The Schools Guarded, Part 1
44. Of Scripture Weights and Measures.
Of the Line. 2. Reed. 3. Palm, &c. See Godwins Iewish Antiq. l. 6. c. 9.FIrst, there was the common Cubit, from the point of the Elbow to the top of the middle Finger. 2. There was the Cubit of the Sanctuary, which was more then the common Cubit. Deut 3.11. the Cubit of a man was ordinarily a foot and a halfe, or halfe a yard; this was the common Cubit; but the holy Cubit, or the Cubit of the Sanctuary was a full yard containing two of the common Cubits: by this Moses measured the Tabernacle, and Solomon the Temple. 3. There was a Geometricall Cubit, which contained six common Cubits, and according to these (its thought) that Noahs Arke was built, Gen. 6.15, 16.
2. The Hebrews had measures of capacity, and those were of two sorts.
1. Some were for dry things, as corne, seed &c.
2. Some for liquid things, as Wine, Oyle, &c.
1. The measures of dry things, were 5 especially.
1. A Kab.
2. An Omer.
3. Modius, a measure.
4. The Ephah.
5. The Homer.
2. The measures of liquid or moist things, were three especially.
1. The Log.
2. The Hin.
3. The Bath.
1. The Kab was the first and the least measure,In aridis fuit, quod Cad erat in liquidis. which the Hebrews had, they used it in the measuring of dry things; 'twas the eighteenth part of an Ephah (say some) the sixth part of a Satum, it conteined the quantity of 24 egge shels; twas equall to our Quart. The famine in Samaria was so great, that a fourth part of a Kab of Doves dung, was sold for five pieces of silver, 2 Kings 6.25. an Asses head (though it could have but little meat on it,Cum Hannibal Casilinum obsideret, Mus unus vend…batur ducentis denariis. Val. Max. l. 7. c. 6. yet in that extremity) was sold for ten pounds, (say some) and the fourth part of a Kab of Doves dung, which is conceived to be about a pound and one ounce (i) 13 *Reckoning 12 ounces to the pound, and not 16, as wee usually do.ounces, was sold at 12. s. 6. d. This was Gods just judgement on them for their Idolatry and sin, that they who set at naught the word of God, that heavenly Manna, and most pretious food of the soule, should now be enforced thorough necessity to pay most dea…e for base things, and at other times contemptible, and all to satisfie their hunger.
2. An Omer was the tenth part of an Ephah, Exo. 16.36. some call it Gomer, because Y is pronounced by H or G. it contained about three pints and an halfe. 3. Modius a measure, or satum was a Gallon and halfe, we translate the word in generall, a measure, 2 Ki…g… 7.1. to morrow a measure (i) a Satum of fine flower shall be sold for a shekell.
4. The Ephah was the tenth part of an Homer, equall with the [Bath] in liquid things: about an English bushell, it contained three Pecks and ten Gomers, Levit. 19.36. 1 Sam. 1.24. and 17.17. Isaiah 5.10. Amos 8.5.
5. The Homer as the Talent, was the greatest weight; so the Homer was the greatest measure, it contained (say some) as much as a Camell could well beare at once: about ten bushels (say others) about five bushels others say. Ezek. 45.11. it contained ten Ephahs (i) 45 Gallons, or 5 Bushels and 5 Gallons.
2. The measures of liquid things were, 1. The Log, it was the least measure of liquids, 'twas the twelfth part of an Hin, containing in quantity six egge shels, about halfe a pinte, Levit. 14.10, 12, 15, 21, 24.
2. The Hin contained about three Quarts, Exo. 29.40. and 30.24. Numb. 5.4, 5. Ezek. 4.11.
3. The Bath, the tenth part of an Homer, equall with the Ephah, the same which in Greek is called Hydria, in Latine Cadus; it contained four Gallons and an halfe, Ezek. 45.10, 11, 14. Isaiah 4.10.
45. Concerning the Coynes that were among the Hebrews, as the Mite, the Quadrans, the Gerah, Didrachmum, Stater, Denarius, a Shekell, a Talent, &c. Interpreters vary much about them: those that have done best both on Weights and Coines, are à Lapide in the end of the Pentateuch. Weemse, 1 Vol. in the end p. 129,See more, Wilkins Ecclesiast. p. 42. ult. Edit. &c. Godwin Iewish Antiq l. 6. c. 10. Breerwoods little Tract, de Ponder. & pretiis vet. nummorum cum rec…ntioribus collatione; and above all, our last large and learned Annotations on the whole Bible, are so.
46. The Imperative Mood commanding, is oft put for the Optative, wishing, as Cant. 1.2. Let him kisse me, for, oh that he would kisse me. So Mat. 6.9, 10. let thy name be hallowed, let thy Kingdome come. q. d. oh that thy name might be hallowed, and thy Kingdome come.
Mos est Scripturae, ut optare videatur malum, cum non optet, sed praevideat. Aug.47. Many imprecations are not so much Prayers, as Prophesies; foretelling what shall be, rather then desiring they should be.
48. There is a singular variety, but no contrariety in the Scriptures; there is a sweet Harmony and consent in them, the Old Testament agreeing with the New,Quae pugnare videntur nostrâ culpâ ac ignorantiâ talia esse existimantur, q… res non intelligimus, velcircumstantias non expendimus: Illyricus. Moses with the Prophets, and the Apostles with them both, if any place seem to contradict another, the fault lies in our own blindnesse, and not in the Scripture, which is alwaies at peace with it selfe. e. g. Christ is called Davids Lord, Psa. 110.1. and elsewhere he is called Davids sonne, Mat. 22.42, 43, 44, 45. The answer is easy, Christ was Davids Lord in respect of his Divinity, and Davids sonne, in respect of his humanity. So, as he was God, the Father and he were one; but as he was man, so the Father was greater then he.Christus qui per se & propriè est pacis autor; per accidens, …rop…er hominum malitiam turbarum est occasio. Cal. Non veni mittere pacem (i) terrenam & mundanam; non pacem spiritua…em mentis, & pacem unionis fidelium inter se, ac cum Deo & Angelis eju… Christum allaturum praedixit Isaias 9.6, 7. & 65.25. … 14. à L…p. Thus Christ and the Gospell simply considered in themselves, bring inward peace. Iohn. 14.27. my peace I give you; but accidentally meeting with the corruptions of men and the malice of Satan. So Mat. 10.34. I came not to send [outward, worldly] peace, but a sword. Satan and his Agents being inraged at the publication of the Gospell, will raise up stirres and oppositions against it. Thus Mat. 10 10. a staffe is forbidden the Apostles, yet Marke 6.8, 9. a staffe is allowed them. Ans. We must distinguish of staves 1. There are striking defensive staves, which cumber those that carry them, and are a burthen to them, these are forbidden. 2. There are itinerary staves, Whereon. Travellers doe ease themselves, Gen. 32.10. these walking staves Mark means. Duplex tum fuit in usu baculus. s…l. defensiorius & portatorius, itinerarius seu sustentatorius: See most seeming contradictions reconciled very satisfactorily, in Sharpius his Symphony.loquun…ur Evangelistae de defensorio & portatorio qui oneri fuit portantibus: Christus verò apud Marcum, itinerarium & sustentatorium baculum adjumenti loco permittit. Sharpius.
49. Whatsoever is said in Scripture, for the comfort of one, must be applyed by al in the like case and condition.Deus erga similes similiter se gerit. That promise which God …ade to Ioshua [Ioshua 1.5] is by the Apostle applyed to all the fai…full,Quod convenit tali, quā talis, connveit omni tali. Heb. 13.5. that promise which belongs to one beleever, as a beleever, belongs to every beleever; what he promiseth to one he promiseth to all that a…e in that state: for though some may have mo…e grace, yet none have more …. Look what promise God made to Abraham, David, Paul, &c. as believers▪ we … and must apply them as ours▪ for all the promises are our heritage▪ and belong to us, as well as our fore-fathers; to us Gentiles, as well as to the Jewes. Acts 2.39. the promise is to you and to your children, and to such as are afarre off. Rom. 4.16. Ephes. 3.6.
50. Examples may bee followed where there are the like causes. circumstances and conditions;V…i similes causae & circumstantiae, ibi locum habet exemplum. when the equity of the thing is universall and the cause common; else extraordinary cases will not make an ordinary Rule. e. g. Ehud killed Eglon [Iudg. 3.20, 21.] therefore a Fryar may kill a King. Ans. Non sequitur, Fecit hoc Ehud Dei instinctu, eóque hostem potiùs interemit, quam populi rectorem tyrantium. à Lap:for Ehud had a speciall commission from God, to doe what he did, he raised him up to be a deliverer of his people, ver. 15. and therefore this can be no president to any, to murther Princes, though they be Hereticks and Tyrants.Samson (singulari inflinctu) directè intendebat Philistaeos occidere, indirectè seipsum ▪ Ames. So Samsons killing himselfe, is no ground for selfe-murther [Iudg. 16.30.] for what he did, was done by an extraordinary motion, and instinct of Gods spirit, nor did he directly and primarily intend his owne destruction, but the ruine of Gods enemies. Elijah by extraordinary calling, called for fire from Heaven, and burnt the Captaines, therefore the Disciples may call for fire from Heaven to burne the Samaritans [Luke 9.55.] this will not follow, because they acted not by the same spirit; Elijah was led by a spirit of zeale, but these by a fiery, furious, rash spirit. Thus the act of Phinehas was extraordinary, Numb. 25.8, 11. Nor will it follow, because the Apostles anointed the sick with oyle, and cured them [Iam. 5 14.] therefore we may doe so to; for that gift was miraculous and peculiar to those Apostolicall times, and is now ceased; besides, that oyle was ad sanationem, for health and recovery; but the Papists is ad viaticum, for a journey, when men are dying and past recovery. Thus because in the Apostolicall times, there was an extraordinary gift of Prophesying and interpreting Scripture by Revelation without any study, it doth not follow that therefore the same gift abides still, and All may Prophesie.
E… si [donec] aliquando terminum significat, tamen ple…úmque infinitum tempus significat. Paraeus.51. The word [untill] in Scripture, is oft taken for never; it importeth not alwaies, any definite space of time, but signifieth an infinite time, or to eternity. Thus Mat. 1.25. untill shee had brought forth, &c. (i) never. So Mat. 5.26. until thou hast paid the utmost …arthing (i) never. So Gen. 8.7. and 28.15. 1 Sam. 15.35. and 2 Sam. 6.23. Psal. 110.1. Mat. 28.20. 1 Cor. 15.25.
52. The word [none] is oft put for few, as Ier. 8.6. no man repented (i) none comparatively, they were very few. So 1 Cor. 2.8. none of the Princes of this world (i) few, Isaiah 64.7.
53. The Present Tense being put for the Future Tense, doth signifie the certainty of a thing, as Isaiah 21.9. Rev. 18.2.Anadiplosis propl…c…, pro cadet, … est ce…ò, brevi, peni…us. Pareus. So Jude 14 the Lord commeth (i) he will as surely come, as if he were now comming. Babylon the great fallen, is falled (i) it shall as certainly fall, as if it were already done, the doubling of it also implies the greatnesse, neetnesse, and certainty of it… downfall. Cecidit significat actum instantem & quasi inch…antem. 2. cecidit (i) j…m cadere incipit, ac brevi prono casu c…det Babylon. à Lapids.
54. The word [Rather] is not alwaies put comparatively, when two persons or things are compared, as like and unlike: but sometimes negatively, as a denying particle,Impropria est comparatio, neque enim quasi … ambobus sit justitia, publicanum Christus gradie tant… aliquo praesert, sed intelligit cum suisse grat…m Deo: quum Pharisaeus in totum rejectus fuerit. Calvin. instead of [not] as Luke 18.14. this man went away, [rather] justified then the other. q.d. not the other, but he went away justified; for the Pharisee was not at all justified, Mat. 5.…0. neither is there more or lesse in justification; but our Saviour here useth a popular kind of expression. So Iohn 3.19. men loved darknesse [rather] then light. q.d. they loved not light, but darknesse.
Propositio indefinita aequipollet universal…. Keckerm.55. An indefinite speech in Scripture, is equivalent to an universall, as Iob 14.1. Man that is born of a woman (i) every man. So Pro. 28.14. blessed is [the man] that fears alwaies (i) blessed is [every man] that truely fears God. So he that beleeves shall be saved (i) whosoever he be. So, blessed are they that mourn, &c. (i) all they inclusively, and onelyonly they exclusively, &c. The Scripture abounds in such kind of speeches.
56. The Scripture oft puts a thing in the Participle of the Present Tense, to note a continued act.Fuit aedificans. Montanus. Thus Cain is said to be building [Gen. 4.17.] to denote his earthly affection, and that he made it, as 'twere, his onelyonly work to build Cities; he did not onelyonly build, but hee was [building] as if hee meant to live here for ever. Thus to encourage us to pray,Audi…ns orationem. Mont. 'tis Gods prerogative Royall to be a God [Hearing] Prayer, Psal. 65.2. he not once or twice heareth, but is continually [hearing] he makes it (as I may say) his great work to be still hearing, observing, and answering the Prayers of his people. So Pro. 13.20. he that walketh [ambulans Heb.] with wise men shall be wiser (i) he who is continually amongst them, and trades (as 'twere) with them, shall in time learn wisdome from them. So Mat. 24.38. the sin of the old word is thus described, they were eating, drinking, marrying; not that 'tis a sinne in it self, to eat, drink, marry; but when men eat and drink excessively, so much the Participles imply *Significat brutorum instar fors ventri deditos. Beza. Edere & bibere non est peccatum, his verò negotiis immori, vel deditum esse cum Dei contemptu, scelus exitiosum est. Pareus.foreign (i) edentes, like brute Beasts, they did not onelyonly eat, but they were alwaies eating, it was their Trade and work; they passed without intermission from eating to drinking, from drinking to marrying, &c. they followed it close, as if it had been their onelyonly work, and they born for no other end. So 1 Tim. 5.17. Ministers must be foreign, laborantes; still labouring for God, and spending themselves in his service. So Ephes. 5.20. foreign, gratias agentes, we must not give thanks for a day or two but alwaies, on all occasions we must be giving thanks.
57. The Scripture sometimes denounceth judgements, and promiseth blessings to the Parents, which yet were fulfilled to their children onelyonly. Thus Noah cursing Ha…s. Gen. 9.25, 26. a servant of servants shall he bee to his Brethren, &c. this was fulfilled in his posterity, the Canaanites, who served the Israelites under the conduct of Ioshua. God promised the Land of Canaan to Abraham, Canaan datur Abrahamo in praesentia, de jure: Posteris verò poss…ssione. Parcus.Gen 13.15. yet not hee, but his posterity enjoyed it foure hundred years after, in Ioshua's time. Thus Isaack said to Iacob, Gen. 27.29. be Lord over thy Brethren, and let thy mothers sonnes bow downe to thee. This was not fulfilled in Esau, who instead of serving, did rather Lord it over Iacob, but this Prophesie was fulfilled in Esau's posterity, when the Idumaeans and Moabites were brought under the subjection of David. So Gen. 49 7. I wil divide them in Iacob, &c. where by Iacob and Israel, is not meant the person, but the posterity of Iacob or Israel.
Exact, clear, and satisfactory in this kind, that I shall onelyonly refer the Reader to them, for full satisfaction in his doubts.
If any desire yet fuller satisfaction, and more Rules, let him peruse Atte… soll on Numbers. p. 10. and p. 371. and p. 1050. B. Andrews large Catechism. p. 66, 67, 68, &c. I can give you no more but the bare quotations of these two,See 43 Rules more, in à Lap. Prolegom. Epist. ad Romanos. p. 16. being plundered of them in the troubles. See Weemse Jewish Synag. c. 23. p. 42, &c. Perkins Art of Prophesying, c. 4. and 5. Stoughton, Davids Love to the Word. c. 12. p. 401, &c. Bernards Faithfull Shepheard. l. 4. c. 2. p. 175. Mr White of Dorchester's Rules for Reading Scripture. c. 12. p. 160.Sunt non nulli qui plures regul…s co…igerunt, qui à studiosis diligenter versandi sunt; imprimis Andreas Hyperius in utilissimo libro de ratione studii Theologici. Riv. Hyperius de ratione Studii Theol. l. 2. c. 8, 9, 10, 11, &c. a little book, but of great worth▪ its full of excellent directions for young men in their studying of the Scriptures, &c.