The question you ask me, 24, 25. And Iesus answered& said unto them, I will also ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? and they reasoned with themselves, saying, if wee shall say from heaven, he will say unto us, why did ye not then believe him? can proceed out of nothing but a wilful cavillation; ye will see such divine power shining forth in my miracles, as may well convince you of the certainty of my mission, and authority from God himself. But since ye will needs move this doubt, I shall give you a full resolution, out of your own answer; if ye shall but tell me whence John, my fore-runner, had his warrant, and authority, both for his preaching, and baptism; herein may ye give yourselves full satisfaction: for if he were an holy Prophet( as ye all account of him) and served onely to make way for me, as his Lord and Saviour, and pointed to me, as that lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world; how can ye make any scruple of receiving me, as sent from God, for the work of mans redemption? ye Priests, and Elders of the people, 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father; They say unto him, the first; Iesus saith unto them; Verily I say unto you, that the Publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God, before you. and ye Scribes and Pharisees are as the undertaking son, that promised well, but did nothing: Publicans and sinners are as the refusing son, which denied to work, and yet performed it in their conversion: therefore even Publicans and sinners shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, how ever now by you despised, when ye shall be excluded. See Esa 5.1. 33 There was a certain householder that planted a vineyard, and hedged it &c. And after that he had seen all the indignities that they had offered unto his servants the Prophets, 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, they will reverence my son. he resolved to sand his onely son Jesus unto them, whose divine miracles he well knew might justly convince them of their duty to him. But when these wicked Jews saw that the son of God was come personally amongst them, they said; 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, this is the heir, come let ut kill him and let us seize on his inheritance. come let ut kill him, and then there shall be none to challenge the inheritance and command of us: we may then live lawlessely without any control. Ye think now that ye are utterly free from the danger of this accusation; and presume of your own judgement; 42 Iesus saith unto them, Did ye never red in the Scriptures: whereas he whom ye reject shall be approved that true messiah on whom the Church of God is built, according to that of the Psalmist. 43 The ston which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner. See Psal. 118.22. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this ston, shall bee broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Christ is as a rock every way as in regard of the use of that spiritual building, so in respect of the danger of opposing him: whosoever will be dashing upon him, shall but split and break himself in pieces; and if he fall( in just revenge,) upon any that makes head against him, he shall crush and grind him to powder. CAP. XXII. 9 go ye therefore into the high ways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. SInce the Jews, my selected people will not obey these gracious invitations, nor approve themselves worthy of this mercy; go ye to the despised Gentiles, and call them to this spiritual marriage feast. 10 So those servants went out into the high ways, and gathered together all as many as they found both good and bad. So those my Apostles, and Evangelists, went to call those that are without; the contemptible heathen, that lay by the high ways, and hedge-rowes of the world, as unworthy of the house-roome of my Church, and gathered them, &c. 11, 12, 13. And when the King came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment, and he saith unto him; friend how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? and he was speechless: then said the King to the servants, bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into utter darkness, there shall be weeping& gnashing of teeth. But though God vouchsafed to call even the Gentiles to the participation of the privileges of his Church, yet he will not abide that they should dishonour his holy vocation by their known filthiness and pollution; the King of glory, the God of his Church, takes notice of his guests, and marks how they come dressed and habited to his spiritual feast; and if he see a man, who professing Christ, shall notwithstanding continue in the old rags, and filth of his natural corruption; he cannot but bee highly offended with this foul hypocrisy and presumption; and after a sharp expostulation, shall adjudge that man to a just and heavy damnation. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen. For, think not that all who are outwardly called by the sweet invitations of the gospel, are made partakers of grace and salvation. God calleth all sorts of men, and men of all sorts, and they do outwardly answer this voice of God; but his inward and effectual calling, and the election of grace is but of few. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying; Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man, for thou regardest not the person of men. And they sent unto him their disciples, together with them which were of the faction, and clientage of Herod; messengers divided both in opinion and affection? the one part standing for the liberty of the Jews, the other part for the impositions of Caesar and Herod, saying; Master we know that thou art true, and without all respects to the persons of one side or other, teachest unpartially the way of God in sincerity and truth. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou of this point? 17 Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou, is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar or not? Thou knowest that God hath imposed upon us a sacred tribute to bee paid unto himself; now, our roman usurpers require us to pay this very tribute unto their coffers; who do justly challenge to be Gods free people; now then, what saist thou? Is it lawful for us thus to yield unto their exactions, and abdicating their just privileges, to pay this tribute unto Caesar or not? And Jesus, 18, 19, 20, 21. But Iesus perceived their wickedness& said; Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites: show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny, and he saith unto them; Whose is this image and superscription? they say unto him, Caesars; then saith he unto them: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars; and unto God the things which are Gods. who knew the very secret thoughts of their hearts, perceiving their wicked conspiracy against him, said; Why do ye thus seek to entrap me, under a colour of respect and reverence to me, O ye hypocrites; Ye think, ye now have me in a snare; for if I say, it is not lawful, ye Herodians are ready to accuse me as seditious; if I affirm it lawful, ye disciples of the pharisees are ready to load me with the envy of the people: But ye shall well see how easily I can avoid this net, ye have laid for me; show me the tribute money. And they brought him a Roman penny( to the value of seven pence halfpenny of the present coin:) And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription, which is stamped upon this mettall? They say to him, Caesars; then saith he unto them; ye have answered yourselves, this very coin convinces you; ye stand upon your freedom from the subjection to the Roman empire; yet in this very stamp ye read your own subjection; ye are mistaken if ye think that your spiritual interest in my Father or me, discharges you from obligations and duties to your earthly Princes; your soul doth or should bear the image of God, and therefore is justly claimed by him, as his; your coin is stamped with Caesars image, to show his claim unto such part of it, as pertaineth unto him. Give therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesars, and unto God the things that are Gods. Ye Sadduces do err grossly, 29 Iesus answered, and said unto them; ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. and damnably in this your mis-conceit of the resurrection; and the ground of your error, is your ignorance both of the Scriptures, which have clearly revealed the truth thereof, and of that omnipotent power of God, whereby onely this( otherwise impossible) work shall be effected. As for that absurdity, 30 For in the resurrection they neither mary nor are given in marriage, but are as the Angells of God in heaven. which ye suppose would follow upon the certainty of a resurrection, compared with the Law of Moses; had ye any true insight into the state of heavenly things, ye would easily see, how it vanisheth of itself. For in the resurrection, and life to come there is no such matter as marrying, and giving in marriage; no more than there is now among the Angells in heaven; for the condition of the Saints shall then bee like unto that of the celestial Spirits, equally free from all these earthly relations, and carnal respects. 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of jacob; God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. he doth not say, I was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; or, I am the God of Abraham that once was; but, as implying his own eternal being, and the certain being of those holy patriarches; he saith; I am the God of Abraham, &c. Now God is not the God of those that are not, and have no existence at all, but of those that have a being; so as, ye Sadduces are in this palpably disproved, whiles ye grossly hold, that the souls of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are utterly extinct, and have ceased to bee; they are, and expect the full accomplishment of that happiness and glory, which God by virtue of his covenant hath assured unto them. 42, 43, 45. Saying, what think ye of Christ; whose son is he; they say unto him, the son of David, he saith unto them, how then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, If David then call him Lord, how is he his son. I shall need no other proof of the deity of the Mediator then your own mouths, and your own attestation to this very Scripture. Ye grant that the Christ is, and must bee the son of David, according to the flesh, as I am: this is assurance enough of his humanity; the truth of this deity is sufficiently evicted by that title and compellation which David gives him, in calling him( by the direction of the unfaileable spirit of God) my Lord: how can he( being Davids son) be Davids Lord, if herein David meant not to aclowledge the messiah for his God. 44 The Lord said, &c. sit down on my right hand, &c. See Psal. 110. verse. 1. CAP. XXIII. 2 Saying, the Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat. THe Scribes and Pharisees, which are the teachers and expounders of the law of God, however they set false glosses upon many precepts thereof, and corrupt it with their own traditions, yet they do out of Gods law show you how ye ought to live, what sins ye ought to avoid, what good duties ye ought to perform. 3 And therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do, but do not ye after their works, for they say and do not. Their counsels and doctrines carry in them much show of holinesse, and austerity; but their practices are full of looseness, and iniquity; whatsoever therefore they injoine you out of the law of God, that observe, and do; but follow not the examples of their actions; for they say well, and do evil. They do, in their many and strict traditions, 4 For they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be born, and lay them on mens shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. impose heavy charges of busy and troublesone observations upon the people; but they themselves will be sure to ease their own shoulders, and take the freedom of a lawless kind of licentiousness. They make great ostentation of the outward signs of holinesse; enlarging those parchment-guards, 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men, they make broad their Phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. which they wear about them, as containing the parcels, and monuments of Gods law; that they may be noted for great professors of sanctity. But do not ye arrogate to yourselves any such power, 8 But be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. or title, as may derogate from the absolute authority of him who is the word of the Father: do not ye take upon you to deliver any doctrine, as of your own head, but onely that which ye shall receive from your heavenly Master: Christ is your Father and Master to teach and command; ye are brethren to join together in observance and obedience. So also verse 9. and 10. Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; 13 But woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites: for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering, to go in. for whereas by your office and profession, ye should by the key of knowledge open the kingdom of heaven unto men; ye do contrarily defraud the people of the true understanding of Gods law, and by that means, do as it were shut the gates of heaven, against both them, and yourselves; your false glosses& vicious practices exclude you; and by the impossibility of observing your many& vain traditions, ye do in your judgement exclude others; and as for matter of faith, ye do neither believe in me( the true Saviour) yourselves, neither suffer others that would gladly embrace the truth of my gospel, to cleave unto me. Ye leave no means un-attempted, ye spare no pains, 15 For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte,& when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell, then yourselves. nor cost to win a gentle, to your Jewish religion; and when ye have drawn him to you, ye do so fully corrupt him, that he is a much worse jew then he was a gentle; and ye do more damn him by a sacrilegious pretence of religion, then he did before damn himself by an heathenish civility. Wo unto you, ye blind guides, 16 Woe unto you ye blind guides, which say, whosoever shall swear by the Temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the Temple, he is a debtor. which led Gods people into gross and foul errors, by your false and absurd expositions, whiles ye teach, that the gold of the Temple is more holy then the Temple itself: and therefore that if a man swear by the Temple, the oath binds not; but if he swear by the gold of the Temple, now he is bound to perform it. So vers. 18. 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the Altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. Whatsoever the forms of your swearing be, it is God onely that is, and must be sworn by; and the creatures are only mentioned, as in relation to their maker; whoso therefore shall swear by the Altar, swears by that which is sacrificed upon it, and by that God to whom that Altar, and that Sacrifice is consecrated and offered. So also 21, 22. 23 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: for ye pay tithe of Mint,& Anise, and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, Iudgement, mercy, and Faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye are curious and scrupulous in performing small and trifling matters: but are careless and unconscionable in the main points of Gods law: if it be for the tithe of a few worthless herbs, or seeds, ye will rather over-run the precept of God; but the great duties of justice in your decisions of mercy to the helpless, of fidelity, and uprightness of carriage towards men, these are slightly passed over by you. Those petty observations,( being that they are prescribed) do challenge their due place, but so, that the greater and more important duties ought first and chiefly to be regarded. 25 For ye make clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. ye are all for the outside; onely caring to appear faire and glorious, without all regard to inward sincerity; as if a man should be curious in washing the outside of his cup, or platter; never caring whether it be clean within: thus do ye, being externally holy, but inwardly full of extortion, and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup, and platter, that the out-side of them may be clean also. Thou blind and hypocritical Pharisee, do thou by thyself, as any wise and cleanly man would do by his cup or platter, care first and chiefly that the inside bee clean& bright, that so( if thou wilt) it may be scoured on both sides; thy own safety calls thee to the respect of the inside: in the care of the outside, thou shalt onely regard the eyes of others. 29 Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because ye build the tombs of the Prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous. Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because ye profess much honour to the memory of the holy Prophets, and can be content to beautify their tombs, as if ye were conscionable observers of that which they spake, and wrote in the name of the Lord. In that ye are so busy in garnishing the tombs of the Prophets, slain by your progenitors, 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves; that ye are the children of them which killed the Prophets. ye proclaim yourselves to be the children of murderous parents; so as ye have no reason at all to boast of your pedigree. But herein ye do too well approve yourselves the sons of those wicked parents, 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. in that ye imitate them in their bloody practices; persecuting and killing the righteous and innocent, now, as they did in their times before you, so as what they wanted of cruelty, is fully made up by you. That since ye succeed in the bloody cruelty of your predecessors, 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias whom ye slay between the Temple and the Altar. ye may also inherit their judgements; and may make yourselves liable to the punishment of all the innocent blood, that hath been shed by them, even from the blood of righteous Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Jojada, or Barachias, whom your progenitors cruelly flew in the court of the Temple, betwixt the entering in thereof, and the Altar. How oft and how earnestly have I offered unto thee, 37 How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not? the means of thy salvation, and tendered unto thee my gracious protection, if thou wouldst have approved thyself capable thereof? and thou hast wilfully cast off, and disregarded all my merciful proffers made unto thee. Behold your Temple, your City, 38 Behold your house is left unto you desolate. your country shall be( by reason of your sins) given over to utter spoil and desolation. For I say unto you: 39 For I say unto you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hitherto I have lovingly and familiarly conversed amongst you, as a gracious Redeemer, inviting you to your conversion; but now since ye have despised my mercy, I will depart from you, and ye shall no more see me, till you shall be forced to magnify me in the terror of my judgement, and in the glory of my majestical appearance. CAP. XXIV. TEll us these two secrets; 3 Tell us when shall these things be, and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world. When the time sh● of this miserable destruction of the the Temple 〈◇〉 thou foreshewest us: and what signs shall go 〈◇〉 thy coming to judgement, and the end of the wor●… Both before the time of the destruction of Jerusa●…, 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. and before my second coming( which ye ignorantly imagine shall be together, and at once) there shall arise many impostors, who shall give out themselves for the messiah, and shall deceive many. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come: This gospel, whereby the kingdom of Christ is both gathered,& erected, and governed, shall before my last coming, and the end of the world, be preached to all the nations of the habitable world: so as they shall have no excuse from their ignorance, but shall be fully convinced of the truth thereof. 15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, stand in the holy place,( who so readeth let him understand:) When ye shall see the abominable pollution of the Temple( which is the just cause of the utter desolation thereof;) yea, when ye shall see the heathenish armies( consisting of idolatrous Pagans) according to the prophesy of Daniel( which I would have you diligently to peruse and consider) taking possession of the holy Temple: 16 Then let them which be in judea, flee into the mountaines. Then, it is time for every one in Judea, to shift for himself, and to betake himself into the deserts, and mountaines for safety. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those dayes. Their case shall be very miserable and desperate, whose necessary burdens forceth their stay, or hindereth their speed of escape, namely those that are with child, or those who giving such to their little infants must needs carry their dear charge in their arms. 20 But pray ye that your flight bee not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. But pray ye that this flight of yours, for your own preservation, be not cast upon such a time, and season, as may be to the disadvantage, either of your life, or your conscience: that it fall not out in the deep of winter, when through the foulness of the way, or extremity of weather ye cannot pass, to save yourselves, or upon the Sabbath day, when( as men are informed and affencted) the scruples of enthralled consciences forbid them to take laborious journeys for their escape. 21 For then shall bee great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world, to this time, no nor ever shall be. Except it should please God so to contrive it, that this siege and misery of Jerusalem, should receive a quick dispatch, it would make an end of all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; 23 And except those dayes should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect sake those dayes shall be shortened. so as not so much as a remnant of them should escape; but God shall so order it for his elects sake( who are therein) that this their extremity( though very grievous) yet shall be short. 24 And shall show great signs and wonders insomuch that( if it were possible) they shall deceive the very elect. The delusions of their signs and wonders shall be so strong, that the world shall be utterly carried away therewith: and( if it were possible that the very elect of God could be miscarried by them) they should also be deceived; were it not more of the grace and mercy of that powerful God, who sustaineth them, and that infallible decree, whereby they are ordained unto life, than of any power or wisdom of their own, they could not stand against these strong deceptions. Wherefore if the disciples of these vain impostors shall say, Behold the messiah is now comne, 26 Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold he is in the desert, go not forth. Behold he is in the secret chambers, believe it not. and he is in the desert, gathering of troops for the restoring of his kingdom: or, he is in this or that secret room plotting his affairs, believe it not. For the return of the son of man shall be without observation, so as no man can fore-appoint, 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the son of man be. or fore-expect the day; but shall bee sudden and unlooked for; even as the lightning gives no warning when it comes, but suddenly flashes from the East to the West; so shall also the second coming of the son of man be. Wheresoever the son of man shall please to present himself, 28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the Eagles bee gathered together. thither will he call unto him all men to be judged by him; so as all mankind shall flock unto his judgement seat, even as the Eagles resort to the place, and subject of their repast. When as my Church shall have endured that full proportion of affliction, which I have set forth for it, 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those daies, shall the sun bee darkened. immediately thereupon shall my last coming be in glory and majesty, and dreadfulness; for then the sun shall be darkened, &c. Then shall appear those glorious and bright beams of sight, and heavenly splendour, 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. which shall shine forth upon the very act of the appearance of the son of man, as it were the opening of Heaven for his descent, &c. And he by his almighty power shall sand his holy Angells, 31 And he shall sand his Angells with a great sound of a trumpet,& they shall gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. who with a mighty sound shall summon together his elect( whose bodies have been vanished into all the elements) and they shall from all the coasts of the earth be assembled together before him. Take and learn this similitude of the fig-tree; look as when ye see the branches of it, to put forth leaves, 32 Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. ye know that summer is coming on,& that the winter which kept in that juice and sap, is now past: so likewise when ye see the signs accomplished, which I have now premonished you of, know ye that the kingdom of God is near to the full accomplishment thereof. do not imagine that I have told you of things which are long hence to bee done; no, I assure you, 34 Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass; till all these things be fulfilled. that all these things which I have foretold, concerning the destruction of the Temple, and Jerusalem, and all the appendances thereof, shall bee effected in your very time and sight; so as this present generation shall bee the witnesses of the fulfilling of every word that I have spoken concerning these matters. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Know that my word can not fail& disappoint you; the heaven and the earth have their time set, when they shall pass away, but the truth of my word is everlasting; and shall continue when this frame of the world shall be dissolved. 36 But of that day& hour knoweth no man, no not the Angells of heaven, but my Father onely. But, as for the day and hour of my second coming, I would not have you to be curiously inquisitive into it; that is a secret, which is not disclosed to the very Angels of heaven, but reserved onely in the hidden counsel of my Father which is in heaven. 37 But as the dayes of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. But I give you this general intimation of the condition of the time; wherein it shall bee, that as it was in the daies of Noah, before the universal deluge swept away mankind, so shall it bee in that time, wherein the son of man shall come to judge the world in fire. So verse 38.39. 40 Then shall two bee in the field, the one shall bee taken, and the other left. This dreadful coming of Christ shall not have the like issue unto all; to some it shall be terrible, to others happy; It shall make a perfect distinction between them whom the world made no difference between. Two shall be found in the field, about the same work; one of them shall bee taken up to glory, the other shall bee( as a reprobate) left to everlasting confusion. So Verse 41. 43 But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to bee broken up. ye are forewarned, and therefore fail not to watch: if the goodman of the house be informed before hand in what watch the thief will come,( though he bee not told of the hour wherein he is like to come) he will bee sure to stand upon his guard all that part of the night, and not suffer himself to bee surprised, and his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore bee also ready: for in such an hour as you think not, the Son of man cometh. So do ye therefore, though the hour bee not designed to you, yet you hear that the son of man will both surely, and suddenly come to judgement; be ye therefore ever ready to receive him, whensoever he comes. 45 Who then is a faithful& wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household to give them meate in due season. Whosoever therefore shall approve himself a faithful officer in the family of God; distributing to every one that measure of allowance which his master hath ordained; improving all his gifts and opportunities to the best service of God. Blessed and happy is he, for being found so doing; 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. so he shall bee sure that his industry, and justice, and fidelity shall be recompensed with eternal glory. Verily I say unto you; 47 Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods. as an earthly master remunerates such a servant with preferment and honour in his household, committing the rest unto his over-sight and government; so will the God of heaven toward him that is thus spiritually just, and faithful, with an everlasting weight of glory. By the contrary expound verse 48, 49, 50, 51. CAP. XXV. WHiles men are here indifferently mingled together, 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven bee likened unto ten Virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. their state seems all alike; all would bee thought to be as wise Virgins; but at the end of the world, it shall appear what every one is. As the manner is that virgins meet the bridegroom, and attend upon him till he bee brought into the Bride chamber; So all that take upon them to profess the Name of Christ, make show of a ready and forward attendance upon his person and ordinances. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. But indeed many of them are but false and hypocritical, which will appear in the issue. For as those virgins are foolish, 3, 5, 6, 8. They that were foolish, took their lamps,& took no oil with them: while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered, and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. And the foolish said unto the wise; give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. who do not furnish their lamps with store of oil, which may continue their light, according to the occasion of their attendance: so those men are spiritually sottish, who do not labour for true faith, and all other sound graces of the Spirit, which may enable them to persevere unto the end, and may make them capable of the glory of the heavenly bridegroom. So verse 9, 10, 11, 12. Unto one, the great master of the family, the God of heaven, hath given greater gifts, faculties, opportunities; 51 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability. to another less; but to all some; with an intention that they should bee employed to the honour and advantage of his name, who is the owner, and bestower of them, &c. 18 But he that had received one, went and digged in the earth,& hide his Lords money. But he that had received the least measure and proportion of stock from the hand of God; was careless in the improving it, and made no use at all of it, for the profit of his master. 24, 25. Then he which had received the one talent, came& said, Lord, I knew thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown,& gathering where thou hast not strawed;& I was afraid,& went& hide thy talent in the earth: lo there thou hast that is thine. As the idle and negligent servant, when his business succeeds not, is ready to cast the blame upon his master, pretending his hardness, and straightness, and morosity; so is the unfaithful and indiligent man apt to lay the fault upon his maker, when he hath omitted his good services, and run himself into judgement. 26, 27. His Lord answered& said unto him, Thou wicked& slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not,& gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers,& then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. I have given good proofs of my bounty to all my creatures; but if I were such as thou standerest me, one that would bee willing to receive more than I give; Why didst thou not the rather take a course to increase that stock which I committed unto thee; that so I might have received the advantage of mine own gifts. Whosoever, through the effectual inoperation of Gods Spirit, shall improve those graces, and helps which he hath received, to the further honour of God; he shall receive a further accession both of grace, and glory; and he that quencheth the Spirit, and suppresseth the good motions thereof, 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given,& he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away, even that which he hath. and rejects those good means which are offered him, shall bee stripped of all those common favours which he hath, and lose the hope of all that he might have attained. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into utter darkness, there shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth. As that earthly Master would justly cast such an unprofitable servant out of doors, into the darkness and could, there to miscarry, whiles himself and his thrifty followers are entertained with good cheer, and light within; So shall the just God cast out such evil and unfaithful servants from his presence, and thrust them down into the dark pit of hell, where there is nothing but wailing and horror. 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the Goates on the left. And he shall set his elect and holy ones, as sheep on the right hand: and the wicked and reprobate, as Goates on the left. 35 For I was an hungered,& ye gave me meat. For ye have manifested the truth of your faith( which only can give you just claim to heaven) by the fruits of your good and charitable works; when I, in my poor members upon earth, was hungered, ye gave me meat, &c. CAP. XXVI. THe son of man is already, 3 And the son of man is betrayed to be crucified. by Judas in his intended conspiracy with the high Priests and Elders, betrayed to death, and that to the death of the cross. Then assembled together both the high Priest of that year( for they were now grown annual) and the chief fathers of all those priestly families, and the Scribes, 3 Then assembled together the chief Priests, and the Scribes, and the Elders of the people unto the Palace of the high Priest. and the Elders of the people; all which, conjoined together, made up a perfect council of the Jews. &c. In the house of Simon, who had been a Leper, 6 In the house of Simon the leper. but being cured, retained still the name of his fore-past disease. Then came to him a woman, 7 There came unto him a woman, having an alabaster box of very precious ointment. noted for her zeal to Christ, even Mary Magdalene, having an alabaster box of very precious and sweet ointment &c. When Judas saw it, he grudged at it, 8, 9. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying; To what purpose is this waste, for this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. and conceiving great indignation thereat, stirred up his fellow-disciples to murmur at this act of Mary, saying; What great pitty it is that an ointment of so great price should bee thus powred out in waste? There might have been a great sum raised upon it, which might have been distributed to the poor, and have yielded a long, and durable relief unto them; whereas now it is spent to little purpose. ye do willingly allow sweet balms, 12 For in that she hath powred this ointment on my body, shee did it for my burial. and rich perfumes for the dead; behold, this woman hath herein reached beyond your conceit; she hath done this as her last office, towards my burial. I am now sitting with you at supper, my thoughts are upon my grave; and this woman hath hereby made a bountiful and loving preparation for those my last exequies. I, who know the motions and the thoughts of all men, 18 And he said, go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, the master saith, my time is at hand. do foretell you; that going into the City ye shall meet a man bearing a pitcher of water, follow ye that man, and say to him; Thus saith our master; My time is now at hand, wherein I shall both keep the Passover, and be made an everlasting Passover for my Church; I have made choice of thy house to honour it with this my last feast, &c. Even one of you my familiar and domestic attendants, who sitteth now with me, 23 And he answered and said, he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. and dippeth his hand in the same dish with me and you; shall be so perfidious as to betray me, and sell me into the hands of my enemies. 25 Then Iudas which betrayed him, answered& said; Master, Is it I: he said unto him: thou hast said. Then Judas who was secretly guilty of this wickedness, thinking that his silence might be an accusation of himself, durst boldly ask, as hoping to out-face the matter; Master, is it I? Jesus said unto him; since thy guiltiness hath taken the boldness to ask this question, do not think that either thy secrecy, or impudence can carry it away without notice: Thou art the man. 26 Take, eat, this is my body. Take, eat, this bread is sacramentally my very body; so as, if ye do worthily receive this element, ye do therewith partake of me; whiles your hand and your mouth take and eat this bread, your souls do truly and really receive me, who am represented and exhibited, and conveyed into you, by and with this outward sign. 28 For this is my blood of the new Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. This Wine is sacramentally my very blood, whereby the new Testament is ratified, and sealed up to and with all my faithful ones; which blood of mine is now to bee shed for the redemption of mankind, and for the remission of the sins of all penitents, and true believers. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink hence forth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom. It is a fare-well cup that I now drink with you; for I will no more, in this mortal state, drink, from henceforth, of this fruit of the vine; but shall reserve myself for a more comfortable draft, sweeter than all the new wine which earth can afford; of glory and happiness, which I shall enjoy in my Fathers kingdom; whereof ye shall be blessed partakers with me. 31 All ye shall be offended because of me this night; for it is written: I will smite the shepherd,& the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. All ye shall be scandalised, and drawn into offence with that, which shall bee done unto me this night; for your hearts will fail you, and ye shall weakly yield to forsake me, when ye see me laid hold of, and carried away violently by mine enemies; so as in you shall bee fulfilled that of the Prophet: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad. 32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. But bee not dismayed with that, which shall befall me; I must die indeed, but I will rise again; and when I am risen, will show myself to you, my dear disciples: and that ye may know where to make account of my presence; remember that I now tell you, I will go before you into Galilee. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this Cup pass from me, nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. O my Father, when I look to the grievousness of these instant sufferings, and the infirmity of this human nature, which I have assumed: I could bee well content to wish that( if it could bee) this bitter death, which now awaits for me; might by me bee avoided, and by thee removed. But when I cast mine eye to thine holy decree, and the necessity of mans redemption, I do most willingly submit myself to thy will. Bee it not as human nature could be content to wish, but as thy divine will hath everlastingly decreed. If for my sake ye do not find cause enough to stir up yourselves, and to shake off your drowsiness, 41 Watch& pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. yet at least for your own, bee advised so to do; neither let your eyes onely be open to watch, but your heart also to pray; for ye are now in great danger to bee overcome with temptations of fear, and distrust; I know your mind is good, ye are willing enough to perform these good duties: but the natural infirmity of your flesh, is ready to strive against these good motions; so as ye had need of my seasonable and earnest excitations. Since my so serious admonition could not keep open your eyes; go to, now sleep on, 45 sleep on now, and take your rest; behold the hour is at hand, and the son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. take your rest if you can; behold, ye are now entering into a busy and perilous time: for now is the hour of my suffering at hand, and I the son of man am betrayed by my wicked disciple, into the hands of the malicious Jews. Had an enemy done me this ill office, 50 And Iesus said unto him; Friend, wherefore art thou come? it would have becomne him; but for thee, my friend and familiar, to sell thy service to my betraying, how hateful a thing it is? I do well know thy errand; thou art comne to betray thy master with a kiss. And behold, one of them which were with Jesus, 51 And behold, one of them which were with Iesus, stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and stroke a servant of the high Priest, and smote off his ear. even Simon Peter, out of his zeal to his master, drew forth his sword,& stretched out his hand,& smote a servant of the high Priest, called Malchus,& cut off his ear. Put up thy sword; 52 Then Iesus said unto him; Put up again thy sword into his place, for al they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. these are not the weapons that ye my disciples must fight withall: Peter thou dost not herein fight for me, so much as against thyself; for whosoever in a private revenge, being not thereto called, and authorised, shall smite with the sword, that man pulls upon himself the just revenge of God, and his Law; and must expect the same measure which his cruelty and presumption hath meated to another. It is a great weakness and ignorance in thee, 53, 54. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of Angels: But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? if thou thinkest it is for want of help, that I am fallen into these malicious hands; no, I would have thee know, that if I would pray unto my Father in heaven for rescue, I could easily obtain a mighty host of glorious Angells to deliver me: But then what would become of mankind? or how should that be fulfilled which the Scriptures have foretold concerning me, and that great work of redemption, which must be wrought by me. 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the Temple of God, and to build it in three dayes. Whereas Jesus had said, If you shall destroy this living Temple of my body, I will within three daies build it up again; these false witnesses, perverting his words, and mis-alledging them, as spoken of the material Temple of Jerusalem, accuse him to have said; I am able to destroy this Temple of God, which you hold in so great honour and reverence, and can build it up again in three dayes. 64 Iesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Jesus saith unto him; I am indeed the Christ the Son of God; but it is not for you to judge of me by this now homely and contemptible appearance of mine; the time shall come when ye shall behold me in another form; ye who now look upon me with scorn, and contempt, shall then see me sitting gloriously on the right hand of majesty and power; and coming in the clouds of heaven to judge both the quick and the dead. 68 Saying, prophecy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee: They say thou art a great Prophet; now show thy skill; out of thy deep knowledge now tell us( thus hoodwinked) who it is that smites thee. CAP. XXVII. 2 And when they had bound him they lead him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. BUt, having not in their own hands, the power of life and death, they bound him, and lead him away, and delivered him to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. 3 Then Iudas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces, &c. Then Judas which had betrayed him, when he saw the proceedings, and issue of this business, viz. that Jesus was condemned to die( whereas upon the sight, and knowledge of the continual miracles of Christ he perhaps) supposed, that( notwithstanding this wicked transacting of his) his master would easily free himself from their hands; he was strike with a late remorse; and brought again the thirty pieces &c. 9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by ieremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the Children of Israel did value. See Zachar. 11. verse 13. The testimony is plainly cited out of zachary, and yet is in ancient copies alleged under the name of ieremy: which doubtless happened by the writers mistaking of the abbreviations; {αβγδ} for {αβγδ} as I have seen it in a very old manuscript. Now at that feast of the Passover( for the honour of that solemnity) it was an ancient custom of the Jews, 15 Now at that feast, the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. in memory of their letting loose from their egyptian thraldom, to let loose some one prisoner, whom they would choose, for what offence soever he was committed; which favour the Roman governours( to ingratiate themselves with the Jewish people) thought good to continue unto them. Then Pilate, knowing that it was the Jewish manner, 24 He took water& washed his hands before the multitude, saying; I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. by washing of hands to signify and profess their innocency, took water, and in the presence of the multitude washed his hands, and made protestation of his clearness and freedom from the guilt of the innocent blood of Jesus Christ. If there be any fault in shedding the blood of this man, 25 Then answered all the people, and said, his blood be on us,& our children. wee do willingly take it upon ourselves: let it bee required of us, and of our children. And they scornfully put upon him all the robes and ornaments of royalty, in mockage and derision: as first, 28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet rob. they clad him with a scarlet rob. Then for his crown, 29 And when they had plaited a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head,& a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him. they floutingly put upon his head a wreathe of thorns plaited together; and instead of a sceptre, they gave him a reed in his hand; and in an open mockage, they bowed their knees to him,& jeeringly saluted him with the royal acclamation of, hail King of the Jews. They gave unto him( according as they were wont to do unto condemned malefactors) a potion of sharp wine mixed with myrrh, 34 They gave him vinegar to drink, mingled with gull; and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink. and other bitter compositions; which he tasted of, but would not drink. All sorts were ready to cast their taunting, 44 The thieves also which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth. and opprobious speeches upon him; not onely the Scribes and the Priests, and the multitude, but even the very thieves had their mouths open against him; for, one of those thieves that was crucified with him, scornfully upbraided his passion to him. Now, 45 Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. from twelve of the clock until three in the afternoon, there was a darkness over all the land. God, by this, purposing to show unto the world by this unusual change of the course of nature, that there was a violence offered to the God of nature, which he abhorred; and the delinquents had cause to be strike with remorse for: And, about three of the clock in the afternoon, 46 And about the ninth hour, Iesus cried with a loud voice, saying; Eli, Eli, Lammasabachthani; that is to say, My God, my God, why why hast thou forsaken me? Jesus cried out with a loud voice, in the words of the Prophet David,( his true and ancient type) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? which he did in a deep sense of his Fathers wrath unto mankind, in whose stead he now under-went that which was due for the sins of the whole world: whiles he said( Why hast thou forsaken me) implying that God had, for the time, withdrawn from him the sense and vision of his comfortable presence; and whiles he said, My God, implying the strength of his faith, whereby he did firmly apprehended the sure and gracious aid of his eternal Father. 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said; this man calleth for Elias. Some of them that stood there when they heard him say Eloi, whether mistaking the likeness of the word, or whether wilfully scorning him in this passionate expression of his grief, said; This man calleth for Elias, &c. 51 And the vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom: and the earth did quake,& the rocks rent. And behold, that the Jews might now understand, that by the death of this son of God, all the mosaical ceremonies, and rites were at a full end; the vail of the Temple, which was before the holy of holies, rent in pieces, from the top to the bottom; and that they might see the God of heaven and earth suffered under their hands, as the heavens testified their interest in him by subduing their light, so did the earth by the quaking, and agitation thereof, and by the rending of her rocks. 52 And the graves were opened, and many bodies of Saints, which slept arose. Yea, the very graves were opened, and many bodies of the Saints which had long lain therein, now by the almighty power of their dying Saviour, arose. 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy City, and appeared unto many. And came out of their graves, to attend him, who was the first fruits of the dead; the Author of the happy resurrection of his chosen; and therefore upon the resurrection of this son of God, the Lord of life, they arose, and went into the City of Jerusalem, and shewed themselves to many, whom they had been formerly known unto. 54 Now when the Centurion, and they that were with him watching Iesus, saw the earth-quake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying; truly, this was the son of God. Now, when the Centurion,( though a mere heathen) and the Roman souldiers that were with him, saw the darkness and the earth-quake, and the manner of Christs death, his patience, his mercy, his voluntary and sweet expiration, they were strike with great fear, saying, This Jesus was put to death as upon pretence of blasphemy, for that he gave out himself for the son of God: but all these things plainly show that he said nothing but truth, of himself: doubtless he was no other than that he said of himself, the son of God. 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene,& Mary the mother of james, and joses, and the mother of Zebedees children. This while, there was no news of his Disciples, they( except John onely) had withdrawn themselves; but many women, who had been very ready to attend Christ, and to minister unto him, in his journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, stood within sight, though not very near to his cross; sadly beholding all that was done unto him. Now there was Mary Magdalen, 16 And there was Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary sitting over against the sepulchre. and that other Mary the mother of James, sitting over against the sepulchre, that they might take good view of the place where Jesus was laid, purposing to bring sweet odours( when the Sabbath was over) for the perfuming and embalming of his body. Now the next day that followed the preparation day, being both the Sabbath day, 62 Now the next day that followed the day of the preparation, the chief Priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate. and the day of the Passover, the chief Priests( now not regarding the sacred solemnity thereof, out of their malice to Christ) came together to the Roman governor, Pilate. ye have a guard of souldiers which out of the tower of Antonia, are designed to this service, go your way; 65 Pilate said unto them, ye have a watch. set sure watch upon the sepulchre, &c. CAP. XXVIII. IN the night after the Sabbath, when it was dawning, 1 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn, towards the first day of the week. towards the morning of the first day of the week &c. All power is given to me both in heaven and earth, 18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. as Mediator betwixt God and man: neither is this power at this time conveyed unto me, which before I had not: but now, by this my glorious and triumphant resurrection it is manifested to you and the world, that I am invested with this power. By virtue whereof, 19 go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost. I give you my Apostles commission, and charge, to go teach all nations of the world; adding to your doctrine the seal of holy baptism; whereby ye shall initiate all believers into my Church; Baptizing them, as by calling upon the name of God the Father, the son, and the holy Ghost; one in essence, three in distinction of persons; so in the authority of the same one God; and into the profession of the faith, and religion of that one God distinguished by those three coeternal, and coequal persons, blessed for ever. And lo, 20 And lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world, Amen. howsoever my bodily presence shall be subduced from you, yet in my spirit and infinite deity, I will be ever present with you, to protect and bless you, and my whole Church to the end of the world. THE gospel OF St MARK. CAP. I. 2 Behold, I sand my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. See Malach. 3.1. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness &c. See Esay 40.3. 5 And were all baptized of him in the river of jordan confessing their sins. ANd as John preached unto them repentance, that they might be capable of the remission of their sins; so they accordingly practised it; for those that came to be baptized of him, presented themselves to him with an humble confession of their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camels hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins: and he did eat locusts and wild honey. See Matth. 3.4. 8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost. See mat. 3.11. 10 And streight way, coming up out of the water he saw the heavens opened, and the spirit like a dove descending upon him. See Matth. 3.16. 12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. See Matth. 4.1. 17 And Iesus said unto them, come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men. See Matth. 4.19. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them, as one that had authority, and not as the Scribes. See Matth. 7.21. 34 And he suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. And he suffered not the evil spirits to profess their knowledge of him: because he would not have him who is the father of lies, to slander and disgrace the truth by his testimony. See Matth. 8.4. 44 Offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony unto them. In so much as Jesus, who purposely shunned the confluences, and applauses of the people, 45 Insomuch that Iesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter. found it not fit for him to enter openly into the city any more, &c. CAP. II. See Matth. 9.2. 5 son, thy sins be forgiven thee. See Matth. 9.6. 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, he saith to the sick of the palsy. See Matth. 9.9. 14 Sitting at the receipt of custom. See Matth. 9.15. 19 Can the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them. Hunger, 25, 26. And he said unto them, Have ye never red what David did when he had need, and was an hungered, he and they that were with him; How he went into the house of God in the dayes of Abiathar the high Priest, and did eat the showbread, which is not lawful to eat, but for the Priests? or whatsoever bodily necessity dispenseth with the ritual observations of the law; as ye may well see in the example of David; who when he had need, and was thereupon driven to seek relief of Abiathar the high priest, went into the Temple of God; and made no scruple to eat of that showbread which was consecrated to sacred use, and therefore was not lawful to be eaten of any but the Priests onely, &c. CAP. III. See Matth. 11.24. 22 He hath Beelzebub,& by the Prince of the devils casteth he out devils. See Matth. 11.26. 26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 28 All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies, wherewith soever they shall blaspheme. See Matth. 11.31. 34, 35 Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother. See Matth. 12.49. CAP. IV. 11 unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but unto them that are without, all things are done in parables. See Matth. 13.11. 12 That seeing they may not see, &c. See Matth. 13.13. 21 Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick? See Matth. 5.15. 22 For there is nothing hide, which shall not be manifested? See Matth. 10.26. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he that hath not, from him shall be taken, even that which he hath. See Matth. 13.12. 32 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth is less then all the seeds that be in the earth. See Matth. 13.31, 32. CAP. V. 39 The damsel is not dead but sleepeth. See Matth. 9.24. CAP. VI. 1 And came into his own country. See Matth. 13.54, 55, 2 Whence hath this man these things. 56. 3 Is not this the carpenter &c. And he could not abide to do any great miracles there among them, because of their infidelity. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. See Matth. 10.9, 10. 8, 9 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff onely, no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse; but bee shod with sandals, and not put on two coats. See Matth. 10.11. 10 In what place soever ye enter into an house there abide till ye depart from that place. See Matth. 10.14. 11 Shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them: verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgement, then for that city. And as a sign extraordinarily appointed by God for the miraculous cure of the diseased, 13 And anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. they annoynted the sick with oil, in very great multitudes, and healed them. For Herod had an awful and reverend conceit of John, knowing that he was a just and holy man. 20 For Herod feared John, &c. CAP. VII. See Matth. 15.2. 5 Why walk not thy Disciples according to the tradition of the Elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands. See Matth. 15.9. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandements of men. See Matth. 15.5. 11 If a man shall say to his father or mother, it is Corban, that is to say, a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me: &c. See Matth. 15.11. 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him, can defile him, &c. 26 The woman was a greek, a Syrophenician by nation. The woman was a gentle; born in those coasts of Tyre and Sidon which were in Syrophenicia. CAP. VIII. 15 The leaven of the Pharisees. See Matth. 16.6. 24 I see men as trees walking. And he looked up and said, I see a weak confused glimmering, of men walking, which seem to me like unto trees. 33 Get thee behind me Satan; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. See Matth. 16.23. CAP. IX. 1 Verily I say unto you, that there bee some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come. See Matth. 16.28. 13 Elias is indeed comne,& they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, &c. See Matth. 11.14. 19 O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall &c. See Matth. 17.17. 20 This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. See Matth. 17.21. 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me:& whosoever receiveth me, receiveth &c. See Matth. 18.5. 39 Forbid him not, for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. Forbid them not; there is no reason to inhibit them that are well affencted to us: If they make use of my name in ejecting devills, it appears they have an honourable conceit of my power; at least they cannot open their mouths in disgrace of me, who do improve my name to miraculous purposes. Neither is it for you to set yourselves against them, 40 For he that is not against us, is on our part. that make no opposition to us: for, of those that are lookers on, such as make no head against us, do in a sort make for us, in that they oppose us not. It is not to be expected that all should follow our train; in this common hostility of the world, those that do not attend us, yet if they side not against us, are worthy to bee favourably entertained. See Matth 18.6. 42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone &c. See Matth. 1.29. 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to &c. That ye may avoid that unquenchable and eternal fire, 49 For every one shall bee salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall bee salted with salt. see and provide carefully that ye may be seasoned with the fire and salt of Gods Spirit: for as no sacrifice of the Law is accepted of God, unless it bee first seasoned with salt, and so pass the fire: so no soul can hope to bee graciously received of him, which is not wrought upon by the wholesome acrimony of due mortification. See Matth. 5.13. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt have, lost his saltness, wherewith will you season it. Have in yourselves the true seasoning of faith, 50 Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. of wisdom, and of all holy graces, which may make you savoury unto God; and have peace outwardly with others. CAP. X. See Matth. 19.8. 56 For the hardness of your heart, he wrote you this precept, but from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. 14 Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. See Matth 19.14. 18 Why callest thou me good? there is no man good but one, that is God. See Matth. 19.17. 21 One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in &c. See Matth. 19.21. 25 It is easier for a camel to go thorough the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. See Matth. 19.24. 29 There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or &c. See Matth. 19.29. 31 But many that are first, shall be last, and the last first. See Matth. 19.30. 37 Grant unto us that we may sit one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. See Matth. 20.21. 38 Ye know not what ye ask: Can ye drink of the Cup that I drink of, and bee baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? See Matth. 20.22. 40 But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give, but it shall bee given to them, for whom it is prepared. See Matth. 20.23. 42 Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise Lordship over them: and their great ones exercise authority upon them. See Matth. 20.25. CAP. XI. 9, 10. Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, blessed be &c. See Matth. 21.9. See Matth. 21.19. 13 And seeing a fig three afar off, having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon, &c. See Matth. 21.12.13. 15, 17. And Iesus went into the Temple,& began to cast out them that sold& bought in the Temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seals of them that &c. See Matth. 21.21. 23 For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed,& be thou cast &c. See Matth. 21.24, 25: 29, 30. I will also ask of you one question, and answer me; and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me. CAP. XII. See Isay 5.1. & Matth. 21.33. 1 A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the wine-fat, and built &c. See Matth. 21.42. 10 And have ye not red this Scripture, The ston which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner? See Matth. 22.15.17, 18, 19. 13, 14, 15. And they sent unto him certain of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say, &c. Shall we give, or shall we not give? &c. See Matth. 22.29. 24 Iesus answering, said unto them, do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the Scriptures, neither the power of God? &c. See Matth. 22.30. 25 For, when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage &c. 26, 27. I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,& the God of jacob. he is not the God of the dead, but the God &c. See Matth. 22, 32, 33. 33 And to love him with all the heart,& with all the understanding, and with all the soul,& with all the strength,& to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings, and sacrifices. And to love that God with all the heart, and to have all the powers, and faculties of the soul; even the understanding, and will, and affections, given up unto him, and to his sincere service; and for his sake to love a mans neighbour truly& unfeignedly, as himself; this si more acceptable to God, than all the legal sacrifices, and and burnt offerings in the world. 35 How say the Scribes that Christ is the son of David? See Matth. 22.42, 43. CAP. XIII. 4 Tell us when these things shall bee, and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be &c. See Matth. 24.3. 6 For many shall come in my name saying; I am Christ: and shall deceive many. See Matth. 24.5. 10 And the gospel must first bee published among all nations. See Matth. 24.14. 14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel, &c. See mat. 24.15, 15 And let him that is on the house top, not go down into the house, &c. See Matth. 24.16. 17 But woe to them that are with child, &c. See Matth. 24.19, 18 And pray ye that your flight bee not in the winter. See Matth. 42.20. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those dayes, no flesh &c. See Matth. 24.22. 22 If it were possible, even the Elect. See Matth. 24.24. 24 The sun shall bee darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. See Matth. 24.29. 27 And then shall he sand his Angels,& shall gather together his elect &c. See Matth. 24.31. But howsoever, I have given you many presages, 32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no not the Angells which are in heaven, neither the son, but the Father. and certain fore-tokens of that great day; yet, the particular time and hour thereof is so reserved in the secret counsel of God the Father, as that the blessed Angells of heaven know it not: no, the very son of man, as he is man, hath it not disclosed unto him. CAP. XIIII. See Matth 26.8, 9. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, why was this waste of the ointment made? See Matth. 26.12. 8 She hath done what she could, shee is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. See Matth. 26.18. 13 go ye into the City, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water; follow him. See Matth. 26.23. 18, 20. Verily I say unto you, one of you which eateth with me, shall betray me. And he answered and said unto them, it is one of the twelve that dippeth, &c. See Matth. 26.26. 22 Take eat; this is my body. See Matth. 26.28. 24 This is my blood of the new Testament; which is shed for many. See Matth. 26.29. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it &c. See Matth. 26.31. 27 All ye shall bee offended because of me this night; for it is written, &c. See Matth. 26.32. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 36 And he said, Abba Father, all things are possible unto thee, take away this Cup from me; nevertheless not that I will, but what thou wilt. O Father, I know all things are possible to thine absolute and almighty power; when I consult with human infirmity, I could incline to wish the removal of this bitter passion; but those weak volitions are not now for me; I do, and shall willingly submit mine human will, to thy divine will and pleasure. 38 The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. See Matth. 26.41. 41 sleep on now, and take your rest, it is enough, the hour is come, &c. See Matth. 26.45. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high Priest, and out off his ear. See Matth. 26.51. 58 Wee heard him say, I will destroy this Temple that is made with hands, &c. See Matth. 26.61. 62 And ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. See Matth. 26.64. CAP. XV. 6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner whomsoever they desired. See Matth. 27.15. 17, ●8. And they clothed him with purple and plaited a crown of thorns, and put, &c. See Matth. 27.25, 26. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh, but he received it not. See Matth. 27.34. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. Dividing the day into four quarters( three houres to each quarter) it was in the third of them, wherein they crucified him. 33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over, &c. See Matth. 27.46. 39 And when the Centurion which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, truly this, &c. See Matth. 27.54. CAP. XVI. See Matth. 28.1. 2 And very early in the morning, the first day of the week they came &c. And during this infancy of my Church, 27, 28. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall &c. They shall take up serpents, and if they dri●ke any deadly thing, it, &c. and this first plantation of my gospel, these miraculous signs shall be done by them that believe in me: In my name, &c. THE gospel OF St luke. CAP. I. I Was moved by the instinct and direction of the holy spirit, 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of things, from the very first to writ unto thee in order. having had full and infallible notice of all things, which were done from the very first intimation of the conception of Christ, till now, to digest and set them down in due order, &c. Whereas King David had long since( for the avoiding of confusion in the holy services of the Temple) sorted all the Priestly tribe into four and twenty ranks; 5 A certain Priest name Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. and had by lot designed to them the several courses of their ministration; Zachariah the Priest, was one of the successors of Abia in his division, up on whom the eighth course fell; and as his time came, ministered accordingly; and his wife was also of the same holy tribe. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they were both holy and conscionable persons, sincere and upright in their carriage before God and men; walking inoffensively in the ways of Gods law. As there were divers several employments in the offices of the Priests, in their courses; 9 According to the custom of the Priests office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord. the lot of Zachariah was now to burn incense in the Temple, upon the Altar, which was set for that purpose in the outer room or Tabernacle thereof. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And the multitude, as not being allowed to come under the roof of the Temple, stood in the outer court( whence they might see the holy actions performed within by the Priests) praying all the time that the incense was offered, that so the incense of their devotions might answer to the sweet savour of that material incense, which ascended up( in their sight) towards heaven. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with ●he holy Ghost, even from his mothers womb. For he shall not onely be great in the reputation of his holinesse with men, but in the acceptation and favour of God; and he shall in a Nazaritish austerity, be consecrated to God; not drinking wine, nor strong drink; but be sadly devoted to the holy service of God; and shall be filled with the holy Ghost, even from his birth. 18 And Zacharias said unto the Angel, whereby shall I know this; for I am an old man, and my wife well strike in yeares. It is a strange and unlikely message that thou deliverest unto me: What sign dost thou give me whereby I may be assured of it? for sure, in course of nature this cannot be; I am an old man, and my wife is strike in yeares; wee are therefore both unapt to beget, or to bear a son. 20 And behold thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words. Since thou desirest a sign; behold, thou shalt feel, and find this manifest sign in thyself; that very tongue that desireth it, shall be tied up; thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak from this hour, till the birth of that son of thine; because thou believest not my words, &c. 22 For he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. He made signs unto them of his own speechlesnesse, and of that heavenly vision, which he had seen, so as all the people, with much wonder apprehended this extraordinary work of God in Zacharias. 24 And hide herself five moneths, saying. Out of an holy bashfulness at this strange work of God, and at the wonderment of her neighbours; shee kept close for five moneths. 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the daies wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. Thus marvelously hath the Lord dealt with me beyond all hopes, in this conception of mine, whereby he hath taken away from me the reproach of barrenness. Then said Mary to the angel, as partly wondering at the speech, 34 Then said Mary to the Angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man. and partly enquiring into the manner of the performance of so strange a work; Thou hast told me a great and marvelous thing, that I shall now instantly conceive the Messiah, the son of the living God; but tell me how this shall be effected: How shall I that am a weak vessel of flesh, conceive him that is the son of God? or how shall I who am a virgin, being onely espoused to an husband, not yet therefore capable of the knowledge of a man; how shall I in this condition become the mother of such a son? 35 And the Angel answered and said unto her, the holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also that holy thing, which, shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. Be not thou curious to inquire into the manner, how this work shall bee effected; For the spirit of God, the infinite and essential power of the highest, shall no less secretly then wonderfully work this blessed conception in thee; of thy substance( by him sanctified) framing that sacred body, which the son of God shall assume to himself. And this is the sixth month of the conception of her, 36 And this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. that was ever formerly reputed barren. For with God( howsoever things may seem to weak and ignorant mortals) nothing is impossible; 37 For with God nothing shall be unpossible. the conception of aged Elizabeth, the conception of a pure virgin, without the touch of man, are easily faisible to his omnipotence. Behold Lord, I have been taught from thy Prophets, 38 Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it unme according to thy word: and the Angel departed from her. that a virgin shall conceive, and be the mother of him that is Immanuel, God with us. If I( howsoever unworthy) be designed by thee to this wonderful honour, I do bless thy name for this great mercy, and do gladly yield myself over to thy holy will, and pleasure. Let this gracious work of thine be accordingly wrought in me. And Mary arose, in those dayes, 39 And Mary arose in those dayes, and went into the hill country with hast into a city of Iuda. and partly for the further confirmation of her faith, by the sight of that, which was affirmed by the Angel concerning her cousin Elizabeth, and partly for mutual congratulation of these great works of God; went up from Nazareth to the hill-countrie of Juda, to visit Elizabeth. The babe by the extraordinary, 41, 42. The babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the holy Ghost, and she spake out with aloud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. and powerful motion of the Spirit of God, leaped in the womb of his mother; as in a miraculous presention of the Deiti● of that Saviour, whose fore-runner he should be into the world; And Elizabeth was suddenly inspired with a prophetical power; end by the instinct, and virtue thereof, said, All the powers of my will and affections agree together in magnifying the goodness of the Lord towards me; 46, 47, And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. And the faculty of my understanding,( in the apprehension of this great mercy of God) stirs up all the rest to praise and glorify him. he hath approved his almighty power in this supernatural work, which he hath wrought in me: he hath, 51 he hath shewed strength with his arm, he scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. according to his gracious wont, chosen so poor and humble a creature( as myself) to exalt to this marvelous honour; whereas those that are high in their own conceits, he hath confounded, and disregarded. So also verse 52. 61 And they said unto her, there is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. Thou knowest it is the usual manner to call the children by the names of some of the ancestors, or near kindred of the family; Why wilt thou alter the custom? what reason hast thou, since none of thy kinsfolk is so called, to appoint this name to be given to thy son? 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, his name is John: and they marveiled all. And he made signs to them again, that they should bring him a writing table; and therein he wrote, His name is John. 69 And hath raised up an home of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David. See Psal. 132.17. 78 Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us. Through the bowels of the tender compassion of our God towards mankind, out of which he hath sent his son,( as the morning sun rising from the East) to visit his people, by his gracious presence with them. 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace. To give true light of knowledge, and comfort, to those, who are naturally overwhelmed with the darkness of ignorance, and averseness from God; and thereby in danger of everlasting death, and to set us in the true way of rest and eternal happiness. 80 And was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel. And lived obscurely in the desert, until it pleased God to call him forth for the discharge of that his public function, in teaching and baptizing his people. CAP. II. 1 And it came to pass in those dayes, that there went out a decree from caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ANd it came to pass when John was born, that there went out a public edict from Augustus caesar the Roman Emperour, that all the nations which were under the Roman dition, and jurisdiction, should assemble in those cities, whereto their tribes and families appertained, and there be enrolled, as well, for the number of their persons, as for the rate of their tribute, and taxation, which they were to pay unto the Roman State. So verse 3. 2 And this taxing was first made, when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And this universal taxing was first made, when Cyrenius was governor of Syria, to which Judea pertained as a province; which being of a levy of money to be paid to Rome, was more proper for him to meddle with, then for Herod the Tributary king of Judea. 7 And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. And she brought forth her onely son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because the meanness of her husband Joseph, and the concourse of people was so great, that no place could be obtained for their lodging in the inn. And as the place of Christs birth was poor and homely, so were the persons to whom it was first manifested, 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them. being but poor shepherds: yet there was not more meanness in them to whom this wonder was first revealed, then there was glory in the revealer; for lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and with a glorious brightness shone round about them, &c. Neither did God content himself with the testimony of one angel alone, 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, but together with that one heavenly messenger, there was a whole host of blessed spirits, praising God, and saying, Now upon the birth of the Saviour of the world, let all praise and glory be given to God in the highest heaven; 14 Glory to God in the highest,& on earth peace good will towards men. let there be an happy peace& reconciliation of man to God; let there a merciful acceptation, and respect of God to man: Yea Lord, glorious is the praise of thy mercy; firm and comfortable is the peace of thy redeemed, unspeakeably gracious is thy good will towards men. And when the fortieth day was come, 22 And when the dayes of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to jerusalem to present him to the Lord. which in the law was appointed for the purification of the woman, after her child-birth; Joseph and Mary( besides the errand of that due ceremony) brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord in his Temple. Which they did out of a careful respect to the law of the Lord; 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. requiring that every first born male should be consecrated to God in memory of his preservation of the first born of Israel in Egypt, when the eldest of every Egyptian family was strike by the hand of God. Waiting long for the coming of the Messiah which should be for the comfort and salvation of Israel, 25 Waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the holy Ghost was upon him. and he was by the holy Ghost endued with the gift of prophesy. And it was revealed to him by the same spirit of God, 26 And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ. that though he were very aged, and looked long for his dissolution, yet that he should not die till he had with those his bodily eyes seen the Messiah, the Lord of life and glory. And by the direction and conduct of the same holy Spirit, he came into the Temple at the very time, 27 And he came by the Spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the child Iesus. when the parents of Jesus brought him thither &c. O Lord, how long have I longed for this day; 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word. my life had been tedious unto me, if it had not been for the hope of this sight; and now, that mine eyes are blessed with the sight of my Saviour; now thou givest me a sweet and joyful passage, out of this transitory life; thou hast made good thy promise to me, and now make good thy salvation. 34 Behold this child is set for the fall, and rising again of many in Israel: and for a sign which shall bee spoken against. think not that nothing shall follow upon the birth of this divine child, but welfare and glory, and advancement to all men; and especially to Israel; but know, that as he shall work the happiness of many, so he shall be the occasion of the fall of many also; yea as his mercy shall save those that are the true sons of Israel, so his justice shall reject and condemn the wicked, and unbelievers; Neither look that he shall be applauded of all; 34, 35. Yea a sword shall pierce thorough thy own soul( also) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. yea, rather, he shall be as a common mark, whereat the arrows of contumely, and reproach shall be generally shot, through the world; and his name and religion shall be sure to receive opposition, and contradiction, every where; and thereby men shall be tried, and occasion shall bee given them, to show either the truth, or falsehood of their hearts, towards his name and profession. And thou, O blessed virgin, howsoever thou shalt find just cause of unspeakable joy in such a son, yet thou shalt not bee without many sorrows, and heart-breakings for those things which shall befall him; and those great indignities, and hard measures which shall bee offered unto him. 36, 37. And had lived with an husband seven yeares from her virginity, And shee was a widow of about fourscore and four yeares, which departed not from the Temple, but served God, with fastings and prayers, night, and day. After the time of her virginity, shee had lived seven yeares in wedlock with her husband, and had from the decease of her husband, continued a widow for the space of about fourscore and four yeares; and shee spent her time, most-what, in her devotions, and attendance upon Gods public services in the Temple; giving herself to religious and pious exercises, of fasting, and prayer, continually, upon all occasions. 38 And spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in jerusalem. And spake of him, to all them which looked for the coming of the Messiah, for the redemption of Israel. And Jesus, the son of God, who had taken upon him the condition of our humanity, did accordingly subject himself to the infirmities, 40 And the child grew& waxed strong in Spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. and growthes thereof; as therefore he would grow in stature of body, so also in respect of his human soul, he grew, and increased in the qualities, and graces thereof, in wisdom, and knowledge; so as, according to the proportion of his age, the free gifts of the Spirit were augmented in,& upon him. 49 Wist ye not that I must bee about my Fathers business? Did ye not know, and consider, that howsoever I am ready to give all due respects to thee, as my mother, according to the flesh, and to Joseph, as my reputed father, yet that I have another Father( even the great and glorious God of heaven) whose business I must go about; and if in comparison of his services, I do seem to neglect you, it is not for you to think much of it. See vers. 40. 52 And Iesus increased in wisdom,& stature,& favour with God and man. CAP. III. under the high-priesthood both of Annas the father in law to Caiphas, and of Caiphas, 2 Annas and Caiphas being the high Priest, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. son in law to Annas, ruling successively; so as John preached in the several yeares wherein they succeeded in government to each other. See Isay. 40.3, 4 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths strait. 4. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every, &c. See Matth. 3.7▪ 7 Oh generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? See Matth. 3.8, 8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of, &c. 9. See mat. 3.10. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the roote of the trees: every three therefore, &c. Bee ye so charitably affencted, 11 he that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none: and he that hath meate, let him do likewise. as that ye can be well contented to part with whatsoever is superfluous to you, for the relief of the necessity of those that want. do not grace on the subject, in exacting more tribute, 13 Exact no more than that which is appointed you. and larger fees than the law hath appointed for you. 16 I indeed baptize you with water, but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose &c. See Matth. 3.11. 17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat, &c. See Matth. 3.12. 22 And the holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, &c. See Matth. 3.16. 23. And Iesus himself began to bee about thirty yeares of age, being( as was supposed) the son of joseph. And Jesus himself was now entering into the thirtieth year of his age; being( as was supposed) the son of Joseph, but indeed the son of the onely true God, who gave flesh unto him by the miraculous power of his Spirit, of the substance of the virgin Mary; which Mary was the espoused wife of Joseph; and her natural father was Heli, the father in law to Joseph; which Heli was the natural son of Matthat, &c. CAP. IIII. 1 And was lead by the spirit into the wilderness. See Matth. 4.1. 4 It is written that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. See Matth. 4.4. And Jesus who in all his motions, and actions was directed, 14 And Iesus returned in the power of the Sp●rit into Galilee, and there went out a famed of him, &c. and lead by the holy Spirit; returned by the power of the same Spirit into Galilee, after his baptism. 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, &c. See Esay. 61.1. 23 And he said unto them; ye will surely say unto me this proverb: Physician heal thyself: whatsoever wee have heard done in Capernaum: do also here in thy country. ye are ready to take up this proverb against me; Physician heal thyself: Sir, begin with your own, ere you look to the winning of others with your miracles; you have done wonders in Capernaum, why do ye not gratify your own country rather with your miraculous works? 20 But he passing thorough the midst of them, went his way. But he by his divine power restraining their violence, and delivering himself from their hands, went away from them. CAP. V. OH Lord, 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Iesus knees, saying; depart from me, for I am a sinful man,( O Lord) I am not worthy to have the honour of thy presence in this ship of mine; for I am a sinful man, and therefore depart thou away from me. See Matth. 4.19. 10 From henceforth thou shalt catch men. See Matth. 9.6. 24 But that ye may know the Son of man hath power, &c. See Matth. 9.9. 27 Sitting at the receipt of custom. See Matth. 9.13. 32 I came not to call the righteous, &c. See Matth. 9.15. 34 Can ye make the children of the bride-chamber fast whiles the bridegroom is with them? See Matth. 9.16, 36 No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old, &c. 17. 37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles, &c. CAP. VI. Surely, the very not doing of good, when we may, 9 Is it lawful on the Sabbath daies to do good, or to do evil, to save life? &c. is evil; to forbear the giving cure to this distressed man, would come justly under this taxation. Tell me therefore, whether is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath day by healing this man, or evil by refusing to heal him, &c. See Matth. 5.3. 20 Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven. Woe bee to you that pamper yourselves; 25 Woe bee unto you that are full, for ye shall hunger: wo unto you that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep. with plenty of all earthly delicates; feasting yourselves without fear; for the time shall come wherein ye shall bee held short of all worldly comforts; and bee pinched with extremity of want. See Matth. 5.39. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other, and him, &c. 37 judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, &c. See Matth. 7.1. CAP. VII. 8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me souldiers, &c. See Matth. 8.9, 10. 9 I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel. 20 Art thou he, or shall we look for another? See Matth. 11.2.3. 24 What went ye into the wilderness for to see, a reed shaken with the wind? See Matth. 11.7, 8. 25 But what went ye out for to see,& c.? 28 Among those that are born of women, there is not a greater Prophet than, &c. See Matth. 11.11. 31 Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like? See Matth. 11.16, 17, 32 They are like unto children sitting in, &c. 18, 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread, nor drinking wine, and ye say he hath, &c. 19. 34 The son of man is come eating and drinking, and ye say, beh ld a gluttonous man, and a wine, &c. 35 But wisdom is justified of all her children. 37 And behold, a woman in the City, which was a sinner. And behold, a woman in the City, who was noted for an infamous offender, hearing, &c. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. She finds that her sins are many, and that those her many sins are( upon her repentance) forgiven to her; and in the sense of that mercy from me her Saviour, shee loveth much. 50 Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace. That faith of thine, which hath moved thee to have recourse unto me for mercy and forgiveness, hath delivered thee from the danger of all thy sins, and put thee into the state of salvation. go now away in the peace of a good conscience, and bee comforted in God, who hath remitted thee. CAP. VIII. MAry, called Magdalene, 2 Mary, called Magdalen, out of whom went seven devills. who had been possessed with many devills, which were ejected by his power. And other faithful Matrons, 3 And many others which ministered unto him of their substance. who in a thankful acknowledgement of Christs mercy to them,( according to the usual manner of those countries) attended him in his journey; and being wealthy ministered to him of their substance. See Matth. 5.15. 16 No man when he hath lig●ted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed, but &c. See Matth. 10.26. 17 Nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hide &c See Matth. 12.49, 50. 21 My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God. What speakest thou of a mere bodily touch? 46 And Iesus said, some body hath touched me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. I know many do thus touch me without any sensible effect; but now I feel a touch of faith, which hath so wrought upon me, as to fetch virtue from me. See Matth. 9.24. 52 He said, weep not, shee is not dead, but sleepeth. CAP. IX. See Matth. 10.14. 5 Shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. See Matth. 16.28. 27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. 33 Master, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three Tabernacles, &c. See Matth. 17.4. 41 O faithless and perverse generation! how long shall I be with you, and suffer you,& c? See Matth. 17.17. 50 For, he that is not against us, is with us. See mark 9.39. 51 When the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to jerusalem. When the time of his suffering drew near, he put on firm resolutions( notwithstanding all the malice and practices of his enemies) to go up to Jerusalem. And they of that Samaritan village( professing to bear a great hatred to the Jews) refused to lodge him and his; 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to jerusalem. because they saw great reason to think they were Jews, and that their errand was to go up to Jerusalem. 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said; ye know not what manner spirit ye are of. ye do not well consider whence this so uncharitable motion comes; from what temper, from what spirit; surely not from the spirit of meekness, which would best become you; but from a fiery and furious spirit of rash and mis-governed zeal, which transporteth you. 58 Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man. &c. See Matth. 8.20. 60 Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. See Matth. 8.22. If thou do once put thy hand to this husbandry of God, 62 No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. it is not for thee to cast back thy thoughts upon the world; for whosoever shall so do, makes& shows himself unfit for this spiritual employment in my Church. CAP. X. 1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two an● two before his face, into every city and place whither he himself would come. AFter these things were done, and that Jesus was returned from Galilee to Judea, he appointed( besides the twelve which had together with himself preached the gospel in Galilee) seventy Disciples also; and sent them two and two, before him, into every city of Judea, whither he would come after them. 2 The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few, &c. See Matth. 9.37. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor, &c. See Matth. 10.10. See Matth. 10.11. 7 And in the same house remain eating and drinking such things, as, &c. See Matth. 10.14. 11 Even the very dust of your city which cleaveth on us, wee do wipe, &c. See Matth. 11.21. 13 For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sydon, which have, &c. See Matth. 11.23. 15 And thou Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He said unto them, 18 And he said unto them, I beholded satan, as lightning, fall from heaven. I saw the power of satan sensibly abated, and suddenly dejected by this your preaching of the gospel; even as when he first fell down from heaven, and was suddenly cast down to hell. Behold, 19 Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents, and scorpions, and over all the powers of the enemi●● and nothing shall by any means hurt you. I give you power over all whatsoever creatures are in their nature hurtful unto men, whether by their poison, or by their teeth, or sting; and over whatsoever the malice of devils might use to your harm and offence, so as nothing that men, or noisome creatures, or devils can do unto you shall be able to hurt you. Yet, 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you: but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. be not you puffed up with this wonderful privilege; neither think that you have so much cause to rejoice in this powerful command over the unclean spirits, as in this great mercy of God towards you, that 〈…〉 hath from eternity ordained you to everlasting life. See Matth. 11.25. 21 I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou, &c. But he willing to have taken occasion hereby to brag of his own answerableness to the law of God, 29 But he willing to justify himself, said unto Iesus, And who is my neighbour? in that he had been kind and loving to his neighbours that dwelled by him; said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? The one was a Priest, and therefore by his very place, 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him, that fell among the thieves? professing examples of holinesse and charity; the other was a Levite, of the same holy Tribe, consecrated to the service of God; and both of these were Jews; and therefore native country-men to this wounded traveller; yet they passed by him without regard; The Samaritan was a stranger in blood, and in religion faulty and opposite; an enemy in profession; yet in his compassion, did charitable offices to the relief of this distressed man; tell me now, thou which art wont to measure neighbourhood by vicinity of place, which of these three was neighbour to the man which fell among the thieves? 38 Now it came to pass as they went, that he entred into a certain village: and a certain woman name Martha received him into her house. He entered into the village of Bethanie, to the house of Lazarus, and Martha, and Mary his sisters; and Martha, as the elder sister, and the busier housewife, entertained him and his followers in her house. But Martha, as being very busily intentive upon the provision for him, 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that shee help me. and his family, and finding the work too laboursome to lye upon her hands alone, came to Jesus, and said; Lord, it is for thy sake, that I gladly take this pains; and should not grudge it, and more unto thee, were I but able to compass it; but thou seest I want help whiles my sister sits here, still hearing that good counsel from thee, which some other time might be more seasonable, let it please thee therefore to command her to give me her aid for this necessary service. 41 And Iesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. And Jesus answered, and said; Martha, Martha, I do well see thou art lovingly careful to give us all kind, and liberal entertainment, and therefore bestirrest thyself about many businesses, which thou findest requisite to the making of that good cheer, which thou providest. 41 But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part. But when thou hast all done, these bodily provisions, and intertainments, are but matters of the bye; outward compliments and ceremonies of kindness; it is the good of the soul, which is the main matter that is to be regarded; I must tell thee therefore, though I must thankfully aclowledge thy friendly respects to me, in this labour of thine, yet I cannot but more commend thy sisters diligent, and holy attention to this heavenly doctrine which hath been delivered to her; she hath done that which is both more pleasing to me, and more profitable and happy for herself, in laying up those instructions, and comforts, which shall stick by her soul for ever. CAP. XI. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. GIve us that provision of maintenance for this present life which may be fit and requisite for it; and be pleased to proportion thy gifts to our necessities; we do not distrustfully cast forward, and crave the supply of a large store for the time to come; but wee beg of thee a sufficiency for the present day, desiring to depend ever upon thy gracious providence, for the daily renewing of our competent provisions. 4 And led us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Do thou not give us over into the hands of Satan, our spiritual enemy, to tempt us, for wee know our own weakness and disability to resist him, and whensoever it shall please thee, for our trial, and thy glory, to give way to that tempter to assault us, give us the issue, together with the temptation: show thyself strong in our weakness, and let not that evil one prevail against us. See Matth. 12.24. 15 He casteth out devils through beelzeebub the chief of the devils. See Matth. 12.26. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall,& c? See Matth. 12.27. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, &c. See Matth. 12.43. &c. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, &c. 25 And when he cometh he finds it swept, and garnished, &c. It is indeed a great honour and happiness to her, 28 But he said, yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. that is my mother, according to the flesh, that she should be chosen out of all women-kinde, to bear and nourish the Lord of life: yet her chief happiness consisteth not in this, but rather in that her right and interest, which shee hath in me by her faith; this is that happiness wherein all ye my faithful disciples may also communicate with her; Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and do carefully and constionably retain, observe, and practise it. See Matth. 12.39. 29 This is an evil generation, they sek● a sign, and there shall no sign be given, &c. See Matth. 12.40. 30 For as jonas was a sign &c. See Matth. 12.42. 31 The queen of the South shall rise up in the judgeme●t with, &c. See Matth. 5.15. 33 No man when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a &c. See Matth. 6.22. 34 The light of the body is the eye; therefore when thine, &c. See Matth. 23.25. 39 Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the, &c. See Matth. 23.23. 42 For ye tithe Mint, and Rue, and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgements, and the love of God, &c. 46 For ye lad men with burdens grievous to be born, and ye yourselves touch ●●t the burdens with one of your fingers. See Matth. 23.4. 47 For ye build the sepulchres of the Prophets, and your fathers killed them. See Matth. 23.29. 48 Truly, ye bear witness, that ye allow the deeds of your fathers, for they indeed, &c. See Matth. 23.30. 50 That the blood of all the Prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, &c. See Matth. 23.35. 52 For ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entred not in yourselves. See Matth. 23.13. CAP. XII. 1 The leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. See Matth. 16.6. 2 For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hide, that &c. See Matth. 10.26. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten,& c? See Matth. 10.29. 10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him,& c? See Matth. 11.31. 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. lo even such a fool, and so frail and uncertain, yea, so sure of the revenging hand of God, is that man, whose heart is set upon these earthly riches, without all care of procuring true grace, which onely is able to enrich his soul. 49 I am come to sand fire on the earth, and wh●t will I, if it be already kindled? The issue of my gospel shall be such, as if I had come purposely, to set divisions in the bosoms of men, against themselves, and with one another for the corruption of men will be stirred, and disquieted with the powerful preaching thereof, and will be ready to raise broils in the world; and then onely doth my word prevail, and work effectually, when it is followed with such success; I cannot therefore but earnestly wish this holy fire of grace kindled in the hearts of men for the opposing, and wasting of their inward corruptions. So also verse 51. I have been already baptized with water, 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitned till it be accomplished. but there is another baptism that I must undergo, even a baptism of blood, and how am I pained with the expectation thereof, longing to be past that extremity of suffering which is ordained for me, for mans redemption. See Matth. 16.3. 56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, and of the earth: but how &c. See Matth. 5.25. 58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the Magistrate, as thou art in the, &c. CAP. XIII. ANd behold, there was a woman upon whom Satan, 11 And behold there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen yeares, was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. by the permission of God, had inflicted a grievous bodily infirmity for the space of eighteen yeares together; whereby she was so bowed together, that she could not lift herself up. So verse 16. See Matth. 13.31.32. 19 It is like a grain of staid which a man took▪ and cast into his garden, &c. See Matth. 13.33. 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hide in three measures of meal, &c. enforce yourselves to use all diligent and vehement endeavours to enter into the kingdom of heaven; 24 Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for many I say unto you will seek to enter, in and shall not be able. ye shall find much difficulty and opposition in your attaining thereto; resolve therefore to buckle with all the troubles and dangers, that shall lye in your way; else ye shall never be able to compass it; for there are many, I say unto you, which will heartlesly wish for it; and faintly move towards it, and yet shall fail of entering thereunto. When once the opportunities of this present life, 25, 26 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door,& ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying; Lord, Lord, open unto us,& he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence you are; then shall ye begin to say, wee have eaten& drunk in thy presence, and thou &c. ( which is the time of grace,) are past, in vain shall ye then hope to challenge favour or respect from God for these outward privileges which ye have had above other nations. 29 And they shall come from the East,& from the West,& from the North, &c. See Matth. 8.11. I know that subtle Tyrant, who hath shed the blood of my fore-runner, 32, 33. go ye and tell that fox, behold I cast out devills, and I do cures to day& to morrow, and the third day I shall bee perfected. nevertheless I must walk to day and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot bee that a Prophet perish out of jerusalem. is hunting after my death also; but tell him from me, that my times are set in the eternal counsel of God, wherein I shall do these miraculous works of ejecting devills, and healing diseases; and when my prefixed time is accomplished, for my labours, and sufferings, I shall in spite of the opposition of earth and hell, be perfected, and enjoy my full glory. But in the mean time I must do my appointed services; and make account to yield myself over( when my day is come) into the hands of mine enemies in Jerusalem: for it cannot be( so is that City enured to the blood of Gods messengers) that a Prophet should bee suffered to die elsewhere. 34 How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen.& c? See Matth. 23.37. CAP. XIV. 15 Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. WEE are here at an earthly feast, where we partake of transitory, and perishing delicates; but how happy are they which shall bee admitted to taste of the heavenly provisions, in the glorious kingdom of God. 21 go out quickly into the streets, and lanes of the City, and bring in &c. See Matth. 22.9. 23 And the Lord said unto the servant, go out into the high ways, and hedges, &c. See Matth. 22.10. 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother▪& wife, and children,& brethren, and sisters; yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. If any man come to me, and cannot bee content for my sake to neglect, and disregard his father, and mother, &c. and his very life also, if they stand in opposition to me, or offer to hinder him from enjoying me, he cannot bee worthy to bear the name of my disciple. Whosoever will enter into the profession of Christianity, 28, 29, 31. For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it, lest haply after he hath laid the foundation,& is not able to finish it, all that behold it, begin to mock him; or, what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first,& consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand, to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand. must make account of the worst, and utmost that it can cost him: and set it down with his own heart to undergo resolutely all the difficulties that shall or can encounter him; even as a man that goes about to build a tower, or to meet some potent enemy in the field, will bee sure to fore-cast the cost, and peril of that enterprise, lest at last being overtaken in his reckoning, he give over, or be foiled with shane. See Matth. 5.13. 34 Salt is good; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? CAP. XV. See Matth. 18..13. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends& neighbours, saying unto thē, &c. The sinner that goes on in a course of wickedness, 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall bee in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety& nine just persons, which need no repentance. may well be given for lost, by Angels and men: when such a one therefore repenteth, and converteth unto God, it must needs be much more cause of joy to all that tender the glory of God, than the inoffensive proceeding of those, which gave no cause of fear of their miscarriage. So verse 8, 9, 10. It is with God, 11, 12, 13, &c. And he said; A certain man had two sons, And the younger of them said to his father; father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me; and he divided unto them his living. And not many daies after, the younger son gathered all together,& took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. and the two sorts of men in the world( the sinful, and professedly righteous) as it is with the father that had two sons. The younger, which was wild, and debauched, would needs spend his patrimony riotously; and at last, being pinched with want, returns home to his father, miserable, but penitent; and is graciously( though unworthy) received to favour, with much joy for his recovery. The elder keeps on an harmless, and inoffensive course;( and though well accepted always) yet is not so much rejoiced in, at any one time, as his unthristie brother, which was accounted but as dead, and lost, by his wise and loving father. Right so it is with God in his carriage towards civill, and well ordered persons, on the one side, and those that are reclaimed from a lewd and scandalous life, on the other &c. CAP. XVI. 8 And the Lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. ANd the Lord commended the witty device, and cunning shift, which the unjust steward had made for himself; as it is commonly seen, that worldly-minded men are more subtle in the contriving of their affairs to their own advantage, than Gods children are in the projecting and managing of better businesses. 9 And I say unto you, make to yourselves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. And I say unto you; learn this wit of the unjust steward, so to order and dispose of these worldly riches( which are seldom other than unduly gotten by their owners) as that ye may make to yourselves many friends by them; that upon this charitable, and advantageous improvement of them, ye may reap the comfort, and benefit of them, at your departure hence, and may bee received into everlasting habitations. 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either, &c. See Matth. 6.24. 16 The law and the Prophets were until John, since that time, &c. See Matth. 11.12, 13. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one &c. See Matth. 5.18. 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple,& fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day, &c. hear ye this historical parable. There was a certain great rich man, who was sumptuously arrayed, and delicately fed every day, being altogether given to his pleasure, and jollity. 21 And desiring to bee fed with the crumbs, which fell from the rich mans table; moreover the dogges came, and licked his sores. His misery was great, yet he begged no other supply of it, than that which was granted to the dogs, unasked, even the very crumbs that fell from the table; yet these being denied him, he lay comfortless at the rich mans gate; ready, as it were, to give up the Ghost, insomuch as the very dogs came forth to him, as to an helpless, and dying man, and fell to licking his ulcerous sores. And was carried, by the Angels of God, 22 And was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom; the rich man also dyed, and was butted. into that place of rest and happiness, where Abraham the father of the faithful, enjoyeth the blessed participation of the glory of God and his Saints; and was there placed in the bosom of that glorious Patriarch at the full table of heaven. So verse 23. Besides that, God by his unchangeable decree, 26 And besides all this, between us and you, there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you, &c. hath set such a distance betwixt this place of rest, and that of torment, as that, there is no possibility of passage from the one to the other Thou callest me father, and therefore professest thyself, and thy brethren to bee of my nation, Jews. 31 And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they bee persuaded though one rose from the dead. Being Jews therefore, they have the guidance and information of the law, and the Prophets; and if their infidelity be such, as that they will not believe so clear evidences, as there are offered unto them: surely, neither will they bee convinced by the Testimony of one risen from the dead. CAP. XVII. See Matth. 18.7. 1 It is impossible but that offences will come, but woe unto him, &c. See Matth. 18.6. 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his, &c. So likewise ye, 10 So likewise, ye when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you; say, we are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do. if ye could perform all that is commanded you, yet ye must be forced to say; Alas Lord, we can challenge nothing from thee; it was our duty to do all that which we have done, we cannot hope to raise any advantage to ourselves by our utmost endeavours. See Matth. 24.27. 24 For as the lightning that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, &c. See Matth. 24.40. 31 In that night he which shall bee on the house top, and his stuff in &c. See Matth. 24.28. 37 Wheresoever the body is, thither will the Eagles bee gathered together. CAP. XVIII. 7 And shall not God avenge his own Elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? IF the very unrighteous Judge yielded so far to the importunity of the poor widow, as to satisfy her desire; how much more shall the holy& merciful God bee moved by the importunate prayers of his Elect; to revenge them upon their enemies; though he do yet forbear them with long patience. 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily: nevertheless when the son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? I tell you that he will surely take speedy vengeance on them: he will not slack the time as men count slackness, but will come in his determined season to execute justice on their cruel persecutors; whose rage shall bee so great, and so prevalent, that there shall scarce be any faith found upon the earth, when the son of man cometh. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house, justified, rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself, shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted. I tell you, this Publican, how sinful, how despised soever, returned home with better acceptation from God, than that other proud Pharisee, that stood upon points of his own justification and holinesse. 19 Why callest thou me good: none is good save one, that is God. See Matth. 19.17. 22 Yet lackest thou one thing: Sell all, &c. See Matth. 19.21. 25 It is easier for a camel to go thorough a needles eye, than for a rich &c. See Matth. 19.24. 29 Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house or parents, &c. See Matth. 19.29. CAP. XIX. 8 Behold Lord, the half of my goods, I give to the poor, and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. BEhold Lord, thy presence and power hath so wrought upon me, that now I do profess for thy sake, to renounce the world; and do therefore make my will of that estate which I have; some good part of my substance I know to be lawfully gotten, as being left to bee for my patrimony; or honestly raised; howsoever, some other part of it hath been increased by extortion, and injustice. I would gladly give all to the poor, were it not that I must reserve some for just restitution. One half therefore I give to the poor, and out of the other half, I am ready to restore fourfold to any man, whom I have wronged by unjust exaction, and false accusation. Behold, Zacheus; thou losest not by the bargain: 9 And Iesus said unto him, this day is salvation come to this house, for so much as he also is the son of Abraham. for, instead of this transitory riches, which thou thus disposest of, thou dost this day receive the tender of salvation, which shall bee both to thyself, and thy family: see ye, my disciples, what an happy change this man hath made: for, whereas before he was an alien from the common wealth of Israel, now he is become a son of faithful Abraham. See Matth. 25.14, 15: 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said, unto them, occupy till I come. See Matth. 25.18. 20 And another came saying, Lord; behold here is thy pound which, &c. See Matth. 25, 24,& 25, &c. 21 For I feared thee because thou art an austere man: thou takest, &c. See Matth. 25.29. 26 That unto every one which hath shall be given, and from him that hath not, even, &c. See Matth. 21.12, 13. 45, 46 And he went into the Temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought, saying unto them; It is written, my house is the house of prayer; but ye have made &c. CAP. XX. See Matth. 21.44. 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that ston, shall be broken; but on, &c. 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto caesar or no. See Matth. 22.17. 25 Give unto caesar the things which be Cesars, and unto God the things which be Gods. See Matth. 22.20, 21. 34, 35, 36. The children of this world mary, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead neither mary, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more, for they, &c. See Matth. 22.29, 30, 31. 41 How say they that Christ is Davids son. See Matth. 22.43.45. CAP. XXI. 21 Then let them which are in judea flee to the mountaines, and let them which are in the midst of it, depart out, &c. See Matth. 24.16. 23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give, &c. See Matth. 24.19. 25 And there shall be signs in the Sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth, &c. See Matth. 24.29. 29 Behold the fig-tree, and all the trees. See Matth. 24.32. 32 This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled. See Matth. 24.34. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged, with surfeiting and drunkenness, and cares of this life, &c. See Matth. 24.35. CAP. XXII. THen Satan by a strong temptation possessed himself of the heart of Judas, 3 Then entred Satan into Iudas, surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. being one of the domestic attendants of Christ. See Matth. 26.29. 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. See Matth. 26.28. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new Testament, &c. See Matth. 20.25. 25 The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them, and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. Simon, Simon, Satan, that malicious adversary of mankind, hath earnestly sued for permission to put you to an exquisite and full trial, 31, 32. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren. as wheat is tried in the sanne, not for the purging and cleansing of you, but for your utter despersion and destruction; ye shall be in danger of his strong assaults: but for thee Simon, whose temptation shall be strongest, and peril most, I have prayed for thee, that, however thou shalt be hardly laid at, and thy faith may waver and stagger, by the power of those onsets, yet that it may not utterly fail, and be either wholly, or finally lost. But now, ye will have need of all the provisions, 36 But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip, and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. that ye can make, whether of money or weapons; for there will be too much occasion of the use of both, both in respect of your destitution, and that violence, which will be offered to me. See Matth. 26.39. 42 Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, &c. CAP. XXIII. YE women of Jerusalem, ye se nothing now in me that doth not aggravate misery; 28 Daughters of jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. and therefore ye( not considering my inward grounds of assurance and comfort) spend yourselves in tears for me; but forbear this weeping of yours; and reserve your tears rather for those grievous miseries and calamities, which are ready to seize upon you, and your children. 29 For behold the dayes are coming, in which they shall say, blessed are the barren, and the womb that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. For ere long, the dayes shall come, wherein it shall be grief enough to the mother to think, that she hath children, which must be exposed to so cruel slaughters; and shall envy, and bless those that are barren, and childless. I am as a green, and sappy plant, this people is a sear and dry three; 31 For if they do these things in a green three, what shall be done in the dry. It is the sear wood, and not the green and juicie, that is for the fire: If then the hardest measure of death be inflicted upon me, how much less shall the vengeance of God forbear those whom their horrible sins have made fit matter for his wrath, and displeasure. 42 And he said unto Iesus, Lord remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. Lord, howsoever I am now justly dying for my offence; and howsoever thou art now in a despicable, and forlorn condition, ready to yield up thy life also, yet I know and see by the eyes of my faith, that there is a glorious kingdom prepared for thee, whereof after thy dissolution thou shalt receive the happy and everlasting possession: O then remember thou me in that glory of thine, who am now a just partner in that shane and pain which thou unjustly sufferest, even after my death, I may be capable of happiness with thee; Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Iesus said unto them, verily I say unto thee, To day, thou shalt be with me in paradise. Since thy faith hath looked thus through my sufferings, to my ensuing glory, be thou assured, that I who have wrought this confidence in thee, will crown it; Comfort thyself therefore in thy death, with the certainty of thine immediate happiness: This very day shall thy soul be received up into glory with me; This day shalt thou enjoy my presence in that happy paradise of heaven. CAP. XXIV. 5 Why seek ye the living among the dead? WHy do ye seek for a living man in the graves of the dead? 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. But God did so work upon the senses of these two men, that their eyes were held from being able to discern him; so as they took him for a stranger. 32 And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, whiles he talked with us, by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures? Did wee not feel an extraordinary working of his Spirit within us, whiles he talked with us by the way? Why are ye affrighted, 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. as if it were some spirit that appeared unto you, let all your senses search and try me; handle me, and convince yourselves of the truth of my human body; a spirit is an immaterial substance, and hath not flesh and bones, as ye see and feel me to have. Not out of any necessity, or use of nature, 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. but to give unto them a more full proof of his true human body, now raised up from the dead, he took that fish, and honeycomb, and did eat before them. THE gospel OF St John. CAP. I. IN and before the beginning of the world, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. the son of God who is the eternal, and essential Word of the Father, had a true and perfect being; and that word was coeternal with God the Father, and the holy Ghost; and that Word was in essence one and the same with God the Father, and the holy Spirit. The same Word( though he appeared not to the world, 2 The same was in the beginning with God. until the fullness of time) yet was from everlasting with God the Father, and of one essence with him. He was the Almighty Creator of all things; 3 All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. for the Father made all things by him; neither is, nor was there any thing that had a being in the world, but from and by him, and his omnipotent power. He did not onely give a being to the creature, 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. at the first, but he also gave, and doth still continue the life, and preservation of those things which he hath made, and as he hath both given and preserved a life to the rest of his creatures, so to man especially, he hath pleased to give such a life, as is joined with the light of understanding and knowledge, whereby he may come to the sight and acknowledgement of him who is the author and giver of all good to him: 5 And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. It is true indeed, that the faculties of mans knowledge, and understanding, are now so overspread with darkness of ignorance and misconceit, that he cannot rightly apprehended and conceive the things of God; yet the means of this divine knowledge are offered, and held forth unto him; howsoever the indisposition of mans depraved nature is such, that he doth not entertain them, and make use of them accordingly. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. There was a man fore-ordained and sent from God, to be the harbinger of that son of his into the world, whose name was( as it was fore-appointed by the Angel) John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. The same came purposely to bear witness of the truth of that Saviour, who is the light of the world; that through his testimony all men might be won to a belief in Christ their redeemer. 8 he was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. This John was indeed a great and holy Prophet, but he was not that light, which God had fore-promised should shine forth into the world, for their redemption, and salvation; but was onely sent to give testimony to that Messiah, whose fore-runner he was. 9 That was the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. That blessed Messiah is he, which was the true light that shined from heaven; and from whose beams every man in the world that hath any glimpse at all of right understanding, receiveth his illumination. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He was for a time visibly here in the world, and though by his divine power the world was made, yet( so as he was shrouded in the state of a servant) the world did not know, nor aclowledge him. 11 he came unto his own, and his own received him not. He came to his own creature man, and that in mans own shape; he came to his own peculiar people, the Jews,( having taken flesh from one of that nation) yet, his own creature man, his own countrymen, the Jews received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. But to so many of mankind, as did by a true faith receive him, to them he gave this blessed privilege, that whereas formerly they were aliens from God, and enemies to him, now, they should become the sons of God, heires of salvation. 13 Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. To them, I say, which are truly regenerate: who besides their natural birth from their earthly parents, of whom they received flesh, and blood, have been born again, and from the Spirit of God have received a new life of grace; which no means of nature could possibly convey into them. 41 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled amongst us, and we beholded his glory, the glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father. And as this substantial Word of the Father was from all eternity, one Spirit with him and the holy Ghost, so in the time appointed by the determinate counsel of God, he came into the world, and took flesh upon him, and dwelled among us men, in a plain, familiar, and sociable manner; yet so, as wee that were his inward and domestical followers, and faithful disciples, beholded( in that mean condition of his) many evident demonstrations of his glory and majesty, even such glory and majesty as was meet for the onely begotten son of the eternal Father. For we that are of ourselves empty of all good, 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. have from his infinite bounty, received all the good gifts that we enjoy, and those spiritual graces which were without measure in himself, hath he pleased in a due proportion to communicate unto us, in those several measures and degrees which he knows fit for us. And if your thoughts fly back to the ancient courses of Gods favour to his people by the hand of Moses, as if, 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Iesus Christ. under and by him, grace were conveyed to men; yet know, that howsoever the Law was indeed given by the hand of Moses, yet as the truth of those promises which were shadowed out in the Law is accomplished, and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, so the grace and power of performing all those good duties which the Law requireth, is onely given by Christ, and wrought by his Spirit. God is in his nature and essence altogether invisible, 18 No man hath seen God at any time: the onely begotten son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him. as being an infinite Spirit; no man hath ever, or can with mortal and bodily eyes, see him; wee could never of ourselves hope to attain unto the knowledge of him; the onely begotten son therefore who is one with the Father, hath graciously revealed and declared the knowledge of him to the world; he being the perfect image of his Father, by being himself manifested in the flesh, hath manifested God the Father unto me. I had no knowledge of him by any outward denotations; 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the holy Ghost. but the same God that sent me to baptize with water, gave me this charge, and revelation concerning him; That man upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit of God descending from heaven, in the form of a dove, and remaining for some time, upon him, the same is that Messiah, whose forerunner thou art; he it is onely, that together with the outward element of water, can give the holy Ghost, both in the sanctifying and miraculous graces thereof. I know thee already, Simon, who thou art, 42 And he brought him to Iesus, and when Iesus beholded him, he said, Thou art Simon, the son of Iona; thou shalt bee called Cephas. even the son of Jona, an obscure father; but out of my foreknowledge also of what thou shalt be; both of that faith which I will give thee, and of that service wherein I shall employ thee; I will give thee from henceforth a new name: thou shalt be called Cephas, or Peter &c. 46 Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, come and see. Is it possible, that either Galilee; or, therein the obscure village of Nazareth, should yield any such eminent good thing as that messiah of whom thou speakest? wee have learned to expect him out of Bethleem; and how is it then that thou namest him of Nazareth? 51 Hereafter, ye shall see heaven open, and the Angels of God ascending, and descending upon the son of man. Hereafter ye shall see more clear demonstrations of my divine power; for ye shall know, and find, that the command of heaven is mine; so as, both I onely open it to all believers, and do thence familiarly command the ministration of Angells for the attendance of me and mine; and at the last, ye shall see heaven open, and me the son of man, coming in a glorious and dreadful manner, to Judgement, with all the attendance of thousand thousands of Angels. CAP. II. THou, who art my parent according to the flesh, mayest justly look for all due respects from me, 4 Iesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. in all earthly occasions; but when it comes to divine matters, the businesses of my heavenly Father; it is not for thee to interpose thyself; the will of God is known to me, and the times are in his most wise and eternal counsel set, when my miraculous works shall be done; it is not, as yet, proper, and seasonable for me, to do that which thou requirest; but when I see my meet season for this act, I will accordingly effect it. 6 And there were set there six water pots of ston, after the manner of the purifying of the Iewes, containing two or three firkins apiece. And there were six large vessells of ston, for the receipt of water, for those frequent washings, which the Jewish traditions had brought into use; each of them containing two or three firkins; so as the measure of them was great, and far more than the proportion of that quantity of liquour which the present necessity might seem to require. 11 This beginning of miracles did Iesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory, and his disciples believed on him. This was the first of those miracles which he wrought, with intention of the public notice of the world, for the manifestation of his glory, in the execution of this public office of the messiah; and his disciples, upon the sight hereof, believed in him. See Matth. 26.61. 19 Iesus answered and said unto them, destroy this Temple, &c. Many believed in him, 24 But Iesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men. but Jesus did not rely upon their fidelity, because he knew all the hearts of men: and therefore well understood, who were truly affencted to him, and who were false and hollow; notwithstanding their pretences of reverence, and kind respects to him. CAP. III. THe same man, being on the one side, 2 The same came to Iesus by night,& said unto him, Rabbi; wee know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou dost, except God be with him. desirous to hold his reputation with the Jews, and especially them of his own sect;& on the other side, one who secretly honoured Jesus, and willing to be his disciple, came to Jesus by night, and said; Master, howsoever the envy of thine enemies is ready both to deny thee thy due, and to cast false imputations upon thee, yet wee do well know thou art a teacher sent from God; for it is not possible for any man to do those miracles which thou dost, but by a divine power. Thou hast indeed given a true confession of me; 3 Iesus answered, and said unto him; verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. but this is not enough, without a real change wrought in thy soul; let me therefore most certainly assure thee, that except a man bee regenerate and born anew, he is not fit for that spiritual life, and holy profession, which is required of the children of God. Except a man bee born again by the effectual working of Gods Spirit, as by the Author of this new birth; 5 Iesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man bee born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. and,( in the ordinary course of Gods proceedings, in his Church) by the water of baptism, as the sign appointed by God in the Sacrament of our regeneration, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Wee receive nothing of our fleshly parents, 6 That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit. but a corrupt nature; neither can they convey any thing into us, but what they have; if wee will have any goodness, or grace, it must be wrought in us by the Spirit of God; which onely can bring forth effects like itself, spiritual and holy. Let it not seem so strange a thing unto thee, 7 marvel not that I said unto thee; ye must be born again. as if it were past thy belief, that I said, ye must be born again. It is not for us to measure the works of God by our own conceit,& comprehension; How possible is it, 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. that wee may bee born again by the Spirit of God, and yet can give no account of the manner how it is done. Even in natural things we see it to be thus: the wind bloweth at uncertainties from al coasts; thou hearest the sound &c. How much more is it so in the supernatural works of God; his Spirit moves where and how it pleaseth, and no man can understand the secret operation thereof. 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen, and ye receive not our witness. Both myself, and the Prophets that have been before me, speak that which wee know to bee the truth of God; and testify that which both he hath revealed to us, and which wee have experimentally felt in ourselves, but ye that are carnally minded, and worldly wise, find no savour in our words, and believe not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not: how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And if, while I have onely discoursed to thee of these principles of Christianity, which both our enlightened reason, and experience can easily make good, thou believest not; but findest such difficulties, both in apprehension, and assent, what likelihood, yea possibility, is there that thou shouldst believe me, when I shal tell thee of the greatest mysteries of salvation, and of those high and incomprehensible matters of another world? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven: even the son of man which is in heaven. These are things whereof no man can tell thee, but he that hath been in heaven; and no man hath been there to see them, but he that is now comne down from heaven: even that son of man( that talketh with thee) who in respect of his deity is still in heaven. 14, 15. And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness; even so must the son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life. And as the brazen Serpent was erected by Moses in the wilderness, for the cure of those Israelites, that were stung with the fiery serpents, there; So must the son of man be lifted up, on the cross, that all they, who are envenomed by that old serpent the devil, and stung with the conscience of their sins, looking up unto him, by a true faith, may bee healed, and live for ever. 17 For God sent not his son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. It was not the end, and intention that God had in sending his son into the world, that the world should be condemned for not believing in him; but his holy and gracious drift, and purpose therein was, that the world of mankind should by him bee saved, in that by a lively faith, they apprehended that all-sufficient Redeemer. 18 he that believeth on him, is not condemned, but he that believeth not, is condemned already. Whosoever believeth in him, how great soever his unworthiness, and iniquity bee, yet shall not come into condemnation: but he that believeth not, is in a certain way of inevitable condemnation; and is left without all remedy, in a state of eternal death, &c. And this is that which brings just condemnation upon the world of unbelievers; that, 19, 20. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil: for every one that doth evil, hateth the light. whereas the son of God is comne into the world, and hath sent his gospel, the means of mans salvation abroad, into the world; yet, that men are so wedded to their own corruptions, that they had rather to continue in their ignorance, and their known sins, than embrace the truth of God, and suffer the word of God to have his full effect in them; in which condition, whiles they do still persist, it cannot be otherwise, but they must needs hate that good word of God, whereby their wickedness is controlled; for every one that doth evil hateth the light, &c. And there he tarried with them, 22 And there he tarried with them, and baptized. and by the hands of his disciples, baptized many. It is strange that ye should still move these questions, 27, 28. John answered and said: a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. after ye have had so full information from me; but I well see it is not in the means; except God teach the heart from heaven, by his Spirit, all our instruction prevails not: ye yourselves can bear me witness, that I did always disclaim this honour, and said still; I am not the Christ whom ye expect, I am onely his servant,& messenger, which am sent before to make way for him. It is he who is the true, and onely bridegroom, 29 he that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroomes voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. and husband of his spouse, the Church: this honour is proper to him therefore to enjoy her, whom he hath chosen, and betrothed to himself in truth, and righteousness; as for me, and all other his faithful servants, wee are the friends and attendants of this blessed bridegroom; and therefore( as our duty is) wee wait upon him, and hold it to bee our greatest joy, and glory, that we hear his voice, and that wee see the happy success of this his spiritual marriage. I came but to notify him unto the world, 30 he must increase, but I must decrease. which when I have done, I do most gladly give way and place to him, my God, and Saviour. His glory shall increase every day, more, and more, in that he shall bee known for the son of God, by his irrefragable miracles; my name and honour shall decrease every day,( by the growth of his) in that the world shall find themselves mistaken in reputing me the messiah, whom they shall now know to be onely a servant to this Christ, whom I fore-runne and proclaim. It is he that cometh from above, 31 he that cometh from above, is above all, he that is of the earth, is earthly,& speaketh of the earth; he that cometh from heaven is above all. and therefore justly hath this pre-eminence, that he is above all; as for me, and such as I am, we( howsoever our mission is from above) are but from the earth, weak, earthly creatures; and being full of infirmities, speak as we are; when we speak, as of ourselves, wee speak nothing but earthly things; but he being of the eternal substance of the Father, is far above all finite creatures, and therefore justly challengeth all answerable respects from us. 33 He that received his testimony, hath set to his seal, that God is true. He that hath believed,& received this infallible testimony, which Christ giveth to himself from his Father; hath seconded the truth of God, and is so graciously accepted of him, that he is pleased to hold himself honoured by his subscription to, and obsignation of his divine truth. 34 For he whom God hath sent, speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. For this son of God, whom the Father hath sent into the world, speaketh onely the words of God; for God hath not in any finite measure communicated the graces of his Spirit unto him, as he hath done to us, men; but hath endued him with an infinite proportion thereof, as in whom the Godhead dwelleth bodily. CAP. IIII. 4 And he must needs go thorough Samaria. SAmaria lay right in his way from Judea to Galilee. 10 If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that faith to thee; Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of him,& he would have given thee living water. If thou knewest what a gift it is, that God hath bestowed upon the world, in giving his son to and for it;&, if thou couldst conceive that it is the same Son of God that saith unto thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest rather have begged of me, and I would have given thee those spiritual waters of heavenly Doctrine, and divine grace, which arise from that living fountain, and spring forth to eternal life. 11 The woman saith unto him; Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with,& the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water. The woman scoffingly replied unto him: Sir, you talk of living waters; where are they? These that are here before you, for ought I see, are out of your reach: the well is deep, and you have nothing to take them up with; What do you therefore tell me of other living waters better than these? whence should you have them? 12 Art thou greater than our father jacob? Are you a greater, and better man than our father the holy Patriarch Jacob,& c.? 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall bee in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. But whosoever drinketh of this spiritual water, receiving into his soul my heavenly Doctrine, and those holy graces of sanctification, which I give to all mine, shall never have cause to complain of thirst any more: for that Spirit of mine which I shall give him, shall not only refresh him for the present, but shall continue his unspeakable comforts, till he shall be possessed of eternal life. The woman still scorning him, said; Sir, 15 The woman saith unto him; Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. It were a good matter to light upon this sovereign water; that thou talkest of; where is it? or how should I come by it? I pray thee bestow some of it upon me, that I may save this labour of drawing, and trouble of thirsting any more. Thou hast had five husbands in succession, 18 For thou hast had five husbands, and he whom thou now hast, is not thy husband, in that saidst thou truly. one after other; and now, thou livest in an adulterous manner, with one to whom thou wert never married; so as this can is but thy husband in pretence, not truly& lawfully, &c. Sir, I perceive by this speech of thine, 19, 20. The woman saith unto him; Sir, I perceive that thou art a Prophet; our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and ye say, that in jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. that thou art a Prophet, and canst tell strange, and absent, and future things: Tell me then, what sayest thou to the main question, that is between us samaritans, and ye Jews, concerning the worship of God; wee worship God in the Temple built upon this mount Garizim, and we have by our fathers been taught so to do; ye contend that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her; Woman, 21 Iesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at jerusalem, worship the Father. this circumstance of place shall not bee long stood upon; believe me, ere long there shall bee no strict limitations of place at all; so as that Gods worship should bee confined to mount Garizim, or to Jerusalem. ye Samaritans, 22 ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Iewes. having mingled your religion with manifold superstitions, and foul errors, have no true ground for the worship of God, neither indeed do ye know what ye worship. Wee Jews worship God according to the prescript of his own Law,( in regard of the main substance of religion.) Herein therefore we go beyond you Samaritans, that with the Jews as his peculiar people hath God made that his covenant of grace and salvation; and that of their flesh and blood is that messiah, which bringeth salvation to the world. But the time is now at hand, 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit, and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. when men shall not bee so straitly confined to places, and to outward rites, and ceremonies; but, the true worshippers of God shall lift up pure hands, every where, and without regard of these legal observations, shall worship God the Father, in Spirit, and truth; inwardly, and sincerely. For God takes pleasure in such suppliants, not regarding those that are altogether for outward formalities. We men, that are but flesh; 24 God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and truth. it is no marvel if we bee pleased with outward and carnal rites; but as for God, he is a Spirit; and therefore must needs like that service, which is most agreeable to his nature, spiritual; those then that would worship him to purpose, must worship him not formally, but in truth; not outwardly, but in spirit. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come he will tell us all things. I, that am a woman, and a Samaritan, yet have been so far instructed in that part of religion which is common to us, with the Jews, as that I know the messiah is now upon coming, even he that is called the Christ; and that he when he comes, will tell us all things. 35 Say not ye, there are yet four moneths, and then cometh harvest? Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes and look on, &c. It is meet and requisite that I should take all opportunities of doing my Fathers will; even as when the corn is ripe, and the ears are white to the harvest, men neglect no time to reap it, and gather it in. 56 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that both he that soweth, and he that reapeth, may rejoice together. wherein also ye my Disciples ought to imitate my seasonable care, and diligence, for your own comfort and happiness; for as in the harvest, he that reapeth, and gathereth in the corn, receiveth wages accordingly; so ye that labour in this spiritual harvest, shall be sure of the reward of eternal life; that so both those that have begun this good work, and ye that finish it, may rejoice together in your happy success. 37 And herein is that saying true: one soweth, and another reapeth. Many hands are employed in this great service, according to that usual saying; One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that, whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entred into their labours. I sent others before you, both the ancient Prophets, and John Baptist, and my seventy Disciples, to sow the seeds of Evangelicall doctrine in the hearts of men; and now ye are sent to perfect those good beginnings which they have made; So as ye shall reap the fruit and comfort of that good counsel, and holy labours, which have been bestowed by others. CAP. V. 1 After this there was a feast of the Iewes, and Iesus went up to jerusalem. NOt long after this, was the Jewish feast of Pentecost, at which time, and upon which occasion, Jesus( according to the law) went up to Jerusalem. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool,& troubled the water, &c: For an angel went down, at some seasons appointed by God( though not fixed, and foreknown by men) and in testimony of his descent, and presence, moved, and troubled the water of the pool; whosoever then first, &c. 17 But Iesus answered them, my father worketh hitherto, and I work. But Jesus answered, and said, It would be very injurious in you, to think, that the divine works of God my heavenly Father, or those of mine, whereby I approve my deity to the world, are any violation at all of the Sabbath day: rather, that day serves to set forth and celebrate these wonderful works, both of him and me. ye fix your eyes upon me, as a mere man, 19 Then answered Iesus and said unto them, verily, verily I say unto you, the son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doth, these also doth the son likewise. and look no further then the flesh that you see; but herein ye are foully deceived; it is the power of my invisible Godhead, whereby I do these wonderful works; for I and the Father are one indivisible essence, and our acts are no less inseparable; The son can do nothing without the will, and act of the Father; and even as he is man, can do nothing, but what he seeth agreeable to the will and purpose of his heavenly Father. For God the Father loveth the son( even as man) and enableth him to all his wonderful works which he doth; 20 For the Father loveth the son, and sheweth him all things: and he will show him greater works than these, &c. and will by his power and authority cause him to produce greater works than ye have yet seen, that ye may yet more be astonished with wonder. For the Father( as by himself immediately) judgeth no man, 22 For the Father judgeth no man: but hath committed all judgement unto the son. but hath committed the power and managing of this work unto the son; so as the Father by the son judgeth the world. Ye look upon me as a more man, 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear I judge: and my judgement is just, because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. not knowing or considering that relation which I have to the Father, and that deity which is veiled under this flesh: know ye therefore that( in that human state which I have assumed) I can of myself do nothing; but according to that I am directed, by that powerful and alwise Godhead; from the information whereof I judge, and my judgement is just, because I seek not to please my own will( as man) but the will of my eternal Father, which hath sent me. If I should yield you this, 31, 32. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true; for there is another that beareth witness of me. that my testimony concerning myself is not to be admitted;( as indeed amongst mere men that rule is but just and equal) ye know that ye have no reason to press this upon me; for there is another that beareth witness of me, &c. ye sent unto John to know his judgement of me; 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. ye had not sent to him, if ye had not ascribed too much to the authority of his testimony; and behold, ye know that he bare witness to the truth; and pointed unto me as that lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. But it is not any human testimony that I stand upon, 34 But I receive not testimony from man, but these things I say, that ye might be saved. neither is it the approbation of any mortal man, that can add any thing to me, but I speak this for your conviction, that ye may be induced to aclowledge the truth, and be saved. 35, 36. he was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light: but I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, &c. John was indeed a zealous and holy man; one that gave great light to Gods Church in his time, burning with fervent affections, and shining with heavenly doctrine, and exemplary sanctimony, and ye were willing for a season, to profess your hearty respects to him, and your thankful and glad acceptance of his doctrine. But I rest not in his testimony; I have greater witness, &c. 37 And the Father himself which hath sent me, hath born witness of me, ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath born witness of me, both in that voice which was heard from heaven in my baptism; and in the attestation of his Prophets, and in all the types and figures of his law. But as for you, ye have nothing to do with that eternal Father of mine, ye have no notice of him at all, either by his voice, or any whatsoever representation he hath made of himself. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Ye have not given that respect and belief to his word, which ye ought; for that Messiah whom the Law and the Prophets do so clearly set forth, and commend unto you, as sent from God, ye do wilfully reject. 39 Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. Search the Scriptures, for ye profess to make high account of them; and do justly think in them to find eternal life; and they are my witnesses; I desire no other testimony but theirs. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. And yet, though by them ye be directed unto me, as the onely fountain of life, yet ye will not come to me by a true faith, that ye might have life from me. 41 I receive not honour from men. Do not think that I set forth myself unto you, as if I affencted to be honoured by you; no, it is not reputation, and honour from men that I regard. 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. Much less from you, whom I know to be altogether voided of the love of God. 43 I am come in my Fathers name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. For if ye did love God, ye would gladly receive me, who am come to you in the name and authority of that my heavenly Father: but now ye receive me not; whereas, if a false Prophet shall come in his own name, and of his own head, ye will be apt enough to entertain and follow him. 44 How can ye believe which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God onely. But ye are ready to say; were the matter so plain as you pretend, why should not wee believe, as well as others? we are sure that wee know more then the common sort, why should wee not equally embrace that truth which appeareth unto us? Let me tell you, it is your pride and ambition that lies in your way: This grace of faith is given to the meek and humble; as for you Scribes and Pharisees, ye are all for your own vain glory; all ye care for, is to be honoured of each other, and to surpass each other in titles and reputation with men; not regarding that true honour which cometh from God onely. Ye shall one day give an account, 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father, there is one that accuseth you, even Moses in whom ye trust. before the tribunal seat of God, of this stiff incredulity of yours, but do not think that I shall need to be your accuser there; no, there is one that shall rise up to accuse you; even he whom ye unjustly pretend and challenge for your Patron, Moses. There will need no other conviction of you, 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. then the writings of Moses, who hath given therein abundant testimony of me; so as had ye but believed Moses, ye would have believed me. But if ye believe not his writings which ye confess to be so authentical, and beyond all exception; 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words. how is it like ye will believe my words which ye are ready to slight, and prejudge. CAP. VI. WHen Jesus perceived the inclination of the people, 15 When Iesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a King, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. that they( being persuaded he was the messiah, and supposing that he must therefore be a temporal king over Israel) would go about to force him to receive this honour from them; he withdrew himself; and departed again into a mountain himself alone. he caused the ship by an extraordinary speed, 21 And immediately the ship was at the land whither, &c. to come to land. Which bread of life the son of man shall give unto you: 27 Which the son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. for him hath God the Father designed to this office of his Mediatorship; and hath given abundant proof of his concurrence with him in this great work. Then said they unto him, 28 Then said they unto him. What shall wee do, that we might work the works of God? Dost thou think that wee have not a due care of attaining eternal life? yes doubtless, wee slack no endeavour that might further us thereunto; what work is there that may be acceptable to God, or is required by him, which we are not willing, and forward to perform? Verily I say unto you; 32 Then Iesus said unto them, verily, verily I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, but my Father giveth you the true bread, from heaven. it was not the true heavenly bread that Moses gave you; that was but a bodily food, for the nourishing of the present life; but the bread, which my Father giveth you, is truly heavenly, and nourisheth the soul to an eternal life. For that bread, 33 For the bread of God, is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. which my Father gives for the feeding of his Church, is his onely son which cometh down from heaven into the world; and giveth a spiritual life to all believers. 35 And Iesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger. I am that true bread of life, which nourisheth the soul everlastingly; he that cometh to me by a lively faith, and partaketh of me, shall never have cause to complain of spiritual hunger, &c. 36 But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not. But I have told you( to your just shane and rebuk) that your incredulity is so much the more hateful; for that having had so clear manifestations of my divine power, yet ye believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. But it is not in the power of your perverseness, to make my word and miracles ineffectual; for( however incredulous ye prove yourselves) yet all that the Father giveth to me, shall and will believe in me; and him that doth by a true faith lay hold on me, I will in no wise abandon and cast off. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. Which gracious preservation of mine elect children comes within the compass of the very intention of my coming down from heaven; for I came down thence to do( not my own will, but) the will of my Father that sent me. 39, 40. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, and this is the will of him that sent me, &c. And this is the will of my heavenly Father that sent me, that all mine should be infallibly raised to life, and that every one which knoweth the son, and feeleth the power of his Spirit, and believeth in him, may certainly come to everlasting life, &c. do not murmur thus against my person, as if this imagined impossibility of descending from heaven lay on my part; 44 No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. and not rather on your own; the truth is, that all the default is in your unbelief; and this unbelief is natural to you, and deeply fixed in your corrupt disposition; insomuch as no man can come to me, by the foot of a true faith, except my Father which sent me, enlighten his understanding, and powerfully incline his will, and affections thereunto; and that man, whom he shall so work upon, shall be sure that I will perfect his salvation, and raise him up to glory, at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, and they shall be taught of God: every man therefore that, &c. Every one that hath duly received the doctrine of my gospel, and hath effectually learned the same, is thereby wrought to believe in me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. As no man can come to me, but by the grace, and lively inoperation of my Father, so none can attain to the perfect knowledge of the Father( and reveal the same to mankind) but onely that son of his, who is of the same essence with him; he hath, in a manner incommunicable to any creature, seen that eternal Father. ye speak of the bread which your fathers did eat; 48, 49, 50. I am the bread of life; your fathers did eat Manna in the wilderness, and are dead; this is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I tell you, I am that true bread of life, which was figured by their Manna. That Manna which your Fathers did eat of in the wilderness was such, as could not preserve them from dying; but such virtue shall ye find in me, who was prefigured by that Manna, as that whosoever feeds on me shall never die. Your Manna as it had no life in itself, 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven, if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. so it could give none; I am that true life-giving bread, which came down from heaven; if any man feed on this living bread, he shall live for ever; Neither shall ye need to go seek far for this bread: for the bread that I will give, is this very flesh of mine, which I will offer, upon the cross, for mans redemption, this is it which your souls shall feed on, whiles by the means of this humanity of mine, is conveyed unto you all my righteousness, and the full efficacy of my deity, for the quickening of them to life everlasting. The Jews therefore, mistaking the words of Christ, 52 The Iewes therefore striven among themselves, saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eat. as literally spoken, of a carnal and bodily manducation, argued with themselves; How can this be made good, which he speaketh? how is it possible that this man should give us his flesh to eat? or how should that flesh be bread? Then Jesus knowing their secret murmurings, 53 Then Iesus said unto them; verily verily I say unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. said unto them; Never think it so strange, that I have told you concerning the eating of my flesh; for I tell you yet again, except ye do so, by a true and lively faith communicate of my flesh and my blood, as that you are incorporated thereinto, ye can have no spiritual life in you. Whosoever thus partaketh of my flesh, and my blood, 54 Who so eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, &c. as that he hath this spiritual communion with me, that man hath already a true right to eternal life, &c. For my flesh is indeed a true spiritual meat, 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink in●eed. and my blood is a true spiritual drink, whereby the soul of the true believer is really nourished to eternal life. He that thus partaketh of my flesh and blood, 56 he that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. becometh one with me, and I with him: neither is there any other way, or means of his happy communion with me. Do not fix your eyes too much upon this visible humanity of mine, 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. but know that this power of giving life, is derived to me from that my living Father in heaven, which hath sent me, and hath given me this life of the son of God manifested in the flesh: by virtue whereof, it is, that as he gives life unto me, so I do also give a spiritual life to whosoever shall thus partake of me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven, &c. See verse 48, 49, 50. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said; this is an hard saying, who can hear it? Many therefore of his Disciples, when they had heard these words, taking them in a carnal, and literal sense, said; This is an hard and harsh doctrine; who can tell what to make of it, or how to take it? 61, 62. When Iesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, doth this offend you? what and if ye shall see the son of man, ascend up where he was before. The disciples made no open complaint of this their exception, and scandal; but when Iesus, the searcher of hearts, knew in himself, that his disciples murmured at his doctrine, he said unto them; do ye stumble at this saying of mine, I do well know that the ground of your offence is the mean estimation of this humanity of mine; by the power whereof ye measure by your outward senses, making no difference betwixt me, and other men; what will ye say then, if ere long your eyes shall be witnesses of another manner of condition of mine, than you think of; if you shall behold me( the son of man) ascending up by the power of my Deity into heaven, to take a repossession of that glory which I eternally enjoyed there. 63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life. Ye are ready to mistake my words, of a fleshly kind of eating my body; wherein ye do grossly err: for it is not my flesh, considered simply of itself( without respect to the Spirit) that can avail you to this happy nourishment; but it is the Spirit of the almighty, and eternal Godhead,( whereto this body is inseparably united) which gives this sovereign virtue unto it. And even so is it also in my Doctrine; it is not the outward sound of my words, wherein ye are to rest, and to seek comfort; but it is the inward and spiritual sense of them; thus taken, they shall bee found to have sweetness, and life in them. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back,& walked no more with him. From that time forth, many of those his fashionable disciples, taking this unjust offence at his holy Doctrine, went away from him, and followed his train no more. 70 Iesus answered them, have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil. Whiles the rest are gone, ye twelve stick close unto me; and indeed I have singled you out to the honour of a more near attendance upon me; yet even this small number of yours must be abated; for, howsoever ye all make faire professions, yet one of you is a very devil in his heart, and will ere long manifest his wickedness in act. CAP. VII. HIs kinsmen therefore said unto him; 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, depart hence, and go into judea, that the disciples also may see the works that thou dost. what dost thou here in this obscure corner of Galilee; Go thy ways up to the famous and frequent City of Jerusalem, where all the confluence is of the Tribes of Israel, and Proselytes from all parts, that thou maiest win, and confirm thy disciples with thy miracles. It is not yet a seasonable time for me to go up to Jerusalem; ye may go when you please; 6, 7. My time is not yet come; but your time is alway ready: the world cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I testify of it, &c. all times are alike to you. The world is your friend, and favours you in your designs; but me it hateth, because I reprove the wickedness of it. No man spake openly in his approbation, and defence; 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him, for fear of the Iewes. for fear of the censure of the Jewish Rulers; which had decreed to excommunicate any man that should profess respect unto him. I do not deliver the doctrine which I teach, 16 Iesus answered them, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. as my own, but as my heavenly Fathers, which hath sent me. If any man shall, with a simplo and honest heart, 17 If any man will do his will he shall know of the Doctrine, whether it bee of God, or whether I speak of myself. yield himself over to do the will of my Father, according to the measure of that he knows, God shall encourage and bless that man with further light; so as he shall fully know whether my Doctrine be of God, or of myself. I have done one charitable and miraculous work on the Sabbath day, namely the cure of a palsy man, 21 I have done one work, and ye all marvel. and ye are all wondering, and yet mutinying at it. Under the Law of Moses, 22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision,( not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. ye were enjoined circumcision,( not that Moses was the first instituter thereof, but God to our father Abraham,) and ye do without scruple practise it accordingly, even upon the Sabbath day. look seriously into the true state, 24 judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement. and ground of things: and do not judge according to fancy, or outward appearances; but esteem of things as they really are. Is it out of guiltiness that our Rulers are thus silent? 26, 27. But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the Rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit wee kow this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. do they know indeed that this is the very Christ? If they do so, sure we think they mis-know him; for we have learnt that when the messiah comes, no man shall know, or declare his generation; but for this man, wee know his kindred and pedigree. 28 Then cried Iesus in the Temple as he taught, saying; ye both know me, and ye know whence I am, and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. ye mutter secretly that ye know me, and the place of my birth, and my parentage; but ye are utterly mistaken; for I have a Father in heaven, whom ye know not; I came not of myself, but my Father is he that sent me, who is the God of truth, of whom ye, after all your pretences of knowledge, are utterly ignorant. 29 But I know him, for I am from him, and he hath sent me. But I do perfectly know him, as I have good reason; for both I am from him by eternal generation, and by him sent into the world to do this great work of redemption. 33 Then said Iesus unto them, yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. Ye seek to lay hands on me; but know that my time is set; it shall not bee long ere I put an end to this your contempt and persecution; and departing from you, shall return to my Father that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, thither ye cannot come. Then ye my persecutors shall seek me in vain, for ye shall not find me; I shall be quiter out of your reach, and where I am, thither can ye not come. 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Iesus stood and cried, saying; If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. In the last day of the feast, which day they called the Great Hosanna: Jesus stood and took occasion by their solemn fetching up of water from the Well of Siloa( at the foot of mount Sion) for their sacrifices, and libations, to speak of better waters; and cried, saying; If any man thirst spiritually, let him come to me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. he that believeth in me, shall( according to the frequent promises, every where in the Scriptures) be abundantly blessed; and shall not onely have much comfort in himself, but shall have such store of grace, and heavenly consolation in his heart, that he shall bee able to yield forth abundance of it, unto others. 39 The holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Iesus was not yet glorified. The miraculous and sanctifying gifts of the holy Ghost were not as yet so fully given, as they were afterwards, when Jesus was received up into glory. 48. 49. Have any of the Rulers, or of the Pharisees believed on him? but this people who knoweth not the Law, are cursed. Were this man such as you pretend, do ye think that the Rulers, and the Pharisees, men of better judgement than yourselves, would not have discerned and acknowledged him? They know the Law,& according to that, judge infallibly; but this ignorant multitude that hath no insight into the Law of God, lies open to miserable seduction, and error, and is therein accursed. CAP. VIII. SInce you pled the Law against this offender, 7 he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a ston at her. I gainsay not; but am ready to second Moses herein; in the mean time, do not ye prosecute that in her, whereof yourselves are guilty; she hath well deserved to be stoned; but who shall be her executioners? If any of you be innocent, let his hand be first upon her. Howsoever thou hast deserved, 11 And Iesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more. it is not mine office to pass sentence of condemnation upon thee; since therefore thine accusers are sent away by their own guiltiness; it is not for me to prosecute thee; go thy ways, repent thee of this great wickedness, and take heed thou be not mis-carried into this sin any more. Howsoever, 14 Iesus answered, and said unto them, though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true, for I know whence I came, and whither I go, but ye cannot tel whence I come, and whither I go. in the ordinary course of human proceedings, it is true that no mans testimony is to be taken concerning himself, yet in this case of mine, who am a divine person, exempted from all possibility of error, God in the flesh, it is far otherwise. Being such a one, though I do bear record of myself, yet the record cannot but be true; for I, and I onely know whence I came, even from the; bosom of mine eternal Father; and whither I am returning; even to the repossession of that glory; but ye( judging onely according to the outward appearance) know neither of these. Ye presume to judge according to your carnal affections; 15 ye judge after the flesh, I judge no man. and follow your outward senses in the judgements ye pass on me; and, in the mean time, will not endure me, who do not challenge, or execute that power which I might, in judging you. Not that I do disclaim, or forsake that right; 16 And yet if I judge, my judgement is true, for I am not alone, but I and the Father, that sent me. but make use of it when I see it meet; and whensoever I do judge any man, my judgement is true, and altogether infallible; and such, as whereby ye may be convinced, according to your own rules; for I am not alone; the Father that sent me, is with me, and testifieth with me, and for me. I am now shortly going away, 21 Then said Iesus again unto them, I go my way,& ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. and removing from the earth; and then, in vain shall ye seek for help from me, whom ye have despised; imploring the aid of the divine power of that messiah whom ye have rejected; justly therefore do I cast you off, and suffer you to die in your sins; barring you out from my presence; for, whither I go, ye shall never bee allowed to come. Then said the Jews; 22 Then said the Iewes, will he kill himself? because he saith, whither I go, ye cannot come. what means this threat of his departure, whither we shall not come to him: Will he kill himself? if he do, he shall indeed go alone, wee list not to follow him on that condition. 23 And he said unto them, ye are from beneath, I am from above. It is to no purpose to speak to you of heavenly things; ye cannot bee capable of my Doctrine; ye are altogether earthly and sensual; and savour nothing but earthly things; I am from heaven, and my Doctrine is accordingly, &c. 24 For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. For if ye believe not that I am the son of God, the true messiah, that should come to save the world, ye shall die in your sins. 25 And Iesus saith unto them, even the same that I said unto you, from the beginning. I am not one that is suddenly, and inexpectedly started forth into the world; but, that very messiah, who from the beginning of the world, was foretold, and fore-promised to mankind. 26 I have many things to say, and to judge of you, but he that sent me is true, and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. If I minded to take advantage of your wickedness, and infidelity, I have matter enough to accuse and condemn you for; but that is not my errand for which I came; onely I must tell you, these contempts, and this unbelief of yours will not bee let go unpunished; for my Father, that sent me, as he is truth itself, so he will certainly make good that which I have delivered to the world, from him, and, that which he hath spoken to the world by me. 27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. All this while, their understandings were so blinded, that they did not perceive that he spake unto them, concerning God the Father, and that dreadful judgement of his, before which they must appear, and receive the due sentence of their obstinate unbelief. 28 Then said Iesus unto them, when ye have lift up the son of man, then shall ye know, that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself. When ye have lift up me, the son of man, to the cross, and have fastened me to that three of shane, and curse, whereon I shall suffer an ignominous, and painful death, ye shall then know, both by the miraculous signs which then shall appear to the world, and by the wonderful consequences of my glorious resurrection, and ascension, that I am that messiah, whom ye have expected; and that I am not a mere man, as ye now suppose, and that I do nothing of myself &c. 29 And he that sent me is with me; the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him. The eternal Father that sent me, he is inseparably with me; he hath not left me alone; His Godhead is mine; I am one with him, and therefore I can do nothing but that which is perfectly pleasing unto him. 31 Then said Iesus to those Iewes which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. I, who know your hearts, do well see, that upon these words of mine, ye do now believe in me; but, take heed that this faith of yours bee not embody and temporary; see that ye continue constant in the profession of my name, and then ye shall indeed bee my Disciciples. And then ye shall have the truth of God further revealed unto you; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. and this divine Evangelicall truth shall so work with you, that it shall bless you with the liberty of the sons of God; making you free from the bondage of sin, and Satan, under which ye are now held. What tellest thou us of freedom? 33 They answered him, Wee bee Abrahams seed, and were never in bondage to any man, how sayest thou, ye shall be made free? tell this to the forlorn heathens, who are born to servitude; as for us, we are the seed of faithful Abraham, and that not of the bond-woman, but of the free: wee scorn the imputation of bondage; and abhor the very name of it? why dost thou then tell us of being made free? Indeed ye challenge a natural freedom, 34 Iesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. but ye are morally slaves and vassals; howsoever ye please yourselves, ye are servants to a base Master, even sin; for whosoever yields himself over to the commission of sin, as ye do, is no other than a slave and vassal unto sin. ye brag of your privileges, and liberty; 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the son abideth ever. but how long will this last? ye are in Gods family but as ishmael was in Abrahams; ye may challenge, and usurp a kind of liberty, and immunity; but it shall soon bee at an end, as his was; the truth is, ye are servants of sin, and not sons of God: and, it is not for a servant to make account of a perpetual claim to the house, or stay in it; if ye be once the adopted sons of God, ye may challenge a room in his house, but as ye are, ye have none. Neither shall ye attain to this happy condition of spiritual freedom, 36 If the son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. unless the son of God do invest you with it; your own endeavours will but inthrale you more, his grace and mercy must onely work your deliverance. I know ye are Abrahams seed, according to the flesh, 37 I know that ye are Abrahams seed, but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. but what will this avail you, whiles ye are strangers from the faith of Abraham, this is too plain, in that ye seek to kill me, in whom Abraham believed, a wickedness, which ye could never yield unto, if ye had given place to that saving word of mine, which hath been delivered unto you: that very contempt of yours hath drawn upon you this hateful sin of your murderous intentions against me. My Doctrine is such as I have received from my heavenly Father, and therefore holy, and divine: 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father:& ye do that which ye have seen with your father. your practices are such, as ye have received from that true father of yours, whom ye will bee very unwilling to aclowledge. 41 Wee be not born of fornication, we have one Father, even God. We could not be trueborn, if wee had any other father then that one, whom we challenge; being the sons of Abraham, it must needs follow that wee are the sons of God; Onely God therefore, who is the Father of faithful Abraham, is the Father of us who are his true children. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my words. I have spoken plain enough to you; why do ye not understand my speech? the fault is in none but in yourselves; ye are so carried with prejudice, and dis-affection, that ye will not apply your mindes to listen unto that, which I deliver unto you. 44 Ye are of your father the devil. Pretend, and profess what ye will, I must point you to your true father; Ye are of your father the devil, &c. 44 When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it. he is both a practiser of lies himself, and the author and cause of them in others; when he utters lies, he doth but his kind; if at any time he let fall a truth, that is but stolen, and usurped; his proper work is both to lye, and to move lies in others. 51 If a man keep my saying he shall never see death. If a man keep my saying; he shall be surely freed from everlasting death. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Your father Abraham by a lively faith foresaw this coming of me, the messiah, and lived in that faith of his; and in that spiritual life rejoiced with joy unspeakable and glorious. 57 Then said the Iewes unto him, thou art not yet fifty yeares old: and hast thou seen Abraham? Thou canst not so boast of age, as to make thyself near fifty yeares old; thou appearest to be much short of that; and hast thou lived so long as to have seen Abraham? 58 Iesus said unto them, verily verily I say unto you, before Abraham was I am. I tell ye, O ye fond Jews, my being is not to be measured by my coming in the flesh; I am that God, which was and is from everlasting; Abraham had his being in time, mine is from eternity, your fathers knew me by the name of I AM, I am still so to you, yesterday, and to day, and the same for ever. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Iesus hide himself, and went out of the Temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. But Jesus withdrew himself from them, and by his secret power so avoided their hands, as that they were not able( in his passage through the midst of them) to stay, or touch him. CAP. IX. 2 And his Disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? THere be these two things which we take for granted, The one that all punishment that is inflicted upon man, is for sin; the other, that every mans soul hath formerly had a being in some other body; and hath passed from one to another; Now therefore,( these things presupposed) tell us, whose sin it is that is punished with blindness in this man; was it his own, whiles he was in some other body, or was it his parents: for which he is now thus from his very birth, blind and miserable. Howsoever ordinarily these outward afflictions are the just punishments for sin; 3 Iesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. yet in this case it was not the respect to the sin of any man whomsoever, that is the cause of this mans blindness, but the respect that God hath to his own glory, that hereby occasion might be taken, to show forth his great power and and mercy in his cure. Whiles it pleaseth my heavenly Father( that sent me) to give me opportunity of life, 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, whiles it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. I must do these great works that he hath designed me unto; the night of death comes now shortly and fast on: then it will be no season to work in this kind any more. The sun hath his daily course, 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. which when he hath finished, he then withdraweth his light, and then the night succeedeth; whiles my bodily presence is in the world, I am that true sun that enlighteneth the world; but this sun of mine shall set; and then ye shall not expect from me any more this visible and sensible illumination; that I should show forth my Fathers glory by my personal miracles. go, and wash in the pool of Siloam, 7 Go wash in the pool of Siloam( which is by interpretation Sent) he went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. which is by interpretation, Sent: no other pool but that shall cure thee: neither could that do it, but by my institution: it is my sending that gives that virtue, that success, to these waters. Do not so wrong God, as to rob him of his glory, 24 Give God the praise, we know that this man is a sinner. in ascribing that to a sinful man, which is due onely to his glorious name: Never say that this man cured thee thus; he is a sinner, we know: for he is a Sabbath breaker: God hath done it sure by some other means. It is a strange thing, 30 The man answered and said unto them, why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. that ye who profess so much knowledge should be ignorant in so great and important a matter. I am but a simplo man, yet I can easily see, and boldly affirm, that such a miracle as this is, cannot be wrought any other way than by a divine hand: and can a man be sent from God with such supernatural power, and yet ye not know whence he is? Never tell me( as ye do) that this man is a sinner: 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners, but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doth his will. we know and have been so instructed by you, that God gives not to sinners such wonderful graces, as this, to be able to give eyes to a man that never had them: yea, this is a thing that transcends all finite powers; and therefore do not cast so wrongful an imputation upon him that hath done so great things for me, &c. 33 If this man were not of God he could do nothing. If this man were not of God, in an extraordinary manner, as sent from him, assisted by him, it were not possible he should do such wonders. 34 They answered and said unto him, thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? and they cast him out. Thou ignorant and presumptuous fellow; God had set a mark upon thee in thy very birth; therein proclaiming to the world, that thou hadst been a sinner in thy former estate, ere thy soul entered into this body of thine; and dost thou take upon thee to teach us who are Masters in Israel? And they excommunicated him from their Synogogues. 39 And Iesus said, for judgement I am come into this world, that they which see not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind. I am come to set right those things which are confused and disorderly in the world: and therefore, in much mercy, to illuminate those that are spiritually blind; and in no less justice, to give those up to blind ignorance, and spiritual darkness, which are fond, and proudly misconceited of their knowledge and wisdom. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him, heard these words, and said unto him, are we blind also? What dost thou strike at us in this speech of thine? canst thou not hold up thine own reputation without disgracing of us: others, wee know, are blind and ignorant enough, but dost thou cast this aspersion upon us? 41 Iesus said unto them, if ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, wee see, therefore your sin remaineth. If ye were blind in your own conceit: or were so indeed, for want of those helps which are afforded unto others, your sin should be the less, and your fault should be both the more excusable, and more easily remedied: but now ye stand upon the opinion, and ostentation of your quick sightednesse, ye make yourselves uncapable of redress; and can look for no other, but that your proud contempt of Gods ordinances shall be required of you. CAP. X. 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. VErily, verily, I say unto you: There are many that challenge to themselves the titles of your spiritual pastors; which indeed are no better then wolves to waste, and destroy the flock. The Church is as a sheepfold, I am the door of that sheepfold, by which every lawfully-called pastor must enter; if any man will be climbing up, over the walls, and endeavouring to enter by undue and unwarrantable means, upon the charge of the Church, that man is no other than a thief and a robber. But he that is duly and lawfully called by me, 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. he is the true shepherd of his Church. To him, 3 To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. God the Father( who is the porter of this spiritual door) gives willing entrance and admission; and the people of God who are his sheep, do willingly hear his voice; and he is familiarly, and entirely acquainted with them, and leads them forth to the green pastures of heavenly doctrine, and to the waters of comfort. he leads them the way to heaven by wholesome doctrine, and holy example; and they follow him in both: 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. for they are so instructed as that they can discern his doctrine from error, and heresy. So verse 5. I am that door of my Church, 7 Then said Iesus unto them again, verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. through which every one that hopes for true comfort in this holy function must enter; and by whom every one that would attain salvation must necessary pass. So verse 9. All that have heretofore taught any doctrines contrary to mine, 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. or that have endeavoured to draw away the hearts of men, to the belief of those doctrines, which have not had a reference to mine,( as if men could bee saved against, or without me) shortly, all that ever have taught in their own name, they are deceivers and robbers, but those that are my true and faithful people, did not give any regard to them. He that is not the true shepherd, 18 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd whose own the sheep are not. seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth. but takes upon him that calling, for the advantage of an outward commodity; who doth but tend another mans flock for an hire, will not adventture his life for their safety; but when he seees a danger coming, will run away, and shift for himself, leaving his sheep to the mercy of the wolf, &c. Ye my chosen people of the Jews are now my known, 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. and noted flock: but I have other sheep also besides you, even the Gentiles, which are not of your fold; but shall have a fold of their own, a more famous Church then yours: these must I ere long bring home out of the waste deserts of the world: and they shall hear the voice of my gospel: and by the power thereof shall be united into one body of the Church, with you; so as Jews and Gentiles shall make up one holy catholic Church, under me their one onely head. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again. Howsoever, the love of my Father to me, as his eternal son, is infinite every way, and not capable of the limits of time, or measure; yet as man, and as Mediator between him and man, he loveth me for that dear propension of love, which he sees in me to mankind; that I am( for the redemption thereof) so cheerfully ready to lay down this life of mine; which yet I shall not utterly foregoe, and lose: but onely lay it down for the time, and soon after take it up again, in my glorious resurrection. 18 This commandement have I received of my Father. All the whole carriage of this great business both in the voluntary resigning, and the reassuming of my life, is that, which is determined by the eternal, and most wise, and holy decree of my Father. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. Ye believe me not, because, howsoever ye make an outward profession to be within the fold of the Church: yet in truth, ye are not that which ye pretend, though ye carry the fleeces of sheep, yet ye are wolves within, and whiles ye continue such, how can ye believe my words, how can ye do other then persecute me? 34 Iesus answered them: Is it not written in your law; I said ye are gods? Why are ye offended at this? It is onely your ignorance that is guilty of a scandal herein; were ye rightly informed, ye would understand how justly I do challenge this honor; but in the mean time there was no cause ye should stumble at this title which is in the holy Scriptures imparted to men in authority; for is it not written in the psalms, I have said ye are Gods? If God himself in his Scriptures, call them gods, upon whom it pleaseth him to put rule and command over others, 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came. honouring them with so high a style: and withall, ye will grant that the authority of the Scripture is sacred, and inviolable. 36 Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world, thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the son of God? Say ye of me, whom the Father hath set apart, to be the mediator betwixt himself, and mankind, and whom he hath sent into the world to be the Saviour thereof: Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am the son of God? I tell you, this word of yours is no other then an high, and heinous blasphemy against God; and that claim of mine is most just, and irrefragable. 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. That ye may be thoroughly convinced hereof, do but look upon the works that I do; if the miracles that you see come from me, be any other than divine, and such as can have none but God himself for the author of them, believe me not. CAP. XI. WE shall not need to fear that wee shall upon this sickness foregoe Lazarus; 4 This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the son of God might be glorified thereby. for this disease shall not end in a continuing death; but shall give an occasion to win much glory to God, by his miraculous restoring. In all that time of the clear day, 9 Are there not twelve houres in the day? if any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. wherein wee have the benefit and direction of the sun, wee walk securely, and stumble not; neither fear falling; The call and fore-appointment of God is the light of that sun, which I am, and must be directed by; whiles I walk according to the guidance thereof, I cannot do amiss. But if a man walk either without, or against this sure, and holy direction, he cannot but stumble, 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. and fall, and miscarry. Then said Thomas, &c. to his fellow disciples, 16 Then said Thomas which is called Didymus, unto his fellow Disciples, Let us also go, that wee may die with him. Our Master is( I see) resolved to go up to Jerusalem, where he was so lately in danger of stoning; or at least, to the skirts of it, which is Bethanie, wherein what will he do other then put himself in the very jaws of death; since he hath taken up this resolution, let us not leave him; but let us also go, that we may die with him. Whereas man hath by his sin exposed himself to a double death, both spiritual and bodily, 25 Iesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. I am he who am both the author or beginner of life unto him, and the preserver and finisher thereof; those sons of Adam, which are dead in their sins and trespasses, I do by the power of my Spirit revive, by working in them a lively faith in me, and cause them to lead the life of grace. And those who do thus live the life of faith, 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. I do by my power and mercy preserve from dying eternally, &c. And this howsoever Caiphas spake out of his own malicious sense, 51 And this spake he not of himself, but being high Priest that year, he prophesied that Iesus should die for that nation. yet God over-ruled his tongue herein( as being the high Priest that year) to utter unawares an oracle-like prophesy concerning Christ, that he should die for that nation of the Jews. And not for that nation onely, but for all mankind; 52 And not for that nation onely, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. that by the virtue of his death he might gather together all his elect ones among the Gentiles; and might happily bring them to the participation of the same grace, and glory. CAP. XII. 19 Behold, the world is gone after him. WEe see so many believe in him, as if all the world would turn disciples to him. 23 And Iesus answered them, saying, the hour is come that the son of man should bee glorified. The time is now at hand, wherein the son of man shall be glorified, both by his triumph over death, and by the general publication of the gospel all the world over. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. In the mean time, let it not trouble you to see me die: for I tell you, this is the way to my greater glory. Even as ye see the corn falls into the ground, and there doth, as it were, die, in a natural corruption, that it may live again in a plentiful increase. 25 he that loveth his life, shall lose it, &c. See Matth. 10.39. 27 Father, save me from this hour, but for this, &c. See Matth. 26.39. I do not so regard my own safety and peace, that I would have either of these stand in the way of thy glory. O Father, 28 Father, glorify thy name: then came there a voice from heaven saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. therefore, whatsoever I suffer, do thou glorify thy own name, &c. I have hitherto glorified it by all those proofs I have given of thy Deity, by all the miracles which thou hast wrought; and I will perfect that which I have begun;& will after a glorious death consummate thine everlasting glory in heaven. 32 And, I if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, upon my cross( which my enemies intend to my shameful death) shall then show forth my glorious triumphs, and will then by the power of my death, draw up all my chosen ones into heaven with me. 35 Yet a little while is the light with you, walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you. Yet a little while is the light of my bodily presence with you, and the light of my personal Doctrine shines forth unto you; make use of this happy opportunity whiles it lasteth, &c. 39, 40 therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again; He hath blinded their eyes,& hardened their hearts, that they should not see with their eyes, &c. Therefore they could not believe, because that, as Isaias speaketh, in a just punishment of their maliciousness and contempt, God had strucken them with a reprobate sense, so as their eyes were blinded, and their hearts hardened against the means of their conversion, and salvation. 47 For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. See John 3.17. That Doctrine which by his commandement I preach unto you, 50 And I know that his commandement is everlasting. is that which will surely bring you to everlasting life, &c. CAP. XIII. IEsus, though he well knew what evil was towards him, 3, 4, 5. Iesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a towel and girded himself: after that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. by the treacherous conspiracy of Judas, yet well knowing also, the happy issue of all these his imminent sufferings, and foreseing his triumph over all his enemies; and the glory prepared for him, in that free& full sovereignty, which the Father had given him, over all things, both in heaven and earth; and knowing, that as he was sent from heaven, by his eternal Father; so also, that he was( in spite of all the opposition of the powers of hell) to return now to the glory of his Father; He cheerfully addressed himself to this great work; and rising from Supper, in a desire to leave behind him, an example of humility, and charity, he laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and girded himself; and powring water into a basin, began to wash his disciples feet. Thou dost not as yet understand the reason of this act of mine; thou shalt in due time know, 7 Iesus answered and said unto him, what I do thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter. upon what ground I do it; but in the mean time, it behoves thee to submit thyself with all humble obedience, to this work which I have in hand. If I do not wash thee both by my blood, 8 If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. shed for the expiation of mans sin; and by the sanctifying power of my Spirit,( which I would represent unto thee by this washing) thou canst have no part with me, no interest in me, no benefit by me. Nay then, Lord, 9 Simon Peter saith unto him; Lord, not my feet onely, but also my hands and my head. let it not be enough that thou washest some part of me alone; for alas, I am all unclean with my sinful corruptions; wash me therefore all over, cleanse thou both my hands that are guilty of many offensive actions, and my head that hath conceived many sinful thoughts. As it is in the custom of baths, 10 Iesus saith to him, he that is washed, needeth not, save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. that those who come forth thence, shall not need to bee washed over again, save onely to have their feet washed, which have soiled themselves by treading upon the ground; so is it in this spiritual washing, ye my disciples are already, in respect of the main business of regeneration, washed from your sins, yet there are some remainders of earthly and worldly affections, which must bee still purged away, and rectified in the best men; so shall they be altogether clean; and such is your condition at this time; ye my disciples are clean; and yet not all of you; there is one of this your small number, who is extremely foul and filthy. 18 I speak not of you all, I know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled. he that eateth bread with me, hath lift up his heel against me. But when I say ye are happy, I speak not of you all, I do well know the condition of those, whom I have chosen to follow me; and amongst them I do well know who bee my true and faithful followers, and vessels of honour; and I know ye are not all such; for in my family must that be fulfilled which David my true type spake of his familiars, He that eateth bread with me hath conspired against me. 23 Now there was leaning on Iesus bosom, one of his disciples, whom Iesus loved. Now, according to the usual form of their posture at the Table, one of the disciples,( even John whom Jesus loved above the rest) learned on the bosom of Jesus. 26 Iesus answered, he it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. Then Jesus, as whispering secretly unto John, said; He it is to whom I shall give a sop, &c. 27 And after the sop, Satan entred into him: then said Iesus unto him, that thou dost, do quickly. Upon that sop so kindly given by Jesus to him; Satan took more full possession of Judas; and more strongly prevailed with him, to resolve, and endeavour his intended mischief. Then said Jesus unto him, I know well what thou goest about; thy secrecy cannot elude my knowledge of thy plots against me; since therefore thou wilt needs do thus treacherously, dispatch speedily that which thou hast in hand. 31 Now is the son of man glorified: and God is glorified in him. Now is the time at hand, wherein the son of man shall be exempted from all the miseries, and calamities of this life, and shall be invested with the incomprehensible glory of God; as in his patient death and powerful resurrection, God shall be glorified by him. So also verse 32. 36 Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Thou art not yet fit to follow me up to my cross, or to ascend up with me to my glory: but ere long, thou shalt be enabled to both, and shalt bee admitted to the fellowship both of my death, and blessedness. CAP. XIIII. 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. YE have great conflicts to undergo: see therefore that your souls be furnished with a strong, and lively faith: and, let it not suffice you, that ye do believe in one infinite, and invisible God, that eternal, and incomprehensible Spirit, who hath made you, and all the world; but repose the whole affiance of your hearts upon me, the true and onely Son of God, whom ye see clothed with flesh: and the rather now fasten your souls upon me, by a steadfast belief, for that ye shall see this humanity of mine subjected to many, and great miseries, much contempt, pain, insultation, yea to an ignominious death; but let not your hearts be troubled with those heavy things, which ye shall see to befall me: the issue whereof ye shall find to bee glorious. In heaven, which is the house of my Father, 2 In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you: I go to prepare a place for you. above there is infinite provision, and store of glorious mansions, for all my faithful ones; were there onely room for me alone, I would not have born you in hope of that which were not to bee enjoyed; but now, I know, there are such great store, that I go, before hand, to prepare places for you. And, though I do now go from you, 3 And if I go& prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. and ascend into heaven, to make provision for you, and my whole Church, yet I will, at the day of my last Judgement, and restoring of all things, come again into the world; and gather all mine Elect to myself; that in a full consummation of bliss, where I am, there may ye bee also. Master, 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, wee know not whither thou goest: and how can wee know the way? thou hast in some general terms told us of thy going to thy Father, and taking possession of thy kingdom: but thou hast not clearly explicated unto us the means, and manner, how thou wilt do it; since therefore thou hast not fully expressed thyself in those particularities of thy kingdom and glory, how much less should wee bee able to know, which way thou wilt take for thy compassing, and attaining of it? If thou wouldst know the way to heavenly glory; 6 Iesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. know, that there is no way thither, but in and by me; there is nothing tending to happiness that thou canst desire, but it is found in me. In me is to be found the beginning, the proceeding, the end of all perfection; whosoever would come to the glory of my Father, in me he must enter, for I am the way; in me he must go forward, for I am the saving light of divine truth; in me he must shut up, for I am eternal life, &c. If ye had so thoroughly observed, 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth, ye know him, and have seen him. and informed yourselves of me, and noted my words and actions, as ye might have done, ye might have seen in me the lively image of my Father, and have acknowledged the fullness of his Godhead dwelling bodily in me: but herein you have hitherto been defective: now from henceforth, see your own error, and amend it; and know, that in knowing, and believing in me, ye do know my Father, and do so believe in him, as if your eyes beholded him. So also verse 9. 8 Philip saith unto him; Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Lord, wee have seen thee, and wee have seen great proofs of thy divine power, so as thy Father hath shewed forth himself in thee, but wee wish that thou wouldest show us thy Father in himself; if we could see him with our bodily eyes, we should be fully satisfied, and should not trouble thee with any more questions of this kind. 10 believest thou not, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? believest thou not that I am, in my eternal essence, one God with the Father, and that the God-head of the Father dwelleth, and exhibiteth itself in me,& c? So verse 11. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do, shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father. I would have you know that the manifestation of the power of my God-head is not so tied to my personal presence, as that when I am gone, there shal be no further proof, nor use of it; but contrarily, even after my departure out of the world, I will give such power to those that believe in me, that they shall do the very same miracles that I have done: yea, I will do more and greater works by their hands, after I have ascended, than those which I have here done in person upon earth. Because I going to my Father, shall and may in that glorious condition of mine, so much more manifest my divine power, by this means, unto the world. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. I have hitherto been a true comforter unto you, but it is not for me to make my personal abode amongst you; in respect of my visible presence, I must leave you; but bee not therewith dismayed, for I that am the Mediator for my Church, will pray to my Father, and he will sand you another Comforter, even his holy Spirit, which shall abide with you for ever. 17 Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. That holy Spirit of mine who is the author, and teacher of all truth; whom the world hath no understanding of; as being lead by sense, and not acknowledging ought that it sees not, or conceives not by the dim apprehensions of corrupt reason: but ye know him by the light of your faith, and the experience of his working in you; for he dwelleth in you, and shall in a more full measure take up your hearts in his sanctifying, and miraculous graces. It cannot bee but ye must be afflicted with my departure, but I will not leave you comfortless, 18 I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you. though I must leave you for the time: there is another presence of mine, which I must, and will make good unto you, even the presence of my Spirit. Ere long, indeed, 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more: but ye see me, because I live, ye shall live also. I shall bee taken away from the sight of the world; but yet I shall be still and ever present with you, and ye by the eye of your faith shall see and aclowledge me: for, both I shall live, and ye by the virtue of my life, shall live also this life of faith before me, and in that state of your spiritual life, shall see and enjoy me. And, at that time of my effectual illumination, 20 At that day, ye shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me. ye shall know and understand that holy and mystical union, which is betwixt my Father and me, and my Church; and how that divine virtue is communicated from the Father to me, and by me to you believers. He that is rightly instructed in my commandements, 21 he that hath my commandements,& keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. and apprehendeth them aright, and constionably endeavours to keep and observe them, he it is that loves me really and truly, &c. I must bid you farewell, 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you: let not your heart bee troubled, neither let it bee afraid. and wish you all peace and happiness, not according to the fashionable compliment of the world, but seriously, and with effect; as bestowing upon you that good which I wish; let not your hearts be dismayed at my valediction; neither bee discouraged with the fear of those evils which shall follow after my departure. If ye did so spiritually love me, as ye ought, 28 If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said I go to my Father, for my Father is greater than I. ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father; for the glory wherewith my Father is eternally invested, is greater than that which this human nature and life of mine is capable of; it is infinitely therefore for my advantage, that I go to the Father, and therein, also for yours. I have not many words more to speak unto you; 30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the Prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. I am now drawing near unto my end. Satan, the great ruler of this wicked world, is now working his utmost against me; and is stirring up my enemies and conspirators to my ruin; but he neither doth, nor can find any the least advantage against me; except that, which I shall voluntary yield for the working out of mans redemption; he shall not find in me either sin, or impotence; so as what ever I shall suffer, it shall bee out of my will, not out of his power, or constraint. That herein the world may know that I love the Father, in that, out of my obedience to his will, 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father: and as the Father give me commandement, even so I do: arise, let us go hence. ( who hath decreed me to be the propitiation for the sins of the world) I do yield myself over to death; and in this passion of mine shall cheerfully fulfil all that, which the eternal counsel of my Father hath fore-determined to be done, and undergone by me. CAP. XV. 1, 2. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman, every branch in me that bears not fruit, he taketh away. AS the natural vine is to the brances, so am I spiritually to my Church; I give juice and sap unto them that are mine; and all the moisture that they have, and the fruit that they bear, is received onely from me, as the original thereof; so as I am the true spiritual vine stock, to my faithful branches, and my Father is as the careful owner, and dresser of this vine, in that he is ready to tend it, at all assays; and to lop off all those superfluous twigs, that yield no fruit answerable to the nourishment received. Every branch therefore that is professedly in me, and yet bears not fruit, but is utterly barren, he taketh away by his just censures and judgements, &c. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Ye my Disciples have had experience of this spiritual husbandry, and the efficacy thereof; for now ye are pruned, and purged from your evil and corrupt affections, through the power of that word, which I have spoken unto you; and of my spirit working therewith. 4 Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except it abide in me. Hold fast the grace that ye have received; be careful that no inconstancy, or weak fears slacken your hold on me; abide ye in me, and be firm to me, for I am steadfast unto you, and will abide in you for ever. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If any man that professeth my name shall revolt from me, and abandon that grace which he hath received; not persevering therein unto the end; he is justly cast forth in a deserved punishment of his levity, and unthankfulness, as a superfluous and fear branch that is lopped from the stock, is cast aside for the fire. 10 If ye keep my commandements, ye shall in my love, even as I have kept my Father commandements, and abide in his love. I would not have you propound any other pattern to follow, then mine; ye se how studiously and exactly I have kept the commandements of my heavenly Father; and with how infinite love he embraceth me; do ye so therefore: there is no way to continue in my love, but by keeping of my commandements; thus ye do it, and shall be sure never to fail thereof. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. These things have I spoken unto you, that the joy of my holy Ghost might remain in your hearts, constantly; and that your joy in me might be exquisite, and perfect. For all that part of my Fathers counsel which it concerns you to know, 15 For all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you. and all that is any way requisite to your salvation, I, as the onely doctor of my Church, and the Word of my Father, have imparted unto you. It is their obstinate infidelity and wilful contempt that shall procure their just, and deep damnation; 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. if they had not had means sufficient offered unto them; yea if I had not come to them in person, and spoken unto them, and tendered to them the means of salvation, their sin had been the less; but now they have no excuse for their sin, no colour of extenuation. So also verse 24. But now have they seen in me the clear proofs of the Godhead of my eternal Father, 24 But now have they both seen, and hated both me and my Father. with whom I am one; and have maliciously opposed themselves against me, and that divine power whereof they have been convinced. CAP. XVI. BUt now I am going to heaven from whence I came, 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me, whither goest thou. to the repossession of my Fathers glory; and none of you so asks after the issue, and success of my departure, as to establish his heart with abundance of comfort in the assurance of that happy provision which I shall there make for him and my Church. It is for your benefit and advantage that I remove my bodily presence from you; 7 nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you, that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will sand him unto you. for except I go away from you, ye shall not have the holy Ghost,( who is the true comforter of my Church) sent down upon you in that abundant measure, which you shall shortly find: for it is the decree of mine eternal Father( which in all things must be obeied and fulfilled) that until mine ascension into heaven, the holy Spirit shall not in the plentiful store of his graces be sent down upon the earth. And this Spirit which I will sand, 8 And when he is come he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement. shall in the powerful preaching of that gospel which shall be committed unto you, and by his secret cooperation therewith, shall convince this wicked and sinful world, both of their own sin, and of my righteousness and judgement. Of their sin, wherewith they abound every where, 9 Of sin because they believed not on me. and which shall be most justly imputed to them, because of their unbelief; for could they believe in me, that faith would work repentance, and that faith and repentance would have purged them from all their sin. 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more. Of my righteousness, wherein both I have approved myself perfectly answerable to the will of my heavenly Father; and whereby onely I do and can justify all that believe in me, notwithstanding all their unworthiness; because, as having overcome sin and death, I ascend triumphantly to the glory of my Father. 11 Of judgement, because the Prince of this world is judged. Of my righteous judgement, in the moderation of the world, and ordering all the affairs of my Church, redressing the enormities thereof, suppressing and punishing the enemies of it, maintaining and vindicating the truth professed in it, and reducing all things therein to a right order; because Satan the Prince of the world is by me despoiled of his power, and restrained, and confounded in his devices and attempts. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot hear them now. I have yet many things to speak unto you concerning the future estate of my Church, which through your weakness ye are not as yet meet to receive. 13 For he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come. The lying spirits of false teachers speak, as of themselves, their own vain imaginations, and erroneous doctrines; but the holy Spirit which I shall sand, as he proceeds from the Father, and me his eternal son; so he speaks also as from God the Father, and the son; and whatsoever he hath from us received, that will he inspire you with; and inform you in; and shall reveal unto you those things which concern the future condition of my Church. 14 He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. He shall not set up any new kingdom different from mine, but shall establish that glory and government, which is put upon me by the Father; he shall confer the blessings& benefits that arise from my incarnation, suffering redemption, justification, sanctification upon you my faithful ones, and shall reveal unto you the knowledge of those things which I have willed ye should be informed in; and shall enrich you with those heavenly treasures of wisdom and knowledge, which are laid up in me. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine, by the right of that Godhead, which is one and the same, in both; and to me also, as mediator, hath he communicated all that power, which may serve for the administration and happiness of my Church; therefore said I, that he should impart the treasures of my wisdom, and knowledge unto you. 16 A little while, and ye shall not see me, and again a little while ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. Now it shall not be long, ere I be removed from you, in respect of my bodily presence; and again it shall not be long after that, ere I comfort you with the gracious presence of my Spirit; because I go to the Father. Ye shall after my departure be put to great extremities, for many grievous persecutions shall befall you: 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice, and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. in the mean time the worldshall insult upon you, and shall cry you down as miserable men, and magnify their own ease, and happiness; but be not herewith discomforted, for this sorrow of yours shall end in unspeakable joy, and blessedness. Yea, ye shall find cause of exceeding joy, 21 A woman when she is in travail, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but assoon as she is delivered of the child. in that which was the occasion of your sorrow, even your sufferings, for my names sake; even as a woman in travel is extremely afflicted with her painful throws, but as soon as, &c. In that day when I shall have sent my holy Spirit upon you, 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. ye shall not need to ask any questions for the gaining of further knowledge: for all things, meet for you to know, shall be clearly revealed unto you, &c. ye have not hitherto taken so express notice of my mediatorship, 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name, ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. as to propound your suits to my heavenly Father in my name; though the types and figures of the law, and the plain intimations of the Prophets have directed you to this practise; but now, ever hereafter make this use of my name, in your prayers, and ye shall be sure to obtain that which ye sue for, to the unspeakable joy and comfort of your souls. I have hitherto delivered divers doctrines to you in dark and mystical manner, as ye have thought, 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs, &c. through the weakness of your apprehension, but henceforth, &c. I shall not need to encourage you with the assurance of my praying for you; 26 And I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you. for such is the gracious propension of my heavenly Father toward you, that he will in his wonderful mercy, prevent you with his goodness, and give you all blessings unasked. CAP. XVII. O Father, 1 Father, the hour is come, glorify thy son, that thy son also may glorify thee. as thou hast hitherto mightily declared me for thy son, by those wonderful miracles that have been wrought by me; so now, that the hour of my suffering and death approacheth, do thou more glorify thyself by me, in that, by this bitter passion of mine, mankind shall be redeemed, satan, and all the powers of hel defeated; even whiles I must undergo this pain, and ignominy, do thou show forth thy almighty power in acknowledging, and magnifying the infinite virtue of this my all-sufficient redemption; that herein I, thine eternal son, the mediator betwixt thee and mankind, may also glorify thee in this work of atonement, which I shall make betwixt thee, and men, and the full glorification of all mine with thee. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the onely true God, and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent. And this is the sure and certain way to attain eternal life, even this, to know thee, who art the onely true God, and Jesus Christ thy son whom thou hast sent into the world to be the redeemer thereof. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. I have by my doctrine and miracles made thee known to men on earth; and now I am upon the point of finishing that work of mans redemption, by my death, and passion, which thou hast enjoined me to do. 7 Now they have known that all things, whatsoever thou hast given me, are of thee. And now they have known, both by my information, and by their own experience, that all the power that I have,& all the great acts that I have done, are from thee, and from that perfect and indivisible union which I have with thee. 9 I pray for them I pray not for the world; but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. O Father, I require nothing of thee, but what I know may and doth well stand with thine eternal counsel; I pray not therefore for the world of unbelievers, and rebellious wicked men; I pray for that special charge, that peculiar flock which thou hast committed unto me; they are thine, and thou hast professed to have a dear interest in them, and an infinite care of them. There is that perfect union between thee and me, that those which pertain to the one, 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. are no less peculiarly proper unto the other: our right in all the elect is inseparable; all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am, together with thee, glorified in them. 11 keep, through thine own name, those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as wee are. keep thou, through thy mighty power, and gracious protection, those whom thou hast given me, that they may be joined together in the unity of the Spirit, and may be so of one heart, as thou, O Father, and I, are of one nature, and essence. 12 Whiles I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name, those that thou gavest me, I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition: that the Scripture might be fulfilled. Whiles I was visibly with them in the world, I was ready upon all occasions to sustain and comfort, and instruct them, and as by the personal execution of that power of a mediator, which thou hast committed unto me to preserve and keep them, even all those whom thou gavest to my peculiar charge, and attendance, have I yet more specially watched over, and kept from the peril of temptations; so as not one of them is lost: Onely Judas, who was of old ordained to this condemnation, mis-carrieth, not through any neglect of mine, but through his own wilful wickedness; So as in him is that Scripture fulfilled, which the Psalmist said of him long ago, let his dayes be few, and let another take his office. Psal. 109.10. sanctify thou them, O Lord, 17 sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. and purge them from all evil, and corrupt affections, by the power of thy gospel; which is the word of truth, and the power of God to salvation to every believer. For their sakes I have sanctified, 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth: and consecrated myself to this work of mediation, to become an holy, and all-sufficient sacrifice unto thee; that the holinesse of my perfect obedience might be derived unto them, that they through this my word of truth might be sanctified unto thee. That they may be perfectly joined in the unity of faith, and love, and may make up one entire body, 21 That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. whereof I am the head; even as thou, O Father, art one with me, as I am mediator betwixt thee and men; and by the virtue of this union, all that I have received from thee, is communicated unto them, and they become one with us: that by this full accord and unity, that is between them, the world may be convinced of the efficacy of my coming into the world, and of my divine power and authority, putting me upon this great work, and effecting it by me. The glory which thou hast put upon me, 22 And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. as mediator, I have not so received for myself, or so reserved to myself, as not to communicate it unto them which are the members of my body; I have stamped them with the same glorious impression, that they may be one in themselves and in me, as wee are one, not onely by an eternal communication of essence, but by an inseparable conjunction of the manhood with God. Thou, O Father, art in me, as mediator, 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. and I( as such also) am in them by my Spirit, working effectually in them, to unite them perfectly in one, both with themselves, and with us, &c. O Father, 24 Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me. it is the utmost of all my endeavours and desires, that all those faithful ones whom thou hast given me, may enjoy the full participation of my glory; and that, for this end, they may be received up, at last, into that heavenly kingdom, whither I am going before them, and be there present with me for ever, &c. CAP. XVIII. 11 Then said Iesus unto Peter, put up thy sword into thy sheathe; the Cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? IT is not for thee to make opposition to this violence, which they are now going about to offer unto me; my Fathers will must be fulfilled;& dost thou go about to prevent my sufferings? Since this passion of mine is set forth, and determined unto me, by the decree of my heavenly Father, shall not I cheerfully, and resolutely undergo it? or, is it for thee to struggle against it? 28 Then lead they Iesus from Caiphas unto the hall of judgement, and it was early, and they themselves went not into the judgement hall, lest they should bee defiled: but that they might eat the Passover. Then lead they Jesus from Caiphas, unto the house of Pilate; and it was early, even before day, and they themselves went not into the house of that heathen-governour, lest they should be defiled by going in thither; as being careful to keep themselves from all legal pollution, that they might bee capable of eating the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said; What accusation bring you against this man? Since therefore, out of this scruple, they would not come under the roof of Pilate; Pilate came forth unto them, and said, &c. 32 That the saying of of Iesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. That hereupon, the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spake concerning his lifting up to the cross; foretelling what manner of death he should die: since this was an execution proper to the Romans, under whose sovereignty they were, of whom also he had clearly fore-prophesied, That the son of man should be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. 36 My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, &c. I am falsely accused to thee, as if I had challenged an earthly kingdom to myself, or, made any opposition against the politic government of secular Princes; I have indeed preached of a kingdom, which I have right unto; but it is a spiritual kingdom, to bee set up in the souls of men; which doth not at all clash with these earthly dominions. Had I affencted any such matter, as a temporal kingdom( in all likelihood) thou wilt imagine that I would have set up my servants, and followers, to gather forces, and make an head against the usurpers, but now, &c. 37 Iesus answered, thou sayest that I am a King, to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth, every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. Jesus answered, I am, that which thy question implieth, a King indeed; but such a one, as I have formerly declared unto thee; I must deliver this truth unto thee, and to the world; for to this very end came I into the world, that I should inform the world of this saving truth; and howsoever this seems harsh unto thee, yet every one who is rightly enlightened with the knowledge of the truth, will receive it with all assent, and reverence. What is that truth thou talkest of? Is there no body, 38 What is truth? thinkest thou, that can discern of truth, but thou and thy followers? CAP. XIX. BEhold, since ye will not come into hear his accusation, and defence, 4 Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know, that I find no fault in him. I do therefore bring him forth to you, to let you know, that I cannot find any fault at all in him, for which I may justly proceed against him; only since you have complained on him, as a man that affects a kingdom, I have here brought him forth to you, in a royalty fit for him. If thou, being a stranger in matters of religion, 7 The Iewes answered him, wee have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. canst find no fault in him, yet wee, that are Jews know his offence to bee capital; neither do wee offer him to punishment, as out of our own spleen, and malice, but in a conscionable obedience to our Law. For, we have a Law, which inflicteth death upon a blasphemer; and we know, and urge that whatsoever more man shall call himself the son of God, blasphemeth. This man( whom wee take to bee no other than he seemeth) hath called himself the son of God; and therefore, by our Law ought to die. When Pilate heard this plea, and pretence of theirs he was more troubled in himself, out of a fear, lest, 8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid. if he should not satisfy this vehement rage of the multitude, some tumult might follow upon it to his danger and prejudice. I am indeed now by my own voluntary dispensation, 11 Iesus answered, thou couldst have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered me unto thee, hath the greater sin. in thy power, and stand before thee, as my Judge; but, know thou, that this power of thine is not absolute, and independent; but is committed unto thee from an higher hand, to which thou must bee accountable; this authority is put into thy hand, by that God, whose tribunal is above thine; and therefore since all judiciary power is of his ordination, their sin is so much the greater, and more heinous, who to cloak their own malice, have had this recourse to abused authority; as seeking colourably to kill me under a false pretence of justice. Hitherto in my personal presence with thee, 26 Woman, behold thy son. I have provided for thee, and comforted thee as a mother justly dear unto me; but now, that I shall no longer continue upon earth, I do commend thee to the love, and care of this my beloved disciple; &c. 28 After this Iesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. After this, Jesus knowing that he had exactly performed all that was required of him, before the full consummation of his passion; that the Scripture might be fulfiled, which saith of him( in his Type) They gave me vinegar to drink, he said, I thirst, &c. 30 It is finished. Now, I have done that I came for; I have both done, and suffered all that was requisite for mans redemption; my life and the Law are now fulfilled. For that Sabbath was an high day; 31 For that Sabbath was an high day. by reason that there was a concurrence of the Passover and the Sabbath both at once in that one day. CAP. XX. 17 Iesus saith unto her, touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren, and say to them; I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. IEsus saith unto her; Make not so eager hast to lay hold on me, as if I were going away from thee, for I am not yet ascending to my Father: but, go to my disciples,( whom I lately conversed familiarly with, as with brethren) go to them, and say unto them; I arose from the dead, not with any purpose to continue with you upon earth, but that I might ascend up to my Father in heaven; yea to your Father also, in that he is mine; ye are his children by adoption, as I am by nature, and as fellow heires with me shall bee received up in due time to the participation of the same glory; which I now go to take possession of. 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Iewes, came Iesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them; Peace be unto you. On the Sunday night, when the doors were close shut up in the room, where the disciples were secretly gathered together for fear of the Jews, who maliciously made inquiry for them,( with an intent of their further persecution) came Jesus in, miraculously amongst them; and suddenly standing in the midst of them, said unto them: Peace be unto you. 21 As my Father hath sent me, even so sand I you. I was sent by my Father, to preach the gospel, in my own person, to the world; and afterwards to substitute, and surrogate those, which should in my name carry the same message; now therefore, the same commission that I received from my Father, I do here put over unto you. Ye have been heretofore the messengers of this glad tidings to Judea; now I design and appoint you to the same errand, unto all the parts of the world. And he breathed upon them; as by that sensible sign, 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the holy Ghost, giving them assurance of that spiritual power, which he endued them withall, and said: Receive ye the holy Ghost; be ye by me ordained for worthy, and effectual instruments of my service, in my Church; and be furnished, by this act of mine, with such a measure of grace, and supernatural abilities, as may assure you, that ye are set apart for this great employment of my Apostleship; and shall, ere long, receive the full measure of those miraculous gifts, which I have intended to you. Whose soever sins ye do remit, 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. whether by way of public Doctrine, or particular application of your Apostilike sentence, they are remitted to them, in heaven; and whose sins soever ye retain, whether by general doctrine, or by special censure, they are retained by God, and shall bee fearfully imputed to the offenders. These acts of yours both ways( as also of your true and lawful successors) shall bee accordingly ratified in heaven. CAP. XXI. NOw when Simon Peter heard, by the voice of the disciple whom Jesus loved, that it was the Lord; 7 Therefore that disciple whom Iesus loved, saith unto Peter, It is the Lord; Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he gird his fishers coat unto him( for he was naked) and did cast himself into the sea. he put upon him an upper coat( for he was clad after the manner of fishers, with some close inner garment onely, and having gird it unto him, did cast himself( in the vehemence of his desire to come unto Christ) into the sea. And the disciples, seeing such assured proofs, 12 And none of the disciples durst ask him, who art thou, knowing that it was the Lord. and clear evidences, that it was the Lord: durst not, for shane, move any question thereof, as if they could conceive any doubt of so manifest and undeniable a truth. Simon, the son of Jona, 17 he said unto him the third time, Simon son of jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? and he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things▪ thou knowest that I love thee; Iesus saith unto him, feed my sheep. thou hast shewed much servant affection to me, above thy fellowes, in that thou hast cast thyself into the sea, to come unto me; and indeed, thou hast reason to love me more than the rest, for that more is remitted to thee, than to them. Tell me therefore, Dost thou love me more than these thy fellow disciples? he saith unto him, yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee, fervently, and zealously. Jesus saith unto him, Then do thou show, and improve this love of thine unto me, in this one point above all others; see that thou do carefully teach, and guide the souls of my people: thy affection cannot reach unto me, let it be bestowed upon those tender converts which shall come under thy charge. 18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girddest thyself,& walkedst whither thou wouldest, but when thou shalt bee old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, &c. Verily, I say unto thee; In thy younger times, thou hadst the free command of thyself, and full scope, and liberty to dispose of thyself to thine own best liking; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt be restrained in durance, and be forced to undergo martyrdom, thou shalt be both bound, and crucified It neither concerns thee, nor befits thee to ask what shall become of thy fellowes? 22 Iesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Leave that to my care; I have determined what to do with all mine; and particularly with this disciple, whom I have always held so dear unto me. And, if it were my dermination to continue him here upon earth, till my coming again, what were this to thee? look thou to thyself; and address thyself to follow me in that bloody way which I have lead thee, to glory: 25 And there are also many other things, which Iesus did, the which if they should bee written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should bee written: Amen. Let no man think that I intended in this writing, to comprehend all the miraculous works which Jesus did; but onely to choose out some few from a world of those wonders, that he wrought; and, if all his great and marvellous acts should bee recorded, they would doubtless fill infinite volumes. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. CAP. I. 4 But wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. BUt wait for the performance of that promise, which God the Father hath made concerning the sending down of the holy Ghost; which promise( said he) ye have heard related to you, by me. 5 For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall bee baptized with the holy Ghost, &c. See Matth. 3.11. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying; Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Lord, we have heard, and have all this while believed that there is a temporal kingdom to be restored to the now-enthralled, and tributary people of Israel, by the messiah. Wee know thee to bee that messiah, which should come: thou hast mightily declared thyself to be the son of God by thy rising from death, so as no human power can bee able to resist thee: wilt thou now therefore, at this time, satisfy the expectation of thy people, and break off this servile yoke of the Romans, and restore the kingdom to Israel? This question of yours is curious, and mis-grounded. 7 And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times, or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. It is true that I shall restore the kingdom to Israel, spiritually; not in a carnal and temporal manner, as ye weakly suppose; but by ruling in the hearts of men by the power of my gospel, and at last, by perfecting the full glory of my Church: but when this shall be effected, it is not for you to inquire: there is enough revealed truth for you to content yourselves with. do not ye offer to prie into those matters, and seasons, the knowledge whereof God the Father hath thought fit to reserve unto himself. That which concerns you, is, 8 But ye shall receive power after that the holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall bee witnesses unto me, both in jerusalem, and in all judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. to look unto the work whereto ye are designed: ere long ye shall receive power from above,& be furnished with abilities to carry my gospel into the world; for which purpose the holy Ghost shall come upon you, in miraculous gifts and graces; and ye shall bee witnesses to me, to declare and justify unto the world, the truth of my resurrection, and the power of my Godhead, beginning at jerusalem, and so proceeding to the rest of Judea, and Galilee, and then, even to Samaria itself, and to all the nations of the earth without all exception, or limitation. Two Angels stood by them in the form of men, 10 And while they looked steadfastly towards heaven, as he went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel. clothed in bright apparel. ye men of Galilee, the late disciples of Jesus; 11 Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Iesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. why stand ye thus, with your eyes fixed upon that point of heaven, where your master ascended, as if you could still see him, as if your eyes would follow him up into that glory? know, that now ye must exercise rather the eyes of your faith; and that the heavens must contain that glorious master and Saviour of yours, till his second coming to judgement; at which time ye shall see him returning from heaven, in the same glorious manner, wherein ye saw him ascending up thither. Now this man received that reward or hire of his treachery, wherewith a field was afterward purchased: 18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst: and and all his bowels, &c. and when he had done, in a late remorse, offered a desperate violence to himself. From which Judas, by that wicked treason against his master, fell, that he might go to that place which was fit for so foul a traitor, 25 From which Iudas by transgression fel, that he might go to his own place. and such an hypocrite; who had all this while taken up a room, that he was utterly unworthy of. CAP. II. 4 And they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. WHereas the eleven Apostles had before, upon the breathing of their Master, and Saviour, received the holy Ghost, in that measure that was fit for the present occasion; now all the assembled Disciples( together with the twelve) were fully inspired with the same holy Ghost; and miraculously furnished with the gifts and graces thereof; and( for a proof of it) began to speak with strange tongues, as they were guided by the same Spirit. 17 I will power out of my Spirit upon all flesh, &c. See Ioel. 2.28.29, 18 And on my servants, and on my handmaids, &c. 30, 31: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, &c. 31 That his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. he was not left to continue in the state of death; neither was his flesh so long suffered to lie under the power of death, as to pass through the degrees of corruption. 36 That God hath made that same Iesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. That God hath in his eternal counsel ordained this Jesus, whom ye have crucified, to be the Lord of his Church, the true and onely messiah, and the sole redeemer of mankind; and hath mightily declared, and approved him for such; so as ye all ought to aclowledge him, and look for salvation from him alone. And even ye also shall receive these miraculous gifts of the holy Ghost, 38 And ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost. in testimony and assurance of the free remission of your sins, and that inward work of renovation which he shall effect in you. 40 Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Do not any longer join yourselves with the perverse and malicious enemies of Christ; but as you do now see their heinous impiety, in crucifying the Lord of life, so do ye estrange yourselves from them; and believe, and profess that truth of the gospel which they labour to oppose. And they continued steadfastly in the communion, 42 And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. and fellowship of the Apostles and the rest of the Disciples of Christ; and constantly professed that doctrine, which the Apostles taught them; and joined together in the celebration, and receipt of the blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, and in prayers. And they had in that first plantation of the gospel, so, all things common, 44 And had all things common. as that every one was ready to contribute of that, which he had, to the public uses of the Church, and to the particular necessities of their brethren. So also verse 45. And consorting in their frugal, and temperate meales, 46 And breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meate with gladness and singleness of heart. they did enjoy the holy society of each other, with much comfort, and great sincerity of heart. CAP. III. AT the hour of evening prayer, 1 At the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. being about three of the clock in the afternoon. It was onely the name of Jesus, 16 And his name through faith, in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him, hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. which I made use of in this cure; neither was it the bare outward sound thereof, but the faith in the almighty power of him, whose name it is, that hath made this man strong, whom ye see, and know; yea, howsoever the secret and omnipotent power of God hath done it, yet the means which hath obtained it, is the faith in this Jesus,( both wrought in us by him, and firmly pitched upon him alone) that is it, which hath procured to this man perfect soundness, in the presence of you all. And now brethren, 17 And how brethren, I wote that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. I have not said this to drive you into a despair of mercy; had ye done this knowingly, wilfully, maliciously, the case had been fearful, and hardly capable of remedy; but now ye did it rather out of ignorance, and error of opinion, as likewise, divers of your rulers did; so that there is great hope, and( if ye repent) assurance of mercy, and forgiveness. 19 Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. That, in the time when this son of God shall come again to judge the world, which shall be a day of terror indeed to the wicked and impenitent; but a day of unspeakable comfort and happiness to all penitent believers; ye may then receive, not a discharge onely, but joy, and blessedness for him. Whom the heavens must contain, 21 Whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets. in respect of the presence of his glorified body, until the time of his second coming, when he shall appear again, for the full consummation of the glory of his elect; and perfect accomplishment of his kingdom, concerning which( in all the passages thereof) God hath spoken by all his holy Prophets, &c. CAP. IV. 11 This is the ston which was set at nought, of you, &c. See Psal. 118.22. NEither can there be any other means name, or conceived, 12 For there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved. in all the world, whereby salvation can be had, but onely by, and through him. All these enemies of thy Christ, notwithstanding all their complotting, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. and maliciousness; could do nothing against him, but that which thou in thine eternal counsel hadst both foreseen, and decreed to permit, and order to the behoof, and salvation of thy Church. CAP. V. 3 Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lye to the holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? WHy hast thou given way to Satan to take full possession of thy heart, in this gross hypocrisy of thine; wherein thou hast under a colour of holinesse, committed a grievous sacrilege, and thereby hast drawn in the holy Ghost as a suborner, and abetter of thy wickedness and falsehood; pretending to have been moved by that good Spirit, to give all the price of thy land, freely, to God, and his Church, when in the mean time thou hast kept back part for thine own use? How is it, that ye have agreed together thus to mock God, 9 How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them which have butted thy husband. and to put this affront upon the Spirit of the Lord? as if, by this secret, and fraudulent conveyance, ye would try whether he did know, or would revenge this your close deceit, and impiety, &c. And they all met together every day, at set houres, in that spacious room of the Temple, 12 And they were all with one accord in Solomons porch. which was called the porch of Solomon. 37 After this man rose up Iudas of Galilee, in the day of the taxing, and drew away much people after him. After this man, arose up Judas of Galilee, and upon the quarrel of the taxes, laid by caesar upon the people of the Jews, made an insurrection; pretending that they ought not to be charged with those impositions, &c. CAP. VI. THere arose a murmur of those proselytes, 1 There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrewes, because their widdows were neglected in the daily ministration. and Jews( now converted to the Christian faith) that were bread in Greece, and had lived there, against those that were born, and bread in Judea; because in the distribution of the Churches money and alms, their widows were not, as well provided for, as the other. It is no reason that wee, 2 It is not reason that wee should leave the word of God, and serve tables. who are appointed by Christ our Master to preach the gospel, and to attend the winning of souls to God, and the planting and ordering of his Church, should be taken up with the cares of the distributions of money, and other alms, for the relief and provision of the body. And when they had prayed, 6 And when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. they laid their hands upon them, as hereby to signify, and import the setting apart, and consecration of them to this useful office. And there arose certain of that famous school or Synagogue, 9 Then there arose certain of the Synagogue, which is called the Synagogue of the Libertines, and Cerenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Steven. which the free men of Rome had built for those Jews, which came out of the Provinces, being strangers, of many several nations, and they disputed with Steven. They saw a certain majesty, and angelical brightness in the countenance of Steven. 15 Saw his face as it had been the face of an Angel. CAP. VII. BEing in all, 14 Then sent joseph, and called his father jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. to the number of threescore and fifteen souls; for the making up whereof, there are reckoned, above those which Moses mentioneth, two sons, and a nephew of Ephraim, and two sons of Manasseth, which were born after the coming down into Egypt. And were carried some of them to Hebron, 16 And were carried over unto Sichem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emor the father of Sichem. some to Sichem, whether to that plot of ground which was bought of Emor the father of Sichem; or to that sepulchre which Abraham bought for money( for the burial of his dead) of Ephron the Hittite. Yea, rather neglecting my Tabernacle, ye erected a Tabernacle to Moloch, the Idol of the Ammonites, 43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them. and to those other false deities, which ye choose out to yourselves, out of the host of heaven; whose images& representations ye framed to yourselves, to worship thē, &c. Which also our fathers carried about with them, 45 Which also our fathers that came after, brought in with Iesus into the possession of the Gentiles. as the visible testimony of Gods presence; and brought it in with Joshua, and, under his conduct, into the promised land, which was then the possession of the Gentiles, &c. 51 ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart, and ears, ye do always resist the holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye. Ye stubborn and perverse people, men whose hearts are corrupt and graceless, and whose ears are wilfully shut up against all good counsel; ye do always rebelliously set yourselves against those wholesome doctrines, and holy admonitions, which the Spirit of God gives you by his messengers; as your fathers did before you, even so do ye, obstinately resist all the means of grace, and goodness. Who have received the Law, by the ministration of Angels, on mount Sinai, and have not kept it. 53 Who have received the Law by the disposition of Angels, and have not kept it. But he, being full of faith, and all other graces of the holy Ghost, 55 But he being full of the holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Iesus standing on the right hand of God. looked up steadfastly into heaven, and there saw a glorious representation of the Majesty of God, and Jesus appearing in his glorified human nature, invested with that infinite resplendence, which was fit for him, to whom the Father hath committed all power and glory. So also verse 56. 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young mans feet whose name was Saul. Yet this tumultuous violence was not without some pretence of a legal proceeding, for there came in certain men, which gave evidence against Stephen; and these witnesses( according to the law, being to cast the first stones at the condemned) laid down their garments at the feet of one that was a favourer, and abettor of their proceedings, even a young man, name Saul. CAP. VIII. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the Apostles hands, the holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. ANd when Simon the sorcerer saw, that upon the outward ceremony of laying on of hands( though accompanied with the faithful prayers of the Apostles) the miraculous gifts of the holy Ghost were sensibly conferred on the persons formerly baptized; he offered them money. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gull of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. For I perceive, thou art all over tainted, and empoisoned with the most deadly venom of wickedness, and fast bound with the fetters and manacles of thine iniquity. 33 In his humiliation, &c. See Esay 53.8. And the Spirit of the Lord suddenly and miraculously withdrew Philip, from the presence, 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. and sight of the Eunuch; who went on his way, thereupon more rejoicing, for that he saw God had by so wonderful means, wrought his conversion. CAP. IX. IT is no boot for thee to struggle, 5 And he said, Who art thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Iesus whom thou persecutest, it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. and spurne against my almighty power; herein thou shalt so much the more punish, and wrong thyself; cease therefore from this thy violent and unjust persecution. And he disputed with those Jews which came out of Greece to Jerusalem. 29 And disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. CAP. X. A Man that in his kind, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house. and according to his knowledge, was very devout; and that( according to those general principles which he had received) feared God; and had wrought his family to an orderly, and religious course, &c. Thy prayers which thou hast made unto God, 4 Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. proceeding from such weak and imperfect( though true) faith, as his Spirit hath wrought in thee, and those charitable alms of thine, which upon the same grounds thou hast given, are graciously taken notice of, and accepted by almighty God. That which God hath sanctified, 15 What God hath cleansed, that call thou not common. and delivered from all that legal pollution, which formerly debarred it from ordinary, and allowed use; do not thou hold profane, and unclean. CAP. XI. See Matth. 3.11. 16 John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the, &c. ANd sent it to the Presbyters and Deacons of the Church, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. CAP. XII. 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison,& delivered him to four quaternions of souldiers to keep him, &c. DElivered him to four quaternions of souldiers; that so there might bee for every change of the watch, both day and night, four souldiers to gard him; that he might not fail to be forthcoming, &c. 11 Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his Angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, &c. Now, when that astonishment was overpast, and Peter began sensibly to perceive that it was not a vision, but a real act of deliverance; he said, &c. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad, but she constantly affirmed, &c. It is his Angel, who hath taken upon him the shape of Peter; himself it cannot be. 20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre, and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and having made Blastus the kings chamberlain their friend, desired peace, &c. They desired peace, because their country, being of itself but barren, was nourished with that corn, which was transported to them out of Herods dominions; the importation whereof being upon this late hostility forbidden; they were forced to submit, and sue to Herod. 23 And immediately, the Angel of the Lord smote him▪ because he gave not God the glory, and he was eaten with worms, and gave up the ghost. And God smote him by the immediate hand of his angel, with a loathsome and painful disease; because he took to himself that vain and wicked applause; and was willing enough that the people should rob God of glory, to bestow it upon him; and his entrails were noysomely corrupted, and eaten thorough with worms, and he gave up the ghost. CAP. XIII. 1 And Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch. ANd Manaen who had been a courtier of great note, bread familiarly with Herod the Tetrarch, &c. 2 Separate me Barnabas& Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. Set ye apart Barnabas and Saul, by solemn prayer, and fasting, and imposition of hands, to be the Apostles of the Gentiles; and sand them on that errand accordingly. And they had John( which was called mark) to bee their Minister, 5 And they had also John to their minister. to assist them in those holy labours, though in an inferior degree. 9 Set his eyes on him. Fixed his eyes upon him, with much indignation, and zealous anger. And as concerning his raising up &c. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wife; I will give you the sure mercies of God. he said on this wise; I will make good that firm and faithful, and no less gracious promise, which I made to David; that from his loins should proceed a King, whose dominion should be everlasting. By him, and through faith in his blood, 39 And by him all that believe, are justified from all things, from which ye could not bee justified by the Law of Moses. all that believe, receive a full discharge from all those sins, whereof they could never bee acquitted by the Law of Moses; it is our faith in him, which shall give us that justification, which we should in vain seek in the Law of works. See Matth. 10.14. 51 They shooke off the dust of their feet against them, and came into Iconium. CAP. XIV. PAul knowing, by the instinct, 9 Who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed. & intimation of the Spirit of God, that the lame man, who had heard his preaching, had now faith enough to make him capable of this miraculous cure. nevertheless, 17 nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. God hath not left the blindest heathens, in their darkest times of ignorance, without a sufficient conviction of his infinite goodness, and power; in that he hath heaped upon them many blessings, for the present life, and hath given clear demonstrations of his providence, and omnipotence, in ordering the seasons according to a regular course, and making plentiful pourveiance for his creatures, of all, both necessary, and expedient helps and comforts. CAP. XV. THey were gladly received by the whole congregation, and especially by the Apostles, 4 They were received of the Church, and of the Apostles, and Elders. and those Presbyters, which the Apostles had there ordained, &c. Why do ye go about to cross God, 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers, neither we are able to bear? in thwarting his ordinance, and altering the course, which he hath set for the justification, and salvation of men, by imposing upon the disciples a necessity of subjecting themselves to this yoke of the law of Ceremonies, and, by consequence, to the law of works; a condition, which not they onely, but even the holiest of our fathers, were utterly unable to undergo, and fulfil. 20 But that wee writ unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of Idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Onely, that wee writ unto them, that they abstain from those things, which are the most common and ordinary offences of the times, in those that are become converts to Christianity; namely, from having any thing to do with the pollutions of idolatry, in partaking of their Idol-services, or ought that pertains thereunto. Secondly, that they abstain from fornication, and all bodily uncleanness; which, however the Gentiles( especially in those parts) are wont to make slight account of( as if it were a matter of little, or no offence,) yet they must be better taught, that it is a very heinous sin against God, and their own bodies. And thirdly, that they do abstain( for the time) from the eating of ought strangled, and of blood, whether within the body of the thing killed, or severed from it; because this charge was not peculiarly given to the Jews alone in the Law, but, before the Law, to whole mankind, and therefore not too suddenly to bee abrogated. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every City them that preach him, being red in the Synagogues, every Sabbath day. For we may not, all at once, inhibit the observations of these rites, and mosaical ceremonies, for as much as the people have been of old trained up in them, and are taught in every City, to regard, and observe them; in that every Sabbath day, the Law of Moses is( by several sections) red to them in their Synagogues: they must therefore bee weaned from them by degrees, and meet leisure. 28 For it seemed good to the holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you. It seemed good to us, being herein lead, and guided by the holy Ghost, to lay upon you, &c. CAP. XVI. 14 Whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. WHose understanding the Lord enlightened with the knowledge and apprehension of that which was taught, and whose heart was moved to affect that truth which she heard, &c. 16 A certain damosell possessed with a spirit of divination met us. A certain Damosell, possessed with an ill Spirit, which had the power( through the permission of God) to foretell things to come, met us, &c. 37 Being Romans, and have cast us into prison,& now do they thrust us out privily? Being free Denizens of Rome, and therefore, privileged by the Law, from these base usages. CAP. XVII. THese Jews of Berea, were more ingenuous, 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and preached the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. and better affencted, than those of Thessalonica; for they cheerfully received the word of our gospel, and took pains to search the Scriptures, and to compare our doctrine with the text of the Prophets, to see if wee had alleged them aright. And they brought him into that spacious room, 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying. wherein was wont to be held the chief Court of Justice in Athens, called Areopagus, or Mars his hill, saying, &c. For as much then as we are of a divine original, 29 Forasmuch then as wee are the offspring of God, wee ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or ston, graved by art, and mans device. having our souls inspired into us by almighty God, wee might by our very selves easily reach to so much knowledge of God, as to understand, that he is of a spiritual nature, and not to be resembled by gold, or silver, or ston, graved by the art, and device of man, or any other bodily creature. As for those former times of ignorance; 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at, but now commandeth all men, every where, to repent. God hath seemed, as it were, to over-looke, and disregard them, in not giving them the means of knowledge and conversion; and therefore hath expected the less from them; but now that he hath offered so effectual means of salvation, he looks for other manner of obedience, commanding all men, every where, now to repent them of their sins. CAP. XVIII. ANd, 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought( for by their occupation, they were tent-makers.) because he was of the same craft of tent-making which he had learned, and( though formerly a pharisee, and now an Apostle, by profession, and by privilege a Citizen of Rome) practised, for his own necessary maintenance, as one that would not, in those tender beginnings, charge the Church; nor, in this holy care and frugality, bee gone beyond by the false apostles: he abode with them, and wrought in their trade. Having purposely so far conformed himself to the Law of Moses; 18 Having shorne his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. as to shave his head upon a vow made to God, and to be performed by him at jerusalem; that, by this means, he might win the weak Jews; in that they should see, he was not( as was suggested) an enemy and despiser of the Law; but one, that was willing to observe it for the time, till those ceremonies, which were dead with Christ, might also be safely, and decently butted. CAP. XIX. 2 Have ye received the holy Ghost, since ye believed? and they said unto him, We have not so much as heard, whether there bee any holy Ghost. HAve ye received the extraordinary and miraculous gifts of the holy Ghost, since ye believed? and they said unto him; we have not so much as heard that there are those miraculous gifts of the holy Ghost bestowed on men that believe. 3 And he said unto thē, Unto what then were ye baptized? and they said, unto Iohns baptism. And he said unto them; These graces and gifts are wont to be given by imposition of hands, after baptism; which since ye have not taken notice of, tell me, unto what were ye baptized? And they said, we were baptized by Johns baptism, to the remission of sins by Jesus Christ, that lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. 4 Then said Paul; John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Iesus. Then said Paul; John verily, as the outward Minister of baptism, baptized you with water, to the remission of sins; together with his baptism, teaching the people that they should believe in that Jesus Christ, which should come after him; so as, his baptism was true, and perfect; yet such, as was not accompanied, and attended with these miraculous gifts, which now since the full glorification of Christ, are bestowed upon men. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Iesus. Whiles therefore John taught them thus, and made this holy Commentary upon his said baptism, they that heard it( in receiving his baptism) were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the holy Ghost came on them, and they &c. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them( as having before been fully, and duly baptized) the holy Ghost came down upon them, in miraculous gifts; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 19 Many also of them which used curious arts, brought their books together. Many of them, which used magical,& devilish Arts, in a professed remorse, brought their books together, &c. CAP. XX. 7 When the disciples came together to break bread. WHen the disciples came together to celebrate the Lords Supper, &c. 22 And now behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto jerusalem. And now, behold, I am by the strong motions of Gods Spirit, over-ruled, and, as it were, forcibly urged, to go up to Jerusalem. Amongst whom I have gone preaching the gospel of Christ, and by the power thereof laboured to erect, 25 And now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God. and advance the spiritual kingdom of the Lord Jesus, &c. Be careful, and vigilant, O ye Ephesian Pastors, 29 For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you. over the flock committed unto you; for I do well know, by revelation from God, that, when I am gone, there will arise dangerous false-teachers, who will intrude themselves into your assemblies, and make havoc of the souls of your people. CAP. XXI. WHo said to Paul, 4 Who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to jerusalem. through those revelations( which they had from the Spirit of God) of the dangers, which Paul should pass at Jerusalem; that they thought good to advice him not to go up thither. We have four men, 23 do therefore this that we say to thee, Wee have four men which have a vow on them, which having vowed themselves Nazarites for a season, are now come up to accomplish those oblations, which are in the Law required. Them do thou take with thee, and join with them, 24 Them take and purify thyself with them, and bee at charges with them, that they may shave their heads, and all may know that those things &c. in the ceremonies of their purification, in the Temple; and, in the charge of their offerings; that they by shaving their heads, giving open testimony of their vow, may, as by thy countenance and allowance, put themselves forward to the full performance thereof, &c. And the next day purifying himself with them, 26 And the next day purifying himself with them, entred into the Temple, to signify the accomplishment of the daies of purification, until that an offering should bee offered for every one of them. entred into the Temple, according to the Law, to signify the accomplishment of the daies of their separation; and there stayed with them, until those three sacrifices of the three lambs( one for a burnt offering, another for a sin offering, a third for a peace offering) should be offered for every one of them; and till the rest of the oblations, and rites should be accomplished. And immediately they shut to the outer gates of the Temple, 30 And forthwith the doors were shut. lest that holy place should be defiled with that blood, which they meant to shed. 38 Art not thou that egyptian, which before these daies, madest an uproar, and leddest our into the wilderness four thousand men that were murtherers? Art not thou that egyptian impostor, which under the name of a Prophet, didst lately draw together four thousand debauched men, into the mount of Olives, and make an insurrection against the Roman government? CAP. XXII. 28 But I was free born. BUt I was free born, in that I was born a citizen of Tarsus, a colony of Rome, endued with the privileges of that mother city. CAP. XXIII. 3 God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for, sittest thou to judge me after the Law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the Law? GOd shall be revenged of thee, O thou counterfeit of an High-Priest, and more painted visor of justice; For dost thou pretend to come hither to judge me according to the law, and now( preventing and abusing justice) dost thou command me to be smitten contrary to law? the law forbids to punish any man causelessly, and unheard, thou commandest this unjust measure to be offered unto me. 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high Priest, for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. Then said Paul, Brethren, I aclowledge not this man( being a known and palpable usurper) to be the High-priest; for I well know what is written in the law, Thou shalt not speak ill of the Ruler of thy people; were he so, I would have forborn to speak unreverently, and unrespectively to him; but being as he is, a noted intruder, I have made bold to speak home unto him. 6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadduces, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men &c. But when Paul perceived that the one part of the assembly were Sadduces, which denied the resurrection, the other Pharisees; in an holy policy to divert the malice of the multitude, and so to divide them, that his just cause might find a party among them, he cried out in the council, and said, &c. 9 But if a spirit, or an Angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. If the Spirit of God, or some Angel of God hath spoken to him, what reason have wee to quarrel with him, in this? or if wee do, what do wee else but fight against God himself? CAP. XXIV. 1 And after five dayes, Ananias the high Priest descended with the Elders and with a certain orator name Tertullus. ANd after five dayes, Ananias the high Priest, out of his malicious stomach against Paul, took his journey with the Elders of the Jews, to caesarea, and carried with him a certain famous pleader, name Tertullus, &c. 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the Temple; whom wee took, and would have judged according to our law. Who hath gone about to profane the Temple in carrying in thither with him a forrayner, both in nation, and religion. CAP. XXVI. ANd now I stand here before thee, 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our Fathers. and am judged for maintaining the accomplishing of that blessed hope, which our fathers conceived, from those clear promises, made by God unto them, of that messiah, which he would sand, and now hath sent into the world, as also for averring that assured hope of our resurrection from the dead. To the happy fruition whereof our twelve tribes, 7 unto which promise our twelve tribes instantly serving God day and night, hope to come, for which hopes sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Iewes. and all that are faithful amongst them, serving God, day and night, hope to attain: for the maintenance of which hope( O King Agrippa) I am accused of the Jews. And compelled them to disclaim and renounce their profession, and to speak against the name of Jesus. 11 And compelled them to blaspheme. CAP. XXVII. BEcause it began now to be dangerous sailing, 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already past, Paul admonished them. for that the season was well near out; it being well forward in autumn, at which time the seas use to be shut up, and the weather is wont to be stormy, and unsettled. There arose a stormy, and tempestuous wind, 14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon. that blew strongly from the northeast, which therefore the mariners are wont to call Euroclydon. God hath indeed assured me, that none of all our lives shall miscarry in this danger, 31 Paul said to the Centurion and to the Souldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. but that God who hath ordained our preservation, hath also ordained the means thereof, and therefore hath appointed that these mariners shall continue in the ship, if we will hope of safety. And when wee fell upon a shelf of ground, 41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground, and the forepart stuck fast and remained unmovable. that rising up somewhat high, and being shallow under water, had a deep sea, and strong eddye on both sides of it, they ran the ship aground there,( though not close to any shore) and the fore part sticking fast upon that shelf remained unmovable, &c. CAP. XXVIII. THey knew that the island was called Malta. 1 They knew that the island was called Melita. he shooke off that venomous serpent into the fire, 5 And he shooke off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. and felt no hurt; according to that word of our Saviour, They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. 15 They came to meet us as far as Appii forum. They came to meet us a dayes journey, as far as the town called Appii forum, &c. 19 Not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. Not that I have any complaint to make unto caesar, of my nation; howsoever some of them secretly plotted, and vowed my death without cause; but onely that I may stand upon my own just defence before him. 20 Because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. For maintai●●●g the truth of that messiah, who is the onely hope, and the sole redeemer of Israel, I am now bound with this chain. 26 Go unto this people and say: Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand, &c. See Isay 6.9. THE EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS. CAP. I. 1 Paul a servant of Iesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. PAul, once a persecutor, now a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, called by his immediate voice from heaven, to be an Apostle, set apart, both in the eternal counsel of God, and by his special command, and appointment, to preach unto the Gentiles the Gospel of God, which is the glad tidings of salvation. 2( Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy Scriptures.) ( Which gospel is not of any new device, or creation, but is the same which hath been anciently promised afore times by the Prophets, which have been since the world began, and consigned by them, in the sacred monuments of holy Scripture.) 3 Concerning his son Iesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the feed of David according to the flesh. Concerning his only and eternal son Jesus Christ our Lord, who taking upon him our nature, was miraculously conceived by the holy Ghost, and took flesh of the blessed virgin Mary, who was of the seed of David, and derived from him according to the flesh. And mightily declared, 4 And declared to be the Son of God, with power, according to the Spirit of holinesse by the resurrection from the dead. and proved to be the son of God by that omnipotent power, which he shewed in raising himself from the dead; which power of his, is confirmed and sealed unto the hearts of all his faithful, by the holy Spirit of God. By whose more grace and mercy wee have received this honour, and immediate calling to our Apostleship, 5 By whom wee have received grace and Apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name. that we should carry this blessed message of the gospel for him to all nations, to the end, that they might yield the obedience of their faith unto it, and be holily conformed thereunto. Among which nations, ye Romans especially, 6 Among whom ye are also the called of Iesus Christ. are partakers of Jesus Christ, by your effectual calling, which he hath wrought in you. For God is my witness, 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. whom I do sincerely serve in this holy labour of preaching the gospel of his son Christ, that I do not fail upon all occasions, to make mention of you in my prayers. For I long to see you; that I may personally impart unto you some holy, and divine counsel, 11 For I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may bee established. to the end ye may be established, and confirmed in the faith, which ye have received. Although, not onely to give comfort unto you, but to receive comfort from you also, 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me. by the present interview of our mutual faith; which shall administer much cause of joy, both to you and me. That I might reap some spiritual fruit amongst you, as I have done amongst other Gentiles; 13 That I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. in seeing the happy success of my preaching the gospel to you; and glorifying God the more in your full conversion, and salvation. Neither are ye beholden to me for this desire, 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. as if it were an arbitrary favour; It is a duty that I owe to all nations, both learned and unlearned, both wise and simplo, to preach unto them the gospel of peace. For howsoever ye Romans carry the reputation of great, and learned, and wise; and contrarily, 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the greek. the gospel hath no show but of simplicity; yet I am not ashamed to profess myself the publisher of this plain, and homely doctrine of the gospel, neither indeed, need I, for how mean soever it seems to carnal eyes, yet it is the mighty and powerful means, whereby God works the salvation of every believer, whether Jew( for unto Jews it was first to be preached) or gentle. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed, from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For that gracious acceptation of God, whereby he accounteth us as righteous in his sight, through the merits of his son, is revealed to us, in and by this gospel of his; and the sense and assurance thereof, groweth in us according to the increase of our faith; which faith of ours gives us a spiritual life in him; according to that of the Prophet Habacuc, The just shall and doth ever live by his faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Neither is there any other way of justification, or life, but by this faith; for, as for the works of men they are altogether sinful; and such, as lie open to the judgements of God; since both by his word, and by sensible experience, the wrath of God is declared, and denounced against that universal ungodliness, and unrighteousness, which is in men; who suppress the light of that law of God, which is written in nature itself; and though they cannot but know what they ought to do, and leave undone, yet they smother this truth in themselves; and give way to their own wickedness. 19 Because that which may be known of God, is manifest in them. In which case it is not for man to pled ignorance; for God hath in the very principles of nature, engraffed in mans heart, a certain knowledge, both that he is, and that he is just, and holy, and powerful; and hath thereby plainly convinced man of these general truths concerning himself. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so, &c. For those blessed attributes of God, which are not to be discerned by the sense of man, namely his eternal power, his infinite goodness, wisdom, justice, mercy, and the truth of his deity, are ever since the world was created so clearly seen, and made known by the visible and mighty work of his creation, and government of all things; as that those which will not hereupon aclowledge them, are left without all excuse. 21 Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful: but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Because, that when by these means, they knew so much of God, as these natural principles would reach unto, they did not accordingly glorify God after the proportion of that light, which they received; neither were thankful to him, who was the author and giver of all those good things they enjoyed; but gave way to their own vain imaginations, and misconceits, concerning him; and suffered their foolish hearts to be overwhelmed with the darkness of ignorance, and error. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools: Professing themselves to be learned and wise in these worldly and natural things, they became very fools in respect of spiritual and heavenly matters. 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God, into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. And instead of those spiritual apprehensions, which they should have had of the invisible God, and that glory, which they should have ascribed to him, as an immortal, and infinite Spirit, they framed to themselves images of him, like to a corruptible and mortal man, or like to birds and four footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore, 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. God( on the other side) in a just punishment of their gross idolatry,( as plaguing one sin with another,) gave them over to their own unclean lusts; wherewith they were transported into such unnatural beastliness, as that they dishonoured and abused their own bodies between themselves. Those, who instead of acknowledging that truth, 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lye, and worshipped and served the creature more then the Creator. which God revealed to them, in his mighty, and glorious works, worshipped him, and conceived of him, according to the lying fancies of their own brain, and served, and bowed down to those base creatures, giving more adoration to them, then to the Creator, &c. See verse 24. For even their very women( whose sex might seem to import modesty,) became so shameless, 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. as that leaving the natural use of fulfilling their lusts, they gave themselves over to that beastliness, which is against nature. And likewise also, 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one towards another, men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves, &c. the men &c. men with men working those acts of filthiness, which nature itself abhorreth; and through the just judgement of God,( in this punishment of one sin with another,) received such recompense of their idolatries, and spiritual fornications, as they had well deserved. And as they regarded not to aclowledge, 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. and set before their eyes, that God whom they did, or might know; so God found it most just, to suffer them( being willingly blinded by their own lewd desires) to run so far into the mis-judgement of their mindes, as to make no difference of actions, and to call good evil, and evil good, and thereupon to fall into these foul and abominable enormities. Not onely do commit these sins themselves, 32 Not onely do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. but give countenance, and encouragement to those that do them; and so become more then actors, patrons, and abettors of evil. CAP. II. 1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest, dost the same things. THere are, I know, divers of you so far from being patrons of sin, that ye are ready to pass severe censures, and judgements upon other men for those very sins, whereof themselves are secretly guilty; but O man, whosoever thou art, that judgest another for any offence, know, that thou makest thyself utterly inexcusable, and passest therein sentence against thyself; thine own mouth hath condemned thee, in the person of another. 2 But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. It is not a verbal profession of thine innocence, or any secret evasion of witty excuse, that can serve the turn; wee know assuredly( whatsoever men may pretend) that the judgement of God, is, according to the truth of mens actions, and estates; and therefore, that he will surely punish the doers of wickedness, what colour soever is set upon them, and their condition. 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Or dost thou make an ill use of the rich mercy and patient long-suffering of God, as if he noted not, or regarded not, or would not punish thy mis-doings, not considering that his forbearance, all this while was for thy good, that hereupon thou mightest bee moved to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness& impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath, against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of God. But thou contrarily, takest occasion by this means, to harden thyself so much more, in thy sins, and becomest obstinately impenitent; and hereby dost aggravate thine own judgement; and addest every day, some thing to that heap of Gods wrath, and vengeance, which is laid up for thee, and shall bee fearfully executed upon thee in that day, which he hath set for the just revelation, and infliction thereof. 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. For God regardeth not the person of any man for these outward things; not accepting of any man the more, for his parentage, or country, or wealth, or honour; nor disrespecting any, on the contrary, for meanness of birth, or poverty, or personal infirmity. 12 For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law. For, as many as have sinned without the knowledge of a written law, shall receive notwithstanding a just judgement for their sin, as being therein convinced by a law of nature; and as many as have sinned against the written law of God, shall according to that law, receive judgement for their sins. 13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For, it is the full and perfect obedience to that law, which shall present a man just before God; it is not a formal profession, or an outward hearing of the law, that can do it. do this and live, is the voice of the law; not, hear this and live. For, when the Gentiles, 14 For when the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law: these having not the law, are a law unto themselves. which have not the written law of God given unto them, do by the light of nature, those moral actions, which are contained in the law written, these having not that written law, yet have in their own breast those rules of equity, which are a law to themselves. Which give good testimony that they have an inward rule, in very nature of their judgement, both of good, 15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness,& their thoughts the mean while accusing, or else excusing one another. and evil, agreeing with the written law; their consciences also telling them secretly, in their own bosoms, whether they have done well, or ill; and their thoughts, either excusing, and acquitting them, in doing good; or accusing and condemning them in doing evil. I say, 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ, according to my gospel. so many as have sinned against the light of the law written, shall bee judged by that law, in that great day of assize, when God shall judge the secrets of all hearts by his son Jesus Christ; according as I have declared unto you, in that holy and infallible message, which I have received from God; and delivered unto you. Behold, thou hast the honour, 17 Behold, thou art called a jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God. and privilege to bee called a Jew,( one of Gods anciently chosen people) and testest in this prerogative, which thou hast above other nations, that thou hast the law given to thee; and thereupon makest thy boasts of a more peculiar interest in God. Thou takest upon thee to bee a teacher of the simplo, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge, and of the truth in the law. as conceiting, that thou hast all the points of the law laid up in thy breast, and hast full knowledge of all the secrets thereof. Thou that abhorrest idols, and erecting of false gods, 22 Thou that abhorrest Idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? dost thou profane the name of the true God, by robbing him of his due? For the name of God is ill spoken of among the Gentiles, by occasion of your lewd life, 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you; as it is written. and wicked behaviour, as it is written by the Prophets, Esay, and Ezekiel, concerning your fore-fathers. But ye say, Wee are circumcised, 25 For, circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law; but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. and have the seal of Gods covenant in our flesh. Deceive not yourselves; this is but an idle vaunt; in vain shall ye stand upon the outward ceremony of circumcision, whiles ye do not regard the truth, and substance of that which is signified by it; Did ye live answerably to the Law of God, ye might seem to have some reason to boast of your circumcision; but if ye be willing transgressors, and violaters of the law, your circumcision gives you no privilege above the uncircumcised. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? If he that is uncircumcised do carefully endeavour to do those things which are required in the law, and shall accordingly do the moral duties there specified, shall not that man bee all one in account with God, as if he were circumcised. 27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law. And shall not that man which is uncircumcised, if, being onely guided by the light of nature, he perform those outward acts of morality, which the law requireth, rise up in judgement against thee, who being circumcised, and having the letter of the written law to direct thee, yet livest contrary to the law? 28 For he is not a jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. If there be a privilege in judaism, certainly it is in the truth, and sincerity of that profession: and a man that is truly and spiritually a Jew, or Israelite, must not be esteemed so by the outward mark of circumcision in the flesh; neither is that circumcision worth accounting of, which is onely a cutting off an outward skin. 29 But he is a jew, which is one inwardly,& circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. But he that would be a true Israelite, or Jew indeed, must be such inwardly; being cleansed from all corrupt affections, and freed from all superfluity of maliciousness. And that circumcision must bee inwardly in the heart,& soul,& spirit,( in cutting off the unclean fore-skin thereof,)& not a literal& outward circumcision of the flesh, which shall ever carry acceptance from God; it may be, this bodily circumcision may amongst men bee deemed a mark of honour; but with God, no circumcision can look to receive allowance, but the spiritual. CAP. III. 1 What advantage then hath the jew; or what profit is there of circumcision? WHat privilege then hath the Jew above the gentle? or what profit is there of circumcision, more than of uncircumcision; if all the praise and advantage thereof be inward, which may bee as well incident into a gentle, as into a Jew? 2 Much every way: chiefly because that unto them were committed the Oracles of God. Yes doubtless, there are great privileges in many respects, but chiefly in this; that unto that nation, and people, were the Oracles of God committed; with them was the covenant made, to them was the law delivered; and unto their trust and custody were the holy Scriptures deposited. But alas, you will say; 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? What are they the better for these Oracles of God, if they have rejected them carelessly, through their unbelief, and have made themselves unworthy of these favours? But I say again; Grant that many of them did not believe; shall their infidelity bee any hindrance to the performance of the faithful promises of God? shall not he make his word good to his chosen ones, because some of the nation have failed of their duty to him? God forbid: yea, whatsoever become of men, 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar, as it is written, That thou mayest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. who are all falsehood, and vanity, let the truth of God, and all his words, and promises stand firm and inviolable for ever; according to that of the Psalmist. That thou mayest be declared to be most true, and just in all thy sayings; and whensoever any of thine actions are scanned, maiest go away with the glory of a perfect, and irreprehensible justice. But if this bee all, that, 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say: Is God unrighteous, who taketh vengeance?( I speak as a man.) God looks to bee glorified by men, and( as he pleases to order matters,) he turns the wickedness of men, to the praise of his justice; since his justice doth most appear in punishing the wickedness of men; what shall we say? Is God unrighteous in punishing men, for that by which his justice is glorified?( I speak after the carnal manner of mens reasoning.) God forbid; 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world. that the Judge of all the world should bee unrighteous. No; far bee that from the least of our thoughts; for how should he order and compose all the affairs of the earth and heaven, if he himself were not absolutely righteous? For, 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded, through my lie, unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? ( saith the wicked man) if the truth of God bee more magnified, and made more conspicuous, and so more glory accrues to his name by my lie, in that my falsehood and injustice is the matter for his justice to work revenge upon, what reason is there, that I should be punished, who have occasioned this further glory to God; and should be proceeded against as an offender? And why should wee not rather take up that resolution, which some have slanderously cast upon us, 8 And not rather, as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that wee say; Let us do evil, that good may come; whose damnation is just. by lewd and false reports; affirming, that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come of it: So that the event bee good, it matters not what our actions be; such wicked calumnies are cast upon us, by the depraving tongues of false accusers, who shall receive just damnation for this slander of the gospel. What then, 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Iewes and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. if there bee prerogatives that we Jews have, above the Gentiles, are we better than they? or have we cause to pride ourselves, as being in an happier condition? No, in no wise; for we have before proved, that all, both Jews and Gentiles are in the state of sin; and, thereby liable to the wrath of God, and everlasting damnation. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre. See Psal. 5.9. The poison of asps is under their lips. See Psal. 140.3. 19 Now wee know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may bee stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. But ye are now ready to say, that these accusations and reproofs are not meant to you Jews, but to other profane and wicked nations. Be not deceived, whatsoever the Spirit of God saith in the Scriptures, it speaketh to them unto whom that word of God was given; and therefore more especially to the people of the Jews; intending that by these general taxations of mans wickedness, every mouth should be stopped;& that all the world should be convinced, as giulty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh bee justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Therefore, certainly, since all mankind is thus corrupted, it must needs follow, that no man can bee justified, and acquitted before God, by those works, which he can pretend to do, answerable to the law of God; for the law rather binds us over to death, in that the onely effect thereof is to show us our sins,& to convince us of it; and thereby to lay us open to the wrath of God. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law, and the Prophets. But now, if any man would know how he may come to stand righteous before God; the case is fully cleared; there is an Evangelicall righteousness, which consists not in the works of the law; which is confirmed by the testimony of Gods Spirit, both in the Law, and the Prophets. 22 Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Iesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe; for there i● no difference. Even the righteousness both given, and accepted of God, which is by faith in Jesus Christ; which faith, is that effectual instrument, whereby wee receive, apprehended, apply Christ, who is true, and perfect righteousness unto all them that believe, whether Jews or Gentiles; for, herein God maketh no difference at all. 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. For, both all men have sinned, and come short of that perfect obedience, whereby they should glorify God, and of that justce, which God accounts onely, and truly glorious; and therefore have need of a Saviour. 24 Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Iesus Christ. And, being in this case, have no way to bee justified, but by his gracious, and free acceptation, and acquittal wrought and obtained by the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Whom God the Father hath ordained, 25 Whom God hath set forth to bee a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. and set forth to bee that Mediator, who should make a full atonement for mankind, through faith in his blood; and who should make known, and apply that his all-sufficient satisfaction, for the remission, even of those sins, which were committed before his coming in the flesh; the expiation whereof could not bee made by any legal sacrifices, but onely by his oblation and death, which was prefigured thereby; this was the means to do away those sins, which God in his mercy, would not take speedy revenge of, but graciously reserved them to bee purged by the blood of his son. And not onely to make known this mercy to those that are gone, and past, but also, to declare unto us, 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Iesus. at this time, and to all that shall come after us, unto the end of the world, what is the onely means of our standing righteous before God, even faith in Christ, that thus, he might be approved to be both most just in himself, in accepting of none but those that are righteous; and also a justifier of every one( and him alone) that believeth in his son Jesus. What cause of boasting then can any of us have in ourselves, whether Jews or Gentiles? if Gentiles, 27 Where is boasting then? it is excluded: by what law? of works? nay, but by the law of faith. in our civill justice; and if Jews, in our just works? surely none at all. All boasting is utterly excluded: but how, or upon what ground is our boasting excluded? surely, not upon the ground of our works: for, if by our works we could fulfil the law, wee should have cause of boasting in ourselves; but upon the ground of faith; for now that we are justified thereby, upon the free acceptation of God, we have no cause at all to boast in ourselves, but in him alone. Let this conclusion therefore bee firmly set down, 28 Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law. that a man is justified, not by the works of the law, but by faith onely. Neither is this justification proper, and peculiar to one nation onely, 29 Is he the God of the Iewes onely? is he not also of the Gentiles? yes, of the Gentiles also. but is common to the believers of all nations, thorough the world; never think therefore that this mercy is confined to the Jews onely; no, the grace of God is not limited to them onely; God is not the God of the Jews, but of the Gentiles also. Seeing it is one, and the same God, whose goodness extendeth, and enlargeth itself to all; 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith,& uncircumcision through faith. and makes no more difference betwixt Jews and Gentiles, but that he justifies the Jews by faith, and through faith the Gentiles, which as they are all one in effect, so his merciful act of justification is one, and the same in both. 31 do wee then make voided the Law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Do we then, because wee teach that men are justified by faith, and not by the works of the Law, make voided the Law, through faith, as if therefore it were of no use, because wee can obtain no perfect righteousness by it? God forbid; yea rather, our faith establisheth the Law, in that it obtaineth that grace, whereby the law is fulfilled; for so much as the Spirit of God, which dwells in our hearts by faith, enableth us to walk according to the Law. CAP. IV. 1 What shall wee say then? that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found. THere is but one way of justification; as it was with Abraham, who was our father according to the flesh, so it is with us; and how will you then say, that the case stood with Abraham? had he no benefit by his works? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. Surely I must needs yield the case alike in all; and as for Abraham, therefore if he were justified by the merit of his works, he had cause to glory in himself; and not in God; but he never sought to glory in himself, but in God onely; and therefore he was justified not by works, but by faith. 3 For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God in his promises, and that faith of his apprehending Christ, which was promised, was accounted unto him by God for righteousness; so as Abraham upon his belief, was reputed no less righteous, then if he had fulfilled the law. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Now, this reputing just must needs be an act of favour, and grace; whereas to him that earneth ought by working, the recompense is given, not out of grace and favour, but as of due debt. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works; And David also, whose authority is justly sacred amongst you, so describes our righteousness, as one that meant to exclude works from the power of justifying; for when he would set forth the blessedness of a man justified before God, he describes him by the imputing of righteousness without works; 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Saying, blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; and not, blessed are they whose good works are many and great. 9 cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision onely, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say, that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. That ye may well see this righteousness, and blessedness is not by works, but by faith, consider, that circumcision is the first work that is required under the law, and that this blessedness belonged to Abraham, not upon his circumcision, but before, even in his uncircumcision; For wee say, that Abrahams faith was accounted to him for righteousness. But when and in what estate was it so accounted to him? when he was circumcised; 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision; or in uncircumcision? not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. or whiles he was uncircumcised? ye are easily able to satisfy yourselves in this; and know, that it was not when he was circumcised; but long before, even when he was uncircumcised. And he received this outward mark, 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might bee imputed unto them also. and sign of the Sacrament of circumcision, as a seal and full confirmation of that faith which he had before, whiles he was uncircumcised; God would therefore have him justified by faith before he was circumcised, that he might be the father of all that are faithful, though uncircumcised; that his example might show, that righteousness is and may be so imputed unto them also, without any outward circumcision. And that he might be the father of the circumcised, 12 And the father of circumcision, to them, who are not of the circumcision onely, but also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. of those( I mean) which are not onely outwardly, and formally circumcised, but truly and inwardly, and who live the life of that faith which Abraham had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise that was made to Abraham of the inheritance of the land of Canaan( by which a better inheritance was figured) was not made to Abraham, 13 For the promise that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed through the Law; but through the righteousness of faith. because he had merited it, by keeping the law, but because he had believed God, and had obtained the righteousness of faith. For if they which trust to the fulfilling of the law, 14 For if they which are of the law be heires, faith is made voided, and the promise made of none effect. be heires of the spiritual blessings of God, and so the inheritance come by works, then faith is to no purpose, neither is there any use of it; and so those promises, which are made to the believer are vain and useless; neither could any heart find comfort or assurance in itself; for as much, as it should be convinced in itself of an impossibility of keeping the law, and thereby of attaining eternal life. Because howsoever to those which are upright, 15 Because the Law worketh wrath, for where no law is there is no transgression. and perfect, the law might, and would show the true way of life, yet to those that are sinful and corrupt( as now all mankind is) it doth nothing, but aggravate their evil condition; for whiles it shows them what they ought to do, and gives them not strength to do it, it impleads them guilty before the judgement seat of God; since that having the knowledge of our duty, and not performing it we run into greater condemnation; for, if that man sin, which is not acquainted with the written Law of God, his sin must needs be much less, then his, who doth knowingly, and wilfully offend. 16, 17 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed, not to that onely which is of the Law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all:( as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even he who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which bee not, as though they were. Therefore, since if the inheritance were by works, faith were of no use, and the promises to no purpose, I do justly conclude, that it is of faith, that it might be of Gods grace, and not of our earning, and that the promise might stand in full force to all the seed of faithful Abraham, not onely to the Jews, which stand upon the privilege of the law, but to all those of Jews and Gentiles, which follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all us believers, in what nation soever; as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations. The father, I say, of us all, not natural but spiritual, not in respect of flesh, but in respect of that interest in that God, in whom he believed; confidently relying upon the promise of that God, who( he well knew) was able to quicken the dead, and by his mighty word, is able to make those things to be which are not. 18 Who against hope, believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, Such shall thy seed be. Who, when there was no cause or reason at all( in nature) why he should hope, yea, when all things seemed to cross the possibility of any hope, yet even then believed that he should have the honour of being the father of many nations, according to that word which God had said unto him: That his seed should be as the stars of heaven. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred yeares old, neither yet the deadness of Sarahs womb. And being strong, and vigorous in faith, he regarded not the impotency of his own body, which was, as it were, dead in respect of any desires or powers of generation; being now about an hundred yeares old; neither yet the deadness of Sarahs womb, which was long before past the ordinary possibility of conception. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. And therefore this faith of his in the truth of Gods promises was accepted of God in lieu of perfect righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him. Now this case was not intended to be Abrahams alone, neither was it recorded of him onely, that his faith was so imputed to him. 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if wee believe on him, that raised up Iesus our Lord from the dead. But it is meant to be extended unto all us the sons of faithful Abraham, to whom there shall be the like imputation of faith to righteousness, if wee do truly believe in that God, who raised up Jesus our Lord, from the dead. 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Who was delivered to death, for the full satisfaction for all our sins; in that he paid for us that debt, which wee were never able to have discharged; and was raised up from the dead for our justification; in that hereby he hath fully declared hinselfe to have conquered death and hell, and to have achieved that great work of reconciling God the Father unto us. CAP. V. THerefore being justified by faith, 1 Therefore being justified by faith, wee have peace with God, through our Lord Iesus Christ. as laying hold on that Christ, in and by whom God is satisfied and appeased towards us; we have peace with God( who before were, through our sins, utter enemies to him) by the means of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. By whom also, besides our peace, 2 By whom also wee have access, by faith, into this grace, wherein wee stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. wee have access by the same faith, into the grace and favour of God, wherein we stand, being beloved of him, as dear children, and do rejoice in the comfortable expectation of the possession of the glory of God, which is laid up for us. And not onely do wee rejoice, 3 And not onely so, but wee glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience. and glory in the comfortable assurances of his favour, and salvation; but we rejoice also in our very tribulations; which are the onely miseries, and heart-breakings unto carnal mindes: yet in these we can find pleasure, and cause of joy; not in themselves so much, as in their issue, and fruitful effects; as knowing that tribulation in Gods children worketh patience: And patience experience of Gods merciful sustentation and aid; and experience, hope 4 And patience, experience: and experience, hope: of his further mercy, and seasonable deliverance. And hope disappointeth us not; because the sense and comfortable assurance of that love wherewith God embraceth us, is shed abroad in our hearts, by the holy Ghost, which is given unto us. 5 And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost, which is given unto us. For, when wee were yet in our sins, 6 For when wee were yet without strength, in due time, Christ dyed for the ungodly. and therefore utterly unworthy, and( as it were) uncapable of his favour; even then, Christ our merciful Saviour, dyed for us, wretched and ungodly men. Wherein that gracious redeemer shewed his wonderful goodness, and mercy to mankind, 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure, for a good man some would even dare to die. beyond all example; for scarcely will any one be content to die for the best deserving, and most righteous man; and yet, it is possible that for a good man and dear friend, some one would dare to die. But God commendeth his love to us( above all the conceit, or practise of men) in that, 8 But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, whiles wee were yet sinners, Christ died for us. whiles wee were yet sinners, and therefore enemies unto him, yet even then Christ dyed for us. 9 Much more then being now justified by his blood, wee shall be saved from wrath through him. How much more, then, being now accepted of him, as friends and sons, and justified by his blood from all our sins, shall wee be saved from the wrath of God, and all the effects, and consequents thereof, by and through him. 11 And not onely so, but wee also joy in God through our Lord Iesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. And not onely have wee this fruit of his mercy, to be saved, and secured from wrath, but wee do also further joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom our happy reconciliation with God, is made and perfected. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entred into the world, and death by sin, &c. Wherefore, as by one man, even our first parent Adam, sin entred into the world, and death by sin, as the due reward thereof, &c. For, let no man think that sin began to have his being together with the Law; 13 For until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. no, sin was before there was any written Law to forbid it; and the same acts which are forbidden in the Law, were both formerly done, and formerly sinful; But sin was not so known, and acknowledged by the committers of it; nor so strictly and severely imputed to them, by God, as it was, and is, since the Law was given. 14 nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. nevertheless, that sin was in the world before, appears sufficiently, in that death, which is the effect of sin, reigned and raged over all mankind, even from Adam, the first man, till Moses, under whom the Law was given; reigned, I say, even over very infants, that had not actually sinned, as Adam did, and over those ignorant Gentiles, that had not received a direct prohibition, as Adam had; which Adam is the type, and figure of that second Adam, who was to come; in that the first Adam was the original of our natural, and earthly being; the second Adam of our spiritual, and heavenly; and as by the first sin came into the world, so, by the second, came righteousness. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift; for if through the offence of one, many be dead, &c. But yet, the resemblance betwixt the first, and second Adam, is not so exquisite, as that it admitteth not many differences and exceptions: I grant there is much difference betwixt the bringing in of sin by the one, and of grace and righteousness, by the other; but this difference is to the advancement of Christs part; for the grace of Christ is much more powerful to justification, and salvation, then the sin of Adam was to condemnation: insomuch as the author of that grace is more potent, then the means of that depravation; If therefore through the offence of one, many be dead, much more, &c. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgement was by one to condemnation: but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. There is besides a difference of the extent of the sin in the one, and the gift of the other; that gift doth more enlarge itself, then that sin; one sin did in the just judgement of God bind us over to condemnation; but the free gift and grace of God acquites us from many sins, unto justification. For, if by one mans offence( who was the first Adam) death, through the means of that man had power over all mankind; much more shall the grace and gift of righteousness of Jesus Christ, 17 For if by one mans offence, death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one Iesus Christ. ( God and man,) obtain eternal life, unto all them which have received abundant mercy from him. So by the righteousness of one( which is Christ Jesus) the free gift of grace, 18 Even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. and righteousness came upon all men( if onely they believe) unto that full justification which shall be to their everlasting life. For, as by the disobedience of one man, 19 For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners: so by the obedience of one, shall many be made righteous. all the many sons of Adam are made sinners, by the imputation of his sin, to all his posterity, and by that infection which he transmitted unto them; so by the obedience of one( which is Christ) shall all his many faithful ones be made righteous; both by the imputation of his justice, and by the work of his Spirit, graciously renewing, and sanctifying them. Moreover, the law was in his due time given by God, 20 Moreover, the Law entred, that the offence might abound: but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. unto man, that sin might be known to be, as it is, unmeasurably sinful; and might be acknowledged heinous; and withall, not without the gracious, and wise counsel of God, who meant, from the greater heinousness of sins to win so much more glory, and praise to his mercy; in that, where sin abounded, his grace did much more abound in the remission thereof, and deliverance therefrom. That as sin had prevailed over all mankind, 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Iesus Christ our Lord. to bring upon him a double death, both spiritual, and bodily; so might his grace, through the righteousness of his son Jesus Christ, be effectual to restore man to eternal life. CAP. VI. WHat then? 1 What shall wee say then? shall wee continue in sin, that grace may abound? shall wee make so ill use of the mercy of God, as that, because where sin abounds, grace abounds much more, therefore we should resolve to continue in sin, that we may have so much more use, and improvement of grace? God forbid; no, this purpose of sinning, and grace, 2 God forbid: how shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? cannot stand together; for, where grace hath wrought upon the heart, there we are dead to sin, by the power thereof; and, if we bee dead to it, how should we live longer in it? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Iesus Christ, were baptized into his death? Know ye not, that so many of us, as were baptized into Jesus Christ, have the full efficacy of Christs death sealed up unto us, and by virtue thereof die unto our sins? 4 Therefore wee are butted with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead, by the glory of the Father: even so wee also should walk in newness of life. Yea, our baptism doth not onely represent unto us our death to sin, by the power of his death, but our burial also; and the continuance of that state of the death of sin, in us, and our rising again to newness of life; that, like as Christ was raised up from the dead, by the omnipotent power of God; even so, wee should by the power of his Spirit, bee raised from the grave of our sins, to walk before him in the new life of holy obedience. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death: we shall also bee in the likeness of his resurrection. For, if wee be so grafted in him, as that the power of his death, works the like effect in us, that it did in him; so also shall the same engrafting convey unto us the same virtue of his resurrection, that wee should also rise by, and with him, from the grave of our sins. 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth wee should not serve sin. Knowing this, that this corrupt nature of ours, our unregenerate part, is crucified and dead together with him, and by the power of his death, that the whole bulk of our maliciousness, and depravation might bee so far destroyed, as that, howsoever we may be drawn to sin, yet wee should not serve sin any more. 7 For he that is dead, is freed from sin. For he that is dead to sin, is freed from any further dominion of sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, wee believe that wee shall also live with him. Now, if we being in Christ, died also with, and in him, wee have reason to believe that wee have no less part in his resurrection, and life also; so as we both do, and shall live with him. 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, death no more: death hath no more dominion over him. Knowing therefore, that Christ being raised from the dead, and triumphing over death, in that his resurrection yeeldeth not to death any more, nor suffereth death( thus by him vanquished) to have any more power over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. For, in that he died, he died but once for the destroying of sin; but in that he liveth, he liveth with God for ever, a life immortal and glorious. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, through Iesus Christ our Lord. Likewise, ye that are regenerate, must make account that ye are, by the virtue of his death, dead unto sin, but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who hath raised us up to the life of new obedience, by the power of his resurrection. 12 Let not sin reign therefore in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Let not sin therefore, which is thus dead in you( or at least, hath received his deaths wound) rule,& reign, as a Tyrant, in these mortal bodies of yours, so as that ye should obey it in the lusts, and sinful motions thereof. Neither do ye yield over the members of your bodies, and the faculties of your souls, 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. as instruments and weapons of unrighteousness, to serve under the command of sin; but yield up yourselves wholly to the service of God, as those that are for this purpose raised up from the dead; and let all the parts& faculties of your bodies, and souls, bee employed as weapons, to fight under the command of God, for righteousness. For, 14 For ye are not under the law, but under grace. ye are not under the condemning power of the law; but, under the grace, and mercy of God accepting you in Christ. What then? shall wee therefore take liberty to sin, 15 What then? shall we sin, because wee are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. because the law hath no power to condemn us for sin, and wee are assured of grace and mercy from God? God forbid. Know ye not that there is such a contrariety betwixt God and sin, that ye cannot possibly serve both. 16 Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey; his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? certainly, every man must obey that master whom he serves, whether it bee sin, which will pay him with death; or, whether righteousness, which will pay his obedience with life and glory. But for you, God bee thanked, that, 17 But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin: but ye have obeied from the heart, that form of doctrine which was delivered you. howsoever ye were once the servants of sin; yet now; ye are freed from that bondage, and have willingly obeied from the heart, that doctrine of the gospel, which was delivered unto you. Being then set free from the servitude of sin, 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. ye became the voluntary, and cheerful servants of righteousness. I use this familiar similitude of service and freedom, 19 I speak after the manner of men, because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity, unto iniquity, even so now yield your members servants to righteousness, unto holinesse. because I would descend to your weak capacity, that by these secular, and civill things, ye might understand the spiritual. Let me therefore exhort you, that, as ye have yielded over your bodies, and souls to be servants to uncleanness, and all kind of iniquity, from one degree thereof to another; even so now, that ye would contrarily yield over those your souls, and bodies, to be the servants of righteousness, that ye may bee wholly purged from your corruptions, and consecrated to the service of God. For, when ye were the servants of sin, 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. ye had nothing to do with righteousness; neither had that any tie over you to hold you in, within any compass of obedience. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things, whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. Then ye ran wild, and loose, according to your own vain and sinful lusts; but now, when ye look back upon that lawless condition, bethink yourselves what fruit or benefit ye found in those ways of wickedness, whereof ye are now ashamed. Alas! what good was to be hoped for from them, whose end is nothing but death and damnation? 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holinesse, and the end everlasting life. But now, contrarily, being set free from the service of sin,& being admitted to be the servants of God, ye have abundance of contentment hereby; and this estate yields you the most comfortable, and sweet fruit of holinesse here, and of eternal life, hereafter. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Now therefore, compare the issue of both these services together; and ye shall easily see which master to serve, and obey. The wages that sin shall pay you in the end, is death, both of body and soul: but the gift that God bestows upon his followers, is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. CAP. VII. THat ye may therefore fully understand in what terms ye stand with the law; 1 Know ye not brethren( for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man, as long as he liveth. I shall make use of that similitude of the husband and wife, which is most plain and familiar. Know ye not therefore brethren( for I speak to those Jewish Christians that do well know the law) that the mosaical law hath dominion over any man, that is subject unto it, so long as the said law is in force? 2 For the woman which hath an husband, is bound by the law to her husband, so long as he liveth; but if the husband bee dead, shee is loosed from the law of the husband. Take the instance of an husband and wife; let the husband be the law, let us converts to Christianity, be the wife; so then, the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to live with her husband, and to be subject unto him, so long as he liveth; but if her husband bee once dead, shee is loosed from any further bond to her husband, or observance of him. 3 So then, if while her husband liveth, shee bee married to another man, &c. If then whiles her husband is alive, shee takes her own liberty, to forsake her husbands bed, and to mary with another man, &c. 4 Wherefore my brethren, ye are also become dead to the law, by the body of Christ, that ye should bee married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that wee should bring forth fruit unto God. Even so it is with you, my brethren, whiles the law lived, and stood in his full force, and vigour, ye were bound to hold you close unto it, and to observe it with all care, and due respects; but now, that the mosaical law is dead to you( and you to it) by that all-sufficient sacrifice, which Christ offered up in his flesh, for us; ye are now discharged from the law, and are free to be married to another, even to Christ, the son of God, who is raised from the dead; that wee should upon our happy marriage with him, bring forth fruit unto God. For which better fruit, wee have both more occasion, 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death. and better helps than we formerly had; for whiles wee were carnal, and under the power of the law, the motions of our sinful, and corrupt nature took occasion by the law, to stir us unto evil; and accordingly drew from us those effects which did justly procure our eternal death. But now, 6 But now wee are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein wee were held, that wee should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. wee are delivered from that miserable servitude, and hard exaction, and woeful curse of the law; that rigorous and cruel bondage under which wee were held, being expired, that we should led a new life, with our husband Christ Jesus, and should serve him in that sanctity, and real obedience, which is wrought by the Spirit of renovation in us, and not in the outward and fashionable knowledge of the law, without any true change of the heart. What shall we say then? 7 What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid: nay I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said: Thou shalt not covet. If there be a kind of necessity to bee delivered from the law; and the motions of sin working in us, by the law bring forth fruit unto death: it should seem that the law is sin, and that it is not onely unprofitable, but exceeding mischievous, and pernicious to the soul. Nay, God forbid we should so think: the law doth not cause sin, but it descries it, and shows the heinousness of it; for I had not known, or observed lust to bee a sin, if the law had not said; Thou shalt not covet: some gross outward actions might be easily discernible to be foul, and sinful: But for this secret concupiscence of the heart, I could not have discovered it to bee that, which it is, sin; had it not been for the light of Gods law. Indeed the law was given, 8 But sin taking occasion by the commandement, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence; for without the law, sin was dead. for the forbiddance and restraint of sin, and ought to have that use in us; but through our corruption it falls out contrarily, that the law, showing and inhibiting sin, and not giving power to avoid and restrain it, gives occasion to our impetuous desires, and lusts, so much more eagerly to pursue forbidden pleasures: for had not the law strictly restrained us from the yeildance unto sin, sin had not had such force to put itself upon us. Take me, if you please, for an example: for I, 9 For I was alive without the law once, but when the commandement came, sin revived, and I died. before I enquired carefully into the law, lived in a free, and careless security, making no difference of my actions; but, when once I came to take notice of the commandement, which restrained and forbade my sinful lusts, and affections; now, my corruptions began to gather head, and, as it were, seemed to receive a new life, and vigour. So as I, by the force of them, fell into a spiritual death, and lay under that miserable estate. 10 And the commandement which was ordained to life, I found to bee unto death. And so that commandement, which was ordained to be a rule of life, and( if I could have kept it) a means of life also, I found to be unto me,( through my own corruption) an occasion of death. So also verse 11. 13 Was that then which is good, made death unto me? God forbid: but sin that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good, that sin by the commandement might become exceeding sinful. Was then the law, which is good, turned evil, and, in its own nature deadly unto me? God forbid; the fault is not in the law, but in my own depravedness; for sin, that it might appear every way like itself, harmful and deadly, wrought death in me, by occasion of that law, which is in itself good, and holy: so as hereupon, that sin, which in the time of my security seemed not worthy of any note, appeared to bee exceedingly foul, and sinful. 14 For wee know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For the law( we know) is an heavenly, spiritual, and divine thing, and therefore is not of an hurtful, and killing nature; but I am an earthly, carnal, and sinful creature( as of myself) altogether given up to the power of sin, and as it were sold under it, to an hard, and cruel servitude. 15 For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not, but what I hate, that do I. And even now, in the state of my regeneration, I am divided in myself; for that which I do,( as being overcome with the force of my corruptions) I allow not, as renewed; for, that good which I would do, upon the good motions of Gods Spirit in me, that I do not; but that which in my spiritual, and regenerated part I hate, that through the sway of my carnal affections, I do. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law, that it is good. If then my inordinate affections carry me to do the thing, which I would not do, and I find a reluctance in myself against it; this very strife that is in me, shows, that I am sufficiently convinced, that the law( which forbids this that I do) is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Now then, it is no more I( who am a spiritual, and renewed person) that do this evil, but it is that corrupt nature, which dwelleth in me; for I do it not with the whole sway of my will, but my prevalent corruption is guilty of it. For, I know, that in me, that is, in my nature, 18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good, I find not. as it is in itself,& of itself, there dwelleth no goodness at all; for I can( so long, and so far as I follow the motion of Gods Spirit) indeed will that which is good; but, as I am carried away with the frailty of my flesh, how to perform that good, which I will, I find no power at all. Now, 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. if I bee drawn so with the force of my remaining corruption, that I do unwillingly commit that sin which I would not, it is no more I( the regenerate man) that do it; but that wicked nature of mine, which dwelleth in me. I find then a kind of forcible power of secret corruption, lurking within me, which so draws me awry, 21 I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me. that when I would do good, I am in the mean while declined to evil. For I delight in the law of God, 22 For I delight in the law of God, after the inward man, &c. as I am a regenerate man, &c. But I see and feel another secret power of corruption, striving, 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members. and fighting against the powerful inclination of my regenerate part; and so prevailing oftentimes with me, as that I am over-carried by that sway of sin, which is in my corrupted nature. Oh that I, wretched man that I am, 24 Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? might once bee delivered from this mass of inward corruption, which dwells in this mortal, and sinful flesh of mine. But, in the mean time, 25 I thank God, through Iesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind, I myself serve the law of God: but with the flesh, the law of sin. howsoever I am much cumbered, and vexed with these inbred, and stubborn corruptions of mine; yet, have I no cause to bee too much dejected herewith; but rather to rest patiently, and contentedly upon the mercy of God, and to bee hearty thankful unto him, through Jesus Christ our Lord: for this grace that he hath wrought in me, to struggle against these my wicked corruptions, and in some good measure, to master, and overcome them. So then, in that I am renewed, I give my obedience to the powerful motions of Gods Spirit; but in that I am unregenerate, and carnal, I am carried to the obedience of those sinful motions, which my vicious nature is ready to suggest unto me. CAP. VIII. 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. SUch is the case, not of myself onely, but of all those that are( as I am) regenerate persons; there is therefore now no condemnation( howsoever there may bee much trouble and vexation,) to them which are in Christ Jesus, being engraffed into him, and made one with him; who, howsoever they may be transported into some sinful actions, by the strength of a temptation, or by their own frailty; yet in respect of the trade, and course of their life, walk not after the guidance and motion of their corrupt nature, but of the holy Spirit. 2 For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Iesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For the efficacy and power of that good Spirit which giveth life to all faithful ones, applying unto my soul the blood and all-sufficient merits of Christ my Saviour, hath set me free from the tyranny of sin and of death, so as neither of them shall be able to prevail against me. 3 For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh. For that perfect righteousness, and justification which I was not able by reason of the weakness of my flesh to attain unto, by fulfilling the Law; God hath graciously wrought out for me; who sent his own son to take upon him that nature of ours, which our sin had miserable corrupted; and to make a full satisfaction for sin; and withall to take away that guilt, and power of sin, whereby it bound me over to condemnation. 4 That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. That the perfect righteousness of the Law might be imputed to us, as fulfilled by us, in that it was by Christ fulfilled for us, which live not according to the motions of our sinful nature, but according to the motions, and directions of his Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit. For they that are merely natural and carnal men, do mind and affect earthly and carnal matters; but they that are regenerate, and spiritual, mind and affect holy, spiritual, heavenly things. And the end of them both, is according to their disposition, 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. and affection; for the carnal mind of man can have no other end then death; thither it leads, and there it leaves him; but for a man to be spiritually minded is the certain way to life, and eternal peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be. Neither can the carnal man look for any better issue; for his affections, and desires are no better then more enmity against God; utterly rebelling against the Law of God, as those which neither are subject unto it, neither indeed( whiles they so continue) can be. So then those that are more unregenerate men cannot possibly please God. 8 So then they that are in the flesh, cannot please God. But ye are not unregenerate and carnal men, but renewed, and spiritual; 9 But ye are not in the flesh; but in the spirit, if so be that the spirit ●f God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his. if so be that ye have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, howsoever ye have withall the remainders of your corrupt nature still abiding in you. But if any man have not the Spirit of God, whereby he is renewed inwardly, what profession soever he makes, yet he is none of his. And if Christ be in you by his Spirit, certainly, 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is life because of righteousness. this corrupt nature of yours is as good as dead in you, in respect of any hurt that sin can do unto you, by it; but, the Spirit of God is powerful in you, to work in you the life of grace here, and to bring you to the life of glory hereafter, because of that perfect righteousness which is in it; whereby sin is mortified, 11 But if the spirit of him that raised up Iesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his spirit that dwelleth in you. and grace wrought. But, if the Spirit of that Almighty God, which raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, ye may well be assured, that the same omnipotent power of his, which raised Christ from the dead, shall also easily be able to raise your mortal bodies from the death of sin, and put a new life into them, by the efficacy of the same Spirit. Therefore, brethren, 12 Therefore brethren, we are debters, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. since we are raised up from this death of sin, and quickened to grace, wee should have no more to do with our corruptions, as to live and walk in them; but ought rather to frame ourselves after the guidance, and motions of that holy Spirit. For if ye live after the flesh, 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. doing those things which your corrupt nature moves you unto, ye shall die eternally, but if ye mortify your evil and corrupt affections, by the power of the spirit, ye shall live for ever. For as many as are guided by the spirit of God to led their lives in all holy obedience to the will of God, 14 For as many as are lead by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. they have good reason to be assured they are the sons of God. As for you, 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba, father. ye have received good evidence of your spiritual and happy condition; for ye have felt in yourselves, not that effect of the spirit of God, which by the Law works fear, and terror in the soul; but that gracious effect of it, which comfortably assures you of your adoption; whereby wee are emboldened to speak to God, under the title of a loving Father. So as this Spirit of God joins together in testimony with our soul, or Spirit, to assure us, 16 The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. that we are the children of God; our own spirit finding in our hearts such peace of conscience, faith, hope, and other graces, that may testify this truth unto us; and the spirit of God confirming the said testimony unto our souls, by the powerful operation thereof, in us. 17 And if children, then heires, heires of God, and joynt-heires with Christ: if so be that wee suffer with him, that wee may also be glorified together. And if wee be children, then heires; for all Gods children are heires of a glorious kingdom, heires of God, and joint heires with Christ; if wee do patiently endure to suffer with him here; that wee may be also glorified with him hereafter. And well may wee resolve to endure whatsoever afflictions we can meet with here; 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. for we do undoubtedly know that all the sufferings of this present life are nothing, in comparison of that exceeding glory, which is laid up for us, and shall be revealed unto us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature, waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Neither are wee alone in these sufferings, or this patient hope; for all creatures suffer with us, and do with an earnest expectation, as it were, wait, and long for that day, wherein there shall be a full accomplishment of the glory of the sons of God, that then they may be delivered from the bondage of corruption. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. For the creation was made subject to a frail and impaired condition, not of it own natural inclination,( since all things do naturally affect continuance and perfection) but by the power and just will of God, who for mans sin ordained this subjection; yet not without expectation of being once freed therefrom. 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Because the creature itself also shall once be fully delivered from this liableness to corruption, and shall partake of that freedom from it which the children of of God shall once enjoy, together with their full blessedness. 22 For wee know that the whole creation groaneth, and travaileth in pain together until now. For wee know that the whole frame of the creation doth( as it were) suffer under our sin, and groan, and labour, as if it were in a sensible pain, together with us, until this happy restoring of all things. 23 And not onely they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even wee ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. And not onely these senseless and brute creatures, but even we also, which have more excellent gifts, even the graces of Gods Spirit( as the handsel, or first fruits of a full measure hereafter) even wee ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the consummation of those blessed privileges of our adoption; which is the perfect restauration of our bodies, and glory of our souls. 24 For wee are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? For howsoever we are, for the present, afflicted, and in our sense distressed; yet in assured hope wee are saved; and have already this salvation laid hold of by the power of our hope; But therefore wee must not look for a present discharge and fruition; for hope is not of things already possessed; no man hopeth for that which he presently enjoyeth. But our hope is of absent and future things; 25 But if wee hope for that wee see not, then do we with patience wait for it. and if wee do hope for such blessedness to come, then do wee with much patience digest the present evils, and wait for the deliverance, and glory promised and provided for us. And howsoever wee of ourselves, 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for wee know not what wee should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered. are full of weaknesses, yet we have a strong helper; for the Spirit of God succoureth, and relieveth our infirmities; and whereas, wee( as of ourselves) know not what to pray for, or how to pray, as wee ought, the Spirit of God aids us by his gracious work in us; stirring up our drouzie, and dull hearts to make powerful supplications to God, with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed. And that God, 27 And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God. which is the onely searcher of the heart, finding his own Spirit to sand up these prayers,& supplications in us; cannot but accept of those holy motions and requests which are made by the same Spirit, in the hearts of his Saints; as knowing that they proceed not from our natural desires, nor tend to the fulfilling of our own lusts, but are according to his most holy, and blessed will. And wee well know that all the miseries and evils which wee are subject unto here below, 28 And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. through the gracious sanctification and improvement of God, work together for the good and benefit of those which love God; which happy issue of their calamities, doth not befall them, as out of the efficacy of their own wisdom, and providence, but by the good hand of God, who hath effectually called them, and decreed them to glory. For those whom God did in his eternal counsel, 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the first born amongst many brethren. own for his, out of that corrupt mass of mankind, those did he pre-appoint and predestinate to be conformable to the image of his son; both in their holinesse, and in their patient sufferings; that so he being the Son of God by nature, might be the first born, and ringleader of many brethren, by adoption and grace. Moreover, 30 Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. there is a strong and indissoluble chain of mercy and grace in God towards his elect, the links whereof can never be either broken, or severed; for those whom he did predestinate, them also in his due time he effectually calleth; and those whom he thus calleth, he also justifieth; and those whom he justifieth from their sins, he doth also, fully( at last) glorify. 31 What shall we then say to these things? if God be for us, who can be against us? What shall we then say to these things? What shall we need to be disheartened with any sufferings? if God be with us( as he surely is, if we be his) who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own son, but delivered him us for up all; how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? He that was so gracious to us, as not to spare his own natural son; but willingly delivered him up to death for us all; how can he scant us of any other good thing? how forward must he needs be, to give us freely( together with him, who is more then all the rest) all other blessings whatsoever? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? it is God that justifieth. Neither can wee have reason to doubt of Gods everlasting favour to us; for, who should put us out of it? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect, as to alienate Gods love, and mercy from them; when it is God himself that freely justifieth and acquitteth them? Who can accuse where God cleareth and absolveth them? 34 Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that dyed: yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Much less can there be any danger of their utter condemnation; for who is it, that can condemn them? he that should be their Judge, Christ Jesus, is he that dyed for them; yea rather which hath triumphed over death for them, being risen again from the dead, for their full justification; yea who now sitteth gloriously at the right hand of God, there making perpetual intercession, for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Now then, let us make a bold challenge both to earth, and to hell; who shall separate us from that firm and everlasting love wherewith Christ hath embraced us? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or death? 36( As it is written, For thy sake wee are killed all the day long, wee are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.) ( As it is long since written by the Psalmist, and must be still verified, even of our times, For thy sake wee are, all our lives long, exposed to the continual danger of varieties of death, and are pointed out to the shambles, even as sheep are to the slaughter.) 37 Nay in all these things wee are more then conquerors, through him that loved us: Nay, howsoever wee may be assaulted with all these evils, yet wee are more then conquerors over them all, through the mighty power and unspeakable mercy of that God and Saviour, which hath loved us: For I am fully, and unremovably persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor the very Angels themselves, whether good or evil, nor the principalities, and powers of heaven or hell, nor things present, nor things to come, 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Nor the things above, nor things beneath; nor any other created power, whatsoever, shall be able to separate us from that eternal and dear love of God, which he beareth to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. CAP. IX. IF I shall say something that may seem to sound unto the prejudice of my nation, 1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the holy Ghost. it may perhaps be construed by some, as if I were ill-affected to my countrymen the Jews; But I say the truth in Christ, I lie not; my conscience also bearing me sincere witness, in that whereof I have the attestation of the holy Ghost. That I am much grieved, 2 That I have great heaviness, and continual sorrow in my heart. and continually afflicted with sorrow of heart, for the obstinacy and infidelity of my people. For in the fervour of my zeal to the glory of God, 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ, for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh. in the salvation of my brethren, I could hearty wish to be utterly separated from Christ, on condition, that the Jews my kinsmen according to the flesh might be saved. Who are the natural sons of the holy patriarch Israel; 4 Who are Israelites: to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the promises: and who have received many, and singular privileges from God, above all other nations of the earth; to whom pertaineth that peculiar choice, which God made of them, for his own people; and the dignity, and pre-eminence in many tokens of his favour; and the mutual covenants which he made with them, and the honour of the giving of the Law, and the prerogative of his service, and the grace of his promises. Who are lineally descended of the holy patriarchs, 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. and which are of the same blood, of which, according to the flesh, Christ vouchsafed to come, even the eternal son of God, who is the true and everliving God, blessed for ever. Not as if I meant that all the nations stand now excluded from salvation; 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect, for they are not all Israel which are of Israel. and that their condition were hopeless, as if the word of promise which God made to the Fathers, and their seed, had utterly failed and taken no effect; for certainly if it have not held in some of them, yet in others which are true Israelites indeed it hath taken happy and sensible effect; for there is a just distinction to be made, betwixt those of the seed of Israel; all those which are according to nature, the posterity of Israel, are not the true and privileged sons of Israel. As( to go higher) neither are all the sons of Abraham, children of the promise; for it was said; 7 Neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. In Isaac shall thy seed be called; The blessing shall be devived to his seed; and of his issue shall the Messiah come; not of Ismaels, though proceeding from the same loins of Abraham. 8 That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. To speak more plainly, all those that are the children of these holy patriarches, according to the flesh, are not therefore the chosen sons of God: it is not their blood, but their faith that must make them so. There are some of these selected from the rest, to whom the promise was made, and by whom it was received by faith; those are they that God makes reckoning of. 9 For this is the word of promise: At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And this is the word of promise, which was spoken to Abraham. At this time will I return, and Sarah thy wife shall have a son, even Isaac, so as he onely is the promised seed. 10 And not onely this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac. Neither was this promise made to Sarah onely, but even to Rebecca also, the wife of Isaac, having conceived by that one selected person, even our father Isaac. 11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil: that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. For she, having then twins in her womb( even Jacob, and Esau) the children being yet unborn, and therefore not having done good, or evil; that it might clearly appear there was no respect therein to any works that were done by either of them; but, that the decree, and purpose of God( who had made this choice) might stand in force, and bee effected, not out of the merit of either, but out of the will of God, who calleth or refuseth whom he pleaseth. 12 It was said unto her, the elder shall serve the younger. It was said unto her, in regard of their earthly condition( whereby a spiritual was closely figured.) The elder which is Esau, shall bee a servant to the younger, which is Jacob; and the right and privilege of the primogeniture shall bee devolved upon the younger son Jacob. 13 As it is written: jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. As it is written; Jacob and his posterity have I so loved, that I have purposed many blessings unto them, and accordingly will bestow the same blessings upon them; but Esau have I so far disregarded, as to pass over both him, and his posterity. 14 What shall wee say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. What shall wee say then to this? or what use or construction shall wee make to this purpose, and proceeding of God? Is there unrighteousness with God, in this( seemingly unequal) distribution of his blessings: God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses: I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy; and I will have compassion, on whom I will have compassion. For he saith to Moses; I stand not upon works, or merits, that should draw my mercy and pitty either way; but my own most holy will is the ground of all the gracious, and saving courses that I take with men. I will have mercy, on whom I will have mercy( not on those that deserve it)& I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion; my onely will shall bee the rule of all my favourable, and merciful dealings with men. So then, the happy success, 16 So then, it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. and glorious issue of the elect, must not be ascribed, either to the will, or to the actions and deservings of themselves, but to the mere goodness, and will of God, that sheweth mercy to them, rather than to others. For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh; 17 For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh; Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might bee declared throughout all the earth. Since thou wouldest needs obstinately,& presumptuously resist the messages, that I sent unto thee, in the behalf of my people; I have, in my wise and just decree, purposed to make this use of thy advancement to the throne of egypt, and of thy rebellious resistance of that charge which I sent unto thee; thereby to take just occasion, to show my mighty power, in, and upon thee; and that my powerful, and miraculous rewenges of thee, might bee declared abroad, to the glory of my might, and justice, thorough all the earth. Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy; there being no other motive to incite him hereunto, 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy; and whom he will, he hardeneth. but his own more,& gracious will;& whom he will, he passeth over, leaving them to themselves; who are thereupon hardened by their own corruptions, and the temptations of Satan; justly punishing their former contempt, with further obdurednesse of heart. Thou wilt then, perhaps, say; If God, 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his will? in these courses which he takes with men, follow his own will onely; and all things are done thereafter; why doth God complain, and find fault with sinners, as if they had offended in doing that which they do? Why doth he blame them or being hardened? If he will have it thus, who can resist it? Nay, but, O vain, and wretched man, 20 Nay but( O man) who art thou, that repliest against God? shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? who art thou that art ready thus to cavil, and quarrel with thy maker? as if he had done thee wrong in giving thee this condition, and thus disposing of thee. How easy is it for God to silence and confounded thee, ten thousand ways? In the mean time, let this answer stop thy presumptuous mouth: that if it shall please the Almighty to stand upon his absolute right, and power over his creature, it is not for any creature to expostulate with him, and to challenge him for his actions; wee are to him as the day is to the Potter; shall the day insolently argue with the Potter, and say; Why hast thou made me so homely a vessel, and why to so mean uses? Hath not the Potter full power over the day, 21 Hath not the Potter power over the day of the same lump, to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour. to make it up into what form, or to what use he pleases? and of the same lump to make one, an handsome vessel for the table, another plain and carelesly-shaped, for the use of the kitchen, or whatsoever other base service; and shall not God have power over the day of mankind, out of the same mass of perdition, to make up one man a vessel of honour, and to pass over another, as a vessel of dishonour? 22 What if God willing to show his wrath,& to make his power known, endured with much long suffering, the vessells of wrath fitted to destruction? Who hath cause to take exception at God, if he take these two contrary courses with his creatures? There are some, with whom God is justly offended for their sins,( called therefore vessels of wrath) whom their own iniquity hath made fit subjects of damnation. What if God after much patience, and long suffering, whereby he hath endured the provocations of these men, yet willing to show, and approve his justice, and to let the world see, that he is infinitely displeased with sin; and that he is a powerful God, able to take vengeance of sinners; do execute his fierce wrath upon them, on the one side? 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory, on the vessells of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory. And on the other side, what if he please to make known the infinite praise and glory of his grace and mercy, upon those chosen subjects of mercy, which he of his own mere goodness, and without any respect of ought in them, had before prepared unto their glory? 24 Even us whom he hath called, not of the Iewes onely, but also of the Gentiles. Even to us, whom he hath graciously and effectually called, not of the nation of the Jews onely, but also of the Gentiles, without any exception of blood, or country. As he saith also in the Prophet Hosea. 25 I will call them my people, which were not my people, and her beloved, which was not beloved. See Hosea 2.23,& 20. 27 Isaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israell, bee as the sand of the sea, &c. See Isa. 10.22, 23. 29 And as Esaias said before, except the Lord of Sabbath had left us a seed, &c. See Isa. 1.9. 30 What shall wee say then? that the Gentiles which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith? What shall wee then say to all this? or, what is the issue of that, which wee have spoken? Even this; that herein is to be seen, and magnified the wonderful dispensation of the Almighty; that the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to that righteousness, which they sought not after, even the righteousness which is of faith; in that they, by their saith, have laid hold of that grace, and mercy, which is offered in the gospel, by Jesus Christ, being of themselves otherwise, both strangers, and enemies to God. But Israel, 31 But Israell which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. which sought to attain to righteousness by the works of the law, and affencted to earn both perfect justice, and Gods favour by the fulfilling thereof, have not at all attained to the state of righteousness. Wherefore? because they sought it not the right way, 32 Wherefore? because they sought it not by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law: for they stumbled at that stumbling ston. nor upon right grounds; thinking to attain to it, not by faith, in Christ, which is the onely way to compass it, but by the works of the law, which they were never able to keep and perform; for they made Christ a ston of offence unto them; and obscuring the virtue of his merits, and satisfaction, by confidence in themselves, and their own works, they have taken occasion to fall foul upon that Saviour, which should have raised them. As it is written. See Isa. 8.14, 15. 33 As it is written: Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling ston, and a rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him, shall not be ashamed. CAP. X. FOr I bear them record, 2 For I bear them record, that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. they have a fervent zeal to God, but it is ignorant, and erroneous; they do earnestly affect the law, but they know not that Christ, by and in whom the law is fulfilled. For they, not knowing, 3 For they being ignorant of Gods righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. and apprehending that righteousness, which is of faith in Christ; which God worketh in us, and accepteth from us; going about to make good their own righteousness, which is by the works of the law, have not submitted themselves to seek that righteousness, which God requireth, and crowneth in his children. For Christ is so the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth; as that we by faith in him, 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, to every one that believeth. who hath fulfilled the law for us, are, and shall bee so justified, as if wee had perfectly fulfilled the law in ourselves. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doth those things, shall live by them. For Moses describes the righteousness of the law by doing, whiles he saith; The man that doth those things, shall obtain life by doing them. 9, 7 But the righteousness which is of faith, speaketh on this wise: Say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven; that is to bring Christ down from above: or who shall descend into the deep, that is to bring up Christ again from the dead. But the righteousness, which is of faith, stands not upon those difficulties, and impossibilities of action; but upon the apprehension of Christ our Saviour; and therefore speaketh on this wise; Say not thou in thine heart, who shall be able to ascend up into heaven, to carry me up thither?( for Christ hath already done this for thee, and this were to fetch Christ thence, and to deny his ascention) nor say; Who shall descend into hell for me, to rescue me from thence, for Christ hath already delivered thee from thence, and this were to frustrate the death of Christ. 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, e-in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that is the word of faith, which we preach? But what faith it? even this: The word of the gospel, and the effect of the promises therein contained, are easily to bee attained, and lie open before thee; thou shalt not need to go seek far for them, they are within thee; both in thy mouth to confess them, and in thy heart to believe them; and this is the word of faith which we preach; offering salvation to all that shall by a true faith lay hold thereon: Even this, That if thou shalt confess &c. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For with the heart, man believeth, and by that his faith, is graciously accepted as righteous; and with the mouth, he makes profession of that Christ, on whom he believeth, and shows forth the truth of his faith, by the fruits of it, to salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. Whosoever shall call upon God, by Christ, in faithful prayer, shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not be leeved? and how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard? Now, this invocation of God, presupposeth a faith: for how shall they call on him, on whom they have not believed, that he can, or will help them: and this faith presupposeth an hearing; for how shall they believe on him, of whom they have not heard; and this hearing doth not necessary imply an instructor; for how shall they hear without a Preacher. 15 And how shall they preach, except they bee sent? as it is written: how beautiful are the feet of them, that preach the gospel of peace? And this preaching presupposeth a mission, or sending on Gods part; for how shall they preach, except they be sent by God, on this errand of his, and receive both gifts, and command from him; according to that of the Prophet; How beautiful, and worthy of cheerful aceptance are the very feet of those that preach the gospel of peace,& c.? But I say; 18 But I say, Have they not heard? yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world. what do ye stand upon these contemptuous conceits of the Gentiles, as if they had never heard ought of God before? do ye not remember the words of the Psalmist; Their sound went into all the world, &c. even the wonderful workmanship of the heavens, and earth, was a great instruction to them, and taught them to know somewhat of their maker. By that mercy which I will show to the Gentiles▪ 19 I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. which are not my people, you will be stirred up to envy against them; I will bee so gracious to those rude, and ignorant nations, that you shall fret at, and bee moved to anger, and emulation of them, whom ye formerly contemned. CAP. XI. GOd hath not cast away those of his people, 2 God hath not cast away his people, which he foreknew: wote ye not what the Scripture saith of Elias? whom he elected, and acknowledged for his; howsoever those fashionable counterfeits, which make an empty profession of the name of his people, be justly rejected, &c. As it was in the time of Elias, so it is still, 5 Even so then at this present time, also, there is a remnant according to the election of grace. there are( amongst a number of false Hypocrites) some few left, whom God hath graciously selected to himself. And if they be elected, out of his free grace, 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise grace is no more grace; but if it be of works, then it is no more grace, otherwise work is no more work. then not out of any merit of their own works; otherwise grace should not bee free, but earned, and so no grace at all. But if it be of the merit of works, then it is not of his free grace; for else work should not bee work, and not meritorious at all; neither can there bee any mixture of the merit of works, and the free grace of God, but one of these excludes the other. What shall we conclude then? even this: 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for, but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. All the natural sons of Israel, his posterity according to the flesh, have not obtained that which they seek for; namely, righteousness before God, and salvation; but those whom God hath mercifully selected out of the rest, have obtained it; and the rest, through their own wilful infidelity, are hardened in their hearts, and blinded in their understandings. See Isa 29.10. 8 According as it is written: God hath given them the spirit of slumber, &c. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, &c. See Psal. 69.22, 23. 11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: But rather through their fall, salvation is come unto the Gentiles for to provoke them to jealousy. I say then; Have the whole nation of the Jews so stumbled, as that they are utterly fallen, and that there is no recovery and salvation for any of them? God forbid; No, there are many of them whom God will call, and save. Rather, as upon their fall, the Gentiles are succeeded into their room, and partake of that grace and salvation which they refused; so, God means to make use of the emulation, which the Jews do hereupon conceive against the Gentiles, to stir them up to an earnest endeavour to recover and attain the same grace, and happiness. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them, the riches of the Gentiles: how much more their fullness. Which happy issue shall be a notable advantage to the Church of God; for, if upon their fall, the world of Gentiles were enriched, and upon their decay, and loss, the Gentiles were the gainers of those honours and privileges, which were taken from them; how much more shall their full recovery, and receipt into favour, bee both gainful, and glorious; when there shall be an happy union betwixt all believers, and one Church shall be made up of both Jews and Gentiles. For I speak to you Gentiles, as one, that howsoever I am by birth and blood a Jew, 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, in as much as I am the Apostle of the Gentiles I magnify mine office. yet challenge a special interest in you, and profess an especial care of you: in as much as I am appointed to be the Apostle of the Gentiles; and therefore in thus setting forth your privileges, and blessings, I magnify my own office; 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them? Which I purposely do, that by thus extoling Gods favour, and mercy to you, I might provoke those of my own flesh and blood, to an holy emulation of you, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them, be the reconciling of the world; what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead. For, if upon the casting away of them, the rest of the world were received into favour; how much more must all the world needs bee received, by their receiving again into favour? whiles they are excluded, the Church hath not that full and complete life which then it shall enjoy, upon their restoring. 16 For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy; so are the branches. For certainly, it must needs bee granted, that there is a special privilege of spiritual nobleness, and( by reason of the covenant) an hereditary kind of dedication to God in the nation of the Jews, more than( naturally) of the Gentiles; for if the patriarches, which were the first fruits of the Jews, were holy, then the whole bulk or lump of the nation, is holy also; and if those faithful men, which were the roots of that nation, were holy, so must they also, which, as branches, are issued out from them, be holy. And if some of these Jewish olive branches be broken off, and thou being but a branch, 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou being a wild olive three wert graffed in amongst them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive three; or see of a wild olive be graffed in, instead of them, and together with the true natural boughs partakest of the juice, and fatness that arises from the root of the olive three; Boast not against those branches that are broken, 18 Boast not against the branches: but if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. as if thou wert better then they, or against those other branches that yet grow, and stand, as if thou wert more assured, and better regarded then they; plainly, do not ye Gentiles insult over the Jews, into whose spiritual stock ye are engraffed; but if any will needs be so insolent, let him know, that as the root is not beholding to the branches, but the branches to the root, so that those good things which we have, we have received from the Jews, and not the Jews from us. But, thou wilt perhaps say; 19 Thou wilt say then, the branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. why should I not boast myself as better respected of God? Those natural branches were broken off, to give way unto me. Well, it is true; Those natural branches( viz. the nation of the Jews) were broken off, for their unbelief, 20 Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith: be not high minded, but fear. which once thought themselves as strong and sure as thou; and thou standest now in their room by professing faith in that Christ whom they rejected; be not puffed up, O ye Gentiles, as if ye in your several nations, could not be stripped of these privileges; but rather if ye presume too much, fear the very same issue. For if God spared not the Jews, 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. which were the natural branches, but broke them off from being a Church, or people, take heed lest he spare not you. Behold therefore a notable proof, 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God, on them which fel severity; but towards thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness, otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. and example of both the goodness, and severity of God; on the Jews that are fallen, just severity in forsaking them, and casting them out from his protection; but towards you, O Gentiles, singular goodness and mercy, if ye continue in that state which may be fit to receive, and hold that his mercy and goodness; otherwise even ye Churches of the Gentiles also shall be cut off. And they also, if they cast off their unbelief, 23 And they also if they bide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed: for God is able to graffe them in again. and shall humbly submit themselves to their true and onely Messiah, shall be received into this holy communion again; for the same God, who rejected them, is as able also to show mercy upon them. For, if ye, of rude, barbarous, and savage Idolaters, 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive three which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature in a good olive three, how much more shall these which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive three. were taken and admitted into the holy Church of God; how much more easy and proper may it be for them, which were before, the noted and peculiar people of God, to be readmitted into the same holy fellowship. 25, 26. For I would not brethren that ye should be ignorant of this mystery,( lest ye should be wise in your own conceits) that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in: And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer; and shall turn away ungodliness from jacob? For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, of this mystery, lest you be puffed up with the proud conceit of your presently happy condition, and grow scornful of the forlorn Jews; that a great part of the Jews is now obstinate and hardened against the gospel, through their own unbelief; and God hath hereby taken occasion to feoff the Gentiles in the privileges which they once had; but that withall, this obduration of theirs shall not be perpetual; the time shall come, when this blindness and obstinacy shall be removed; when the number of the converted Gentiles shall be fully made up; Then shall the Jews generally be converted, and be received to grace and salvation; as it is written, There shall come, &c. See Isay 59.20. 28 As concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election they are beloved for the Fathers sake. Will ye therefore know, what( in short) to think of the Jews? If ye look to the gospel of Christ, which they reject, they are indeed enemies; but this is for your advantage, for their refusal thereof brought it sooner unto you. But if ye look to the covenant of God made with their fathers, so there are of them, chosen vessels, and such as are dear unto God. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For the gifts and calling of God, whereby it hath pleased him to adopt these of Abrahams posterity for his sons, and to engage himself by covenant to his seed, are inviolable, and such as shall never be reversed or repented of. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: For as ye, in times past, have not believed God, and yet now upon their unbelief, and rejection, have obtained mercy; God graciously proffering to you those means of salvation which they refused: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. So it is now, for the present, with them; they have not believed that gospel, which ye have received; and God will make this use of it, to extend unto them, in his good time, the same mercy which he hath shewed unto you. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. For God hath in his just judgement, given them up both to their unbelief, as the deserved punishment of their former sins, so as that he now thereupon, hath fit occasion, and matter for his mercy to work upon; that as all, both Jews and Gentiles had laid themselves open to the displeasure, and wrath of God; so both Jews and Gentiles are now partakers of his mercy. Oh the wonderful depth of Gods counsel; 33( O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out! Oh the infinitely rich treasures of his wisdom and knowledge; how unsearchable are the reasons of his decrees, and the passages of his executions past our tracing& finding out: For of him, without any other motive, and through him, without any help and assistance, and to him, 36 For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be glory for ever. Amen. and for his own sake alone, without all other respects, are all things. To whom be glory for ever. Amen. CAP. XII. I do therefore earnestly beseech you brethren, 1 I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. by those wonderful mercies of God, which have been now laid forth unto you, that you labour for true sanctification; and that ye do present your whole selves, souls and bodies unto God, as wholly devoted, and consecrated to his service; wherein ye shall offer a far more acceptable sacrifice unto him, then all the oblations under the Law; theirs were of beasts, yours of yourselves; theirs of beasts slain, yours is a living sacrifice; theirs was it were a brute service, yours a reasonable. And be not ye conformed to the sinful fashions, 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, that acceptable, and perfect will of God. and dispositions of this present wicked world; but be changed and altered from the state of your corrupt nature by the renewing of your mind, and affections; so as that ye may attain to an experimental knowledge of that which is good and acceptable, and to a clear understanding of the holy and perfect will of God. But let each man think soberly and modestly of himself, and of his gifts, 3 But to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. according to that true measure and proportion of faith, and other graces, which God hath thought meet to bestow upon him. So wee, being many, 5 So wee being many are made one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. are but one mystical body united to Christ our head; and are all members( not of ourselves, but) of one another; as the hand or foot is not his own member, but the bodies. Let us prophesy according to the rule and analogy of that faith, 6 Let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith. which is contained in the articles of our Christian belief, and the holy Scriptures. Or any service or attendance about those things, 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering. which concern the provisions of the poor Saints, let him wait on that service, &c. Apply yourselves one to another in your affections; 16 Be of the same mind one towards another, mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. so as the same good opinion or respect that thou hast from another, thou mayst bear unto him again; Be not high minded, and proudly conceited; neither do affect ambitious aspirings; but, &c. 17 Provide things honest in the sight of all men. look carefully, as to your conscience, before God, so to your honest reputation with men; and so order your ways, that ye may maintain a good famed in the world. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. It may so fall out, that it may not be possible,( such as some mens dispositions are) to live peaceably with them; or such conditions of peace may be tendered, as may be utterly unlawful to be accepted: But if it possibly may be, let there be no default in you, why you should not live peaceably with all men. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give, &c. See Prov. 25.21, 22. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Let not thine enemies despite so overcome thee, as to move thee to impatience, or malice; but let thy patience, and charity be such, as that thereby thou mayst exceed his maliciousness; and, if it may be, win him to relent, and aclowledge his own error. CAP. XIII. 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers: for there is no power but of God. The powers that be, are ordained by God. LEt every man( of what condition soever) be subject unto Magistrates, and Princes; for God hath set up, and ordained the order of Government, and authority of one man over another; neither is there any institution of rule and sovereignty, nor any power of governing, which is not from God. Wouldest thou not then be in fear, or danger of the power of sovereign authority? 3 Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. do that which is good, and lawful, and thou shalt not onely be free from fear, but shalt be sure of praise, and encouragement from it. Wherefore ye must yield ready obedience to them, not onely out of a servile fear of punishment, 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not onely for wrath, but also for conscience sake. and care to avoid the danger of displeasure, but even for very conscience sake; because God hath so required you, and laid this charge upon your souls. Pay to every man that which is due to him; and be not a debtor to any man, 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another, for he that loveth another, hath fulfilled the Law. of ought, but love, and charitable affection, which ye ought so to pay, as that ye should have more to pay: For he that loveth his brother, hath fulfilled all that which the second Table of the Law requireth of him. For what doth that table of the Law require, 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour, therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law. but that wee should do no ill to our neighbour( implying also therein those positive duties which wee owe to his good) love therefore, in that it withholds us from working any ill to our neighbour, doth herein fulfil the Law. Which duty and holy affection, as it is ever seasonable, 11 And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer, then when wee believed. so now especially; since wee know upon what times we are fallen; times of danger and trial; wherein it is very needful that wee shake off our dulness and security, and be so much the more forward in grace and obedience, by how much we draw nearer to that goal of glory and salvation, then when wee first began to believe the gospel. The night of our ignorance, 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness: and let us put on the armor of light. and unregeneration is now far spent, and the day of our full renovation, and grace is now at hand; let us therefore cast off our sins, which are the works of darkness, and let us diligently, and carefully endeavour to have our souls clad with all holy virtues of sanctification. Let us behave ourselves soberly, righteously, 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness. godlily,( as men that walk in the public, and open view of others in the day time, are commonly careful to go seemly clad) in this clear light of the gospel; and not debauch ourselves in rioting, and in drunkenness, &c. But see that your souls be clothed( as with a garment) with true sanctification, 14 But put ye on the Lord Iesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. and with the perfect righteousness of Christ Jesus apprehended by your faith, and as for the flesh, respect and tend it as a servant, and fit instrument for the soul, but be not careful to pamper it, and to fulfil the lusts thereof, as if this were your main intention; sustain it, but do not make it a wanton. CAP. XIV. THere are amongst you many new converts, 1 Him that is weak in the faith, receive you, but not to doubtful disputations: which though they have embraced the Christian faith, yet are but weak and unsettled; make much of such; and take them to your further instruction, but trouble them not with controversies, and doubtful disputations about things indifferent; but give much scope and latitude to them in these regards. For one believeth, 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another who is weak, eateth herbs: that through the general allowance of God, he may lawfully eat any meat whatsoever; another, who is weak, makes scruple of eating flesh, and contents himself with feeding on herbs, and roots, and such other much less nourishment. 3 For God hath received him. For God doth indifferently accept both of him that eateth, and of him that eateth not. 4 Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. Yea, he whom thou art so ready to condemn, God will mercifully acquit, and uphold; for, that God, whom I formerly declared to be willing, is certainly most able to bear him up against all uncharitable judgements. 5 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Let every man be so fully persuaded in his own heart of the lawfulness of that which he doth, as that he find no doubting, and scrupulous hesitation in doing of it; but let him grow to firm resolutions therein. 6 he that regardeth a day, regardeth it unto the Lord, and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord, he doth not regard it: He that eateth, eateth to the Lord. He that regardeth, and observeth one day above another, regardeth it out of respect to the Lord, whose law( as he supposeth) requires, and enjoins this difference; and he that regardeth not one day more then another, doth this out of respect to the same Lord; who by the liberty of the gospel, hath freed us from those Jewish observations, &c. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For we are the Lords servants, and therefore wee are not in any thing to respect ourselves, but our master; none of us liveth, or may live, to and for himself; none of us dieth to himself, but to the Lord; so as by his death, as also by his life, God is, and must be glorified. 11 For it is written, As I live saith the Lord, every knee shall, &c. See Isa. 45.23. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block. Let us not pass judgements of censure one upon another, but let us pass this judgement of charitable resolution in ourselves, that no man put a stumbling block, &c. 14 I know and am persuaded by the Lord Iesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, &c. Nothing is, in it own nature, unclean; for God made all things good; but in a mans conceit, and opinion, some creatures seem unclean; and whiles a man is in that mind, surely that creature is unclean to him; because his conscience riseth up against the use thereof. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably: destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ dyed. But if thy brother be so grieved, and hurt, as hereby to be drawn into a scandal, with thy eating of that meat which he makes conscience of, now walkest thou not charitably: Do not, what in thee lies, destroy him with thy meat, for whom Christ dyed. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of. Let not that good liberty which the gospel hath given you in these indifferent things, be evil spoken of, through your careless use of it. 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. For the kingdom of God, which he erects by grace in the hearts of men, doth not consist in meats, and drinks, and these outward observations, but in the inward virtues, and good dispositions of the soul, in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. But thou sayest, I have faith, 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God: happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. and knowledge of the lawfulness of these things; why may I not freely make use of them? Hast thou faith? bee thankful for it; this will secure thy conscience in that which thou dost, betwixt God, and thee; and do thou make this use of it; but know, that thou must walk in respect of others, by the rule of charity; thy charity therefore is for others, thy faith for thyself; For happy is that man, which is so settled by his faithful resolutions, as that he condemneth not himself in that, which he yeeldeth to do. He that doubteth whether he sin in eating, or not, 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: For whatsoever is not of faith is sin. is condemned if he eat; because his conscience is unsettled, and he eateth sinfully, because he eateth doubtfully; For whatsoever is not done in faith,& particularly( even in these indifferent things) whatsoever is done with a doubtful conscience, is sin. CAP. XV. WEE then that are well grounded in knowledge, 1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. and strong in resolution, ought to bear with the infirmities of our weak brethren, departing in some kind, even from our own right, and not standing upon the terms of our liberty, and contentment. For Christ himself, who is our perfect pattern, 3 For even Christ pleased not himself, but as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell on me. was so far from seeking to please himself, as that he willingly exposed himself, to all the contumelies of men; according to that of the psalm; The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell upon me. That we might thereby be armed with patience, 4 That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. and furnished with strong consolations, against the evil day, and that our hearts may bee established in a lively hope of the glory to come. Now, the God of patience, and comfort, 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one towards another, according to Christ Iesus. work in you this charitable, and loving respect, one towards another; according to that gracious example, which we have laid before us, in our Lord Jesus Christ. So also verse 7. Now, 8 Now I say that Iesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision, for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. I say that Jesus Christ was willing to stoop so low, as to refuse no service for the salvation of mankind; and particularly he graciously condescended, to be as a servant to those of the circumcision, his chosen people of the Jews, that he might make good the truth of God unto them; in the confirmation of those promises, which were made to the fathers. 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God, for his mercy, as it is written. As also of the Gentiles, whom he hath mercifully called, that they may glorify God in his grace, and goodness to them, as it is written, &c. 12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be, &c. See Isai. 11.10. 13 With all joy and peace in believing. With joy in the holy Ghost, and with that happy peace of conscience, which ariseth in the heart, through a lively faith in Christ. 15 Because of the grace that is given to me, &c. Because God hath trusted me with this great grace, and honourable( however laboursome) privilege. 16 That I should bee the minister of Iesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might bee acceptable, being sanctified by the holy Ghost. That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, preaching the gospel unto them; that I may thereby offer up the Gentiles unto God in this office of my Evangelicall priesthood, as an acceptable oblation to him; being sanctified( not by any legal observations, but) by the inoperation of the holy Ghost. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word, and dead, For I will not dare to set forth myself, by any faculty or worth of my own; or to mention any thing, but that which Christ hath wrought by me, both in my doctrine& actions for the winning of the Gentiles to obedience. 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the spirit of God so that from jerusalem, &c. Wherein, indeed, he hath wrought wonderfully, and shewed his almighty power, in those miraculous works which we have done through the holy Ghost; so that from Jerusalem, &c. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was name, lest I should build upon another mans foundation. Yea, with the evidence of these signs and wonders, confirming the truth of my doctrine, I have laboured to preach the gospel to those places, where the name of Christ was never before heard of, not so much striving to bestow my pains, where other men had planted a Church before me; lest I should seem to ease myself by building upon another mans foundation: But as it is written, &c. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many yeares to come unto you. But now having no further occasion to stay in these parts, for the planting of any new Churches, and having a great desire these many yeares to come unto you. But now I must before-hand go to Jerusalem, 25 But now I go unto jerusalem to minister unto the Saints. to carry thither those contributions and collections which the graecian Churches have made for the relief of the poor Christians, there. After I have carefully and faithfully discharged myself of this trust, which was committed unto me, 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit. and delivered this contribution to their hands, &c. And, I am sure that, when I do come unto you, I shall bring with me unto you abundance of spiritual graces; 29 And I am sure that when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of, &c. and shall fill you with the blessings of the gospel of Christ. That I may be delivered from the rage, 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in judea, and that my service which I have for jerusalem, may be accepted for the saints. and violence of those unbelieving Jews, which are cruelly incensed against me; and that this service of mine, in bringing this collection to Jerusalem, may receive a good construction of those Jews which do believe, and be accepted of them without prejudice of my person, or act. CAP. XVI. I Commend unto your loving respects, 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea. and entertainment, Phebe our sister, which hath been very helpful to the Church that is at Cenchrea; and hath done many good offices to it. That ye receive her in an holy and Christian fashion, 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints. as becometh your profession, &c. Epenetus who is one of the first converts unto Christ in the region of Achaia. 5. Epenetus who is the first fruits of Achaia unto Christ. Who are of special note, 7 Who are of note among the Apostles, who also were in Christ before me. and in high account with all the Apostles; and who were famous disciples, before my conversion. Since I cannot be personally present, 16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. to salute you with a faithful kiss of peace and love, do ye so as from me, salute one another. Now I beseech you brethren, 17 Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which have divisions and offences. to have a careful and vigilant eye upon them that cause divisions, and( by that means) offences, to the Church, &c. For they that are such, howsoever they may pretend Christianity, 18 For they that are such, serve not our Lord Iesus Christ, but their own belly. yet indeed they serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own gain and profit, teaching false doctrines for filthy lucres sake, &c. But as for you; the same of your obedience, 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men, I am glad therefore on your behalf, but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simplo concerning evil. and holy carriage, is flown abroad all the world over, and I am therefore glad on your behalf; and rejoice in your constant repulse of these erroneous teachers, But I would have you still go on in that holy and Christian course; and, be wise to maintain that which is good, and inexpert of, and averse from that doctrine, which is evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly: the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you, Amen. And the God of peace, howsoever he do for your trial suffer both false teachers, and persecutors to afflict his Church, yet will shortly crush the power of Satan,& tread him under your feet. 22 I Tertius who wrote this Epistle, salute you in the Lord. I Tertius, who was Pauls notary, or scribe, to writ this his Epistle to you, salute you in the Lord. 25 Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Iesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began: Now to him that is able to confirm, and establish your hearts, in the truth of that gospel( which I have preached unto you) of Jesus Christ;( according to the revelation of that great mystery of godliness, which was kept secret, ever since the beginning of the world, and was onely shadowed out in certain dim types, and figures: 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the Prophets according to the commandement of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. But now is clearly made manifest to the world, and by the full understanding of the scriptures, of the ancient Prophets, upon the commandement of the everlasting God, made known and published to all nations, to win them to the obedience, and cheerful embracing of this holy faith, and to frame their lives and practices answerable thereunto. 27 To God only wise bee glory through Iesus Christ, for ever, Amen. To God onely wise, the author and fountain of all wisdom, who is only able to make us wise to salvation, bee glory and praise through Jesus Christ for ever, Amen. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. CAP. I. See Rom. 1.1. 1 Paul called to be an Apostle of Iesus Christ, &c. THat ye are in every thing richly furnished by him, with all graces, 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him in all utterance, and in all knowledge. that may serve both for your own knowledge, and for the expression thereof to the good of others. Even as that promise which Christ made in testimony to the truth of the gospel, was made good, 6, 7. Even as the testimony of Christ, was confirmed in you, so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ. and confirmed in you, who were accordingly endowed with many excellent fruits, and gifts of his Spirit; so as ye were not wanting in any grace whatsoever that is requisite for you; until ye shall attain to the full measure thereof, in the revelation of Jesus Christ, in his second coming. God is most firm, and constant to his own decrees, 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his son Iesus Christ our Lord. and promises; by whom ye are called, and graciously admitted into the communion with his son Jesus Christ; and being therefore made one with him, your condition must needs be certain, and happy. Now I beseech you brethren, 10 Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Iesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there, be no divisions among you. and do( as it were) earnestly adjure you, by the sacred name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as ye love and honour that dear Saviour of ours, that ye all agree together in the truth of one, and the same doctrine, &c. Now this I say, 12 Now this I voy, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I am of Apollo, and I am of Apollo, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. that ye are partially affencted to your teachers, and make sides, in emulation of your respects to them; so as one says, I am for Paul; another, I am for Apollo; another, I am for Peter; and another, I am for Christ. What? are ye not all then for Christ; 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? or is Christ one in Paul, another in Apollo, another in Peter? Is Christ divided? is he not one in all his messengers? or why make ye mention of Paul, or Peter? was Paul crucified for you, or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius. If ye be in that mind, I thank God that I have not meddled with you, this way; for I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should bee made of none effect. For the main errand, whereupon Christ sent me, was, not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not in the pomp, and vain ostentation of eloquent speech( as the false teachers affect) lest I should rather seem to gain this way, then by the plain simplicity of the laying forth of the sufferings of Christ; and should by this means frustrate that plain and effectual doctrine of the cross of Christ. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness: but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For this homely preaching of the cross of Christ, is to vain minds of carnal men( which go on securely to their perdition) no better then foolishness; but unto those that are wrought upon by Gods Spirit, and are in the sure way of salvation, it is no other then the strong power of God. 19 I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring, &c. See Isa 29.14. 20 Where is the wise? where is the Scribe? where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? Where then is the wise, and learned Pharisee? where is the Scribe? where is the Philosopher? these all seem great knowers, and deep schollers in their kind; But hath not God made the wisdom of this world more foolishness in respect of divine mysteries? For, since that the world by their natural wisdom, did not, 21 For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God; it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching, to save, &c. nor could, nor would know God, in that way of divine wisdom, wherein he vouchsafed to declare himself; it pleased God, by this preaching of the gospel,( which the world calls foolishness) to save them that believe. 22 For the Iewes require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. For the Jews look to be convinced by signs from heaven, that they may believe; and the Grecians look to be convinced, and won with human reason, and philosophical demonstrations, that they may believe. 23 But we preach Christ crucified; unto the Iewes a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But wee care not to satisfy either of them in their own ways; but rather we preach Christ crucified unto them; which is a stumbling block to the Jews, who expect a magnificent, and temporal Redeemer of Israel; and unto the learned Grecians, no other then foolishness, who cannot conceive how he that is God could die, or how he that did die, could redeem us. 24 But unto them which are called, both Iewes and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. But unto them which are truly and effectually called, by the inward voice of the Spirit, whether they be Jews, or Greekes; the power of God to save us, and the wisdom of God to inform us. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser then men: and the weakness of God is stronger then men. Because that gospel of God, which the world misnames foolishness, is wiser then all the deepest Philosophy of men; and that plain word of his, which the world thinks to be weak, and forcelesse, is stronger then the powerfullest arguments of men; and thus it is in a generality, whatsoever, in and from God, seems to savour of the least wisdom, and reason, or of the most weakness, far surpasseth all the wisdom and strength of men. Ye see( my brethren) the condition of christianity, 26 For ye see your calling brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, nor many, &c. how that now, in this entrance of the gospel, not many that are worldly wise, and deep learned, not many mighty, &c. are called. But God hath chosen plain, simplo, 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confounded the wise: and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, &c. unlettered fishermen, to confounded the great wise Philosophers of the world, and God hath chosen mean, weak and silly agents, to confounded the powerful, and mighty potentates of the earth. So verse 28. And hath chosen us, that had no being at all, in grace, 28 Yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. and seemed to be but as nothing in worldly respects, even us hath he chosen, to humble, and bring down those that make the most glorious appearance in the world. That no man whosoever( being no better then base, 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. and contemptible flesh) should arrogate ought to himself, or boast of his parts, or privileges in the presence of God. But ye are not more flesh, and blood; 30 But of him are ye in Christ Iesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. neither have reason to stand upon these carnal privileges; since ye are admitted into an happy communion with God through Christ Jesus; who of God his Father is made unto us wisdom, in that by him wee receive true knowledge, and illumination; is made unto us righteousness, in that, both his righteousness is made ours, and wee are for his righteousness graciously acquitted, and accepted; is made unto us sanctification, in that by his Spirit we are renewed, and purged from our sins; is made unto us redemption, in that by his precious blood wee are ransomed from the hands of our spiritual enemies. Thus is Christ made All to us; 31 That according as it is written, he that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. that according as it is written; he that glorieth might not glory at all in himself, but might glory in the Lord. CAP. II. 1 And I, brethren, when I came to you I came not with excellency of speech, or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. ANd as for me, brethren, I, when I came unto you to preach the gospel of God, did not come to you with flourishes of vain eloquence, nor with the persuasions of human wisdom and learning, as I see the false teachers do, to insinuate themselves the better into your mindes. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Iesus Christ, and him crucified. For( howsoever I were able to know and discourse with the best of them, as having been trained up at the feet of a learned master) yet I resolved to let go all that secular skill, and so to bear myself amongst you, as if I knew nothing else in the world but Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling. And I was amongst you in much meekness, and humility, in manifold infirmities; in much awe of that great and weighty charge which I sustained, in much fear of those many, and spiteful machinations of mine enemies, against me. 4 And my speech, and my preaching was not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. And my speech, both in my private exhortations, and in my public preachings, was not curiously plausible, as if I would win with words of human eloquence, and wit; but in plain and powerful expressions of Gods Spirit, speaking in me, and working in you, by me. 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. That so your faith might not rest, and depend upon, or appear to be wrought by the force of mans persuasion, or wisdom, but by the mighty power of Gods Spirit. 6 Howbeit wee speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought. Yet let no man think it is out of our disability, that we speak not in these high strains of wisdom, which others so much wonder at; for both we can, and do speak deep points of wisdom, and divine knowledge, amongst them that are attained to a meet perfection of skill to conceive it; Yet not points of carnal, and secular wisdom, such as the world admires, and the great men of this world( who vanish and come to nothing) are wont to affect. 7 But wee speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world, unto our glory. But we speak divine wisdom, even the deep mysteries of the gospel of God, which he hath hide from the eyes of the world; even that which concerns the salvation of man, by his son Jesus Christ manifested in the flesh; which gospel of his, was ordained by him before the world was, as the means to bring us to his glory. 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, &c. Which none of the great rulers of this world, Herod, Pilate, the High Priests, and the other Governours of Judea knew; for had they known it, &c. But herein also hath God made good that of the Prophet Esay; The eye hath not seen, &c. 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him. the things that God hath prepared for them that love him; and therefore these spiritual blessings of remission of sins, and salvation by Christ, are things far beyo●nd the reach and apprehension of the eyes, and ears, and hearts of the men of this world. But God hath vouchsafed to reveal them unto us, 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God. by his Spirit; having by the power thereof, illuminated our mindes, to see these great things of God; For the Spirit of God alone, is he that doth fully know, and is able to reveal them unto us; he onely knoweth all things; and particularly the deepest mysteries of Gods eternal counsel, and proceedings with men. For as it is with men, so it is with God also; 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man, which is in him; even so the things of God knoweth no man, &c. what man knoweth a mans secret thoughts, but onely himself, and his own soul or spirit; even so, the secret counsels and mysteries of God can none know, but the Spirit of God onely. Now this Spirit of God is that, which wee have received; We that are his regenerate children are partakers, 12 Now wee have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that wee might know the things that are freely given to us of God. not of that spirit, wherewith worldly men are lead, and carried, but of that good Spirit which is of God; that we might by his illumination and Grace, know and apprehended the great, spiritual, a●● heavenly blessings of forgiveness, and salvation, that are freely given to us of God. Fitting spiritual things with plain and simplo spiritual expressions; and not uttering spiritual things, 13 Comparing spiritual things with spiritual. in a carnal and affencted fashion. But the man that is merely natural, and unregenerate, 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. receiveth not these divine mysteries of the Spirit of God; for they seem to be more foolishness unto him, who is nothing but flesh and blood; neither indeed can he, whiles he continues in that condition, know, or conceive them; because they are to be discerned by spiritual eyes, which he hath not. But he that is renewed by the Spirit of God, 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. knoweth and apprehendeth, and rightly judgeth of all these spiritual things; yet he himself is judged of no carnal man, so as that his knowledge in these divine matters can be controlled, or censured by him. For the counsel, 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him, but wee have the mind of Christ. and will of God is hide from carnal mindes; so as the Prophet might well ask, Who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But as for us, we that be his renewed, and faithful ones, we have the will of Christ clearly revealed unto us. CAP. III. 1 And I brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. ANd I brethren, howsoever I may be taxed and despised by some, as if I onely spake unto you plain and vulgar things, must tell you that I purposely did so, that I might frame my speech to your apprehension; for I could not speak unto you, as to men already regenerate, but as to carnal men, novices in Christianity, babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat. I did therefore( as was meet) feed you accordingly with the milk of the first principles of religion, not with the strong meat of harder& higher doctrines, &c. 3 For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not yet carnal, and walk as men? For howsoever ye may be well conceited of yourselves, the truth is, ye are yet carnal; whereof you shall be clearly convinced by your effects; For whiles there are among you, envyings, and strifes, and factious divisions; are ye not carnal; and carry yourselves, not as Christians, but as men? 4 For whiles one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollo. See Chap. 1. verse 12. 6 I have planted, Apollo watered: but God gave the increase. I have been the first that laid the grounds of religion amongst you, and planted the Church at Corinth: Apollo came after me, and seconded my holy endeavours with you; but it was God that gave success to both our labours, and wrought upon your hearts an increase of grace thereby. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour. Now he that first planteth, and he that afterwards watereth, are but as one instrument, or agent of the same God; their pains tend all to one end; so as ye ought not thus to divide your respects to them; but know that if there be a difference in their labours, every man shall receive of God his own reward, according to the proportion of his faithful painfulness in his place. 9 For we are labourers together with God, ye are Gods husbandry; ye are Gods building. For wee are labourers under God, and together with him; in this great work of winning souls to him; and therefore cannot fail of our due reward; Ye are Gods husbandry, we help to till and sow you: Ye are Gods building, we help to rear you up. 10 According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon, but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. And in this spiritual architecture or building, there are degrees of workmen; I for my part; according to that measure of grace which God hath given me, as a wise master builder, have( as a faithful Apostle of Christ) laid the foundation of a Church amongst you; grounding you in the first principles of Christianity; and then come other teachers after me, and build thereupon such further doctrines, as they think meet. But let every man take heed what he teacheth, and how he buildeth. For certainly, as for the foundation, I know, 11 For other foundation can no man lay, then that is laid, which is Iesus Christ. I have made sure work; I well know, no man can lay any other then that which I have laid; which is Jesus Christ; on whom alone the Church of God is originally founded and built. Now all the care is for the building that is erected upon this foundation; what matter or stuff it is of; 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; and how it is laid; for what matter soever it is, whether gold, silver, precious ston, wood, hay, or stubble; Certainly it will and must come to the trial; 13 Every mans work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fir● shall try every mans work of what sort it is. every mans work or doctrine shall appear what it is; There is a day coming which shall clearly declare it, because it shall be made manifest by the fire of Gods judgement: that trial and examination of God shall discover every mans work of what sort it is. If any mans doctrine which he hath built thereupon, 14 If any mans work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. be of a firm and solid nature( such as gold, and silver, &c.) and do therefore endure the trial, which it shall be put unto, he shall receive a reward. If any mans doctrine be frivolous( like straw or stubble, or wood) apt to be burnt up: 15 If any mans work shall be burnt, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. and so be wasted in that fiery examination, he shall lose his labour in teaching it; but as for himself, because he holds and maintains the foundation, he shall be saved; but yet so, as that his slight errors shall cost him dear; and undergo the sharp affliction of the just hand of God. Know ye not that ye are the spiritual Temple of God, built by him, and consecrated to his own service; 16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. and that as God testified his presence, and inhabitation in the material Temple, so the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? For that which the world accounts to be the onely wisdom, is esteemed of God no other, 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. then more foolishness; according to that which is written; he befooleth the wise and crafty in their own wiliness and policy. Therefore let no man glory in one man above another; for all things are yours; 21 Therefore let no man glory in men, for all things are yours. ( so as ye shall wrong yourselves in so fastidious a choice) whether Paul or Apollo, &c. CAP. IIII. 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. ANd, as for us, let men account us as we are,( without all flattering, and partial respects) even as the ministers of Christ, and the stewards, or dispensers of the great mysteries of God; not as the masters, or owners thereof. 2 Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. And ye know it is a principal quality required in a steward, that he be faithful to his Lord; laying forth that which is committed to him, with all due care and fidelity. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of mans judgement: yea, I judge not mine own self. So have I done, howsoever I am censured by some emulous accusers: But I regard it not; with me it is a very small thing, that I have undergone the censures of you, or of any mortal man; neither need you to take this unkindly; for I tell you, I myself dare not pass a rash verdict or sentence against myself; or if I should, I weigh it not. 4 For I know nothing by myself, yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. For I have, indeed, carried myself, as near as I could, inoffensively in my ministry; neither do I know any flaw, or blemish in my demeanour, this way; but yet, I may not stand stiffly upon mine own justification; but must leave myself to the favourable sentence of my Lord and Master. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord come, &c. Much less therefore do ye presume to judge of others, before the time of the clear revelation of all things, which shall be at the coming of the Lord, who &c. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollo, for your sakes: that ye might learn in us not to think of men, above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. And as for these particulars, brethren, I have instanced in the names of myself, and Apollo, purposely( though we have made no such challenges, nor have had such sides taken) for your sakes; that ye might learn, by this example and instance of ours, not to over-value men, above that rate which is commended unto us by the written charge of Christ; and that no man be puffed up with a proud conceit of being under one teacher, rather then another, or of more worthiness in himself, then another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, &c. For, O vain man, whosoever thou art, that vauntest of thine own excellencies, or better parts; tell me, who makes thee to differ from another? how comest thou to be better then others? And what hast thou, that thou hast not received, as of free gift, from God? 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as Kings without us, and I would to God ye did reign that wee also might reign with you. And as for you, Corinthians, I take no pleasure to see you thus affencted; ye are, in your own conceits, full fed, and have no need of our wholesome nourishment; ye are rich in grace, and virtue; Yea, ye are, in your own opinion, already glorious Kings, without any help of ours; Alas, I would to God it were thus with you; so far am I from envying your happiness, that I could earnestly wish ye did indeed reign over your corruptions, and were possessed of the assurance of glory and blessedness with Christ, that we might take our part and share with you in that your happy estate. For, as for our condition, 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the Apostles last, as it were approved to death: for wee are made a spectacle unto the world, and to Angells, and to men. it is here no other then very miserable; for I think that God hath set and singled out us, who are his last Apostles or messengers, as men destined and appointed to death in the public theatre of the world; wherein we are made a spectacle to all eyes; even to the whole world of beholders, both Angells and men. What a difference there is between you and us? 10 Wee are fools for Christs sake, but ye are wise in Christ. we are accounted( and willing so to be accounted) fools for Christs sake, but ye think yourselves wise in Christ, &c. We are made so contemptible as the very dirt under the feet of men; and as the scrapings, 13 Wee are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day. and parings and base off all of all creatures, unto this day, cast out as loathsome and unprofitable. I writ not these things to shane you by upbraiding you with your own error, but, 14 I writ not these things to shane you, but as my beloved sons, I warn you. by this touch which I have given you, to admonish and warn you of so offending. For I do justly challenge more right in you, 15 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers. then any other teacher whatsoever; for if you have ten thousand schoolmasters, and instructors to red divine lectures unto you, yet have ye no more spiritual fathers, besides myself, &c. Who shall put you in mind of both my strict conversation, and holy doctrine, 17 Who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways, which be in Christ, as I teach every where, in every, &c. which I propound to all the Churches of Christ. Now some take upon them, at pleasure, 18 Now some are passed up as though I would not come to you. as if it were sure that I would not come to control them. And will make trial of these boasters, 19 But I will come to you, shortly, if the Lord will, and will know not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. not of their eloquence, and good words, wherein I know they excel, but of their power, and evidence of the spirit, wherein I know I shall find them defective. For the praise and glory and efficacy of the gospel, 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. which is the kingdom of God, doth not stand in words, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod? or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? Let it be your own choice, then, after what manner I shall come unto you; My carriage must be directed by your deserts,& dispositions; will you that I shal come to you with a rod of censure, to correct your exorbitances? or, in love, and in the spirit of meekness, to commend and cherish your holy proceedings, and Christian carriage? I shall do either of them, as I shall receive occasion from you. CAP. V. 1 It is reported commonly, that there is fornication among you, and such fornication, as is not so much as name amongst the Gentiles, that one should have his fathers wife. IT is brought unto me both by common, and credible report, that there is a very shameful practise of uncleanness tolerated, or winked at, amongst you; and indeed, such a one, as for the odiousness of it, is not to be heard of among the very Gentiles themselves; that one should converse, and commit filthiness with his fathers wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this dead, might be taken away from among you. And ye, in the mean time, are taken up with your own proud contentions, and mind not the correction, and reformation of so foul a crime: and are not humbled rather, for such an heinous offence; nor have taken a course, that he which hath done this wickedness, might be taken away from among you. 4, 5 In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my Spirit, with the power of our Lord Iesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan; for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Iesus. I have already decreed concerning this incestuous person, that when ye are gathered together in the name, and with the invocation of our Lord Jesus Christ( in which assembly I will in my desire and consent, and approbation be present with you) That in the power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, this offender be cast out of the Church, and by this heavy censure, delivered over into the power of Satan; not for his final damnation, but only for his temporary smart, and for punishment of the flesh, that his soul may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good, know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Ye Corinthians have no reason to pride yourselves, and to boast, and glory of your estate, whiles ye have so foul sins amongst you; know ye not that a little leaven of sin, soureth the whole lump of your Church. 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened: for even Christ our Passeover is sacrificed for us. Purge out therefore this old, and sour leaven of offence, that ye may be a holy congregation indeed, as ye are so in profession; Ye know, no leaven may bee endured in the paschal feast; Behold Christ our paschal lamb is slain, and sacrificed for us: Away therefore with all the sinful leaven of our uncleannesses; and let us keep this spiritual passeover, 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with &c. not with old leaven, neither with &c. I admonished you before in another Epistle, that ye should not keep company with fornicators; 9, 10 I wrote unto you in an epistle, not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with Idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. and I do now again second that my needful charge; yet then I did not intend to require you to avoid the company of heathenish fornicators, or of covetous, or oppressive, or Idolatrous heathens; for then must ye go out of the world; these do so abound every where, that ye can meet with no other. But now I have written unto you, particularly, 11 But now I have written unto you, not to keep company: if any man that is called a brother bee a fornicator, or covetous, or an Idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, &c. not to consort yourselves in the company of inordinate Christians; If any that is called a brother or professed Christian, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an adulterer, &c. with such a one have not so much familiarity as to frequent his ordinary conversation. As for the rest; what have I to do, to censure, 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do ye not judge them that are within. or meddle with them that are without the pale of the Church? Is not this the power that God hath committed unto you, to judge and censure those that are within? But, as for those that are without; 13 But them that are without, God judgeth: therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. we must leave them to the censure of God. Therefore let the issue of this my exhortation, and charge, be this; put away from yourselves that wicked person. CAP. VI. DAre any of you, 1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints. having a svit or quarrel against his fellow Christian, go to law before heathen judges, and not before those of his own holy profession? Know ye not, that Gods faithful, 2 do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you &c. and holy ones( which are his saints here on earth) shall have the honor one day, to be admitted to sit on thrones in assistance of Christ, to judge the? world and if the world shall bee judged by you, &c. Know ye not that we shall sit on judgement upon the very Angells themselves, 3 Know ye not that we shall judge Angells, how much more things that pertain to this life. even upon those evil and apostate spirits, which do now sway so much in the world; how much more should we be thought worthy to pass our judgement upon the trivial, and base things that pertain to this life? 11 But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus, and by the Spirit of our God. But ye are now cleansed and purged from these your sins, in that ye are both justified, and sanctified; Justified by the power and merits of Christ; sanctified by the Spirit of our God; applying to you the efficacy of his passion, and obedience. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not bee brought under the power of any. do not think that ye may safely take your free scope; and liberty in things indifferent; it is true, all things of that nature are lawful to be done, but yet they are not all meet, and expedient to be done; we Christians must follow another rule, even of charity also, in the use hereof. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shal destroy both it and them: now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. It is not for you to strive about matter of meats; Meate is ordained for the filling of the belly, and the belly is ordained to be the receptacle of those meats, for the nourishing of the body; but they are, both, of a perishing, and transitory condition; not worthy to take up our thoughts, and to be the grounds of contention in Gods Church. But, as for fornication, that is of another rank; let no man think that as the belly is for meat, so also the body is for fornication; howsoever that sin hath, in the time of your inconversion, been but of slight account, yet know now that it is a heinous offence against God; for the body is not to be prostituted to lust, but to be consecrated to the Lord; and the Lord challenges the members of the body to be the propriety of himself who is their head. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. And God hath both raised up from the dead the Lord Christ, whose our bodies are, and will also by his own mighty power raise up these bodies of ours from corruption, and mortality. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take &c. Know ye not that, by reason of that perfect union which is betwixt Christ and his Church, your bodies are the members of the mystical body of Christ? shall I then take &c. 16 What, know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot, is one body? for two( saith he) shall be one flesh. Know ye not that he, which is joined with an harlot, in an unclean and unlawful society, becomes, as it were one body? for that which was spoken of the lawful copulation of man and wife, that they two shall be one flesh; holds also of the corruption and violation of this holy institution of God; here is an impure and sinful unity, contracted in this unlawful and wicked conjunction. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord, is one spirit. But he, that cleaves to the Lord with all his heart, and is wholly devoted to his service, is as it were one spirit with God; not in essence, but in consent of will, in love, in all those graces that may make him heavenly, and divine. Flee fornication; Every sin of a man, 18 Flee fornication: every sin that a man doth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. though it defile the committer, yet leaves not a direct blemish, or taint upon the body; but rather staineth the soul primarily, and the body only by relation; but he that commits this sin of fornication doth directly and immediately sin against his own body, in making it one with an harlot. CAP. VII. AS concerning those questions, 1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. which you propounded to me in your letters, concerning single life, and marriage; I answer thus: It were better for a man, if he could contain, not to touch a woman; the single life is very expedient, profitable, commendable to those that are fit for it. nevertheless, because every man is not able to contain; to avoid fornication, let every such man as cannot attain hereto, have his own wife; and let every such woman have her own husband. 2 nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. And let every such husband, in a sober and modest manner, render unto his wife those due respects, 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence, and likewise also the wife unto the husband. which pertain to the marriage bed, and likewise, the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, to withhold and deny the lawful use thereof to her husband, 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband, &c. or to impart it unto any other: but the husband only, as he is her head, hath power thereof, &c. Refuse not to give unto each other those deuce of conjugal benevolence, which ye owe one to other, 5 Defraud you not one the other, except it bee with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer and come together again that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. being thereto required; neither do ye estrange yourselves from matrimonial conversation, except it be with consent, for a time; that ye may give yourselves to the solemn exercise of fasting and prayer; and then converse together again; lest Satan take occasion and advantage by over long refraining, to tempt you to incontinency. But this that I have spoken, 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandement. concerning the speedy return to the use of the marriage-bed; I have not said by way of command; for if any find themselves able, without danger of incontinency, longer to abstain, I impose no necessity upon them of hasting to this remedy; but only, I speak this by way of permission, out of respect to the weakness of those, which are not able to contain. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself, but every man hath his proper gift of God. For I could wish that all men were even as I myself, am; free from these desires, and from these troubles of a married estate; But every man must do as he may; each one hath his proper gift of God, &c. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. I say then to those that are virgins, or widows; it is good for them to continue in the state of single life, as I do; and this is to be laboured for, and carefully endeavoured. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to mary then to burn. But if after earnest endeavour, they find themselves not able to contain, let them use that remedy of marriage, which God hath ordained. It is better for them to betake themselves to lawful and honest matrimony; then to burn& boil with inordinate lusts, and desires. 10 And unto the married I command, yet not I but the Lord, let not the wife depart from her husband. And as for those that are married persons, I command them,( and yet it is not so much my charge( as an Apostle of Christ) as it is Gods own command in the law; and Christs in the gospel) let not the wife upon any pretence, voluntarily depart from her husband. 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord, if any brother hath a wife. But to the rest that are unequally matched with infidels, I speak, as an Apostle of Christ, having otherwise no express charge for it, either in the law, or in the words of Christ; If any brother have, &c. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband▪ else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. For however it might seem that the infidelity, or paganism of the husband makes the marriage utterly unclean; yet so doth God respect the piety of the believing wife; as that, by virtue thereof, the m●rriage is to all purposes accounted as holy; and such, as whereto the benefit of the promises, and privileges of believing matches, doth appertain; and so also is it in the case of an unbelieving wife; else, if the marriage were unholy, the children therein begotten should be unclean also; but now, they are so far holy as to be accounted, by virtue of such parentage, within the Church, and those to whom the benefit of the covenant of God belongeth. 15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God hath called us to peace. But if the unbelieving husband, or wife will needs depart, and forsake, and renounce communion, and matrimonial society with the party believing; let them depart; do not ye find yourselves perplexed herein; A brother, or sister is not hereupon so to be held in bondage to an infidel wife, or husband, as that he or shee must be forced to abstain from marriage with another; For Gods calling doth not enforce upon us any necessary perplexednesse, but rather opens us a way to peace of conscience. But if the unbelieving party will abide, 16 For what knowest thou O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou O man whether thou shalt save thy wife? it is fit by all means for the Christian husband, or wife, to continue their matrimonial conversation, for what knowest thou O man, whether thou mayst not be a means to save thy wife; or thou, O wife, thine husband? And, now, having only these general rules; 17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk; and so ordain I in all Churches. let every one apply them to his particular use, and so walk, and behave himself, as God hath distributed his gifts unto him, and according as the Lord hath called him, either to single life, or marriage; to sejunction or cohabitation: And this order I give to all Churches. And as it is in the cases of marriage, 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised so also in all other regards, Is any man called in the state of circumcision of body? let him not strive to draw on the foreskin of his flesh so, as that he should seem to bee uncircumcised, &c. Circumcision is not a thing that God now regards, 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandements of God. neither doth he regard uncircumcision, neither of these can either hinder, or further us to heaven, but it is the conscionable walking after the commandements of God that God careth for. Let every man abide contentedly, and quietly in that condition wherein he was called 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. by God; not striving for a change thereof; as, in hope and desire to bee better esteemed of God. Art thou called a servant? 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayst bee made free, use it rather. think not that this is any prejudice to thee, in respect of Gods acceptance; but, if thou mayst be made free, make use of this favour of thy liberty, rather. Ye are bought to an holy freedom, 23 Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the servants of men. by the precious ransom of the blood of Christ; and therefore if ye may be outwardly free, do not sell yourselves to the servitude of men; or if ye be bondmen or servants, yet be not so the slaves of men, as for their sakes, to do that which is unworthy of your Christian profession. Now, as concerning virgins; 25 Now concerning virgins, I have no commandement of the Lord: yet I give my judgement as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord, to bee faithful. whether Christian parents ought to keep them at home, in an unmarried estate, or place them forth in wedlock, I have no direct command in the Law of God, which hath not seemed to take notice of any such matter, as affectation of virginity; But, as I am an Apostle of Christ, and one that hath obtained this mercy of the Lord, to be faithful, in the place wherein he hath set me, I give you this advice: I suppose then that it is best for a man, 26. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say that it is good, &c. considering the present necessity, and troublesomeness of the times, to continue in a single estate. 28 nevertheless, such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. nevertheless, such as yield to marriage shall have trouble in the flesh, through the cares of their husbands, or wives or children, and the many burdens and encumbrances of affairs of their family; but I desire so to favour, and ease your infirmity, as that ye may be free from these molestations; neither do I urge the contrary in case of your disposition to marriage. 29 But this I say brethren, the time is short, it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none. But this I say brethren, the time which wee have to live here, is but short and momentany; and therefore it is not for us to suffer ourselves to be entangled, or besotted with the cares, nor pleasures of this life; let those then, that have wives, not dote upon them, and be carried away with pleasure in them, but be so affencted as if they had none. 32 he that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord. He that is unmarried( and can contain) hath no secular occasions to distracted his thoughts, but hath the more freedom to care for spiritual, and heavenly things; how he may be approved to the Lord. 35 Not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction. Not that I would force upon you a necessity of containing, and thereby cast a snare upon your consciences; but I onely advice you, what( if ye can be capable of it) is fit and comely, and that estate wherein ye may more freely, and without distraction attend upon the Lord. 36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely towards his virgin, if she pass the floure of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, &c. But if any man find it not fit to continue his daughter in the state of virginity, for that, either her age, or disposition persuades the contrary; I press him not, but leave him at liberty: let him do what he will, he offendeth not in giving her in marriage. nevertheless, he that is resolved thus to keep his daughter unmarried, finding no necessity either in her disposition, 37 nevertheless he that standeth steadfast in his heart having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, &c. or in his own estate, but perceives after careful deliberation, and inquiry, that he hath good ground, and power so to do, he doth well in it. She hath liberty to mary whom she will; but yet not in the flesh, 39 She is at liberty to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord. but in the Lord; having due respect to religion; and addressing herself to this lawful remedy with modesty, and the fear of God. 40 But she is happier if shee so abide, after my judgement, and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. But shee is happyer if shee continue in the state of widowhood, according to my judgement: And I think that I also shall be yielded to have the Spirit of God, as well as your glorious and boasting teachers. CAP. VIII. 1 Now as touching things offered unto Idols we know that we all have knowledge; knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. NOw concerning things offered to Idols; I do well know the grounds of your practise; upon the invitation of your infidel friends, ye eat of their meat which hath been sacrificed to Idols, and pretend your knowledge of the vanity, and nullity of their false gods: so as you need not therefore forbear the meat, which hath been idly, and foolishly offered unto them; Let this be yielded to you; wee know that wee all have knowledge; but what are wee the better for that knowledge, which is hurtful to our brethren; yea, we are the worse, for we are puffed up with it; and out of a proud conceit, neglect our weaker brethren; it were well if our knowledge were less, so that our charity were more; knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. But if any man love God, and his brethren, in, 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. and for God, the same man is approved, and dearly respected of God: it is not therefore our knowledge, but our love, for which we are accepted of him. We know that an idol is no such thing as( it is made for) a God; 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that were offered in sacrifice unto ●dols, wee know that an Idol is nothing in the world, &c. it is nothing but a false image of that which is not; if it be materially, wood, or ston, it is formally nothing in the world; and that there is no other God, but one; the rest are lewd fictions. burr to us there is but one God; even that eternal Father, of whom and from whom, all things( and wee amongst the rest) receive their being; and one Lord Jesus Christ, in, and by whom, 6 But to us there is but one God the Father, of whom are all things, and wee in him, and one ●ord Iesus Christ, by whom, &c. all both being, and blessings are derived from God the Father unto us, and all creatures. But howsoever ye have knowledge to understand this, yet every man hath not; 7 Howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol, unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an Idol, &c. for some ignorant Christians, out of a mis-led conscience, thinking hereupon, that there is some virtue conceived to be in the Idol, eat the meat sacrificed thereunto, with some kind of good respect to the Idol; and so their conscience being weak, is by your example defiled, and drawn into sin. And so out of the confidence of thy knowledge, this practise of thine shall be an occasion of the perishing of thy weak brother; whose soul should be dear unto thee, as that for which Christ thy Saviour dyed. 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ dyed. Wherefore, rather then I would, 13 Wherefore if meate make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. by occasion of my meat, draw my brother into an offence, I would abstain, not onely from meat thus sacrificed, but from eating any flesh whatsoever, so long as I should live. CAP. IX. 1 Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Iesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord? ANd if I could be content thus altogether to abridge myself of my liberty; how much more should ye be content, to part with a little? For have not I as good reason to call for my own, and to stand upon the respects due to me, as another man? Am I not an Apostle? am I not a free man as well as they? have I not( though later in time, yet no less truly) seen Jesus Christ, our Lord, in his glorified estate,( which is more then they have done) since his ascension? are not ye my converts to God? 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me, is this: Mine answer that I give to those that make question of my calling and Apostleship, is this which I have now set down; even the success of my labours amongst you, and your effectual conversion by me. Have not wee power to eat and drink 4 Have wee not power to eat, and to drink? upon you●… charge, as well as other teachers? 5 Have we not power to led about a sister, a wife, as well as other Apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas. Have not we power to led about with us, our wives at the charge of the Church, as well as other Apostles, and as well as those of them which were of the kindred of Christ, and as well as Peter? or to take the benefit of the ministration of grave Christian matrons, for our tendance and provision in our journey, as well as they? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have we not power to forbear working? Or am I onely, and Barnabas excluded from the common privilege of others; and must be forced to work for our living? not expecting maintenance from you, and the rest of our auditors? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charge? Is there not reason that we should live upon your cost? is there any reason that we should labour upon our own? who goeth a warfare, &c. 9, 10 Doth God take care for oxen? or saith he it altogether for our sakes? for our sakes, no doubt; this is written, that he that ploweth should plow in hope: and he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. Do ye think that in that law Gods principal aim and drift, was to make provision for oxen? and did not rather therein intend to give order for those which are, typically, the oxen of his spiritull husbandry, even those which labour in his harvest; and doubtless it was meant chiefly to us; and given for our sakes; that we which take pains in the field and floor of God, might both hope for, and receive such recompense as is meet for us. 11 If wee have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If we have conferred upon you spiritual blessings, and have brought you the knowledge of Christ, and salvation by him; do ye think it a great matter to return unto us some poor temporal provisions of food, raiment, and meet maintenance? 12 nevertheless wee have not used this power but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. nevertheless, wee have not made use of this power, and liberty of taking maintenance from you; but rather take pains, and endure want, lest occasion should be hereupon taken to hinder the passage of the gospel. For it were better for me to die, 15 For it were better for me to die, then that any man should make my glorying voided. then to lose this glory of my free and unrecompenced preaching of the gospel, amongst you; wherein I have both prevented scandal, and out-bidden and shamed the false Apostles. For preach I must; howsoever, I cannot, 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of, for necessity is laid upon me: yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the, &c. nor may not glory in this, that I preach the gospel: for I may not do otherwise; the necessity of my calling lays this duty upon me; and wo be to me if I preach not the gospel; so as this is no thank to me. If I do it willingly, I have my reward with God; but if unwillingly and grudgingly, I lose my reward; because, I am( as it were) forced to my service by command; for this dispensation is committed unto me, 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me. howsoever; and I must discharge it upon my peril. The onely thing therefore, that I can holily glory in, is this, that I have preached the gospel, cost-free; and have not so abuse my power, 18 What is my reward then verily, that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. and liberty, as to be a scandal unto any whatsoever. Ye talk of your liberty in these indifferent things; I am as free as you, free from all men; yet have I willingly yielded to make myself a servant to all men, 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all. &c. To the Gentiles that are without the mosaical law, I became( in ceremonial matters) as without the Law:( yet let no man tax me for a lawless man; I am not without the Law of God in respect of moral duties, and do willingly subject myself to the Evangelicall Law of Christ) that I might gain them that are without law. 21 To them that are without law, as without law( being not without law to God; but under the law to Christ) that I might gain them that are without law. I framed myself, and my carriage in all things, to the dispositions and manners of all men( so far as I lawfully might) that by thus applying myself unto them, I might by all means save some. 22 I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do out of a desire to propagate and enlarge the good success of the gospel; that I might be partaker with you 23 And this I do for the Gospels sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. of the comfort that ariseth therefrom, and the crown laid up for the furtherers thereof. Let this also be your care, and endeavour; 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all, but one receiveth the price: so run that ye may obtain. and do ye persevere constantly therein; it is with Christians in their holy course, as with runners in a race; for as in a race, many run, but one receiveth the prise; so in christianity, many make a profession, and put forward to an holy conversation; but onely he that persists to the end shall be saved: so run ye therefore that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery, is temperate in al things: now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. And in this your holy profession, be careful to abstain from all those offences, which may be an hindrance unto you; Ye see how wrestlers, and fencers that strive for the mastery, and praise of their art, and strength, temper their diet, so, as they refrain from every thing that may be harmful to them, either for the shortening of their breath, or the stiffening of their sinews. Now if they do this for a garland of withering leaves, how much more should we do it for an immortal and incorruptible crown? 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. I therefore so run, as one that resolves to hold out to the end; I so fight, as one that would not spend one blow in vain; but as one that would be sure to strike to purpose. 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away And, as those wrestlers do, I diet myself accordingly; I keep under my body therefore, and bring it in subjection, by abstinence, and such other hard exercises; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself, letting loose the rains to my own lusts, should be a cast-away. CAP. X. 1, 2 Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud,& all passed through the sea, and all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea. MOreover, Brethren, I would not that ye should bee ignorant, how that our Jewish fore-fathers in the Church of Israel, were in the very same condition with us; they were under the same Sacraments with us; For, being all under the cloud, and all passing through the sea, they were all baptized( under the ministry and conduct of Moses) in the cloud, and in the sea; that waterish cloud, and those sea-waters were as no other, but those baptismal waters, wherewith we are now washed in our initiation into Christ. 3 And all did eat the same spiritual meat. And as this Sacrament was the same to them, and to us; so was that other also; for they did all eat the same spiritual meat with us. 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them; and that rock was Christ. And did all drink of the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that water which issued from that rock; and that rock was a figure of Christ; out of whose side issued that blood, which our sacramental wine now representeth. But yet for all this, there were many of them, with whom God was displeased; 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. notwithstanding this outward profession, and participation of his Sacraments, as ye may perceive by the effects; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. The people did feast in their sacrifices to the honour of their idol, 7 The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. and in celebration of their solemnities did rise up to play. As they committed fornication with the Moabitish women, and were accordingly punished; 8 As some of them committed, and fell in one day three& twenty thousand. there being slain of them, in one day, three and twenty thousand, besides, one thousand before. Neither let us tempt our Lord Christ, 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted; with our impatience, and infidelity, as some of them tempted him, by making undue trials of his power and mercy, &c. And were destroyed of the destroying angel, 10 And were destroyed of the destroyer. executing the just wrath of God. Which are fallen upon the very last age of the world; 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. so as those things which were done so long since, in the very first ages of the Church, are still warnings for us in these latest times. Let no man therefore glory in his own strength, 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. or securely presume upon his own abilities; but let him that thinks he standeth, and applaudes himself in his own abilities, take heed lest he fall. Now upon these examples of Gods judgements, 13 There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to bee tempted above that you are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. and the reproof of your sins; I would not have you too much dejected, and discouraged; for, if you have been miscarried with temptations, nothing is befallen you herein more then is incident into other men; rather, have careful recourse to God, who is faithful in the performance of all his promises, and undertakings; and, if ye look up to him, will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength to resist, and overcome; but will moderate the tentation, and give you an happy issue out of it, and enable you, in the mean time, to go through with it. I speak, as to wise men, 15 I speak as to wise men: judge ye what I say. who do well understand the true nature, and use of the Sacraments; and therefore judge ye, whether that which I speak bee not just and right. Is it for you that are members of Christ and partakers of the body and blood of Christ in his holy Supper, 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? to have any thing to do with the table of Idols? Look to the holy elements of both kindes; that sacred cup in the Eucharist, which we consecrate and bless, is it not that, wherein we have a joint communion with Christ in partaking of his blood? The bread, which wee break in that holy Supper, is it not that; wherein we do both profess, and have communion with Christ in a joint receiving of his body? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body, for wee are all partakers of that one bread. For we that receive this body of Christ, are now not many bodies, but one body; even as the bread is of many grains made up into one loaf. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the Altar? Cast your eyes upon those Jews, which hold themselves still to the mosaical law; are not they, whiles they eat of the oblations made to God, justly thereby held to be partakers of that sacrifice which is offered upon the altar, unto the true God? So therefore must it needs be, that ye which eat of the meat offered to Idols, do by this means interest yourselves in their Idolatry. 19 What say I then, that ●… he Idol is any thing; or ●… at which is offered in sacrificed to Idols, is any thing? What shall I say then? that the idol hath any power in itself, to defile, and pollute the creature? or that the things offered to idols, do, either in their nature contract any pollution hereby, or cast( as of themselves) any uncleanness upon the partaker of them; No surely, all the pollution is in the purpose, and intention of the receivers; the end and scope of these superstitious Idolaters, is wicked; and thereupon those that join with them in their abominable work, become justly defiled. 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with divels. For the Deities of the Gentiles are no other then devils( what form soever they put on,) and therefore those things, which they sacrifice unto those their imagined gods, are by them sacrificed indeed unto devils, not unto God; and I would not that ye should have any communion with, and in the service of devils. Ye therefore, who at Gods table partake of the cup of the Lord, cannot at the table of Idols partake of the cup of devils, 21 ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of divels. &c. 22 do wee provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger then he? do we dare to provoke the Lord to wrath; and to a jealous indignation at our participation with Idoll-gods? Can we bear it out against him? will he not be sure to be revenged on us, to our utter confusion? 23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all, &c. See Chap. 9. ver. 12. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man anothers wealth. Let no man stand upon the terms of his own right, and liberty, and regard his own pleasure, or profit, but carefully tender the good, and welfare of others. 25 Making no question for conscience sake. Making no question of the lawfulness thereof, nor raising any scruple in thy conscience concerning it. 26 For the earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof. For the earth is the Lords, and all the creatures wherewith it is furnished; and in his right, they are therefore thine to make thy lawful use of. 28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto Idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake; the earth is the Lords &c. But if any man, &c. eat not, out of thy due respects to the offence of him that told thee so; and for conscience sake; upon the very same ground of that full right, which thou hast in God, to all his creatures, and therefore needest not to be tied to eat of any of them, with offence. For the conscience sake, I say, 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the others: for why is my liberty judged of another mans conscience? not of thyself( for thine own conscience, perhaps, is fully enough persuaded of the lawfulness hereof) but of that other that told thee so, who doubtless would not have spoken of it to thee, if he had not made scruple of it, himself; for why should I use my liberty with scandal, so as I should be condemned by another mans conscience, whiles I do that which he thinks damnable, though I think it lawful. For, 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of, for that for which I give thankes? though I may lawfully eat of things sacrificed to idols, by the grace and privilege of my Evangelicall liberty, receiving the good creatures of God( though abused) with thanksgiving to God, the author, and giver of them; yet, why should I expose myself to the censures of men, and open their mouths against me, as if I were an Idolater, in doing it? Give none offence to any man whomsoever, 32 Give none offence, neither to the Iewes, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God. whether within the bosom of the Church, or without; neither to Jew, nor gentle, nor Christian. Even as I please all men in all lawful and indifferent things, not seeking, &c. 33 Even as I please all men in all things. CAP. XI. NOw I praise you, brethren, 2 Now I praise you brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances as I delivered them to you. that you remember all those good instructions that I gave you, and that ye observe those ritual traditions, and ordinances, which were in that form, that I delivered them unto you. But, I would have you know, 3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ: and the head of the woman is the man: and the head of Christ is God. that there are several degrees of subjection, and subordination. The woman is subject to the man, the man is subject to Christ, and Christ, as man, is subject to God the Father; and each of these acknowledges a superiority, and head-ship in those to whom they are subject. This being premised, 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. I held it requisite to admonish you of some indecent fashions that are used in the congregation, by those of both sexes; For whereas covering of the head is commonly taken for a sign of subjection; and the uncovering of it, a sign of power, and superiority; it is contrarily used amongst you; The man who is the superior, covers his head; and the woman who is the inferior, uncovers it. Let me therefore tell you; Every man that praies, or prophesies with his head covered, disparages, and dishonours himself; and casts off that sign, and semblance of superiority, which he should maintain. 5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesyeth, with her head uncovered, dishonoureth her head, for that is even all one as if she were shaved. But, every woman that taketh upon her, publicly to pray or prophesy with her head uncovered, dishonours herself; in doing that which is against natural modesty and decency; For this bare-headednesse in women, is no less unfit, and uncomely, then if their heads were shaved. 6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorne: but if it be a shane for a woman to be shorne or shaved, let her be covered. It is an immodest fashion in the wanton dames of Corinth, that they go abroad in public places, without any vail, or covering on their heads; if they will needs take up this mannish fashion, of going uncovered, let them be shaved also; but if it be a shane for a woman to be shaved,( as ye cannot but grant) then let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man. For a man ought not( indeed) to cover his head, for as much as he is the superior; and, in this superiority, bears the glorious image of God; having none above him to control, and over-rule him; but the woman is but the glorious image of the man; and must aclowledge her inferiority, and subjection to him. 10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the Angels. For this cause ought the woman to cover her head, to show that she is under the power of her husband; and not to display her immodesty before the face of the very Angells of God, who are( in this indecent carriage) witnesses thereof. 11 nevertheless, neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord. Not that the man ought to insult upon the weakness of the woman, and pride himself in his own superiority, but must consider that God hath matched them together, so as neither of them can have their being without other. 12 For as the woman is of the man: even so is the man also by the woman but all things of God. For as the woman was first made of the man, so is the man, ever since, conceived, and born of the woman; and God is the author, and maker of both. 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her, for the hair is given to her for a covering. But, if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair was given to her for a covering; nature itself therein pointing you to that guise and fashion, which is meetest for that sex. 16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither in the Churches of God. But if any man list to be contentious, and will rather stand upon the justification of these unseemly fashions, let it be sufficient answer for him that we have no such customs of immodesty, and indecency; nor any other of the Churches of Christ, so as he shall be singular in this his opinion. But however I praise you( in a generality of your care and obedience,) yet in this particular, 17 Now in this that I declare unto you; I praise you not, that you come together, not for the better but for the worse. which I am now to writ of, I praise you not; that when ye meet together to celebrate the Lords Supper, ye come together, so, as ye are rather the worse, then the better for it. For there must needs( through the wise and holy ordination of God) be schisms, and sects, 19 For there must bee also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. and factions among you, that thereupon there may bee an occasion to try the dispositions and resolutions of men; in that those which are true-hearted and conscionable, may approve their fidelity in sticking to the truth. When ye meet, therefore, in this manner together, 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lords supper. ye do not celebrate or eat the Lords Supper, as ye pretend and profess, but your own, or the feasts of Bacchus rather. For whereas( if ye will needs celebrate the love-feasts) ye ought to meet al together, both rich and poor, 21 For in eating, every one taketh before other his supper, and one is hungry, and another is drunken. and stay one for another, in that love-supper, which you are wont to make immediately before the Eucharist; ye contrarily, meet together the wealthiest of you, and eat your own good cheer, not expecting your poorer brethren, and so one is hungry, and another is drunken. If ye have a mind to feast yourselves, 22 What, have ye not houses to eat, and to drink in? or despise ye the Church of God,& shane them that have not? & make choice of your guests, have ye not your own private houses to eat, and drink in? Why do ye defile the Church of God with these partial and immoderate banquets? why do ye despise and shane the poor, that have not wherewith to feast with you, &c. See mat. 26. verse 26. 24 Take eat, this is my body, which is broken for you, this do in remembrance of me. See mat. 26. verse 28. 25 This cup is the new testament in my blood, &c. Shall be guilty of an horrible profanation of that sacred body, and blood of Christ, 27 Shall bee guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. which is in this sacrament exhibited, and tendered unto him. Eateth and drinketh just judgement, 29 Eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body. and condemnation to himself, in not considering the greatness of this mystery, and making no difference betwixt this sacred bread, which is sacramentally the body of Christ, and the other common, and ordinary bread. For these abuses of this holy Sacrament, 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. the hand of God hath been upon many of you; so as many of you are afflicted with divers kinds of diseases, and many of you are strike with death itself. 31 For if wee would judge ourselves, wee should not be judged: Be ye therefore warned hereby, and look carefully into your own hearts, and accuse and censure yourselves for these enormities, that so ye may escape the judgements of diseases, and death, which else God will inflict upon you. 32 But when wee are judged, wee are chastened of the Lord, that wee should not be condemned with the world. But when we are thus strike with sicknesses,& death, wee are chastened mercifully, by the Lord, on purpose that wee may escape that eternal condemnation which befalls the wicked of the world. CAP. XII. 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. NOw concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant of the nature, and differences thereof, that ye may know how to value them, in yourselves and in others. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God, calleth Iesus accursed: and that no man can say, that Iesus is the Lord, but by the holy Ghost. Ye find this a manifest difference betwixt you& those infidels, from whom ye are severed; ye Christians have the Spirit of God, they want it; and for a trial of both, know, that whosoever speaks evil of the name of Christ, that man certainly hath not the Spirit of God, but is still an infidel; and contrarily no man can aclowledge, and profess Christ to be the Lord, and stand out for the maintenance of this truth, but by the holy Ghost, if not regenerating, yet at least illuminating, and informing him therein. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. Now there are diversities of gifts, distributed to men in the Church, but there is onely one, and the same Spirit, that bestows them upon men. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are differences of services, and functions in the Church, but one and the same Lord, to whom they are directed. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. And there are diversities of operations in the execution of those services, and in miraculous works therein wrought; but it is the same God, which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall. But these several gifts by which the power of Gods Spirit is manifested to men, are given to every man, not for his own behoof, but for the profit of others. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit, the word of wisdom; to another, the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. For to one is given the power of understanding, and unfolding the great mysteries of speculative divinity; to another the right skill of practical cases, and all by one and the same Spirit. So also is it with Christ, and his Church; he is the head, 12 So also is Christ. they are the several members, and all make up but one mystical and complete body. This one-nesse of ours may well be seen in those Sacraments, which are common to Gods Church; 13 For by one Spirit are wee all baptized into one body, whether wee be Iewes or Gentiles, whether wee bee bond or free: and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. for by one and the same Spirit of God, working with, and by the outward elements, are wee baptized into the communion of one and the same Church; whether wee be Jews or Gentiles, bond or free; and are all made partakers of the same sacramental cup, and therein of the same blood of Christ, by the working of the same Spirit. For the body doth not consist of one member alone, 22 For the body is not one member, but many. but of many several limbs, and parts. 23 And those members of the body which wee think to be less honourable, upon these wee bestow more abundant honour, and our uncomely parts, &c. Wee do not despise the least or worst part of the body, yea rather, by how much more meanness or shane, there is in any part, so much more careful are wee to deck it, and dress it with more costly, and comely ornaments. But God hath given us that natural instinct and inclination, 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which he lacked. so to regard the frame and temper of these bodies of ours, as to give more honour to, and to take more care of those parts, which are the most despicable. Now ye are that spiritual body, whereof Christ is the head; and are the several, 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. and particular limbs and members of that body. And God hath set and appointed men in several ranks and degrees in his Church; first Apostles, 28 And God hath set some in the Church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps in governements, diversities of tongues. then secondly Prophets, both such, as by revelation foretell future things, and such as can wisely and skilfully interpret the Scriptures; thirdly pastors and teachers, &c. those that are helpers to the sick and poor; those that are skilful in government, those that are endued with diversities of tongues. Amongst all these, 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way. affect ye most those gifts which may make most for the edification of the Church, and regard not so much ostentation as use, and yet behold, I am now, in the sequel, propounding to you a more excellent way then all these, even the way of charity; which is most worthy of your pursuit. CAP. XIII. THough I speak in never so great variety of languages, though I speak never so excellently, 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men, and of Angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or tinkling cymbal. and divinely, and have not charity; the noise that I make is no better, then that of a sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, which fills the ear to little purpose. 2 And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountaines. And though I have never so strong a faith, so as that I could remove mountaines. 8 Charity never faileth, but whether there be prophesies, they shall fail; whether there be, &c. Charity is a during and perpetual grace; and where it is truly rooted in the heart, never faileth; whereas other gifts, and tongues, and prophesy, and knowledge, at last vanish away, &c. 9 For we know in part, and wee prophesy in part. For this knowledge which we now have, is but weak and imperfect, and our prophesying is accordingly full of infirmity. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. But when we once attain to that heavenly perfection of knowledge, which wee shall once enjoy in heaven, then all these our weak, and imperfect apprehensions shall cease, and give way. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Even as it is with us, in our several ages; when I was a child, I spake as a child, and understood as a child, and thought as a child; but now, when that I am become a man, I meddle no more with those childish words, gestures, actions, and they are now to me as if they had never been; so shall it be with us, in that our future state of glory, compared with the present; now we are more children in our desires, and apprehensions; then we shall be of full and perfect stature; all the thoughts and conceits of this our present childishness shall then be passed and gone; and perfection of all grace and heavenly knowledge shall come in the room of them. 12 For now wee see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. Now all the knowledge that we have of God is dim, and dark; as a man that looks in a glass sees there but the image or resemblance& representation of the thing seen, and not the thing itself; but then we shall see him clearly, and immediately; even as we now see each other in the face; and not in the glass; so shall we see him then; now I know but in part, but then I shall know God in the same manner that I am known, fully, according to the capacity of a finite creature, and clearly. And now whereas there are three main graces which wee must chiefly labour for in all our lives, faith, hope, and charity, the greatest of them all is charity. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. CAP. XIV. 1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophecy. FOllow then principally after charity; but yet also desire other spiritual gifts; but of all the rest let it be your chief desire that ye may be enabled by the Spirit of God to teach and declare those things which may be to the edification of the Church. The gift of tongues, though it be excellent, 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him: howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries. yet is not comparable with this; for he that speaketh in an unknown tongue; onely God, and himself understands what he saith; and therefore he speaks not to men at all,( at least it is all one as if he spake not) but unto God who understands him; although perhaps in his own sense, and understanding, he speaks of deep and high matters, and such as might be well worthy to be understood of others. But he that teacheth and explaineth Gods will to his people, speaketh unto men; and that to singular purpose, 3 But he that pnophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification and exhortation, and comfort. to edify them in knowledge, and to stir them up with exhortation, and to raise them up with comfort. Now brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, 6 Now brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you: except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? what shall I profit you? surely nothing at all; neither shall ye receive any good at all by my labours, except I speak unto your understanding by a clear revelation of Gods holy mysteries, on my part, and by knowledge on yours; except I speak by way of prophesying, and exposition on my part, and by learning on yours. There is a number of several sounds of voices in the world; 10 There are, it may be, so many kindes of voices in the world, and none of them are without signification. which are significant to those which are acquainted with them, but to others seem strange and useless notes; and there is no voice that can be uttered, but it is, somewhere, of some signification. Therefore if I hear a man speak such words as whose meaning I do no way understand; 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh, a Barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a Barbarian unto me. I am as a more Barbarian to him that, speaketh them; and he that speaks them, is a Barbarian to me; because we understand not each other. So then for as much as ye Corinthians are zealously desirous of spiritual gifts, 12 Even so ye, for as much as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the Church. labour not so much for those endowments, which may make you admired of men, as for those which may enable you to edify the Church of God. Wherefore, 13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue, pray that he may interpret. let him that hath the supernatural gift of strange tongues, pray to God that he would give him ability to interpret the Scriptures; so as he may improve his tongues to the good of many. And as it is in preaching, so in praying also; 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. if I pray in an unknown tongue, my will in the general drift thereof, is devout, and the extraordinary gift of the Spirit puts words into my tongue, but my understanding is not at all benefited. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and will pray with understanding also: I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with understanding. What should I do then? I will pray with the general good intention of my will, and the language which the Spirit gives me; and I will pray with the understanding of the words wherein I pray; I will sing with a general devotion of my will, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else, when thou shalt bless with the Spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned, say Amen, at thy giving of thankes,& c? Else, when thou shalt bless in that unknown language which the Spirit speaks by thee, how shall those that are ignorant, and unlearned, in that tongue, say Amen to thy prayers or thanksgivings, seeing he understands not what thou sayest? 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice bee ye children, but in understanding be men. Brethren, be not children in your judgement, and understanding, that you should childishly make ostentation of the gift of those tongues, which others understand not: but in respect of an harmless simplicity, and freedom from malice, be ye as children. 21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues, and other lips will I speak unto this people: and yet for all that will they not hear me. In the old Testament God tells his people by his prophet Esay, that he would speak unto them by men of other languages( meaning the Chaldeans whose different tongue is threatened for a punishment unto the Jews;) notwithstanding which judgement, he complains that they would not hear, and obey him. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not; but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. Wherefore this strange tongue was threatened as a plague to his people; there is no reason, then, that wee should glory in that, which was minaced for a judgement unto our forefathers; and these strange tongues, we know( which are now given,) were intended for another use, even to be for a sign of the marvellous power of Gods Spirit, for the conviction of those that believe not the gospel, and not so much for the benefit of those that do believe already; but prophesying, or interpreting of the Scriptures, serves not for infidels, which believe not, but for Christians that are already converted to the faith. 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned; he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. But if ye all prophesy, and interpret the Scriptures by course, and there come in one that believeth not, or is ignorant, he is met with, and convinced by every one of you, and finds himself censured by each of you. 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. And by this means are the secret wickednesses of his heart discovered; and he, in an humble and earnest remorse, on the one side; and admiration of Gods gifts, on the other, falling down on his face, will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth, and speaks by you. 26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation: let all things be done unto edifying. What then, my brethren, is to be done? when ye come together, let every one of you, who is endued with any special gift, make use of it to the benefit of the Church, whether he have some divine hymn or psalm, which he hath composed to stir up the hearts of the people, or whether he have some wholesome doctrine prepared to deliver unto them, or whether a revelation from God of some future occurrence necessary to be foreknown, or some interpretation of any obscure place of Scripture, let all things be so done, as may most edify. If in your meetings there be occasion of speaking unknown tongues, let onely two, or three, 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course, and let one interpret. be appointed to speak by course, one after another, and let one be appointed to interpret, and render in a known tongue, what they deliver. Let those that preach, and expound the Scriptures speak two or three, by course one after another, 29 Let the Prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. in your public meetings, and let the other preachers judge. And the spirits of the teachers are subject to the trial, and judgement of other teachers; which onely can, 32 And the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets. and may examine those points which they deliver, whether they be consonant to the truth of God. All may not take upon them, either to teach, or judge; 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Churches of the Saints. this were to make a confusion in the Church: and God is the author, not of confusion, but of peace, and gives by us these holy, and meet orders to be observed, not amongst you onely, but in all the Churches every where. And if they have any doubts, or questions to propose, 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shane for a woman to speak in the Church. let them not do it publicly, in the congregation, but let them ask their husbands privately at home; for it doth not agree with the modesty of women, to speak in the public assembly. It is not for you, Corinthians, 36 What? came the word of God out from you, or came it unto you onely? to stand stiffly upon your own customs, and factions; or to think it fit that others should frame themselves after your example: What? were ye the first Christians? were there none before you? are there none other beside you? If there be any man which believes that he hath received the Spirit of God, 37 If any man think himself to be a Prophet, or spiritual, let him aclowledge, that the things which I writ unto you, &c. and that he is a true minister of God, he cannot but aclowledge that the things which I writ unto you, are the Commandements of the Lord, and needful and requisite to be observed. But if any man be willingly, and perversely ignorant, 38 But if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant. I will not stand out in contention with him, let him be ignorant still. CAP. XV. 6 And that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. AFter that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, in that mountain of Galilee, where he had appointed to meet his Disciples; of whom the greater part remain unto this day, and being yet alive, can give ample witness to this truth, but some of them rest in the sleep of death. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. And, last of all, he was seen of me, as one out of season,( after all the rest) called to my Apostleship. 9 For I am the least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. For, I am the meanest of all the Apostles; and not worthy of that honourable title; because I persecuted the Church of God; although not maliciously, but in an ignorant zeal of the Law. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain, but I laboured more abundantly then they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. But, by the more grace, and mercy of God, contrary to my deservings, I am called to this station of my Apostleship, and furnished with gifts, and abilities, to discharge it; neither was I careless in improving this mercy and goodness of God to me; for I laboured more abundantly then they all; and yet, why do I say, it was I that laboured? rather it was the grace of God, which both enabled me, and wrought by me. 11 Therefore whether it were I, or they, so wee preach, and so ye believed But, whether it were my labour, or theirs; all comes to one; Christ hath been by us preached so to have died, and so to have risen; and accordingly by you believed. 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins. And if Christ be not risen, your faith should be in vain pitched upon a dead, and perished redeemer; and so ye are yet under that woeful condemnation which is due to your sins; from which only the resurrection of Christ can acquit, and discharge you. 19 If in this life onely wee have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. If the comforts and hopes that we have in Christ were onely confined to this present life, and extended not beyond death, we were of all men the most miserable; who do willingly curb and restrain ourselves of those pleasures which others take full scope unto; and endure those hardnesses, and miseries, which others shift off; only, in the expectation of that glory, which wee shall once enjoy, with Christ. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. But now, all our stay and comfort, is, that Christ is risen from the dead; and is so becomne the first fruits of them that sleep in death, as that, the virtue of his resurrection extends unto all his that lye in their graves, and that they by the power thereof shall necessary follow him, in rising to life. For, as in the first Adam, who was the first fruits of all his dying generation, we all die; so in the second Adam, 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. which was the first fruits of those that rise from the dead we all shall be made alive; Adam brought death upon mankind; Christ, life and resurrection. So as, all shall rise, but every man in his own order; 23 But every man in his order, Christ the first fruits, afterward they that are Christs, at his coming. First, Christ( who is as the first sheaf of this harvest of the resurrection, by and from which all the whole crop of the dead saints receive virtue) shall show himself, as being already risen; afterwards, they that are Christs, who are found alive at his coming; and they that are dead in him, and in his faith, and favour, shall be, upon their happy change, carried up to meet him. Then cometh the end of all this miserable and troublesone world; 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. when he shall have delivered the kingdom of his mediator-ship unto God the Father; and shall have vanquished, and put down all the adversary principalities, and powers, both of earth, and of hell. For he must, by the interest of his mediatory power, 25 For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. reign, until he hath fully subdued all the enemies of his Church, and children. The last enemy that shall be subdued, and destroyed, 26 The last enemy that shal be destroyed is death. shall be death itself, who hath hitherto subdued, and destroyed all things. It is manifest, that herein God the Father excepteth himself, 27 It is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him. who did put all things under the subjection of his son. And when all things shall be thus subdued unto the son, as the King of his Church, God and man; 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the son also himself bee subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. then shall the son also( to whom as Mediator the power and rule of all things is committed, and as it were delegated by the F●ther) resign up this mediatory rule, and government, to his Father, who hath committed it unto him; so as, he shall no more reign, now, as Mediator, but as God; and we shall enjoy God immediately, who shall be all in all to us. Else, 29 Else, what shall they do which are baptized for the dead; if the dead rise not at al, why are they thē baptized for the dead? to what purpose is the usual( but mis-grounded) practise of those men, which are baptized for their dead friends, in a conceit of giving aid, and refreshment to them, in that common state of death, if they were not fully assured that the dead shall arise again? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? And why do we stand in continual jeopardy every hour, for the profession of the gospel, and particularly of the truth of the resurrection, if wee were not persuaded of a retribution after our departure hence? For me, I protest, I swear by that joy which I take in you, 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Iesus our Lord, I dy daily. as the dear children and fruit of my Apostleship which is the greatest comfort that my Lord Jesus Christ hath given unto me; that I am every day dying, ready to be offered up for the name of my Lord and Saviour. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink for to morrow we die. If, as it is the manner of men to be put to fight with beasts, in their Amphitheaters; so I have been put to fight with bestial men, at Ephesus, and have with them been exposed to so manifest, and great peril of myself, what am I the better, or to what purpose have I done it, if there were no resurrection? Well might ye profane men then, take up these atheous words of your lewd predecessors, which the Prophet Esay hath set down, Let us eat, and drink, for to morrow we shall die, and there is no further account to be made. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. But for you, O Corinthians, bee not ye miscarried with such godless, and wicked speeches, remembering that old( but true) verse of the heathen Poet; evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not: for some have not the knowledge of God, I speak this to your shane. Awake ye from the secure and dangerous estate of your former corruptions, to a life of grace and righteousness, and do not dare to yield yourselves over to your sins; and give not ear to those lewd suggestions of wicked and profane men, for there are some such, even amongst you who profess Christianity; that have not the true knowledge, and fear of God; I speak this to your shane; who have had so powerful means to the contrary. 35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up, and with what body do they come? But some man will object, and say; you speak of a resurrection; but what an impossible thing is this that you tell us; how can it be that that body which is vanished to dust, and corruption, should rise again? Tell us then what body is it that shall be restored to us, for this cannot possibly be repaired? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die. Thou fool, do but look to the grain that thou sowest; that which thou sowest doth not sprout up again, except it first corrupt, and die. 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain. And when thou sowest, thou sowest not that ear and that corn which shall be, but bare grain, &c. 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. But God gives it( in the growing up) that body, or substance which it hath, according to his pleasure, and to every seed his own body; not the body of another kind of grain, nor the body of another grain of the same kind, but to every grain his own body. And, as it is in plants, 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of Birds. that they have their several bodies and substances, which God gives them at his pleasure, so is it in those creatures, which have sense, and motion; there are several kindes of flesh in them: there is one flesh of men, another of beasts, &c. And even so in the resurrection, God, who hath here given a fleshly body unto men, shall then give them such a body as shall be for glorified persons. There are also celestial bodies or substances, 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial, but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. as the heaven itself, the planets, and other stars; and there are terrestrial substances, as these elements of earth, and water, and the minerals and metals therein contained, each of these have bodies of their own, differing in degrees of worth and excellency one from another. And even so in the heavenly bodies themselves, 41 There is one glory of the Sun, another of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another Star in glory. there are several degrees of glory; for there is one glory of the Sun, which is the great original of light, and another of the moon which is next to it, in glory and lightsomnesse; and another of the stars, which make less show, then it; and amongst those stars also, one differs from another in brightness, and glory. So is it in the state of the resurrection, 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead, it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. compared with the present; the body, as it is now, is a goodly creature; but then, it shall have another manner of lustre upon it; it is laid down in corruption, it is raised again, in a state of immortality, and incorruption. So also verse 43. We lay down in the grave a natural body, 43 It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power: such as we took from our parents, earthly, dull, heavy, and such, as when it was at the best, needed the aid of our senses, but it is raised a body quiter altered in all the qualities thereof; having put off all the grossness, 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body, &c. and cloggy substance of it; and become pure, light, and apt to motion, and, as near( as a body may be) to the nature, and qualities of a spirit; so, there is a gross and natural body, and there is a body that is pure, agile, and spirit-like. And, so it is written; 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul, the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. that the body of the first man( which was Adam) was informed, and enlived by a living, and reasonable soul; but herein the second or last Adam Christ, excelled the first, in that he gives us a spiritual life, by the power of his quickening spirit; In our natural being, therefore, we have a living soul, but in our spiritual, we have a life-giving spirit. 46 Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural, and afterward that which is spiritual. Howbeit, our natural being was first, and then, after, our spiritual; we must first receive our elementary, and natural body from Adam, ere we can receive our spiritual, and incorruptible. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy, The second man is of the Lord from heaven. The first Adam was formed of the earth, and therefore was of a base, and earthly composition; The second Adam, which is the Lord Christ, as he came from heaven, so he hath an heavenly and glorious body. And according to the differences of the first, and second Adam, 48 As is the earthy, such are they that are earthy; and as is the heavenly such are they also that are heavenly. so are they that partake of the natures of them both; as the first Adam was earthly, so those which are derived from him, and have nothing, but what they receive from him, are earthly, and corruptible; And as the second Adam is heavenly, so they that partake of him, are heavenly and glorious. 49 And as wee have born the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of, &c. And, as we have been like the first Adam sinful, mortal, and corruptible; so shall we bee, like the second Adam, pure, immortal, incorruptible. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Now, this I say, brethren, that these natural bodies of ours, consisting of flesh and blood, as they are in this base, dreggish, and drossy condition, cannot inherit the kingdom of God, &c. 51 Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all bee changed. We shall not all sleep in death; but we shall be suddenly changed to an incorruptible estate; those that shall be found alive, at the coming of Christ, shall be instantly so wrought upon, by the power of God, that their bodies shall pass by a present alteration into an immortal, and glorious condition. 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall bee changed. We shall be changed in a moment, even in the twinkling of an eye, when the last summons to judgement shall be given; for the archangel, with a trumpet-like voice, shall call all that are dead in their graves unto judgement; and the dead shall thereupon rise incorruptible, and those that are alive shall then undergo that change. For this corruptible body must lay down this impureness, 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption. and corruption, and must, in stead thereof, put on incorruption, and perfect glory, &c. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortrlity, &c. Then shall be brought to pass that saying, that is written in the Prophet Esay; He shall swallow up death in victory; for that death shall be fully both vanquished and destroyed, and happily triumphed over, by life, and immortality. Esaiah 2. 55 O death, where is thy sting: O grave, where is thy victory. And that other of the Prophet Osee; O death, I will be thy plagues, O grave I will be thy destruction; Now then may we justly insult over subdued death, and say, O death, where is thy sting, wherewith thou hadst wont to wound all creatures? O grave, where is thy victory,& c? It is only sin by which death hath power over us, 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. and it is the just rigor of the law, that inflicts death upon us, for sin. But thankes be to God, 57 But thankes bee to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Iesus Christ. who hath given us the victory over sin, which is the cause of death; and over death which is inflicted for sin, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my brethren, 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. since ye know that there is certainly a resurrection, and a day of retribution, wherein in ye shall receive the reward of your good works, and holy obedience; and ye cannot lose any of your hopes and labours, which ye have undergone for Christs sake, be ye therefore steadfast, and unmovable, &c. CAP. XVI. VPon the first day of the week, 2 Vpon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. which is the Lords day, let every one lay by him, in store, some such proportion of alms, as he can spare, out of his gettings in the week before; that this stock of your contribution may be ready to sand to the poor Saints at jerusalem, and that there be no need of gatherings, when I come. For I have very ample, 9 For a great door, and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. and full opportunity offered me of preaching at Ephesus; many vehement invitations; and great likelihoods of the good success of the gospel in the conversion of many; and besides, there are many adversaries, which must be opposed, silenced and convinced. do ye encourage him against the malice and mischievous plots of false teachers; 10 See that he may be with you without fear, for he worketh the work of the Lord. for it is the Lords work that he doth constionably undertake and perform, &c. Ye know the house of Stephanas, 15 I beseech you brethren that ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves, &c. that it was the first family in all Achaia, that received the gospel; and that they have continued constant in that good profession, ever since; and have been exceedingly forward in providing for, and attending up the Saints. That you give all loving and reverend respects unto such, and to &c. 16 That ye may submit yourselves unto such. That comfort which I could not but desire, 17 For that which was lacking on your part they have supplied. and yet could not hope for, of enjoying you all, is, as in your name, supplied to me, by their presence. 22 If any man love not the Lorld Iesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. If any man give manifest proofs of his hatred, and opposition to the Lord Jesus Christ; let him be branded with the heaviest curse, and sentenced with the fearfullest degree of excommunication. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. paul TO THE CORINTHIANS. CAP. I. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. FOr, as in these troubles, and persecutions, which we endure for the gospel; it is not so much wee that suffer, as it is Christ that suffers in us; and in these wee abound: so the consolations which we have also, are in, and by Christ; and these comforts abound according to the proportion of our sufferings. 6 And whether wee be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether wee be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And both our sufferings, and consolations are for your good, and not onely for our own; for whiles we suffer patiently, and constantly, wee do herein give you an example of courageous suffering for Christ; whereby you may receive not onely present consolation, but also eternal salvation, which is effectually wrought through the mercy of Christ, in the enduring of those your sufferings;& whiles we are comforted, we give you a cheerful example of the joyful issue of those sufferings, and thereby help forward also your consolation, and salvation. 8 That we were pressed out of measure, above strength, in so much that we despaired even of life. Wee were pressed exceedingly with those troubles and persecutions, even above the power of our natural strength, to undergo them, insomuch as wee made no account that we could escape them with life. 9 But wee had the sentence of death in ourselves, that wee should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead. But wee made full reckoning of our present death, as utterly inevitable; giving ourselves for dead men, that wee should not trust in ourselves for any possibility of life, but in God, who raiseth the very dead. 10 Who delivered us from so great a death. Who delivered us from so instant and so cruel a death, &c. That for the gift bestowed upon us, for the benefit, 11 That for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thankes may be given by many on our behalf. and behoof of many, and upon the earnest prayers of many, thanks may be also given to God by many, on our behalf. Our demeanour in the world was not guided by a worldly wisdom, and policy, 12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, wee have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you wards. as if wee sought ourselves, by the disadvantage of others; neither was our preaching taken up in the ostentation of secular philosophy, and human eloquence, but set forth with the efficacy of Gods grace, and simplicity of truth, and holy zeal, as to all Gods people, so to you especially, more abundantly. That as ye received one main benefit by my first coming, which was your conversion; 15 That you might have a second benefit. so ye might receive a second benefit by my coming to you again, even your confirmation in the gospel. When I therefore was thus minded, 17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea, yea, and nay, nay? and yet did not accordingly perform it, was it out of any levity, or inconstancy, and unsteddinesse to my own resolutions? or do I contrive my purposes, and determinations out of carnal respects, that according to the occasion of more profit, or more ease, I should alter them? and that I should say, and unsay at pleasure; promising and retracting as advantage served? But I call the onely true God to witness, 18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. that neither this purpose and engagement of mine, nor any word of my preaching amongst you hath been false, double, variable, deceitful. For the son of God, Jesus Christ, 19 For the son of God, Iesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea, and nay, but in him was yea. &c. was so preached to you by us, as with one ever firm and constant asseveration of the truth by us delivered concerning him, wee did not vary our note; one while affirming that of him, which another while we denied; but wee ever continued unmovable, and unchangeable in the same doctrines. Otherwise wee should not have faithfully delivered this holy errand that is committed to us; 20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. for certainly all the promises of God in the gospel,( which are the matter of our message) are in him fully, and immutably performed; and so are proclaimed, and justified to the world by us, unto the praise and glory of God. Now he that doth confirm, 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God. and establish both you and us in the faith and profession of his undoubted truth of Christ our Lord, and in an unchangeable, and unremovable adherence to him; and who hath anointed us with the precious oil of his spiritual grace, is God onely. 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Who hath also sealed us up for his; and as it is wont to be done in bargains, that the earnest given in hand binds the contract; so hath he made our salvation sure, by giving to us before-hand the earnest of his Spirit, in our hearts. 23 Moreover, I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you, I came not as yet unto Corinth. Moreover I call God to bear witness with my soul, of the truth which I affirm, and to take punishment upon my soul, if I affirm ought but the truth; that onely out of respects to you, I forbore to come, as yet, to Corinth; lest finding matters amiss, and yet unreformed, I should have been forced to use my apostolical authority amongst you, in such severity as would have seemed very harsh unto you. 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. But when I speak of sparing you, let no man think that we meant ever so to take upon us, as if wee would be imperious, and over-rule you in matter of faith and religion, at our pleasure; but onely that we would endeavour your reformation; and therein be helpers forward of your joy: As for your faith, it is not either in our will, or in our power to shake, or stir it; for that is it, whereby ye do, and must stand; so as it neither is, nor can be subject to the command, or alteration of men. CAP. II. 5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. BUt if any man have caused grief( as indeed that incestuous man hath done) he hath not grieved me alone, but many of you also, with me; that I may not have reason to charge you all, with the blame, or suspicion of bearing with that foul crime. 6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment which was justified of many. Since he hath been censured, according to my order, and hath professed his serious repentance, let this punishment, or censure be sufficient, which was inflicted upon him publicly in the congregation. 10 To whom ye forgive any thing I forgive also: For if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ. And as I before wrote to you, that my spirit consented together with you, in the excommunicating of this offender, so now, I do profess my concurrence with you, in his absolution, and remission; as ye do therefore forgive him, so do I also; and in this forgiveness of mine, I have respect to you, and do it for your sakes, sincerely, as in the presence of Christ, so in the name, and person of Christ, who hath committed this authority unto me. 11 Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Both you and I must thus release him lest satan should get an advantage of us, by overwhelming the sinner with despair; and by prevailing against us in our too much austerity and uncharitableness; for we are well acquainted with the subtle devices of that great, and cunning adversary. An opportunity was offered to me, by the Lord, 12 And a door was opened unto me of the Lord. in the great readiness and forward desires of the hearers. I was much grieved, and troubled in my soul, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother. for that I met not with Titus, my brother, by whom I made account to hear of your estate, &c. And casteth abroad the sweet perfume or savour of the knowledge of God, by our preaching in every place, 14 And maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. so as the world is, as it were, filled therewith. For we by our preaching are as a sweet and acceptable perfume in the nostrils of God, casting abroad, 15 For wee are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish. and spreading the fragrant savour of Christ, all the world over: graciously accepted of God, howsoever wee speed with men; since he doth not judge of us, by the event, but regards, and crownes our conscionable labours, whether they light upon them that are saved, or on them that perish. To the one, we are as a deadly savour, 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life: and who is sufficient for these things? by reason that their corruption turns this wholesome, and saving gospel into poison, and thereby makes our preaching an occasion of their destruction; to the other, wee are a sweet and comfortable savour, giving both the life of grace here, to those that receive our gospel; and of eternal glory, hereafter: so as this employment is noble, and great, and of exceeding importance, and how few are there, that are fit and able to discharge it? As for us, blessed be God, he hath fitted us for it; 17 For wee are not as many which corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak wee in Christ. for we are not as many, who do corrupt, and adulterate the word of God, mixing it with their own fancies, and preaching it plausibly, and covetously, so as they may humour others, and advantage themselves; but wee have preached the pure and sincere word of God unto you, and that with truth and uprightness of heart; as in the sight of God, by the direction and authority of Christ. CAP. III. YE, O ye converted Corinthians, 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and red of all men. and your whole Church, are as a large epistle of commendations( written in the testimony of our conscience, which knows all our effectual labours among you) sent forth to all the world, in our behalf, well known and red of all men. For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be 3 For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, &c. written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, &c. Christs epistle, written by our ministry in that both Christ is written in you, by us, and that also Christ by our preaching, hath written the blessed characters of his grace in you; not with ink, but with, &c. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God: And such trust and confidence have wee, through Christ, in our God, that wee are bold thus to boast of this work of God in you, and the efficacy of our ministry amongst you. 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new Testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. Who hath made us able ministers of the new Testament: but, not of the outward and bare sound thereof, or of that dead letter, wherein it is expressed, and written, but of that inward virtue of the Spirit of God, which( through the blessing of God) worketh with the vocal sound of the gospel; for the outward expression, being separated from the inward power of the gospel, occasions the death of the soul; it is the inward grace of the Spirit, working with the letter, and sound of the gospel, that gives a true spiritual life unto the soul. 7 But if the ministration of death written, and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away: But if the old law which threateneth, and bringeth death with it, which was written and engraven in tables of ston, were delivered with such glory, as that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly upon the face of Moses, for the shining glory of his countenance, which glory was but temporary, and vanished away with the face itself. 8 How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? How shall not the ministration of the gospel, which is accompanied by the Spirit of God, and gives life to the receivers, be much more glorious? So also verse 9. 10 For even that which was made glorious, had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excelleth. For even that glorious delivery of the Law, and that shining face of Moses, had no glory at all in it, if it be compared with that excellent glory of the gospel, and of the apostolical function. 11 For if that which is done away, was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. For if that Law and that shining brightness which was transitory, and is done away, were glorious, how much more glorious must that needs be, which is to remain for ever, viz. the gospel,& the ministry thereof. 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, wee use great plainness of speech. Seeing then that we have this confident assurance of the dignity of our function, and the sovereign power of the gospel, wee do with much freedom and resolution preach this gospel to you. And we do not make ourselves like Moses, 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished. who put a vail over his face, that the eyes of the Israelites could not have their full scope, to look at that bright lustre of his face, which is( and was soon after to be) abolished. But this was done in a figure; for as their eyes were thus hindered from seeing the glory of Moses face, 14 But their mindes were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away, in the reading of the old Testament; which vail is done away in Christ. so the eyes of their mindes were dim, yea blinded, that they could not see the end of the Law; and still, until this day, the same vail of ignorance continues unremoved; for in reading of the old Testament, they have not the power of seeing him, who was prefigured, and shadowed out thereby; which vail is onely done away by Christ; as in whom all things were fulfilled, and by whom the clear light of knowledge is given unto the soul. But even to this day, when Moses is red, 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is red the vail is upon their heart. this vail of ignorance, and unbelief is betwixt their hearts, and his face. nevertheless, 16 nevertheless, when it shal turn unto the Lord the vail shall be taken away. when that heart of theirs shall be turned to the Lord, then shall the vail be taken away by the gracious illumination of Gods Spirit; and they shall then see Christ clearly laid forth in Moses. ye heard of a Spirit, as ye heard of a letter; 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. now the Lord is that Spirit, which gives life unto the letter of the gospel; and where this Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty and freedom from the bondage of sin, and satan; and a bold and confident access to the throne of grace. But wee all, as being in a better case then Moses, 18 But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. do with an open face behold the glory of the Lord; and as a glass which is set against the sun, receives the beams thereof; so do we take in glory from God, in one degree after another, till wee be fully changed into his glorious image, and made like unto him, which is wrought in, and upon us, by the Spirit of the Lord. CAP. IV. THerefore, 1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. seeing wee have so excellent and noble a ministry, or function; as God hath highly honoured us, and shewed mercy to us in vouchsafing to call us thereunto, so wee go courageously forward in the careful discharge thereof, and faint not. But have renounced all the sly, 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every mans conscience, in the sight of God. and secret dishonesties of hypocrisy, not craftily seeking our own advantages, by indirect means, in our preaching the word of God, but in plain and open truth, and sincerity, labouring to be approved of every mans conscience, in the presence of God. 3 But if our gospel be hide, it is hide to them that are lost. And so clearly and faithfully have we laid Christ open before you, in our preaching, that if there bee any man, to whom our gospel is yet hide, it is a fearful sign of that mans reprobation, and perdition. 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the mindes of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them. And that he is one of those unbelievers, whose mindes Satan, who is the god of this world, hath blinded; so as that, through their own obstinacy, and his suggestion, the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the perfect and living image of God the Father, appears not unto them, but by the just judgement of God, is kept from their eyes. That God which in the first creation brought the light out of darkness, now, that the world was all covered with darkness of ignorance, brought the light of his gospel into it, and hath shined in our hearts, to give us thereby a true and clear knowledge of the glory of God, in, and by the means of Jesus Christ. 6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Iesus Christ. But this goodly and rich treasure of the gospel is by him put into us, that are but base, brittle, earthen vessels; that there may no part of the praise of the excellent power, and virtue thereof be cast upon us, 7 But wee have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. but all may be( as it is due) ascribed to God alone. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed: we are perplexed, but not in despair. We are afflicted on every side, yet not over-pressed, and distracted therewith. always imitating, in our very bodies, the example of the sufferings, and dying of our Lord Jesus, that once our now mortal bodies may be conformable to his, 10 always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Iesus, that the life also of Iesus might be made manifest in our body. in everlasting glory, and the life of blessedness, and immortality. So also verse 11: 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. So then, we are continually exposed to death, whiles ye live quietly, out of the danger thereof, and provide for your life and safety. 13 Wee having the same Spirit of faith according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believed and therefore speak. We, having the same faith, that David had, wrought in us by the Spirit of God, can say, as he did, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; upon the same grounds then that he had, we also believe the performance of all Gods promises to us, and therefore we do boldly profess, and preach the truth of the gospel. For all, both our sufferings and deliverances are for your sakes, 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace, might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God. that the abundant grace of God which shows itself in both these, might win so much more glory to God; for that so many are interested therein, and shall return their praises and thanksgivings to him for his mercy to us. Upon which assurances, we go on cheerfully in our ministry, and faint not; for, though our body decay, 16 For which cause wee faint not, but, though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed, day by day. and languish by reason of our many pressures, and afflictions, yet our spirit gathers strength, and resolution every day, more then other. Forasmuch as we know, that this light affliction which we suffer here, for the short moment of this present life, 17 For our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. shall be recompensed( through Gods mercy) with an incomparably, and inconceivably more excellent, and eternal measure of glory; and helps us forward towards the attaimment thereof. Whiles we cast, not our bodily eyes, upon these outward things, that are seen, but the eyes of our souls, upon those spiritual, and invisible excellencies; for all these things which our bodily eyes can see, are temporal and transitory; but those invisible things, which our souls see, are eternal. 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen, are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. CAP. V. FOr we know, that if this earthly body of ours, wherein the soul sojournes, some while, as in a Tabernacle of day, be once dissolved; we have a glorious mansion, prepared for us, and built by God; even an house made only by the infinite power and goodness of our creator, which is eternal in the heavens. 1 For we know, that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hand, eternal in the heavens. For in this frail tabernacle of our body, 2 For in this we groan earnestly, desiring to bee clothed upon with our house. wee live in continual sighing, and groaning; earnestly desiring, if it might be, that in this state of our bodies, we might, without the pain of a dissolution, be clothed upon with the life of glory, and immortality. If, at least, 3 If so bee that being clothed we shall not bee found naked. we be found( at the coming of Christ) clothed with these bodies of ours, and not despoiled of them before by death. For we, that are in this tabernacle of our bodies, do sigh and groan, being burdened with this lumpish, and earthen load of our flesh; not for that we would be unclothed, and stripped of them; but in a desire, that being clothed with them, we might have glory put also upon us; that, as we are clothed with them, so they may bee clothed with glory; that so mortality might( without any sensible pain) be swallowed up of life. 4 For we that are in this Tabernacle, do groan, being burdened, not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now, he that ordained and wrought us to this blessed condition, is only God; who hath also given us, before hand, the earnest of his Spirit, 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing, is God; who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. to assure us of the full accomplishment of his good promises to us. Therefore, howsoever nature is ready to shrink at the thought of dissolution, yet we are confident always to undergo it, cheerfully, and resolutely: Knowing that our life is, in this case, a true pilgrimage; in that, whiles we are present in this body of ours, wee are absent from the Lord; 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that whilst wee are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. We do, indeed, account our body to be our home; but it is a short, uncertain, imperfect, and miserable home; it is heaven that is our true country, and home, as being our Fathers house; whiles then we are in this home of our bodies, wee are away from our glorious home, and from the Lord, who is the owner, and maker of it. 7 For wee walk by faith, not by sight. ( For we do only now, by our faith, enjoy God, but are as strangers, yet, in regard of our present sight, and fruition of him.) We are, I say, confident to undergo our dissolution, and willing rather to be freed and delivered from our body, and to be present with the Lord, 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. then to be still in the body, and absent from God. Wherefore we labour that, whether wee live, or die, whether our souls be present in our bodies, or separated from them, by death, we may be graciously accepted of him. 9 Wherefore wee labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. Knowing therefore the terror of this dreadful judgement, and the awfulness of that Lord, who shall appear in it, we persuade men to a conscionable fear, and obedience; and for us, we are careful to bee approved of God in our sincerity, and faithfulness to him, in our ministry; and I trust also, ye yourselves, in your own consciences, 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God, and I trust also are made manifest unto your consciences. can not but allow, and give testimony thereof. 12 For wee commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that you may have somewhat to answer them, &c. But we speak this, to give you occasion, rather to rejoice, and boast, on our behalf; that you may have somewhat to answer those false Apostles, which make a show of joy and confidence, but indeed have no truth thereof in their hearts. Neither let any man censure us for this our gloriation, as if we were over-carried beyond the bounds of discretion; or as if this zeal and boasting savoured of some kind of madness; for, if we be thought to bee besides ourselves, it is for our fervent love to God, and his gospel, that we are so reproached; and if we be sober, it is for your cause, 13 For whether we be besides ourselves, it is to God; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. that we might give an example of meekness unto you. For the wonderful and infinite love of Christ wherewith he embraced mankind, offers an holy force, and violence unto us; because we do thus rightly, and justly judge; that we were all dead, and lost by reason of our sin; otherwise that only and dear Saviour of ours would not have died for all. 14 For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge: that if one died for all, then were all dead. And withall, that his purpose of dying for all was this, that they which live by the power and efficacy of his death, should not live unto themselves, any more, but unto him, and for his glory and advantage, who dyed for them, and rose again. 15 And that he died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore, henceforth, 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. wee do not respect and esteem any man for these outward, and fleshly regards of honor, or wealth, or parentage, or the like; yea, if heretofore we have boasted of Christ for any fleshly respects, or interest; as that he was of the same city, country, kindred with us; yet henceforth we stand no more upon these points, but rather boast ourselves of him in spiritual regards, as our redeemer, as our gracious and all-sufficient mediator, interceding for us in heaven. Therefore if any man do challenge to have any right in Christ, or any station in his spiritual kingdom, 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are past away, behold, all things are become new. let him be a new creature renewed by the grace of his spirit. All the old, out-worne conditions of our sinful nature, and the appendances thereof, are now gone and past; all things that are in us, are now become new by the power of regeneration. And all things are thus renewed by the power, and grace of God; who hath reconciled, 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself. &c. God was in Christ, as the Father in the son, reconciling the world to himself, 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. by Christ the son; by his full satisfaction so doing away their sins, as that he imputes them not to the penitent, to the believer, &c. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that wee might be made the righteousness of God in him. For he hath made him, who knew no sin, to undergo and satisfy, in our stead, that wrath which was due to our sin; that we might bee made partakers of his righteousness, before God, by the merciful imputation thereof unto us. CAP. VI. 2 I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation, &c. See Isay 49.8. 6 By the holy Ghost, by love unfeigned. IN the good improvement of all those spiritual graces which ye have received. Let us bear ourselves as the ministers of God, in rightly delivering to his people the word of truth, 7 By the word of truth by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness, on the right hand, and on the left. without mixtures of our own fancies, in the zealous maintenance of that truth by our utmost endeavours, and by that power of working miracles, which God hath given to us, in all righteousness; which, like a complete armor may compass us about, and defend us both from the dangers of the temptations of prosperity on the right hand, and of adversity, on the left. 11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you; our heart is enlarged. O ye Corinthians, we do by all means desire to express the good affections that wee bear towards you; our hearts are enlarged towards you in all affectionate love, and holy desires of your good. 12 Ye are not straitned in us, but ye are straitned in your own bowels. It is no straight, or narrow room that ye take up in our hearts; ye have full scope there; and if ye think otherwise, surely the straightness is in your own breasts, that ye will not conceive sufficiently of our kind, and hearty disposition towards you. 13 Now for a recompense in the same, I speak as unto my children, be ye also enlarged. In requital of this Christian, and fatherly affection of ours to you, be ye also as spiritual children, alike lovingly affencted towards us. 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Out of this tender love, and care of mine, I do advice and charge you, that ye do not make so unequal matches for yourselves, as to join yourselves in marriage with infidels, &c. CAP. VII. HAving therefore received such gracious promises of Gods presence, and fatherly respect to us, 1 Having therefore these promises( dearly beloved) let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holinesse in the fear of God. upon our separating from infidels, and refraining from all communion with them, let us accordingly cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, both of soul and body; not onely keeping our consciences free from those heathenish pollutions, but our bodies also from consorting with them, making up our perfect holinesse every way, in the fear and obedience of God. Let not your hearts be any way estranged from us; 2 Receive us, we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man. we have done no wrong to any man; if we have been sharp, and severe in taxing that crime which was tolerated amongst you, it was but just that we said, and did in it, &c. I do not say this, 3 I speak not this to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die and live with you. as if I meant to lay any accusation upon you, that you have conceived such an injurious suspicion of me; for I have before professed how sincerely I love you, and how fervently, and constantly; even so as I could be content not only to live with you, but to die for you also. We were extremely pressed, both with inward, 5 Our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side, without were fightings, within were fears. and with outward afflictions; without, we had bickerings with the enemies of the Church, Jews, Gentiles, false teachers; within, we were disquieted with fears of the mis-carriages of our weak brethren, and the danger of the success of our adversaries. And not by his coming only, 7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning your fervent mind towards me. but by the report and sight of those many, and great consolations, which he received, in and from you; when he informed us of your earnest desire to be approved of us, your mourning for this just cause of scandal, your fervent affection towards me, &c. For, though I did grieve you, 8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent though I did repent. with that sharp letter that I wrote unto you; yet now, I am not sorry for it; although I was sorry to think how much you would be troubled therewith, &c. Now I rejoice, not for your sorrow, 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner. but for the good issue and success of that sorrow of yours; that it was the occasion of the reforming of that fault, whereof I complained, &c. For godly sorrow worketh a repentance, 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death. never to be repented of, yea to be joyed in; such a repentance as leads to eternal salvation; but worldly sorrow doth but dry the bones, to no purpose; and if it be suffered to prevail over the heart, ends in despair and death. 11 For behold, this self same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation. For, behold, this godly sorrow, that my letter occasioned in you, what good effects it hath wrought in you, what carefulness to redress this crime, what apologies for yourselves, of your hearty detestation of the fact, yea what indignation at so soul an abuse, &c. 12 I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the fight of God might appear unto you. I did it not so much for any particular mans cause, either the offenders, or any other party wronged; but that I might hereby give a proof to you of that exceeding great care, that I have of your good in the sight of God; and that you might be sufficiently by this means assured of it. 14 But as wee spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting which I made before Titus is found a truth. For, as all that wee spake to you concerning Titus, is well approved by you, to be true; even so all those holy boasts that I made of you to Titus, are by him found to be truth. 15 How with fear, and trembling you received him. With what reverence, and awe of his ministry ye received him. 16 I rejoice therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things. I rejoice, therefore, that I find so good reason to be confident of your well-doing, in all things. CAP. VIII. 2 How that in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. HOw God hath blessed, and honoured the Churches of Macedonia, with a double grace; both with much cheerfulness and joy in their great trials of afflictions; and with a rich liberality, and contribution to the necessity of other saints, 5 And this they did not as wee hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us, by the will of God. notwithstanding their own deep poverty. And this they did far beyond our hope; first giving themselves over to the Lord; and then yielding themselves to be swayed, 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. and disposed of by our ministry, according to the will of God. Insomuch as wee desired Titus, that as he had begun to move you for your liberal contribution to the same purpose, so that he would follow it home, and finish so good a work amongst you. 7 Therefore( as ye abound in every thing in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us) see that ye abound in this grace also. Therefore as ye abound in every other grace, and virtue, in faith, and a zealous expression of it, &c. So also that ye abound in this liberal alms for the relief of other Churches, that are now pinched with want. I do not lay any imperious command upon you, 8 I speak not by commandement, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, to do thus; but I move, and solicit you to it, upon occasion of others forwardness, &c. Who have begun a year ago, not onely to do something, but to profess your forwardness to do more, 10 Who have begun before; not onely to do, but also to be forward a year ago. and to undertake a large collection for this use. For God measures our alms, according to the mind of the giver; if there be first a willing mind, 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath no●… is is accepted of him, though it be never so small a gift; for he requires us not to give that, which wee have not, but what wee have, and in that proportion that we have; and accordingly accepts of what we thus give. That their abundance, 14 That their abundance also may be a supply for your want that there may be equality. when occasion shall be hereafter given, may( in way of requital) supply your wants; that so there may be a just equality of the gift, and the retribution. According to equality of proportion, 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much, had nothing over; and he that had gathered little, had no lack. which was in the gathering of the Manna in the Law; he that had gathered much, had nothing more then his fellowes, in the sharing of it, and he that gathered little, had no less then they. And we have sent with him that brother of ours, 18 And wee have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel, throughout all the Churches. even Barnabas, which hath taken much pains for the planting, and promoting of the gospel, and hath justly won great estimation amongst all the Churches. To travel with us, 19 To travel with us with this grace which is administered by us to the glory, &c. and to carry this contribution which is raised by us to the glory, &c. I have sent Titus and Barnabas, for this purpose, 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us. that I might hereby take away all suspicion of retaining to myself ought of that abundance of money which wee have procured for this needful relief. Wherein we were careful to take that course which might clear our reputation both before God and men. 21 Providing for honest things, not onely in the sight of the Lord. And wee have sent with them Titus our brother, 22 And wee have sent with them our brother, whom wee have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent upon the great confidence which I have in you. whom wee have oftentimes, &c. but now much more officious in this service, upon that confidence which he sees I have in you; as knowing that you will not frustrate my hope and assurance. They are the messengers sent for this purpose by the Churches, 23 They are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ. and such as by whom Christ hath been much glorified. CAP. IX. 4 Lest happily if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we( that we say not you) should be ashamed. I Have often boasted of your liberality, in my speech with them of Macedonia; be ready therefore with your contribution, lest haply, if they of Macedonia should come with me, to you, and find you unprepared, both we that have boasted, and ye of whom we have boasted, should be ashamed, &c. 8 And God is able to ●… ke all grace abound to●… rds you, that ye always ●… aving all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. Neither do ye in this your liberal contribution make doubt of your own want, which may follow hereafter; for be ye assured that God, for whose sake ye give it, is able to furnish you with abundance of these, and all other blessings; that ye always being all-sufficiently supplied by him, may upon every occasion give liberally to every good work. 9 As it is written: he hath dispersed abroad: he hath given to the poor, &c. See Psal. 112.9. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sour, both minister bread for your food: and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. Now, I beseech that God( who is wont to requited abundantly all the good works of our beneficence, and to furnish the sour, both with seed and increase) that he will provide liberally for you; and give you a plentiful harvest of the seed, which is thus sown by you; and multiply to you the fruits of this your just liberality. 15 Thankes be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Thankes be to God for that grace of Christian bounty towards others, which he hath bestowed upon you, which is a gift of unspeakable value; and worthy of all thankful acknowledgement. CAP. X. 1 Now I Paul, myself beseech you, by the meekness, and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you; but being absent, am bold towards you. I Have spoken to you for the poor; and now I solicit you for myself; I beseech you therefore( who might seem to have power to command) not by ought in me, but by the meekness and gentleness of Christ our Saviour; even I Paul beseech you; whose presence, as my adversaries say, is mean, and contemptible amongst you; howsoever in my absence I take upon me to deal roundly with you. 2 But I beseech you that I may not be bold, when I am present, with that confidence wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us, as if wee walked according to the flesh. But I beseech you, that ye will so order the matter, that I may not have cause, when I am present, to make use of that bold and free severity against you, which I purpose to use against some envious detractors, which think and speak of us, as if there were nothing in us, but what they see; as if we used worldly craft, and policy to get an hand over you. For though wee do indeed live in the flesh, 3 For though we walk in the flesh, wee do not war after the flesh. and are clothed about with this earthly body, yet wee do not live carnally, nor make use of carnal, and indirect means to advantage ourselves. We have indeed a warfare in hand, 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. and we have weapons, which wee do and must employ in it; but as the warfare, so also the weapons which wee use, are spiritual, not carnal; wee do not think to prevail by secular power, and dignity, but by the mighty power of the gospel, which is able( through the cooperation of God) to pull down the strongest holds of flesh and blood. Casting down all the vain and wicked imaginations of the heart, 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. and that proud ostentation of secular wisdom, and knowledge, that exalts itself against the true and saving knowledge of God; and bringing every thought of mans heart into an holy captivity, to be submissely obedient, and conformable to the will of Christ. And having in a readiness to take just revenge upon the disobedience of those persons, 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. who after their submission to the gospel, have run out into outrageous offences; whom we shall accordingly censure after that ye have so fulfilled your obedience to our admonitions, that there may no exception be taken at our forbearance of you. Do ye judge of things according to their outward appearance? 7 Do ye look on the things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christs, let him of himself think this again, that as he is Christs, even so are we Christs. The false teachers make a faire flourish; I go simply to work; do ye judge of them and me, as we seem? your false apostles brag of their interest in Christ; that they have seen him, and pertain to him; but if any man make these boasts of himself, let him learn to know, that he hath not, neither can have more right in Christ, nor more relation to him, then we have. But I will not speak much of this our authority, lest I should seem( as they accuse me) to speak big in letters, 9 That I may not seem, as if I would terrify you by letters. and to terrify you with the threatenings of my power. For his letters( say they) are full of great authority, and imperiousnesse; but his person is weak and mean, neither promising, nor performing ought; and his speech is plain, homely, contemptible. 10 For his letters( say they) are weighty, and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. But let such a one know, 11 Let such a one think this, that such as wee are in word by letters, when wee are absent, such will wee be also in dead, when we are present. that he shall find he hath mistaken us; for he shall well understand, and feel, that such as wee are in the expression of ourselves by letters, in our absence; such wee will be found in our deeds, and carriage, when we are present. 12 For wee dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, &c. As for us, we content ourselves with our own mediocrity; wee dare not enter into comparison with these your glorious masters, that commend themselves, and brag of their own abilities: but l●t me tell you, they onely looking upon, and admiring their own good parts, and not comparing their small gifts with the greater, and more excellent endowments of others, bewray themselves to be unwise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule, which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. But, however they exeeed, wee will not boast of ourselves immoderately, and go beyond those bounds of just gloriation which God hath set us; but will keep ourselves within those limits of our abilities, and deserts, which God hath distributed unto us; in which compass, our just boastings shall extend themselves unto you, of whom wee know wee have well merited, even above others; and will confine our vaunts of success within the line of those regions, to which we have preached, wherein yours of Corinth is plainly comprehended. 14 For wee stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though wee reached not unto you, for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ. For wee stretch not ourselves, and the praise of our labours, and preachings beyond our due bounds, in saying that wee reached so far as Corinth, in these our apostolic pains, and teachings: for ye well know that wee are comne as far at least, as to you, in this holy errand of preaching the gospel of Christ. 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other mens labours, but having hope, when your faith is increased, that wee shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly. Not boasting ourselves of things done beyond our line, and measure; and arrogating to ourselves the praise of other mens labours; but well hoping, then when your faith is increased, the notice and propagation thereof will be a means to enlarge our happy success abundantly, to others of the Gentiles, whom the rule and charge of God hath limited us unto. So verse 16. CAP. XI. 1 Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly, and indeed bear with me. I Do well know that the success of the doctrine depends much upon the authority and good reputation of the teacher; give me leave therefore, since the false apostles are so apt to set forth themselves, and to disparaged me, to boast a little of myself; and indeed ye do give me leave. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chased virgin to Christ. I must crave pardon to do thus; for I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I by my ministry, have espoused you unto one husband, even to Christ; and I would be loathe ye should be carried away with any strange love; but would fain present you as a chased virgin to Christ. For if these emulous preachers, 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Iesus, whom we have not preached; or if ye receive another Spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. whom ye so much magnify, did preach to you a truer messiah, then we do; or if by them ye did receive a better,& more powerful spirit then ye have received by us, &c. ye might well applaud them, and stand out for them; but now, seeing they preach the same Christ with us, and pretend to give the same spirit, and deliver the same gospel, what reason can there be, that wee who first brought you to this Christ, by this gospel, and by whom the miraculous gifts of the Spirit were first dealt amongst you, should be neglected in comparison of them? For if I be not so eloquent in my speech as some of them, yet my knowledge is not short of theirs; 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge, but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. but what need I say thus to you, who upon good experience know well and thoroughly what we are? Is this a reason of my contempt amongst you, 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself, that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? that I lived in an homely fashion with you, and abased myself for your spiritual advantage, so to preach the gospel freely amongst you, that in the mean while, I earned my own living? I made myself beholden, for maintenance, 8 I robbed other Churches, taking wages of them to do you service. to other Churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And lest ye should think I aim at some further provision from you hereafter, 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. I do solemnly swear, as the truth of Christ is in me, and preached by me; I will not take maintenance from any of you, nor be bereft of this ground of my boasting, whiles I shall be in any part of the regions of Achaia. But as I do preach freely amongst you, so I will do; 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion, that wherein they glory, they may be found even as wee. that I may cut off all occasion of advantage, and exception from those false Apostles, that seek occasion; for they boast of this, as a meritorious act of theirs, that they take nothing of you for their preaching; I will not therefore herein give them cause to say they go beyond me; but will be equal unto them, in this, wherein they so much glory. For even satan himself, 14 And no marvel; for satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light. though he be indeed an unclean spirit of darkness; yet to deceive men the better, doth oft times put himself into the form of a glorious, heavenly, lightsome angel. I know it is an argument of weakness, and folly, 16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool: if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. for a man to boast of himself, and to set forth his own praises; yet, now ye force me to it, let no man impute this to me, as folly: or if ye will needs take it so, let me for the time take the privilege, and liberty of folly, to brag of myself a while. 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but, as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. That which I shall now speak, I am content that it appear as spoken in a certain human, and( as ye may construe it) a vain and fond manner, and not as from the Lord; I mean, that I do thus confidently glory of myself unto you; but if the occasion( which is my own defence, and the vindication of my Apostleship from contempt) be well considered, it will be found that this boasting is both necessary, and holy. 18 Seing that many glory after the flesh, I will gory also. Seing your false Apostles do vaunt, and brag of their privileges, in these outward, and worldly matters, why may I not be allowed to do so also? If ye construe this as foolish, yet ye may very well bear with it; for ye suffer fools gladly, because ye yourselves are wise. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I well see that your wisdom( such as it is) hath made you very patient, in other occasions; my emulous adversaries have wrought strangely upon you, and have sped well; you can be content that they should make slaves of you, and pillage you, and prey upon you at pleasure; that they should brag of themselves causelessly, and unjustly; that they should smite and censure you as they list. I mean, that they should smite you in your reputation, by reproaches, and contumelies; as they do us much more; taxing us, as if wee were weak and worthless men; wherein yet they are mistaken, and have foully wronged us; for wherein soever any of them thinks that he hath cause to be bold, and confident, let me speak( as they may take it) foolishly, I am bold also, 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though wee had been weak: howbeit soever any is bold, I speak foolishly, I am bold also. and dare enter into comparison with him. Do they boast to be the ministers of Christ? I speak( you may think) foolishly, 23 Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool, I am more. but truly; I am more then they boast to be, an Apostle, &c. Five several times was I scourged by the Jews, according to the utmost rigour of their punishment in this kind; receiving each time forty lashes, save one. 24 Of the Iewes five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 A night and a day I have been in the deep. I have been a night and a day, after my shipwreck, in the sea, beaten with the waves. Besides these outward miseries and dangers, I have been daily macerated inwardly, and deeply afflicted with the common cares, 28 Besides these things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the Churches. and fears of all the Churches of Christ. 29 Who is offended and I burn not? Who is offended, and I am not tormented with sorrow, and consumed with zeal of the redress? If I must needs glory, 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. I will glory of those things which are accounted my miseries, and disgraces, as of my scourgings, hunger, nakedness, persecutions. Yea, I will glory of my very flight. I was hard driven for my life, 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down, by the wall, and escaped his hands. and out of a desire to reserve myself for the further use, and benefit of the Church, and service of my God, I was content to be let down out of a window in a basket, and escaped. CAP. XII. BUt I restrain myself; it is not expedient, 1 It is not expedient for me, doubtless, to glory, I will come to visions,& revelations of the Lord. doubtless for me to glory of those things, which I have done, and suffered for Christ, and his Church; I will onely glance a little at those visions, and revelations, wherein they think to over-top me. I know, and was acquainted with a man, 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen yeares ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth: such a one caught up to the third heaven. not in the flesh, so much, as in Christ;( which I speak not out of any vain ostentation, but in a sincere respect to the glory of Christ) who above fourteen yeares ago( so long have I smothered this revelation of mine) was caught up( whether in body, or in an ecstasy of soul, I know not, God knoweth) into the highest,( which is the empyreal) heaven, the blessed seat of God and his Saints. I knew, I say, 3 And I knew such a man( whether in the body or out of the body, I cannot tell, &c. such a man( whether in body or in ecstasy of spirit, I cannot tell, God knoweth;) That he was taken up into that heavenly paradise of God, and there heard, and saw unspeakable things; such as he neither may, nor can utter. 4 How that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for any man to utter. I will not, out of my modesty, 5 Of such a one will I glory, yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. tell you that I was the man; but of such a man you will give me leave to glory; as for myself, when my name comes into mention, ye shall not hear me to glory in any thing, but in mine infirmities. Neither had I this one vision only, but very many revelations from God; with the number whereof, lest I should be too much puffed up,( as our frail nature is easily transported) there was, through the holy permission and wise ordination of God, way given to a strong tentation of concupiscence, cast into me by Satan, to humble and afflict me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 7 And lest I should bee exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. Whereupon, I oft, and earnestly besought God, that he would be pleased to take off the tempter; and to rid me from that impetuous, and troublesone suggestion. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. And he said unto me; content thyself to struggle a while with this temptation; and know that it is sufficient, that I do by my grace uphold, and defend thee from the prevailing thereof; well mayst thou endure to be exercised with it, whiles I shall savegard thee by my grace from the danger of it; for were there not such weaknesses as these, to which frail human flesh is subject, there should not be occasion for me to magnify my power, and mercy to men, in giving them strength to overcome, and, in the end, victory; Since therefore it is thus, good cause have I, to resolve to glory in mine infirmities; by which the power, and goodness of Christ are so much more advanced, and glorified. 10 For when I am weak, then am I strong. For, when I am weakest in myself, then is God most strong in me, and makes me most strong in him, by that power of faith& patience, and holy courage, which he puts into me. 11 For in nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles, though I bee nothing. For, though I be nothing as of myself, yet, through the grace of God enabling me, I am not inferior to the very chiefest Apostles, either in my abilities, or labours. 12 Truly, the signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders, and mighty deeds. Truly, there was good proof of my Apostleship amongst you; God gave great, and undoubted testimony thereunto, in that marvelous patience which he wrought in me, and in those admirable signs, and wonders, and miraculous deeds which he wrought by me. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other Churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. What one point, then, is there, wherein ye Corinthians are inferior to other Churches; seeing your Apostle that converted you is not below theirs: except perhaps this be the matter; that I your Apostle was not chargeable to you, as theirs have been; this is a wrong that ye may well forgive. 14 For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. For, though it be the difference betwixt spiritual, and carnal parents; that the spiritual are provided for, by their children, whereas the carnal parents provide for their children; yet I will herein affect to that which your bodily parents are wont to do, rather to lay up for you, my spiritual children, then to receive any maintenance from you. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you, though the more abundantly I love you, &c. And I will very galdly, not only lay out my substance, but lay down my life for you; although, I am not requited accordingly; for the more abundantly I love you, the less am I loved again. 16, 17 But be it so: I did not burden you: nevertheless being crafty, I caught you with guile: did I make a gain of you by any of them, whom I sent unto you? But, though I did not charge you myself; yet my emulous detractors are ready to say, that I dealt craftily with you, for though I did not burden you in person, yet that I made a prey of you, and raised booties from you by those which I sent unto you. again, 19 again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ, but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. do ye think that we stand so much upon our excuses, for our own sakes, that we may come clear off from you? no, we speak before God, in Christ, as calling him to witness our sincerity; wee do, and speak all this for your good, and edification. For, I fear, lest when I come, 20 For I fear lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would; and that I shall be found unto you, such as ye would not, &c. I shall not find you so free, and innocent from these offences, wherewith I have charged you, as I would; and that you shall find me so sharp, and severe towards you, as will not be pleasing to you, &c. And lest, when I come again to you, 21 And lest when I come again, my God will humble me, among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication. my God give me cause of sorrow and humiliation for your unproficiency, and manifold disorders; and that I shall be occasioned to grieve, and mourn for many enormous sinners which have given public offence, and have not professed their repentance for their uncleannesses, and fornications, &c. CAP. XIII. twice have I been with you already; 1 This is the third time I am coming to you: in the mouth of two, &c. and now I am this third time coming to you; every one of my comings to you are as so many several witnesses against you; now you know it is the word of the Law, that in the mouth of two, &c. I told you before in my other epistle, 2 I told you before, and foretell you as if I were present the second time, and being absent now I writ to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that if I come again I will not spare. and now I foretell you again, in this second letter, as if I were present in person with you;( my epistle supplying my bodily presence) that I would have it notified to them, which heretofore have scandalously sinned; and to all other guilty persons, that, if I come again, they must expect all due severity from me. Since ye are ready to contemn my meekness, 3 Since ye seek a proof of Christ, speaking in me, which to you wards is not weak, but is mighty in you. and patience, and hereupon make question of the power of Christ, speaking in me; which of all others ye have least cause to do, having felt in yourselves the happy efficacy of the Spirit of Christ, which hath shewed itself mighty in operation, within you. For that Saviour of ours, 4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God; for we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. though he was by his own voluntary dispensation, in the weakness of our human flesh, crucified; yet, in and on the power of his Godhead, he liveth for ever; even so also we, that are his members, and even we his Apostles, are by unbelieving worldlings judged weak in and with him; but, we shall live with him gloriously, by that mighty power of God, which he doth, and shall make good unto us; the proof whereof, he hath effectually shewed in, and to you. 5 Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves; know ye not your own selves, how that Iesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Ye need not, O Corinthians, go further then to your own hearts, for a proof of our Apostleship, and power; Examine ye yourselves only, whether ye have faith in Christ; prove your own hearts; can ye be such strangers in your own breasts, as not to know that Christ Jesus is in you? certainly ye cannot but know that he is in you, except ye be reprobates. 6 But I trust that ye shall know that wee are not reprobates. So as ye must needs either aclowledge and reverence our Apostleship, or yield yourselves to be reprobates: But I trust ye shall know, and be more and more convinced, that we are the chosen ministers of Christ,& not reprobates. 7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil, not that wee should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though wee be as reprobates. Now I pray God so to keep you upright in his fear, that ye may do no evil; which I do not wish for our own sakes, that we might be hereby approved and graced in the success of our ministery, but chiefly, if not only, for yours; that ye may be preserved in a course of well doing, whatsoever become of us in the opinion of men. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we cannot exercise the power of our Apostleship in punishing, or censuring those that live justly, truly, constionably; but in the countenancing, and encouraging of them rather, and opposing the contrary. 9 For we are glad when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also wee wish, even your perfection. Let my detractors cast upon me the imputation of weakness, because I am not too stirring amongst you; I am glad to be held thus weak, when as my quietness is rather caused through your innocence, then my defect: That which we wish, and are ambitious of, is your perfection, though it be with our own disgrace. 11 Be perfect, bee of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace. Labour towards perfection of holinesse and obedience, &c. THE EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE GALATIANS. CAP. I. WHo gave himself to death, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God, &c. for the saving of us from our sins, that he might deliver us from the corruption of this present wicked world, and from the condemnation due thereunto; according to the eternal counsel, and good pleasure of God, our heavenly Father. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Christ your Saviour, 6, 7 I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel, which is not another; but there bee some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. which hath so graciously vouchsafed to call you to the profession of his name, unto another doctrine( concerning the conjoining of the law with Christ) which is by the teachers thereof called a gospel; But in truth, it is no gospel at all; neither can there be any other gospel besides that truth of God, which ye have received from us; howsoever there be some false teachers that trouble, and distracted your hearts, and labour to pervert, and adulterate the only true gospel of Christ. But though we, or, if it could be possible, an angel from heaven, should preach any other doctrine to you, under pretence of a gospel, then that which ye have received already from us, let him be defied, and accursed. 8 But though wee, or, an Angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, then that which wee have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Thus confident am I of the truth of the gospel, 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men I should not be the servant of Christ. upon sure grounds; for do I now herein go about to be approved of men, or of God rather? Surely it is not the allowance or applause of men, that I seek; for if I made this the scope and drift of my labours, to please men, I should not be the servant of Christ, but of men, rather. It is no human, but a divine gospel. 11 Is not after man. Who had designed, and destined me, 15 Who separated me from my mothers womb& called me by his grace. even from my mothers womb, to this work of my Apostleship, and of his more grace and mercy called me. To reveal his son Christ unto me, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. not for my own private good only, but, that I might declare him amongst the heathen, immediately I consulted not with any mortal man, for his information in this mystery of the gospel. 19 Save james the Lords brother. Save James the kinsman or cousin german of Christ. CAP. II. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel, which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run in vain. I Went up, not of mine own head, but by the appointment, and revelation of God; and because there was a seeming difference betwixt the course that I took in my preaching, and planting the gospel, and theirs( they permitting circumcision where they preached, I not permitting it) I was willing to communicate unto them the course which I held among the Gentiles; but not in open hearing, but privately, to those which were in chief account; viz. Peter, James, and John; lest by any means I should have been thought to have gone a wrong way to work, in my ministery. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But so ordered I the matter, that not so much as Titus, who was with me in that journey,( being a gentle and a graecian) was compelled( notwithstanding the importunity of some) to be circumcised. 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ Iesus. And that chiefly, because of some false brethren of my nation, the Jews, who were secretly, and underhand brought in, and set, as spies, to pry into that liberty which we have in Christ Jesus; whereby wee do justly hold ourselves freed from these legal ceremonies and observances; and laboured by their enforcement, to draw us unto that bondage of the mosaical law, from which we were delivered by Christ. 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. To whom we yielded not an inch, nor gave subjection for so much as an hour, but opposed them effectually; that ye might well find that it was no other, then the truth of the Gospel, which we had delivered to you, and that ye might resolve to persist therein. 6 But of these who seemed to bee somewhat( whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter, God accepteth no mans person.) But of these great Apostles, who carried much sway in the Church, and seemed persons of eminence, whatsoever they were, all is one to me;( God doth not accept of any mans person, as more regarding him, because he is great, learned, well-spoken) even the best of them in conference, added nothing to me, nor taught me any thing that I knew not. 7 But contrariwise when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, &c. But contrariwise, when they saw that I was made the Apostle of the Gentiles, as Peter was of the Jews. So verse 8. And when Peter, James, and John, 9 And when james, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me, and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, &c. who were justly accounted to be the pillars of the Church, perceived that great measure of grace, and mercy, which God had vouchsafed unto me, in so miraculous a call to my Apostleship, they did willingly admit me, and Barnabas into the society, and partnership of this great work; consenting that wee should go to convert the heathen, and they the Jews. Thus wee went about our great and holy task; 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. but when Peter was come to Antioch, where I was, I withstood him openly, and professedly; because indeed he was worthy of blame, and opposition. For, before that, 12 For before that certain came from james, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the Circumcision. certain Jews came thither from James; he did familiarly converse at meales, and upon all other occasions, with the Gentiles, as making no difference betwixt them and Jews; but when those Jews were come to him, from James, he withdrew and separated himself from the Gentiles, as if they had been unclean, and unfit to be conversed with; belike fearing the offence of those Jews which were newly come unto him. And the other Jews which were with him before, 13 And the other Iewes dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas also, &c. following his example, dissembled also with him, and withdrew themselves from the Gentiles, insomuch as Barnabas also( my companion) began to be drawn away with them. But when I saw that they halted thus; 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou being a jew livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Iewes, why compelest thou the Gentiles to live as do,& c? and went not sincerely on, according to the truth of the gospel( wherein wee have learned that the partition wall is broken down, and that in Christ there is neither Jew nor gentle) I said boldly unto Peter before them all; If thou being naturally born a Jew, livest in a free fashion, after the manner of the Gentiles, without any regard of the strict observation of the Jewish rites, why dost thou compel those, which are born Gentiles, to live according to the rules of the Jewish strictness? Wee who are Jews by nature, 15, 16 Wee who are Iewes by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Iesus Christ, even we have believed in Iesus Christ. and therefore( as it might seem) peculiarly chosen, and privileged by God, and not Gentiles, who have been heretofore censured, and rejected for impure and unclean persons: Even wee, well knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, have believed in Jesus, &c. 17 But if while wee seek to bee justified by Christ, wee ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. Thus I said to Peter, and that justly and truly; How is it then? if wee leaving our confidence to be justified by the works of the Law, and seeking to be justified by Christ, be yet found to bee sinners; shall wee therefore say that Christ came to strip us of that righteousness, which we might have hoped for in the Law, and to leave us as sinful and polluted men, under the state of sin, and death? God forbid, that wee should teach such doctrine. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For, as for me, I have always hitherto preached the death and abolition of sin, by the power of Christs death, and if I should now preach the power and prevalence of sin, over the soul( notwithstanding that death of Christ) I should build up that, which I have formerly destroyed; and make myself justly censurable. 19 For I through the law am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God. It is not the justice of Christ, that voids the Law, or disables it from justifying us; no, it is the Law itself that kills her followers alone; I myself by the power and rigour of the Law, am a dead man to the Law; insomuch as it condemns me for not keeping it; and puts me out of all hope and confidence in myself, or it; that I might seek unto God, for that life of faith, which is onely to be found in, and by Christ. 20 I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. As my Saviour was crucified, so am I crucified with him; and by the power of his death am dead to my sins, and corruptions: But though I be dead, one way, yet I live another: yet I know not whether I may properly say, that I live, or rather that Christ lives in me; for as my soul animates my body, so Christ animates( as it were) my soul; and moves and works in me; and the life which I now live, is not a carnal, but a spiritual life; not the life of nature, but of grace, wrought in me by the power of faith in the son of God, &c. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead by the Law. Howsoever other men may be joining Christ and the Law together; I for my part will not be so injurious to the grace of Christ, as to frustrate it by adding a partner to it; for surely if righteousness be to be had by the works of the Law, then Christ is dead in vain. CAP. III. 1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Iesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? O ye foolish Galatians, how comes it to pass, that ye are so bewitched, by your glozing, and false teachers, as to be carried away from your obedience to the truth of the gospel; ye, which have had Christ Jesus so clearly, and openly preached unto you, as if ye had seen him hanging upon the cross before you. Let me ask you but this question; 2 This onely would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith? ye believe that ye have received the Spirit of God; tell me then, whence had you it? did you receive it by doing the works of the Law; by the gift of these circumcisers? or did ye receive it upon your hearing, and believing of the gospel, and that word of faith which ye heard of us? Are ye so foolish, as having begun in the profession of the doctrine of justification by faith, 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? ye will now seek to be perfected by circumcision in the flesh, and other carnal observances? Have ye in vain suffered so much for the defence and profession of the gospel? if, at least, it be in vain; 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. as certainly it is in vain, if ye now fly off from the sincerity, and truth thereof. The Apostles of Christ, who by laying on of hands gave you the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, and wrought strange wonders among you, did they do it upon your doing of the works of the Law, or upon your receipt of the doctrine of faith? 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you▪ doth he it by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith? Preached before unto Abraham, 8 Preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. even ere he was circumcised, this glad tidings of the gospel; saying, Thy name shall be used in all benedictions; and thou shalt be a pattern and rule of blessings to all nations. So then they which do truly believe, are so blessed, as faithful Abraham was. 9 So then, they which be of faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham. For, as many as depend upon the works of the Law for their justification, are under the curse, in not performing the Law; as it is written: Cursed, &c. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law, are under the curse. &c. The Law doth not stand upon the requiring of our faith as a condition of our justification, and salvation; but stands upon these terms; The man that doth them, shall in, and by them obtain life. 12 And the Law is not of faith: but the man that doth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from that curse, 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us: for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on three, &c. which must needs follow upon the breach of the Law; in that he, who was in his own person most holy, and blessed; in the person of us sinners, and for us( for whose sins he came to satisfy his Father) he is made a curse: as it is written, &c. See Deut. 21.23. That the blessing which was promised to Abraham, 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles, through Iesus Christ. might, &c. that wee through faith, might receive that good Spirit of sanctification, which he hath promised. Brethren, 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: though it be but a mans covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth or addeth thereto. let me fetch an argument even from your human affairs; If it be but a mans covenant, yet if it be ratified, and confirmed, no man takes upon him, to disannul, or to alter it: How much more shall the covenant, that God himself made with Abraham, be firm and inviolable. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to his seeds, as of many, but as of one, and to thy seed which is Christ. Now to Abraham, and to his seed were the promises made; I will be the God of thee, and thy seed; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; And though the word Seed, do in the signification thereof imply a collection, or multitude, yet in this sense it is, in the use, and intention of God, restrained to one, even Christ; who is, by a specialty, that seed of Abraham, by, and through whom the blessing is derived to all nations. And this I infer hereupon; this being an Evangelicall covenant, which was made before hand, with Abraham, of blessing and salvation, to be had by, and in his seed, Christ; it cannot be that the law which was given four hundred and thirty yeares after, should disannul it; and make this so ancient, and firm a promise of none effect. 17 And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Law which was four hundred and thirty yeares after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For the law and the promise cannot both stand together; if righteousness and salvation be by the works of the Law, then it is not to be had, by virtue of the promise; But God gave it to Abraham, by promise; 18 For if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. therefore not upon works. 19 Wherefore then serveth the Law? it was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made, and it was ordained by Angels in the hand of a Mediator. If the promise then were sufficient; wherefore serves the Law? why came that so long after, if the promise, made so long before, were enough to save men? surely there are other uses of the law, and other occasions of the delivering of it. As( for one) the law was given to bridle and restrain the transgressions of men; to show them their sins and imperfections, that in a sense of their vileness, they might seek unto Christ, who is that seed in whom the promise of the blessing was both made and accomplished; and this law was ordained and given of God, by the ministry of Angels, in the hand of a third person, that should go between God, and his people, as a messenger or mediator; even Moses, who was to take the Law from the hand of Angels, and deliver it to the people. 20 Now a Mediator is not a Mediator of one, but God is one. Now a Mediator implies a difference; there cannot be a Mediator, where there is but one side; God being one therefore, the people must be the other party; and thereupon it will follow, that the law is so far from an intendment of giving life, as that in the delivery of it, it argues a difference, betwixt God and his people. 21 Is the Law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given, which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. What then? is God in these proceedings, contrary to himself, in giving a law and promises contrary to each other? as if he would have saved men by the Law first; and then altering his purpose resolved to save them by his promise? God forbid; No, God is constant to his own determinations herein. For if men could have attained to life by the keeping of the Law; there had been no use of the righteousness of faith. But now the Scripture hath made known to us our universal sinfulness, wherewith every soul is tainted, and bound over to death; so as no man can look for any advantage from the law; so as now there is just room made for the necessary supply of the promises of salvation by faith in Christ, to be obtained of all them, that believe in him. 22 But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Iesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But, before this happy supply of faith came, we were all obnoxious unto the law, and to the condemnation threatened to the breakers of it; and were( as it were) shut up close prisoners under the law, and reserved for this comfortable release of faith, in that Saviour which should afterward be revealed. 23 But before faith came, wee were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith, which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was not intended to perfect us, as of itself, but onely to bee our schoolmaster to train us up unto the higher form of Christ; that by it we being convinced of our own imperfections, and dangers, might seek for our justification by faith in Christ. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that wee might be justified by faith. But after that faith is once wrought in the heart, wee are no longer under the tyranny, rigour, malediction of the Law; which is as the ferule of that hard schoolmaster. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all now the children of God, by faith in Jesus Christ, 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus. even the children of God, not the slaves or pupils of the law; and therefore do now obey the law, as out of the duty of sons, not out of constraint; as a rule of life, not as a means of your justification. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have made Christ your own; 27 For as many of you, as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. and are clothed with his graces, with his merits. God makes no difference now betwixt nations, and persons: all are alike, yea all are one to him, in Christ; 28 There is neither jew, nor greek; there is neither bond, nor free; there is neither male, nor female; for ye, &c. are all one in Christ Iesus. his acceptation doth not single out a Jew from a greek, but his mercy is indifferently extended to them all, without all respect of persons. And if ye be Christs, then are ye that special seed of Abraham, to which the promise is made; and by consequence, ye are the inheriters of the blessing promised. 29 And if ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heires according to the promise. CAP. IIII. 1 Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all. IT is with man under the law, as with a child under wardship or pupillage: let the child be never so great an heir, yet so long as he is under age, he is held down; and differeth nothing, in his usage, from a servant, but is kept straitly in, under tutors, and governours, until the full time limited by his fathers will, or set by the laws, be expired. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Even so it is with us, in this spiritual minority of ours we were under the bondage, and wardship of the law of ceremonies: 4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son made of a woman, made under the law, But, when the time, which our heavenly Father had prefixed, for our freedom, was fully comne, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, and made voluntarily subject unto the law, To redeem us that were in bondage to the law, that we might now attain those full and ample privileges, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. and liberties, which belong to us as sons, by the virtue of his gracious adoption. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. And, because ye are his truly-adopted sons; God hath given you the comfortable sense, and assurance of his mercy; in that he hath given unto your hearts, the holy Spirit, even the Spirit of his son; which with an holy vehemency enables you to lay claim to God as your own, and to speak to him by the name of Abba, Father. 9 But now after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? But now after that ye have known God, and his will; yea rather, after that God hath so known you, as to accept you to mercy, and to reveal his will unto you; how is it that ye being thus endeared to God, yet turn back to the base, and impotent ceremonies of the law, from which ye were freed, as if ye were fond of that bondage whereof ye are acquitted? 10 Ye observe daies, and moneths, and times, and yeares. ye stand upon the judaical observations of those new moons, and Sabbaths, of the seventh month, of the solemn festivities, and of Jubilees, which the mosaical law hath prescribed. 12 Brethren, I beseech you be as I am: for I am as ye are, ye have not i●jured me at all. Brethren, I beseech you be ye so affencted to me, as I am to you; and be ready to follow my example in leaving these ritual observations, as I am ready in all indifferent things to conform myself unto you. And if I have spoken sharply to you in this point, think not that it is out of any discontentment, or private displeasure against you; for ye have not wronged me at all. 13 ye know how through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel unto you at the first. Ye know that when I first came amongst you and preached the gospel to you, though I was then much opposed, and outwardly afflicted, and demeaned myself in an homely, and mean manner. Yet ye then did not despise or reject me, 14 And my temptation which was in the flesh, ye despised not, nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Iesus. because I was thus afflicted, and mean in my outward port and carriage; but received me with all alacrity, and reverence; so as if an angel of God had comne amongst you, yea, if my Lord Jesus should in person have comne to you, ye could not have shewed more outward respect to him. Where is then that blessedness, which ye spoken of? 15 Where is then the blessedness you spake of? for I bear you record, &c. professing how happy ye were in such a teacher, for I bear you record, &c. These false teachers make show of much zealous affection that they bear you; as if they wooed your love; 17 They zealously affect you, but not well: yea, they would exclude, that you might affect them. but it is but colourable, and ill-grounded; they would draw away your respect to us, that ye might be wholly devoted to them. But it is good to be zealously affencted towards good men, and upon good grounds always; 18 But it is good to be zealously affencted always in a good thing, and not onely when I am present with you. and when ye have once placed your good liking and opinion, as ye did once upon me, not to be easily removed from it; but to continue it still, as well in absence, as in presence. My little children, 19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you. whom I have once begotten unto Christ, by the gospel; and of whom( as being now relapsed to judaism) I am now in travel again, till I have recovered you to that sincere faith, and perfect liberty in Christ, which ye once had. I desire to be personally present with you, now, 20 I desire to be present with you now and to change my voice: for I stand in doubt of you. that I might frame, and alter my speech with you, according as I should see occasion, one while reproving, another while encouraging you; one while applauding you, and another while bemoaning and bewailing your danger; for, indeed I am in much doubt of you. Tell me, ye that have so much desire to fall back, 21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? and to be under the bondage of the law, if ye have such a mind to Moses, do but hear what Moses hath told you. For, it is written, you know, in him; 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free-woman. that Abraham had two sons, the one, ishmael, by his bond-woman Hagar, the other, Isaac, by his true wife, Sara. Abraham was indeed the natural Father to them both, but, as for ishmael, who was the bond-womans son, he had nothing but nature in him; 23 But he who was of the bond-woman, was born after the flesh, but he of the free-woman was by promise. as he was conceived in an ordinary manner, so, he had nothing but more flesh, derived from Abraham; but Isaac, that was the son of Sara, the free-woman, and lawful wife of Abraham, was both extraordinarily conceived upon the promise made by the angel, and was the son of Abrahams faith; to, and in whom the promise of blessing made to Abraham was accomplished. 24 Which things are an allegory; for these are the two covenants, the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. Which, as it is a true history, so it is an allegory also of spiritual things; for these two mothers resemble, and express the two covenants; Sara, the covenant of grace; and Hagar, the covenant of works; This Hagar then bringeth forth children to bondage. 25 For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to jerusalem, which now is, and is in bondage with her children. Which same thing is also typed forth unto us by Sinai, and Jerusalem; For this Hagar is a figure of mount Sinai in Arabia( out of the bounds of the promised land) where the law was given, and representeth the present Jerusalem, as it now stands, under the bondage of the law, to which she, and her children have subjected themselves. 26 But jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. But the spiritual Jerusalem, which is the Church of the new Testament, gathered by the heavenly grace of God, is free from all these slaveries of the ceremonial law; which Church is the mother of us all, and commucateth therefore her freedom unto us. 27 For it is written, rejoice thou barren that bearest not, break forth and cry, &c. See Esay 54.1. Now brethren, we Christians are( as Isaac was) the sons of the free-woman, 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. and those to whom the promise of blessing is both made, and performed. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. But, as then, ishmael, which was the merely natural son of Abraham, persecuted Isaac, that was born, above the power of nature, by the wonderful work of God, and also renewed by the Spirit of God; Even so it is now; the sons of the bond-woman, those that will needs be slaves to the law, persecute, and oppose those free Christians, which know themselves exempted there-from. 30 nevertheless, what saith the scripture? cast out the bond-woman, and her son, for the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. nevertheless, even as Sara said to Abraham, Cast out the bond-woman and her son; for, &c. Even so hath God determined concerning the Jewish Synagogue, and their abettors, which stand for the law, that he will cast them off, and bereave them of all the privileges of his Church, and the inheritance of children. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free. So then brethren, we see how to account ourselves; we are not children of Hagar the bond-woman, that we should be under the law, but, of Sara the free-woman, that wee should be under grace. CAP. V. STand fast, therefore, in that spiritual liberty, 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. from the law of ceremonies, wherewith Christ hath made you free, and be not again drawn into a willing bondage, and servitude unto them. There is more in this your yeeldance to these rites, 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. then ye are ware of; Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if now, after ye have been informed so fully in the truth of the gospel, ye be circumcised, as in obedience to the law, Christ shall profit you nothing; ye do, what in you lieth, frustrate the death of your Saviour. For, I testify again to every man, 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. that whosoever is circumcised, doth by this sign profess himself, and so becomes, bound to keep the whole law, and every rite thereof; for circumcision is a badge of judaism; and whosoever yeeldeth thereunto, makes himself liable to all those manifold, and burdensome observations of the law. It is a fearful, but most sure word; 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you: whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace. whosoever of you seek to be justified by the law, hath renounced the benefit of grace, and Christ is becomne of no effect unto him; forasmuch as the purpose of Christs coming, and all his active, and passive obedience was to free us from the law, and to justify and acquit us from our sins. For we who are renewed by the Spirit of God, 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. are by the same Spirit taught to expect full justification from faith in Christ, and not from the works of the law. For in Jesus Christ, and his kingdom, the Church, 6 For in Iesus Christ, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. neither is any man the more respected for his circumcision, nor less regarded for his uncircumcision; but every man is accepted of God, according to that measure of true faith, which he hath in him; I mean not an idle and dead belief, but a lively and operative faith, such a one as worketh by love. Ye went on very forwardly, and commmendably, 7 Ye did run well, who did hinder you, that ye should not obey the truth? in the course of Christianity; who did stand in your way, and stop those good proceedings of your obedience to the truth of the gospel? Surely, this persuasion of retracting you, 8 This persuasion cometh not out of him that calleth you. cometh not from God, who called you forward into this good way; but it comes from Satan and his wicked instruments, your false teachers. But take heed, brethren, 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. a little false doctrine may infect and poison your whole profession. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord; that you will be none otherwise minded, but he that troubleth you, shall bear his judgement, whosoever he be. And I am confident in you, through the goodness of God working in you, that ye will not be transported thus lightly, with erroneous doctrine, but that ye will continue constant unto that truth, wherein you have been informed; But whosoever he be that hath thus troubled the peace of the Church, and laboured to seduce you, shall be sure to feel the just judgement of God upon him, for so great a sin. And, whereas the false teachers have suggested to you, that I myself am a favourer of circumcision, 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. and preach the lawfulness, and expediency of it; they wrong both you, and me, in this mis-information; for, if I do preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then that scandal and slander of the cross, which the adversaries cast upon us( in teaching that by Christ crucified, and not by the works of the law, men are justified) is utterly at an end; and all is peace between the Jews, and us. 12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. I would to God these injurious and vehement urgers of circumcision, and other Jewish rites, were utterly cut off; that the Church of Christ might be at peace. 13 For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For, brethren, ye have been by virtue of your Christian profession, called into a liberty, and freedom from legal observations; Onely, make ye a good use of this freedom; and do not so demean yourselves, as if ye thought that ye were hereby let loose to all inordinateness, and licentious courses; But so serve one another by love, as that ye have care of the edification of each other in godliness. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. But, if ye fall foul upon each other, by secret hostilities, and labour to undo the famed, and good report of each other; and werry, and tear each other with factious oppositions, take heed lest ye be the authors of each others endless confusion. 16 This I say then, walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. walk ye, and live according to the information, and guidance of the holy Spirit of God; and ye shall not be carried away with the vain and sinful lusts of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, &c. For there is a continual enmity betwixt the flesh, which is our corrupted nature, and the spirit, whereby we are regenerated; so as the flesh lusteth, &c. 18 But if ye be lead of the spirit, ye are not under the law. But if ye be lead by the Spirit of God, ye are not under the bondage of the law; but do, out of your free love unto God, yield cheerful obedience to him. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, &c. Now the works of our corrupted, and depraved nature are manifest, &c. And they that are Christs, 24 And they that are Christs, have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. have so far crucified this corrupt nature, with the affections and lusts thereof, as that, howsoever they have some remainders of life, in them; yet, they have not so much vigour, as to reign, and rule in them. If then, 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. we be persuaded that the Spirit of God is in us, and that we have a true spiritual life in him, let us also walk, so, as may become the guidance, and direction of the same Spirit. CAP. VI. BRethren, if a man, through weakness, 1 Brethren, if a man bee overtaken in a fault; ye which are spiritual, restore such a one. be overtaken with some sin, ye that are regenerate persons, and know what our nature is, restore such a one, &c. bear ye mutually the burdens of each others infirmities; 2 bear ye one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. we all have our load, it must be our care, and desire to ease each other in the bearing of them: and so in loving each other we shall fulfil the law of Christ. Let no man stand upon the points of his own skill, 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. righteousness, perfection; For, if a man think himself to be something, when indeed he is nothing, his overweening befools him. Let every man try, and examine his own actions, 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. by the rule of Gods word, and then shall he( finding them sincere and upright) find cause of rejoicing in the testimony of his own conscience; and not stand upon the opinions of others. For every man shall be answerable to God for his own actions, and not for other mens. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word, by way of just thankfulness, and retribution, communicate to him that teacheth him, in all outward good things; 6 Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. returning to him temporal blessings in lieu of those spiritual, which he receiveth from him. Let no man, when he unjustly draws back his hand from the maintenance of Gods ministers, 7 Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. pretend excuses; Be not deceived; God is not mocked, and eluded by our shifts; but what, or howsoever a man soweth in the distribution of these earthly things this way; in the same manner, and measure shall he reap from the hands of God. He that bestoweth these outward good things only 8 For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. upon the pampering of himself, and regards none, but his own private pleasure, or profit, in disposing of them, that man shall be rewarded accordingly; for these carnal respects of his shall end in loss, and corruption; but he that bestows them to holy, and spiritual purposes, being therein lead and directed by the Spirit of God, shall by the goodness of that same Spirit,( graciously remunerating him) receive eternal life. 10 As wee have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them, who are of the household of faith. Let us be ready to do good, and liberally to distribute these earthly things to all, that have need, but especially to all our fellow Christians; and amongst them, yet more particularly, to those that have the oversight of this family of God. 12 As many as desire to make a faire show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised: onely lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. As many as affect glory, and popularity, and their own ease,& safety, urge unto you a necessity of being circumcised; providing herein for their own quiet, and indemnity: lest they should from the Jews suffer persecution, for preaching the full effect of the death, or cross of Christ, without the works of the Law. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the Law, but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. For neither do these Judaizing teachers themselves, though they be outwardly circumcised, keep the Law in other things; so as it is plain that they do not urge these matters out of any true zeal to the Law, but onely they would draw you in, that they might glory of the circumcision of your flesh, as if they had converted you to their judaism. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Iesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Let them glory of what they will, boasting of the validity and use of their fleshly circumcision; but for me, God forbid that I should glory in any thing, save in the benefit of the cross, and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom the world is crucified to me, so as it prevails not against me, to carry me away from my holy courses: and I am crucified to the world, so as I affect not the glory and vanity thereof. 15 For in Christ Iesus, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. For in Christ Jesus, and his acceptation, and in true Christianity, there is neither respect to circumcision, and the rest of those legal observations, or to any privileges thereby challenged; nor yet to uncircumcision, or any of that secular learning, and wisdom, which is bragged of among the Gentiles; nothing carries it there, but a new creature; he that is regenerate is a true servant of Christ, and is accordingly regarded of him. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. And as many as walk according to the rule, that I have in this my epistle commended unto you, seeking justification onely by Christ, without the works of the law, peace be unto them, and mercy; and not to them onely, but to the whole Church of God, every where. I have given you a true apostolical decision of the controversy moved amongst you: 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Iesus. let no man be further troublesone to me; but rest in this sentence of mine: well may I challenge this at your hands; for I bear in my body the marks of the sufferings which I have endured for the name of our Lord Jesus. THE EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. CAP. I. WHo hath blessed us, not with these outward favours of riches, and honour, and such like blessings, which are uncertain, and transitory; but with all spiritual blessings, 3 Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. which may fit us for those heavenly places, provided for us, in, and by Christ. Which blessings of his have been bestowed upon us out of that infinite love, whereby he hath chosen us, 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love. before the beginnings of the world, to this end and purpose, and with this effect, that wee should be holy, and blameless, both in our disposition and conversation before him, approving our unfeigned love unto him in all things. Having by his eternal decree predestinated, 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Iesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. and fore-ordained us to be his adopted sons, in, and by Jesus Christ; not out of ought that was or should be in us, but according to his own more mercy, and the good pleasure of his own will. All which God hath done for us, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. for the onely praise and glory of his infinite grace, and mercy; wherein he hath made us( which were of ourselves justly hateful) to be accepted in his beloved son Jesus Christ. In, 7 In whom wee have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. and by whom wee have redemption through his precious blood( which was paid as our ransom,) and full forgiveness of all our sins, according to the abundance of his mercy to us. 8 Wherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence. Wherein he hath been exceeding bountiful unto us, in imparting to us the rich treasures of spiritual wisdom, and prudence. 10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. That in the fullness of time, which God in his wise dispensation, and providence had appointed, he might call and gather together, under one head, Christ Jesus, all, both Angels in heaven, and men on earth, which pertain unto him. 11 In whom also wee have obtained an inheritance. By whom also, and in whom, upon his gracious uniting of us to him, wee have obtained an happy and glorious inheritance, &c. 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. That our glory might be, to the praise and glory of him, who hath thus crwoned and glorified us, who first here below believed in Christ. In whom also after that ye believed, ye were made sure, and sealed up for his, by that holy Spirit of his, which he promised 13 In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise: to sand to all his elect, infallibly witnessing to your spirits, that ye are the sons of God. 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Which is to us beforehand, the certain earnest, and pledge of our full inheritance to come, even until that purchased possession of eternal life may be fully accomplished and stated upon us, to the praise of his glory. 18 That ye may know what is the hope of his calling,& what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints. That ye may know what great, and wonderful good things ye may, and ought to hope for, by virtue of his effectual calling of you: and what the unspeakable and unvaluable riches are of that glorious inheritance, which he hath laid up for his Saints. 20 And set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. And exalted him in his human nature, to the participation of his infinite glory and majesty, in the highest heavens. 21 far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is name, not only in this world, but also in that, &c. far above all the most mighty, and most glorious Angels of heaven, and whatsoever thing else is, or can be name, either in earth or in heaven. 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church: And hath put all things in subjection to him, as mediator, and hath appointed him to have the disposing of all things, as the head of the Church: 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. Which Church is so to Christ, as the body is to the head, making up the fullness of Christ( who hath of himself full perfection and infinite power and majesty) so as his goodness holds not himself complete without his Church. CAP. II. ANd you hath he by his Spirit quickened, 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; who were in the state of your corrupt nature, dead in your sins, and trespasses; having therefore no more power to raise up yourselves, then the dead man hath to raise himself from his grave, now he hath wrought powerfully in you, and hath freed you from those your sins; Wherein ye lived in times past, 2 Wherein in time past, ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; framing yourselves according to the wicked course, and trade of the world; and according to the will of him, who is the prince of those wicked spirits, which exercise their power in the air; even that evil spirit, which now worketh, and ruleth in them who are wilfully disobedient; Fulfilling the sinful desires of their corrupt nature, both in carnal, and in mental, or spiritual sins; 3 Fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. both in bodily uncleannesses, and in the errors, and exorbitances of the mind; and were naturally such, as could expect nothing from the hands of God, but wrath, and damnation; even as other heathens justly may, and are. Having raised Christ, the head, hath together with, 5 Hath quickened us together with Christ,( by grace ye are saved.) and in him, quickened us his members, by virtue of his resurrection; and that merely out of his own good will towards us; for by grace, and not by any merits of ours, are wee saved. So also verse 6. That not onely the present age, 7 That in the ages to come, he might show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness towards us, through Christ Iesus. but those that are to come also, might see and feel the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards the Gentiles also, in calling them home to him, through Jesus Christ. For out of the more favour, and mercy of God, are ye saved, through faith in Christ, 8 For by grace are ye saved thorough faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. ye cannot merit any thing, as of yourselves; it is the free gift of God. This salvation is not of works, lest any man should find cause of boasting in himself, 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast: that he hath earned it at Gods hand, and therefore is not beholden to his mercy. For all that we are, and have, is his; 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Iesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that wee should walk in them. wee are his workmanship, created not onely in Adam to a natural life, but in Christ to a spiritual life of new obedience, that wee should do all manner of good works, which God hath in his eternal counsel prepared, and fore-ordained for us to walk in. 11 Who are called uncircumcision, by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands. Who are scornfully called, The uncircumcision, by those Jews which boast themselves to bee called by the title of a fleshly circumcision; as if in this right they were accepted of God; and ye in the defect thereof were forlorn, and rejected. 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. That at that time ye had neither knowledge of Christ, nor any interest in him; being more foreigners from the holy Church of God, and strangers from the gracious covenant which he hath made with all his faithful ones; having neither any hope of salvation, nor any just ground of hope; and living, as without the acknowledgement of a God in the world. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. For he is our perfect peace-maker; yea our very peace and reconciliation itself; who hath conjoined in one body of the Church, both Jews and Gentiles; and, whereas there was a wall of partition set up betwixt these two, so as they could not come together, he hath broken down that pile of division, so as now, wee are one family, as it were, in one room of the same Church. 15 Having abolished in his flesh, the enmity, even the law of commandements, contained in ordinances, for to make in himself of twain, one new man, so making peace. Having in his suffering of death in his body utterly abolished the cause of this division and enmity, which was the Law ceremonial, consisting of divers rites, and ordinances; for to make those two kindes of people, Jews and Gentiles, one new creature, in and to himself, so by this gracious union, making peace betwixt them. 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God, in one body, by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. And that having made them up into one body, he might reconcile them, not to themselves onely, but to God also, by that propitiatory sacrifice, which he made of himself, upon his cross; having utterly extinguished thereby the enmity betwixt God and us. And are the living stones of that holy Church of his, which is built upon the foundation of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles: Jesus Christ himself being that chief corner ston, 20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles, and Prophets, Christ Iesus himself being the chief corner ston. in whom both the walls of Jews and Gentiles, are conjoined. 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy Temple. In whom alone, all the whole building, being compacted, and cemented together by love, is made up into one evangelical Church, whereof the Temple was a type. CAP. III. 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given to me-ward. IF ye have heard of my Apostleship, and charge to preach unto you the tidings of grace, and salvation; which is committed unto me for your behoof. And to make manifest unto all men, 9 And to make all men see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hide in God, &c. the communication of this wonderful mystery of the saving of mankind, which God( the creator of all things by Christ) reserved from all eternity in his own secret counsel. To the end that now, 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities, and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the Church, the manifold wisdom of God. the glorious Angels of heaven( after that God had once vented, and declared that his good purpose to mankind) might see in this wonderful redemption, and blessed union of the Church, a clear proof and demonstration of the manifold, and infinite wisdom of God. In whom we have boldness, 12 In whom wee have boldness,& access, with confidence, by the faith of him. and free and confident access to the throne of Gods grace, by that faith which gives us a right in him, and assures us of a gracious acceptation. Wherefore, 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. I desire you that ye be not discouraged at the sight of those tribulations, which I suffer, for preaching the gospel to you; yea rather, ye ought to account them your glory, and rejoicing; in that ye have an Apostle, who is thought worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. Of whom that whole united family of Saints, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is name both in heaven and earth, and here below of Jews and Gentiles, is name to be the one universal Church of Christ. That ye may be able with all his Saints, 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. to conceive the absoluteness, and infinite perfectness, and exactness of the work of that reconciliation, which he hath wrought for mankind, in all the dimensions of it; and may be affencted with it accordingly. And, 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. that ye may apprehended that unspeakable love of Christ towards us, the full knowledge whereof paseth all finite capacity; and that ye may be filled with all perfection of the graces of God. CAP. IV. ENdeavouring to preserve that holy, 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. and Christian unity, which the Spirit of God hath wrought in you, by a peaceable disposition, and carriage one to another. See Psal. 68.18. 8 When he ascended up on high, he lead captivity captive, and gave gifts, &c. Now in that David says that Christ ascended; 9( Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? what doth it imply, but that he had before descended, both from heaven to the earth, which is the lowest part of the world, and from the surface of the earth, into the bowels thereof, the grave. 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up, far above all heavens, that he might fill all, &c. He that thus descended, &c. that he might fulfil all that was fore-said of him, and all that is or should be requisite for the full glorification of his Church. And some he gave to be pastors, and teachers of his Church, 11 And some pastors, and teachers, &c. to led forth his people, and to feed them with wholesome doctrine, and holy government. 12 For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministery, for the edifying of the body of Christ: All which he hath given, and ordained for the perfecting of the grace of his Saints; and for the full and exact discharge of the great work of the ministry, which could not be sufficiently managed by any one rank of gifts, or men; and in general, for the full edification of the Church, which is the mystical body of Christ: 13 Till wee all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Till all those, yet unbelievers, which belong to Gods election, be brought to one, and the same saving faith, and to the true knowledge, and acknowledgement of the son of God, together with us; and so the whole Church( as if it were one body) grow up to be a perfect and divine grown man; even to that full stature of grace, and full knowledge, which it is ordained unto, in and by Christ; yea until that Christ, who accounts the Church to be no other then his body, and holds himself not perfect, without it, have in us attained to that full growth, as that no degree of perfection shall be wanting to this mystical body of his. 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men. That henceforth, wee be no more children, unstayed, and unconstant in our good courses, and purposes; tossed to and fro with every wind of false doctrine, in the tottering cock-boat of our weak irresolution; and cheated, through the slight and cunning craftiness of insinuating false teachers, &c. 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love. That, as in the natural body, wee see that it is knit together by joints and sinews, to make up one complete living frame, which receiveth virtue and power of motion from the head, which is diffused into all the several parts according to the use and occasion of the divers members thereof; so as the whole body, by this means grows up together in strength and stature; so it is spiritually in the mystical body of Christ, the Church: it receiving virtue, and grace from Christ, the head, which is distributed to every faithful soul, as a limb and member of this body, grows up to the full state of perfection in Christ: and is in the whole bulk, and frame thereof, edified by the mutual love of each believer unto other. Being estranged from that course of life, 18 Being alienated from the life of God. which God hath prescribed unto us, &c. But ye have not so learned Christianity, 20 But ye have not so learned Christ. as to give yourselves over, under that pretence, to riot and disorder. If, at least, 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Iesus, ye have given ear to the doctrine of Christ, and have been taught in his school, so, as ye ought, according to the truth of this heavenly discipline: which is this, That ye put off your old, sinful, depraved nature, 22 That ye put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. which is corrupt according to those deceitful lusts, and desires that are inbred in your bosoms,& now change your former affections, and conversation, And be renewed, not onely in the base, 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and lower faculties of the soul, which are your affections, and appetite, but even in the more noble and higher powers thereof, which are your understanding and will. If, 26 Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath: according to the weakness of human nature ye be carried into the passion of anger, yet take heed of being transported by the vehemence thereof, into sin; neither let that unquiet passion( howsoever it may seize upon you) lodge, and sleep with you: Neither do, 27 Neither give place to the devil. by this harbouring of an uncharitable passion, let in Satan into your souls. do not cause the Spirit of God to withdraw his graces from you, as in a detestation of your lewd courses; 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. neither do, by your sins, give just distaste to that good Spirit, whereto ye have been so infinitely beholden for your confirmation, and sealing up to the full possession of your future glory. CAP. V. ye were once, not only darksome, 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord. with ignorance and unbelief, but even darkness itself; but now, ye are clearly enlightened by the Spirit of God, &c. Awake, 14 Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. thou sinner that sleepest securely in the state of sin; and rise up from that spiritual death, wherein thou liest, by confessing, and forsaking thy sin; and then Christ, which is the true light, shall shine forth unto thee, by giving thee remission, and salvation. Strive to recover and fetch up that time, 16 Redeeming the time, because the daies are evil. which your negligence hath lost; and make careful use of all opportunities of doing good; because the world is full of corruption, and ye shall meet with many occasions of distraction, and discouragement. 18 And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess: but be filled with the Spirit. do not give yourselves to intemperance, in the use of meats, and drinks; which is the cause of much luxury, and outrage; but, if ye desire to cheer up your hearts, be ye filled with that holy Spirit of God, which only can give perfect joy to the soul. 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Which joy, shall express itself at your holy meetings, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; in stead of those wanton, and offensive songs, which the mirth of sensual men is usually wont to break forth into, &c. 23 And he is the Saviour of the body. Even as Christ is so the head of his Church( which is his body) as that he is the Saviour of it; governing it for the benefit, and salvation thereof; so should the husband who is the head of his wife, rule over her( not tyrannically, and harshly, but) lovingly, and so as may be to the behoof, preservation, and comfort of her. 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might sanctify and cleanse it by his holy Spirit, working in us by his word, and by his Sacrament of baptism, as the means thereof. 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. That at the last he may present this his spouse the Church, perfectly beautiful, before the tribunal of his Father, cleared from the spots of her sins, and wrinkles of her infirmities. For, as Evah was part of the very body of Adam, flesh of his flesh, 28 So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife, loveth himself and bone of his bone; so are wee spiritually the very parts and members of the mystical body of this second Adam: out of his precious side was the Church taken. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined, &c. See Genes. 2.24. 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ& the Church. This union, and conjugal conjunction is then a great mystery, not in respect of itself, but, in respect of that which is thereby represented, even the blessed union which is betwixt the husband Christ, and the Church his spouse. CAP. VI. 2 Honour thy father& mother( which is the first commandement with promise.) WHich is the first Commandement; yea, the onely one, that hath a peculiar promise of blessing annexed unto the charge given. 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. In the services that ye do, having an eye not so much to your masters, as to the Lord, who calls for this your obedience unto them. Brethren, ye are souldiers in Gods warfare; 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wil●ss of the devil. as souldiers, therefore, are wont to put on a complete harness from head to foot; so do ye furnish your souls with all holy graces, which may defend and preserve you from all the crafty assaults of the devil. For, our fight doth not lie against flesh and blood, 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness, in high places. ( weak and impotent like ourselves) but against the strong, and mighty powers, and principalities of hell; against those evil spirits, which sway this wicked world, that is, all darksome with ignorance and infidelity; against those spiritual tempters, who being themselves wicked, labour to infect all others, and have so much more advantage, as they are more eminent in the place of their abode, and onset, being the region of the air, wherein they do ordinarily work. Put yourselves therefore into a fit and sure posture, 14 Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness; having your loins gird about with the belt of sincere, and rectified affections; and having your hearts defended with the breastplate of innocence, and holy and upright intentions; And your feet shod with a ready alacrity to profess and maintain that gospel of Christ, 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. which can onely bring true peace to the soul. But, 16 Above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. in vain should ye pretend to be gird with all this complete harness, if ye did not hold out also before you, the shield of a true, and lively faith, whereby ye may be able both to beat back, and to extinguish all the strong, sudden, violent, fiery temptations of that wicked one. And let your head be defenced with the assured hope of salvation, as with an helmet; 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. and let your hand be armed with the word of God, which is as the sword of the Spirit, whereby satan may not onely be resisted, but vanquished also, and utterly foiled. And that all this preparation, 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto. and holy munition may prevail, and take happy effect, ye must ever be praying unto God, with all fervency of soul, in all frequency, and instance of prayer, and supplication; watching therein, &c. THE EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. CAP. I. 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. THat by our ministry, ye have been brought to the communion and fellowship of the profession of the gospel; and have so continued from the first day that you heard of it, until now. 7 Ye are all partakers of my grace. Ye are all partakers with me, of the same grace and mercy of God, in your effectual calling, and election to life. 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may bee sincere, and without offence till the day of Christ. That ye may see, and aclowledge, the difference between the truth of God, and the vain fancies of men, and may approve of these excellent mysteries of salvation, &c. 12, 13 But I would ye should understand brethren, that the things which happened unto me, have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel: so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places. So that my bonds, and sufferings, which I endure for Christ, howsoever they were by Satan and his complices intended to the disgrace and hindrance of the gospel, yet quiter contrarily by the providence and goodness of my God are turned to my great honor, and the advancement of religion; as being famous to this purpose, both in Neroes Court, and in all other places. 15 Some indeed preach Christ, even of envy and strife, and some also of good will. Some indeed, hearing how famous I was over all Asia, for preaching the gospel, envying this glory of mine, and in an emulatory desire to reach, and out-strip me in it, preach Christ out of envy, and contention, others sincerely. 16 Supposing to add affliction to my bonds. Supposing, and purposing by this means to stir up Nero, so much the more against me, as the man that first broached this news of the gospel amongst his subjects. For I know that this advantage, which the gospel shall receive, 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Iesus Christ, by the emulous labours of my adversaries, and this persecution which they do thereupon raise against me shall turn to the furtherance of my salvation through the help of your prayers, and the powerful assistance, and working of the Spirit of Christ. According to my firm confidence, and earnest expectation, that in nothing they can do, or that can befall me, I shall be ashamed, 20 According to my earnest expectation, and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed. and have cause of dejection, and discouragement. For Christ is to me, as the author of my life, 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. so the onely end and scope of my life; it is that I onely live for, that I may preach Christ, and glorify him thereby: and to die is so far from being terrible to me, as that it is my gain and advantage. But howsoever, while I live here, 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wote not. this is the fruit of my labour, that Christ is glorified by me; yet whether of the two I should choose, life or death, I cannot resolve. For I am much straitned, and distracted in the choice; 23 For I am in a straight, betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better. having, in respect of my own glory, and happiness, a great desire to depart hence and to live with Christ my Saviour, in rest and bliss, which is much the better for me. But yet on the other side, I see that for me to abide here still in this mortal life, it is more needful for you, 24 nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. and more behoveful to the Church of God. And out of this persuasion, 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, and continue with you all, for your furtherance, and joy of faith. that my life shall be of so much necessity, and use for you, I am fully assured, that I shall abide, and continue with you all, and that God will protract my life for a time here upon earth, for the furtherance of your faith, and the increase of your joy and comfort. That ye do unanimously hold together, 27 That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. in the profession, and defence of one, and the same truth; joining your forces to fight together for the defence of the doctrine of the gospel. And in all your sufferings put on an undaunted courage, and resolution; being in nothing terrified by your adversaries; which confidence and fortitude of yours, bodes nothing but foil, and perdition to your opposers, but unto you nothing but victory, and salvation, and that from God. 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. CAP. II. LEt me not entreat you only, but adjure you brethren, 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels, and mercies; as ever ye would receive any comfort in Christ, as ever ye would reap benefit by his love, and your own; if ye have any sense of that spiritual communion which is between the Saints of God, if ye have any compassion, and mercy on me, and Gods Church; 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord. Do ye herein make up the full measure of my joy, in that ye be peaceably, and lovingly affencted one towards another, &c. 4 look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Do not ye so much bend your eyes upon your own good parts, admiring them, and priding yourselves in them; as upon the more excellent graces of other men; neither be so much intent upon your own private commodities, as upon the good of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Iesus. Be ye so humbly and charitably minded, and so respect the good of others, with neglect of your own, as ye see Christ Jesus your Saviour did. 6 Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; Who being very God, and knowing it to be no presumption in him to equalize himself to God the Father; 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Yet voluntarily humbled, and abased himself, and took upon him a mean, and contemptible condition, here on earth; and as he stooped so low, as to become man, so he framed himself to the state, and yielded to the infirmities of man: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And being found in the nature, and form of man, he did in that his humanity, humble himself so far, as to become obedient, even unto death, and that the most painful, and ignominious death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,& given him a name, which is above every name; Upon which wonderful humiliation of his, it hath pleased God the Father, to advance him, in his human nature to an answerable height of glory; having given unto him both that title, and that state, and power which is far above any title, or state, or power of whatsoever finite creature; having publicly to the world declared, and approved him to be God Almighty; 10 That at the name of Iesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; That in the acknowledgement of this just title and divine power of his, every creature should bow and stoop unto him, both the Angels of heaven, and men on earth, and the very infernal spirits, which are most averse from his kingdom; And that every tongue should be forced to confess, that even that Jesus, who was thus abased, is the God, 11 And that every tongue should confess, that Iesus Christ is Lord. and Lord of all, &c. 12 But now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. But now much more, in my absence( since ye shall want the help of my counsels, and incitements) stir up yourselves earnestly, to do all that is requisite on your part, for the attaining of salvation; not in a bold and secure presumption of your own abilities, but in an humble fear, and awful trembling at the consideration of the greatness of the work, and your own insufficiency. For it is not any power, or ability in yourselves, 13 For it is God that worketh in you both to will, and to do, of his good pleasure. that can avail ought this way; but it is God onely, who gives you both to will that which is good, and to do the good which ye will, of his more good will and pleasure. Frame yourselves to all peaceable carriage, 14 do all things without murmurings, and disputings. one towards another, and do all things without heart-burnings, and quarrels. Yea, if I do not onely labour amongst you, 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice, and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. but even die for you, it shall be my joy; you have by your holy, and lively faith, offered yourselves unto God, as a living and reasonable sacrifice; if I may die for the confirmation of this faith of yours, it shall bee that whereof I shall rejoice together with you. For I have no man so hearty affencted, both to you, 20 For I have no man like minded, who will naturally care for your state. and me; who will so carefully mind, and tender your estate as if it were his own. It much troubled him, 26 And was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. to think how much you would be afflicted with the rumour of his sickness. Because, for the work of Christ, 26 Because for the work of Christ, he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. through his labour in preaching, and the toil of his journey hither for my comfort, and tendance; and his watchings, and pains taking in ministering to my necessities, he was nigh unto death; not regarding his own life in a zeal to supply your lack of service towards me. CAP. III. BEware of those profane and impure men which open their unhallowed mouths against the truth of God; 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers: beware of the concision. beware of those false teachers, which under pretence of edifying Gods Church, pull it down, by their life, and erroneous doctrine; beware of the Judaizing opposers of the gospel; who whiles they talk of circumcision, do indeed make a concision, and rent in the Church. For, whatsoever they may pretend, wee are indeed of the true, and spiritual circumcision; and not they; we, 3 For wee are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Iesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. who worship God inwardly in the soul, and stand not upon an outward cutting of the flesh; we, who place the confidence and joy of our hearts, upon Christ Jesus, and not upon these external acts and privileges, which concern the outward man. Although I dare boldly say, if these outward privileges were to be stood upon, there is none of them all, 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh, if any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more. who could find more cause of confidence, and boasting herein, then I might. 6 Concerning the righteousness of the Law, I was blameless. I was so strict and punctual in the observation of the prescriptions of the Law, as that no man could tax me for the breach or violation thereof. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. But those things which whiles I was a Jew I accounted as rare and excellent prerogatives, those now, since that I was converted to Christ, I have made no reckoning of, but have slighted them, as not only worthless, but even rather prejudicial to my better calling. 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness. That I, who was but a lost man in myself, might be found in him, not having, &c. 10 That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. That I may know him both in speculation and in practise; and may both know, and feel the power of his resurrection, raising me from the death, and that I may experimentally find, what a comfort, and happiness it is, to suffer for him, and with him; that thereby I may be made conformable to him, in his death. 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. That so by this means, I may attain to that eternal life, which follows upon the happy resurrection of the just; and in the mean time that full measure of mortification and newness of life, which he hath ordained me unto. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehended that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Iesus. Not that I have as yet already attained it; let no man misconstrue me, as boasting of my perfection; no, I come as yet short; but I strive and labour towards it; and follow hard, that I may reach it at the last; yet can I not do it, as of myself, it is Christs laying hold on me, that will and must enable me thus to lay hold on Christ. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. As those that run in a race, forget how much ground they have already passed, and mind onely that part of the way, which yet remaineth, to the goal; so do I, in this course of my Christian profession; never look back to what I have done, but still look forward to that which I yet must and ought to do. 14 I press toward the mark, for the prise of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus, And thus constionably labouring, I press forward towards that prise of heavenly glory, which is the blessed issue and fruit of our high calling in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Let us therefore, so many of us as are sincere, and true hearted to God, and such, as do truly strive for this Christian perfection, be thus minded, renouncing all confidence in ourselves, or ought that pertains to us, and seeking for justification onely in Christ; and, if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, as depending upon the works of the Law, or any other outward helps, God shall in his good time open your eyes to see, and aclowledge this truth of his, which he hath revealed unto me. nevertheless, in the mean time, 16 nevertheless, whereto wee have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. for so much of the truth of God as wee have already obtained the knowledge of, let us therein walk on peaceably, and lovingly; following one, and the same rule of the word of God, and conspiring in all Christian unanimity, and concord, to do all good offices to God, and each other. For many, 18( For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. even of those that profess themselves to be Christians, of whom I have oft complained, and warned you, and now renew my complaint with tears, live inordinately;& so as that they proclaim themselves to be the secret, and real enemies to the gospel of Christ, and opposers of the power, and virtue of his passion. Whose end is destruction of body and soul, 19 Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shane, who mind earthly things.) who make a god of their ease and pleasure, and profit, avoiding all the danger of persecution for maintenance of the truth, and making an advantage of their plausible teaching; who now glory in that which will at last prove their shane, and confusion; who mind only these transitory and earthly things. As for us, we over-looke the earth, 20 For our conversation is in heaven, from whence, &c. and have both our affections and conversation in heaven before hand, from whence, &c. CAP. IV. I Beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntiche, 2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntiche that they bee of the same mind in the Lord. that being noted for wise and religious matrons, they do not by their discord distracted, and trouble the Church at Philippi; but that they agree peaceably, in their Christian profession. And I entreat thee also, who art the faithful husband, 3 And I entreat thee also true yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life. and yoke-fellow to the one of them; that thou do also yield, to give thy best furtherance to those women, which have taken pains to minister unto me, and have suffered some afflictions also, for the promoting of the gospel; with Clement, and other my fellow labourers, whose names are written in the roll of the just, and holy men, which are ordained to eternal life. That now at the last, 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last, your care of me hath flourished again, wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. you have given good proof of your careful respects to me( which seemed for the time to be intermitted) in that provision which you sent to me, by the hands of Epaphroditus; not that I make question of your care of me, formerly; I know ye wanted not will, and desire, to have expressed your love to me, but ye wanted opportunity till now. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever, &c. Not that I rejoice so much in regard of the supply of my want; which I well know how to bear, for I have learned, &c. 13 I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Let no man think that I arrogate this power to myself; no, of myself I can do nothing, but in, and through Christ, which strengtheneth me, I can do all things. 17 Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Not that I desire a gift; it is all one to me, whether I want or abound; but in this, I desire that a benefit may accrue unto you, whose beneficence to me is an advantage unto yourselves. THE EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. CAP. I. 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel. FOr those goodly, and glorious things, which your hope assures you to be laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye have heard before, in that most true word of the gospel: 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world. Which gospel is comne unto you, being preached amongst you, as it is all the world over, &c. 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. That ye may behave yourselves so, as may become those, which are honoured by God, with so high a calling, and ordained by him, to so great glory; and so as may be in all things well pleasing unto him, &c. 12 Giving thankes unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. Giving thankes unto God the Father, who hath furnished us with such graces, as whereby wee may be fitted to become partakers of that glorious, and everlight-some, and blessed inheritance of his Saints in heaven. In, and by whom, 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. wee are freed and bought out from the bondage of sin, and satan, even by the ransom of his most precious blood, in that by the virtue thereof, and the full satisfaction made thereby unto God, wee have forgiveness of sins. Who is unto us that onely and perfect means, in, 15 Who is the Image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature. and by whom, God which is by nature invisible, is manifested, and revealed to mankind, in the son, as in a clear and perfect glass, we see the Father: That eternal son had his being of, and with the Father, before ever any creature was made. And as he had an eternal being before them, 16 For by him were all things created, &c. so they had their being in time from him, for by him were all things created, &c. Who is the first cause of all things, 18 Who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. giving a beginning unto them all; and restoring them all again, by the power of his resurrection, as being the omnipotent raiser of himself from the dead; and he, by whose power all others either have risen, or shall rise. For it pleased the Father, 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell. that in him should essentially dwell all perfection of grace, of wisdom, of power, of goodness, and mercy. And( having made peace, 20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. through the satisfaction made by his precious blood, shed upon the cross) by the perfect work of his onely mediatorship, to reconcile unto himself, all things, that were formerly set at variance with him by sin; and to set unity betwixt God and men, betwixt Angels and men. And amongst the rest, even you Colossians, 21, 22 And you that were sometimes alienated, and enemies in your mind, by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblamable, and unreprovable in his sight. that were sometimes in your natural, and heathenish condition, not onely strangers from God, but even enemies to him, both in respect of the sinful disposition of your mindes, and of your wicked works also, and trade of sin, wherein ye lived, yet now hath he reconciled, in that true human body of his, by suffering death for you, that he might present you holy, &c. Which mercy of reconciliation, 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, whereof I Paul am made a minister. and peace ye shall be sure to receive, if ye continue constantly firm in that true faith, and Christian hope which hath been wrought in you, by the gospel: which gospel ye have had preached unto you, and not to you only hath it been taught, but to all the nations under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. Who now rejoice in those persecutions, 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,& fill up that which is behind, of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the Church, which I suffer for your sake, yea for Christs; every Saint of God is a member of Christs body; and Christ therefore suffers in him; thus it is then with me; my afflictions are Christs; and I do, in suffering, fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ, in my flesh, for his Churches sake. 25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God, which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God. Of which Church I am made a minister, according to the dispensation, which is committed to me of God, for your behoof; that I may fully deliver that errand which I have received, of preaching the gospel to you, and to the rest of the Gentiles every where. 26 Even the mystery which hath been hide from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to his Saints. Even this mystery of salvation by Christ revealed to the Gentiles; which hath been hide from former ages, and from the fore-passed generations of our forefathers; but now is made clearly manifest to his Saints. To whom God would make known, what is the glorious riches, 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery amongst the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. and treasure of this great mystery of the gospel, for the salvation of the Gentiles, as well as of the chosen people of the Jews; the sum and substance of which mystery, and gospel, is Jesus Christ; in whom onely ye have the hope of eternal glory. CAP. II. 1 For I would that ye knew, what great conflict I have for you,& for them at Loadicea,& for as many as have not seen, &c. FOr I would that ye knew what great care, and anxiety, and selfe-conflicts I have within me, for you and for your neighbours of Laodicea; and for all other converts to Christ, which have not seen my face, nor enjoyed my bodily presence. 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ: That their hearts may be furnished with the rich, and full understanding of the gospel of Christ, and may bee settled in the perfect acknowledgement of the great mystery of religion, wherein God is revealed to men, even God the Father, and Jesus Christ his son. In whom alone are laid up all the treasures of wisdom, 3 In whom are hide all the treasures of wisdom, and knowledge. and knowledge; so as that without him they cannot be had; and by him they are imparted unto his faithful ones, for their salvation. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Iesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: As ye have therefore received the true doctrine, concerning Christ Jesus the Lord; so do ye persist, and persevere therein. 7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Ye are living plants, ye must be fast rooted in the soil of Christ; ye are living stones, ye must bee laid fast, and firmly mortered upon the foundation of Christ; ye must be strongly established in the true faith of Christ, as ye have been taught by your faithful teachers, Archippus, and Epaphras; abounding, more and more, in the knowledge, and profession thereof, with thankfulness to God, for that light which he hath imparted unto you. Beware, lest any man make a prey of you, 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments, of the world, and not after Christ. through the false pretence of secular wisdom, as mixing divine things with human, and measuring heavenly mysteries by their natural reason; or, through the vain enforcement of Jewish rites, and ceremonies; both which kinds of false teachers form their doctrines after the uncertain and mis-devised traditions of men, or after the beggarly rudiments of the world, viz. the ceremonies of the law, which are now out of date, and not after the truth of Christ. For in him, the whole God-head dwelleth essentially, 9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. and the divine nature is not onely united to the soul of Christ, but to the body also; and in him hath God fully revealed himself to the world. And ye are in, and by him filled with all saving grace, 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. and divine knowledge; even in him, who is your head; and not yours onely, but the head of all the heavenly Angells, even those mighty, and powerful spirits above. 11 In whom also ye are circumcised, with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. In whom also ye are spiritually circumcised in your hearts, by that inward circumcision which is made by his holy Spirit, and not by the hands of men, in that ye have, by his gracious work in you, put off your sinful corruptions, through the virtue of that circumcision, not which Moses, but which Christ hath wrought in you. The effect of which circumcision ye have received, 12 butted with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. in that ye have received that baptism, which succeeds that other legal Sacrament; ye are therefore circumcised, in that ye are baptized, and ye are in baptism butted together with Christ, in respect of the mortification of your sins, represented by lying under the water; and in the same baptism, ye rise up with him, in newness of life, represented by your rising up out of the water again; through that faith of yours, which is grounded upon the mighty power of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being once altogether dead in your sins, 13 And you being dead in your sins, and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses: and in the spiritual uncircumcision of your hearts, hath he quickened, and raised up to a life of grace, and new obebience, together with himself, by the power of his resurrection; having forgiven you all those trespasses, wherein ye formerly lay. Blotting out, by his precious blood, 14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. that obligatory bond of mosaical ordinances, and ceremonies, which carried in them a secret accusation of our guiltiness; and canceled it utterly; nailing it to his cross, as voided, and of none effect. 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. And having spoyled the principalities, and powers of hell, he made a show openly, leading them, as manacled captives, after him; being exalted upon the triumphant chariot of his cross. Since therfore the mosaical ceremonies are thus abrogated, 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meate, or in drink, or in respect of an Holy day, or of the New-moone, or of the Sabbath dayes: let no man judge you, in matter of eating, or drinking; or in respect of your solemn annual festivities, of Pasch, Pentecost, Tabernacles, or of your monthly feast of new-moones, or of your weekly feasts, the Jewish Sabbaths. 17 Which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. Which observations are onely types, and shadows of things, which were then to come; but the body and substance, shadowed and figured out by them, is Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary humility, and worshipping of Angells, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. Let no man beguile you of your prise( which is laid ready at the goal for you) by drawing you aside, under pretences of voluntary humility, to those opinions, and practices which are not warrantable; as to worship the Angells, under colour of an awful modesty, in not going first to God, without a mediation; out of a bold curiosity intruding himself into the profession of knowing that, which he hath not seen; and vainly puffed up with a proud conceit of his own skill. 19 And not holding the head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. And not holding himself to the true knowledge of Christ; who is the only head of the Church; from whom, all the body of his universal Church, being knit together by the joints, and bands of one common Spirit, receiveth due spiritual nourishment, and groweth up, and increaseth in the graces of God, till it come to a full stature. 20, 21. Wherefore if ye bee dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world: why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances?( Touch not, taste not, handle not: Wherefore, if ye have part in Christs death, by which these mosaical ordinances are abrogated, and abolished; Why, as though ye were still of the world, and had no interest in Christ; are ye subject to the rites, and ordinances of the ceremonial Law?( as to stand upon the terms of, touch not this, taste not that, handle not that other: 22 Which are all to perish with the using) after the commandements, and doctrines of men. All which meats, and drinks( whereof they are so scrupulous) perish with the using, and have no further being, after they are received) interpnted and urged after the commandements, and traditions of men. 23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship and humility, and neglecting of the body, not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Which opinions and practices of theirs, are such, as wherein, they make indeed a great show of wisdom and piety, professing a voluntary humiliation, and afflicting of themselves with hard usages of the body, in fasting, and abstinence; and not yielding that due respect and care to the body which were meet for the moderate and fit sustentation thereof. CAP. III. IT is not for you to affect the things of the world, 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hide with Christ in God. for ye are dead to the world, and to all the vain, and sinful motions, and desires thereof, but ye have already, and shall enjoy hereafter, another manner of life, which the world cannot see, or discern; for it is hide, and laid up with Christ, in God; as out of the knowledge, 5 mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness. so out of the danger of the world. mortify therefore all the lims of your earthly and sinful corruptions, fornication, uncleanness, &c. Seeing that ye have put off your old depraved nature, 9 Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; with the sinful works thereof; And are professed that ye are become new ●en, 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the Image of him, that created him: renewed in knowledge, and all holy disposition; a●ter the image of God, who hath created this new heart in you. In which business of renovation, there is no respect of persons at all, whether a man be a Jew or a greek, 11 Where there is neither greek, nor jew, circumcision, nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, &c. &c. but every man is accepted according to that measure wherein Christ his Saviour, and his holy Spirit dwells and works in him. Contrary therefore to those lims of your corruptions, 12 Put on therefore( as the elect of God, holy and beloved) bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, &c. take to yourselves, as it becomes the elect children of God, holy and beloved; all those graces of regeneration which are meet for your Christian profession, tender mercies, and compassion, kindness, &c. And above all these, 14, 15. And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. see that your hearts bee filled with charity, which doth perfectly unite together all the members of this mystical body; and by, and in which, all other graces are perfected, for the use of Gods Church. And let that Christian peace, which God worketh in you, and which your holy profession calleth you to, by virtue of your union with the whole Church, rule and reign in your hearts. Let the doctrine of Christ be familiarly settled in your hearts, and make you rich in all wisdom; 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, &c. so as that ye may be able to teach, and admonish one another; that ye may express the joy of your hearts in psalms, &c. CAP. IIII. 3 That God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. THat God would vouchsafe unto us faire, and happy opportunities of preaching the gospel, and give us powerful assistance, and abilities to deliver the great mysteries of the gospel of Christ, for which I am now in bonds. 5 walk in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time. walk carefully and wisely, and carry yourselves inoffensively towards those that are not of the Church of God; and take all advantages, and opportunities of doing good. 6 Let your speech bee always with grace, seasoned with salt that you may know how ye ought to answer every man. Let your speech be always gracious and savoury, such as may argue the holy disposition of the heart, from whence it comes; so framing your words to the occasion, as that ye may return a meet answer to every man. 11 These onely are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort to me. These two onely of the Jewish nation, have helped me, in the preaching, and furtherance of the gospel, and have been comfortable unto me, in their encouragements, and loving ministrations. 16 And when this Epistle is red amongst you, cause that it be red also in the Church of the Laodiceans: and that ye likewise red the Epistle from Laodicea. And after that this my Epistle hath been red among you, cause that it be red also in the neighbour Church of Laodicea; and let this enclosed Epistle, which was written to me from Laodicea, importing much the good of you all, be likewise red amongst you. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. CAP. I. 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Iesus Christ, in in the sight of God and our Father. WE do, upon all occasons, give thanks to God, for your faith, hope, and charity; and for the gracious effects, and proof of them all; that your faith hath approved itself in good works, your love in a laboursome endeavour for the help of your brethren, your hope in a patient enduring of sufferings; whereby ye have fastened yourselves upon our Lord Jesus Christ, in sincerity, as in the sight of God, our heavenly Father. Knowing brethren, 4 Knowing brethren beloved, your election of God. and being upon good reason fully persuaded, that ye are elected of God, to salvation. And the ground of this our persuasion, is the happy and fruitful success of our preaching amongst you; 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word onely, but also in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in much assurance, as ye know what manner of men wee were among you for your sake. For our gospel was not onely verbally preached amongst you, and so formally entertained, but it was both delivered, and received amongst you, in much powerful working upon your hearts, with much evidence of the holy Ghost, and in much assurance of the infallible truth thereof; as we do also appeal to your consciences, after what manner we demeaned ourselves amongst you, with what meekness, patience, diligence for the winning of your souls. For when we go about to report your forwardness, 9 For they themselves show of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from Idols, to serve the living and true God. they are ready to prevent us; and upon famous relation can tell us how loving entertainment, and kind acceptance we had from you, in our first entering to you; and how cheerfully ye obeied our gospel, in turning presently from your Idols, to serve the true, and ever-living God. CAP. II. FOr yourselves brethren, 1 For yourselves brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain. and your own consciences can abundantly testify, that our preaching amongst you was not in vain, but exceedingly effectual. To speak unto you the gospel of God, 2 To speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. with much fervency of zeal, and with powerful opposition of the gainsayer. For our teaching amongst you was not in a colloguing, 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile. and colluding fashion, to make a gain secretly of you, neither was it in a plausible way of humouring uncleanness and impurity of living. Neither did I make my preaching as a colour, 5 Nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness. or cloak of my covetous seeking for wealth; as if I aimed at my profit onely, in my teaching. When we might have taken upon us, 6 When we might have been burdensome as the Apostles of Christ. and have requited a charge●ble maintenance, and have born a port, fit for the Apostles of Christ. Not the gospel onely, but our very lives also, 8 But also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. which are worthy to be most dear, and precious to us. 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. That ye would walk in so holy a manner, as might become those, whom God hath honoured with the high calling of Christianity; and to whom he hath intended to give so glorious a kingdom. 14 For ye brethren became followers of the Churches of God which in judea are in Christ Iesus, for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, &c. For ye, brethren, became followers of those Christian Churches, which are planted in Judea, for ye also have suffered from your countrymen of Thessalonica, the very same kind of persecutions, which they suffered of their countrymen, the Jews. 15 Who both killed the Lord Iesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men. Which Jews( that ye may see and know ye have partners, in all your sufferings, and hard measures offered unto you) have proceeded very maliciously in their cruel persecutions; for they both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own holy Prophets; and have spitefully chased us, who are of their blood and nation; and have run very deep upon the displeasure of God, and oppose themselves against all men in resisting the course, and success of the gospel among the Gentiles. 16 Forbidding us, to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway, &c. for the wrath is come upon them to the utmost. That they may make up that full measure of their own, and their forefathers sins, upon the fulfilling whereof, God hath intended to sweep them away with his judgements, by the hands of the Romans; and to execute his wrathful displeasure, and vengeance upon them to the utmost. 18 But Satan hindered us. But Satan stirred up these envious Jews, to raise oppositions against me, and by these means hindered my journey to you. CAP. III. 1 We thought it good to be left at Athens alone. WEe were well content rather to be left alone at Athens, then ye should want the help, and comfort of so worthy a teacher, as Timotheus our brother. CAP. IV. 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification, &c. THat every one of you should know how to use, and govern his body, holily, and chastened. 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles, which know not God. Not yielding yourselves over to be slaves unto your own beastly lusts and inordinate desires, as the Gentiles which know not God. 8 he therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who also hath given unto us his holy Spirit. he therefore that despiseth these wholesome, and apostolical counsels and commands, despiseth not man, but God himself; who hath given us his holy Spirit▪ and hath indicted these things unto us. I need not give this literal charge to you, 9 But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I writ unto you, for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. of loving one another, as if it were a thing as yet unperformed of you, for God hath already written these real characters of love in your hearts, and hath enabled you to give good proof of this Christian charity, to each other. And that ye do earnestly affect, and studiously endeavour for peace, and quietness, 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands. and laying aside all curious intermeddling with other mens business, be careful of your own, &c. Carry yourselves in an honest and seemly fashion among the Gentiles, not giving them occasion of scorn, 12 That ye may walk honestly towards them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. by your baseness, and idle want; but labour in your vocations, so as that ye may have lack of nothing, nor be too much beholden to others courtesy. Concerning your dead friends, 13 Concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. that ye sorrow not for their loss, in an over passionate, and immoderate fashion, and measure, like to Gentiles, that apprehended not the hope of a resurrection. For this wee deliver unto you, 15 For this wee say unto you, by the word of the Lord, that wee which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. as from the express charge of God, that those which shall be found alive, at the second coming of the Lord to judgement, shall not prevent them, which are before dead in their graves, so as to be glorified before them. For the Lord himself shall personally descend from heaven, with a mighty noise, 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. even with the loud and powerful voice of an archangel, which shall be as the trumpet of God, to summon the world before the tribunal of Christ; and then they that are dead in the faith of Christ, shall rise, ere the full consummation of the living. CAP. V. BUt as for any special designation of the times and seasons of Christs coming, brethren, 1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I writ unto you. it is curiosity for you to inquire into it, and unnecessary for me to writ thereof to you. This yourselves know perfectly already, 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. and it is enough for you to know it, that whensoever that day cometh, it shall come suddenly, and inexpectedly, even as a thief in the night. Therefore let us not give up ourselves to a carnal security, as do others; 6 Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. but let us be watchful and sober. 7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. For the time of darkness is fit for the works of darkness: sleepers and drunkards make choice of the night, as meetest for them. 8 But let us who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith, and love, and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. But let us, who are children of the light, and with whom there is no night of riot, and disorder, be ever sober; our profession calls us unto it; for wee know wee are in a continual warfare; we must therefore be ever watchful, and be furnished with the breastplate of a lively faith in Christ, with love to our brethren, and with hope of salvation by Christ, as with an helmet. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. And wee beseech you brethren, that you take special notice of, and give due regard to those your spiritual overseers, which labour amongst you in word, and doctrine, and have the charge of your souls committed unto them by the Lord, and do admonish you. 16 rejoice evermore. rejoice in the Lord always, and let none of the outward crosses of this life, rob you of your joy in the holy Ghost. 17 Pray without ceasing. Pray upon all occasions, and at all meet opportunities, and be evermore lifting up your hearts in heavenly ejaculations to God. 19 Quench not the Spirit. do not ye cool, and discourage, and( as much as in you lieth) quench and put out the good graces of Gods Spirit, either in yourselves or in others; but cherish and foster them. 20 Despise not Prophesying. Despise not the preaching of the gospel, upon any pretence soever, whether of the meanness of gifts, or of prejudice against the teacher; but reverence and honour it. 23 And I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the, &c. And I pray God that all your inward faculties of understanding, will, affections, and all outward members of your bodies may be preserved, &c. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. CAP. I. WHich very afflictions, and persecutions suffered by you, 5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. are a manifest and clear proof of a judgement to come, wherein the righteous God of all the world, shall declare you to be accounted of him, in his great mercy, worthy of that kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. Seeing it is a most just, and righteous thing with God, 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you: not to let wicked persecutors go away, at last, unpunished; but to return pain and torment to them that trouble you. And to you that are troubled, by them, eternal rest, 7 And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from heaven, and glory, together with us, and all his Saints; in lieu of those miseries they have cast upon you, &c. Whose presence shall be exceeding dreadful to the wicked; 8 In flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. for he shall come in flaming fire to take vengeance on them that would not know God, and that yield not their obedience, but make opposition to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. When he shall come in wonderful, 10 When he shall come to bee glorified in his Saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, because our testimony among you, was believed, in that day. and unconceivable glory; which he shall not reserve to himself, but impart to his Saints; in whose brightness, and conformity to the glorious body of Christ, his infinite goodness, and mercy shall be then admired: even, in the glorification of all that believe; amongst whom ye also have your part, forasmuch as ye have believed that gospel, which we delivered unto you. CAP. II. 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, NOw we beseech, and adjure you brethren, by that sure, and dear account that ye make of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of that glory, which wee shall enjoy with him, when wee shall be taken up to meet him in the clouds, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. That ye be not soon driven away from that truth of doctrine, which hath been delivered to you, concerning the coming of Christ; nor be disquieted in your thoughts, either by pretences of revelations, or by pretence of report, or letter sent, as from us; as if the day of his coming were instantly at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means, for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. Let no man deceive you by any false suggestions of the hast of that day; for it shall not come, till after there haue been a sensible and general defection from the faith of Christ, and the purity of the gospel; and till that Antichrist, the noted, and eminently sinful enemy of Christ, that son of perdition, be revealed. 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that he as God, sitteth in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Who in the pride of his heart opposeth himself against, and exalteth himself above all those sovereign powers that are called gods here on earth, and above, and against him, that is the onely true God; crossing and contradicting his word, and ordinances; so as that he tyrannizeth in, and over the Church of God, bearing himself as if he were the absolute Lord, and God thereof. 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. And now ye know, both by that which I spake to you in presence, and that which I have now written, what let lies in the way of his revelation; and what it is that must de done, and expected ere that enemy of Christ do fully discover himself; namely, that the gospel must both be universally preached, and revolted from: and that the Roman empire must be removed ere he can fully show himself. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way. For there are already foundations secretly laid for this antichristianism; and this deep mystery of iniquity doth( though closely and insensibly) even already work: onely the powerful, and flourishing estate of the Empire( which now hindereth any such present usurpation) will let, until it be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth. And then, shall that wicked one show himself in his colours; who shall continue to oppose the truth of God, and to infest his Church, until the Lord shall by the power of his gospel overthrow him; and shall utterly destroy and confounded him, with the glory of his coming to judgement. Even that presumptuous enemy of Christ, 9 Even him whose coming is after the working of satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders: whose coming shall be graced, and set forth by the working of satan, and all the powers of darkness; with mighty works, with strange miracles, and lying wonders. And with all the fraud& imposture that wickedness can device to use for the delusion of those miserable clients of his; which perish, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish: because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. because they embraced not that truth of God which was offered unto them, that they might be saved. And for this wilful refusal of Gods truth, 11 And for this cause God shall sand them strong delusions. it shall be just with him to give them over unto strong delusions, &c. Because, 13 Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth. however others may be miscarried with these powerful deceits, yet for you, wee are persuaded that God hath, from before the beginning of the world, chosen you to salvation, which ye shall happily attain unto, through the sanctification of the holy Ghost, and your firm faith in the truth of God revealed unto you. And hold fast all that wholesome doctrine of the gospel, which I have delivered unto you, 15 Therefore brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. either in my sermons, or in my Epistles. CAP. III. THat the word of the Lord may be universally preached and willingly received; 1 That the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. and be glorified in the effectual power thereof, in other places, as it is with you. And that wee may be delivered from absurd and perverse men, both those false hypocrites, 2 And that wee may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. which closely underworke the gospel, and those public opposers of the truth, which persecute us, for the professing of it; which that they do, it is no marvel; for all men have not faith, to know and yield to the truth; that is a singular gift of God, which he hath bestowed onely on some; it is no marvel if others hate and persecute it. And not after that holy counsel, 6 And not after the tradition which ye received of us. and charge which he received of us. Not because wee had not just liberty, and power to require maintenance from you, in lieu of our labours; 9 Not because wee have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. but that wee might thus make ourselves examples of painfulness, unto you, for your imitation. 14 Note that man, and have no company with him, that he may bee ashamed. Set a mark on such a one; and do both give up his name to me, and censure him with a just ejection, out of your company, that he may with shane be won to reformation. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO timothy. CAP. I. unto timothy, my own dear son, whom I have spiritually begotten to the faith, 2 unto timothy my own son in the faith. &c. Neither give heed to idle Jewish fables, 4, 5 Neither give heed to fables,& endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather then edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandement is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. nor to those infinite pedigrees, and genealogies which they stand upon, in drawing down the line of their discent from Abraham; or from David, in a pretence of claiming kindred of Christ, according to the flesh; which breed many frivolous questions, and contentions; rather then tend to thee dification of the Church, in the faith of Christ, which should be the end and drift of all our labours; For that which the commandement of God both in the law, and in the gospel drives at, is charity; even that Christian charity, which floweth from a sincere hart, and a good conscience, and an unfeigned faith in that Christ, which hath loved us, and shed abroad his love in our hearts. From which graces some having roved, and taken a wrong aim, 6 From which some having swerved, have turned aside unto vain jangling: have shot away their shafts, and have turned aside unto vain jangling: Taking upon them to be teachers of the law, whiles in the mean time, 7 Desiring to bee teachers of the Law, understanding neither what they say, &c. they understand neither the principles, nor conclusions of their own doctrine. Not, that I take exceptions against the law itself; 8 But wee know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully. no, the law is good, and to excellent purpose, if a man make such use of it, as he ought; not seeking to bee justified by it, but to bee directed by it, in his obedience, and to bee brought by it, to Christ, which is the end of the law. Knowing this, 9 Knowing this, that the Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless, and disobedient, for the ungodly, and for sinners. that the law is not made for the coercion, restraint, punishment of the righteous, and upright in their conversation, but of lawless and disobedient men, of godless, and lewd persons, &c. But I obtained mercy from God; 13 Who was before a blasphemer,& a persecuter, and injurious. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly, in unbelief. who graciously held me capable thereof; because that which I did, I did not maliciously, or spitefully, but out of ignorance, and unbelief. Howbeit, for this I obtained mercy, 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Iesus Christ might show forth all long suffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. that Christ Jesus might make me a pattern,& example, in whom he might show forth his wonderful patience, and long suffering; for the comfort and encouragement of all them, who notwithstanding the conscience of their many infirmities, should hereafter believe in him, to life everlasting. This charge I commit unto thee, son timothy, 12 This charge I commit unto thee son timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare. that knowing thyself to be of more then ordinary note, and one whom many Prophesies have foretold of, as a worthy and eminent instrument of Gods glory, and the good of his Church, that thou stir up thyself, according to those predictions of thee, to approve thyself a good soldier in this spiritual warfare of Christ. Holding the pure and true doctrine of the gospel, 19 Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away, concerning faith, have made shipwreck. and a good conscience in all thy actions, which some having disregarded and put away, have been miserable ship-wracked in their judgement, concerning matters of faith. Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, 20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. whom I have by a dreadful sentence of excommunication, given over to the power of Satan that they may be hereupon drawn to repent of their heresy, and blasphemy against God. CAP. II. I Exhort therefore, brethren, that first of all, when ye meet together in your public assemblies, 1 I Exhort therefore that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thankes bee made for all men. ye join together in all kind of prayers and holy devotions; both those whereby we sue to prevent and avoid evils that may befall us, and those wherein we sue for all blessings that we want, and those wherein we entreat for the good of all others, and those wherein we give thankes, for our own good, and the good of the whole Church. 2 For Kings, and for all that are in authority, that wee may led a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. But especially let your prayers, and thanksgivings be for Kings, and for all that are in authority over you, that through Gods blessing upon their government, wee may led a quiet, and peaceable life, &c. 4 Who will have all men to bee saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. And thus general would God have your prayers, and intercessions to be, because he hath excluded no sorts or conditions of men from the capacity of heaven, or from the means of salvation, so as it is not for us to reject, or condemn any, as irrecoverably cast away by him, and uncapable of our prayers; since he hath revealed his will to be thus large, and gracious. For as there is but one God, and mankind is but as one corrupted mass; 5 For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Iesus. so there is but one mediator betwixt God, and mankind, even that man and God, Jesus Christ; who having taken the nature of man upon him, for the working of this reconciliation, hath therein made no difference of Jews or Gentiles, of great, or mean, but calleth all indifferently. 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. And gave himself accordingly, to be a ransom for all; so as the world should in due time, see,& know what an open way is made by him, for their salvation; a ransom sufficient for the redemption of all mankind, and perfectly effectual to all that believe. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an Apostle. Of which wonderful and merciful redemption I am, through the grace of God, ordained a preacher, and an Apostle, &c. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands without wrath, and doubting. By virtue of this my apostolical charge, and function, I do therefore ordain, and will that men do not confine their devotion to any one place, but that as occasion offers itself, they pray every where; looking not so much to these outward circumstances, as to the inward devotion of the heart, that they pray in holinesse, in charity, in faith, 9 Not with broidered hair or gold, or pearls, or costly array. Not in a fashion that may argue either wantonness, or curious niceness, or pride. For I suffer not a woman( though she be endued with gifts fit for the instruction of others) to teach publicly in the congregation; 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. nor yet at home to take upon her, to govern and rule her husband; but in a modest silence to receive his instruction, and commands. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve: For Adam had the priority in his very creation; he was first formed; and then Eve was formed of the substance taken from him. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. And Adam as he was the first in creation, so he was not the first in transgression, neither was Adam deceived immediately by the Serpent, but the woman. 15 Notwithstanding she shall bee saved in child bearing, if they continue in faith and charity, and holinesse with sobriety. But though the woman hath by her yeeldance to the suggestion of the Serpent, brought upon man and herself, so great sin and misery; and though I allow her not to take upon her public offices, yet there is employment for her at home, wherein she may so demean herself, as may be pleasing unto God; and in that very punishment which God inflicted upon her, he hath given her just cause and means of comfort; for God shall make those her painful conceptions, and the care and anxiety, which she undergoes in the education and nurture of her charge, good means to bring her to salvation: but the main condition, and help to that her future glory, is the continuance( of that sex, as well as the other) in faith, charity, and holinesse with sobriety. CAP. III. IF a man desire the office of public teaching, 1 If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work. and governing the Church; he desireth a work that is both holy, and excellent, and difficult. A Bishop then, must bee a man of an inoffensive life; 2 A Bishop then must be blameless; the husband of one wife, &c. one that is not tainted with the common blemish of polygamy; that is, of having more wives at once then one, or, after an unjust repudiation of one wife, marrying another, &c. Not a novice in the faith, or in age; 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemna- of the devil. lest being puffed up with the conceit of his early advancement, above others, he fall through pride, into that condemnation into which the devil is, for that same cause, plunged; or give advantage by this means to the tempter and accuser of mankind to work his damnation. Lest he fall into the reproach of the heathen, 7 Lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devil. and going on in lewd and debauched courses, bee entangled in the bands of wickedness, the snares of the devil. Holding and maintaining the true doctrine of Christian religion, in a sanctified heart, 9 Holding the mystery of the faith, in a pure conscience. and a pure conscience. See verse 2. 12 Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children, and their, &c. do justly obtain the favour, and honour to bee preferred to the higher offices in the Church; 13 Purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Iesus. and do by this means receive an increase of courage, and holy boldness, in the profession of the gospel of Christ. 15 But if I tarry long, that thou maiest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, &c. How thou oughtest to carry thyself in this great family of God; the Church of the living God; which is, in respect of men, the pillar and ground of truth: So as that it sustaineth, and beareth up( by a faithful profession, and maintenance thereof) the true religion of God. The sum whereof is, that undoubtedly-great and wonderful mystery of godliness: 16 And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh. God manifested in the flesh, &c. CAP. IIII. 1 Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the later times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devills. NOw the Spirit of God hath expressly revealed both to me, and others his Prophets, that in the later times, wherein Antichrist shall reign, and sway in the world; some shall depart away from the purity of religion, giving heed to seducing spirits, and to doctrines devised, and set on foot by the devil. 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hote iron; Broaching false, and erroneous points of doctrine, and labouring to make them good, by an hypocritical ostentation of holinesse; having hard, and seared hearts, insensible of their own dangerous estate, and of the fearful judgements of God. 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created, to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe, and know the truth, &c. Forbidding marriage, either absolutely in itself, or specially to some sorts, and estates of men, as a thing unclean and unlawful; and commanding( upon pretence of holinesse, and conscience) to abstain from some kind of meats; which yet God hath created good, and allowed to be received, &c. 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God, and prayer. For it is sanctified to us, and may lawfully be received, if the word of God have not forbidden, but given free way unto it; and if we use it, both with prayer for a blessing upon it, and with thanksgiving to God for it. 6 Nourished up in the words of faith, and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. Nourished and brought up in the true religion of God, and in good and wholesome doctrine; &c. But refuse thou both erroneous, and heretical opinions, 7 But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. as also the fabulous dotages of vain, and brainsick men; and exercise thyself rather in the holy and spiritual works of piety, and godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. For as for that bodily exercise of fasting, and strict penitence, wherewith many please themselves, if it bee considered in itself, surely it profiteth little; and many have used it to small purpose; but the exercises of true Piety, whereby we work upon our hearts, to draw them to the fear of God, to sound repentance, to a lively faith, and all other heavenly dispositions, are profitable to all ends and purposes; having the promises of Gods gracious acceptation, and reward, both in respect of the blessings of this life, and the life to come. For therefore we do with much cheerfulness, 10 For therefore wee both labour, and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. both labour and toil in our vocations, and also suffer the reproaches, that are cast upon us for Christ; because wee have our full trust, and confidence reposed upon the living God; who is the protector, preserver, and maintainer of all men, but especially of those that believe, who are most peculiarly interested in him. demean thyself so gravely, and stayedly, 11 These things command and teach. that no man may take occasion to despise thee for thy young yeares; but be thou an example to all believers, 12 Let no man despise thy youth, but bee thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. to frame their lives according to thine; go thou therefore before them,& led them both by thy doctrine, and by thy conversation, in Christian love and charity, in an undaunted courage and fortitude, in a lively faith, in an holy purity both of heart and life. Till I come be thou diligent in reading, 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. and meditating upon the holy Scriptures; and employ thyself carefully in teaching, and exhorting others. do not neglect to stir up, 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. and exercise those notable gifts& graces, which were given thee by the Spirit of God, when, upon the special revelation of God, and the divine oracle of his holy Ghost, thou wert appointed and designed to this holy ministry; whereto thou wert admitted and consecrated by the prayers, and imposition of the hands of the presbytery. 16 Take heed unto thyself,& unto the doctrine: continue in them. look carefully to thyself, both for thy life, and thy doctrine; and continue constant in the careful observation of these rules, which I have given thee, &c. CAP. V. do not take up too sharply, and roundly, 1 rebuk not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren. those that are ancient in yeares, but entreat them plausibly, and gently, as thy fathers in age; neither be too harsh to the younger men, but treat with them as with brethren. Give due respect to those widows which under thy charge, 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. are appointed to bee maintained by the public contribution of the Church: such I mean, as are widows indeed, and therefore for their condition duly capable of this maintenance. But if any widow have children, 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requited their parents, for that is good and acceptable before God. and nephews of sufficient ability, to provide for her; let those children, or nephews learn to show their pitty and love to such their Parents, or Aunts; and to requited those loving and chargeable offices, which in their younger times they received from them, &c. Now she that is a widow indeed, fit for your relief, is shee, 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. that is utterly destitute of other helps, that is religiously given, trusting in God, and spending her time ever in holy devotion, both night and day. But shee that lives in pleasure and delicacy, pampering herself so much the more, 6 But she that liveth in pleasure, is dead while she liveth. by occasion of her freedom, and giving herself over to wantonness, though she live in the body, yet in soul shee is dead, dead in her sins and trespasses. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse then an infidel. But if any shall willingly neglect to provide for those that concern him; and especially for them of his own family, and near kindred; that man, together with humanity, hath cast away religion also; and makes himself, in this foul and shameful incivility, worse then an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number, under threescore yeares old, having been the wife of one man. Let not one be taken into the number of those widows, who depend upon the maintenance of the Church, and are employed, by it, to charitable services, in attendance of the sick, and ministration to the Saints in their travails, under threescore yeares old; and such a one as hath given good proof of her modesty; having so been the wife of one husband, as that she hath not, upon his repudiation, married to another. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will mary. But do not admit of younger widows to this condition, and service; for they, after that they have betaken themselves to this ministration, and by this means have, as it were, married themselves to Christ, when they grow pampered and wanton, will be casting off these resolutions of their serviceable attendance upon the Church of Christ, and will mary, perhaps to infidels; for those who are the sons of the Church will not easily give way to match with persons so devoted. 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And so by this means run into the just danger of damnation, because to please their new husbands they cast off their profession of the faith of Christ; at least in marrying they do violate that promise, and engagement, wherein they bound themselves to do their continual service to the Church. I will therefore, and ordain that the younger women be left to their full liberty to mary, 14 I will therefore that the younger women mary. &c. 15 For some are already turned aside after satan. For some are, already, through their wanton courses and known fornications, mis-carried by satan, to the great scandal of the Church. 17 Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. Let those Bishops or Pastors that rule well, be counted worthy of all due respects, both of honour and maintenance; but especially those among them, which besides their care and pains in governing, labour diligently in teaching and instructing their people. Against a Presbyter, whose function is sacred, 19 Against an Elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. and whose scandal may be more dangerous, receive not an accusation, unless it be proved by two or three witnesses. But those Presbyters which give manifest offence by their sin, do thou rebuk, and censure publicly, 20 Them that sin rebuk before all, that others also may fear. that others also may fear. do not rashly lay thy hands upon any man, to ordain, 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens sins. keep thyself pure. and authorize him to the holy function of the ministry; neither do thou admit of any unworthy man; nor by this means through thy partiality, make thyself a partaker of other mens sins; but keep thyself holy, and untainted. Some there are who offer themselves to ordination, 24 Some mens sins are open before hand, going before to judgement: and some men they follow after. whose scandals are known beforehand, and run( before their tender of themselves to this holy function) into just censure: others offences are not known till after they be ordained. Likewise also on the contrary, 25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand, and they that are otherwise cannot be hide. the good works& holy carriage of some, that put themselves forward to this holy calling, are well known and approved beforehand, so as thou needst not make scruple of laying thy hands upon them; and as for them that are otherwise, if thou do diligently inquire after their demeanour, and conversation, they cannot be hide from thy notice; so as thou mayst refrain to admit them. CAP. VI. LEt those Christians, 1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honour. which are under the yoke of servitude, so carry themselves to their masters( though infidels) as accounting them worthy of all honour; not derogating ought from their obedience, because themselves are called to the knowledge, and profession of Christ, &c. And for those that have believing masters, 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren, but rather do them service, because they are faithful. let them not think they may abate ought of their due respects, and observance to them, because they are their fellow-Christians, &c. And consent not to the true, 3 And consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Iesus Christ. and saving doctrine of the gospel, &c. 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strife of words, &c. he is proud( knowing nothing, indeed, of what he ought to know) but vainly distempering himself about idle, and frivolous questions and quarrels, about words, whereof, &c. 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt mindes, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness, &c. Perverse, and peevish brabblings of disputations of men of corrupt and depraved mindes; voided of all care and love of truth; aiming only at their own filthy lucre, as supposing gain to be the best, and only godliness, &c. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. But I say contrarily, that godliness is great gain, and such as may give a man all-sufficiency in himself; if he have an heart content with his estate. 9 But they that will bee rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts. But they that set down their rest, and resolution, that they will be rich, must needs fall into many temptations,& be miscarried with them; and cannot but be entangled in the snares of satan, and drawn into many covetous desires, &c. 10 Which whiles some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Which whiles some have immoderately coveted, they have been drawn to renounce their Christian profession, and have wounded their souls with many sorrows, and have brought infinite mischiefs upon themselves. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. Fight thou that good and happy fight of a true and faithful champion of Christ, for the maintenance of his faith, and gospel, which thy true faith in him shall enable thee unto, and crown thee for; and lay hold upon that blessed reward of eternal life, &c. 13 Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. Who before Pontius Pilate made a just and undaunted profession of his Messiahs-ship: telling him, that for this cause he came into the world, that he might bear witness of the truth. 16 Who onely hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto. Who onely hath perfect and absolute immortality, as in himself; dwelling in that increated and infinite glory of divine majesty, which our weak and dark apprehensions cannot conceive or reach unto, &c. 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. Laying up in store for themselves, through the grace, and acceptation of God, a good foundation of assured comfort, against the evil day, even the day of death; that they may, upon his merciful remuneration obtain eternal life. 20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science, falsely so called. O Timothy, keep thou sure and carefully, that precious treasure of sound and wholesome doctrine, wherewith thou art entrusted; avoiding those profane& vain janglings about idle questions, and those bootless quarrels of sophistry, which carry a show of learning& knowledge, 21 Which some professing, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee, Amen. but indeed have nothing but frothy ostentation. Which some professing have been drawn into gross errors, and mis-opinions concerning religion. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO timothy. CAP. I. I do not onely remember thee often, 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day. but I thank my God( whom I serve in that true religion which I received from my forefathers, being in substance the same, which I now profess) that he puts into my thoughts the remembrance of thee; for I take so much pleasure in recalling thy virtues and graces, that I hold it a great favour of God, that he hath given thee a place in my devotions, both by day, and by night. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith wherewith thou art( amongst other graces) eminently endued; and that true piety, 5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelled first in thy grandmother Lois, &c. which was at first notably apparent in thy grandmother Lois, and, &c. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance, 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands: that thou quicken and stir up those gifts and graces of God, which were given thee by the imposition of my hands; not suffering them to go out, for want of use, and excitation. But exercise them boldly, and cheerfully; 7 For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. for God hath given us his Spirit to enable us, and bear us out in these holy services, which Spirit of his, is not a Spirit of fear, and cowardice; but a Spirit of power, and resolution; a Spirit of fervent love to his Church; a Spirit of sincerity, both of judgement and affection. Be thou a cheerful partner of those afflictions, 8 But be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God, which follow the profession of the gospel; not out of any strength of thine own, but out of the mighty power of God, upholding and encouraging thee therein. Who hath saved us from sin, and death, 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Iesus, before the world began. and hath vouchsafed to call us effectually into the state of saving grace, even to holinesse and newness of life; not for any merit of our works, but for his own mercies sake, upon his own good purpose, and grace, which was decreed to be given to us, in, and by Christ Jesus; before the world began. 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Iesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life, and immortality to light, &c. Which hath taken away from death, all that power and tyranny, which he exercised over mankind; and hath made a clear way to life and immortality, for all that believe, through the gospel. For I well know what a powerful, and merciful God, 12 For I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. and Saviour it is, whom I have relied and cast myself upon; and I am fully persuaded, that he is infinitely able, against all the powers of hell, to keep, and safeguard that my precious soul, which I have committed to his care, and custody, and to bring it forth glorious, at that great day of his appearing; and to perfect that salvation of mine, which he so graciously hath undertaken. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith, and love, which is in Christ Iesus. Hold fast both the substance of sound Christian doctrine, and the form of expressing, and delivering of it; which thou hast heard of me; the sum of which doctrine is our faith in God through Christ, and our love to him, and our brethren. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee, keep by the holy Ghost. That good and precious treasure of the gospel of Christ, which was committed unto thy care& trust; and those singular graces which God hath bestowed upon thee, see that thou keep and maintain, with an happy increase; not out of any power and virtue of thine own, but by the holy Ghost which dwelleth in thee. 18 In that day, &c. In that day of the last and general retribution, when he shall come to reward every man according to his works. CAP. II. 1 Thou therefore my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Iesus. THou therefore, my son, be courageous, and strong in the maintenance of that gospel of Christ, which thou hast received through the grace that is given thee, by the same Lord Jesus Christ. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. And the same things which thou hast heard me deliver unto thee, not in a corner, but publicly before many witnesses, as a truth worthy to be averred; even the same things do thou preach, and deliver over to faithful men, that may communicate them unto others; that so this blessed message of the gospel, may be both diffused abroad, and transmitted to posterity. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Iesus Christ. Thou knowest thy calling, that thou art by thy profession, a soldier of Jesus Christ, serving under his colours; resolve thou therefore to do, and endure that which belongs to thy place; be content to suffer, and undergo all hardness for his names sake. It is not therefore for thee, to be taken up with other cares, and employments; 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him, who hath chosen him to be a soldier. no man that gives himself to the warres, whiles he is in that service, entangles himself in the affairs of his husbandry, or bargainings, but devotes himself wholly to the military business, which he hath in hand, that he may please his captain, or general. And as it is in wrestling; every man that strives, 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crwoned, except he strive lawfully. is not presently graced with the garland; but he that wrestles skilfully, and according to the laws of that exercise; so it is in this holy station; not every Bishop is crwoned, and rewarded of God, but he that manageth this calling gravely, holily, faithfully. The husband man must first labour and take pains in ploughing, and sowing, 6 The husband man that laboureth, must first bee partaker of the fruits. ere he can be partaker of the fruits of his field; and when he hath bestowed this profitable toil, he is well worthy to be the first, that shall eat of his own labours. I am persecuted, as an offender, 9 Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds: but the word of God is not bound. for that I preach the gospel of Christ; and am imprisoned, and put into bonds and fetters, for this onely cause; but howsoever they may bind me fast, as they do; yet they cannot bind up and fetter the gospel of Christ; that word of his, both is, and shall ever be free; for even in these bonds of mine, I do, and will preach it unto all comers. Therefore, 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elects sake. I endure affliction for those good offices that I do towards the furthering of the salvation of the elect, &c. And if wee believe not, he loseth nothing by it; 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself. the misery and damage is ours; but for him, he is the same he was( what ever become of us) just, and faithful in all his promises, and undertakings; he cannot be less then his word, but will certainly do whatsoever he hath spoken. And the doctrine of these profane heretics spreads abroad, as a canker doth in the flesh; of which sort, 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus, and Philetus. are Hymeneus, and Philetus. Who have erred in a main point of faith; saying, 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying, that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some. that there is no other then a spiritual resurrection, to be received; and that this spiritual resurrection is passed, whiles wee live here on earth; and by this means have perverted, and overthrown the faith of some. 19 nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. But howsoever, some fashionable professors of Christianity do thus fall off; yet nevertheless, the foundation of Gods gracious and eternal election remaines sure, and unmovable; and is shut up inviolably under this seal of his; The Lord hath eternally foreknown those that are his; yet not so, as that presuming upon an absolute decree, wee should live as wee list; but on our parts who are thus mercifully foreknown, there is required an holy, and conscionable obedience; so, as that every one that professes the name of Christ must depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house, there are not onely vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood, and of earth, and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Neither need we to be troubled to see some fall away from Christ; for, as we see it is in a great house, there are vessells of all sorts and metals; and of all forms, and for all uses; some precious ones of gold, and of silver, which are for honourable uses; others again of wood, or of earth, which are destined to base uses: so it is in the great house of God, the world, all are not faithful, all are not set apart to glory. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall bee a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work. And if any man therefore shall keep himself pure, and clean from these false doctrines, and heretical teachers, he shall approve himself to be a vessel of honor, sanctified and set apart by God, for the glory of his mercy, and by him prepared, and enabled to every good work. 22 fly also youthful lusts. Avoid thou those impetuous desires, and passions, to which youth is commonly subject, &c. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid. But foolish questions, and such as tend to no edification, and can give no furtherance to our knowledge by assoiling them, do thou avoid, &c. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive. And it is not for a servant of the Lord to quarrel, and brabble about slight, and worthless matters, &c. 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth: Endeavouring that by this means, God, if he have so decreed, may give them repentance, and grace to aclowledge that truth, which they have gaine-said. 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. And that they may seasonably recover themselves from their heresies, and errors, which are the very snares of the devil, wherein they are entangled, and held captive at his pleasure. CAP. III. MAking an outward and formal profession of godliness, 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. in words, but in their deeds denying the power thereof: so living, as if godliness were but a mere name, and a matter of fashion, without all force and efficacy; have nothing to do with such kind of men. Of this sort of dangerous hypocrites, are they, 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses,& led captive silly women laden with sins, lead away with divers lusts, which under faire pretences insinuate themselves into mens houses; and seduce poor silly women; which are the more apt to be mis-led, for that they are formerly vicious, being light huswives, and those that are given up to lewd, and wanton courses. Which indeed are fit disciples for such teachers, 7 Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. as those which are curiously enquiring still into every novelty of doctrine, and never care to attain unto sound knowledge of Gods saving truth. Now as of old, Jannes and Jambres, 8 Now as Iannes and jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. which were Pharaohs sorcerers, resisted Moses and contested with him, in the message that he brought from God; so do these false teachers at this day resist us, in delivering the truth of the gospel; being men of corrupt mindes, desperately erring in the main points of religion, and framing their belief according to their own fancies, and affections. But they shall not prevail to the seducing of any more; for God shall lay them open, 9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. and display the foolishness of their doctrine, and shane them, as he did those sorcerers, who were so restrained by the hand of God, that they could not so much as make lice, in emulation of Moses. The godly are afflicted, and persecuted, 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. but wicked men and seducers are at full ease, and grow on, from one degree of sin to another; deceiving others, and being themselves deceived, by Satan. All holy Scripture is given by inspiration from God; not being dictated, 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; or penned by any human device; and is fully available, as for matter of doctrine, and for confutation of errors; so also in respect of manners, both for correction of mis-demeanours, and for instruction, and direction of our holy, and righteous carriage. That a Divine, 17 That the man of God may bee perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. or teacher of Gods people may bee made complete; thoroughly furnished by it unto all the services of his profession. CAP. IIII. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrines, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. BE earnest, and diligent in preaching, for there will arise false teachers; who shall so bewitch the mindes of men, with their plausible fancies, as that they will not endure sound doctrine; but shall multiply to themselves great variety of pleasing teachers; having itching ears, that affect altogether novelty and choice of doctrines, and curious speculations. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. For I am now ready to be offered up, as a sweet sacrifice to God, in my martyrdom, for his name, &c. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. My life is a warfare, and behold, I have fought a good fight, having striven for the gospel zealously, and effectually: My life is a race, and I have run my course, even to the very goal, constantly, and happily; I have maintained and defended the truth of Christs gospel inviolably. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. And now from henceforth, I comfort myself with the expectation, and assurance of that crown, or garland of immortality and glory, which upon the gracious promise of the righteous God, is laid up for me, &c. 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica, &c. For Demas hath given over to attend me in my affliction, any longer, rather choosing to take his own ease, and to provide for his own safety and profit, then to minister to me in my bonds. For he may be of great use to assist me here in my ministry, 11 For he is profitable to me for the ministry. which I labour in( though a prisoner) continually. 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. At my first answer before Neroes tribunal, I was forsaken of all, which formerly professed favour to me; out of a weak fear of danger, and persecution; whose infirmity I so far pitty, that I do earnestly pray to God, that this timorous shrinking of theirs may not be laid to their charge. 17 And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And I was delivered from the tyranny of that cruel Nero. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. And the Lord shall deliver me still, and ever, from every evil work, that might blemish this my holy profession; from all cowardly fears, and sinful revolts, and whatsoever else may bee offensive to God and his Church, &c. THE EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO titus. CAP. I. PAul a servant of God, 1 Paul a servant of God, and an Apostle of Iesus Christ, according to the faith of Gods elect, and the acknowledging of the truth, which is after godliness. and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, sent and employed by him, to preach that gospel of his, whereby true faith is wrought in his elect, and whereby they are lead to the acknowledgement of the saving truth of Christian religion. For this cause when we were both together in Crete; 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. I left thee there behind me, that thou mightest rectify, and make up that which I might not stay to take full order for; and that, by thine episcopal authority, thou mightst ordain presbyters in every city of that populous island. See 1 Tim. 3.2. 6 If any bee blameless, the husband of one wife, having, &c. Teaching to mix judaism with Christianity for their own private advantage. 11 Teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucres sake. One of their own Poets, even Epimenides, 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, saith; The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. prophesied truly of them, when he said of them, though upon another occasion; The Cretians are great liars, cruel oppressors, dull, and epicurean gluttons. This testimony, 13 This witness is true. though spoken of him to another purpose, is very true of these Judaizing Cretians, &c. These Jewish babblers talk of differences of meats, 15 unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled, and unbelieving, is nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled. as if some were still impure by virtue of the levitical Law, but these men are deceived. For now since the abrogation of those ceremonial observations, certainly there is no impurity to bee conceived to remain in the creature itself; but what impurity there is, is in the receiver of them; if the man be pure, all meats are pure to him; but, if the man bee sinful and unclean, in vain doth he think to make choice of his meat, for all that he can touch or taste, is made unclean to him, by his inward and moral pollution; since thereby his very soul is made odiously unclean to God. CAP. II. 8 Sound speech that cannot be condemned. LEt that which thou teachest, O Titus, bee sound doctrine, such as, if it come to scanning, cannot be justly censured, &c. 11 For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men. For the great bounty and mercy of God, which offereth and( if they were not wanting to him, and themselves, in not believing;) bringeth salvation to mankind; hath been manifestly shewed, and well approved unto all men in the incarnation of the son of God. 12 Teaching us, that denying ungodliness, &c. By virtue whereof, that holy gospel of his, whereby this salvation is published to the world, teacheth us to avoid ungodliness, &c. 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Iesus Christ. Having an eye to that blessed recompense of reward, which wee steadfastly hope for, even that unspeakable glory, which we shall bee possessed fully of, at the appearance of our great God, and Saviour Jesus Christ. CAP. III. 5 According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the holy Ghost: ACcording to his great mercy, he hath saved us, by the means of those holy ordinances which he hath appointed, and namely( as one of them) by the holy Sacrament of baptism, which is the laver of our spiritual regeneration, yet not by any virtue of the outward sign, but by the inward renovation, which is wrought in us by the holy Ghost. 6 Which he shed on us abundantly, through Iesus Christ our Saviour. Which holy Ghost he hath abundantly endued us withall, in the miraculous, and saving graces thereof, by and through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who sends that glorious Comforter of his Church. 9 But avoid foolish questions, &c. See 1 Tim. 1.4. and 1 Tim. 6.5. 10 A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject. If any man teach, or hold erroneously, concerning the main points of Christian religion, do thou give him some serious admonitions, to reclaim him, if it may be; but if once or twice admonishing prevail not, reject him. Knowing that such a one is utterly incorrigible, 11 Knowing that he that is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. and sinneth wilfully, in not yielding to the truth; and is therefore condemned in his own conscience, whiles after so palpable a conviction he will yet hold out to maintain a known error. Zenas, 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey diligently. who having been a professor of the mosaical law, is now so much the fitter for the preaching of the gospel, and Apollo who is mighty in the Scriptures, are coming towards me; Let them be aided by you in the charge of their journey hitherward, &c. And stir up those that profess themselves to be our disciples, and well-willers, 14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses. that they bee ready and forward to do all works of charity, and beneficence, &c. THE EPISTLE OF S. paul THE APOSTLE TO PHILEMON. CAP. I. our fellow-labourer in the gospel, 1 And fellow-labourer. Bishop or Pastor of the Church at coloss. And to his faithful consort, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, &c. our beloved sister Apphia, &c. My prayers are always for thee; 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Iesus. that thy faith may ever show itself to bee sound and lively, by those good works which it shall produce; and that those charitable actions of thine, may give effectual demonstration of the holy graces that are in thee by the gift, and inoperation of Jesus Christ. I beseech thee in the behalf of Onesimus, 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds, who is now my convert, as whom, in my imprisonment, I have won to the faith of Christ, Who in times past, whiles he was thy servant, 12 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable: but now profitable to thee and to me. and an unbeliever, was belike contrary to his name, utterly unprofitable; but now upon his conversion, will make good that which his name imports, and prove profitable both to thee and me. 12 Receive him that is mine own bowels. Receive him therefore lovingly, whom I esteem as dear to me, as my own bowels. 13 Bonds of the Gospel. In this durance and imprisonment which I endure for the gospel. 16 Both in the flesh, and in the spirit. How much more dear to thee, both in worldly or civill respects, and in spiritual. 17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. If thou count me worthy to be a partner of thy love, and dearest respects, and wouldst show favour to me, if I were present with thee, do the same to him, whom I now hold as my other self. 20 Refresh my bowels in the Lord. Do thou comfort, and cheer me up in my spiritual joy, in the Lord, refresh me in the Lord, refresh me in these afflictions, which I suffer for Christ, in doing this kindness for my sake. THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWES. CAP. I. 1 God who at sundry times, and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets. THat God, who in the several times, and ages of the world, did in many and divers ways, and manners, reveal himself to our forefathers, by his prophets; in dreams, in visions, in secret inspirations, and instincts, in apparitions of angels; sometimes in the cloud, sometimes in the fire, sometimes in whirlwinds, sometimes in a still voice, Hath now in these, &c. 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Who being in respect of his divine nature, very God, of very God; light of his Fathers light, the brightness of those glorious beams of his eternal essence, and infinite majesty; and being so, the express and clear representation of his Fathers person, as that the substance of the Father doth perfectly shine forth in him; and all that is to be known concerning God, is manifested to us, in and by him; and giving supportation, maintenance, preservation to all things, which he hath made, by that almighty power of his; when he had by his own all-sufficient satisfaction, expiated, and done away all our sins; even by himself, and his own precious blood, shed for us; he then took up his rest in the full possession of heavenly glory( even as man) at the right hand of his Father. Being in his very human nature advanced so much higher then the greatest angels of heaven; 4 Being made so much better then the Angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name they. by how much he hath obtained a more excellent,& glorious name then they, viz. to be called, and to be the son of God, not by Grace, or adoption, as wee are, but by nature, and eternal communication of essence. And of the Angels he saith; 7 And of the Angels he saith: who maketh his Angels spirits, and his ministers a flamme of fire. who makes these invisible, and spiritual natures, so swift messengers, as the very winds that pass suddenly round about the earth, and return not; and makes those his ministering spirits, as quick, piercing, forcible, operative, as flames of fire. Thus he speaks ever of the Angels, as servants, 8 But unto the son he saith, Thy throne( O God) is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. but of the son, he speaks as of the God, and Lord of the Angels; Thy throne O God, &c. Thy kingdom, and government is most just and righteous. See Psal. 45.7. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity, therefore God, even thy God, &c. See Isa. 34.4. 11 They shall perish, but thou remainest: and they all shall wax old as doth a garment. CAP. II. SInce therefore it is so, that the son of God, 1 Therefore wee ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which wee have heard. which hath now last spoken to us by himself, is so much more excellent then the Angels, wee ought to give so much more diligent heed, and reverend respect to the things, which wee have heard spoken by him, &c. For if that law which was given by the ministration of Angels, were of so great awfulness; 2 For if the word spoken by Angels was steadfast, and every transgression, and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; and every transgression thereof, and disobedience thereunto, carried away a terrible judgement from the just hand of God; How shall wee escape, 3 How shall we escape, if wee neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord. if wee neglect the sweet and gracious word of the gospel, the message and means of our eternal salvation; which first began to be personally preached by the Lord himself, &c. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, &c. But the holy Psalmist in his eighth psalm testified, saying; O God, what is man, &c. 7 Thou madest him a little lower then the Angels, thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands. Thou hast made that very son of man for the little time of his humiliation, here on earth, somewhat lower then the Angels, but thou soon advancedst him again, and crownedst him with infinite glory, and majesty; and didst make him( as Mediator) the Lord, and King over all the works of thine hands. 8 But now, wee see not yet all things put under him. But now, as yet, wee do not indeed see all things actually so subjected to his government, as that none of the rebellious enemies of Christ do rise up against him; it is enough that he hath taken possession of his glory, and will in his own due time, subdue all the adverse powers. But in the mean time wee see that Jesus, who was indeed, 9 Who was made a little lower then the Angels, for the suffering of death, crwoned with glory and honour, that he by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. made a little lower then the Angels, in respect of his suffering of death,( which those blessed spirits are not capable of) wee see him, I say, crwoned with glory and honour, who was before humbled by his own voluntary dispensation, and by the wonderful grace, and favour of God, towards mankind, that he might undergo that death for man, which every one is liable unto; and by his tasting of death, sweeten it to all his faithful ones. 10 For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For it well stood with the justice, and mercy of that infinitely wise, powerful,& holy God, who is the maker, and preserver of all things; for the effecting of that his gracious decree, in saving many sons of his, and bringing them to their full glory; to fit this great author, and ring-leader of their salvation, for that wonderful, and unspeakable glory, wherewith his humanity was to be invested, through many and great sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. For both that Saviour of ours, by whom wee are sanctified, and wee that are sanctified, are all of one nature, namely, we have all one common humanity; For which cause he being, as he is, God, blessed for ever, is not ashamed to call us, miserable men by the name of his brethren. 14 That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. That by the suffering of that death, which was due to us for our sins, he might strip satan of that power, and advantage, which he had over mankind, in the drawing of man into eternal death, by miscarrying him into sin, whose wages is death. 15 And deliver them who through the fear of death, were all their life time subject to bondage. And that he might deliver those his chosen children, from the fear and horror of temporal death, who in the state of nature, were held continually in a slavish fear, and dreadful expectation of it. Wherefore since he would become man, 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful, and faithful High-priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. and our elder brother, it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren in all things, both in his substance, and affections, and infirmities, sin onely excepted; that out of his experience he might be approved unto us, a merciful, and faithful High-priest, in those things which are requisite to make up a perfect rcconciliation with God, for the sins of the people. For in that he himself, 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. in his human nature hath suffered, being assailed by divers difficulties, and trials of affliction, he is therefore, out of his own feeling experience, able to succour those that are thus afflicted, and assaulted. CAP. III. WHerefore, O ye Christian Jews, 1 Wherefore holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle, and Highpriest of our profession Christ Iesus. who are partakers of this heavenly calling, and brethren by your holy profession; consider and set before your eyes, Jesus Christ, your blessed Saviour, who in respect of the gospel, is our great and prime Apostle, that brings us the glad tidings of salvation; and in respect to the Law, is our High-priest, who hath offered up a perfect sacrifice for mankind. Who was faithful to God his Father, 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. in all things that were enjoined him to be done, even as( and much more, then ever) Moses was in the Israelitish Church; which was as the great family of God upon earth. Ye have an high opinion of Moses; 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory then Moses, in as much as he who hath builded the house, hath more honour then the house. but know ye that there is no comparison to be admitted betwixt him, and Christ; for Christ is accounted worthy of so much more honour then Moses, by how much the builder, and master of the house is worthy of more honour, then the house which he hath built, or any parcel thereof: Now Christ is the maker and owner of this great house of his Church, and Moses is a part of this house of God, as being a member of his Church; and therefore is worthy of much more honour then Moses. The material houses wherein wee dwell, 4 For every house is builded by some man, but he that built all things is God. are built by the hand of some man; but Christ who is the builder of this great house of the Church, yea of the whole world, is God, and therefore infinitely more excellent, then any creature whatsoever. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after. And Moses was faithful in the administration of this whole Church, or house of God, as a servant; in delivering unto the people all that part of Gods will, which he would have then to be declared unto them; and which afterwards was to be more clearly set forth. 6 But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are wee, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. But Christ is a faithful governor, as the son of God, and therefore as the true Lord, and owner of this house; which house or Church of his, wee are, if, as we have received the Christian faith and profession, so wee do steadfastly hold on the resolute maintenance of the same faith, which onely is able to give us confidence, and cause of rejoicing in the assured hope and expectation of our glory to come. 8, 9, 11. Harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the wilderness, when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty yeares: So I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest. See Psal. 95. verse 8, 9, 10, 11. 12 Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. Take heed, brethren, lest after this holy profession, made by you, there be found in any of you an evil, and unbelieving heart, to fall away, and depart from the colours of the living God, to take part with infidelity. 13 But exhort one another daily, whiles it is called to day, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. But exhort, and stir up one another, daily, whiles God holds forth this happy opportunity unto you; lest, as it fell out with our forefathers in the wilderness, so it should betid unto you; that any of you should have his heart hardened, and turned back towards the spiritual Egypt, through the deceitful suggestions of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if wee hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. For wee are already made partakers of Christ( in our holy profession) in his word and Sacraments, and shall be fully, and perfectly possessed of him, if wee go on, according to our good beginning, and steadfastly hold that faith, which is onely able to give us confidence and assurance, unto the end. 15 Whiles it is said to day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not, &c. See Psal. 95.8. 16 For some when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. For not all your forefathers that were brought by the hand of Moses, out of Egypt, did provoke God to anger, by tempting of him, but some, and those indeed not a few, when they heard his words, yet went on to tempt and offend him. So then wee see they could not enter into the promised land, because of unbelief. 19 So wee see that they could not enter in, because of unbelief. CAP. IV. LEt us therefore by their example, take heed, lest, 1 Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us, of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. since wee have a promise left us by Christ, of entering into his glorious rest( whereof that other was but a dim type) any of you by turning back to judaism, or infidelity, should come short of it. It was the very same word of the gospel that was preached to them of old, and of late unto us; 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. but how sovereign soever it was of itself, yet it was not at all available to the good of many of them; for that it was not mixed with faith, in them that heard it; for without faith in the receiver, the word profiteth nothing. For as they had a rest, which if they had believed, 3 For wee which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest, although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. they had entred into, so have wee also, and that a far more excellent, and sweet rest, which wee shall( upon our belief) enter into; that which God calleth his rest; now that which God calleth his rest, was not that which was his ceasing from his work of creation, on the seventh day, which was his Sabbath; for those six dayes works of his were finished in the first beginnings of the world; before this other rest was mentioned; so as it is another kind of rest, whereof God here speaketh, even that sweet complacency, and contentment which he takes in his blessed saints, and their glory with him. For as of that other, which is the Sabbath dayes rest, 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise. he speaketh on this wise, &c. And in this place again, 5 And in this place again: If they shall enter into my rest. he speaks of another kind of rest; even the fruition of his perfect peace, and glory, whiles he saith, If they shall enter into my rest. again, in Davids mention of that rest, 7 again, he limiteth a certain day saying in David, To day, after so long a time, as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice. there is a certain day limited, and specified, even long after that other rest was out of date; whiles he saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, &c. For if Joshua, 8 For if Iesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. by bringing them into the promised land, had given them rest, he would never have spoken of another day of rest, which they should not have. 9 There remaineth therfore a rest to the people of God. There is therefore another manner of rest, which is glorious, and heavenly, that remaines for Gods faithful people. 10 For he that is entred into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. For he that is entred into this blessed, and glorious rest, he hath utterly ceased from all his unquiet, and troublesone labours, and miserable tasks, which he underwent here on earth: even as God himself on his seventh day, restend from the works of his creation. 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Let us therefore labour, and strive to enter into that perfect, and blessed rest of glory, and immortality; and let us take heed that none of us bee so miscarried, as our forefathers were, by their unbelief, from entering thereinto. 12 For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper then any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of things and intents of the heart. For, it may not be slightly regarded whatsoever the word of God threatens unto us; for even as the judgements, which of old seized on them, were piercing and active; so is the word of God still( which menaces these vengeances to us) quick, and powerful, &c. searching into the very inmost powers, and faculties of the soul, and finding out our most close, and reserved thoughts and intentions. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy. Let us therfore in the confident assurance of his readiness to help us, make our address boldly, and cheerfully to the throne of his grace; upon all occasions suing to our bountiful God for a supply of all our necessities, &c. CAP. V. 1 For every High-priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. FOr Christ is indeed a perfect High-priest, of whom the High-priest under the law was but a figure; we know that whosoever bears this office, is taken from among men of the same mould, and composition with themselves; and that he is ordained for the behoof, and benefit of men, in divine and spiritual matters; and specially that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for the sins of the people. 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way, for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And therefore, in likelihood, such a one, as can pitty the ignorant, and erring; for that he himself hath experience of the manifold infirmities, which call for his compassion in others. 6 As he saith also in another place, thou, &c. See Psalm. 110. verse 4. Who in the time of this present, and mortal life, 7 Who in the dayes of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared: when he had offered up the incense of his prayers, and supplications, &c. and was heard, and graciously answered in those extrem agonies, which he endured, not without a true human, but inoffensive fear. Though being the natural, and eternal son of God, he was replenished with all perfection of graces and virtues; 8 Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience, by the things which he suffered. yet that he might be a merciful High-priest for us, he was willing by the experience of his sufferings, to be tutored to an exact obedience. And being thus by his exquisite sufferings, 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation, unto all them that obey him. and obedience, made a perfect High-priest; he became the author of salvation to all those which obey him, in such humble and sincere manner as he obeied his Father. Seeing ye do yet make yourselves uncapable of them, 11 Seeing ye are dull of hearing. by fore-stalling your minds with sinister affections, and over-much respect to the mosaical law. Whosoever in the school of Christ is such, 13 For every one that useth milk, is unskilful in the word of righteousness. as that he needs to be( as it were) fed with the spoon, and instructed in the plainest, and easiest points of religion, that man surely, is uncapable of those higher, and more difficult doctrines of divinity, which require more skill, and more able apprehension to learn them. Those more difficult and profound mysteries of Christianity, 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. belong to them, which are of more growth and strength of knowledge, and spiritual understanding; who have made their mindes enured unto, and exercised in these heavenly speculations, so as they are able to discern between the good of truth, and the evil of error. CAP. VI. THerefore not resting ourselves contented with the knowledge of the first principles of Christian religion, 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works. let us go on towards the perfect understanding of the highest mysteries thereof; not needing now to be instructed anew, in the first grounds of our catechism, in the doctrine of repentance for sin, and of faith in God. Those ordinary points of religion, 2 Of the doctrine of baptism, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement. which are called for of all that are to be baptized,& to be made capable of the imposition of hands, for their confirmation in the faith received; and particularly, that there is an happy resurrection of the just to glory;& a judgement unto eternal death and damnation, pertaining to the wicked and ungodly. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. And surely I doubt not but this is our holy and Christian resolution, God enabling us thereunto: not slackening in our holy profession, not revolting from it; which condition is most fearful. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gifts, and were made partakers of the holy Ghost: For if there be any who have been once enlightened with the common illuminations of the Spirit of God, and have in some slight measure been sensibly endowed with those divine gifts, which are wont to led the way to saving graces, and have been made partakers of the common graces of the holy Ghost: 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, And have( though not fully fed, yet) pleasingly tasted of the good word of God; and of the effectual operation of those ordinances and means, which tend to the obtaining of a better life; 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shane. It will be impossible for such,( if they shall afterwards utterly Apostate from,& wilfully abandon their Christian faith, renouncing it totally, and maliciously) to recover themselves again by a sound and seasonable repentance, since they do by this shameful revolt, offer a new violence unto the Son of God; and scornfully fasten him upon the cross again, and put him to open shane, and contumely, before the face of the world. 9 But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. But my beloved, though we have made this tart comparison, of a barren, or ill-bearing soil, whose end is the fire; yet, we have said this, not out of any such hard conceit that wee have of you, as for your warning, and affrighting from your sins; for we are persuaded better things of you, making full account of you, that ye are those that are ordained unto eternal salvation. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work, and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the Saints, and do minister. For it hath pleased God to give very gracious evidences of your glory to come; in that he hath so happily wrought in you, enabled you to do good; neither is, or can God be unrighteous in not perfecting,& retributing that your painful love and zeal, which you shewed to his Name, in that ye have carefully, and beneficently ministered to the necessity of his Saints, &c. 12 Who through faith and patience, inherit the promises; Who now upon the power of their faith and patience, holding to the end, inherit that great and endless glory which was promised unto them; 14 Saying, Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. Saying, By myself I have sworn that I will exceedingly bless and multiply thee, &c. 17 The heires of promise, the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath. To the heires of that promised inheritance of heavenly blessedness; the unchangablenesse and stability of his decree; confirmed his promise by on oath. That so by two immutable things, viz. Gods promise and his oath, 18 That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. in both or either of which, it was impossible for God to lye, we might have a strong, and unmovable consolation; who have in all our doubts and distresses fled to him as our sure stay, and refuge; laying hold upon that glory and happiness which is set before us, by the hand of a lively and steadfast hope, and confident expectation thereof. Which hope is to the soul, 19 Which hope wee have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail. as an anchor is to the ship, a sure and steadfast stay thereunto in all the storms, and tempests of temptation; which is firmly pitched, not below on earth, but above in heaven, the true holy of Holies, within the vail. Whither Jesus Christ our blessed ringleader, 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entred: even Iesus made an high Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. and forerunner, is before-hand entred for us, to take possession thereof, even for us also; and there to intercede for us, as being an High-Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. CAP. VII. BEing by his name, Melchisedec, 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all: first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem which is King of peace. King of righteousness; and, by his title, King of Salem, that is, of peace, and therefore carrying in his very appellation those two honourable attributes of his royalty, peace and righteousness. Brought in Without any father, 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of dayes, nor end of life: but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a Priest continually. or mother mentioned in the Scripture; without any mention of his pedigree or descent; without any record either of his beginning, or ending; in all these regards resembling the Son of God; doth therefore abide an High-Priest for ever, in that there is no intimation given of any time wherein that office of his ceased. But this Melchisedec, 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. whose descent is not reckoned either from Levi or Abraham; as being before them both, and of an higher( though not recorded) pedigree, received tithes even of Abraham himself; and blessed that man, in whose seed all the nations of the earth were promised to be blessed. And here men that are mortal, 8 And here men that die, receive tithes: but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. and whose death and succession is apparently notified, receive tithes; but in that history of Abraham, he receiveth tithes, of whom there is no other mention but of his life, and continuance. And, as I may so say, Levi himself, 9 And as I may so say, Levi also who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. the father of that Priestly Tribe, who received tithes from all the rest of Israel, payed tithes( after a sort) to Melchisedec, in and by the hands of his father Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. For he was potentially in the loins of his great grand-father Abraham, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfect justification, and full consummation, 11 If therefore perfection were by the levitical Priest-hood,( for under it the people received the Law) what further need was there that another Priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? both of grace and glory, might have been had by the ministry and sacrifices of the levitical Priest-hood,( for under it the people received the great variety of laws and ordinances from God, by which they were governed) what further need was there, that another High-priest should arise, of a more high and excellent order, which is the order of Melchisedec; and not rather hold on still in that levitical line, and order from Aaron? 12 For the Priest-hood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law. As the Priest-hood is no small part of the law and ordination of God, and that which is exercised in, and about the care and over-sight of the observations thereof; so it must thereupon follow, that the Priest-hood being changed, the law must of necessity be changed also. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken, pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the Altar. For that Messiah of whom these things are spoken, that he should be such an High-priest, pertaineth to a quiter other tribe, then that of Levi; even to the royal Tribe of Juda, out of which none ever descended that served at the Altar of God. 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandement, but after the law of an endless life. Who is made an High-Priest, not by virtue of a command, or institution, which stands upon a fleshly succession, but upon that infinite power of God, which continueth an endless life unto him, without all need, or possibility of a successor. For that old mosaical law was disannulled by reason of the weakness thereof, 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandement going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. and the utterly disability that it had to justify, and save any client whomsoever; another therefore, which is an Evangelicall law, must of necessity come in the room of it. 19 For the law made nothing perfect: but the bringing in of a better hope did: by the which we draw nigh unto God. For the Law verily could not, by the ritual observations thereof, give perfect justification to any follower of it; but this new Law and Priest-hood of Christ, which raises up our hearts to a comfortable hope and assurance of the favour of God, and salvation, brings us at last unto an happy perfection. 20 And in as much as not without an oath he was made Priest, And in so much as God doth not mention his ordaining of Christ to be an High-priest without the preface of a solemn oath, 21( For those Priests were made without an oath: but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord swore, and will not repent, &c. ( For those other levitical High-Priests were not brought in with this solemn attestation of the oath of the Almighty; but this true and onely High-priest, was so; whiles it is said: The Lord swore, and will not repent. Thou art a Priest for ever, after the order of Melchisedec. By so much was Jesus made the undertaker and Mediator of a more noble, and excellent covenant, 22 By so much was Iesus made a surety of a better testament. which God hath made with mankind, under the gospel, then that old covenant whereof Moses was the interpreter. But that other ordination and profession, 28 For the Law maketh men high Priests which have infirmity, but the word of the oath which was since the law, maketh the son, who is consecrated for evermore. which God made since the Law, wherein by his word& his oath, he published a more perfect Priest-hood, declareth his eternal son to be that High-priest, who is fully glorified for evermore. CAP. VIII. A Minister of that glorious Sanctuary, 2 A minister of the Sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man. whereof this below was but a figure; and of that everlasting Tabernacle of heaven, which was pitched by the hands of God alone; and not by men, as that other mosaical Tabernacle was; which is indeed the truth, and substance of that, whereof that other was but a type, and shadow. For if he were such an High-priest, 4 For if he were on earth, he should not bee a Priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the Law. as ye Jews would have your messiah to bee, conversing still on earth, and exercising these levitical actions, in a material Temple, he should bee indeed no Priest at all; seeing ye know those Priests which do these like functions, are of another Tribe, then that whereof he was; neither were there any use of him for these kind of sacrifices; neither could they be worthy of an High-priest, of so glorious order& condition; others were by God assigned to that purpose. Whose service was altogether umbraticall, 5 Who serve unto the example, and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished, &c. and typical; shadowing, and representing heavenly things, by these outward, and earthly rites, fabrics, sacrifices: As Moses was admonished, &c. By how much Christ is the Mediator of a more excellent covenant, even that Evangelicall, 6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. more excellent then the legal, which is grounded upon the promises of life, and salvation to every believer. For if that other covenant of works and ritual observations could have been fully able to justify mankind, 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought, &c. then should no place have been left for this other covenant of faith. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the dayes comes( saith the Lord) when I will make, &c. But as finding an insufficiency in the trust which they reposed in the old covenant; he promiseth a better; saying, Behold, in the dayes of the gospel, I will( saith the Lord) make, &c. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make, &c. See jer. 31.33.34. CAP. IX. 1 Then verily the first Covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. THen verily, that first covenant was altogether in types, and significations of spiritual things, consisting of many ceremonies, and having an outward, and material sanctuary. 2 For there was a Tabernacle made, the first wherein was a candlestick, and the Table, and the showbread, which is called the Sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; in the first room whereof( which was next to the open court where the people assembled) was the candlestick and the Tables, whereon the showbread was daily set; and this former room was called the holy place, or Sanctuary. 3 And after the second vail, the Tabernacle, which is called the holiest of all: And within the vail, there was a second room of the Tabernacle called the holy of holies; or the holiest of all. 4 Which had the golden censor, and the ark of the covenant, over laid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aarons rod that budded, and the Tables of the Covenant. Into which the High-priest onely entred with his golden censor; and in which was the ark of the Covenant, over-laid round about with gold; within which ark were reserved the two tables of the Law; and in the verge whereof were kept the pot of Manna, which God would have laid up for a monument of that miraculous provision for Israel, and the rod of Aaron that budded. 5 And over it the Cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy-seat, of which wee cannot now speak particularly. And over it were those glorious Cherubims, whose wings, being spread forth, shadowed the cover of the ark, which was called the mercy-seat; of all which several things, there is no need in this place to make a particular discourse. 6 The Priests went always into the first Tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. The priests went daily into the first room of the Tabernacle, accomplishing those ordinary services of God, which were required of them in their daily ministration. 7 But into the second went the High-Priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of his people. But into the second, or inner room of the Tabernacle, went the High-priest alone, once every year, not without a solemn sacrifice, first offered,( and the blood thereof sprinkled about) for the expiation of his own sins, and for the errors, and over-sights of the people. 8 The holy Ghost this signifieth, that the way into the holiest of all, was not yet made manifest, while as the first Tabernacle was yet standing. The holy Ghost signifying this mystery unto us, that while the outer room of the Tabernacle( whereby was signified the state of the Church under the law) stood, separated by a vail from the holiest of all;( which represented heaven) the way to heaven howsoever it were known to some few, yet was not openly manifested to the world, as it was by Christ afterward. Which outward room of the Tabernacle, 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience, and the court leading thereinto was a figure of the then present time and condition under the old law, wherein were offered both gifts and sacrifices of all kindes; yet such, as in, and of themselves, had no power or virtue, to acquit and justify him that did that service; and to appease and clear the conscience in spiritual matters. Which said law consisted, for the most part, 10 Which stood onely in meats and dri●kes, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation. in the differences of meats, and drinks, clean and unclean, in divers washings and rinsings, and manifold outward bodily ceremonies, and ritual observations, imposed upon the Jewish people, until the time of the new Testament; wherein the messiah should rectify and reform, and supply, whatsoever was amiss or wanting in their performances. But Christ being now comne, 11 But Christ being come an High-priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building: a true and ever-glorious High-priest, bringing and obtaining eternal happiness to his Church, hath in his human nature, which is a more noble and excellent Tabernacle, then that material one; and of a divine making,( whereas that other was made by the hands of men,) Not with the shedding, 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves: but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. and sprinkling of the blood of, whether goats or calves, or any other beasts, but having willingly shed his own most precious blood; he entred once for all into the high and holy heavens, having thereby redeemed us from sin, and death, and obtained an everlasting inheritance for us. For if the blood of bulls, &c. sanctified so far, 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; as to wash off a legal impurity from the flesh, How much more shall the blood of Christ, 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works, to serve the living God. who by the motion of his eternal Spirit( the infinite efficacy and power whereof made his death fully meritorious, and perfectly available) offered himself, as a most pure, and spotless sacrifice unto God; purge and cleanse your conscience from all those sinful, and odious corruptions, which are noisome to God, and deadly to your own souls; that ye might be wholly consecrated to the service of the true and living God. 15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the new Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were made under the first Testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. And for this cause is he the mediator of the new Testament; not that he might flourish, and reign upon earth, in an outward pomp, as ye Jews vainly imagine, but that he might suffer death even for those transgressions, under the old Testament, which the blood of beasts could no way expiate, and that all those which are effectually called by him, might receive the promise and performance of an eternal inheritance. 16 For where a Testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator. Neither should it seem strange to you to hear of the death of the messiah; for where a testament is, there must be also of necessity the death of the Testator. 19 he took the blood of calves, and of goats, with water and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people. he took the blood of calves and goats, mixing it with water; that it might not clodder and congeal together, and dipping therein scarlet wool which might drink up and retain it, and sprigs of hyssop, that might disperse it abroad, he sprinkled therewith both the book of the Law, and the people, to signify that neither that law could bee fulfilled, nor the people freed from their sins, but onely by the blood of Christ. 22 And without shedding of blood is no remission. Without shedding, and sprinkling of blood, there was no doing away of any legal impurities: and without Christs blood shed, no doing away of any spiritual, or moral impurity of the soul. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices then these. It was therefore necessary that this earthly Tabernacle( which was a pattern of the heavenly, and spiritual) should be thus consecrated with these earthly rites, and with the blood of beasts; but the true spiritual and heavenly Tabernacle, which is his holy Church itself, was to be purified with a better sacrifice, even with the blood of Christ. 24 For Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into heaven itself. For Christ is not entred into that external and material holy of holies, which was a type of that true and blessed sanctuary of heaven, but into the very heaven itself, &c. 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. So Christ was once offered, to make full satisfaction for the sins, not of some few, but of many, yea of all mankind, if they could all believe in him; and unto those that are his, who love and look for his glorious appearance, shall he come again and show himself, not in infirmity, as before, but with power; not to be offered up again for sin, but to judge sinners, and to perfect the salvation of his elect. CAP. X. THe spiritual state of things is like unto a picture, 1 For the Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. wherein there are first, some rude lines chalked out; afterward, the colours are laid, and the full resemblance expressed; even so it was here; the law was but as the first rude draft of good things, to come; and had not the full image, or lively expression of the things themselves;& therefore could never by those shadowie sacrifices, which they offered continually, year by year, make perfect those that followed the rules,& practise thereof. For where there is no sin, 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered, because that the worshippers once purged, should have had no more conscience of sins. there needs not be any offering for sin; if therefore sin had been done fully away, by those offerings; what use could there have been of any more oblations? since that these legal worshippers, being once purged from their sin, should have found no more trouble in their conscience for that sin, from which they were once cleared. But now it is plain, 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. that in these legal sacrifices there is a continual refrication of the memory of those sins every year, which wee have committed, so as we are put in mind, both of our guilt thereby, and of satisfaction to be made unto God for it. Wherefore when he intimates the incarnation of Christ, and his coming into the world in the flesh, 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me. he saith, Sacrifice and oblation is not the thing that thou restest in, or wherein thou receivest full satisfaction: but thou hast personally designed me to thy perfect, and entire service; both in doing and suffering; and thereby art reconciled to the world. See Psal. 40.7. 7 Then said I, Lo I come,( In the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. he taketh away the use of sacrifices, and oblations, 9 he taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. that he may establish the perfect use, and improvement of Christs incarnation, and exquisite obedience. That will which Christ came to do, 10 By the which will we are sanctified, through the offering of the body of Iesus Christ, once for all. was Gods decree of his perfect fulfilling the Law, and suffering death for our redemption; by the exact performance whereof, we are sanctified, through his voluntary offering of himself to death, once for all mankind. Every priest after the levitical order, 11 And every Priest standeth daily ministering, and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. is employed daily, in his external ministration, and offereth oftentimes, the same kind of outward, and bodily sacrifices, which yet have not the virtue to take away any sins at all. For by one offering he hath perfectly satisfied for all those whom he hath chosen to himself; 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. and hath thereby wrought out the salvation of all those which are, or shall be in all times sanctified to his service, and glory. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Iesus; Now therefore, seeing we see so happy a change made, that whereas under the law, none but the High-priest might enter into the holy of Holies, with the blood of beasts, now wee all may have free entrance into heaven itself( which is the truth and substance of that shadow) through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. 20 By a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; As under the law, the High-priest passed through the vail into the Holy of holies; so now under the gospel, the vail, through which we must enter into the holy heavens, is the flesh of Christ; that is the new, and everliving way, which is ordained, and consecrated for our onely passage into glory. 21 And having an high Priest over the house of God; And having now, instead of that levitical Priesthood, so absolute and glorious an High-priest, set over the whole Church of God, 22 Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us do all things really, and spiritually, which were signified by those external rites; and therefore, let us draw near unto God, not with outward aspersions, but with a true heart, in full confidence, and steadfast reliance upon the mercies of God; having( instead of those outward sprinklings of the body) our hearts sprinkled, and cleansed from an evil conscience; even from all our sinful corruptions; and our bodies washed, as with baptismal water, whereby wee are initiated into the Church, so also sanctified by the Spirit of God, and delivered from all filthiness of sin. 24 And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works. And let us have a charitable, and tender respect one to another; in stead of those strange and envious dispositions, and carriages, that are wont to be betwixt Jews and Gentiles; let us so frame ourselves and our affections, as that we may draw on each other to mutual love, and good works. 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Not withdrawing,& utterly separating ourselves from the assemblies of Gods people, upon conceit of the peculiar rights,& prerogatives, which God hath given to the Jews, above the Gentiles; and standing upon the high terms of difference, as the manner of some is; but rather encouraging and exhorting one another, to these holy services, and so much the rather, now, because ye know, that the day of the Lords coming draweth on. 26 For if we sin wilfully, after that wee have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. For if we do wilfully abandon the Church of God,& fall totally away from that saving truth,& holy religion, which we have received the knowledge of, and professed to embrace; purposely, and maliciously opposing ourselves thereunto, thus sinning against the holy Ghost; there remaineth no way, or mean to expiate our sin, since that blood of Christ, which is the onely sacrifice for sin, is thus by us contemned, and trodden under foot. Neither doth, or can ought remain for us, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgement, and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. in this fearful, and deplorable condition, but a certain dreadful expectation of Gods terrible judgments, and that wrath and indignation of his, which shall be as a consuming fire to devour the wilful adversaries of his Truth. he that did willingly violate, 28 he that despised Moses law, died without mercy, under two or three witnesses. or transgress( much more that did wilfully contemn, or blaspheme) the law of Moses, suffered death, without mercy, upon the accusation, and evidence of two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God,& hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace. shall that wilful apostate be thought worthy of, who by his revolt, from the profession of Christ, and his contemptuous opposition to his Gospel, hath, as it were, trodden under foot, the Son of God; and powred contempt, and scorn, upon that precious blood of Christ, wherewith the covenant betwixt God, and his people is made, and ratified, and that, whereupon dependeth all the sanctification of men; making no difference betwixt that sacred blood of his,& the blood of brute creatures, and hath done a spiteful affront unto that good Spirit of God, whereby grace is wrought in the hearts of men, by contemning and opposing the gracious motions thereof. But do ye call to remembrance those good, 32 But call to remembrance the former dayes, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions. and holy beginnings of yours, when ye first received the gospel; how that after ye were enlightened with the knowledge of Christ, ye did cheerfully resolve to suffer for his name, and underwent a great trial of afflictions, for your good profession. For in these manifold, and great difficulties, 36 For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. and fiery trials, ye will have need of a strong and invincible patience, that after ye have undergone, and fulfilled the will of God, in your active and passive obedience, ye may be made partakers of the promised inheritance. Neither shall ye need to fear that ye shall linger over long, under your sufferings; 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. for God your sure and gracious deliverer, hath set the time, wherein he will free you from all your troubles; and that time shall not be long, neither can be protracted beyond that period, which he hath limited unto it. until the accomplishment whereof( however it may seem delayed) the true and sound Christian shall live, 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. and uphold himself, by the strength of his faith; but if any man shall cowardly slinke from his holy profession, and renounce that calling of his Christianity, which he sees thus persecuted, my soul shall hate that man, as worthy of the displeasure both of God and man. 39 But wee are not of them who draw back unto perdition: but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. But we are not of them which apostate from Chr●ist to their utter damnation; but of that number of believers, which persist in a lively faith, and constant profession, to the saving of our souls. CAP. XI. 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NOw this faith whereof we speak, and which we hold fast is that, which gives us a present confidence in, and a fruition of those things, which are onely yet in hope ours; and that which doth clearly and certainly reveal and disclose unto us those things, which are not discernible by the eye of sense, or reason. 2 For by it the Elders obtained a good report. Neither, did our fore-fathers any other way find acceptation from the hands of God, then by their faith. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Whereas the wisest heathens have doubtfully disputed concerning the state of the world, whether it had any beginning, and how it came to have a being; we, through faith, do clearly apprehended the truth of this matter; and do certainly understand that the world was framed by the all-powerful word of God; and that it was made of nothing; so as of that which was not at all, nor had any pre-existence in nature, was made this visible frame of heaven, and earth. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice then Cain, by which he obtained witness, that he was righteous; God testifying of his gifts, and by it he being dead, yet speaketh. It was onely the faith of Abel, that made the difference betwixt his sacrifice, and the sacrifice of Cain; whereupon God gave a sensible testimony of his accepting, first the person, and then the offering of Abel; and, by the virtue of that faith it was, that God regarded so the blood of Abel, as that, after he was dead, he heard the cry thereof, and took order for the revenge of it. It was upon the faith of Enoch, that he was in an extraordinary, 5 By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation, &c. and supernatural maner translated from earth to heaven; without passing through the gates of death, which is the common way of mankind; and was no more to be found upon earth, because God had miraculously translated him, &c. 7 By the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By which example of his obedience, and faith, he condemned the unbelief, and obstinacy of the world; and shewed, by his preservation, that the world did justly perish, for not being warned by him; whose word, if they had obeied, they had escaped that destruction. 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. he was content to dwell, a while, in those moving Tents, because his heart was set upon the expectation of a fixed, and during city, in heaven; the foundations whereof are eternal; whose builder, and maker is God. By faith, 11 Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed. Sarah herself( though at first she laughed distrustfully) recollecting herself, received strength to conceive, &c. Therefore sprung there of one( even Abraham) who was( in respect of any likelihood of propagation) as good as dead, an innumerable issue, &c. 12 Therfore sprung there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars. These all died in faith, not having received the performance of those gracious promises, 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them a far off. concerning the coming of the Messiah in the flesh,& the accomplishment of his spiritual kingdom; but having seen them a far off, &c. They that do confess themselves to be strangers, 14 For they that say such things, declare plainly, that they seek a country. and pilgrims on earth, do therein plainly declare, that their thoughts, and endeavours are bent upon their glorious home in heaven. It was not in respect of Mesopotamia, 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country, from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to, &c. whence they came, that they accounted themselves strangers; for if they had had a mind thither, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But accounting themselves strangers, both in Chaldea, 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. and in Canaan, they raised up their hearts to the desire of a better country, that is, an heavenly; and God respected them accordingly; disdaining to entitle himself particularly by their name; as styling himself their God; having prepared for them that blessed city, and country of heavenly glory, which they looked for. From whence, also, in a sort, he received him; 19 From whence also he received him in a figure. in that the sudden, and inexpected ereption of Isaac from that his imminent, and intended death, was, as it were, a figure, and resemblance of his raising from the dead. By faith Isaac did so bless Jacob, and Esau, 20 By faith Isaac blessed jacob and Esau concerning things to come. concerning their future estate, as that he both knew, and signified, that the elder should serve the younger; and gave a greater benediction to Jacob, then to his elder brother. 21 And worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff. And being now so weak with age, that he was not able to stand upright, he, leaning upon the top of his staff, worshipped God; and prayed for a blessing on Ephraim, and Manasseh. And feared not the danger of not fulfilling the edict of Pharaoh, concerning the drowning of the males, &c. 23 And they not afraid of the Kings commaudement. Esteeming that reproach( which he, 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures in egypt. together with Gods people, suffered, in, and for the expectation of Christ, whom he fore-saw to come,) greater riches, then all the treasures of egypt, &c. 27 By faith he forsook egypt not fearing the wrath of the King: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. By faith, he having forsaken egypt, upon the slaughter of the egyptian, returned to bring Gods message for the deliverance of his people, not fearing the wrath of King Pharaoh; but resolved to undergo all dangers, as setting before his eyes that powerful God, which is invisible; whom he knew to be both able, and willing to rescue him. 28 Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first born, should touch them. Through faith, he kept that Passover, which God ordained, and appointed; and caused the posts, and lintells of the Israelites doors to be sprinkled with blood, that the destroying angel, which slay the first born of the egyptians, might not touch them. 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Who through faith, subdued kingdoms, as Josuah, and David: wrought righteousness, carrying themselves justly in their government, as Samuel, and David; obtained the promises made unto them, by God, as Abraham, of a son; Caleb and Joshuah of the promised land; Gedeon& Jepthe of victories; stopped the mouths of Lions, as Samson, and as Daniel; 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Quenched the violence of the fire, not being so much as scorched therewith, as the three children; escaped the edge of the sword, and David the sword of Saul, Elias of Jezebel; out of weakness were made strong, as Job, and Ezekias; became valiant in battle, as Joshua, Samson, Samgar, and David; turned to flight the armies of aliens, as Samson, Jonathan, Jehosaphat. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Women received their dead restored to life, as the Shunamite, and the Sareptan; others were tortured, and tormented for their religion, and would not accept of deliverance, and ease,( as Eleazar and the Maccabean brothers,) that dying for Gods cause, they might be partakers of an happy resurrection to eternal life. They were stoned, as Zachariah; they were sawn a sunder, 36 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder. as Esay, &c. 39 And these all having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. All these, having received a good testimony, and a gracious acceptation through their faith, yet received not that large measure of grace, which was promised, and performed under the gospel; neither did enjoy the presence of that( now-exhibited) Saviour, in whom all the promises of God are Yea and Amen. 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. God having provided for us, in these later times, better things, even the manifestation of Christ in the flesh, and abundance of grace and illumination; that they might not overrun us in spiritual privileges, and perfection; and that their salvation and happiness might wholly depend upon that, which is exhibited, and performed in our dayes. CAP. XII. WHerefore since wee are compassed about with such innumerable examples of holy men, 1 Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience unto the race that is set before us. who have so fully testified the virtue, and power of faith, let us,( as those that run a race) cast away every thing that may clog and burden us in our passage; and particularly all our sinful corruption, which is both the heaviest, and closest weight that lies upon the soul,& let us stir up ourselves to run with patience, and courageous resolution, the race that is set before us. ye have indeed suffered many things for the name of Christ, ye have been stripped of your goods, 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin. and afflicted in your bodies, but yet ye have not( which ye must not refuse, if ye be called unto it) suffered death, for the defence of the truth, and opposition to wickedness, and error. If ye be utterly exempted from whatsoever chastisements,( whereof, 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. all the true sons of God are partakers) this shall argue unto you, that ye are not the true, and natural, but the base and supposititious sons of God. As it is in these human corrections, 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yeeldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousnesses unto them which are exercised thereby. those chastisements, which were grievous unto our childhood, are afterwards allowed of us, as profitable unto us; so it is in these afflictions from the hand of God; none of them are for the time, pleasing; but grievous and irksome; yet afterwards, we find them to bee exceeding beneficial; working an happy, and sweet peace in the heart, after all the unquiet broils and tumults of temptation; and a blessed increase of all grace, and sanctification, in the soul of him, that is therewith exercised. Wherefore, comfort yourselves with these things, 12 Wherefore lift up the hands, which hang down, and the feeble knees: and rouse up your fainting courage, to the cheerful enduring of all afflictions. And go on evenly, 13 And make strait paths for your feet, lest that which is lame bee turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed; and steadily in this course of Christianity, which ye have entred into; lest ye come once to halt betwixt truth, and error, God and the world; ye be, at the last, utterly perverted; but be careful rather, upon the first sense of your doubts, or complaints, to receive full satisfaction, and due encouragement. Looking diligently, not onely to yourselves, 15 Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you and thereby many be defiled. but to each other also; carefully stirring up each other, lest any man languish in and come short, of that grace of God which he either had, or might have had; lest any erroneous, or apostating spirit rise up among you, and trouble your peace, and draw away( or at least) infect many. 17 For he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. For though he did at last earnestly, and with tears repent him of his bargain; yet he found no such benefit of that his late repentance, as thereby to recover that which he yielded to foregoe; neither could those tears of his move his father Isaac, to repent of that benediction, which he had justly given to Jacob. 18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, not unto blackness, and darkness. and tempest. I would have you to know, and seriously consider, that under the gospel, there is required a greater care of your holy carriage, then there was under the Law, by how much the means thereof are more gracious, and effectual; This different condition may be well expressed to you, by two Mounts, the one of Sinai, the other of Sion; ye are not then comne to that earthly, and material mount of Sinai, which might be touched and felt; and that burned( in a delivery of the Law,) and was compassed about with blackness, and darkness, and tempest. 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels: But ye are comne to the spiritual mount Sion; even to the holy Church of the living God; the heavenly Jerusalem; where ye shall bee in the society of innumerable Angells. 23 To the general assemblies, and Church of the first born which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Where ye shall be joined to the universal company of those Saints of God, that are, and have been most eminent in grace here on earth, and are most conspicuous for glory, above; where ye shall enjoy the presence of God, the righteous,& glorious Judge, governor of all; and of the glorified Spirits of just, and holy men, which are now happy in the blessed vision of God. 24 And to Iesus the mediator of the new Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things then that of Abel. Where ye shall enjoy the presence of our dear Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is the Mediator of the new Tes●●ment, whose blood being shed for the redemption of mankind, calls out unto God, not for revenge, as Abels, but for a full remission of sin, and reconciliation of man unto God. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth; much more shall not wee escape if wee turn away from him that speaketh ●rom heaven. See then that ye refuse not that Christ, which speaketh unto you, in his heavenly gospel; For if they escaped not, who refused to hearken to the Law, which God by angel delivered to man, here upon earth; how much less shall we escape, if we despise the gospel, which is delivered unto us from heaven? Whose voice then, in the delivery of the Law was so terrible, 26 Whose voice then shooke the earth, but now he hath promised, saying, that it caused the earth to tremble, and quake; but now speaking of the promulgation, and success of his gospel, he promiseth a further change, and motion, that he will make, even in the heaven also, and in the spiritual condition of his Church. And this word, Once more, signifieth, 27 And this word yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot bee shaken may remain. that one main alteration, that shall be made by God, in the bringing in of his gospel; that all those things which are subject to change, and corruption, shall be removed( as those that are made and ordained to mutation) that the everlasting kingdom of Christ may be perpetually established. Wherefore, we having our part in the spiritual, 28 Wherefore wee receiving a kingdom, which cannot bee moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. and everlasting kingdom of Christ, which cannot be moved, let us labour for that true grace of his Spirit, which may enable us to serve God acceptably, in all holy awe, and reverence of his divine Majesty. For God, as he is most gracious and merciful to those that fear and serve him, 29 For our God is a consuming fire. so he is a most terrible avenger of all wickedness, and disobedience, and will bee sure to punish it with unspeakable torments. CAP. XIII. FOr thereby some, as Abraham, and Lot, 2 For thereby some have entertained Angels unawares. have entertained Angells in the shape of men unawares. Having an eye to the patience, and constant martyrdom, 7 Considering the end of their conversation. wherewith those your teachers have shut up their well-led lives, here on earth. 8 Iesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. And as theirs, so let your faith be steadfastly fixed on Jesus Christ your Saviour, who altereth not, but is, and was and will be still the same for ever. And as Christ is one,& the same, 9 Be not carried about with divers& strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart bee established with grace, not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. so is the truth of his doctrine; which ye ought, therefore, constantly to embrace; Be not therefore carried away with diversity, and new-fanglenesse of doctrines; with vain, and superstitious observations; For it is a good, and happy thing to have the heart truly settled in a state of regeneration, and not to be taken up with frivolous disquisitions, concerning the choice, or cleannesse, and uncleanness of meats, which have no way availed, or benefited those that have exercised themselves therein. under the Law it was appointed, 10 Wee have an altar whereof they have no right to eat, which serve the Tabernacle. that they which served in the Tabernacle, should eat of those sacrifices, which were offered upon the Altar; but now, it is otherwise; we have a spiritual and living altar, and sacrifice, even Christ Jesus himself; of whom they cannot claim any right to partake, that are addicted to the ceremonies of the abrogated law. 13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Let us therefore courageously, and cheerfully imitate the example of his sufferings; bearing that reproach of impurity, and unworthiness, which is cast upon us, for his names sake. 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Iesus Christ that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, having approved himself, as the great, so the true and good shepherd of his elect, by shedding that precious blood of his, whereby the everlasting covenant of peace and reconciliation, is ratified and confirmed betwixt God and man. 22 For I have written a letter unto you in few words. For I have written a letter unto you, howsoever large in itself, yet very short in comparison of the weight, and worth of the argument, and that entire affection of mine, from whence it hath proceeded. THE general EPISTLE OF S. james. CAP. I. 1 To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. TO all the believing Jews, that are dispersed among the nations in any part of the world. Be ye so far, my brethren, from being dejected, 2 My brethren, count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations. and disheartened with the afflictions, which ye suffer for Christ, as that ye do account this a great, and just cause( above all others) of your joy, and exultation, that ye are thought worthy, and made able to undergo these sharp trials for his sake. 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Knowing that these sufferings, whereby your faith is tried, do both exercise, and( through the goodness of God) work patience in you. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing. Let not your patience shrink and fail, but let it hold firm and constant to the end; and let it produce in you those good and gracious effects, which are proper thereunto, that so ye may be entire and perfect in goodness, wanting no virtue or grace fit for Christians. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. An unbelieving man, that hath one heart for God, another for the world; one while inclining to a confident reliance upon God, another while distrusting him, is utterly uncertain, and unstable in all his actions, and purposes. Let a Christian, 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted. who is taken from a mean condition, and advanced to any height of honour, be thankful to God for his exaltation, and aclowledge his promotion to be a favour from God. And let the rich, contentedly rest in the hand of God, 10 But the rich in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. if he have thought fit to humble him with want; because if he be in never so prosperous an estate, here is no continuance for him; but even as the flower of the field he shall whither away, and vanish. Blessed is the man that patiently endureth afflictions, 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. and persecutions for the name of Christ, &c. Let no man when he is tempted, and drawn to sin, 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. cast the fault hereof upon God; for God, as he is most pure and holy, so he can neither be solicited, or moved to evil, neither can he move, or solicit any man to evil; which is contrary to his most pure, and perfect nature, and will. But every man, when he is tempted, 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. must aclowledge, next to the suggestion of Satan, the fault to be his own; in that he is drawn aside by his own sinful concupiscence, and enticed to do evil thereby. It is with sin as it is in our natural birth; 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin when is it finished, bringeth forth death. in every one of us, there is originally a corrupt disposition, and proneness to sin; from hence are our evil lusts, and desires; those vicious lusts and desires bring forth sinful actions; and sin when it is grown to a consummation, and perfect course, bringeth forth eternal death. Every good gift proceeds from that God, 17 Every good gift,& every perfect gift is from above,& cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. who is the author, and original of all light; whom wee may not measure by these created lights of the moon or sun; in which there are interchanges of brightness, and obscurity, by night and day, by clouds and clearness; some while shining, and some while shadowed; but must conceive of him, to be ever constant in his most just decrees, in his rich mercies to us, without all variableness, without all suspicion, or possibility of changing. And that infinite and unchangeable mercy of his hath approved itself to us in this, that of his own free will, 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. without any merit of ours, without any of our inclination towards him, he hath regenerated us to himself; not by the mortal, and corrupt seed, which wee derived from Adam, but by the immortal, and incorruptible seed of the word of truth; that we should be singled out as the noblest, and happiest of his creatures. 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. For the mind of that man who is taken up with wrath, cannot for the time, be capable of doing the will of God, or bringing forth any good work. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness, and superfluity of noughtines, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Wherefore that ye may be fit, as good ground, to receive this divine seed; do ye rid your hearts of all that natural uncleanness, and those sinful dispositions, and affections, which as so many superfluous, and hurtful weeds, take up the soil of your hearts, and make it unprofitable, and noisome; and with meekness and purity of heart, receive ye that holy word of God, which by the hands of his Apostles, is cast into the furrows of your souls; or is engraffed in your hearts by their gracious plantation; as that which is onely able to save your souls. 25 But who so looketh into the perfect law of liberty,& continueth therein, &c. But whosoever looketh thoroughly into the perfect glass of Christian doctrine, and vieweth himself, and his actions therein, well, and su●ly; and continueth to fix his eyes and thoughts thereupon; he being, &c. 27 Pure religion, and undefiled before God, and the Father, is this, to visit the fatherless, and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. That religion which shall pass for pure, and undefiled, in the account and censure of God our heavenly Father, is not that, which consists in good words, and glorious shows, and holy professions; but that which approves itself in action; in visiting the fatherless, and widows in their affliction, in relieving the distressed; and in keeping ourselves free from all the defilements of the world, from the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. CAP. II. 1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Iesus Christ the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. MY brethren, ye that make profession of the faith, and true religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, know that it is not for you to have respect of persons; as I perceive some of you are wont to have. 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Are ye not then sensibly partial? and are ye not plainly selfe-convicted in your own hearts of the undue partiality of your thoughts? Yea, are not those rich men grown to that insolence, and boldness, 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name, by the which ye are called? as that they dare blaspheme that sacred name of God, by which ye rejoice to be called, and which ye boast to profess? 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For whosoever shall profess to endeavour the keeping of the whole law of God, if he do willingly offend in any one point thereof; he is in that one, a transgressor of the Law; and is guilty of the violation of the whole law( as it is taken together for the absolute rule of our life, and carriage) though not of every particular branch, and parcel of that law. For we are not to look so much at the several points contained in the law, 11 For he that said, do not commit adultery, said also, do not kill. as to the authority and justice of him that made the law; which is indeed violated, and offended by any breach thereof; for the same God who said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill, &c. So do ye speak, and so do, 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. as those that desire to be approved unto God, for their loving obedience to him; as those that make account to be judged, not by the rigour of the Law, but by the gracious mitigation, and mercy of God, calling us to a free and cheerful observation thereof. It is the great praise and glory of Gods mercy, 13 And mercy rejoiceth against judgement. that it freeth us from the judgement deserved by our sin. What doth it profit a man, my brethren, 14 What doth it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have no works; can faith save him? to make a vain and empty profession, and ostentation of faith; and to say that he hath a true faith, when as he hath no good works, whereby to approve the truth of his faith? Can such a pretended, and verbal faith save him? As that is a vain and idle charity, which bids a man be warm, and be filled, yet gives him nothing to feed, 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead being alone. or warm him with; so is that a vain and dead faith, which professing an adherence to God, yet is severed from all good works, and is voided of charity. Yea, a man may, 18 Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith, and I have works, show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. in a just scorn of the separation of these mens faith, and works; say to them; Thou hast faith, and I works; show me that strange faith of thine, which thou talkest of, and pretendest to have without works, and I will show thee my faith which I shall approve to thee, by my works. But wilt thou know, O thou vain man, that that faith, 20 But wilt thou know( O vain man) that faith without works is dead? which thou pretendest to have, without works, is a more counterfeit, and dead faith, and nothing else but an idle pretence. 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered isaac his son upon the altar? No otherwise are wee justified then our father Abraham,( the father of the faithful) and was he any other way justified, then by a working faith? was it not upon his actual offering of his son Isaac upon the altar? Seest thou therefore, 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works? and by works was faith made perfect. how Abrahams faith was joined with works, and brought them forth as a necessary fruit thereof? so as by the works which he did, he plainly shewed the truth, and liveliness, and efficacy of his faith. See Rom. 4.3. 23 Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him, &c. 24 Ye see then, how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith onely. ye see then that a man is justified, not by that empty, and titular faith which ye vainly boast of, devoid of works, but by that faith which worketh by love. 25 Likewise also, was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? Likewise also, if ye will cast your eyes upon a meaner example; look to Rahab the harlot; was it not thus with her? was she justified by such a dead and lazy faith, as ye speak of, and not rather by a lively, and working faith; which caused her to hazard her life for the preservation of the Israelitish messengers, and to sand them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. I do therefore conclude, that this faith of yours( which ye vainly pretend) separated from good works, is but a more carcase of faith; having no truth, no life in it; no more then this body of ours, is a true human body, when it is destitute of the spirit wherewith it is animated. CAP. III. 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that wee shall receive the greater condemnation. MY brethren, do not ambitiously affect the title of the authors, and leaders of factions; drawing disciples after you; neither be ye rigid and uncharitable censurers of others: knowing that this pride, and rigour of yours, shall bring upon you the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all: If any man offend not in word, the, &c. For as wee are all apt to offend in our whole carriage: so especially in our tongue; if any man have so much government of himself, therefore, as to rule his tongue, and not to lash out in offensive speeches; it is an argument that that man is every way well ordered, and able to command himself in all his other behaviour. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things: behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. Even so the tongue is a little member, but may justly boast that it is able to do great matters; behold how great a pile of wood a little fire is able to set in a flamme, and to consume unto ashes. 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue amongst our members, that it defileth the whole body. Such a fire is the tongue, yea it is( though small) a whole world of iniquity, and mischief; neither is there any kind of wickedness which doth not proceed from thence, &c. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be. Men are wont to make use of the same tongue, both for the blessing of God in their devotions, and for the cursing of their brethren in their uncharitable speeches, and censures; But my brethren, this ought not to be; neither can these two things stand well together. 13 Let him show out a good conversation, his works with meekness of wisdom. Let him in his conversation give clear proof of his good works, not in a rough and sullen austerity, and frowardness; but in a wise, and discreet meekness. Never brag vainly that ye are Christians: 14 Glory not, and lye not against the truth. and do not shane, and contradict that truth, which ye profess, by a real denial of the profession thereof. ye may make a kind of ostentation of wisdom, 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. but I must tell you, this wisdom is not heavenly, but earthly; not spiritual, but sensual; not holy and divine, but devilish. There is a great and near relation, 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace. betwixt righteousness, and peace; so as they that are truly desirous to advance peace, are careful of setting forward good works, and maintenance of justice; and again, those shall bee sure to reap the fruits of righteousness, and glory, which have sown the seeds of peace and concord. CAP. IV. BUt whiles I speak of righteousness and peace, 1 From whence come warres and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts, that war in your members? I perceive there is just cause to complain of unquiet broils and injustice; for from whence are those warres, and brawlings, and unchristian quarrels amongst you, but from your own unruly, and inordinate lusts, and desires? if they did not fight against grace in your bosoms, ye would not be so apt to fight with each other. ye long after others commodities, 2 Ye lust and have not: ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. and go without them, ye are rankorously, and murderously affencted to each other, in an evious desire of what is theirs, and cannot obtain it; ye quarrel and strive one with another; and carry not away that which ye sue for; and whereas ye should crave of God what ye want, ye have it not, because ye ask it not. And if ye do ask, ye receive not, 3 ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. because ye ask amiss; either begging unmeet things, or slightly and heartlesly wishing things fit to be asked, or calling for them upon a wrong ground, and to a wrong purpose; namely, not desiring them for the glory of God, and the good of others, but onely to spend it upon your own intemperate lusts, and pleasures. O ye vain men, 4 ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? that are thus palpably corrupted with the love of the world,( having formerly plighted your troths to God) do ye not know and consider that there is such a discord betwixt God, and the world, that ye cannot possibly affect both; whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God. that so much love as ye bear unto the world, so much hatred ye incur with God. Whosoever therefore will bee a devoted friend to the world, is( in so being) a very enemy to God. 5 do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The Spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? This the Scripture beateth upon, every where; and do ye think it speaketh thus in vain? Certainly, every word thereof is to excellent purpose, and shall bee truly verified upon us; Doth then that Spirit of God, which we profess to have dwelling in us, lust after envy; and envy the good things of others? 6 But he giveth more grace, wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Surely no; so far is he from that, as that he giveth more grace where he hath given some already; wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you: cleanse your hands ye sinners, and purify your hearts ye double minded. Ye are naturally aloof from God in your corrupt affections; now labour ye with your hearts to draw them near unto God, in your holy desires, and he shall draw nigh to you in a gracious condescent, and approbation. The Law of God requires at our hands a reverend and loving respect to our brother; 11 speak not evil one of another( brethren) he that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the Law, and judgeth the Law; but if thou judge the Law, thou art not a doer of the Law, but a judge. and forbids us any evil speeches, or rash judgements concerning him: so as wee cannot revile, or unjustly censure our brother, but wee make head against the Law, and offer an open affront thereunto, in charging it with unjustice; and if we do thus censure and charge the law, we are far from being the doers of the Law, but presumptuously take upon us to be the judges and condemners of the Law. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? It is God alone, who, as he was the maker and author of the Law; so is he the just and powerful Judge of the violation of his Law; having in his own almighty hands, the power and liberty both to save, and to destroy; Who art thou therefore that darest to pass thy judgement upon another, since he is onely reserved to the Tribunal of God? 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. But now, your hearts are lifted up with the over-valuing conceits of this earthly prosperity; and are immoderately affencted therewith; these are not the things that are fit for you to set your hearts upon; all such transportations with worldly delights, or confidences, are evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doth it not, to him it is sin. And howsoever others, that are ignorant of better things, may bee carried away with the admiration of these vanities, yet it were a great shane and sin, for you who have been well informed of heavenly and spiritual matters, to dote upon these transitory commodities or pleasures; in such case your very knowledge of better, would be an aggravation both of your sin, and judgement. CAP. V. ANd the rust of them shall justly convince you of your uncharitable, and wicked covetousness; 3 And the rust of them shall bee a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire; ye have heaped treasure together for the last dayes. who had rather suffer these your metals to corrupt with hoarding them up in your chests, then to lay them forth upon the necessities of your brethren: yea, this very rust of your silver shall fret, and eat into your very flesh and bones, and shall be a means of consuming you. And ye have seen the happy end which it pleased the Lord to put unto those his patient sufferings, &c. 11 And have seen the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. See Matth. 5. verse 34, 35. Be ye true and steady in all that ye affirm or deny; 12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea bee yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation. not inconstantly varying in what ye speak; lest through falsehood and unfaithfulness ye fall into just condemnation. Is any man sick among you, let him sand for the Pastors, or Ministers of the Church; 14 Is any sick amongst you; let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. and let them pray for him, and with him; and whiles the miraculous gift of healing continueth in the Church, let them make use of that sign which Christ hath ordained for that purpose, viz. calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, let them anoint him with oil. And their faithful prayer shall bee a means( ordinarily) to save that sick person from the danger of his disease, 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,& the Lord shal raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. &c. and whereas his sins are the cause of his sickness, even those sins of his shall upon humble and faithful prayers be done away, and forgiven. In case of offence done, 16 confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. or in case of any weight( which an unremoved sin lays upon the conscience) or in desire of advice concerning the avoidance of sin, do ye give ease to your souls by a mutual confession of your faults, and pray one for another, that ye may be delivered from the guilt, and punishment of your sin, &c. 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, Brethren, if any of you be seduced either into error of belief, or uncleanness of conversation, and one of you be a means to convert and reclaim him, Let him know, 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shal save a soul from death, and shal hid a multitude of sins. that he is very happy in this dead of his; for in thus turning away the sinner from his evil way, whether of judgement, or practise; he shall save a soul from eternal death, and shall be a means that the many sins of that convert, shall through his true repentance be forgiven, and not imputed unto him. THE FIRST EPISTLE general OF S. PETER. CAP. I. 1 Peter an Apostle of Iesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus. PEter an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to those Jews, which are dispersed through the regions of Pontus, &c. 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Iesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. Those who in their outward profession, and in the due judgement of charity, are justly reputed for the elect of God, according to the eternal decree, and good purposes of God the Father; which election of theirs is made good unto them, by their true sanctification wrought in them by the Spirit of God comforming them to all holy obedience;& by the remission of sins by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ; 3 Which hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead. Grace, &c. Who when we were naturally the sons of wrath, hath wrought graciously upon us, and renewed us by grace, and raised us up, to the hope of everlasting glory, by the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to bee revealed in the last time. Who are by the mighty power of God, through the means of their faith( wrought in them by the Spirit of God) kept to the full obtaining, and fruition of that salvation which having been purchased and revealed by Christ, is ready to be consummated in these last dayes of the world. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season( if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. In the hope and assurance of which salvation, ye do( as ye ought) greatly rejoice, although now for a season, God sees it fit for you to be in much heaviness; through those many trials of affliction which he hath sent upon you. 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Receiving, in present, the pledges and beginnings of salvation;& thereby, the assurance of the accomplishment thereof, as the full fruit, and scope of our faith in Christ. 10 Who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. Who long ago prophesied of that abundant grace, that should bee given unto his Church, in these times of the gospel. Bending their thoughts intentively upon the earnest inquiry into the revelation of that Spirit of Christ( whereby they were informed of future things) to know when, and at what time, 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them, did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings, &c. Christ the Messiah should come into the world, and should suffer; and should re-enter into his glory. unto whom it was revealed that those things which they reported concerning the Saviour to come, 12 unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them tha● have preached the gospel unto you, with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which things the Angells desire to look into. should not be exhibited, and accomplished really unto themselves, in their time, but unto us, to whom they are now reported, as done, by those his Apostles which have preached the gospel unto you; even those glad tidings of salvation, which they being inspired by the holy Ghost delivered unto the world; the wonderful mysteries of which gospel, it is no marvel, if the Prophets desired to look into, when as the very Angells of heaven have longed to attain unto the knowledge, and sight thereof. As those that run in a race, 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Iesus Christ. or go a journey are wont to gird up their loins, that they may readily, and without encumbrance pass on their way; so do ye gird up the loins of your minds, take order to prevent all spiritual hindrances, and stir up yourselves, to all forwardness, and speed, in your way towards heaven; for this cause, be ye sober, and do ye perfectly, and constantly hope for the full accomplishment of that grace, and happiness, which partly is, and perfectly shall bee brought unto you in the revelation of Jesus Christ. But as ye are by a most holy God called into an holy profession of his gospel, 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation. so( that ye may approve yourselves worthy of this high vocation) labour ye to be holy in all your carriage and conversation. By whom ye were redeemed from your unprofitable, 18 From your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. and dangerous estate, wherein ye were under the law; and freed from those vain confidences, whereon ye were taught by the tradition of your fathers to rely. Seeing ye have by the powerful working of the holy Ghost, sanctified, and purified your hearts, 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit, unto unfeigned love of the brethren. so as that ye do yield entire obedience unto God, in all things, and particularly in bearing unfeigned love to the brethren, &c. CAP. II. 1 Wherefore, laying aside all malice,& all guile, and hypocrisies, &c. WHerefore, since ye are by the grace of the gospel now happily regenerated, and become children unto God; do ye demean yourselves, and be affencted accordingly; and therefore, laying aside all malicious disposition, 4 To whom coming, as unto a living ston, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; and all guile, and hypocrisies, &c. To whom being joined in this spiritull structure, as unto a sure corner ston( rejected indeed and disallowed of men, but chosen and fully accepted of God) 5 Ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritull house, an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Iesus Christ. Ye also, as so many living stones, are laid in this spiritual building, to make up a spiritual Temple unto God, and( that ye may be every way answerable to those legal institutions) ye are also an holy( but Evangelicall) Priest-hood; to offer up, not material and bodily, but spiritual sacrifices of yourselves, and of praises and thanksgivings, acceptable unto God, by Jesus Christ. 8 Whereunto also they were appointed. unto which offence they were given up by the most just decree of God, who hath holily and justly ordained to punish one sin with another, in the wilfully disobedient. 11 dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. My brethren, ye are strangers, and pilgrims in respect of your earthly home( from which ye are driven) much more in respect of your heavenly, whither ye are traveling; I beseech you, therefore, that ye carry yourselves thereafter, abstaining from all those carnal and sensual desires, which worldly hearts are wont to bee taken up with, and which are very pernicious to the soul, and utterly opposite to the peace, and welfare thereof. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether it bee to the King as supreme. Subject yourselves to every superior power, that is appointed over you, whether it be to that of Kings, or other their subordinate governors; and that not so much out of fear, as out of the conscience of your obedience to God, who hath ordained them. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. For so is the will of God; that ye so behave yourselves, as that, by the integrity and innocence of your carriage, ye may stop the mouths of those ignorant, and malicious infidels, which seek advantages against you: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. As those that are indeed a free people; free, not from the due obedience to authority, but from the spiritual bondage of sin; truly freed by the ransom of Christs blood, from your spiritual servitude; but not licentious, and making an ill use of this your liberty, as if under pretence of that, ye were privileged to cast off the yoke of all obedience and subjection to government, and wholesome laws of your superiors; but so demeaning your selves, as that ye remember, that notwithstanding your freedom, ye are still servants to that God, who hath prescribed unto you due obedience, and submission to your superiors. Who in his own person, 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body, on the three, that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness. did take upon him the heavy burden of our sins; and did in his very own body both undergo and pay, upon the cross, those punishments, which were due to us, for all our sins, &c. CAP. III. WHiles those infidel husbands shall see your holy, and chased conversation, 2 While they behold your chased conversation coupled with fear. joined with a reverend awe, and due respects to themselves, as your head. But let their chief ornaments be in the inward diposition of an holy, and good heart, 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible. in those Christian virtues and graces, which are not subject to corruption, &c. Whose daughters ye are, if ye follow her example in well doing, boldly and constantly, 6 Whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. and not in those weak fears, whereto she yielded, and was drawn into inconvenience and dissimulation thereby; I know your sex is subject, by reason of the infirmity of it to manifold fears and suspicions, as if by the submissive yeeldance unto your husbands ye should expose you to their tyranny and contempt, but do ye that which your place, and duty requireth, and be not affrighted, and disquieted with these doubts, and distrusts; leaving the ordering of all events to the wisdom, and providence of God. Giving unto them all tender, and due respects, 7 Giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, &c. as those, towards whom, by reason of the weakness of their sex, all gentle and favourable usage is required of you, &c. But give ye unto God, in your hearts, 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and bee ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and and fear. that honour which is due unto him, in trusting to his promises, and relying upon his providence, by a steadfast confidence, and reposition; and since ye live amongst heathens, and professed enemies to the gospel, be not ye daunted with their oppositions, and persecutions; but bee ready when ye are thereunto duly called, to make profession of that true saith, and religion, which ye have received; but let not this be done in a turbulent, and seditious manner, but with all meekness of spirit; and reverence to that authothority whereby ye are called thereunto. Being put to death in his human body, 18 Being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. in regard of the separation of his soul therefrom, for a time; but being quickened, and raised up to an immortal life, by the power of his divine spirit, or deity. 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; By the power of which divine spirit of his, long before his manifestation in the flesh, he came to the old world; and by the mouth of Noah, that preacher of righteousness, spake to them, whose spirits are now fast prisoned in hell; 20 Which sometimes were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah, while the ark was preparing. Which were in their life time, wicked and disobedient to his holy counsels; when the patient long suffering of God gave a large respite to them for their repentance, and conversion; even all the while that the ark was preparing by Noah, &c. Compare this with chap. 4. vers. 6. Answerable unto which preservation of the eight persons in Noahs family, 21 The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also now save us,( not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God) by the resurrection of Iesus Christ. by water, is the benefit which we receive by baptism; which doth also now save us, by, and in applying unto us the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and becomes effectual unto us, not in respect of the outward element, which onely washeth off the filth of the flesh, but in respect of the inward efficacy of the grace, thereby represented, and exhibited; whereby the conscience is both quieted, and assured of pardon and favour; and is thereupon enabled to treat for, and expect mercy from God, and reconciliation with him. CAP. IV. FOr as much as Christ hath suffered death in his human nature, 1 For as much then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. do ye labour to conform yourselves to Christ herein, and think this seriously with yourselves, that he who will be like unto Christ in his death and passion, which he endured in the flesh, must bee mortified in, and to the corrupt desires of the flesh; and must cease from those sins, which are the actions of a carnal, and unregenerate life. 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. He must have nothing to do with his wonted corruptions; neither must led the rest of his life( which he hath to spend here below) according to the sinful lusts of carnal men, but according to the holy will of God. 6 For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit. For, for this cause was the gospel preached, of old, to those which are long since dead, being swept away by the deluge, that howsoever they were in the sight, and construction of men seized on by the fearful judgement of God; yet that some of them being wrought upon by that word of his, and brought to a sudden repentance, might have their souls saved. For true charity if it be in us, 8 For charity shall cover the multitude of sins. will hid a multitude of those sins, and infirmities, which are in our brethren. If any man be called, by God, to speak publicly, 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. as his messenger or minister to his people, let him so deliver that word which he brings, as may become the holinesse and majesty of the Oracles of God, &c. Beloved, let it not seem strange and uncouth to you, 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you. that there is a fire of persecution begun to be kindled among you, for the profession of the gospel, which is intended by God, for the trial of your faith, and constancy, &c. For the Spirit of God, which always brings glory, 14 For the Spirit of glory, and of God resteth upon you. and happiness with it, resteth upon you, and doth by this means give you good evidence of his abiding in you, &c. For the time is come, wherein, 17 For the time is come, that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? according to the prediction of the Prophet, judgement must begin at the sanctuary or house of God; which is his Church; the wisdom of God hath thought fit by the cruel hands of wicked men, to exercise the patience, and faith of his dearest children; and if he begin with these sharp afflictions upon us, which are tenderly beloved, and respected of him; what intolerable punishments hath he provided, and will be sure to inflict upon those that are wilfully, and rebelliously disobedient to the gospel of God? And if the most righteous, 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly, and the sinner appear? and dearest of all Gods children, shall not escape a very sore, and severe trial of chastisement, such( as if they were left to their own strength) were enough to overly, and miscarry them, what shall then become of the wicked, and ungodly? how shall it be possible for them to escape utter confusion? CAP. V. THose that are the pastors, 1 The Elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an Elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ. or spiritual overseers of the Church, amongst you, I do exhort, who am also a partner with them of the same holy calling; and an eye-witnesse of all those bitter sufferings of Christ, both in his life, and in his death, &c. Not proudly and tyrannically taking upon them to domineer over the faith of Gods people; 3 Neither as being lords over Gods heritage. or in an overly, and imperious manner tyrannizing over the Church, which is the heritage of God, &c. 13 The Church that is at Babylon elected, together with you, saluteth you, and so doth Marcus my son. The Church of God consisting of those coelect members of Christ( whether in the properly-called Babylon, which is in Egypt, or the mystical Babylon, which is Rome) salute you. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. PETER. CAP. I. 1 That have obtained like pr●tious faith with us through the righteousness of God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. WHo have received the gift of a true and lively faith( which is equally precious, wheresoever it is in any of the elect) through the merits of Jesus Christ, who is our God, and Saviour. 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption, that is in the world through lust. By which Christ, and by the knowledge of him, are conveyed unto us exceedingly great and precious blessings, and graces, such as he had formerly promised to us believers; that by these wee might be made partakers of those divine qualities of the soul; viz. of wisdom, goodness, holinesse; whereby wee resemble that God according to whose image we were created; having been delivered and freed from that corruption, which aboundeth in worldly men, through their sinful lusts. 9 But he that lacketh these things, is blind and cannot see far off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from all sins. But he that lacketh these graces, is at the least pur-blinde; not seeing heavenly things which are a far off, but earthly things onely which are near at hand; having forgotten even the very first, and main principles of Christianity; and namely this; that they were washed from their old sins by the laver of regeneration, persisting wilfully in those evils, as if they had never been done away. 10 Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling, and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never fall. Wherefore do ye so much more studiously, and earnestly labour to attain unto good assurance in your souls( both of your effectual calling in time, and of your eternal election to life before all times) by believing, and by well doing; For, if ye do thus carefully, and constionably endeavour yourselves, it is a firm argument of the grace and mercy of God, so upholding you, that ye shall never utterly fall from him. Moreover I will take order while I live, 15 Moreover, I will endeavour, that you may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance. both by my utmost endeavours upon all occasions, and by these monuments, which I shall leave behind me, so to settle the remembrance of these things in you, that after my decease ye may not forget them, but may think of them effectually. But, besides our own testimony, 19 We have also a more sure word of prophesy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. wee have that evidence which ye are wont to account more certain then all the report of present witnesses, even the clear word of the ancient prophets foretelling the truth of all events, concerning Christ, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, and give all due respect; regarding it, as a candle that shines in a dark room, till a greater light arise unto you; that is, until the bright and glorious gospel, which is as the day-star, and the morning light of divine truth be fully manifested unto you; as that wherein all those prophetical predictions appear to be perfectly accomplished. Presupposing first, and laying this sure ground, 20 Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. that the exposition of the prophetical predictions of the holy Scriptures, may not be framed, and ruled according to the private conceit of the reader, but by the gracious revelation of the holy Ghost, and those meet helps, which God hath ordinarily left unto his Church. For, 21 For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost. there must be the same authority for the interpreting of Scriptures, which was in the giving and delivering of them; now those holy prophesies came not in old time, from the device of mans brains; neither did they deliver their own inventions; but those sacred persons, which were sent by God, on his messages to the Church, spake as they were inspired by the holy Ghost, and wrote onely those words which were put into them by God himself. CAP. II. EVen denying that gracious Lord and Saviour, 1 Even denying the Lord that bought them. who hath not stuck to shed his most precious blood for the redemption of mankind, &c. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. And, as crafty merchants are wont with many faire, and glozing words, to deceive the buyer, so do they in a covetous desire, and aim at their own advantage, go about with feigned pretences, and plausible words to make merchandise of you: whose just judgement, and fearful damnation, which hath been of old ordained for them, and denounced against them, is not delayed, and slackened, for one moment, beyond the time limited to their due punishment. 4 And delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement. And delivered them up into that dungeon of hell, to be reserved there, in horrible darkness, until the day of the last judgement, wherein they shall receive the sentence and execution of their full torment. 11 Whereas Angels which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. Whereas the good Angels of God, who are greater in power and might, then any mortal creature, and therefore might seem privileged to take more liberty unto themselves, yet when they have appeared before God, and have held( as it were) contestation with the evil angels in his presence, have not cast railing accusations against them, but have left their judgement unto the Lord. 12 But these, as natural bruit beasts made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption. But these men, as if they were no better, then very bruit beasts, which are made onely for the slaughter, bear themselves in a brutish and savage fashion; following their own beastly sensuality, and opening their foul mouths against those things, and persons, whose worth they understand not; and they shall speed accordingly; for they shall be taken in their own wickedness, and shall perish in that everlasting destruction, which they have drawn upon themselves. 17 To whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For whom the dreadful darkness of hell is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they 'allure, through the lusts of the flesh through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them, who live in error. For whiles these heretical teachers affect to speak big swelling words of vanity, and make great ostentation of the large promises of liberty to their clients, they pleasing the carnal appetite of lustful men, 'allure, through much wantonness, those wretched disciples, that were once escaped from the snares of their false doctrine; and draw them to live in their damnable error. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord, and Saviour Iesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them then the beginning. For, if after they have escaped the wicked heresies, and abominable corruptions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord, and Saviour Jesus Christ, they suffer themselves to be again entangled in, and overcomne by those impious errors, and practices, it had been better for them, never to have been delivered therefrom; the later condition of their sinful relapse shall be much worse then the first estate of their gross and ignorant impiety. CAP. III. IN that they say, 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water, and in the water. all things continue as they were from their first creation, they do willingly hoodwinke themselves, and purposely will not know that change, which was wrought by the deluge of waters; and the stability of that word or decree of God, whereby the heavens were made of old; and the earth also was made to appear( upon the removing of the waters to their proper receptacle, the sea) as standing up out of the water, and as compassed about by the water. Upon which situation of the earth it came to pass, 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. by the just and holy decree of God, that the world of men that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But these lower regions of the heavens, 7 But the heavens, and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement, and perdition of ungodly men. and the earth which wee do now presently see, after that change wrought by the deluge, are, by the same alwise and just decree of God, continued in the state wherein they still are, and reserved for a contrary means of dissolution; which shall be by fire, in that great day of the general judgement, and of the final destruction of the wicked, and ungodly. 8 But( beloved) be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand yeares, and a thousand yeares as one day. But as for the conviction of that idle, and wicked conceit of atheous men, who, because of the seeming delay of the coming of the Lord, go about to persuade themselves, that he will not come at all; beloved, I would not have you to be ignorant of this one thing, that no time ought to seem long in comparison of eternity; That in the account of the Ancient of dayes, the immutable, and eternal God, there is no difference of yeares and times; one day, and a thousand yeares are alike, and all one to him; these measures of time are nothing to him that is infinite. The Lord, who hath promised to come, 9 The Lord is not slacken concerning his promise( as some men count slackness) but is long suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. is not slack in the performance of that promise of his( according as men take slackness) so as to put off, and disappoint the day which he had set, but in his merciful long suffering to us ward( as he had eternally decreed) he waits for our repentance; as taking no pleasure in the destruction of any of his creatures, but graciously inviting all men to repent and be saved. nevertheless wee, according to his promise, 13 nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. look for,( after that this visible, and lower fabric of the world shall be purged, with this last and universal fire, from those drossy and impure qualities which are in it) a new heaven, and a new earth, pure and glorious; so as the whole purified world( that then shall remain) shall be the palace, and habitation of Gods elect. But ye, beloved, seeing ye know these things, and are admonished, 17 Ye therfore beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being lead away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. before-hand, of the danger of these pestilent doctrines, beware lest ye bee lead away with these atheous suggestions of wicked men, and do thereupon fall from that steadfast profession which ye have hitherto made of the truth. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF S. John. CAP. I. 1 That which was from the beginning, which wee have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled. THat ever-living son of God, the coessential Word of the Father, which was from all eternity, whom wee Apostles had the honour and happiness to hear with our ears, to see with our eyes, and to touch with our hands. 2 For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness. ( For that life-giving Word of his Father was manifested in the flesh, and wee have for many yeares together, seen him, and conversed with him, and bear witness of him, &c.) 3 That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ. Even that same coeternal son of God, whom we have personally seen, and heard, do wee declare, and preach unto you; that ye, by our gospel, may have the happiness of being partakers with us, of these glad tidings, and means of salvation; wherein ye shall unspeakably benefit, and advance yourselves; for ye shall therein, enter into a blessed communion with God the Father, and with his son Jesus Christ. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. This then is the message, which wee have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is of a most pure, simplo, holy, perfect, and glorious nature, resembled by no creature so much, as by exquisite light; in which there is nothing but a clear, and exact brightness without any the least mixture of darkness. As he is light, so every aberration from him, 6 If wee say that wee have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lye and do not the truth. is darkness; if we then say that we have fellowship with this pure, and holy God, and yet walk in the darkness of any sin whatsoever, we belie ourselves, and do not according to that truth which we profess. CAP. II. MY dear children, 1 My little children, these things writ I unto you that ye sin not. whom I have spiritually begotten in the gospel, I have written this former passage concerning your clear deliverance from sin, upon the penitent confession thereof; and concerning the frequency, and inevitablenesse of sins; not with a purpose to encourage you in the practise of your sins, but, contrarily, to draw you therefrom; and to lay weight upon you, that you endeavour carefully, according to the utmost power of human frailty, to avoid all sin, &c. And he is the expiatory sacrifice for our sins; 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours onely, but also for the sins of the whole world. and not for the sins of us Jews onely, which were his peculiar people of old, but also for the sins of all believers, through the whole world; sufficient for the satisfaction of the universal debt of all mankind, but effectual to those onely, who apply it by faith. The knowledge of God is not an idle, 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandements. or fashionable matter, but is ever joined with holy practise; hereby therefore we may be assured that wee know God aright, if we frame ourselves diligently, and constionably( according to the capacity of our weak nature) to keep his commandements. He that saith, or professeth, that he abides in God, 6 He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk, even as he walked. and hath a true spiritual interest in him, let him make his word good, by his careful and holy imitation of Christ, in all those moral actions, and heavenly carriage, wherein he hath gone before us. Brethren, this charge that I lay upon you, 7 Brethren, I writ no new commandement unto you, but an old commandement which ye had from the beginning. of loving one another, though it be now newly, and freshly urged by me, yet in regard of the first original of it, is very ancient, even as old as the eternal of Law God itself, &c. again it is, in some respects, a new commandement, 8 again, a new commandement I writ unto you, which thing is true in him and in you, because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. that I writ unto you, even in the same sense that our Saviour so called it; in that it is daily renewed unto you, and vehemently reinforced upon you upon by God, even that ye should strive, and labour unto that which was really,& perfectly performed by Christ, and justly,& duly required of you, because it is not now with you, as it was wont; the darkness of your ignorance and unbelief is passed, and the light of truth now shineth clearly in your eyes. 12 I writ unto you little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his names sake. I writ these things unto you, my dearly beloved, spiritual children; because God hath been graciously pleased to forgive your sins, and to receive you to a full merciful reconciliation with him, for the sake of his son Christ. 13 I writ unto you fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning: I writ unto you young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one: I writ unto you little children, because ye have known the Father. I writ to you more aged,& confirmed Christians, because ye have known that eternal son of God, which was before all worlds; What is more commendable in fullness of age, then fullness of knowledge? and what is more fit to be known of ancient men, then he who is the Ancient of dayes? What is more affencted of the young and vigorous, then strength, and valour? and behold I writ unto you, young men, because you have well approved your spiritual prowess, and manhood, in overcoming that great enemy of your souls. 15 If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. If any mans heart bee set upon the world, it is set off from God; if he love the world, he cannot love God. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. For all those things, wherewith the hearts of worldly men are taken up, which are reduced to these three heads, carnal lusts and concucupiscences, covetous desires, proud and ambitious thoughts and affectations, are such, as are utterly abhorring from God, and are the more baits of the world. 18 Little children, it is the last time, and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time. Little children, ye are fallen upon the last age of the world; neither shall there bee any new state of things, betwixt this, and the final judgement; and, as ye have heard that in the last times of the Church, Antichrist shall come; so know now, that accordingly many Antichrists, who are direct opposers of the Saviour of the world, the son of God, are already comne; whereby it is made evident, that this is that last time, which was foretold of. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us. They went out from our communion, not so much in respect of place, as of doctrine; They were formerly amongst us, in regard of outward profession, but they were not truly, and really of us; viz. of the number of the faithful; who onely are the true and lively members of the Church of Christ; for, if they had so been, doubtless they would have continued in that holy, and happy communion with the Church of God; but now, in that they have thus departed from it, they plainly show that their profession was but formal, and counterfeit. But as for you, my beloved; 20 But ye have an unction from the holy One, and ye know all things. ye have received from Christ, a large measure of the grace and illumination of his Spirit; whereby ye are furnished with the knowledge of all things necessary to your salvation. And therefore I have not written unto you, 21 I have not written unto you, because ye know not the truth; but because ye know it, and that no lye is of the truth. as out of a conceit of your ignorance; because ye know not the truth: but rather, presupposing your knowledge of the truth, and your abilities to discern, and disprove those errors, and lying doctrines which are opposite thereto, I writ, to stir up your care and diligence therein. And who is so pernicious, and impious a liar, as he, 22 Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? he is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the son. who in these ensuing perilous times, denies that Jesus is that true, and onely messiah and Saviour, that should come into the world. He is an eminent, and notorious Antichrist, that denieth the Father, and the son; And well and necessary are these two joined together; 23 Whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the Father. as the relations betwixt them are utterly inseparable; whosoever denieth the son,( what pretences so ever he may make) yet that man, neither doth, nor can aclowledge God the Father, &c. But the holy Ghost, whom, 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him, abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anoniting teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lye,& even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. according to the gracious promise of Christ to his Church, ye have received from his gift, abideth in you; and so filleth you with all necessary, and expedient knowledge, that ye need not any further teaching from me, or any other; Even that holy Spirit, by the illumination thereof, teacheth you all those truths, that are needful to be known; for as much as it is truth itself, and not capable of any error; as that holy Ghost, therefore, hath enlightened your mindes with the knowledge of the truth, so do ye, and I trust ye shall evermore continue constant in the same. If ye know that God is absolutely and infinitely just and righteous, yea, even justice itself; 29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one which doth righteousness is born of him. ye do therewithal know, that whosoever frames himself to follow the example of his holinesse, and righteousness, doth plainly show that he is the son of God by spiritual regeneration. CAP. III. THe world indeed takes no knowledge of this privilege of ours, neither doth regard, or affect us; 1 Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. how should it, when it doth neither know, nor love that God whose children we are? 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God,& it doth not yet appear, what we shall be; but we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is. Beloved, even now, we have this great honor put upon us, that we are the sons of God; which is a very happy, and wonderful prerogative; but how blessed, and glorious we shal be hereafter, we are not capable to conceive. Onely this we know, which is enough for us, that when that blessed God, and Saviour of ours shall appear, we shall be like him in glory; for we shall then enjoy the perfect, and beatifical vision of him, and shall bee therein transformed into his likeness. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himself, even as he is pure. And every one that hopes assuredly for this so glorious a condition, cannot but do his utmost endeavour to prepare himself for that happiness, by purging himself from all his sins, and corruptions, that he may be in imitation of that his Saviour, holy and pure; 6 Whosoever abideth in him, sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. There is a perfect opposition betwixt Christ, and sin; and so far as the kingdom of Christ is erected in the heart of any man, so far is he exempted from sin; whosoever therefore is a true member of the mystical body of Christ, sinneth not with the whole sway of his will; neither, howsoever he may bee transported with infirmity, makes a trade of sinning; and whosoever thus sinneth, hath no interest at all in Christ, neither hath truly believed in him. 7 He that doth righteousness, is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that giveth himself up to God, to work righteousness, and to be constionably obedient to the will of God, in all things, that man is truly righteous in the account of God, even truly, though not in the same measure as Christ himself( whose righteousness is imputed unto him) is righteous. 8 he that committeth sin, is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. He that gives himself over to the commission of sin, and makes it his willing practise, that man is not of God, but of the devil; for it is, and hath been the trade of that wicked spirit, even from the beginning, ever since his fall, to sin against God, and to draw others into sin, and condemnation with him, &c. 9 Whosoever is born of God, doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Whosoever is truly regenerate, doth not yield himself over to be a vassal of sin; neither doth make a trade of a known evil; for the Spirit of God, whereby he was renewed, is still and ever in him, which cannot but restrain him from a willing abdication of himself to live in notoriously wicked courses. It is a very sure, and irrefragable proof unto us, that we are truly the children of God, 14 We know that wee have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. and have already as true a right to heaven, as if we were actually possessed of it, and had already passed from death to that spiritual, and eternal life, that we do find in our hearts a true and unfeigned love to our Christian brethren, &c. For if our own conscience do accuse, 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater then our heart, and knoweth all things. and condemn us, much more shall God do so; who is the Lord of the conscience; from whom none of our secret thoughts, or inclinations can be hide. CAP. IIII. HEreby, for the present occasion, 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God. ye shall take a trial of the spirits, whether they be of God, or no; every one who confesseth Jesus Christ to have been God from all eternity, and in the fullness of time to have taken our nature upon him, and to be comne in the flesh, to accomplish the perfect work of mans redemption, is of God, and speaks from God. So by the contraries verse 2. And this is the spirit of that great, 3 And this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. and notoriously powerful enemy of Christ, whereof ye have been oft premonished, that he should come in the later dayes; and now is this spirit of contradicton to the son of God already in the world. But as for you, my dearly beloved children in Christ, 4 Ye are of God, little children,& have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. ye have overcomne the assaults of these pestilent false teachers; because that Spirit of God, which is in you, and hath taken upon him your safeguard; is greater and more powerful, then that wicked spirit, which animates, and sets them on work to do this mischief to God, and his Church. For true Christian love, 7 For love is of God, and every one that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God. and charity is the work of God in the heart; and every one that doth truly love his brother, out of the true grounds of his interest in God, and obedience to him, is the child of God, truly regenerate, and hath known, and felt the power of Gods Spirit in him. The abridgement of all piety, and religion, 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. is shortly comprised in this rule; Whosoever shall confess Jesus Christ to bee the true and coeternal son of God, sent by his Father into the world for the perfect redemption of him, and mankind, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. Herein are we so assured of the perfect love of God to us, as that wee may have confidence, 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement, because as he is, so are we in this world. and boldness to stand before his judgement seat, in that great day of account; for that our hearts tell us that wee desire to bee every way conformable to his will; labouring towards that holinesse and perfection which is in him. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. And when this love of God towards us is ascertained to our hearts, it doth perfectly quiet the conscience, which otherwise is full of tumults, and fear, and unquietness; for where assurance of love is, there is no fear, or anxiety; since perfect love casts out fear; neither can these two stand together; for in love there is joy, and contentment, but in fear there is vexation, and torment, &c. CAP. V. 1 Whosoever believeth that Iesus is the Christ, is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him. YE are now fallen into a time, wherein there is much opposition to Christ, the son of God; the greatest part of the world set themselves against him, and deny the truth of his coming, and the power of his deity; this therefore for the time may make a just distinction betwixt Christians,& the rest of the world; Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the true messiah and Saviour of the world, and receiveth his whole doctrine delivered unto men, it is a good evidence that he is of the number of Gods children, sequestered from the world of unbelievers, and may therefore challenge our love towards him; for every one that loveth that God and Father who hath called and regenerated his children, must needs also love those children whom he hath thus regenerated. 3 For this is the love of God, that wee keep his commandements, and his commandements are not grievous. Herein do wee approve our love to God, that wee set ourselves to keep his commandements; and to us that are regenerate, his commandements are not grievous, and unpleasingly troublesone, for as much as we do cheerfully address ourselves to the keeping of them, out of our love to that good God, who hath enjoined them. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. What person soever he be, that is renewed by the Spirit of God, he overcometh those temptations wherewith the world labours to withdraw him from his God; and this victory, whereby the world is overcome by us( who are Gods Children) is obtained by our faith, laying hold on Christ Jesus. So also verse 5. 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ, not by water onely, but by water and blood: and it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. This, even this Jesus Christ, is he that came into the world, and instituted, and underwent, not the baptism of water onely, which John gave, and performed; but the baptism of blood also, which he shed for mans redemption: Both which, even water and blood issued out of his side in his death; and the effusion of which precious blood of his, he caused to be represented in his last supper, and commanded the memorial thereof to be continued to his Church: unto which Jesus, and the the truth of his God-head, the Spirit of God hath given full testimony, both in the hearts of his elect, and in his miraculous descent at the feast of Pentecost, and those wonderful gifts which he hath bestowed upon men; and the witness of the same Spirit is infallible: the author whereof is truth itself, and therefore can neither deceive, nor be deceived. Unto this main truth concerning Christ the redeemer of the world, there are six all-sufficient, 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the holy Ghost, and these three are one. and undeniable witnesses; whereof three are in heaven, and three upon earth; Those in heaven are the three sacred persons in Trinity, the Father, son, and Holy Ghost, and these three are in essence, one and the same God. Those three that bear witness unto him on earth, and seal up the truth of his promises unto us, 8 And there are three that bear record in earth, the Spirit, and the Water, and the blood, and these three agree in one. are the water in baptism, by which wee are cleansed from the filth of our sins; the blood of Christ( exhibited in the holy Eucharist) by the shedding whereof our sins are expiated; and the efficacy of his Spirit, which sealeth up to our hearts that testimony of water, and blood; in that it applies unto us the power of that ablution, and that expiation; and these three agree in, and make good, one and the same truth, concerning Christ the onely redeemer of mankind. If wee are wont to give credit unto the witness of men, surely, 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. wee must needs grant that the witness of God is much more certain, and unfailable; &c. He that truly believeth on the Son of God, hath God dwelling in him, by faith; 10 he that believeth on the son of God hath the witness in himself. and therefore hath that divine witness within himself, &c. If any man see his brother fall into, and continue in such a sin, as may be capable of forgiveness, 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life, for them that sin not unto death: there is a sin unto death; I do not say that he shall pray for it. let him earnestly sue unto God, for pardon of that offender; and God who is great, and infinite in mercy, shall graciously incline his ear to his prayers, and give remission and life to such a one. There is indeed a sin unto death, for which there is no forgiveness with God, because there is no capacity of repentance for it in the committer of it; I mean the sin against the holy Ghost; when a man having received the knowledge of the gospel by the illumination of the holy Spirit, and professed the belief thereof, shall in a devilish malice, wilfully blaspheme, and persecute that known truth; I do not give you allowance to pray for the pardon of this sin. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not unto death. Any of our injurious carriages towards God, whether in our words, deeds, or thoughts, is sin; and therefore of itself guilty of death; but such is the mercy of God, that he takes not advantage of our infirmities, but by his gracious pardon, so remits them, as that all our sins are not, in their event, deadly. 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, &c. See Chap. 3. verse 9. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. John. CAP. I. 1 The Elder unto the elect Lady, and her children, whom I love in the truth. John the Apostle, known and acknowledged the overseer of the Churches of God, which are in Asia, to the faithful and holy matron, elect of God to be a vessel of honour, and to her children; whom I love, in, and for the truth of the gospel, which they do zealously profess, &c. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring you not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. If there come any unto you, and make stubborn opposition to this doctrine, and broach the contrary errors, to seduce you, give no entertainment to such a one, neither hold any familiarity with him. For whosoever, after knowledge of his wilful heresy, shall maintain familiar conversation with him, 11 For he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. makes himself partaker of his wickedness, both of judgement, and practise. THE THIRD EPISTLE OF S. John. AS thy soul is in a good, 2 That thou mayest prosper, and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. and comfortable condition; so I wish that thy body, and estate may be also. Because for the setting forth of the glory of Christ, 7 Because that for his names sake, they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. and the promulgation of his gospel, they went forth to preach the word of God among the Gentiles, and took no recompense from them, for their labour and charge. 9 I wrote unto the Church, but Diotrephes who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. I wrote unto the Church for this purpose, but Diotrephes, who affects to bear a sway amongst your people, and is prejudiced against us, is not willing to give way to this just and holy motion. THE EPISTLE OF S. IVDE. CAP. I. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness. FOr there are secretly, and underhand crept in certain false teachers, who by the just and holy counsel of God, were from eternity set out, and given up to this fearful damnation, which they have run into, by their wickedness; graceless and ungodly men, who have abused the grace and mercy of our God, as an inducement to their prostitution of themselves to all manner of licentiousness, &c. 6 And the Angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgement of the great day. And the Angels, which not contented with that estate, wherein they were first created, but rebelling against God, and proudly affecting an higher glory; were thereupon cast down from their heavenly habitations; he hath reserved, under his everlasting, and unchangeable decree, in the dreadful darkness of hell, to the full consummation of their torment, at the great day of final judgement, when they shall receive their utmost doom of their fore-appointed damnation. 7 And going after strange flesh. And, being carried with filthy, and unnatural lust towards those of their own sex. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion,& speak evil of dignities. Likewise also these beastly and wicked miscreants, which are carried away with their own giddy fancies,& idle dreams, defile themselves, with abominable lusts, despise authority, and speak scornfully, and disgracefully of all those that are in dignity and eminence above them. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuk thee. Yet Michael the Archangel, when conflicting and striving with the devil, he contested with that evil spirit, about the body of Moses( which being secretly hidden by God, was sought for, and attempted to be brought forth by satan) durst not, as of himself, pronounce against that wicked spirit, the sentence and judgement of that his blasphemy; nor cast upon him any railing accusation, but onely said, The Lord rebuk thee. But these men are brutish, 10 But these speak evil of those things, which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. & grossly ignorant in their understanding, not knowing how to value the worth of any thing that is good; and yet have their mouths open to disgrace, and rail on that which they know not; and those things which they cannot but naturally know, as brute beasts, which are lead and carried by their senses, those they abuse in a sinful and sensual immoderation, and make them occasions of their sin and destruction. 11 Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Kain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Certainly the curse of God hangs over the heads of these men; for they have, in respect of envy and murder, followed the courses of Cain; and in respect of corrupting the truth for silthy lucres sake, they have greedily run on in the wicked steps of Balaam; and in respect of opposing themselves to authority, they have imitated the rebellion and mutiny of Corah, and shall perish in that damnable presumption. These are blemishes to your holy profession; and, 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds, trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. when ye meet together at your love-feasts, bring shane and dishonour upon your assemblies; in a gluttonous fashion, pampering and cramming themselves at your public banquets; such as would willingly pass for Christians, and yet have no soundness and truth of religion in their hearts; they would seem clouds therfore, but have no rain in them; they would seem trees, but they are fear and withered; twice dead; once while they stand, dry and sapless; and once yet more whiles they lie, as plucked up, and rotting. 14 And Enoch also the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints. Of these, amongst other wicked men, is that ancient prophesy of Enoch, who was the seventh in descent from Adam, fulfilled; wherein he foretells that the Lord shall come to judgement, attended with many thousands of his holy and glorious Angels, &c. 15 To execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them. To execute his final vengeance upon all the ungodly, &c. In a flattering manner making show of admiring the persons, and parts of some great men, 16 Having mens persons in admiration, because of advantage. for their own advantage. These be they who make sides, 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having nor the spirit. and divisions in the Church of God, severing themselves from the communion of other Christians, both in opinion and conversation; men secretly given up to their own sensuality; having( howsoever they pretend) no share at all in the Spirit of God. And of some, who are through simplicity seduced, 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference. have compassion; making a difference betwixt those spirits which are stubborn, and turbulent; and those which are meek and gentle. 23 And others save with fear; pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. And others that are stiff, and perverse, save( if ye may) with vehement urging unto thē, the terrors of judgement; as it were violently pulling them out of the fire of Gods wrath, wherein they lye; hating& avoiding all occasions of pollution from these wicked men, and abhorring every thing that may carry a savour, or suspicion of uncleanness. THE REVELATION OF S. John. CAP. I. 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John. THis which followeth is the Revelation, which Jesus Christ, the son of God, made unto John; which revelation, God the Father gave to his son Jesus, as the Mediator of his Church, that he might( according to that holy office of his) show unto his servants, those things which must in the ensuing times, come to pass; and the same Jesus sent his Angells, and by their ministry signified these future things to his servant John. 3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear, &c. See Revelation 22. verse 7. 3 For the time is at hand. For the time is near at hand, wherein divers of these following predictions shall be accomplished,& wherein an entrance shall bee made to those which shall afterwards succeed. 4 John to the seven Churches in Asia, grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne: John, to those seven famous Churches, which are in the lesser Asia, and under their name, to all other over the whole world: Grace be unto you, and peace from that almighty, and glorious God, who onely hath an absolute, and infinite being, in, and of himself, who was from all eternity,& shall be the same, without all change everlastingly; who is the author of all blessings to his Church; and from those seven principal minstring spirits, which stand ready before his throne, to receive his commands for the behoof of his Church; and to convey his blessings unto it; according to the number of those chief, and eminent Churches, whereto I writ. And as from these merely-spirituall natures, 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth: unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. so also from him, that is God and man, Jesus Christ the righteous; who is the onely faithful, and true witness, that hath declared the will of his Father, to his Church; who both raised himself from the dead, and diffuseth the power, and virtue of his resurrection to all his; by whom all Kings reign, as having received all power, and dominion from God his Father, over all the world: Unto that blessed, and gracious Saviour of ours, that hath loved us from all eternity, and hath cleansed, and purged us from the guilt of our sins, by his own most precious blood. And hath made us, who were before, 6 And hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory. the sons of wrath, and his enemies, to become Kings and Priests unto God, even the Father; Kings, in ruling over ourselves, and subduing of our corruptions; and Priests, in offering up our bodies and souls unto him, together with the sacrifices of our praises, and thanksgiving: to him be glory, &c. Behold, he shall come to judgement with glory, 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him: even so, Amen. and majesty in the clouds of heaven; and all men shall be witnesses of that divine state, and magnificence of his; even those his enemies, which used him contemptuously upon earth, and pierced his hands and feet, and side, in an insolent cruelty; and all the wicked throughout the world, shall tremble, and be confounded with fear, and anguish, because of his coming to take full vengeance of them: even so, Amen. I am the onely true and eternal God, 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. who so was before all things, as that I gave being unto all things; and( whatsoever should become of all things which have their being from me) am everlasting; and have my being of myself, infinite, and independent; and therefore am he, from whom all things receive their beginning, and in whom they end; saith the Lord, which is not capable of any variation of time, who is, and was, and shall ever be, even the Almighty. I was by the correption of the Spirit, 10 I was in the spirit on the Lords day. in an holy ecstasy, on the first day of the week,( which, upon the occasion of Christs resurrection, was called the Lords day) &c. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me, and being turned, I saw seven golden Candlesticks. And I turned to see him, whose voice spake unto me; and having turned, I saw seven golden Candlesticks representing those seven famous Churches, whereto I was commanded to writ; as those, wherein were placed those seven worthy, and renowned Pastors, which gave light to their several Churches. 13 And in the midst of the seven Candlesticks, one like unto the son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and gird about the paps with a golden girdle. And in the midst of those representations of the seven Churches, I saw Christ, the son of God, in the resemblance of a man, clothed, as for the gravity, and state of a King, or Priest, in a garment down to the foot; and in signification of his ready addressednesse to the gracious works of his Mediatorship, gird with a golden girdle about the middle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were as a flamme of fire. To imply the eternity of him, who is the true Ancient of dayes, his head and his hair were white, as the purest snow-like wool; and to signify his searching knowledge, and piercing insight into all things, his eyes were as a flamme of fire. 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. To import the purity of his proceedings, and the solidness, and invinciblenesse of that power of his, whereby he treads down all his spiritual enemies, his feet were like unto the purest, and finest brass; and in signification of the loud diffusion, and great power of his word, his voice was as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And he had in his right hand seven stars; in resemblance of that sure protection that he takes, and that wise, and just, and beneficial disposition, which he makes of his faithful ministers in his Church; and out of his mouth proceeded the sharp two edged sword of his powerful doctrine; and his countenance was majestical, and glorious, as the sun shining in his full strength. 18 And have the keys of hell and of death. I have the absolute power over hell, and death; so as I can either command them for the just torment and punishment of wicked men, or discharge the penitent from the fear and danger of them. CAP. II. 1 Unto the angel of the Church of Ephesus, writ. unto the chief Pastor, or Bishop of the Church of Ephesus, writ. See chapter 1. verse 16. &c. 4 nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Yet notwithstanding all this worth, which I do aclowledge in thee, I have some just exceptions against thee; and this especially, that thou art not so zealous, and fervent, as thou wert in thy first conversion; but hast cooled and abated of that thy first love. Repent thee therefore, of this decay of grace, 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. and bethink thyself of recovering that measure of zeal, which thou once hadst;& bring forth such good works, for the fruits thereof, as were formerly wrought by thee; or else, I will shortly come against thee, and enter into a course of judgement with thee, and remove away my Church from amongst you. But in the mean time, 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. this commendable point I confess to be in thee, that thou abhorrest the beastly opinions and practices of the Nicolaitans, the wicked followers of that revolted Deacon, and proselyte of Antioch; Who gave way to the indifferent use of fornication, and Idolatry; which things I also hate. To him that holds out against all assaults, 7 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the three of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. and prevails against all his spiritual enemies, will I give a blessed participation of Christ, in the kingdom of heaven, even of him who was at first figured by the three of life in the earthly Paradise. And I know the opprobrious and reviling speeches, 9 And I know the blasphemy of them which say, they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan. which are cast out against the Christians of Smyrna, by those which call themselves Jews, and so perhaps they are by blood, but in respect of their unbelief, and malicious persecution of the truth, are no better then the Synagogue of Satan. And ye shall have persecution in that Church of yours, 10 And ye shall have tribulation ten dayes. for the space of ten yeares. He that over-commeth the spiritual enemies, 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear, what the Spirit saith unto the Churches, He that overcometh shal not be hurt of the second death. wherewith he must conflict, shall be sure to escape that second, and worst death of the soul, which is the utter, and final separation of the soul from God. See Revel. 1. verse 16. 12 The sharp sword with two edges. I know that thou dwellest in a place, where heresy, 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satans seat is, and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those dayes, wherein Antipas was my faithful Martyr, who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth. superstition, Idolatry, and all kind of wickedness is, without all controlment, practised, and maintained; and yet thou dost constantly profess my Truth; and hast not been drawn to deny my gospel, and true religion; even in those dayes, when in the heat of persecution, Antipas my faithful martyr, thy zealous assistant, was slain in that city of yours, where Satan bears sway, and prevaileth. As Balaam taught Balac to cast an offence before the 14 Because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, &c. people of Israel, in drawing them to communicate with the Midianites in their idol feasts by alluring them to fornication and uncleanness. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which things I hate. So hast thou them that proceed in the same steps; teaching and maintaining the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, to the very same purpose; tending both to bodily, and spiritual uncleanness, which wicked heresy I do justly hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Repent, or else I will come to take punishment of thee, shortly; and as I sent my Angel with a sword in his hand, to resist Balaam; so will I fight against these followers of Balaam, by my two edged sword, the powerful word of my Truth, in the mouths of my ministers, and will confounded them. 17 To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and will give him a white ston, and in the ston a new name written, which no man knoweth, saving he that receiveth it. To him that overcometh will I impart the true Manna, that came down from heaven, which shall feed him to everlasting life; and will give unto him a free and full acquittal, and absolution from all his sins;& therewithal a comfortable assurance of his adoption to bee the son of God; which blessed condition, as it is new, and strange, in respect of the state of nature; so it is secret, in respect of the certain knowledge of others, and cannot be surely discerned by any, but him that hath it. 18 Who hath his eyes like a flamme of fire, and his feet, &c. See Revel. 1. verse 14, and 15. 20 Because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto Idols. Because thou sufferest that wicked woman,( which is no better then another Jezebel in the Church) who falsely stiles herself a prophetess, to take upon her to teach publicly, contrary to the modesty of her sex, and by her teaching to seduce my servants into those two abominable errors of the Nicolaitans, the allowance and practise of fornication, and eating things sacrificed to idols. 22 Behold I will cast her into a bed,& them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation. Behold, I will cast her upon tho bed of sickness, and inflict a grievous disease upon her; and will p●ague those that commit adultery with her, and that abet her in her wicked errors, with many sore judgements, &c. 23 And I will kill her children with death. And I will sweep away her followers, the children of her fornication, with violent death, &c. 24 As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depth of Satan, as they speak, I will put upon you none other burden. As many of you as have not given way to this wicked doctrine,& have not approved these depths and subtleties( as they call them, of their profound speculations) which are no other, nor no better then the devices of Satan himself, I will lay no other charge upon you then this. That true and apostolical doctrine, 25 But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. and sincere religion, which ye have received, hold fast to the end. To him will I give power, by virtue of that union, 26 To him will I give power over the nations. which he shall have with me, to have victory over all the professed enemies of my truth; and to sit with me, as the assistant, and approver of that judgement which shall be passed upon them. ( And he shall in me, 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: as the vessells of a potter shall they bee broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. as a limb of that body whereof I am the head, over-rule and subdue his enemies, and the enemies of my Church, as a brittle vessel of earth is broken into shivers, by an iron sceptre) even as I received of my Father, so do I impart this power, according to the capacity of my Church, to the members thereof. And howsoever he was obscured, 28 And I will give him the morning star. and basely accounted of in the world, I will put upon him exceeding glory, and majesty, and will communicate myself unto him, who am the true light that enlighteneth the world. CAP. III. THou hast the reputation of a zealous professor, 1 That thou hast a name, that thou livest, and art dead. and faithful teacher of my truth, yet indeed, thou art no better then an hypocrite, and hast not that measure of true life of grace in thee which thou pretendest. Stir up thyself to care, and vigilancy; 2 Bee watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. and labour to strengthen, and confirm those few good things that yet remain in thee, which are ready, by thy slackness, and neglect, to be utterly extinguished; for I have found thy obedience( how ever seemingly perfect, yet very hollow, and defective in the sight of God. I will come suddenly upon thee, 3 I will come on thee as a thief, &c. and seize on thee by inexpected judgements, &c. Thou hast, under thy charge, 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. some few worthy Christians, even in Sardis, which have not suffered themselves to be so much as outwardly tainted with the pollution of the common wickedness, and Idolatry of the rest; and they shall partake with me of my heavenly glory; for my mercy accepteth them as justly capable of such happiness. 5 he that overcometh, the same shall bee clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his Angells. He that overcometh shall be clothed with glory and majesty in heaven, and as I have from eternity ordained him to life, and blessedness; so I will undoubtedly continue unto him the right, and title thereunto; and will aclowledge him for mine, before my Father, and before the Angells of heaven. 7 He that hath the key of David; he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth. He that hath all power, regiment and sovereignty given to him over his Church, whereof the kingdom of David was a type, and resemblance; so as he admitteth, and excludeth; forbiddeth and commandeth; saveth, and destroyeth whom he pleaseth. 8 I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold I have vouchsafed to thee very faire, and meet opportunities to preach the gospel; which no man can be able to bereave thee of; for although thou hast not those eminent gifts that some others have, yet thou hast well improved those which thou hast, and hast maintained my truth, and hast not denied my name. See Chap. 2. vers. 9. 9 Them of the synagogue of satan, which say they are Jews: Behold I will make them to come, and worship before thy feet. I will so work upon them; that they shall come in, and submit themselves unto thee, and shall humbly worship God before thee, and the congregation, as true converts, and penitents. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon, &c. Because thou hast kept that word, and gospel of mine, which both enjoineth, and worketh patience in all my faithful; I will also keep thee from the hurt, and danger of that grievous persecution, which shall come upon all the Asian Churches. It shall not be long that thou shalt need to endure; hold fast therefore the profession of my gospel, which thou hast received, 11 Behold, I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take, &c. that thou mayst not be defeated of that glory which awaits for thee. As the manner of men is to erect pillars for monuments, 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will writ upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God. to continue their memory; so will I do to him that overcometh: I will set him up, as a firm and during pillar; and will establish and settle him as one of those living stones whereof my spiritual Temple consisteth; so as he shall be utterly unremovable from thence; And I will( as the custom is in such pillars) writ upon him the inscriptions of the names of those to whom he appertaineth; viz. the name of my God, and of those habitations above, whereto he is designed; making it manifest, that he is an undoubted son of God, and a citizen of heaven. 14 And unto the angel of the Church of the Laodiceans, writ, These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation, &c. These things saith that God of Truth, the faithful and infallible witness of his Fathers will, the powerful creator of all things; by whom the Father made all that was made. 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither could nor hot, I would that thou wert could or hot. I know thy works, and thy disposition; that thou art of a lukewarm temper, neither opposite to religion, nor yet a zealous friend to it; I would thou wert resolved one way, or other; I had rather thou wert any thing, then what thou art; open hostility to the gospel should not so much displease me, as this hollowness, and uncertainty. So then, 16 So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither could nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. because thou art thus spiritually lukewarm, and neither hot nor could; I will deal with thee as a man doth by lukewarm water( wherewith the stomach is made apt to egestion) cast thee up out of my mouth, and discharge myself of any further entertainment of that profession thou makest of me. Because thou art carried away with a spiritual pride, 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; and fond conceivest thyself to be stored with all holy graces and virtues, and that thou hast no defect in any of them, and art far from knowing aright the truth of thine estate, how sinful thou art, how ignorant, how wretched every way; I counsel thee to have recourse unto me, thy God and Saviour, 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest bee rich, and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shane of thy nakedness do not appear,& anoint thine, &c. and by my means to furnish thyself with all those heavenly graces, whereby thy wants may bee supplied, which may be to thee in stead of gold to remedy thy poverty, and glorious raiment to remedy thy nakedness, and eye-pleasing to redress thy blindness. Behold, I have used all means for thy conversion; I have patiently expected it, 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. and earnestly importuned it; and still I continue so doing; and if any man hear the voice of my word, and open the door of his heart to me, yielding to those my vehement solicitations; I will impart myself to the soul of that man, and will have mutual fellowship with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I give the honour of a meet participation with me in my glory, 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame. in such manner and measure, as every true member partakes of the honour of the head, &c. CAP. IV. AFter this, I looked up; and behold, 1 After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard, was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me, which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. the heaven seemed to open itself to me, and a large door appeared to be set wide open therein; and as my eye was taken up with this sight, so my ear was filled with the sound of a voice from thence, which was strong and loud, as of a trumpet, talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter accomplished. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit, and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sate on the throne. And immediately I had, in a further continuation of this vision, represented to me a glorious throne, which was set in heaven; and a person of great glory sitting on the throne. 3 And he that sate was to look upon, like a Jasper, and a Sardine ston; and there was a rain-bow round about the throne, in sight like unto an Emerald. And he that sate upon it was God the Father, full of resplendence, and majesty, having a shining brightness, like to the most sparkling precious stones, and the throne was encompassed about with a glorious rainbow, in the mixture of the colours whereof the green smaragd-like colour was most eminent; to import that gracious and comfortable reconciliation which is betwixt God, and his people. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats, and upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting, clothed in white raiment, and they had on their heads crowns of Gold. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats of state or judicature; and upon the seats, I saw four and twenty ancient and majestical persons sitting, which were the Patriarks, and Prophets of the old Testament, and the Apostles, and evangelists of the new, and the Saints of both; which were honoured with their participation of glory, and their assistance of the righteous judgement of God: And these Elders to signify that perfect righteousness, and glory wherewith they were invested, were clothed in white raiment, and had crownes of gold upon their heads. 5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And God declared his power from that his glorious throne, by thundering, and lightning and dreadful voices; and to show the excellent variety of the graces of his spirit, which God hath to give, and dispose for the good of his Church; before the throne there were seven lamps burning. 6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal, and in the midst of the throne,& round about the throne, were four beasts, full of eyes before and behind. And to import how clear and transparent all things are before the face of God; there was, before the throne, a sea of glass, like unto crystal; and round about, and under the throne, as supporters of the frame thereof, were Angels of several ranks, and employments, all of them( to signify their great knowledge, and perspicacity) were full of eyes, before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying Eagle. And these Angels had forms answerable to those eminent graces that were in them; as those which were stout and majestical as lions, strong as bulls, wise as men, swift as eagles. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within, and they rest not day and night saying, Holy, &c. And those Angel, s to show their agility, and readiness to execute the will and pleasure of God, had each of them six wings; and to express their exquisite knowledge, they were full of eyes within: and they never cease lauding, and praising the Lord with the joyful acclamations of Holy, &c. And as ascribing all thanks, 10 And cast their crowns before the Throne, saying, and praise to God for his mercy in glorifying them, and in an humble acknowledgement of all power and majesty to be derived from him, they did cast their crownes before the throne, &c. CAP. V. ANd I saw, as it were, 1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sate on the throne, a book written within, and on the back-side, sealed with seven seals. a roll or book of the great mysteries of the decrees, and counsels of God, in the hand of God the Father, who sate upon the throne; and it was written on both sides, both within and without, to show that universal providence of God which is in, and over all events and actions; and to signify the secrecy and firmness of his said decrees, it was sealed on the back side with seven seals. And( as the Angels of God are desirous to look into those great mysteries of Gods will, 2 And I saw a strong Angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof. which concern the good of his Church;) I saw a mighty, and glorious angel, proclaiming, with a loud voice( in implication of the difficulty,& merit of that wonderful action;) Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And there was no finite creature, 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. either in heaven or earth, that was able to unfold those great, and wonderful mysteries, which were contained in that roll of Gods eternal decree. And one of those glorious persons, 5 And one of the Elders saith unto me, weep not: behold, the lion of the tribe of Juda, the roote of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. which represented the patriarches and Prophets, &c. before the throne, said unto me, Be not discomforted, for that thou hearest not of any angel or man that is able to unfold and disclose these mysteries; for behold, he that is God and man, Christ Jesus, who is the King, and powerful ruler of his Church, of the tribe of Juda, of the seed of David according to the flesh, hath prevailed to reveal, and manifest these great secrets, which have been hitherto close sealed up, in the counsel of God. And I beholded, 6 And I beholded, and lo in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the Elders, stood a lamb, as it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. and lo in the midst of the throne of God, and amid his Angels, and Saints, stood the son of God, Christ Jesus, who as he is a lion for his courage, and power, so is he also a lamb for his meekness and innocence, as also in respect of that his sacrifice for mans redemption, being for that cause represented in the blood which was shed by him; and this holy and glorious lamb, in signification of all power and might, put upon him by his Father, had seven horns, importing his forcible means to be revenged of his enemies; and to imply his most perfect, and absolute knowledge, had seven eyes, which are the infinite graces of that Spirit which was given him, not by measure; and by him communicated to his Church upon earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sate upon the throne. And he as mediator betwixt God and man, came and received the full notice of the great, and secret counsels of God concerning his Church. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts, and four& twenty Elders fell down before the lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of Saints. And when he had taken that roll or book, wherein those counsels were set down, and sealed up: the holy Angels, and Saints which were before the throne, fell down before the son of God, in way of adoration of him, having every one of them melodious instruments for the celebration of the praise; and golden vials full of sweet incense, representing both their acceptable thanksgivings, and their general apprecations of peace, and welfare to the Church of God upon the earth. See 1. Pet. 2.9. 10 And he made us unto our God Kings and Priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And wee shall reign, and triumph over our enemies which are on the earth. 11 And the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. And there was an innumerable number of Angels, and Saints, which joined together in magnifying the praise of Christ their Saviour, &c. CAP. VI. 1 And I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals,& I heard as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. ANd I saw when Christ the son of God opened the first of those seven seals; and I heard a mighty voice, as if it had been of thunder, from one of those four glorious Angels, which were next to the throne, saying, Come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sate on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. And I saw, and behold, a notable representation of the happy success and victory of the gospel; set forth by the appearance of a white horse, whose rider had a bow in his hand, to signify the wound that he had given to his enemies; and a crown was given to him, in sign of triumph and honour; and he went forth to all the ends of the earth, conquering and bringing in subjection, every power that exalted itself against him. And upon the opening of the second seal, 4 And there went out another horse that was read; and power was given to him that sate thereon, to take peace from the earth,& that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. I saw a representation of that bloody tyranny and persecution which should follow upon the preaching of the gospel, set forth by the appearance of a read horse; and power was given to Satan, which was the mover and stirrer up of these cruel persecutors, the gangrenes of Rome, to take peace from the earth, and to incite them to a mutual slaughter of each other; and for that purpose there was a great sword, by the just permission of God, given into his hand. And when he had opened the third seal, 5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see,& I beholded, and lo a black horse; and he that sate on him had a pair of balances in his hand. I heard the third angel, say, Come and see. And I beholded, and lo, there was made to me a representation of an extreme dearth, and famine, which should follow upon the earth, by the appearance of a black horse, whose rider had a pair of scales in his hand; to signify that they shall bee forced to measure out by dooms, and ounces, that corn which they shall be allowed to eat. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny, and see thou hurt not the wine and the oil. And I heard a voice from among the four Angells, saying, All grain which is for the food of man, shall bee at an high rate; and as for Wine and oil, which are for his pleasure, let spare be made of them; for they shall be rare, and hard to come by. And upon the opening of that fourth seal I looked, 8 And I looked,& behold a pale horse,& his name that sate on him was death, and hell followed with him: and power was given unto them, over the fourth part of the earth to kill with sword, and with hunger. and behold a representation was made of a great and general mortality, which should be all the world over; set forth by the appearance of a pale horse, the name of whose rider was Death; and the grave, or state of corruption, followed after him; and power was given him, to sweep away the fourth part of the inhabitants of the earth, by the sword, and by famine, and sickness, and wild beasts, and all other ordinary ways of destruction. And when he had opened the fifth seal, 9 And when he had opened the fift seal, I saw under the Altar the souls, of them that were slain for the word of God. I saw the souls of all those faithful martyrs, whose lives had been sacrificed for the profession of the truth of God, and for the testimony, which they gave thereunto, even from the first martyr Abel, to this present day. And they cried with a loud voice, 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying; How long, O Lord holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth. out of an holy desire of the vindication of Gods honour, and redress of the proud and lawless impiety of men on earth; How long,( O Lord God, who art most holy in all thy ways, and just and true in all thy performances) will it be, ere thou take just vengeance on thy bloody& insolent enemies upon earth, who for thy sake have spilled our blood, and exercised all manner of cruelty upon thy Saints? And there was given unto every one of them, 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them, and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also, and their brethren that should bee killed as they were, should be fulfilled. a great measure of celestial glory; and it was said unto them, that for the full consummation of that blessedness of theirs, they should comfortably wait yet a while longer, until the number of the rest of their holy brethren( the Martyrs of Christ, which should be killed for his sake) were fully accomplished. 12 And I beholded when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. And I beholded when he had opened the sixth seal, and I saw a representation of wonderful great and terrible alterations which should bee in the world; both in the temporal, and spiritual state; so as the powers thereof were shaken; and those that were wont to bee the commanders and lights of the world, were utterly obscured, and deprived of their wonted glory. 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a figtree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And those that were wont to give subordinate light, both in their great authority, and doctrine, to the world, were now cast down, and by the force of persecution fell away from the Church, as a figtree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken by a mighty wind. So also verse 14. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll, when it is rolled together,& every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And no man shall be exempted from the fearful revenges of God, which shall bee so intolerable, as that all estates& degrees, even the great Potentates of the earth, &c. shall wish they could bee butted quick under the mountaines, to avoid the dreadfulness of Gods judgments which shall seize upon them. 16 And said to the mountaines and rocks, fall on us, and hid us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the lamb. Neither shall those several plagues, and vengeances be more terrible unto them, then the very presence of that awful God, who sitteth upon the throne, and the wrath of that lamb of God, who being of himself meek, patient, gracious, is now so irritated by their sins, that his very countenance is worse then death to all his guilty enemies. CAP. VII. 1 And after these things I saw four Angells standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any three. NOw lest I should doubt what, in the midst, and issue of these persecutions, might become of Gods Church; I saw the powerful executioners of Gods wrath, standing on the four coasts of the earth; even those mighty Spirits, which by the appointment of God have power over the four winds that blow upon the earth, to raise or restrain them; I saw them by the command of the Almighty staying, and withholding those stormy blasts from blustering upon the earth, or upon the sea, or upon the trees which lye most open to their violence; in short, I saw Gods merciful restraint, for the time, of any damage that might come to his Church. And I saw another angel, 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the East, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four Angells, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea: even the great angel of the Covenant, Christ Jesus, ascending up from the eastern cost( where Jerusalem stood) who by virtue of his Mediatorship had in his hand that seal, or mark of the living God, which in his eternal decree is set upon all his elect, whereby they are sealed up both to salvation in the end, and to a gracious protection till then; Who did by the mighty voice of his word, command those four Angells to whom power was given to hurt the earth: Saying, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God. hold your hands from doing any hurt to the earth, or sea; to the trees that grow upon the earth, or to the people that live upon it, until we have set the seal of Gods merciful protection upon all those faithful servants of our God, whom he hath decreed to preserve. And I heard the number of those, whom, 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundreth and forty and four thousand, &c. out of all the tribes of Israel professing his name, Christ had marked out for his gracious protection, to bee an hundred forty four thousand, that is, for each of the twelve tribes, twelve thousand. The specialities whereof follow in their order; 5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. of the tribe of Juda were marked out twelve thousand converts, or believing Christians, &c. And besides these converted Jews, 9 After this I beholded, and Lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the Throne, and before, &c. I beholded an innumerable number of Christians, chosen out of all nations, kindreds, people,& tongues, which stood before the throne of God,& before that immaculate lamb Christ Jesus, clothed with glorious, and resplendent robes, and having palms of victory in their hands. Who did all with one voice cry out aloud to the praise of God, and profess, 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the Throne, and unto the lamb. that salvation and all the glory thereof belongs unto that almighty God, that sitteth upon the throne, and to his son Jesus, that lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. And one of those glorious Saints, 13 And one of the Elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes, and whence came they? which stood before the throne, as willing to give me occasion to inquire further into the quality, and condition of those innumerable company of triumphant persons, which were clad in long white robes, and carried palms in their hands, asked me who those were that were thus arrayed; and whence they came. And I, as willing to be informed by him, said; Lord, 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest, and he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the lamb. it is enough for thee to know that; I desire to learn of thee, who they are; And he said; These are Christians converted from paganism to the gospel of Christ, which have suffered great persecution for his names sake; and who are clearly acquitted and purged from all their sins, by the blood of Christ. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in the Temple: and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them. Therefore are they now in this glorious condition before the throne of God, and sing praises to him in his heavenly habitation continually; And the Almighty Lord God, who sitteth on the throne, shall make them blessed with the fruition of his presence for evermore. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the Sun light on them, nor any heat. They are now past all the danger of those extremities of hunger, and thirst, and all other bodily complaints, whereto they were subject upon earth; neither shall the sun scorch them any more, nor any heat, or could annoy them. 17 For the lamb which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. For their blessed Saviour, Christ Jesus, which is in the midst of the throne, shall bee all-sufficient, both for their nourishment, and refreshing; he shall feed them with hidden Manna, and shall comfort their souls with the waters of eternal life; and God shall fully free them from all trouble and sorrow. CAP. VIII. 1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. ANd now after that the tyrannicall persecutors of the Church, the bloody Emperours which lived in those primitive times, were justly punished by the hand of God, when the seventh seal was opened, the Church had peace for a short time. 3 And another angel came and stood at the Altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the Saints upon the, &c. And the great angel of the Covenant, Christ Jesus, came and stood, as the Mediator and High-priest of his Church, before the Altar of heaven, having, and executing the gracious office of his intercession; and many holy and effectual prayers were offered unto him, that he might by his merciful, and effectual mediation present them to God the Father. 4 And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the Saints, ascended up before God, out of the Angells hand. And those faithful prayers, being sweetened by the powerful, and pleasing intercession of Christ, were with great acceptation received of God, from the hands of Christ his son. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the Altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the same angel of the Covenant, the son of God, who as he is the just avenger of the enemies of his Church,( and therefore had cast the fire of his wrath upon the earth, on the heads of those gangrenes and persecutors, as also of those heretical seducers which vexed his Church) did now also, in much mercy to his Church, from that heavenly Altar of his, cast down the fire of holy zeal, and illumination upon his servants on earth; who being inflamed and enlightened therewith, desire and endeavour to oppose those wicked heresies, which had been broached in the eastern Churches; and immediately hereupon followed great tumults, and much opposition. And now upon the opening of the seventh seal, 6 And the seven Angels which had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to sound. and these broils, that followed after in the Chu ch; those seven Angels, which God had appointed to bee the heralds of his vengeance to the earth, prepared themselves to sound forth the reports of those several judgements, and remarkable proceedings of God, with, and upon the world. And the first angel sounded; 7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail, and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth, and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up. and there followed great store of heresies, and very raging, fiery, bloody prosecutions of them in the Church; and the third part of the professors of the gospel, which are the Churches of the East, were grievously plagued, and infested therewith; these were the heresies of Arius, Macedonius, Eunomius, Photinus, Luciferians, Messalians, Apollinaris, Priscillianus, Pelagius, Nestorius, Eutyches. And the second angel sounded, 8 And the second Angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the Sea, and the third part of the Sea became blood. and there was an eminent part of the Church, even that large and numerous council which was met at Ariminum for the establishing of the Arian heresy, which being fired with that wicked contention, diffused itself into the world; and a third part of the known Church was infected with it, and moved to a bloody persecution of the truth. So also verse 9. And the third angel sounded, 10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters. and there fell out a fearful apostasy from the Church of Christ, partly by the seducement of wicked Mahomet, who after some acknowledgement of Christ, fell away and devised with Sergius the Nestorian monk, and John of Antioch the Arian to frame his cursed Alchoran, and to advance his own damnable impieties, and he corrupted a great part of the world; tainting both the Springs, and streams of religion; and partly by some dangerous errors, and superstitions, which began to prevail in the western Churches. 11 And the name of the star is called wormwood, and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many men died of the, &c. And the doctrines of that wicked impostor were as bitter as wormwood, and did put an ill savour, and odious distastfulnesse upon all that were mis-seasoned with them; in so much as these seducements proved deadly to many thousand souls. 12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the thrid part of moon, and the third part of the stars, so as the third part of them was darkened: and the day shone not, &c. And the fourth angel blew, and, what with the infection of mahumetism in the East, and the corruptions, and errors which began to creep into the western Church, a third part of the Christian world began to be darkened, and to be overspread with ignorance, or mis-beleife, and lose that pure light of truth, which had formerly shined forth unto them. 13 And I beholded, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a cloud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet, of the three Angells which are, &c. Whereupon I beholded, and lo, a swift messenger of fearful tidings was sent by God unto his Church; premonishing his elect, that they must expect yet more grievous plagues to be inflicted upon the inhabitants of the earth, in the following times, at the sounding of those three other trumpets that yet remained. CAP. IX. 1 And the first angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. ANd the fifth angel blew his trumpet; and I saw that fore-described Apostate both of the East, and West Church, to receive yet more power to prevail in their impieties, and ambitions, and, as it were, to set open the gates of hell. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And accordingly this apostasy succeeded; so as the instruments, and agents therein, did, by their errors, and impieties, set open the way to the pit of hell; from whence there arose such fogs of mis-beliefe, and erroneous doctrine, as that thereby the light of the gospel was much obscured. And there came out of this hellish smoke new swarms of Saracens in the East, 3 And there came out of the smoke Locusts upon the earth,& unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. and of superstitious abettors of usurpation and errors in the West; which wasted a great part of the Church; and by the sting and poison of their false doctrine, had permission to envenome very many in all places. Yet so did it please God to restrain the power and success of their infection and annoyance, 4 And it was commanded them, that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any three, but onely those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. as that they should not prevail over those places, and persons, which he in his secret counsel had determined to preserve; no, not even the most weak& tender plants in his Church; but onely over those men which have not the mark of Gods particular, and gracious protection set upon them. And even over them also was the power of these noisome persons so limited, 5 And to them it was given, that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five moneths, and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion when he striketh. as that they should not utterly destroy them, but oppress and afflict them for the space of an hundred and fifty yeares after their first seizure upon every several region which they should infest, at which time their tyranny should abate; the proceedings of which pernicious agents should be at first more easy, and tolerable, and afterwards should grow to extremity, and painful death. And therefore in those grievous oppressions, 6 And in those dayes shall men seek death, and shall not find it, and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. both of body, and of estate, and of soul, men shall be so vexed, that they shall be weary of their lives; and shall wish to be freed from that servitude, even by death itself, and shall not be allowed it. And the form and deportment of these infernal locusts was altogether martiall; like unto barbed horses, 7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle, and on their heads were, as it were, crownes like gold: and their faces were as the faces of men. prepared to the battle; carrying all by a cruel and impetuous violence, and bearing down all oppositions before them; and through their happy success, they triumphed as Kings; and had the very forms of crownes upon their heads; and they carried themselves, for their own advantage, friendly and plausibly to those whom they meant to work upon. And they were altogether effeminate in their dispositions, being given up to wantonness, and lust, 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. and to maintain their luxury, they were immoderately ravenous, and cruel; by strong hand invading the dominions, and inheritances of their opposites. And they were strongly defenced against all hostile attempts: the eastern locusts by their own conquests; 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was as the sound of charets of many horses running to battle. the western, by that hand which they had got over the kings and princes of the earth, which were ready prest for their maintenance and supportation; and when they were provoked, their preparations and threats were great and terrible, like to the rattling of many charets, and neighing of horses to the war. And these hellish locusts, 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five moneths. besides their ordinary effect of wasting and spoiling the earth, had dangerous venom in them, and deadly stings in their tails, which were like to those of scorpions, and had permission from God to torment and empoyson those with whom they had to deal, for the space of the forenamed hundred and fifty yeares. And they ranged themselves under one kingdom or government; the eastern locusts under their Mahomet; 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. the western under their universal head; both of them under satan the prince of darkness, who being a manslayer from the beginning hath his name from destruction. 12 One woe is past, and behold, there come two woes more hereafter. One great calamity and misery to the Church is already foreshowed; which is in the joint endeavours of the eastern, and western locusts; and behold there are two more and more grievous afflictions yet remaining. 13 And the sixth Angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, And the sixth angel sounded; and as the temple on earth resembles heaven, and the golden altar in the temple, being near seated to the holy of holies, and the propitiatory, signifies and imports a near approach to the throne of God, I heard a voice coming as it were from the four corners of that golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth Angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. Saying to that angel, which had the charge to sound the sixth trumpet; Hitherto the evil spirits have been restrained from the extremity of their machinations against my Church which is in the eastern parts, about the great river Euphrates; but now I do in my infinite justice and wisdom see it to be time to let them loose to inflict their greatest mischiefs upon those coasts. 15 And the four Angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And those four evil angels, which were to be executioners of Gods wrath, were let loose; which howsoever they were restrained before, yet were ever forward, and eagerly prest to do mischief, according to the proportion of the time limited them; if they were allowed but one houres liberty, they were ready prepared to do their utmost hurt for that hour; if for a day, or a month, or a year, they were accordingly addressed for their execution upon the third part of the inhabitants; by the sword of the Turkes, and those bloody warres which should be raised by their instigation. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand, and I heard the number of them. And the number of those Turkish armies shall be exceeding great, above the proportion of all those Christian forces, which shall oppose them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sate on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinct, and brimstone, and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions, and out of their mouths issued fire, and smoke, and brimstone. And then I saw their horses, and the riders on them, in my vision; armed strongly, and set forth in a terrible fashion; their breastplates and targets representing nothing but fire, and fury against their enemies, and their horses were fierce, and lion-like, and the riders of them were furnished with such engines of death, as carried sulphur, and fire, and smoke in the mouths of them. And by these instruments of death a great part of the Europeans were slain; 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone which issued out of their mouths. the main force of the Turkes consisting in their troops of horses, and the military preparations of this kind. Such power and success shall they have in their battailes, and open assaults; but withall, 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. they shall underhand work much secret mischief by their serpentine plots, and devices; whereby they shall withdraw many from their Christian religion to accursed mahometism. And the rest of those European Christians and neighbouring nations, 20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues, yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and ston, and of wood, which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. which have yet escaped those plagues of Turkish cruelty, have not been warned by so severe an hand of God to repent of their wicked works, and especially of their idolatry; wherein they have( under a pretence of holy devotion) worshipped the devil; and fallen down before Idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and ston, and of wood, which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. CAP. X. NOw, 1 And I saw another mighty Angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the Sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. that in the midst of these broils and miseries which should befall the world, it might appear that God had special respect to his Church; behold, the great angel of the Covenant, even Christ the son of God, appeared, as coming down from heaven, in a very glorious fashion; having, as it were, a bright rainbow upon his head, shining with variety of excellent colours; and his face was resplendent, and beamie, like to the sun, and his feet were as pillars of fire, to show the certain and powerful revenge that he will take of his enemies. And he had in his hand a little book, open; 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth. whether to signify that abundance of knowledge of Gods word, which should be after the barbarisms of superstition, and Turkish ignorance; or whether to signify the clearness of those few prophesies, which yet remained after these fore-mentioned events, to be fulfilled: and he put one of his feet upon the sea, and the other upon the earth, to signify that he had the power and command of both; and that the things which he was to speak, concerned all, both continent, and islands, and all that lived either on sea or land. And he spake aloud, with a strong, and mighty, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. and dreadful voice; as when a lion roareth; and when he had spoken that which he would say; seven thunders, as the echo of that speech of his, were heard to resound with a very fearful noise; expressing what he had delivered. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to writ: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered: and writ them not. And when the seven thunders had finished their sound; I was about to writ that which was delivered by them; but presently I heard a voice from heaven charging me to the contrary, saying, keep unto thyself those things which the seven thunders have uttered; and do not publi●h them to the world. 5 And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea, and upon the earth, lifted up his hands to heaven. And this glorious angel of the Covenant, whom I saw stand upon the sea with one foot, and on the land with the other, did in the solemn form of an oath, lift up his hand to heaven, as calling God the Father, and the holy Ghost to record of that serious truth which he would speak. 6 And swore by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and things which are therein, that there should be time no longer. And swore by that eternal, and infinite God who created heaven, and all that is therein, and the earth with all the things that are in, and upon it;& the sea,& all the things therein, that the time, and world were now drawing to an end and( after these things should be fulfilled) should be no more. 7 But in the dayes of the voice of the seventh angel when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the Prophets. But that in the dayes of the sound of the seventh trumpet, by which the seventh Angel should blow forth the plague of Gods last wrath; Antichrist should be destroyed, the kingdom of Christ should be erected; and the mystery of Gods final judgement,( wherein all prophesies shall end) should be accomplished and performed. 8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the Angel, &c. Then the voice, which I heard from heaven, spake unto me, again, and charged me that I should go, and receive the full and clear instructions of those mysteries, contained in that book, which was open in the hand of Christ. 9 And I went unto the Angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book: and he said unto me, Take it and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as hony. And I went unto Christ the Mediator, and humbly besought him that he would be pleased to give me the clear, and perfect understanding of the mysteries therein contained; who graciously condescending to my request, did not onely give me the book, but power to comprehend it; charging me to take in, and speedily to digest the contents of it; and withall, fore-admonished me, that the matter comprised therein, howsoever it should be very sweet and pleasant to me in the knowledge thereof: yet in regard of the trouble and opposition, which will follow upon the publishing thereof, and conveying of it forth to the use of others, it should be found very bitter, and unpleasing. So also verse 10. And he said unto me, 11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many people, and nations,& tongues, and kings. As I have under these former visions, shewed thee the state of my Church, and revealed it unto thee, for the further manifestation thereof, to others; So do I now again renew unto thee the representation of the same truths, under other forms of expression; Thou therefore having taken in, and digested the contents of this book, must prophesy again of the same things before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. CAP. XI. ANd now to express the state of the Church under the first opening of those seven seals; 1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the Temple of God, and the Altar, and them that worship therein. there was given unto me a reed like unto a rod, wherewith to measure the temple and the altar; signifying in effect, that I was enjoined to take full notice of the condition of the Church of God, under the gospel, and those that did faithfully, and truly make profession thereof. But I was commanded to neglect and pass over the measure of the outer court; 2 But the Court which is without the Temple leave out, and measure it not: for it is given unto the Gentiles, and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two moneths. in token that I should make no reckoning of those that did falsely, and unjustly challenge to themselves the title of a christian profession, for that they should in Gods just judgement be given over to heretics and mis-beleevers in opinion, and men superstitious and profane in practise; who should prevail against the more sincere and sound part of the Church; and hold them under their tyranny, for the space of one thousand, two hundred, and sixty yeares Yet in the mean time I will raise up some few faithful witnesses against them, and for my oppressed truth; 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy, a thousand two hundred and three score dayes clothed in sackcloth. and they shall in their several successions continue to speak against the errors, and corruptions of the times, for that whole space of a thousand two hundred, and threescore yeares, howsoever with much opposition on the part of their enemies, and trouble and sorrow on their part. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. These are they, whom I will raise up, as the noble, and profitable instruments, and means of much grace, illumination, holinesse to my Church, in a continued succession of times. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies, and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. And if any heretic or profane person, shall rise up against them, and oppose their holy doctrine, the power and evidence of that spirit, which is in these messengers of God, shall convince them; and shall bring judgements upon them. 6 These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the dayes of their prophesy, and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smitet he earth with all plagues, as often as they will. These holy men shall prevail so far with God, as that upon their prayers( so as it was in the case of Elias) the heavens shall be shut up that no rain shall fall upon the earth during the time of their interdiction; and( according to the power given unto Moses) they shall be able to turn the waters into blood, and to bring much variety of plagues upon the earth; and God shall show that he bears great respect unto them. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And when they have finished their testimony, which is after a thousand, two hundred and sixty yeares, the Antichristian power shall be more vehemently bent against them; and shall strongly labour to suppress them, by putting some of them to death. And that great and wicked city, which is spiritually resembled by sodom for uncleanness, and by Egypt for cruelty, 8 And their dead bodies shall lye in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called sodom,& Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. oppression, and superstition; even that, under whose power and jurisdiction the Lord was crucified, shall be notoriously known for her guiltiness of their innocent blood shed. And those that are favourers of error, and superstition, 9 And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations shall see their dead bodies three dayes, and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. in all the kingdoms, and the countries of the world shall gladly hear and see the cruelty, which shall be offered to these faithful messengers of God; and shall partake in persecuting them, both alive, and dead; denying them the rights of Christian burial; and suffering their carcases to lie openly in their streets, so long as till there might be danger of their own annoyance. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall sand gifts one to another, because these two prophets tormented them, that dwelled on the earth. And all carnal men, which are superstitiously affencted, and who were troubled with their bold and conscionable reproofs, shall rejoice and be glad at the death of these holy men, and in a congratulation of their riddance, shall sand presents to each other. For these are they who by preaching down their wicked courses, and erroneous doctrines, did much vex, and disquiet those favourers of idolatry, and error. 11 And after three dayes and an half, the Spirit of life from God entred into them:& they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them, which saw them. But after they have been for a short time thus suppressed, persecuted and slain, the Spirit of God, who is the author of life, shall raise up like minded successors unto them, who, as if they had been animated with the same soul, shall maintain the same holy quarrel; and their insulting enemies shall be much dismayed, and affrighted therewith. But as for them, who have been thus persecuted, 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying unto them, Come up hither, and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beholded them. and martyred; they shall be received triumphantly into heaven, and shall hear the gracious invitation of God, calling them up to their crown, and glory; and their very enemies shall be witnesses of their blessed exaltation. And at the same time, 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand, and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. when these revived abetters of Gods truth shall be stir themselves, there shall be very great commotions, and stirs in the Church; and a great part of the roman adherencie shall fall off from her; and many thousands of them, who have, against the light of their own consciences, upheld the errors, and abuses of the times, shall be swept away, with the just judgements of God; and the remnant shall be afraid of the like measure, and shall give glory to the God of heaven, and embrace his holy truth. The fift and sixth trumpet have their several sounds of fearful plagues that shall befall to the Christian world; 14 The second woe is past, and behold the third woe cometh quickly. the second of those woes, denounced by the sixth angel, is now so past, as that the main force of it, is abated; and now the third woe which the seventh trumpet shall proclaim is near at hand. And the seventh Angel, 15 And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,& of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever. who sounds an utter and final destruction to all the enemies of God, and his Church, blew the trumpet; and immediately there were heard joyful acclamations in heaven, of the Saints and Angels; which said; Now the enemies of God are quiter vanquished; and the kingdom of God, and his son Christ is advanced, and submitted unto, by all the nations of the world, and established for ever. Then those four and twenty Elders which represented the patriarches and prophets of the ancient Church of God, 16 And the four and twenty Elders, which sate before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God. sitting before the throne of God in glorious seats, fell down upon their faces, and worshipped God. Saying, &c. vers. 17. And those profane enemies of thine, 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldst give reward unto thy servants the Prophets, and to the Saints, and them that fear thy Name, small and great, and shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth. which were exasperated against thy Church, and offered all manner of affronts, and violences unto it, shall now find that the time of thy wrath is comne; and the season of thy last judgement, wherein all that were formerly dead shal appear before thee; and receive their retribution, according to their works; wherein thy servants the Prophets, and thy Saints, and those that fear thy name, both small and great shal receive an happy reward of life and glory; and the persecutors of thy Chutch shall be recompensed with everlasting destruction. 19 And the Temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his Temple the ark of his Testament, and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Then was an open way set forth( to the world) not onely to the true Evangelicall Church, figured by the Temple, but also to the very holy of Holies, and therein to Christ the Saviour, figured by the ark of the new Testament, and withall there was thereupon a terrible execution of judgement upon those wicked enemies of the Church, and gospel of Christ, in all variety of plagues, and punishments. CAP. XII. 1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. HItherto hath the estate of the Church been represented in two several visions; now it pleased God to show the same unto me, more at large, in a third vision; beginning at the primitive times thereof, and continuing till the end of all things. The primitive Church was therefore represented unto me, as a woman resplendent and glorious; though of herself, in respect of her nature and sex, weak and feeble, yet made pure, and majestical by the perfect beams of Christs righteousness shining upon her; the moon was under her feet, to signify her treading upon all the transitory, and changeable things of this life, now in the times of her first simplicity; and upon her head was a crown, not of gold, but of heavenly matter, even of stars; to signify that she is honoured as a queen in heaven; of twelve stars, to signify the heavenly doctrine of the twelve Apostles, the maintenance whereof is the onely glory of her. 2 And shee being with child cried, traveling in birth, and pained to bee delivered. And she that had been formerly barren, was now fruitful, and great with child, ready to bee delivered of her happy burden, longing to bring forth children unto God. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold, a great read dragon having seven heads, and ten horns and seven crownes upon his heads. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; for there was represented to me a fearful image of that opposition which should be made to the Church, viz. that the devil( which was resembled by a great read dragon, cruel and bloody) whose chief seat and city standeth upon seven hills, being crwoned with the command, and government of the world, and having under it many confederated kingdoms, wherein the strength thereof consisteth) should stir up the gangrenes of the Roman Empire, to set themselves against it in all violent courses. And the issue of this tyrannicall persecution, 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars, of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child assoon as it was born. raised by Satan, was such, as that, by this means, very many who were, and might have been lights to others, were miscarried from their Christian profession; and drawn back to Pagan Idolatry; And these bloody persecutors( agents for the then-Roman Empire) stood ready to watch for any that would, or durst profess the name of Christ; and, so soon as any man did but offer to stand out for the maintenance of the Christian faith, were ready to seize upon him, and to proceed cruelly against him. But in spite of all the malice and opposition of enemies, the Church brought forth, 5 And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his Throne. through the power of the gospel, a masculine issue of true and faithful professors; in whom Christ was truly formed anew; even Christ mystical, that Son of God who should rule over the nations; and in whose right his members partake of the same glory; And this blessed issue of hers was taken into the special protection of God, and in their several times glorified with him. And the Church, viz. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore dayes. the faithful professors of Christs name, being after this, persecuted, were glad to retire themselves into deserts, and solitary places, where the providence of God had prepared maintenance, and safe protection for them; where they continued during the heat of that persecution. And the devil, the arch-enemie of mans salvation, 7 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his Angells fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his Angells, raised up watre against Christ and his Church; and there was a very great and sore conflict betwixt Christ, and his faithful servants on the one part, and Satan, and his complices on the other. But Satan, notwithstanding all his power and malice, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. prevailed not against the Church, neither was permitted to atchive any thing against the salvation of Gods elect. And the great dragon the devil, and Satan, 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old Serpent called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth and his Angells were cast out with him. even that old serpent, which bore a deadly and perpetual enmity to Christ, and his holy seed; and who is the great deceiver and tempter of the sons of men, was utterly defeated of all power to prevail against Gods Church; and was put over, and limited to the exercise of his tyranny upon those earthly and carnal men whom he prevails over. And I heard a loud voice of Saints and Angells, 10 And I heard a loud voice, saying in heaven, Now is come salvation and strength,& the kingdom of our God& the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused thē before our God, day and night. triumphing in heaven, at this victory of Christ, and defeat of Satan; saying; Now, is salvation without all impeachment prepared for Gods chosen; and the strength and the kingdom of our God, and the power of Christ his son, is enlarged; for Satan, who is the great tempter, and accuser of Gods children, urging their sins against them, and pleading for revenge of their mis-deeds, and raising calumnies, and slanders against them, before God and men, is foiled, and dejected. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. And these elect children of God have overcomne him; not by any power of their own, but by the blood of Christ, that immaculate lamb, applied to them by a lively faith; and by the power of that mighty word of truth, which they have given their confession unto; and by their resolute, and patient suffering, and yielding up their lives to a most bitter death for the maintenance of the gospel. 12 Therefore rejoice ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them; Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea; for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Therefore rejoice, O ye heavens, and ye blessed Angells and Saints, that dwell therein; for this your happy victory in Christ your Redeemer. But woe bee to you, earthly and carnall-minded men, whose affections are wholly set upon worldly things; for, since Satan cannot have his will of Gods faithful ones, he will bee sure to tyramnize over you; and for that purpose, is he labouring in his extreme rage against mankind, to execute his wrath upon you; wherein he is so much the more eager, and vehement, because he knows his kingdom draweth near to an end. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And when this malicious dragon saw that he was defeated of his purposes, of hindering the salvation of Gods Saints, he turned all his rage against the Church militant on earth, raising up by his wicked instruments all manner of persecutions against her, who had brought forth that masculine issue of faithful professors. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle, that shee might flee into the wilderness into her place, where she is nourished, for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. But unto the Church were given by the wise and gracious providence of the Almighty, many both forcible, and speedy means of her delivery, that she might retire, and betake herself to a place of more obscure safety; where he took order for her preservation and nourishment during all the time of her persecution. 15 And the Serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood, after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the Serpent, when he saw that the speed of her rescue, was such, as that he could not overtake, and surprise her; he cast forth, after her, whole floods of lies, slanders, and reproaches, by the mouths, and pens of her blasphemous enemies; and broached store of erroneous, and heretical doctrines; wherewith if it were possible, he might draw her, either into detestation or apostasy. 16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. But this attempt of his was also in vain, for the providence of God so ordered it, as that all these false reproaches, and attempts of infection prevailed not, but vanished away, even as a flood of land-water is swallowed up of the earth, and is seen no more. And the devil was so much the more exasperated against the Church, 17 And the dragon was wrath with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the Commandements of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. for that he saw himself disappointed in all his projects; and therefore he ceased not to stir up war against those children of the Church, which professed the truth of the gospel, and endeavoured to keep sincerely the commandements of God, and the onely-true religion of Jesus Christ. CAP. XIII. ANd I stood upon the shore of the island Pathmos; 1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea: and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads, and ten kornes, and upon his horns ten crownes, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. and behold, there was a further vision presented to me. For I saw out of the ambitious stirs, and tumults of the world, there arose the great Roman Empire, in the form of a beast, by reason of the brutish conditions of those that swayed it; whose chief seat was placed upon seven hills; and whose government was managed by seven several forms of sovereignty; and whose strength consisted in ten several kingdoms, which were under the command of that Empire; and divers profane& wicked governors of that Monarchy made profession of horrible blasphemies and impieties, in that they challenged to be styled and adored as gods. And the beast which I saw, 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. representing the Roman Empire, was, as it were, composed of the qualities of those other three former Monarchies which were past; for in fierceness and speed of conquest it was like the Leopard of the greek Monarchy; and for ravening, like the Persian bear; and for haughtiness and cruelty, like to the Babylonian Lion: And the devil did by all means set forward the power and authority of this Empire, advancing it by frauds, and cruelties, that it might serve for his own purposes. And I saw one of his heads wounded deadly, 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death, and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. in the cutting off of the Cesars line in Nero; and in the intercision of the Empire, for some time, by the huns, and goths, and vandals, but this wound was soon healed up; and the flourishing condition of that Empire was such, as all the world wondered at it, and were glad to do their homage and fealty to it. And men were so besotted with the admiration therof; 5 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? that they were ready to adore those hellish powers, by whose means, and furtherance, this Empire was so advanced; and to dote upon the honour, and greatness of this, which they called a sacred and perpetual Monarchy; Saying, what Empire was ever so great and large as this, and what nation or kingdom is able to stand out against it? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemy, and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And Satan had so prevailed with divers of these Cesars, that in the pride of their heart, they spake horrible blasphemies against God, proclaiming their own deity, and calling for adoration from the people; and through the permission of God, power was given unto this Empire to prevail, and execute tyranny and cruelty for the space of a thousand, two hundred, and sixty yeares. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his Tabercle and them that dwelled in heaven. And these proud and Atheous governors opened their mouths against God, to blaspheme his name, and to arrogate his title to themselves, as also to slander and traduce his Church, raising wicked calumniations against his Saints and servants. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And besides their blasphemies, they were permitted in the just judgement of God, to raise cruel persecutions, against those that professed the name of Christ; and to put them to death; and this power was yielded to them universally, in all kingdoms, and countries, under their dominion. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of life of the Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world. And all that dwell upon the earth, under the Roman dition, shall be forced to burn incense to their Cesars; and to worship them as gods, even all they, whom God hath not by his especial favour, decreed, and designed to eternal life, from eternity, purchased by the death of his son Jesus Christ. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. If God have given to any man an understanding heart, and an hearing ear; let him well consider of these great, and mystical things which are spoken of this Empire. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword, must bee killed with the sword: here is the patience and the faith of the Saints. For as this Roman Empire shall long tyramnize over the world, and led many thousands into captivity, so itself shall be dealt with, at the last; And as it hath been guilty of much innocent bloodshed, so it shal accordingly be served again; and shall perish by the sword of an enemy: But in the mean time, there is much patience required of Gods Saints, and much faith to expect, and attend the accomplishment of these things; which must( though late) yet in their just time be fulfilled. 11 And I beholded another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a Dragon; And besides this secular, I beholded a spiritull tyranny arising from small and weak beginnings, to a great height of pride, and impiety; the semblance and outward show whereof was meek and lamb-like; as tending to the advancement of the name of Christ; but the doctrine and practise of it was proud, and cruel. And he taketh upon him to exercise all imperial power; 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth, and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. making indeed but a more shadow of the Empire; yet outwardly pretends to draw all the earth to the subjection and obedience of that Monarchy whose deadly wound was healed. See verse 3. And this spiritual tyranny doth advance itself continually by boasting of great miracles, 13 And he doth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. that are daily done by the abettors thereof; so that as Elias in his time, by calling down fire from heaven, did approve the truth of his doctrine, and mission from God, so doth this tyrannicall state go about to justify their teaching and usurpation by strange and wonderful miracles. And this spiritual tyrant deceived the inhabitants of the earth by those miracles which he had power to do in the presence of the subjects of that great Empire; 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those miracles, which he had power to do in the sight of the beasts, saying to them that dwell on the earth, &c. and caused the people to renew, and receive a new restored form, and image of that long vacant Empire of the West, which had received that deadly wound by the sword of the huns, and goths, and vandals. And he had power to put a new life into that new restored image, or shadow of the ancient Empire; 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast, should be killed. that it should bee able to do the wonted actions of life; and make laws for its own government, and the establishment thereof; and joining the force of his decrees with the edicts of that meanly-revived Empire, should constrain all men under pain of death to yield their homage and subjection to that Monarchy of his own erecting. And he caused all both small and great, rich& poor, 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, and in their foreheads. to make open profession of themselves, to be the subjects and vassals of the roman Empire; and both in their countenance to declare it, and with their hands to fight for it. And he excommunicated all that would not subject themselves unto it; 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. inhibiting them from all liberty of trade and traffic, or any affairs of secular commerce; which did not profess their reverence and obedience to that his latin Empire, and the honourable titles given thereunto. Here is a proof of the wisdom, 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number is, six hundred three score and six. and sagacity of any reader; let him therefore that hath skill, and knowledge, reckon the number of the numeral letters, which are in the name of this Empire; for they make up the name of a man, even of one of the first princes( viz. Latinus) which swayed this government; and the numeral letters of his name make up the number of six hudred sixty and six. CAP. XIV. 1 And I looked, and lo a lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Fathers name written in their foreheads. NOw after that I had seen these fearful representations of the two great enemies of Gods Church; I had a comfortable sight shewed unto me of Christ the blessed protector thereof; who was represented to me, as a lamb standing upon his holy mount Sion; and with him those his chosen servants( in infinite numbers) which had formerly received the mark of his gracious protection; and who had faithfully professed the truth of his religion. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their haps. And I heard the heavenly voice of Gods Church unanimously praising, and magnifying the name of God, for his wonderful mercies to them, with such loudness, and strength, as if it had been the sound of many waters, or of a mighty thunder; and I heard the joyful melody that they made in the expressing of their thanksgivings unto God. 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the Elders, and no man could learn that song, but the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. And these holy choristers sung, not the old song of their forefathers, which praised God for the redemption which was to come; but sung new songs of thanksgiving for their redemption, already achieved, in the presence of God and his Angels, and glorified Saints; and none of the carnal, and unregenerate men of the world could know what that joyful song meant; none having ever found the sweetness and comfort of these mercies of God in Christ, but onely his chosen, and redeemed ones whom they concern. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women: for they are virgins: these are they which follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth: these were redeemed from among men: being the first fruits unto God and to the lamb. These are they, who are neither defiled with bodily fornication with women, nor with spiritual fornication with idols, but have kept themselves chast, and clean from both those pollutions; these are wholly addicted to the sincere worship and service of Christ; these are bought with a price, even that inestimable price of his blood; being specially dedicated( as the holy first fruits of mankind) to God and to Jesus Christ his son. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault: before the throne of God. These are so justified from their sins, by the blood of Christ, and so sanctified from their corruptions, by his Spirit; as that there is no wickedness, nor falsehood in them; and that being clothed with Christs righteousness, they appear without spot or blemish, before the throne of God. Then I saw another mighty and glorious messenger of God; who for the more speed of delivery, 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred,& tongue, and people. and safety from all danger of oppugnation, flew with the message of that true and sincere gospel of Christ, which had been long suppressed, and opposed by men, the truth whereof is everlasting; having charge that it should be broached, and published to all nations, and kindreds, and tongues, and people, by the faithful dispensers thereof. Teaching them all the world over, 7 Saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give glory to him. that forsaking all their superstitions, and sinful wilworships, they should fear God onely, and give glory to him, &c. Then upon the free, 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because shee made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. and sincere preaching of the gospel, there followed another messenger, from God, which cried saying; It is fallen, it is fallen; the mystical Babylon, the great city of the world; because she hath drawn all nations, to drink of the cup of her spiritual fornications, and thereby hath caused them to drink of that cup of Gods wrath, and vengeance, which belongs to those grievous offences. Then followed a third messenger from God, 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand: with further tidings of judgements, upon those, which do wilfully maintain the pride& tyranny, and wicked errors of the Antichristian state: saying, If any man do after these clear publications of the gospel give divine worship to any created power whether civill or spiritual; and shall make profession of his servile and idolatrous prostitution thereunto: See Chap. 13. verse 8. The same man shall drink of that unconceiveably bitter cup of Gods wrath, and vengeance, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, &c. without any mixture at all of mercy and remission; and he shall bee infinitely, and eternally tormented with that fire and brimstone of hell; and both the holy Angels of God, and Christ, the meek and merciful Saviour of men, shall see them without pitty, so tormented for ever. So also verse 11. And now upon the sight of these torments inflicted upon wicked and idolatrous men, 12 Here is the patience of the Saints; here are they that keep the Commandements of God, and the faith of Jesus. Gods children shall well find the fruit of their patience, and constant profession of the true faith of Jesus Christ; and their conscionable obedience to the Commandements of God; in that they see themselves free from this grievous vengeance, and possessed of joy and happiness. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, writ, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea faith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them. And I heard a voice from heaven bidding me to writ these words following, as worthy of perpetual remembrance and consideration; Blessed are the dead, which have now laid down their life for Christ, and such as are found in Christ, when they go hence; no less blessed are they then those holy martyrs of the Primitive times; yea, saith the holy Spirit, they are doubtless blessed, because they both are freed from those calamities which attended their life; and do likewise receive the comfort and benefit of all the good works which they did here below. 14 And I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sate like unto the son of man having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And I looked, and I beholded a present representation of address unto a terrible judgement; for there appeared Christ the eternal son of God, as in his glorious humanity, sitting upon a white cloud, to show the integrity, and glory of his presence; having on his head a golden crown representing his Majesty, and power, and a sharp sickle in his hand; implying his readiness to cut down the ripe sins of the world; and to execute his just severity upon them. So also verse 15, 16, 17, 18. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Then the angel did, accordingly, by the sickle of his powerful execution, cut down the sinful generation of mankind; and did cast them down into hell, the place of torment appointed for all the wicked enemies of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. And the execution was wonderfully great,& fearful, in so much as the blood of the slain was so deep, as that it reached up to the very bridles of the horses, for the space of two hundred miles in length; so great and general was the destruction of those who did wilfully follow the enemies of Christ. CAP. XV. 1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven Angels, having the seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God. ANd I saw another wonder in heaven, great and marvellous; for in way of preparation to that last judgement, and execution, I saw seven Angels which had power to inflict the seven last plagues upon the enemies of Christ; in which is the accomplishment of all those judgements which he meant to bring upon the kingdom of Antichrist, before his utmost confusion. And I saw, as it were, a sea of crystal, 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass, mingled with fire, and them that had got the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the: sea of glass, having the haps of God. mixed with some tincture of redness, as of the colour of fire( by reason of the persecutions attending the profession of Christ) and I saw them that had courageously, and constantly stood out both against the impious edicts, for idolatry, which proceeded from the heathenish Emperours, and against the wicked and sinful decrees of their successors, and the tyranny usurped by them, standing joyfully upon that glassy sea,( as having escaped all the billows of their late persecutions) and testifying their joy in outward expressions of a melodious thanksgiving. And they, 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the lamb, saying, Great and merveilous are thy works, Lord God Almighty, just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints. in acknowledgement of the benefit of their deliverance from these fiery waves of persecution, sung the same song, that Moses the servant of God uttered upon his deliverance from the read sea; Let us sing to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; and together with it, sung a most sweet and pleasant ditty, which was taught them by the lamb himself, Christ their redeemer, &c. And after this I looked, and beholded the very inward part of heaven( which was as the Holy of holies, 5 And after that I looked, and behold the Temple of the Tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. wherein the ark of the Testimony was placed) having been formerly shut, was now opened. And from thence, 6 And the seven Angels came out of the Temple having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. even from that more inward and reserved place of glory, came those seven Angels which had the seven last plagues to inflict; and they( to signify their purity, and faithful diligence in their executions) were clothed in pure and white linen, and had their breasts girded with golden girdles. And one of those prime Angels, 7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven Angels, seven golden vials, full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. which were next to the Throne, delivered unto the seven messengers of Gods wrath, seven golden vials, wherein were contained those deadly liquours of just vengeance, which the everliving God had decreed and appointed to be poured out severally upon his enemies, on earth. And as it was of old in the material Temple, 8 And the Temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power, and no man was able to enter into the Temple, till the seven plagues of the seven Angels were fulfilled. that when God would show his presence there in, the smoke filled the room, so as the ministers of that holy place could not stand in it; So it was now in the giving of this commission for these seven last plagues; the glory of God did so show itself, as that no man was able to comprehend the majesty thereof; until this so important a business was dispatched. CAP. XVI. 1 And I heard a great voice out of the Temple, saying to the seven Angels, go your ways and poure out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. ANd I heard a great voice as proceeding from God, out of his Temple in heaven; saying to those seven Angels, which were designed to be the executioners of this vengeance of God; go your ways, and poure out the several plagues upon the people of the earth. 2 And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth, and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. And the first angel went, and poured out his vial upon those regions of the earth, which are under the Roman Empire, and there fell a noisome, and grievous sore, and botch,( like to the sixth plague of Egypt) upon the idolatrous clients of that bestial government, and the successors therein; and( spiritually) great exasperation of mind, through envy and malice, against those which preached the sincere gospel of Christ. 3 And the second Angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea. And that no part might be free, the second angel poured his appointed plagues upon the sea, to the effusion of the blood of those that dwelled by, or upon it; in so large quantity, as that the waters seemed as the congealed blood of a dead man; so as the corrupted moisture thereof could not but kill all that lived therein; which was literally fulfilled in those bloody battailes, betwixt the Turkes and Christians; and those of hostilely affencted Christians among themselves. 4 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers, and fountains of waters, and they became blood. Yea that nothing might remain pure, and wholesome; as the earth, and the sea were smitten with plagues, so the rivers and fountains also were by the vial of the third angel turned into blood( as it was done in the first plague of Egypt,) through that extreme bloodshed, which the avenging hand of God should justly cause amongst men, by their own cruel divisions. 5 And I heard the Angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. And I heard that angel which had special charge given him over the waters, confess, how just the proceedings of God were in this vengeance of his; saying, O thou eternal God, who art of thyself, and hadst thy being from thyself before all beginning of time, and shalt be everlastingly, thou art just and righteous in thus plaguing these wicked persecutors of thy servants. 6 For they have shed the blood of Saints, and Prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink: for they are worthy. For they have not stuck to shed the blood of thy Saints in their horrible, and frequent massacres; and now thou hast given them blood to drink; neither are they worthy of any other potion, who took delight to spill it. And I heard a voice of one of those martyrs, 7 And I heard another out of the Altar say, even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgements. which had cried formerly for revenge from under the altar( Chap. 6.) now applauding the justice of this vengeance; saying, Even so Lord God Almighty, thou hast heard our prayers, and hast approved thy judgements to be most true and righteous. And yet further, that even the very heavens, 8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun, and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. ( whose influence had wont to be wholesome, and beneficial to mankind) might now be turned harmful, and deadly to wicked men; the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and thereupon, that goodly planet which was wont to bring comfort, by the light thereof, to the inhabitants of the earth, became so fiery and scorching, that the beams thereof were intolerable; breeding extreme plagues, and calentures, and other deadly maladies amongst men. And men being broiled( as it were) with the extremity of heat, 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed, &c. and tormented with the diseases which followed thereupon, in stead of humbling themselves, under the just, and powerful hand of God, wickedly blasphemed his name; who had the power to inflict these plagues, and they repented not of their sins, nor gave him the glory of his justice. And the fifth angel poured out his vial on the prime seat, and metropolis of the Empire; 10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom was full of darkness, and they gnawed their tongues for pain; and the power and government thereof, both spiritual and temporal began to be obscured, and abased; and the followers and abettors thereof gnawed their very tongues for indignation; And instead of acknowledging their error, 11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains,& their sores, and repented not of their deeds. they blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their deep discontent, and vexation; and repented not of their wickedness. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, 12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared. which was the defence of the eastern Babylon; and as Cyrus, when he went about to take that city, first drained the channel of Euphrates, and derived the streams another way; so shall it be now ordered, by the providence of God, that this great river shall be made passable to the Kings of the East, that so those of the Turkish Empire may have way and opportunity for their armies against the West. And I saw a resolute conspiracy, 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, &c. and combination of Satan, and his two powerful instruments, the secular and spiritual powers, who agreed to sand forth their most forcible agents for the making of a strong party on their behalf. 14 For they are the spirits of devills working miracles, which go forth unto the Kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle. For they are the emissaries of Satan, and for the effecting of their purpose, do, and pretend strange miracles; stirring up the Kings of the earth, to arm all their powers, and to bring them forth to rhat great battle, wherein Almighty God hath determined to give that notorious foil unto the enemies of his Church. 15 Behold, I come as a thief: blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shane. Behold, this which I intend to do, I will do it suddenly; and inexpectedly: Blessed is he that abideth in prayer, and watching, keeping about him the garments of true righteousness, and innocence; lest being stripped thereof, he be put to just shane and confusion. And these people were gathered together by the providence of the Almighty, 16 And he gathered them together into a place, called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. through the instigation of their busy emissaries, into a place designed by God for their destruction; as Sisera and his army were brought into the valley of Megiddo for their overthrow. 17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air, and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And the seventh angel powred out his last, and most universal plague, into the very air, wherein the enemies of his Church do breath; and there came a great voice out of the heavenly Temple, even from the throne of the Almighty, saying; The overthrow of mine enemies is now comne to a very speedy execution. 18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings, and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake. And in a kind of heavenly applause, to this sentence, and decree of the Almighty; and as an effect of those plagues, which were powred out of the seventh vial, for the confusion of the enemies of God, there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake and strange commotions, and alterations of the states of the world, such as were never formerly seen, or known. 19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And the great city, which was the Empresse of the world by the force of that commotion, was divided into three parts; whiles some adhered unto their old superstitions, and errors, others professed dislike& detestation of them; and a third sort carried them in a neutrality betwixt both; and the cities of the Paganish, Jewish, mahometan profesion fell off from their wonted mis-religion; and that great city the mystical Babylon came in remembrance( for her speedy revenge) before God; who now was ready to poure upon her the fierceness of his wrath and indignation. 20 And every iceland fled away, and the mountaines were not found. And every iceland fell off, and revolted from her, and those firm stays which she thought to be most assured, were no more found to stand out for her maintenance. 21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every ston about the weight of a talent, and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail: for the plague thereof was exceeding great. And as it was in the dayes of Joshua, that God fought against his enemies from heaven, by casting down great and weighty hailstones upon their heads, so shall he confounded his Antichristian enemies at the last, and men in the bitterness of their anguished souls shall bee ready to blaspheme the name of God which sendeth this judgement upon them. CAP. XVII. ANd there came one of those seven Angells which had the charge of the seven last plagues to be powred upon the world, and talked with me, saying; 1 And there came one of the seven Angels, which had the seven vailes, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will show unto thee the judgement of the, &c. Come hither, and I will show thee the judgement of that great city, who is infamous for her spiritual fornications, and who ruleth over many nations. By whom the Kings of the earth have been drawn into abominable Idolatries, 2 With whom the Kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabiters of the earth, have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. and the inhabitants of the earth have been deceived, and bewitched with the pleasing doctrine, and practise of her superstitions. So he ravished me away, in an holy ecstasy of spirit, 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness, and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. into the wilderness; and there, for the more free and full contemplation of these matters, by the opportunity of the solitariness of the place, he represented unto me the Antichristian state, in the form of a woman sitting upon that great and glorious seat of the Empire, which was distained with horrible and great blasphemies, being situated upon seven hills, and having the command of ten Kings. And the woman was very gorgeously set forth in all manner of rich ornaments, that the earth or sea could afford; 4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious ston, and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, full of abominations, and filthiness of her fornication. and she had in her hand a golden cup, specious in show, but full of error and abomination; which was that poisonous and intoxicating doctrine of heresy and idolatry, wherewith she hath seduced the people of the earth. And in the open show and carriage of her, 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the great, the Mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth. any indifferent man might red thus much; This is that mystical Babylon, the great city of the world, the most infamous author and pattern of all both spiritual, and bodily fornications, and all outrageous wickedness. And I saw the cruelty of this state and government such, 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. as that it was even over-laid with the excess of that innocent blood of Gods Saints, and holy Martyrs which it had causelessly shed. And when I saw this sight, I stood marveling, with great astonishment and admiration. 7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her. And the angel seeing me thus amazed, said unto me; Why wert thou thus astonished at this sight? I will show thee the true and plain meaning of this vision; and the signification both of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, &c. The beast then, which thou sawest, is no other then the Roman Empire; 8 The beast that thou sawest, was and is not, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition, and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder( whose names were not written in the book of life, from the foundation of the world) when they behold the beast that was and is not, and yet is. the port and magnificence whereof was very great in the dayes both of their former governors, and especially in the reign of their late Emperours, Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, and Claudius; but now in the following times of Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Domitian, is much abated of the former glory, and greatness; and is now voided by the death of the late governor; but shall be supplied again by much variety of usurpers( as it were) out of hell itself; into which place of perdition they shall soon return; and those that do not belong to the election of God, nor are acquainted with the course of his providence, shall wonder at the strange, and uncouth alterations of this vast Monarchy, which was once so glorious, and powerful, and now is not so great as it was, yet still hath an eminent being amongst men. 9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountaines, on which the woman sitteth. This is the interpretation of this vision, according to true understanding, and wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills, whereon that city is built. 10 And there are seven Kings, five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come: and when he cometh he must continue a short space. And withall, they signify seven forms of government, or rule, which that state hath been, and must be swayed by; viz. Kings, Consuls, Dictators, Decemviri, Tribunes, Emperours, ecclesiastical Princes, whereof the five first are past, and gone; and the sixth of them is now in being; and the seventh is not yet come; and when it doth come, it shall not hold long before it be wasted, and for the time suppressed by the inundation of barbarous nations. 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eight, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And that last form of government, which I said should be for a time suppressed,& yet is not comne into being; even that is the eighth in respect of that spiritual power and jurisdiction which it shall challenge and usurp, and yet is one of the seven, in respect of this temporal dominion, which it claimeth, and shall in due time be destroyed. 12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten Kings, which have received no kingdom as yet: but receive power as Kings one hour with the beast. And the ten horns which thou sawest, are ten several Kings, but such as are not yet, in being; nor have their kingdoms as yet erected; but shall be set up afterwards, even at the same time, that the second beast shall arise to greatness, out of the ruins of the Empire. These are all agreed to give their utmost strength, 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. and assistance to that second beast, which is the false Prophet; and shall join both their counsels, and forces to that purpose. These shall oppose the government, 14 These shall make war with the lamb: and the lamb shall overcome them. and doctrine of Christ; and at the last, the truth of the gospel, and the power of Christ shall overcome them, &c. And he saith unto me; The waters which thou sawest, 15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. where this Antichristian state beareth rule, do signify, people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten kingdoms which thou sawest, represented by the ten horns; 16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire. shall fall off from that Antichristian state, and shall hate it, and leave it utterly destitute, and forsaken, and shall both profess, and execute all manner of hostile violence against it. For God hath so over-ruled them by his secret and powerful providence, 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. as that they have unwittingly done that, which his most wise counsel had determined, in that they yielded up their kingdoms unto that second beast, until the time should come, wherein the decree of God should be accomplished. And that woman which thou sawest sitting as sovereign, 18 And the woman which thou sawest, is that great city which reigneth over the Kings of the earth. in this Antichristian state, is that great city, which is the mistress of the world, and reigneth over all the Kings of the earth. CAP. XVIII. THe mystical Babylon, the great city and state, 2 Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devills, and the hold of every soul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bide. is fallen and utterly ruined; and is becomne a desert habitation of devills, a place haunted with unclean spirits, and a desolate wilderness, for Scrich-Owles, and other ominous birds to abide in. For she hath poisoned all nations with the infections of her spiritual fornications, 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. and hath thereupon drawn them into the partnership of her judgements: and the Kings of the earth have been seduced by her, to her palpable Idolatries; and the Merchants of the earth, both spiritual, and temporal, are grown rich through the traffic of her voluptuous, and curious delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. And I heard another voice from heaven, charging all that wish well to their souls, to depart from the superstitions, and abominations of that city, and state, and warning them to avoid the partaking of her sins, upon pain of partaking of her plagues. 7 For she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. For she saith in the pride of her heart,( as that type of her, the old Chaldean Babylon did( Esa. 47.8.) I sit as a queen over all the earth; I am not as a solitary widow, but am full of lovers; the great Princes of the world are glad to court me, with their best observances, neither is it possible that I should fail, and miscarry of my greatness, or be in any danger of distress. 9 And the Kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived deliciously with her shall bewail her. And those Kings, and princes of the earth, which have been drawn into the partnership of her Idolatries, shall bewail her, &c. And those spiritual, and temporal merchants which were wont to enrich themselves which the costly wears, 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her. appertaining to her glorious superstitions, shall weep and mourn, &c. So verse 12. and 13. &c. 21 And a mighty angel took up a ston like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon bee thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And a mighty angel( to represent unto me the irrecoverablnesse of this mystical Babylon) took up a great ston, like a millstone, and cast it into the Sea; saying, look how impossible it is, that this weighty ston thus violently cast into the sea should rise up from the bottom thereof again; so impossible is it, that this Babylon thus dejected by the just hand of God, should ever recover itself from this final confusion. 23 For thy merchants were the great men of the earth: for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. Those that traded in thy spiritual merchandises, were great, and mighty men, and heaped up very great treasures, by that traffic of theirs; for by the enchantments of thy false doctrines, and Idolatries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of Prophets, and of Saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. For she is found full of blood, and cruelty; as being guilty of the effusion of the blood of Gods faithful Prophets, and Apostles, and of all his Saints and holy Martyrs upon earth. CAP. XIX. 1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia: salvation, and glory, and honour, and power unto the Lord our God. ANd after these things I heard a very great applause in heaven, given by all the Saints and Angells; and a joyful acclamation of all the hosts thereof, praising God for the just destruction of this mystical Babylon. And the smoke which ariseth up from the fire of her destruction, shall ever ascend; 3 And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. and remain as an assured witness of that her burning, and utter comsumption. Let us rejoice and be glad, and give glory to God; 7 Let us bee glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. for whereas Christ Jesus of old betrothed himself to the Spouse, his Church, now the marriage shall be fully solemnized,& consummated; and the Bride his Church, hath decked and trimmed herself, with those spiritual ornaments, that are fit for the Spouse of so glorious an husband. And this her heavenly bridegroom hath granted to her, for that purpose, 8 And to her was granted, that shee should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints. the shining and precious raiments of purity, and integrity; which is the dress that he hath prepared for the souls of his Saints. And the angel said unto me; writ thou, 9 And he saith unto me, writ, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the lamb, and he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. and make an everlasting record of this, which I shall now say unto thee; Blessed are they which are effectually called by God, to bee partakers of the marriage supper of Christ their Saviour; and are therein united unto him; And he said unto me; These things which I have spoken unto thee are the undoubted truths of God himself, and shall most certainly be fulfilled. And I, seeing the glory of that angel, 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him, and he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, that have the testimony of Jesus: Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy. and hearing him to mention the name of God, fell down to worship him; But he forbade this my adoration, and checked me for it, saying; Beware of offering any such kind of reverence to me; I am thy fellow creature and thy fellow servant, and one of thy brethren in office, bearing( as thou dost) the testimony of Christ our Lord; worship thou God onely; as for me, I am one of those ministering spirits, whom God doth use in the revealing of his mysteries to his Prophets, that they may testify and declare them to men: and the office of testifying Jesus to men, is of the same rank with that of revealing him by way of prophesy unto the teachers. And now, 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. after these representations of the bloody oppositions, which should be made to his Church, and the discomfiture of his proud enemies, I saw heaven opened, and there was showed me a representation both of the happy triumph of Christ Jesus, and his blessed gospel, and of a preparation for a further victory: And behold there was shewed to me a white horse; and a glorious rider sate upon him; whose name was the faithful and true God, who doth judge justly, and revengeth righteously. 12 His eyes were as a flamme of fire, and on his head were many crownes, and he had a name written, that no man knew but he himself. Whose eyes are as sharp, and as searching as fire, making passage into the very innermost, and deepest secrets of the heart; and upon whose head were many crownes; to signify his sovereign command over all the kingdoms of the earth; both he and his name are infinite, and incomprehensible; neither is any finite creature capable of the perfect knowledge thereof. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, to show that he had already victoriously steeped his garments in the blood of his enemies, and triumphed in their confusion, and so should do again; and his name is called, The eternal and incarnate Word of his Father. 14 And the armies which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And the armies of the Saints in heaven followed him, in a triumphant, and warlike manner, upon white horses, clothed in perfection of purity, and righteousness. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And out of his mouth proceedeth that sharp two edged sword of his mighty word; whereby he pierceth, and subdueth the hearts of all nations; and by the powerful sceptre of that kingdom of his, he swayeth, and governeth them; and he most justly, and yet terribly executeth the fierce, and final vengeance of God, upon his enemies. 16 And he hath on his vesture, and on his thigh a name written; King of kings, and Lord of lords. And in the demonstration of his power, he hath given open marks and proofs of his glorious sovereignty over all creatures; so as he is publicly proclaimed, and acknowledged, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowles that fly in the midst of heaven, come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; And I saw an angel stand in the sun( the most conspicuous place in heaven) to execute the office of the great Herald of God, who with a loud voice, cried to all the fowles that fly in the air; saying, Behold there is a wonderful slaughter towards, of all the enemies of Christ; there will be infinite numbers of carcases strewed upon the earth; come therefore, O all ye fowles of prey, and address yourselves to this great banquet that the great God hath provided for you; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of Kings, and the flesh of Captaines. That ye may feed upon the delicate flesh of Kings, and great commanders of the earth, &c. And I saw the great Roman Monarch, 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against him that sate on the horse. and his confederated princes, and their armies gathered together to make war against Christ, and his gospel; and against the faithful professors thereof. And that same presumptuous Monarch, was overcomn, 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet, that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image; these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. and taken; and together with him that false prophet, the man of sin, who had by pretence of many miracles deceived both him, and those that professed their homage to his idolatrous government; and ascribed divine worship to his shadow, or image, that came in his room. These both, after their grievous seducements and abominations, were cast down into hell. As for the remnant of their followers, 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sate upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth, &c. which out of ignorance, or simplicity maintained their errors and tyrannies, they were slain by the powerful command of Christ, and upon their bodily death, all the fowles were filled with their flesh. CAP. XX. ANd whereas in my former vision I had seen the dragon, 1, 2, 3. And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand, and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and satan, and bound him a thousand yeares, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand yeares should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. persecuting the Church under the tyrannicall rule of the heathen Emperours, now I saw an angel come down from heaven, having power and commission from God, to chain up and imprison the dragon, that old serpent the devil, and to restrain his power during the space of a thousand yeares, after Constantines restoring of peace to the Church; who did accordingly lay hold on him, and shorten and restrain his power, and malice, from his wonted violent, and subtle machinations against the Church; that he should not in so prevalent manner deceive the nations of the earth, until that thousand yeares were accomplished; and after that he must be let loose for some further exercise of Gods children, and seducement and destruction of his enemies; but that liberty of his shall be but for a short time. And now I saw such glory and majesty put upon the faithful ones, in the time that Satan was shut up, 4 And I saw Thrones, and they sate upon them, and judgement was given unto them, and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand yeares. as that they sate upon thrones; and the power of judgement was committed unto them; to manage the affairs of Gods Church, and to execute due censures upon the offenders, and I saw those faithful and holy martyrs, which were ready to lay down their lives for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and his gospel; and those which refrained from, and abhorred the idolatry of the times; and they lived and reigned with Christ, in a sanctified and comfortable estate here upon earth, framing themselves to all godly courses, during all this time of the thousand yeares of satans restraint. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand yeares were finished. This is the first resurrection. But for the rest, which lay dead in their sins and impieties, they did not at all recover, at the last, this spiritual happiness and life, and attain to the true knowledge and fruition of God. This, which we now speak of, viz. the abandoning of the corruptions of the times, and attaining to the true knowledge, and love of the saving truth of God, and a conscionable obedience to him, is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall bee priests of God, and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand yeares. Blessed and holy is he that thus hath his part in this first resurrection; for certainly on such, the second death, which is eternal damnation, and separation of the soul from God, neither hath, nor can have any power; but they shall be wholly consecrated to the service of God, and his Christ, and shall here reign, with him in their several times, all the whole space of the thousand yeares, wherein satan is shut up: they shall triumph in God, and themselves, whiles the rest of the world is in vexation and bondage. 7 And when the thousand yeares are expired, satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And when those thousand yeares shall be expired, satan shall for the time be let loose; and suffered to raise great tumults, and troubles in the world, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle. And shall upon faire pretences stir up all the enemies of Gods Church, which are in all the regions of the earth, both Scythians, Turks, and mis-beleeving Christians; and shall gather them together to battle against the little flock of Christ, &c. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the Saints about, and the beloved city, and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And they went up into all the coasts of the earth, and by their great number encompassed the small handful of Gods Saints round about; and taking advantage of their paucity, hemmed them in, as enclosing the true believing Church, for the slaughter; But the fire of Gods wrath did, as I were, fall from heaven upon their heads, and consume them, and frustrate all their cruel intentions. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophets are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great, and glorious throne, erected for the last judgement, and the son of God sitting thereon in great majesty, and heavenly magnificence; at whose presence, the heavens and earth did melt away, and were so suddenly changed, as that they appeared in their former estate, no more. There shall be now no more dying, nor graves, 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire: this is the second death. all these things are at an end; and nothing shall remain, but a final damnation of the devils and reprobate souls for ever; and this is the second death. And whosoever was not found registered in Gods eternal election to life, was cast into hell fire. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the lake of fire. CAP. XXI. THen I saw an happy renovation of all things; 1 And I saw a new heaven, and a new earth: for the first heaven, and the first earth were passed away and there was no more sea. even the heaven and earth refined to their utmost perfection; for this imperfect condition of the heavens and earth, that now are, passed away; neither was this sea, as it now is, but freed from that impurity and corruption which it now hath. And now in this universal revolution of the world, 2 And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I John saw the celestial city, the purified and glorious Church of God, coming down as it were from God out of heaven, decked with all kind of spiritual ornaments, and prepared with all riches of grace, and glory, as a fit bride for her gracious husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying; 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall bee his people, and God himself shall bee with them, and be their God. Behold now, God shall settle his eternal habitation with men; so dwelling with, and in his Saints, that he shall never be removed from them; but shall in a full and perfect manner enjoy and possess them as his people, and they him as their God. Behold, 5 Behold, I make all things new, and he said unto me, writ, for these words are true and faithful. now I will remove away all the impurity and imperfection of my creature; and make all things absolute, and glorious. And he said unto me; 6 And he said unto me, It is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. It is as surely done as if it were past already; I am the first and the last; even the first before all beginning, and the last, after all endings, eternal, without beginning or ending; To him that hath hungered and thirsted after righteousness, will I freely give out of the lively fountain of my grace, and mercy, everlasting life. 7 he that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall bee my son. He that overcometh the temptations of satan, and the world, shall be possessed of this heavenly inheritance of glory; and I will be his God and Father, and he shall be my dear son for ever. 8 But the fearful& unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and Idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. But those which have cowardly, for fear of pain, or danger, shrunk from the truth; and the unbelieving, and those which have lived in abominable sins, cruel murtherers, whoremongers, &c. shall have their portion in the everlasting torments of hell fire; which is the second death. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God. And he ravished me away in an ecstasy of spirit, and( as it were) upon an high mountain, shewed me the excellent beauty of his now renewed, and purified Church, the holy and spiritual Jerusalem; which God from heaven, had put upon that blessed Bride of his. 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a ston most precious, even like a Jasper ston, clear as christall●. Which was set forth with all heavenly glory; even the glory of Gods eternal presence, and the shining brightness thereof was like unto the lustre of the most precious and glittering stones. 12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve Angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. And( to set forth the magnificence thereof by the resemblance of a city built of the most pleasing and precious matter that the earth can afford) the walls thereof( which are wont to be for defence and ornament) were strong and high, impregnable by any enemy, and perfectly safe for the inhabitants; and as it is the praise of a city, that the situation and form of it gives both security from enemies, and easy entrance to the citizens; so it was here, as there was a strong and high wall to keep out the enemy, so there were twelve gates, to admit of the convenient, and free passage of the inhabitants, that every tribe of Israel might have a gate of his own. And for the more sure guard of those twelve gates, there were twelve heavenly Angels to keep them; and every several gate, had the name of a several tribe engraven upon it, of the children of Israel. 13 On the East three gates, on the North three gates, on the South three gates, and on the West three gates. For the elect of God which should come from the East coasts, there were three gates appointed, and set open, ready to receive them; For those likewise which should come from the North, three gates; for those which should come from the South, three gates also; and three gates in like manner, for those which should come from the West. The wall of the city, which encompasseth, 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve Apostles. and fortifieth it on every side( which is that sacred bond of unity, wherewith the whole Church is knit together, and is defended from the danger of all error and ignorance) is built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ being the chief corner ston. And the angel, 15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. who was employed to reveal these things unto me, represented unto me a golden metwand, which he had in his hand, as thereby importing that he was to make manifest unto me the excellent symmetry and proportion of this heavenly city, and the gates and wall thereof. And the city is so built and contrived, 16 And the city lieth four square, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth, and the height of it are equal. that nothing is wanting to the exquisite perfection thereof; it is every way square, and in all the parts and measures thereof framed by the line and level of Gods infinite wisdom, and power; able for the largeness thereof, to contain all those happy souls that appertain thereunto. The wall or bulwark of this city is infinitely strong; 17 And he measured the wall thereof an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. being for the breadth of it raised up in twelve several courses of the firm and invincible doctrine of the twelve Apostles; and thereupon arising up to twelve times twelve cubits; according to the measure, not of an ordinary man, but of the angel, which appeared in a larger shape. As for the matter, both of the wall and of the city; 18 And the building of the wall of it was of Jasper, and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. it is so pure, and rich, and precious, as no earthly substance can possibly express it; but if ought be more excellent, and of higher estimation then other, as gold, pearls, and precious stones of all exquisite varieties, let these serve to resemble the beauty, and unconceivable glory of this heavenly city. So also verse 19, 20, 21. And whereas in the old Jerusalem, 22 And I saw no Temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty, and the lamb, are the Temple of it. Salomons goodly Temple was the glory of that city, now here, in this heavenly Jerusalem, there is no one room set apart for the Temple; but the whole city is the consecrated Temple to God, and to his Christ; neither shall there need any signs or Sacraments of Gods presence, and grace, but the Lord God shall be there really, and essentially exhibited to all his Saints; and God the Father shall there clearly manifest himself in his son Christ Jesus to his elect. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamb is the light thereof. And this glorious city had no need of any outward, and adventitious light, from the sun, or moon, or stars, which are but the conveyances of this created light to the inferior world; for the glory of God, the Creator, doth perfectly enlighten it, more then many thousand suins can do; and the lamb, Christ Jesus, is the full and bright luminary, which sendeth forth perfect beams of heavenly knowledge& blessedness to all his. And whereas the earthly Jerusalem was the receptacle of none but her own people, 24 And the nations of them which are saved, shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. abhorring the communion of the Gentiles; now here, all the elect of all the nations of the world, shall be received into one blessed society, and shall enjoy the glorious light of Gods presence; and the Kings of the earth shall be admitted into it, and shall here so lay down their glory, as that they shall see and confess all their earthly pomp and magnificence to be nothing in comparison of this. 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And in this city there shall bee such safety, and such freedom, as that the gates thereof shall not bee shut at all; but ever stand open for the receipt and admittance of the blessed Saints of God; even the material, and earthly cities are wont to be open by day, but shut by night; but here there shall be no night at all, but a perpetual day of continuing and constant blessedness. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And if there be any one amongst the Gentiles, more excellent then other, it shall be his happiness to be admitted hither; and here shall he be glad to lay down all his former glory. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lye: but they which are written in the lambs book of life. And yet though the gates shall be always open, shall there be no entrance here, for any impure, and polluted soul; nor for any that liveth in abominable wickedness, and practiceth lying and falsehood; but onely the elect Saints of God, which are ordained to this blessedness, and sanctified by the blood of Christ their Saviour. CAP. XXII. ANd to show that there can be no pleasure wanting in this city of God, 1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb. the angel shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as Chyrstall, free from those muddy impurities, which wee meet with here below; proceeding, not out of the Temple( as that which Ezekiel saw) but out of the throne of God, and of the lamb; The Lord himself being that inexhaust fountain, from which these everlasting refreshments do proceed. Whereas in the earthly paradise there was one onely three of life, which grew in the midst of the garden, 2 In the midst of the street of it, and of either side of the river, was there the three of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the three were for the healing of the nations. as a sacrament and pledge of that eternal life, which man should upon his obedience enjoy; of the taste whereof man was deprived upon his sin; now in the midst of the streets of this new Jerusalem, and on either side of this clear river, there is growing this three of life in a free and plentiful manner; so as there is open access thereunto for all comers. And that there may be no danger of either cloying, or fading; this three of life shall yield all pleasing variety of fruits; and shall perpetually flourish, without all interchange of Winter, and Summer; every month shall be an autumn to yield her ripe increase; And this ever-florishing three of life, Christ Jesus, by the sovereign leaves of his merits shall be effectual to heal all the maladies of the believing Gentiles. And whereas after mans first placing in paradise, there soon followed a curse, 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the lamb, shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him. now in this heavenly city, there is no danger, or fear of a curse; but the glorious throne of God, and of his son Christ shall be erected in it for ever, and his servants shall celebrate his name with perpetual songs of praise and thanksgiving. And they shall have the blessed vision of him; 4 And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads. and shall be owned for his before all Saints and Angels. And in that presence of God, 5 And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. there shall bee no shadowing of that bright glory and resplendence, no changeable course of day, and night; but the sun of righteousness ever shineth there; so as there can be no need of candle, or material sun, to enlighten them; for in Gods light they shall see light, and they shall reign for ever and ever. Christ himself spake in my hearing, saying, 7 Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophesy of this book. Behold I come quickly, neither will delay my return; but in the mean time blessed is he that carefully thinks upon, and duly observes that which is contained in the prophesy of this book. See Chap. 19. vers. 10. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow servant, &c. do not seal up this book, 10 And he saith unto me, seal not the sayings of the phophesie of this book: for the time is at hand. but let the words of the prophesy thereof be open for all men to red, and know; for there is present use of them, and the time is at hand wherein some part of them shall be fulfilled. 11 he that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Now he that deals unjustly, let him( if he think good) dare to do unjustly still; and he which is filthy, let him( if he list) be filthy still; and contrarily, let the righteous man hold on the course of his righteousness, and let the holy man continue in his holinesse. 12 And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. For behold, I am now shortly coming; and will not come empty handed; but will bring with me due retributions to every man according to his work, whether it be good or evil. 13 I am Alpha, and Omega, the beginning, and the end, &c. See Chap. 21. vers. 6. and ch. 1. vers. 8. 14 Blessed are they that do his Commandements, that they may have right to the three of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Blessed are they which walk holily, and constionably according to his will, that they may have their part, and portion in Christ, who is the three of life; and may enter in, through him, which is the way, and the door, into the possession of the heavenly Jerusalem. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers. Out of the precincts whereof are justly excluded all filthy and wicked persons; all currish and spiteful snarlers at goodness, and contemners of holy counsel, whoremongers, &c. 16 I am the root, and the offspring of David,& the bright and morning star. I am both the root of David, whence he had his being, according to my Deity; and the branch, that issued from David, according to my human nature; and I am that clear light of the world, which enlighteneth it with the beams of knowledge and grace; and all true light, both of understanding and comfort, is derived from me alone. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come, and let him that heareth say, come, and let him that is a thirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. And the Spirit of God moveth the hearts of his faithful ones, and they( which are his spiritual bride) being therewith moved, are ready to second his holy motions; and say in a servant desire, Come Lord, and let him that heareth or readeth this prophesy, break forth into the same holy desire, and say, Come Lord; and in the mean time, let him that hungereth and thirsteth after grace, come to him; and whosoever is by this Spirit moved and enabled to desire grace from him, let him abundantly receive of that plentiful grace and mercy comfortably, and freely. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, if any shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And now, that I may seal up this prophesy with a just and vehement ratification, for as much as I know the devil will be apt to raise questions, and stir up endeavours, for the disparaging of the authority of this book, I do protest, and testify to every man that heareth, or readeth the words of this holy Revelation; if any man shall, upon pretence of defect, and imperfection, add any thing unto these things which are here written, God shall plague him with an addition of all those fearful plagues, of death and hell, which are contained in this book. And if any man( upon pretence of the superfluity, 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. and needlessenesse, or improbability of any passage thereof) shall diminish any part of the words of this prophesy; God shall so wipe his name out of the book of life, and so thrust him out of the holy city, his new Jerusalem, as that he will make it manifest to the world, that the same man neither hath been, nor shall ever be recorded amongst the elect ones, nor had, nor shall have any portion in heaven. And lo, that son of GOD, 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, Come Lord Jesus. which makes this powerful ratification, saith, Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so, Come LORD JESU. SOLI TRINVNI DEO, LAVS, HONOR, GLORIA. ERRATA. Vpon the old Testament. pag. lin. for red 3 18 into in●o it 7 8 fo of 9 5 in double in a double 14 39 no ordinary in no ordinary 15 15 being and and being 19 25 they accordingly they shall accordingly 38 15 in margin. verse 6 verse 9 74 2 perceives the pain perceive the plain 86 6 malactors malefactors 86 10 detestable detestable 98 25 ye serve we serve 109 3 there upon there be upon 184 32 all tears all my tears 217 37 find favour find savour 227 17 fo●me former 280 17 natural mutual 433 25 Margin. vers. 21 verse 20 continued. 457 5 that a new that of a new 488   Marg. unhallowed unwalled 510 15 Marg. pieces yeares 539 6 impaired impured 539 26 fection infection 543 34 to a world for a world 543 35 comne is come 544 36 deject retrect 547 35 like life 548 19 dayes jeroboam dayes of jeroboam 550 15 teagerly they eagerly 550 17 tyrannized tyramnize 559 14 be by 595 9 in to 597 38 will I will 620   Verse 15 is wanting in the margin Vpon the new Testament. pag. lin. for red 1 1 catalogue catalogue 1 13 Salomon Salmon 2 10 when which 4 33 fater afther father after 5 11 worth worthy 6 47 blessed blessedness 39 2 will well 43 37 fully foully 47 23 sight light 49 7 toward reward 55 7 by this redundat 63 12 mat. 1. mat. 5. 73 18 let there a let there be a 94 23 even that even 05 39 too much much 110 15 by the power the power 128 37 thus ye do it thus do ye 135 6 into in to 144 23 incertain in certain 162 46 acquit all acquittal 181 30 nations stand nation stands 182 36 to of 191 20 it were as it were 217 19 abuse abused 221 28 which were redundat 235 37 up upon 238 20 mar. justified inflicted 227   marg. vers. 20 redundat 329 27 made had 340 22 and any 341 26 disdaining not disdaining 342 22 and as 416 20 which with