The Calling of the Jews, Summary of biblical prophecies · Summary of biblical prophecy 16 – Summary of biblical prophecy 24
Eſay chap. 33. 34. & 35.
Theſe three chapters are all of one argument. The 18. verſe, which the Apoſtle 1 Cor. 1. 10. applieth to the times of the Goſpell, is a key to open the ſenſe and vnderſtanding of them.
Firſt, you hauehave the generall propoſition. He that maketh ſuch waſte and hauocke of Gods people, the Iewes, 18. Poſit. Conqueſt.when the period which God hath ſet to his tyrannic, is runne out, ſhall himſelf be brought vntounto confuſion. verſ. 1. wherefore to this grand enemie all the reſt of the prophecie hath reſpect.
Which propoſition is inlarged by a prayer of the whole Church, that in ſo perilous a time, wherein all humane helpe ſhall faile, God would be an arme of defenſe for 18. Poſit. Conqueſt.them all and eueryevery one, verſ. 2. and a diſcomfit to their foes, both ſcattering their perſons, verſ 3. and enriching his people with their ſpoiles. verſ. 4.
After which followeth a branching of the propoſition in two diuided members. The iudgement which God will execute for the reuenge of his Church, verſ. 5. and 18 Poſit. Conqueſt.the ſtabilitie of the Iewiſh Synagogue (conuerted to 42. Poſit. Stabilitie of the Church.Chriſt) thorough faith and the feare of God. (verſ. 6.)
The former comprehendeth the Iewes extremities, and Gods ſetting of them free.
Their extremities:
1. No peace to be had at their enemies hands, what equall conditions ſoeuer they do propound. Which ſhall 16. Poſit. Sore diſtreſſe.make euen the valianteſt among them (him whoſe heart is as the heart of a Lion) to weepe bitterly, (verſ. 7.) and all trauailing to and fro to ceaſe, (verſ. 8.)
2. The country ſhall lye all waſte, verſ. 9. for though I doe not denie but the Prophet might frame the mould of his ſpeech by the things that fell out when Senacharib ſo dominierd ouer Gods heritage: yet I hold this to be a prophecie not an hiſtorie, and to reſpect that ſore time of affliction Dan. 12. 1. for the auerting whereof it cannot be thought but the Iewes will ſeeke all meanes that may be of peace and quietneſſe, which the proud Turke will ſcorne and ſet at naught, as that Tyrant did, to bring iudgement vponupon his owne head.
Gods wonderfull deliuerance of his people and the ſetting 18. Poſit. Conqueſt.of them free, ruining their foes, is verſ. 10. 11, 12.
In the ſecond part, whereunto he moueth attention, by proclaiming the excellencie of the worke, (verſ. 13.) are all the memorable things, whereof eueryevery where in the Scripture promiſes are made vntounto the Iewes, to wit, their firſt call, the ouerthrow of their enemie, and the glorious Church that ſhall be ſet vp among them.
In their call:7. Poſit. Generall call.
Firſt, by reaſon of a Prolepſis or Obiection of certaine hypocrites, vnderunder the maske of counterfeit humilitie, colouring their want of Faith, and beleeuing of Gods promiſes (for all ſhall not receiue the grace offred) (verſ. 14.) he 9 Poſit. Refractaries.deſcribeth the badge and markes of the perſons whom God will vouchſafe to call (verſ. 15.)
Secondly, he ſetteth downe the promiſes themſelues, which are of ſix ſorts.
1. Their ſtabilitie. (verſ. 16.)42 Poſit. Stabilitie of the Church.
2. The beauty of Chriſt dwelling among them. (verſ 17.)
3. The large ſpread of the Goſpell. Their eyes (ſaith 32 Poſit. Churches beautyhe) ſhall behold the moſt remote nations, ioyning in the profeſſion 44 Poſit. All Nations embracing Chriſt.of the ſame faith and ſubiect to them. (ſecond part of verſ. 17.)
4. Safetie and ſecuritie, voide of all feare. Well may they think vponupon the dangers paſt, and call them to minde, 46 Poſit. Enemies poſſeſſed.as miniſtring matter enough to ſcorne ſuch attempts, the counſels, purſes, and forces of their enemies; but neuer 41 Poſit. Safety of the Church.ſhall they neede to ſtand in feare of ſuch or the like any more. (verſ. 18, 19.)
5. The excellencie of the Church (verſ. 20.) by reaſon of Chriſts dwelling there. (verſ. 21, 22.)
6 The fruit and benefit that ſhall come to eueryevery one, euen the ſeelieſt and meaneſt. (verſ. 23, 24.)
The ruine and ouerthrow of their enemies (which commeth in the ſecond place) is Chap. 34. In it you hauehave a 18 Poſit. Conquest.terrible and fearefull iudgement, both againſt their perſons (verſ. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.) and the Land it ſelfe for their ſake. (verſ. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.) All confirmed from the moſt certaine and inviolable decree of God the Father, Sonne, and Holy Spirit. (verſ. 16, 17.)
In the third place Chap. 35. is declared the excellencie of Chriſts kingdome, that ſhall then be ſet vp among the Iewes. Wherein theſe ſix things are reckoned vp.
1. The making of all things new both the ſenceleſſe creatures, (verſ. 1, 2.) and men, (verſ. 3, 4, 5. & 1. part of verſ. 6.) vttered by hyperbolicall & exceſſiue ſpeeches.36 Poſit. Spirituall graſes.
The efficient cauſe whereof is the Spirit of God aboundantly ſhed vponupon them. (2 part of verſ. 6. & verſ. 7.)12 Poſit. Repair to wards their country.
2. The Church of the Iewes repaire towards her owne home and former ſeates. (1. part of verſ. 8.)33 Poſit. Sanctitie.
3. The ſanctitie of the Church ſo returning and making home-wards. (2 part of verſ. 8.)41 Poſit. Safety of the Church.
4. Their ſafetie and ſecuritie. (3 part of verſ. 8. & verſ. 9.)
5. The ſetling of the Church in TSion, that is, in their 23 Poſit. Dwell in their countrey.owne countrey. (1 part of verſ. 10.)
6. The ioy, and that a perpetuall ioy, of the Church brought backe. (2 part of verſ. 10.)40 Poſit. Joy.
Eſay 41. 15. to the end of the Chapter.
THe 40th Chapter propoundeth comfort thorough the promiſes of God in Chriſt to his people the Iewes, after thoſe long and tedious calamities which they had endured in the Babylonian captiuitie, and the hard times that followed after. (verſ. 1, 2.)
The parts of it are,
1. The miniſterie of Iohn Baptiſt a Cryar to prepare his way. (verſ. 3, 4, 5.)
2. The Apoſtolicall miniſterie of all the Preachers of the Goſpell, teaching repentance (verſ. 6, 7, 8.) and faith in Chriſt. (verſ. 9.)
3. The generall adminiſtration of Chriſts kingdome, ſubduing rebels, (verſ. 10.) and moſt kindly entreating his. (verſ. 11.)
4. Euangelicall promiſes particular to the ſeede of Iacob, which becauſe they are of a high and marueylous nature, firſt he layeth the ground of them, by the conſideration of the nature of God the Creator. (verſ. 12. to the end of the Chap.) and of his ſpeciall fauours to Abraham and all the Church. (Chap. 41. to the 15. verſ.)
Secondly, he commeth to the promiſes themſelues, being of two ſorts.
1. The power of God in their weakneſſe to throw downe all that ſhall oppoſe. (verſ. 15, 16.)18 Poſit. Conqueſt.
2. The ſingular graces of his regenerating and ſanctifying 36 Poſit. Spirituall graces.Spirit which he will beſtow. (verſ. 17, 18, 19, 20.)
Thirdly, he amplifieth and confirmeth the ſame by three arguments.
One is by oppoſing to Idols that are able to do nothing (verſ. 21, 22, 23, 24.) the Church of the Iewes, that making head to repaire to their owne countrey ſhall trample the 12 Poſit. Repair towards their Country.greateſt Potentates vnderunder feete. Where naming the North and Eaſt, he ſheweth from what quarters the firſt Iewes are to come that ſhall terrifie the Turkiſh forces, as Dau. 18 Poſit. Conqueſt.11. 44. (verſ. 25.)10 Poſit. Firſt conuerted.
A ſecond argument is by oppoſing to the ſame Idols, Chriſt, the wiſedome of God and the power of God, in whom God alone worketh all that hath beene ſaid, after his owne pleaſure. (verſ. 26, 27.)
The third argument is by remouing all other meanes whatſoeuer. (verſ. 28, 29.)
Read verſe 27. thus.
A prime man vntounto Tſion, in whom Behold, behold theſe things, and to Ieruſalem a publiſher of glad tidings, will I giuegive. By [prime man] he meaneth CHRIST the Head of the Church.
Eſay, chap. 42.
THe 42th chapter firſt deſcribeth the gracious and ſweete cariage of Chriſt (verſ. 1, 2, 3, 4.) in the office enioyned him or his Father, (verſ. 5, 6, 7.) being one God with the Father, (verſ. 8) and the onelyonly Prophet that from the beginning hath reuealed to the Church whatſoeuer is or ſhall be. (verſ. 9.)
Secondly, all nations of the world are herevpon inuited to celebrate Gods praiſes, (verſ. 10, 11, 12.) the Prophet reciting what wonderfull workes God will doe in their behalfe. (verſ. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) Wherefore this ſecond part belongeth to the calling of the Gentiles.
The third part toucheth the Iewes. It expreſſeth firſt the hardnes of their heart and vnbeleefe, [verſ. 18, 19, 20.] 2 Poſit. Reiection.(notwithſtanding all the mercy they were formerly vouchſafed, God hauing loued them and taken delight in them, giuen his law vntounto them, and done moſt great and glorious things for their ſakes) (verſ. 21.) which vnbeleefe of theirs ſhall draw vponupon their head moſt 4. Poſit. Deſolation.heauy indgements. (verſ. 22, 23, 24, 25.) Secondly, their conuerſion and turning vntounto God, (chap. 43. 1.) whereupon 5. Poſit. Call.followeth Gods wonderfull care ouer them in foure ſteps or degrees.
1. Protection, in the middeſt of their greateſt dangers. (verſ. 2.)
2. Bringing of other nations vnderunder their dominion. 45. Poſit. Nations honouring of them.(verſ. 3. 4.)
3. The gathering of them out of all quarters, whether they were diſperſed, Eaſt, Weſt, North, & South. (ver. 5. 6)23. Poſit. Dwelling in their country.
4. The great and glorious graces which he will royally enrich them with, (verſ. 7.) oppoſed to their former infidelity. 36. Poſit. Spiritual graces(verſ. 8.)
All which things being to come ſo long after, and wherof all the world is not able before hand to ſignifie any one, (verſ. 9.) are verified by the moſt ſacred teſtimony of God the Father in his Sonne. (verſ. 10. 11. 12. 13.)
Read thus, Verſe 21.
The Lord delighted in him for his righteouſneſſe ſake: hee magnîfied him by the Law, hee made him honourable. Verſ. 22. But hee is a people robbed and ſpoyled in ſnaring all the yong men of them, &c. (That is, the enemies lead the gallanteſt of them Captiues).
Read thus, Verſ. 4. (the end of the verſe.)
Therefore will I ſubiect men vntounto thee, and people to thy deſire. Verſe 7. EueryEvery one that is called by my name: Whom I hauehave created for my glory. I will forme him, (or frame him anew by the ſpirit of Regeneration) yea I will make him: (That is to ſay, glorifie him, as the word make is often taken.)
Eſay Chapter 43. verſ. 14. to the 6. verſe of the 44. chapter (which becauſe of the Argument ſome make a chapter by it ſelfe, but I follow in the verſes the receiued diſtinction.)
IN this Text you hauehave the ſumme of all that followeth, to the end of the book. The two firſt verſes (verſ. 14. 15) ſpeake of the returne of the Iewes out of the Captiuitie of Babell, and are explicated in the 44. 45, 46. 47. and 48, chapters. Thereſt of the chapter, from the 16. verſe to the 21. verſe of the 44. chapter, is all of Euangelicall promiſes to that people, explicated in the 49. and the chapters following. The promiſes in this chapter are;
1. Gods making of a path in the Sea, meaning (as I conceiue) the drying vp that ſhall be of the Riuer Euphrates, 13 Poſit. Euphrates dry.for the people to paſſe vntounto their country. (verſ. 16.)
2. The ruine and ouerthrow of the mighty foe that 18. Poſit. Conqueſt.ſhall be aduerſe vntounto them, the Turke and his whole Armie. (verſ. 17.)
3. Which for the greatneſſe and nouelty of the worke may worthily obſcure and blot out the memory of former acts: (verſ. 18. and the firſt part of the 19.) the watering of the dry and barren Deſert with the dew of his grace, (the ſecond 5 Poſit. Call.part of verſ. 19. and verſ. 20.) that is, the framing and faſhioning of this people (ſo long caſt off) anew to the honour and praiſe of God, (verſ. 21.) whoſe gracious and mercifull dealing in this behalfe is garniſhed and ſet forth two manner of waies.
1. Notwithſtanding they ſerued not the true God (for God is not worſhipped but in Chriſt) (verſ. 22. 23. 24) yet he onelyonly for himſelfe, that is for his goodneſſe ſake, will hauehave mercy on them. (verſ. 25.)
2. (Which their owne Conſciences cannot but accuſe them of) (verſ. 26.) though for their tranſgreſſions, the 2 Poſit. Reiection.tranſgreſſions of their forefathers, and of their chiefe principall perſons that ſhould be the Interpreters of the Will of God among them, (verſ. 27.) he had worthily caſt them 4. Poſit. Deſolation.off, and expoſed them to reproch: (verſ. 28.) yet hee will performe moſt large and ample promiſes, in powring aboundantly 36. Poſit. Spirituall Graces.vponupon them, the graces of his Spirit. (chap. 44. verſ. 1. 2. 3. 4.)
4. A fourth and laſt promiſe is, the ioyning of other 44. Poſit. All Nations embracing Chriſt.Nations vntounto them, in the ſocity of the Goſpell: whereby is intimated the full comming in of the Gentiles. (ver. 5.)
Eſay, Chapter 49.
IT deſcribeth the calling of Chriſt from all eternity to the Office of Mediation, (verſ. 1. 2.) and the benefit that ſhall thereby redound to others; both the offer of ſaluation to the Iewes (verſ. 3.) and vponupon their refuſall (verſ. 4. 5) the calling of the Gentiles. (verſ. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.) And laſtly, that the Iewes themſelues after a long deſolation, (verſ. 14.) ſhall be thought vponupon: (verſ. 15.) wherefore 4. Poſit. Deſolation.touching the Iewes, theſe things are deliuered in 5 Poſit. Call.Order.
1. Gods care and affection to them. (1. part of verſ. 16.)
2. Their conuerſion and building vp. (2. part of verſe 12. Poſit. Repayr towards their Country.16. and verſ. 17.)
3. The repaire to their old ſeates. (1. part of verſe 18.)
4. The ſurpaſſing glory & excellency of their Church. 31. Poſit. Glorious Church.2. part of verſ. 18.)
5. The multitudes that ſhall ioyn themſelues to Chriſt. 38. Poſit. Multitude of Beleeuers.(verſ. 19. 20. 21.
6. Their continuall concourſe from out of the moſt remote parts. (verſ. 22.)
7. The honour which the Nations ſhall do vntounto them. (verſ. 23.)45. Poſit. Nations honouring them.
8. The ruine and deſtruction of the mighty Tyrant, (who can that be but the Turke?) that now holdeth them 18. Poſit. Conqueſt.captiues. (verſ. 24. 25. 26.)
Eſay, Chapter 50. and 51.
THe parts of this Propheſie are three.
In the firſt, Chriſt ſheweth the Iewes diuorce, and Gods caſting of them off, to be moſt iuſt, and their owne 2. Poſit. Reiection.fault in refuſing him. (verſ. 1.)1. Poſit. Refuſing Chriſt.
In the ſecond, he wondreth that his own people ſhould ſet him ſo light, (1. part of verſ. 2.) ſeeing hee is as able as euer hee was to helpe them, (2 part of verſ. 2. and verſe 3.) and as ready, being furniſhed of his Father with all needfull graces, fulneſſe of the ſpirit, and powerfull doctrine: (verſ. 4.) obedience, (verſ. 5.) patience, (verſ. 6.) and conſtancie, (verſ. 7.) and laſt his cauſe being ſo good and iuſt, (verſ. 8. 9.)
In the third part hee turneth his ſpeech to the Iewes. wherein;
1. He quickneth the poor remnant, ſuch among them them as ſhould receiue Chriſt (verſ. 10.)3. Poſit. Remnant.
2. Hee pronounceth againſt thoſe that refuſe Chriſt, ſentence of obduration from God. (verſ. 11.)2. Poſit. Reiection.
3. By the example of his mercies to Abraham & Sara, from whom they were deſcended, (chap. 51. verſ. 1. 2.) hee 5. Poſit. Call.doth aſſure them that hee will comfort and conuert their 31 Poſit. Glorious Church.ſoules, (1. part of verſ. 3.) which conuerſion is ſet out by the excellency and happineſſe of it, (2. part of verſ. 3.) and in that it ſhall draw with it the full comming in of the Gentiles. 44 Poſit. All nations embracing Chriſt.(verſ. 4. 5.)
4. He promiſeth the deſtruction of their enemies, who 18. Poſit. Conqueſt.being ſo powerfull and mighty, and ſo ſharpe ſet againſt them, hee vſeth many arguments to hearten and encourage the Iewes, that they ſhould not be afraid.
Firſt Argument, God will diſſolue heauen and earth, (verſ. 6.) Why then ſhould they feare? (verſ. 7.) for he can much more make the enemies of the Church to melt before his face. (verſ. 8.)
Second Argument, is from the power of God in himſelfe, and from his owne mighty and outſtretched arme. (1. part of verſ. 9.)
Third Argument from former examples. His iudgements vponupon Pharaoh and the Land of Egypt, (2. part of verſ. 9.) and the drying vp of the red Sea for the people to paſſe. (verſe 10) The like whereof he will doe for the redemption of the Iewes, when they ſhall returne to Tſion. 13 Poſit. Euphrates dry.(verſ. 11.)
Fourth Argument from the nature of God our Comforter. (verſ. 12.)
Fifth Argument from his mighty & powerfull workes, who made heauen and earth, (1. part of verſ. 13.) bridleth the furie of the wicked, that their hands are able to doe nothing, (2. part of verſ. 13. and verſ. 14.) and ſtilleth the raging Sea. (verſ. 15.)
Sixth Argument from his word and couenant with this people. (verſ. 16.)
Seuenth Argument by comparing the former tyrannizing of their enemies, (verſ. 17. 18. 19. 20.) with Gods gracious deliuerance of them. (verſ. 21. 22. 23.)
Eſay, Chapter 52. to the 13. verſe.
THis Chapter (if it be a ſeuerall Sermon of it ſelfe, and not a part of the former) is all in promiſes to the people of the Iewes.
Firſt is the freeing of them from the tyranny of their enemies: 18. Poſit. Conqueſt.to wit, Gog and Magog, (verſ. 1. 2. 3.) which is amplified by ſetting before them the like examples of Gods former mercies. The Aegyptians, ſaith hee, whether the people went downe to ſoiourne, cauſeleſly oppreſſed them, and I ſet them free. So if the Aſſyrians, that is to ſay, the Babilonians. (verſ. 4.) The like will I doe to theſe oppreſſors. (verſ. 5.)
The ſecond promiſe is, the communication of the 5. Poſit. Call.knowledge of Iehouah Chriſt, the ſpeaker or Interpreter of his Fathers will. (verſ. 6.)
Thirdly, the ioy and cheerfulneſſe of the Church of the 37. Poſit. Cheerefull obedience.Iewes receiuing the Goſpell of peace, the Goſpell of the Kingdome. (verſ. 7. 8. 9.)
Fourthly, the large ſpread of the Goſpell throughout the world. (verſ. 10.)44 Poſit. All Nations embracing Chriſt.
Fifthly, the ſanctitie of the new Ieruſalem. (verſ. 11.)
Sixtly, their ſafety and ſecurity through Gods protection, in a more glorious ſort then when they came out of Aegypt. 33. Poſit. Sanctity.(verſ. 12.)41. Poſit. Safety of the Church.
Eſay, Chapter 54.
THE barren one whom the Prophet addreſſeth his ſpeech vntounto, is the Church of the Iewes in their deſolation. 4. Poſit. Deſolation.For firſt, the fourth verſe ſpeaketh of her widdowhead, as of one that once had beene a Church, but now diuorced, as chap. 50. 1 More plainely in the ſixt verſe ſhee is termed a wife forſaken, and the wife of the youth; none of which agree eyther to the Church of the Gentiles, or the Catholike Church: ſecondly, in the 11. verſe ſhee is ſayd to be humbled, toſſed, not comforted: how fitting is that to their eſtate? Thirdly, the glorious things verſe. 11. 12. &c. are neuer ſpoken, but of their Church renued. But how then doth the Apostle Gal. 4. 26. 27. Make vsus Gentiles children of this Church, and calleth the ſame Ieruſalem aboue? Rightly is ſhee called Ieruſalem aboue, the ſpirituall and heauenly Ieruſalem, caſt into a new mould, and framed and faſhioned from aboue to embrace Chriſt, and to ſeeke righteouſneſſe, peace, and reconciliation through him alone, whoſe children are free: by oppoſition to thee then Ieruſalem, that ſought righteouſneſſe and life by the Law, and therfore engendred children vntounto bondage And this new Ieruſalem is indeed the mother of vsus all. Why? for it is the ſame very Church, and no other, poliſhed, fined, and wonderfully adorned, which was in the time of the Apoſtles, when the Law that is the doctrine of Iesus Chriſt, which is the Goſpell, came out of Sion, and the Word of the Lord out of Ieruſalem, That whoſoeuer will be ſaued, muſt acknowledge himſelfe a childe of this Mother, Reuelat. 22. 22.
This doubt cleered, the reſt of the chapter hath no difficultie: there be in it promiſes of three kindes.
1. Fruitfulneſſe of the Church. (verſ. 1. 2. 3.)38. Poſit. Multitude of belieuers.
2. Gods Couenant with them of remiſſion of ſinnes, (verſ. 4.) reconciliation, (verſ. 5. 6.) and life euerlaſting. (verſ. 7. 8. 9. 10.)35. Poſit. Couenant.
3. The ſurpaſſing glory of their Church for exceeding beauty, (verſ. 11. 12.) Excellency of knowledge, (1. part of 32. Poſit. Churches beauty13. verſe.) Aboundance of peace, (2. part of verſe 13.) Securitie, 36 Poſit. Spiritual grace.(verſ. 14.) Safety. (verſ. 15. 16. 17.)39. Poſit. Proſperitie.
Eſay, Chapter 59 verſe 16. to the end of the 60. chapter.41. Poſit. Safetie.
AFfter declaration of the peoples hypocriſie, and other ſinnes which brought vponupon them ſo many calamities; hee commeth now to cheere vp their heart with the promiſes of the Goſpell: ſetting forth,
1. The power of Chriſts kingdome for the ſaluation of his children, (verſ. 16.) and to reuenge all diſobedience, (verſ. 17. and 1. part. of 18.)
2. The calling of the Gentiles. (2. part of verſ. 18. and 19.)
3. The conuerſion of the Iewes, that they together with the belieuing Gentiles, embracing the Goſpell, all Iſraell 5 Posit. Call.may be ſaued: for ſo Paul, Rom. 11. 26. expoundeth this 44. Poſit. All nations embracing Chriſt.place, (verſ. 20.)
All which things are ſhut vp with a moſt ſure groundworke, 35. Poſit. Couenant.the faithfull Couenant of God which hee hath made with his Church to dwell among them for euer, by his Word, and the power of his Spirit. (verſ. 21.)
4. The glorious Church that ſhall bee among them, 31. Poſit. Glorious Church.(chap. 60. verſ. 1. 2.)
5. The Goſpell flowing thence to all other places. 44. Poſit. All nations embracing Chriſt.(verſ. 3.)
6. The nations honouring of them with their wealth 45. Posit. Nations honouring of them.and ſubſtance. (verſ. 7. to the 18.)
7. Their ſafety and protection from danger. (verſ. 18.)
8. Their happineſſe. (verſ. 19. 20.)41. Poſit. Safety of the Church.
9. They ſhall inherit the land for euer. (verſ. 21.)
10. Their increaſe, both for multitude and ſtrength. 39. Poſit. Proſperity.(verſe 22.)