The Calling of the Jews, Summary of biblical prophecies · Summary of biblical prophecy 1 – Summary of biblical prophecy 5
Balaams Propheſie, Numb. 24. 14. to the laſt verſe of the Chapter.
THE Spirit of God that ſate in the mouth of this wicked man, maſtring and ouer-ruling his tongue, to ſpeake things tending heighly to Gods praiſe, and the comfort of his people, doth heere vtter a Prophecie of the kingdome of Chriſt, to be ſet vp among the Iewes in the latter end of the world. It is (for the maine matter) one 6 Poſit. Laſt dayes.entire prophecie: but broken off by ſeuerall proems. The ſumme of all is: that the Iewes ſhall deſtroy their enemies, But themſelues muſt before that, endure a long and tedious Verſ. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19 20. 21. & 1 part of 22. & part of verſe 22.thraldome: Notwithſtanding which, God in the end will ſet them free, giuegive them a great and glorious victory, that the tyrant, who keepeth them in ſubiection, ſhall vtterly be deſtroyed.
1. Wherein obſerue the time, verſ. 17. I ſee it (that verſ. 23. 24.which I am to ſay) but not now: I behold it, but not neere. How is that? He ſpake it plainer, verſ. 14. I will tell thee what this people ſhall doe to thy people in the laſt dayes. By which notation of time, theſe things that were to come ſo long after, are wont ordinarily to be expreſſed, Ezech. 38. 16. 8. Eſay, 24. 22. This being the laſt and vttermoſt period, of whatſoeuer the Scriptures doe foretell; for hitherto and no further, reach the holy Oracles of the Prophets, Reu. 10. 7. and 16. 17. So this Prophecie can not bee drawen to Dauids temporall kingdome.
2: VnderUnder the conqueſt of Moab and Edom, he pointeth 46 Poſit. Enemies ſubdued.at that conuerſion, which ſhall bee of the Gentiles, when the Iewes returning to ſeeke Chriſt, ſhall ſubdue and bring vnderunder his yoke, all nations that doe oppoſe, as Eſay 11. 14. Ioel: 3. 19. Obadia verſ. 18. Zack. 10. 11. To wit Moab, Edom, Amalek, Midian, noted by the Kenites, and by Kaine, the firſt father of that kindred.
3. Thoſe that ſhall thus preuaile, and deale valiantly 7 Poſit. Generall call.are Iſrael, and of Iacob; or the people of the Iewes, that very people out of whom the ſtarre (Chriſt) ſhould ſpring according to the fleſh.
This Prophecie then, being of the Iewes, of the deſtruction of their foes, and that in the laſt dayes, note in the fourth place he ſpeaketh of bearing rule, of a Scepter 18 Poſit. Conqueſt.or a kingdome, before which the enemies ſhall all fall, as it is ſaid, Dan. 2. 44. It ſhall deſtroy and conſume all other kingdomes, but it ſelfe ſhall ſtand for euer. And againe, Dan. 7. 9. I ſaw till the thrones were taken away. Which euidently pointeth at the glory and greatnes of the Church that ſhall be among them.
5. Is enterlaced their owne ſore bondage, which ſhall be in the meane time, for the ſecond part of the 22. verſe, I read interrogatiuely, by an admiration, and apoſtrophe, or turning of his ſpeach vntounto the Iſraelites. How long ſhall Aſhur hold thee (ô Eber, of whom he ſpeaketh immediatly in the verſes following, and whoſe troupes and ſquadrons were then before his eyes) captiue? Notwithſtanding, all the glory and happines that I now foretell, vnderunder the name of Aſhur (then, in Balaams time the ſoueraigne Monarch, and the firſt who in truth deuoured Iſrael) comprehending the whole ſucceſſion of Tyrants euen to this day, who conſume his very bones, as Ieremie ſpeaketh, Ier. 50. 17. Wherupon ſixtly, hee breaketh forth into a lamentation, and yet triumphing in the end.
Alas, who ſhall liue, when the mighty God ſhall order this, that ſhippes from the coaſt of Cittim ſhall euen afflict Aſhur who afflicted Eber, and alſo he ſhall for euer periſh.
Hee that ſhall thus periſh, is not Eber, or the Iew as 18 Poſit. Conqueſt.ſome Interpreters of great note would hauehave it, (for that croſſeth the whole ſcope of Balaams Prophecie) but it is the people that afflicted Eber, and conſequently, this is a prohecie of the kingdome of the Iewes, who ſhall maiſter and ouercome that people, which is enough for our purpoſe. But yet in ſo difficult a piece of Scripture, wherein eueryevery man is to hauehave his iudgement free, giuegive me leaue to doe my beſt, to bring ſome further light vntounto it, firſt I hold it for certaine, that this is a Prophecie of the laſt condition of the Iewes, and of the affliction mentioned. Dan. 12. 1. Eſay 26. 20. The lamentation in the Preface, and the deſtruction of that oppreſſing people in the percloſe or concluſion, ſeeme to make that very euident, which being ſo, it cannot be vnderſtood of the Greeke or Romane army, much leſſe reſtrayned vntounto Aſhur properly called, whoſe glory fell in Senacharib ſo many yeares agoe: But in this 16 Poſit. Sore diſtreſſe.place is ſpecially meant of him, who laſt of all the tyrants ſhall ſo oppreſſe Gods heritage, that is to ſay, the Turke. Next by ſhips, that ſhall come from the coaſt of Cittim or Cilicia, I vnderſtand the tribes tranſplanted into the cities of the Medes, 2 King, 17. 6. who out of thoſe northerne climats, ſhall make their paſſage to Iudaea for their returne from the North is ſpecially promiſed: Ier. 3. 12. This aagreeth the better, becauſe the word Iſim, (which is ſhips) ſignifieth alſo men that dwell in farre remote places, Eſay 23. 13. Pſal. 72. 9.
Thirdly, the words which are commonly tranſlated, ſhall afflict Aſhur and afflict Eber, I render thus, ſhall euen afflict Aſhur, who afflicted Heber.
This vſe of the particle van, (and) to take it for the relatiue, who you ſhall finde Eſay 49. 7. and elſ-where: and is an Hebraim, which Luke himſelfe, whoſe ſtyle is after the pure phraſe of the moſt elegant Graecians, doth not make nice to follow, Act. 6. 6.
Laſtly, the holy Ghoſt ſeemeth heere to point at the two ſteps of the Turkes ruine.
The firſt, when tidings from the Eaſt, and from the North, ſhall trouble him, Dan. 11. 44. which is his firſt declyning, that is meant in ſaying, They ſhall afflict Aſhur.
The other his vtter and vnrecouerable downefall; when planting his Tabernacle in the glorious mount of holines, he ſhall come to his end, and none ſhall help him, Dan. 11. 45. This you hauehave in the laſt words: And alſo that people (that is to ſay, Aſhur) ſhall for euer periſh.
Deut. 32. 22. to verſe 44.
THeſe words are a part of Moſes ſong, and ſtand of three diſtinct branches.
The firſt foretelleth the ſore calamity of the Iewes, which they hauehave felt now 2600. yeares, and ſhall come 4 Poſit. Deſolation. Verſ. 22. to verſ. 28.heauier vponupon them in the very nicke, when God will bee pleaſed to ſhew them mercy. Dan. 12. 1.
In the ſecond, their offence that prouoketh this fearefull 1 Poſit. Refuſing Chriſt.iudgement, hee doth in ſuch a wonderfull manner aggrauate, and make it ſo odious, by ſundry tropes, metaphors, compariſons and ſimilitudes, that both by the Verſ: 28. to verſ: 36.thing it ſelfe, and by that which went before, and followeth after, it may well bee thought, hee meaneth that high and ſupereminent ſin, of refuſing Chriſt.
The third hath the deliuery of this people from the hand of their vnmercifull foe, wherein you may note.
1. The time, when they are brought to the loweſt ebb, 16. Poſit. Sore diſtreſſe.that neither he that is ſhut vp, nor he that is left, that is, neither he that is in hold, nor he that is abroad, and hath eſcaped the enemies hand, ſtrong or weake, are able to doe any thing, As Eſay 26. 18, 19.Verſ: 36.
2. God taketh the whole glory to himſelfe alone, As Eſay 26. 13, 15. and 63.Verſ: 37, 38, 39
3. He declareth the heauy Iudgement, that ſhall light 18 Poſit. Conqueſt.vponupon the Tyrant. As Eſay 63. 2, 3, 4.Verſ: 40. 41, 42.
4. The beleeuing Gentiles are exhorted to prayſe God 7. Poſit. Generall call.together with the Iewes, for ſo wonderfull a deliuery and mercy, ſhewed to them both, to beleeue. As Paul doth expound this place, Rom. 15. 10. In all this, no enemy at Verſ: 43.all is named: onelyonly in generall, the enemies and haters of God, Verſ. 42. As all are, that are enemies to the name of Chriſt. But who this grand enemy in truth is, after-propheſies do declare.
Pſalme 68. 23. &c. to the end of the Pſalme.
THis Pſalme, after the title, and the firſt three verſes Deut. 32. verſ. 36. and he that is ſhut vp, and he that is left, to be nothing.that goe before, as a Proeme, is all laudatiue, or an exhortation to praiſe God, By arguments taken.
1. From his owne perſon.
2. From his gracious gouernment and adminiſtration Verſ: 4.in generall.Verſ: 5, 6.
3. From the benefits beſtowed vponupon their Auceſtours: in their iourneying out of Aegypt. In their inheriting of Verſ: 7, 8.the Land, In the confounding of their enemies.Verſ: 9, 10.
4. From the like fauour that God will ſhew in ſucceeding Verſ: 11, 12.ages: Poynting, as it ſeemeth, at the time of the Maccabees.Verſ: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.
5. From the root and fountaine of theſe, and all other of Gods bleſſings, both of the captiuating of Gods foes, and graces to his people. Which is Chriſts aſcenſion into Heauen.Verſ: 18, 19, 20, 21.
6. From the glorious things, which from thence forwards he will effect in their behalfe. All reduced to fiue heads.
Firſt, the bringing of them home from moſt extreme 16 Poſit. Sore diſtreſſe.difficulties, naming Baſhan, becauſe of the ſlaughter ſpoken of, verſ. 15. and the deepe of the ſea, alluding to Exod. 14. 16. 13 Poſit. Euphrates dry.Peraduenture, he meaneth the drying vp of Euphrates before them. For this firſt head aimeth at thoſe times, Verſ: 22.12 Poſit. Repaire to their Countrey.the beginning of the lewes repaire vntounto their Countrey.
The ſecond head is, the great and famous victory that God will giuegive. deliuering them out of thoſe difficulties Poſit. 18. Conqueſt.and diſtreſſes. As Eſay 63, 1, 2, 3, 4.Verſ: 23.
The third head is, the Iewes thorough conuerſion, by 7. Poſit. Generall call.occaſion of that ſingular mercy of God. And the forme of a goodly Church (vnderunder the type of the old Synagogue) Verſ: 24.ſet vp among Iacobs poſterity. The ten Tribes, aſwell as 31. Poſit. Glorious Church.the Tribe of Iudah. Which is concluded, by acknowledging Verſ: 25.their ſtrength to come from God, a prayer to perfit 8. Poſit. Ten tribes.his worke begunne. And a ſpur, to put into theſe Kings of the East (as they are alſo called, Reuel. 16. 12.) to preſent Verſ: 26.in the Temple at Ieruſalem (in the publike Congregation) Verſ: 27.Verſ: 28.teſtimonies of their thankfulneſſe.Verſ: 29.
The fourth head is, the taming of their proud enemies, 46. Poſit. Enemies ſubdued.and forcing them at the leaſt to counterfet a ſubiection.Verſ: 30.
The fift head, is the generall calling of all the Kingdomes 44. Poſit. All nations embracing Chriſt.of the earth, to ioyne themſelues vntounto the Church of Chriſt. Which, as hath beene often ſayd, ſhall follow the conuerſion of the Iewes. And this he ſhutteth vp, with prouoking all nations to giuegive vntounto God, the praiſes that are Verſ: 31.due vntounto him for it. And his owne particularly thankeſgiuing.Verſ: 32, 33, 34Verſ: 35.
Read the verſes thus, verſ. 24. They ſhall ſee, &c. amongſt damoſels, &c. Verſ. 25. The ſingers goe before: after, the players on inſtruments. Verſ. 26. Bleſſe God, &c. ô yee of the fountaine of Iſrael. Verſ. 27. There little Beniamin (vnderſtand, is, with the new Engliſh Tranſlation, or ſhall be. Prophetically ſpoken, not in the time paſt.) Verſ. 29. Out of thy Temple in Ieruſalem, ſhall Kings bring preſents vntounto thee. (For, ſo I would rather tranſlate then, becauſe of thy Temple, as if it poynted at the Kings of the Gentiles: for that they are ſpoken of afterwards, verſ. 31.
Pſalme 69.
IT is euident, that this Pſalme is written of Chriſt, by the ſentences, which the ſtory of the Goſpell, Ioh. 2. 17. Matth. 27. 34. Ioh. 19. 29. and the Apoſtles, Acts 1. 19. Rom. 11. 9. doe apply vntounto him.
The firſt part of the Pſalme, is a prayer in the perſon of Chriſt, oppreſſed with that heauy burden of our ſins, lying vponupon his ſhoulders.In the firſt 21, verſes.
The ſecond, an imprecation againſt the nation of the Verſ: 22, 23, 24 25, 26, 27, 28.Iewes, for crucifying the Lord of life.
The third is gratulatory, or of thankeſgiuing, in the behalfe both of himſelfe the head, and of his members, the Verſ: 29, 30, 31.humble ones among the Iewes: that poore remnant, whom 3. Poſit. Remnant.God will bee pleaſed to pull out of this diſtreſſe. Both reuiuing, or putting a new life into them, by the miniſtery of 7. Poſit. Generall call.the Goſpell, and reſtoring their Cities and Countrey, to Verſ: 32, 33.dwell in, that they may poſſeſſe the ſame for euer.23. Poſit. Dwell in their Countrey.
So this third part containeth a noble oppoſition to the former two.
Verſ. 5. My fooliſhneſſe, and my faults. That is, wherwith 26. Poſit. Continue for euer.mine aduerſaries doe vniuſtly charge me.Verſ: 34, 35, 36.
Pſalme 72. 9, 10, 11.
IT is a Propheſie of the fulneſſe of the Gentiles. Which, 44. Posit. All nations embracing Chriſt.as other Scriptures ſpecifie, ſhall not come in, till the Iewes receiue the Goſpell, Matth. 24. Reu. 21. 14. Eſay 27. 13.