The Marrow and Juice of 260 Scriptures, Part 27
Moses exhorts to the propagation of the knowledge of God,The fourth Sonday after Easter.
IN the two first Lessons appointed for the morning and euening seruice of this day,Summe of the two first Lessōs Moses that faithfull seruant of God doth more particularly teach and exhort the old people the Iewes. He teacheth them why God gaue those lawes to him, to deliuer vntounto them: and therfore exhorteth them to obey and doe them, not generally alone, but in particular also.
S. Iames teacheth that there is one only fountaine from whence eueryevery good and perfect gift commeth,Summe of the Epistle. whether the law to the Iewes, or the Gospell and word of God to Iewes and Gentils & therefore exhorts men to walke accordingly.Scope of the Gospell.
S. Iohn the beloued Disciple doth discouer Christs intire louelove to his Church,Mor. Prayer. 1 Les. Deut. 6. in giuing them a most cordiall amulete to apply to their sorrowfull hearts, that they might constantly continue and perseuer in faith and obedience,Parts. notwithstanding Christs bodily departure from them.1 He propoūds the finall cause and end why God gaue his ordinances to the people.
Moses in the first of the chapters being the sixt of Deuteronomy, doth
First, by way of introduction and insinuation propound to the Iewes the finall cause of Gods exhibiting all those lawes and ordinances vntounto them.2 He exhorts them to obedience. vers 1.2
Secondly, he exhorts them to performe it, that is to say,3 He perswades them to hauehave care also of others by catechizing and instructing them. Particular duties to be performed for the better remembrance of the lawes of God. to shew by effect that they hauehave heard them; because they hauehave obeyed and done them for their owne parts, or at least should do them. ver. 3 to the end of the 6.
Thirdly, that they would endeuour that others also may performe, them to wit their children, with whom they are charged, & vntounto whom they must continually rehearse these lawes. Which duty of rehearsall, that it may with a better will and more ease be done, he tels them what courses they are to take, to wit,
1 Thou shalt talke of them when thou tariest in thine house.The Irreligious must not be communicated withal.
2 As thou walkest by the way.
3 When thou liest downe.
4 When thou risest vp.
5 To bind them for a signe vponupon thine hand.
6 Let them be as frontlets betweene thine eyes.
7 Write them vponupon the posts of thine house, and vponupon thy gates. ver. 7.8.9.
4 He giues caueats & admonitions against vnthankfulnes and forgetfulnesse of God in prosperityFourthly, that in their prosperity and the ouerflowing measure of Gods blessings, they take heed of vnthankfulnesse, pride of heart: and forgetfulnesse of God, least Gods wrath kindle against them, and so they perish & be destroyed. ver. 10. to the end of the 15.
5 He dehorts frō murmuring against God,Fiftly, he dehorts thē from tempting the Lord any more as they once did in Massah: but rather that they keepe the commandements of the Lord their God, &c. ver. 16. to the end of the. 19.
6 He exhorts fathers to propagate this doctrine to their children & posterity.Sixtly, that eueryevery father ought, hereafter, in time to come, as well as for the time present, be very carefull in the best manner to propagate and spread this doctrine and religion vntounto posteritie that the children may obey God as wel as the fathers, and so Gods mercy may be shewed vntounto thousands in them that louelove him and keepe his commandements. ver. 20. to the end of the 25. which is the end of the chapter.
In the second Scripture of the old Testament, which is the first for euening prayer, written Deut. 7.Eue. Prayer. 1 Less. Deut. 7. Moses in the first part of the chapter dehorts Gods people (when they are come into the seuen pleasant lands) from ioyning in affinity with the people thereof,1 Dehortation from ioyning in affinity with the irreligious, shewing how dangerous it will be,
2 Reasōs of the dehortation,1 In respect of corrupting them with their religion: and
2 Of purchasing Gods displeasure against them. ver. 1. to the end of the 11.2 Exhortation to the obediēce hereof and of all other precepts,
In the second part Moses doth, in the Lords name, allure and intise the Israelites to the obedience hereof and of all other commandements, by a promise of the Lords mercies, louelove and blessings to bee vouchsafed to them,Obedience to the Gospell commanded and a withholding of such punishments from them, as he is wont to inflict vponupon the obstinate rebellious and refractary people. ver. 12. to the end of the 15.
In the third,3 Praecept to depopulate the enimies countries with a cautiō not to serue their idols. God by Moses giues them an expresse commandemēt as touching the depopulation & vtter ouerthrow of the seuen nations as also a precaution, & forewarning not to serue their idols, least it turne to their destruction: preuenting and taking away all obiections of feare, or whatsoeuer else which might forestall and hinder their constancy and courage in that race and course of obedience, ver. 16. to the end of the 26. which is the end of the chapter.
Iames the seruant of God preaching and writing to the 12 Tribes that were scattered,Epistle. Iam. 1 17. ad 21. which liued in the time of the Gospell,Summe of it is obedience to the Gospelll. exhorts them to the worthy receiuing and obeying Gods word and Gospell, chapter 1.17. to the end of the 21.
The first reason is the ground and originall, beginning,1 Generall reason to vrge it. proceeding and efficient goodnesse, the well-spring of eueryevery good and perfect giuing. ver. 17.2 Reasō to perswade to it.
The second is a fruite and effect of this goodnesse, to wit, this Father of lights begetting vsus (with the light) this word of truth. ver. 18.
He 1. exhorts generally vntounto three duties of obedience,Parts to the Gospell.1 Exhortation general to three duties Euangelicall.
The first is, swiftnesse to heare,
The second is, slownesse to speake,
The third is, slownesse to wrath. ver. 19.Reason of the exhortation.
A reason is rendred to forc… and vrge these three. For the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnesse of God. 2 Exhortation special to swiftnesse in hearing and the right way to it.ver. 20.
2 He specially exhorts vntounto the first general, to wit swiftnesse and readinesse to heare, fitnesse thereunro, & performance thereof in the right manner.
First,by 1 Laying aside impediments. by laying aside that which may hinder our true and right receiuing of Gods word, all filthinesse, and superfluity of maliciousnesse.Gods spirituall comforts are greater then all, &c.
2 Receiuing the word with meekenesse.Secondly, by taking vntounto vsus or receiuing in the right manner, viz. with meeknesse, the word that is grafted in vsus, which is able to saue our soules. ver. 21.
Gospell. Scope and drift of it.Because the Disciples were sad after that Christ had foretold to them his departure, our Sauiour therefore in this Scripture Iohn 16.5. to the end of the 15. giues them a most comfortable receit, which is of his owne making.
First, Christ doth propound his departure1 Christs departure is propounded. and the certainty thereof, in the the 5. & 6. verses.
2 Christ acquaints them with the cordiall fruits growing thereout.Secondly, he comforts them with the cordiall fruits and pleasant effects arising thereof in all the rest of the verses.
As touching his departure obserue,
1 His propounding thereof in a plaine thesis. Now I go to him that sent me.2 Obseruations & considerations as touching the departure of Christ.
2 His reprehension and finding fault with the Disciples sadnesse, whose hearts were full of sorrow, because he had talked with them about his departure, though there was little reason for this their sorrow, as appeareth in these words: None of you asketh me whether goest thou. ver. 5.6.
2 Considerations in Christs consolation.In his strong consolation, which is so full of power and efficacy as arising and issuing out of his departure there are two considerations,
First, the ratifying thereof by his owne testimony and testification, yet I tell you the truth.
2 Reasons of Christs iustification.Secondly, the confirmation of this testimony, by two generall reasons, whereof the
1 Is drawne ab vtili, a commodo, the 2. ab inutili, ab incommodo.
The commodity that cometh of his departure redoundeth to themselues, It is expedient for you that I go away.
The discommodity and hurt also wil be theirs, if they shal still enioy his bodily presence. If I go not away, the comforter will not come to you. But if I depart I will send him vntounto you. ve. 7.
Gods holy spirit comforts mans soule in all distresses.And now least,Discouragements for Christs bodily departure are not so many as the benefites, blessings, & graces are which the Comforter will bring with him. Christs propounding and promise of the successi…e fruit and benefite of his departure (as it were aloofe off and in generall termes) should hauehave dismaid the Disciples: for they might hauehave alleaged that the enioying and presence of Christ their Maister was the greatest comfort that could be to them: they might hauehave obiected that the giuer and author of a benefite is greater then the benefite it selfe, wherefore as he sheweth the necessity of his ascension and departure: so in particular he tels them what benefites, blessings, and graces, this commforter will bring with him, as
First, when he comes he shall reprooue, as ver. 8.9.10.11.1 Comfort is in reproofe.
Secondly, he shall teach comfortably as.2 Comfort is in teaching, ve. 12.13.14.15.
The reproofe and reprouing wherwith this paraclete shall reprehend, our Lords sets downe
1 Thetically,The Comforters reproofe is two waies propounded, And when he is come he will reprooue the world of sinne, of righteousnesse and iudgement, ver. 8.
2 He doth demonstrate it, hypothetically, or exgetically, according to the three occasions of reproofe, vntounto ech whereof he annnexeth a seuerall reason in the other three seuerall sequent verses. Looke the text nine, ten, eleuen, verses.
A teaching comforter also they hauehave great neede of,The Comforters teaching is also two waies demonstrated, because though Christ hath many things more to say vntounto them, yet such is the Apostles weakenesse (for want of that guide and director) that such a multitude of doctrines they cannot now beare away. ver. 12.
Whereupon, for their more speedy and manifest comfort he doth
First, shew them who and what this comforter is, in the beginning of the 13. ver.
Secondly, what this comforter shall do and performe, in the rest of the 13. ver. and in the 14. and 15,