Body of Divinity, Book 1 · Chapter 3

Body of Divinity · Book 1 · Chapter 3

p. 28CHAP. III. II. The Books of Scripture.

FRom the Divine …lows the Canonical Authority of the Scripture. The booksTum antiqui Theologi, Basilius, Chrysostomus Augustinus; tum recentiores, celeberrimi nominis inter adversarios, Thomas Aquinas, Ferus, Andradius, aliique Scripturam Canonis nomine designāt, aut designatam asserunt, tanquam intellectus & voluntatis regulam ad …uncta, seu credenda, seu agenda, perfectissimam. Rainoldus Thesi 1. M^• Hobbes in his Leviathan part. 3. chap. 33. saith, Those Books only are Canonical, which are established for such by Soveraign Authority. Then in the times of Popery the Apocrypha were Canonical. of Scripture are called Canonical books (say some) from the word foreign, which word is used 2 Cor. 10. 13. Phil. 3. 16. Gal. 6. 16. foreign, mark the double Emphasis, this notable Canon, because they were put into the Canon by the Universal Church, and acknowledged to be divinely inspired by it, and also are made a perfect Canon or Rule of all Doctrine concerning Religion, Credendorum & agendorum, of Faith and Manners, of all things which are to be believed or done toward salvation. But Cameron thinks it is not termed Canonical, because it is a Rule, for that book (saith he) is called Canonical, which is put into the Catalogue (which the Ancients called a Canon) of those writings which are esteemed Divine. Becanus saith, They are called CanonicalaaScripturae dicu…tur Canonicae, quia quid nos credere, & quemadmodum vivere oporteat, praescribunt, ut huc fidem omnem, vitamque nostram referamus, quemadmodum l…p… cida aut architectus ad amussim & perpendiculum opus suum exigit. Whitakerus de Script. controvers. prima Quoestione prima. cap. 2. Libri sacrae Scripturae C…nonici dicuntur: quia fidei morumque regulam continent. Whitakerus & Scharpius de sacra Scriptura., both because they contain a Rule which we ought to follow in faith and manners, and because they are put into the Catalogue of Divine books.

The Conditions of a Canon are these.

1. It must contain Truth, or be an expresse Form and Image of Truth, which is in the Divine minde.

2. It must be commanded, sanctified and confirmed by Divine Authority, that it may be a Canon to us in the Church.

These books were sanctified, either commonly, all of both Testaments, by the Testimony of the Spirit, and Church, and Canon it self; or the books of the Old Testament were specially and singularly confirmed by Word, Signs and Event, as the Pentateuch, but the Prophetical books and Hagiographa before their carrying into Babylon by extraordinary sign, the Cloud and Veil in the Temple, 1 King. 8. 10. Levit. 16. 2. and Gods answer by Ephod, Urim and Thummim, Exod. 28. 30. after their carrying away into Babylon by singular testimonies of events. The books of the New Testament are confirmed by the Son of God revealed in flesh, by his sayings and deeds, Heb. 1. 2. and by the powerful Ministry of the Apostles, by Signs, Vertues and Miracles, Mark 16. 20.

There is a three-fold Canon in the Church, Divine, Ecclesiasticall, andProprii Canoni… dicti univocè due conditiones sunt inseparabiles, quod verit… tem divinam contineat divinitus materia & forma, & quod Authoritate Divina publicae Ecclesiae datus & sancti…icatus, ut …it Canon sive Regula ipsius, atque hic verè Divinus Canon, Jun. animadvers. in Bellarm. False.

The Divine Canon is that which properly and by it self is called the Word of God, immediately inspired of God into the Prophets and Apostles.

This according to the divers times of the Church is distinguished into the Old and New Testament, 2 Cor. 3. 6, 14. this is a common division of the sacred Bible among Christians, as in the version of Tremellius and Iunius, Testamenti veteris & novi Biblia sacra; and the Geneva gives that Title to their Bible, La Bible, qui est p. 29toute la Saincte Escriture du vi…l & noveau Testament. Augustine thinks they are better called, Vetus & novum Instrumentum. Heinsius & Grotius, Vetus & novum Foedus. Vide Grotii Annotat. in libros Evangelii. A Covenant is an Agreement between two; a Testament is the Declaration of the Will of one.

It is called in regard of the Form, Convention and Agreement between God and man, a Covenant; in regard of the manner of confirming it a Testament. For 1. In a Testament or last Will the Testators minde is declared, so is the Will of God in his Word, therefore it is called a Testimony often, Psal. 19. and 119. 2. Here is a Testator, Christ; a Legacy, eternal life; Heirs, the Elect; a Writing, the Scripture; Seals, the Sacraments. 3. Because it is ratified by the death of Christ, Heb. 9. 16, 17.

The Books of the Old Testament are the holy Scriptures given by God to theEst mater Ecclesia & ubera ejus duo Testamenta Divinarum Scripturarum. Aug. Tract. 3. in epist. Joh. Church of the Jews, shewing them what to believe, and how God would be worshipped: The New Testament containeth the books which treat of salvation already exhibited, and Christ already come in the flesh.

All the books of the Old Testament were written originallybbUt veterum librorum …ides, de Hebraeis voluminibus examinanda est, ita novorum veritas Graeci sermonis …ormam desiderat. August. in Hebrew, because they were committed unto the Hebrews, Rom. 3. 2. except what Daniel ccFrom the fourth verse of the second Chapter of Daniel to the end of the seventh Chapter; and from the eighth verse of the fourth Chapter of Ezrah unto the end of the seventh, the Chaldee Dialect is used. Omnes libri Canonici veteris Testamenti Ebraicè scripti fuerunt. Daniele & Ezra sunt quaedam partes Chaldaicae, nempè quae ab iis ex publicis Annalibus & fastis regni desumptae fuerant, in quorum Monarchia tum vivebant, ut observavit doctissimus Junius.and Ezra wrote in the Chaldee. The Jewish Church receiving them from God, kept them and delivered them to Posterity. Many grave Authors hold, That the Hebrew was the first Tongue, and Mother of all the rest; and it may probably be collected from the names of our first Parents. It was called Hebrew (saith Erpenius) not from Heber of the Posterity of Shem, as Iosephus, Ierom, and others think, when it is manifest that he rather spake Chaldee then Hebrew, because Abraham the Patriarch, which drew his original from him was a Chaldean; but it was so called, saith Erpenius ddErpenius orat. de ling. Ebr. dignitate. Some say the Hebrews were so called from Abrahams passing over Euphrates. Id. ibid. Vide Bocharti Geogr. Sac. l. 2. c. 14.(as all the Rabbins, Origen and others testifie) from the Hebrews, which people arose from Canaan. It is honoured with the Title of the Holy Tongue (saith the same Erpenius) because the most holy God spoke it to his Prophets, delivered his holy Will written in it to the Church; and because it is very probable from the opinion of great men, that holy men shall use it with God hereafter in Heaven. Vide Buxtorfium de Linguae Hebraeae origine, Antiquitate & Sanctitate. There are many Hebraisms also in the New Testament, many words and phrases rather used according to the manner of the Hebrews then the Greeks; by which it is manifest that the same Spirit was the Author of the Old and New Testament. The knowledge of the Hebrew much conduceth to the learning of those famous oriental Tongues, the Chaldee, Syriack, Arabick and Aethiopick, by reason of the great affinity which they have with their Mother.

The Books of the Old Testament may be divided several wayes; in respect of the Style, some were written in Prose, some in Verse: in respect of Time, some were written before their being taken Captives into Babylon, as Samuel, Isaiah, Hosea, and many others; some in the CaptivityffAs Ezekiel, Daniel. Ierom hath followed this division of the Hebrews., and some after, as Haggai, Zachary, Malachi. The Hebrews divide the Bible (ex instituto Esdrae) into three special parts**Buxtorf. Tiberias, c. 11.. 1. The Law, the five books of Moses. 2. The Prophets. …. The former, Ioshua, Iudges, two books of Samuel, and two of the Kings, so called because they speak of the first Prophets. 2. The later. 1. Greater, three. 2. Lesser, twelve.

3. The Hagiographa, for want of a more special name, by which title all the rest are understood, and they are elevenggBoth the Chronicles, the Psalms, Proverbs, Iob, Ruth, Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Canticles, Lamentations, Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah, counted for one book.. Our Saviour himself mentions this most ancient distinction, Luk. 24. 44. calling all the rest of the books (besides the Law and Prophets) Psalms. Ubi Psalmi ponuntur pro omnibus libris, qui Hagiographorum parte continentur, ex quibus etiam in N. T. quaedam citantur, tanquam impleta. Buxtorf. Tiberias. cap. 11. In Masora, quando vox aliqua ter duntaxat reperitur, & p. 30quidem in tribus his Scripturae partibus, tum dicunt: Ter occurrit, Semel in Lege, semel in Prophetis, semel in Hagiographis. Id. ib.

All the Scriptures of the Old Testament (in other places) are comprized in theMark 1. 2. John 6. 45. 1. In ea parte Scripturae quae Proph…tas continet, in volumine Prophetico. Buxtorf. Tiberias c. 11.Mark 1 Law and Prophets, Matth. 5. 17. & 7. 12. and 11. 13. & 20. 40. Acts 13. 15. & 24. 14, & 26. 22. & 28. 23. Rom. 3. 21. or Moses and the Prophets, Luk. 24. 27. & 16. 29. or in the Scriptures of the Prophets, Rom. 16. 26. or the Prophets alone, Luke 1. 70. & 24. 25, 27. Rom. 1. 2. Heb. 1. 1. the name Prophet being taken as it is given to every holy Writer.

The Jews and the An…ient reckon twenty two hhJoseph. contra Appian. l. 1. Euseb. l. 3. c. 10. Hieron. Praef. in lib. Reg. Some of the Jews reckon four and twenty. See Sixtus Senensis his Biblioth. lib. 1. Sect. 2. Some twenty and seven.Books in the Old Testament, according to the number of the Letters of the Alphabet for memory sake. Ruth being joyned with the Book of Iudges; and the Lamentations being annexed to Ieremiah their Author. Hebraeis sunt initiales & medianae literae 22, finales quinque. Quamobrem V. T. modò in 22. modò in 27. libros partiuntur.

All the books of both Testaments are sixty six, thirty nine of the Old, and twenty seven of the New Testament. Some would have Hugo Cardinal to be the first Author of that division of the Bible into Chapters, which we now follow. No manWaltherus in officina Biblica, p. 237. As the Massorites reckoned all the words and letters, so some Christians all the verses of the Bible. put the Verses in the Latine Bibles before Robert Stephen; and for the New Testament he performed that first, being iiHenric. Steph. Lect. in Concordant. Graec. N. T. Grotius de Iure Belli, l. 1. c. 2. Rivetus. Isag. ad Script…sac. c. 29.holpen by no book Greek or Latine. Vide Croii observat. in Nov. Test. c. 7.

This Arithmetical Distinction of Chapters, which we have in our Bibles was not from the first Authors. Of which that is an evident token, that in all the Quotations which are read in the New Testament out of the Old; there is not found any mention of the Chapter, which would not have been altogether omitted, if all the Bibles had then been distinguished by Chapters, as ours kkWe are not too superstitiously to adhere to our late division. See Heinsius prolegom. ad exercit., distinguishing of the Bible into Chapters and Verses, much helps the Reader, but it sometimes obscures the sense. D^r Raynolds llD^r Raynolds his Letter for the study of Divinity.gives this counsel to young Students in the study of Divinity, that they first take their greatest travail with the help of some learned Interpreter in understanding S^t Iohns Gospel, and the Epistle to the Romans, the summe of the New Testament, Isaiah the Prophet, and the Psalms of David, the summe of the Old, and in the rest they shall do well also, if in harder places they use the judgement of some godly Writer, as Calvin and P. Martyr who have written best on the most part of the Old Testament.Usitata divisio sacrorum librorum in capita, & ab hominibus est, & recens; sicut demonstravit Sixtus Senensis. Rainold. de Roman▪ Eccles. Idol. Admonit. ad Lectorem. Nos Codices quosdam ita scriptos vidimus, ut nulla in illis extet vocum distinctio, sed singulae lineae, uno tenore scriptae sint, atque unicam vocem constituere videantur. Croii observat. in N. T. cap. 2. Vide plura ibid. & c…p. 4, 7.

The Books of the Old Testament are; 1. Legal, 2. Historical. 3▪ Poetical. 4. Prophetical.Pentateuchum à quinque voluminibus dicitur: foreign e…im Graecis quinque foreign volumen vocatur. Isid. l. 6. In Iudaica Ecclesia, etsi summa fuerit omnium librorum veteris Testamenti, Dignitas & Authoritas, maxima tamen fuit quinque librorum Mosis. Rivetus.

1. Legal (which the Hebrews call from the chief part Torah, Deut. 31. 9. & 33. 4. the Grecians from the number Pentateuch, that is, the five-fold volume) the five Books of Moses, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, all written by Moses (as it is commonly agreed) except the last Chapter in the end of Deuteronomy concerning his death, written by Ioshua. In which five Books are described the things done in the Church from the beginning of the world to the death of Moses. Atque hîc finitur Pentateuchum, historiam annorum 2552. cum dimidio, ab initio mundi complectens. R. Usserius in Annal. V. T. cap. 37. Vide Sims. Paras. ad Chron. Cathol. cap. 1. The Sadduces (as some say) received no other Scripture but these five Books of Moses; therefore Christ, Matth. 22. 32. proves the Resurrection of the dead, which they denied, out of the second Book of Moses; but Scultetus saith, that they rejected not the Prophets, lib. 1. exercit. Evang. cap. 22. See my Annotat. on Matth. 22. 23.

Anciently it was not the custome of holy Writers to adde Titles to what they had p. 31written, but either they left their works altogether without Titles, or the first words were Titles, the Titles now in use, as Genesis, Exodus, were prefixed according to the arbitrement of men; and the like is to be thought of those before the Historicall Books of the New Testament, as Matthew, Mark, Luke, Iohn.

With the Hebrews the Titles of Books are taken sometimes from the subject Matter or Argument, as in the Books of Iudges, Ruth, Kings, Proverbs, and othersSpanhem. Dub. Evangel. parte tertia ▪Dub. 1. In Prologo Galeato. of that kinde; sometimes from the Authors or Amanuenses rather, as in the Books of Ioshua and the Prophets; sometimes from the initial words with which the Books begin, which Ierom follows. The Books of Moses are denominated from the initial words.

These are subdivided again into nnSee my Epistle to my Heb. Critica Sacra, and Thorndike of Religious Assemblies, chap. 6. pag. 175, 176.fifty four Sections, that the reading of them may be finished in so many Sabbaths, which is signified, Act. 15. 21.

Iunius, Ainsworth and Amama, with Calvin, Cornelius a Lapide and Piscator, have done well on the Pentateuch.

1. Genesis] In Hebrew Bereshith, the first word of the Book, by the Septuagint it is called foreign, which appellation the Latine Church retained, because it sets forth the first generation of things, Chap. 2. 4. and of Adam or mankinde, Gen. 5. 1. It consists of fifty Chapters, and contains a History of two thousand three hundredTwo thousand three hundred and eight saith Sixtus Senensis. and sixty nine yeares from the Creation of the World, to the death of Ioseph.

The best Expositors of this Book are Mercer, Rivet, Paraeus, Calvin, Peter Martyr on fourty Chapters, Willet, Ainsworth.

Origen upon the Canticles, and Ierom ooHieron▪ in prologo in Eze. & Epist. fam. l 1. Epist. 32. Eustochio, Mercer. praefat. in Gen. & Cantic. Vossius in Thesibus de creatione. Vide Estium ad Ezec. 40. 46.Ezek 40:46upon Ezekiel say, That the Hebrews forbad those that had not attained to the Age of the Priesthood, and judgement, viz. thirty years, to read in three Books for their profundity and difficulty; that is, the beginning of the World, which is contained in the three first Chapters of Genesis, the beginning and end of Ezekiel, since that treats of the Cherubins, and the Divine Majesty, this of the structure of the third Temple; and the Song of Songs, in which those things which ought to be understood of the Divine Authour, are easily through youthfull affection elsewhere drawne and wrested.

This Book of Genesis is not onelyonly profitable, but very necessary for Doctrine; as Moses is the Prince, and as it were, Parent of Divines: So Genesis is the foundation and excellent Compendium of all Divinity, propounding evidently the chief parts of it.

2. Exodus ppSignificat exitum siliorum scilicet Israel de … Egypto, ut in terram Chanaan prosiciscerentur. Menochius.] The second Book of Moses is called in Hebrew Elle Sh…moth, in Greek foreign, which word the Latines have retained. It consists of fourty Chapters, and contains a History (say Iunius and Tremellius) of one hundred fourty two years **An hundred fourty six, saith Senensis., viz. from the death of Ioseph even to the building of the Tabernacle.

The best Expositors of it, are Rivet, Calvin, Willet, Ainsworth.

3. Leviticus qqBarbara Turcarum gens hodie Mosis doctrinam foreign comprehensam, non aliter quam divinam veneratur, adeo ut etiam chartarum lacinias, quibus al…quid ejus fortè inscriptum sit, deosculetur. Paraeus praefat. de libris Mosis. Evangelistae & Apostoli in Novo Testamento, centies quinquagies & amplius in narr…tionibus & concionibus suis Mosaici Canonis Authoritatem adducunt, ut suum cum Mose & Prophetis consensum comprobent. Id. ibid.] In Hebrew Vajicra, in Greek and Latine Leviticus, from the p. 32matter which it handleth, because it treats especially of the Levitical Priesthood, and the Levitical or Ceremonial Laws in it. It consists of seven and twenty Chapters, and contains a History of one MonethMonth, viz. of the first, in the second year after their going out of Aegypt.

The best Expositors of it are Calvin, Ainsworth and Willet.

4. Numbers] In Hebrew Vaiedabber, in Greek foreign, in Latine Numeri, in English Numbers, because it begins with declaring the Number of the people, and because many numberings are reckoned up in this Book, as first, third, and thirty three Chapters. It contains a History of thirty eight years, and consists of thirty six Chapters.

The best Expositors of it are Calvin, Attersol, Ainsworth.

5. Deuteronomy rrEst enim Deuteronomium sive ut Philo loquitur Epinomis, nihil aliud quam lex & historia summatim repetita in lorum gratiam qui promulgationi legis rebusque illis non inter…u…rant. Grotius in Exod. 20.Exod 20] In Hebrew Haddebarim, from the first words, in Greek foreign, which the Latine retains, because it contains a second repetition of many necessary points of the Law. It consists of thirty four Chapters, and contains a History of the two last moneths of the year. Some say concerning Ch. 34. 10. that part of it was written by Ezra contemporary with Malachi.

The best Expositors of it are Calvin, Ainsworth, Wolphius; Cornelius a Lapide.

2. The Historical Books.The Hebrews divide the Books into four Classes. The first is called Thorah, that is, the Law, containing the five Books of Moses.

1. Before the Captivity, Ioshua, Iudges, Ruth, Samuel, Kings.

2. After the Captivity, both the Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah.

The sixth Book in the Old Testament is called Ioshua, because it contains a History of things done by Ioshua the servant of Moses, which he by the will of God put in writing, it being all written by him, except some of the last Chapter, where mention is made of his death, and thought to be written by Samuel. It consists of twenty four Chapters, and contains a History of eighteen years, viz from the death of Moses even to the death of Ioshua.

The best Expositors of it are ssDe cujus ingenti at perquam solida eruditione, raraque & accurata diligentia nunquam satis dici potest. Muis Assert. 3. Heb. ver.Masius and Serarius for Papists, Drusius and Lavater The second Nebiim Reshonim, the Books of the former Prophets, as Ioshua, Iudges, Samuel, Kings. The third Nebiim A…haronim, later Prophets, Isaiah, Ieremiah, Ezekiel. And the lesser being twelve but one Book. The fourth Sepher Ketubim the Hagiographal Books.of Protestants.

The seventh Book is called Sophetim, Iudges, because it contains things done underIt was written as 'tis likely, by divers Prophets Matth. 2. ult. Vide Bezam, Bucer. & Calvin. in loc.Matt 2 the Government of the twelve Judges. There is nothing certain of the Author of this Book, though some would have Samuel: but he rather collected and compiled into one Volume what was written by many. It describes the state of the Government of Israel, from the death of Ioshua even to the Priesthood of ttPetrus Martyr in praefat. com. in lib. Iud. scribit, alios putare unumquemque judicem suorum temporum res gestas conscripsisse, quaepostea Samuel (eorum monumenta cum dissecta essent) in unum quoddam corpus seu volumen coegerit.Eli. It consists of twenty one Chapters, and contains a History of two hundred ninety nine years, say some; of three hundred at least, saith Spanhemius.

The best Expositors of it are Peter Martyr, Drusius, Lavater, Serrarius.

The eighth is Ruth, the Author of which Book is unknown; many think it wasAliqui hujus libri auctorem faciunt Ezechiam Regem, alij Esdram, alij Samuelem, que opinio verior videtur, & pluribus nititur conjecturis, & graviores habet assertores, & etiam plures. Menochius. written by Samuel, who added this as a part or conclusion of the Book of Iudges. It consists of four Chapters, and is an History concerning the marriage and posterity of Ruth.

The best Expositors of it are Drusius, Wolphius, Lavater, Topsel.

The ninth in order are the two Books of Samuel uuThe Authors of these Books of Samuel, are thought to be Samuel, Nathan and Gad: Samuel of the first Book to the twenty fifth Chapter, where his death is rehearsed, Nathan and Gad continued it, 1 Chron. 29. 29.1 Chr 29:29, which contain in them an History of an hundred and twenty years. The first beginning an History of eighty p. 33years, of fourty under Eli, 1 Sam. 4. 18. and of fourty under Samuel and Saul, Act. 13. 21. and consists of one and thirty Chapters. The second Book is a History of fourty years, even from the death of Saul to the end of Davids Kingdom, and consists of four and twenty Chapters. These two Books in the Original have two several Titles: xxThey are called the first and second of Kings by the Greeks and Latines. They contain a large History of things done by Kings, the History of Samuel being preposed. The Ordinary Glosse saith, he wrote a good part of the first Book. Scriptor horum librorum quatuor Hebraeorum eruditissimis creditur esse Ieremias. Sermonis forma non discrepat. Eum credibile est usum commentariis illis Nathanis & Gadi… Prophetarum, quorum mentio, 1 Paral. 29. 29. Grotius.1 Chr 29:29The one is the first and second of Kings, the other the first and second of Samuel. The former Title it hath received as it stands in relation to the two next Books, and in opposition to that of Iudges; for as in that Story the Regiment of Iudges was described in one Book; so in this Story, of which these two are but one part, the Regiment of Kings is described: this is the reason of the first Title. The other likewise of the first and second of Samuel is given unto it, 1. Because there is very frequent mention made of Samuel therein, he being a principal subject of the first part thereof. 2. Because it continueth the narration so farre, till the infallible truth of Samuels principal Prophecie (which seemed to remain in great doubtfulnesse, at least when he ended his dayes) was fully accomplished in establishing the Kingdome upon the Person and Family of David the sonne of Iesse.

The best Expositors of both the Samuels, are Peter Martyr, Drusius; Willet also hath expounded them, but not so well as he hath other Books of Scripture.

The tenth is the two Books of the Kings, in Hebrew Melachim, in Greek andBecause they reckon the first and second of Samuel also among those of the Kings. Esdras and Ieremiah are thought to be the authors of the Kings. Latine the third and fourth of the Kings, from the subject matter of them, because they relate the Acts of the Kings of Israel and Iudah. This History was written by divers Prophets; but who digested it into one Volume is uncertain; many ascribe it unto Esdras, See Menochius. The first Book consists of twenty two Chapters, and contains a History of an hundred and eighteen years. The second Book consists of five and twenty Chapters, and contains a History of three hundred and twenty years.

The best Expositors of both the Kings are Peter Martyr, and Gaspar Sanctius.

The eleventh Book is the two Books of Chronicles, which is called Dibrei Hajamim, Munster rendred it, the Books of Annals, Libri praeteritorum appellantur ab Hierenymo. Ab Esdra scriptos hos duos libros constans semper fuit apud Hebraeos fama: qui hos libros vocant verba dierum▪ id est, excerpta ex regum diurnis. Grotius.verba dierum, because in them the deeds of the Kings of Israel are particularly described. The Greeks and Latines divide it into two; with the Greeks it is called liber foreign q. d. praetermissorum, the Book of Remains, because he summarily explains some things either omitted, or not fully described in the Pentateuch, the Books of Ioshua, Iudges, Samuel, and the Kings. Of the Latines liber Chronicorum, q. d. Chronologicum; which appellation Luther retains in the Dutch version of the Bible. There is nothing certain of the Author yyAuctor ignoratur, Alii Esdrae tribuunt, alii Ioremiae▪ certi nihil habemus ex Scriptura. Menochius.of these Books, though Esdras be thought to be the Author. The first Book consists of twenty nine Chapters, and contains a History of two thousand eight hundred and five years, viz. from the Creation of the world even to the Kingdom of Salomon. The second consists of thirty two Chapters, and describes a History from the beginning of the Kingdom of Salomon, even to the return out of the Captivity of Babylon.

The best Expositor on both the Chronicles is Lavater.Tempus quo historia Paralipomenon edita, & Canonicis Scriptoribus adjecta sit, non possum pro certo indicare. Suspicor autem post Antiochi persecutionem, qui saevierat in libros divinos, abbreviatorem ex annalibus regum epitomen excerpfisse, praemissis genealogiis ab Adam usque, & additis quibusdam generi Davidico, ut continens temporum series haberetur vulgò usque ad sua tempora. Bibliander de optimo generum explicandi Hebraica.

Twelfthly, The two Books of Ezra Ezra signifieth an helper, Nehemiah a comforter., they are counted for one Volume with the Hebrews; the Greeks and Latines divide them into two Books, and assign the first to Ezra, the second to Nehemiah.

Ezra was so called from the Author, which was a Scribe, most skild in the Law of God, as appears in Chap. 7. v. 1, 6, and 11.Certum est libros Paralipomenon, Esdrae & Nehemia esse post reliques ferè omnes sacros veteris Testamenti libros conscriptos, Capel. Critica Sac. l. 1. c. 3.

p. 34The best Expositors of it are Iunius and Wolphius.

Nehemiah aaNehemiah in English is A Comfort sent from God, to comfort his people in those troublesome times.] It is called by the Latines the second Book of Ezra, because the History begun by Ezra is continued in it; but usually Nehemiah because it was written by him, and also because it contains the re-edifying of the City of Ierusalem, caused by Nehemiah. It consists of thirteen Chapters, and contains a History of fifty five years, viz. from the twentieth year of Artaxerxes to the Kingdom of the last Darius.

The best Expositors of it are Wolphius and Pilkinton.

The next Book is Esther bbNomen huic libro est à potiore persona. Martinius., called in Hebrew Megillath Esther, the Volume of Esther. Many of the Jews think this Book was written by Mordechai, which those words in Chap. 9 20. and 23. seem to favour. Isidore saith, Ezra is thought to have written Esther, but some say it was composed after by another; Moses Camius Aben Esra docet, historiae hujus Scriptorem fuisse Mardochaeum, idque ex ultimo capite hujus libri colligit. Hanc sententiam tanquam veram amplector tamdiu, donec contrarium probetur. Mayerii Dissertat. Theol. de LXX. Hebdomatibus Danielis. p. 145. LXX huic historiae somnium quoddam Mardoc…aei praemittunt quod non est in Hebraeo. Grotius. Drusius Ammad. l. 2. c 34.saith it was written by the men of the great Synagogue. Philo Iudaeus saith, Ioachim a Priest of the Hebrews, son of the high-Priest, was the composer of it, and that he did it at the intreaty of Mordecai the Jew. Its remarkable, that though the Book of Esther contain most admirable passages of Gods Providence in delivering of his Church, yet in this Book alone of all the Books of holy Scripture the name of God is not so much as once mentioned. D^r Drakes Chronol. The Jews throw the Book of Esther to the ground before they reade it, because the name of God is not there, as their Rabbins have observed. D^r Stoughtons Love sick Spouse. It consists of ten Chapters, and contains a History of ten, or (as others will) of twenty **Martinius.years, concerning the preservation of the Church of the Jewes in Persia by Esther.

Drusius, Serrarius and Merlin have done well on this Book.

3. Poetical Books.

Iob, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Canticles; to which some adde the ccGrotius reckons the Lamentations among the Poetical Books. M^r Caryl on Job 3. v. 2. pag. 334.Job 3:2Lamentations. Those parts of Scripture which set forth strongest affections, are composed in verse: as those holy flames of spiritual love between Christ and his Spouse in the Canticles of Salomon. The triumphant joy of Deborah after deliverance from Sisera's Army: of Moses and Miriam after the destruction of Pharaoh: the afflicting sorrows of Hezekiah in his sickness; and the Lamentations of Ieremiah for the Captivity of the Jews: The Book of Psalms is as it were a throng of all affections, love, joy, sorrow, fear, hope, anger, zeal, every passion acting a part, and wound up in the highest strains by the Spirit of God, breathing Poetical eloquence into the heavenly Prophet. So the Book of Iob. whose subject is sorrow, hath a composure answerable to the matter. Passion hath most scope in Verse, and is freest when tied up in numbers.Singula in …o verba plena sunt sensibus. Hier. Quis libri scriptor fuit inc…r…ū est, nec nisi levissimis conjecturis nititur, quicquid de ea dici potest. Beza. Vid. Grotium & Menochiū. Walther. in Officina Biblica & Ludov. de Tena Isag ad totam Sac. Script. The Apostle 1 Cor. 3. 19. proves it to be of Divine Authority.1 Cor 3:19

Iob] There is great variety of judgement about the Author and Pen-man of this Book; Some say it was one of the Prophets, but they know not who; Some ascribe it to Salomon; some to Elihu, many to Moses; Hugo Cardinal, Suidas, and Pineda conceive that Iob himself was the Author of this Book, and it is thus proved, because when any Book is inscribed by the name of any person, and there appears no urgent reason, wherefore it could not be written by him, such a person is to be thought the Author, and not the matter of the Book, as is manifest in the Book of Ioshua, and those of the greater and lesser Prophets. The Arabical speeches with which it abounds, note that it was written by some man living near Arabia, as Iob did; Neither doth it hinder, that Iob **Chap. 1. 1. Ante legem datam floruisse satis iude videtur constare, quod vir ob justiciam atque pietatem incomparabilem celeberrimus, vict…mas, filiorum nomine, totie, obtulerit. Cl. Selden de jure naturali. & Gentium l. 2. c. 7. Vide plura ibid. Est liber iste Iobi omnium Sacrorum librorum difficillimus, ut qui non modo Theologum, verum etiam Hebraeae, Chaldaicaeque linguae Poetices, Dialectices, Rhetorices, Astronomiae, Physices denique, bene peritum interpretem requirat. Bez. in epist. ad exposit. Merc. Vide Sims. Parasc. ad Chron. Cath c. 1. The Book of Iob is supposed to have been written before Moses time, and the Jews in the Talmud say, that Iob lived in the time of Iacob. Aben Ezra and Iarchi on Iob 1. say, he descended of the sons of Nachor, Abrahams brother, and generally by most he is held to be more ancient then Moses. M^r Nettles Answ. to the Jewish part of M^r Seldens History of Tithes Sect. 2.Job 1speaks of himself in the third person, p. 35for Canonicall Writers are wont to do this out of modesty, Numb. 12. 3. Iohn Iobi liber antiquior est lege quemadmodum docetur copiose à doctis Sixto Senensi, Mercero, aliisque, ut in eo non sit necesse insistere. Rain. de lib. Apoc. praelect. 191.21. 24.

It is conceived to be the first piece of Scripture that was written: if Moses wrote it, it is probable that he wrote it before the deliverance of the people of Israel out of Egypt, while he was in Midian. The main and principal subject of this Book is contained in Psal. 34. 19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of all. We may divide the Book into three parts, and so it sets forth:

1. Iobs happy condition, both in regard of externals and internals, in the first five verses.

2. Iobs fall, his calamity, from that to the seventh verse of the fourty second Chapter.

3. Iobs restitution, or restoring, from thence to the end.

Beza, Mercer, Pineda, Drusius, Cocceius have well expounded it.

The Psalms are called in the Hebrew Sepher Tehillim, a Book of Divine Praises,Liber Psalmorum complectitur quicquid utile est in omnibus Scripturis: haec sacra poe…is est elegantissima Legis Prophetarumque Epitome sola brevitate & numero à reliquis discrepans, cum commune promtuarium earum omnium est, quae nobis necessari… sunt. Tremel. & Jun. in Greek foreign, so called from a musical Instrument used in singing of the Psalms, which name the Latines have retained. Vide Menochinm. Hymns is the general Title for the whole Book of Psalms: For though it be translated, The Book of Psalms, yet every one that knoweth that language, knoweth the word is, The Book of Hymns. Christ with his Disciples sung an Hymn, Matth. 26. 30. M^r Cottons Singing of Psalms a Gospel Ordinance. c. 5.

Psalmi dicti sunt Tehillim ab argumento praecipuo: Etsi enim in libro hoc contineantur etiam petitiones, necnon precationes: hae tamen non adeo sunt frequentes, & his ipsis variae interspersae sunt laudationes Dei, a Iustitia summa, à misericordia & potentia Dei desumtae.

It contains sacred Songs to be fitted for every condition, both of the Church and Members. It is called in the New Testament, The Book of Psalms, Luk. 20. 42. and 24. 44. Acts 1. 20. No Books in the Old Testament are oftner cited in the New, then Isaiah and the Psalms; that sixty times, this sixty four.

They are in all an hundred and fifty, in Greek an hundred fifty one. Augustine and Chrysostom ascribe them all to David as the Author, so do Theophylact, Ludovicus Opus omni laude majus, & universae sapientiae divinae atque humanae exiguum quidem, sed eo etiam nobilius, atque admirabilius compendium: ea sermonis elegantia, numerorum & harmoniae suavitate, sententiarum eruditione & gravitate, ut nihil majus dici possit. Erpenius orat. de ling. Ebr. dignitate. Quisquis Psalmos ita ordine digessit, ut nunc habemus eos in unum volumen collectos, sive Hezra fuit, sive aliquis alius post reditum è Babylone; conatus est Psalmos ejusdem authoris, aut ejusdem argumenti, aut ejusdem temporis colligere & conjungere. Foord. in Psal. 40. According to the Hebrew account the Psalms have 2527 verses. Beza Psalmos vario Latinorum carminum genere elegantissimè & suavissimè expressos orbi Christiano dedit. Melchior. Adam in ejus vita Psalterium Buchanin. Latinum, opus planè divinum & ad usum Scholasticae juventutis egregiè elaboratum. Graserus exerci…in c. 9. Dan.Ps 40de Tena. Some think that after the Captivity Ezra collected these Psalms, dispersed here and there, into one Volume. There are ten Authors whose names are put in the Titles of the Psalms, viz. David, Salomon, Moses, Asaph, Etham, Heman, Ieduthun, and the three sons of Corah. Odae istae Davidis dicuntur, quod is multas veteres collegerit, multas ipse Psallendi sciens addiderit, aut per homines idoneos addi fecerit. Grotius.

The Book of Psalms, though it be called from the greater part, by the name of Davids Psalms; yet were not all the Psalms in it composed by David; but some of them by Moses, Psal. 90. Some by Heman, Psal. 88. Some of them by Etham, Psal. 89. Some by others, Psal. 137. M^r Gataker on Psal. 82. 6, 7, 8. Seventy four Psalms are expresly entituled Davids Psalms, that some others which want titles expressing their Pen-men were his also, See Act. 4. 25. Id. ibid.

The Hebrews divide the Psalms into five Books or parts. The first Book hath the first 41 Psalms; the second 31, from 42 to 73; the third 17, from 73 to 90; the fourth 17, from 90 even to 107; the fifth 43, from the 107 to 150.

Vide Genebr. in Psal. 1. 1. Tituli sunt Psalmorum claves, the Titles are Keys as it were of the Psalms, saith Ierom.

The best Expositors on the Psalms are Musculus, Mollerus, Muis, Calvin.

The Scripture is the choisest Book; the Psalms the choisest piece of Scripture, and the 119 Psalm the choisest part of the Psalms. Among 176 verses in that Psalm there are scarce four, or five at most, wherein there is not some commendation of the word.

p. 36The Psalms are frequently read both in the Jewish Synagogues, and in our Christian Churches; the very Turks themselves swear as solemnly by Davids Psalms, as by their Mahomets Alcoran, they have them in such estimation. Of all parts of the Scripture, the Psalms have this excellency, that they do in a lively experimental way set forth the gracious works of God upon the soul. They have a respective direction, or comfort to every ones affliction or temptation. Hence they have been called by some the little Bible, or the Bible of the Bible. M^r Burgess of Justification. p. 225.

Basil saith, If all the other Books of Scripture should perish, there remained enough in the Book of Psalms for the supply of all; and therefore he cals it Amuletum ad prosligandum daemon…m. Our Saviour Christ himself cites the Psalms, not only as Canonical Scripture, but as a particular, entire, and noble summe of that body, Luk. 24. 44. no Book of the Old Testament (except the Prophecie of Isaiah) is so like a Gospel, so particular in all things concerning Christ, as the Psalms. D^r Donne on Psal. 62. 7, 9.

Proverbs] In Hebrew Mishle, the Book of Proverbs is compared to a great heap of Gold-rings, rich and orient severally, and every one shining with a distinct aaM^r Bolton on Prov. 18. 14. Sententiae, verba, five dicta graviter & paucis concinnata, quae in omnium animis haerere & in ore versari debent, denique speculum sunt totius vitae & administrationis nostrae. Junius.Prov 18:14sense by it self: but other contexts of holy Writ, to Gold-chains, so enterwoven and linked together, that they must be illightned and receive mutual illustration one from another. The manner of it is usually to deliver two contradistinct Propositions.

It consists of one and thirty Chapters; it was written by Salomon, saith Augustine, Chap. 17. of his 20 book de Civitate Dei; and Iosephus in the 8^th book and 2^d Chapter of his Jewish Antiquities; and it is proved, 1 King. 4. 32. though there indeed it is said only, he spake them, yet it is likely also he wrote them. Prov. 1. 1. they are called the Proverbs of Solomon, because most of them are his. It is a Treatise of Christian manners, touching piety toward God, and justice toward our neighbours.

The best Expositors on it, are Mercer, Cartwright, Dod, Lavater. Graece dicitur What special prerogatives this Book hath above the rest of Canonical Books, see M^r Cawdrey on Prov. 29. 8.Prov 29:8hic liber foreign, nimirum Hebraeum foreign proprie comparationem significat, & quia ex comparationibus curtatis plerumque fiebant Proverbia, inde coepit sumi in significatione foreign. Grotius.

Ecclesiastes] In Hebrew bbQuod in eum librum collectae sunt omnes scientiae: vel quòd sapientia Salomonis hic homines congreget ad ipsam audiendam. Martinius. The Proverbs were Salomons Ethicks. Ecclesiastes his Physicks. Canticles his Metaphysicks. Proverbia Scripta sunt potissimum pro aetate juvenili, Ecclesiastes pro virili, Canticum pro senili. The Jews compare the three Books of Salomon to the three parts of his Temple, they liken the Proverbs to the Porch, Ecclesiastes to the Holy Place, Canticles to the Holy of Holies. Opinor Salomonem in senectute postquam à lapsu resipuisset, scripsisse, 1. Novem 1^a Capita libri Proverbiorum, & librum qui Ecclesiastes dicitur, ut ex cellatione concipi potest. 2. Librum Canticorum, ut ex eo libro colligere licet. 3. Psalmum istum quasi compendium libri Canticorum. Foord in Psal. 45.Ps 45Choheleth, the Feminine hath respect either to wisdom or to the soul, the nobler part. See Menochius.

The Author of this Book was Salomon, who either at his Table, or in his familiar conference propounded these Doctrines to his Courtiers, as may be collected out of 1 King. 10. 8. Many of the Hebrews say, that this Book was written by Salomon to testifie his repentance of his ill led life.

It consists of twelve Chapters. The summe and scope of the whole Book is explainedLiber ille Salomonis disputationem continet de summo bono, quod desinit esse conjunctionem cum Deo, ac perpetuam Dei …ruitionem Simps. Chron. Cathol. parte tertia. in the last Chapter, or the first two verses, viz. that all things in the world are vain; therefore that nothing is more profitable and necessary then to fear God and keep his Commandments. The principal parts of it are two: The first concerning the vanity of humane matters and studies in the world: the latter of the stability and profit of godliness and the fear of God.

The best Expositors on it are Mercer, Cartwright, M^r Pemble, Granger.

Canticles are called in Hebrew Shir ha-Shirim, by the Latins. Cantica ccId est, summum & praestantissimum, vide Gen. 9. 25. Est autem haec generalis totius libri inscriptio, libri argumentum scriptoremque exponens. Argumentum est Epithalamium excellentissimum sive connubiale Canticum, quo Schelomo decantavit sacram illam, augustissimam, & beatissimam desponsationem conjunctionemque Christi cum Ecclesia. Jun.Gen 9:25Canticorum, p. 37The Song of Songs, that is, a most excellent Song, the Hebrews having no Superlatives. Salomon was the Author of it, 1 Kings 4. 32. Many of the Ancients refer it to the spiritual Marriage between Christ and the Church, or every faithful soul. Some think it was penned long after Salomons Marriage with Pharaohs daughter, by comparing 1 King. 7. 34. with Cant. 7. 4. It consists of eight Chapters, and perpetual Dialogues.

The Jews had this Book in such reverence and account, that before thirty years of age none would study it.

The best Expositors are Mercer, Brightman, Ainsworth, Doctor Gouge, Fenner.

This Book which treats of that Spiritual and Heavenly Fellowship the sanctified soul hath with Christ, cannot be throughly understood in the true life of it, but by those that are sanctified.

4. Prophetical Books.

The Greater Prophets four, Isaiah, Ieremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel.

The Lesser Prophets twelve, Hosea, Ioel, Amos, Obadiah, Ionah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephany, Haggai, Zachary, Malachi.

Grotius orders them thus: Hosea, Ioel, Amos, Obadiah, Ionah, Isaiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephany, Daniel, Ieremiah, Ezekiel, Haggai, Zachary, Malachi.

They are called Prophetical Books, because they were written by Prophets, by Gods Commandment; Prophets were distinguished by the Temples, some were Prophetae priores, those of the first Temple; others Posteriores, of the latter Temple.

Isaiah] Is placed first, not because he is more Ancient then all the rest; for some say, that Ionah ddLearned men conclude from 2 King. 13. 25. that Ionah prophesied first of all the sixteen Prophets. D^r Hill in a Sermon on the Lord of hosts. Isaiah prophesied 60 years, saith Alsted, 96 saith Cornelius a Lapide. He prophesied with elegancy, alacrity, fidelity, variety.2 Kgs 13:25and Amos were before him in time, others that Hosea was before him, for Isaiahs beginning was in the dayes of Uzziah. Now Hosea was in the dayes of Ieroboam, and Ieroboam was before Uzziah. This M^r Burroughs saith is one reason, why though he intends to go over the whole prophetical Books, yet he rather pitcheth upon Hosea first, because indeed he was the first Prophet, but Isaiah eeJeshagneia, quasi dicas, salus Domini vel Dei, quòd prae caeteris plenus sit vivificarum consolationum. Non tam Propheta dicendus …it, quam Evangelista. Hieron. praefat. in Isa. Quicquid de Physicis, Ethicis, Logicis, & quicquid de sanctarum Scripturarum mysteriis potest humana lingua, mortalium sensus accipere, complexus est summa prae caeteris Prophetis venustate sermonis, & urbanae dictionis elegantia. Hieron. Isaias, quem ex regia ortum familia novistis, tanta eloquentia librum suum contexuit, ut omnes Latinos Graecosve oratores longo post se intervallo relinquat. Waser. i… praef. ad Grammaticam Syram. Vide plura ib. I… sermone suo discrtus est, quippe vir nobilis & urbanae eloquentiae, nec habens quicquam in eloquio rusticitatis admixtum. Unde accidit ut prae caeteris, florem sermonis ejus, translatio non potuerit conservare. Ita universa Christi Ecclesiaeque Mysteria ad liquidum prosecutus est, ut non putes eum de futuro vaticinari, sed de praeteritis historiam texere. Hieron. praefat. Inter cos vates, qui de Messia scripsere, perquam disertus est Isaias: oratio ejus erudita ubique, & majestatis plena, facilè ostendit, qua esset natus origine. Vir enim nobilissimus, & principum consanguinitate clarus, artes omnes scientiasque didicerat, quibus ingenia ad magnae fortunae cultum excitantur. Liber autem ejus non tam vaticinia continere, quam Evangelia videtur. Res esse pridem gost as, non futuras, putes Canaeus de Repub. Heb l. 3. c. 7. Admirabiles omnes in scribendo Prophetae sunt, & parem meriti fidem: sed eminet in Isaia sublime quiddam ingeniosum, vehemens, urbanum, quod majore voluptate, admirationéque lectorem teneat. Maldonat. in Joh. 1.John 1was rather set first for the Dignity of the Prophetical Oracles which he explains, and because his Prophecy is longer then all the rest. He is eloquent in his speech, being a Noble man, therefore the translation can hardly expresse his elegancy. He brings so many and such evident Testimonies of the Coming, Incarnation, Miracles, Preaching, Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, that he seems rather to write a History of things past, then to prophesie of things to come, and one cals him the fifth Evangelist. Hence (saith Senensis) our Lord Jesus Christ made choice of this among all the Prophets, first of all to read publickly, and expound in the Synagogue of his own Countrey; and in the New Testament, he is oftner cited, then all the rest of the Prophets. He began to prophesie in the year 3160, seven hundred years before Christ was born, Uzziah the King of Iudah yet reigning, and came to the last times of Hezekiah, Isa. 1. 1. and 39. 3. therefore he was almost contemporary with Hosea, Amos and Micah, and finished the course of his life under four Kings of Iudah, viz. Uzziah, Iothan, Achaz and Hezekiah: The Hebrews p. 38say, he was of the Blood-Royal, and that he was sawed to death with a wooden saw by Manasseh an idolatrous King, after he taught sixty years. His Prophecy consists of sixty six Chapters.

The best Expositors of it are Calvin, Scultetus, Forerius, Mollerus.Lodov. de Tena. Iirmijah celsitudo, vel excelsus Domini, quod magnalia Dei animo magno atque forti docuerit. Or Ramah Iah, the reject of the Lord, so he was in regard of his condition. Ieremiae omnis majestas posita in verborum neglectu est. Adeo illam decet rustica dictio. Cunaeus de Repub. Heb. l. 3. c. 7. Simplicitas cloqui…, à loco ei in quo natus est, a…ci…. Fuit enim Anathotites, qui est usque …odiè viculus tribus ab Hicrosolymis distans milibus. Hieron. Praefat. in Hi…r.

Ieremiah] This Book was alwayes esteemed as Canonical, and written by Ieremiah. He prophesied under Iosiah, Iehoahaz, Ioachim and Zedekiah. His Prophecy consists of fifty two Chapters.

He prophesied partly in the Land of Iudea, and partly in the Land of Egypt. In the Land of Iudea he prophesied 41 years, and afterward four years in Egypt. See Iackson on Ier. 7. 16. p. 4, 5.

The best Expositors of it are Bullinger, Polanus.

Lamentations] It is called in Hebrew Echa, i. Quomodo, because it begins with this word; The LXX translate it foreign, i. e. Lamentationes vel fletus, for the Subject or Matter of it. It contains sad and mourning complaints of the state of the Commonwealth of Israel, into which it fell after the death of Iosiah. It consists of five Chapters.Jer. 14. 1. 7. and 31. 17.Jer 14:1Jer 14:7Jer 31:17

Nazianzen the Great never read this Book but he wept abundantly.

Ieremiah is thought to be the Author of it. This was the last Prophet that the Lord sent to Iudah before the Captivity. He was the fittest man to write a Book of Lamentations, he had seen the City besieged, stormed and sired, the Temple destroyed, great out-rage and cruelty committed.

The best Expositors of it are Peter Martyr and Udal.

Ezekiel ffIechezkel …ortitudo sive robur Dei. Stylus ejus nec satis disertus, nec admodum rusticus est, sed ex utroque temperatus. Senensis. Sermo ejus nec satis disertus, nec admodum rusticus est, sed ex utroque mediè temperatus: Sac…rdos & ipse fuit, ficut Hicremias: Principia voluminis, & finem magnis habens obscuritatibus involuta. Hieron. Praef. in Hier.] Signifieth The strength of God, or One strengthned by God. He prophesied at the same time with Ieremiah; Ezekiel in the City of Babylon, Ieremiah at Ierusalem. It consists of eight and fourty Chapters.

The best Expositors of it are Iunius, Polanus and Villalpandus.

This Prophecy is full of Majesty, obscurity, and difficulty. Calvin spent his last breath on this Prophet.

Daniel] He wrote his Prophecy after the Captivity, Chap. 1. 21. and 10. 1. whileDei judicium ad cujus exactam cognitionem necessaria est multiplex Chaldaeorum, Graecorum & …atinorum historia. Hieronymus. the visions are general, and not dangerous to the Jews, Daniel writeth in the Syriack tongue, general over the East, from Chap. 2. v. 4. **Broughton on Dan. 1. 4. Danielem Hebraei Prophetis non adscribunt, non magis quam Davidem, non quòd non mult… eximia praelixerint, sed quia vitae genus Propheticum non s…ct abantur, sed alter Rex erat, alter satrapa. In Graeco codice praecedunt Prophetae minores, sequuntur majores, & in his Daniel, Grotius. Vaticinandi virtute nemo prae Dani…le est, docet enim quo tempore sit venturus M…ssi…s, & regum edisserit sequentium series, annosque numerat; & ne quid dosit, etiam praenuntia addit signa. Quae omnia ejusmodi sunt, uti Porphyrius, cui studium fuit ista …ludere, nesciverit quo se verteret, quippe arguebat eum manifesta rerum fid…s: igitur ad calumniandum redactus est. Cunaeus de Repub. Heb. l. 3. c. 7. Vide plura ibid.Dan 1:4to the eighth Chapter.

All the Chapters in Daniel from Chap. 2. 4. to the beginning of the eight, are written in the Chaldee tongue, and from the beginning of that Chapter to the end of the Book, he writeth in Hebrew; for the affairs that fell under the Chaldean Monarchy▪ he registred in the Chaldee Tongue: when the Kingdom was destroyed, he wrote in his own native tongue, the Hebrew. M^r Lightfoot.

But when the oppressors are named the Medes, and the Jews plainly described to be the people whom God defendeth, then in the eighth Chapter, and all after he writeth in Hebrew, and hath a Commandment to keep close to the plain exposition in Chap. 1 2. 4. Some reckon Daniel among the Prophets, but the Jews place it amongAll the Prophets had not so many visions of providential alterations as he. the Hagiographa. It consists of twelve Chapters, the six first of which contain matters Historical, the six last Prophetical.

The best Expositors of it are Polanus, Iunius, Willet, Broughton, Huit.

The Latines give the first place to the greater Prophets, the Greeks to the p. 39lesser, because there are many among them very Ancient. Grotius.

The twelve lesser Prophets are so called, because their Writings are briefer thenProphetae postr…mi in u… librum conj… cti fu…r…, n… parvitate … distra…erentu…, aut perirent. Hinc capiendum illud Act. 7. 42. in libro Prophetarum, id est, Prophetarum minorum, nempe Amos 5. 25. Buxtorfij Tiberias cap. 11.Acts 7:42Amos 5:25 the four first greater; the Hebrews have them all in one Book; the later Prophets spake more plainly, precisely, and distinctly, touching the coming of the Messiah, then the former Daneus, Gualter, Ribera, Tarnovius and Drusius have done best on all the small Prophets; Mercer and Livelie have done well on the five first of them.

Hosea ggIn the order of the twelve Prophets all give the chief place to Hosea, the Hebrews make Ioel the next to it, Amos the third, Obadiah the fourth, Ionah the fifth, Micah the sixth, Nahum the seventh, Habakkuk the eighth, Zephany the ninth, Haggai the tenth, Zachary the eleventh, Malachi the twelfth. But the Septuagint make Amos the next to Hosea, Micah, the third, Ioel the fourth, Obadiah the fifth, Ionah the sixth, the seventh Nahum, the eighth Habakkuk, the ninth Zephany, the tenth Haggai, the eleventh Zachary▪ the twelfth Malachi, Drus. observ Sac. 1. 5. c 24. Non est idem or do duodecim Prophetarum apud Hebr os, qui est apud no… Osee commati…us est, & quasi per sententias loquens. Iohel planus in principiis, in …ine obscurior & usque ad Malachiam habent singuli propri…tates suas. Hieron. Praefat. in Duod. Proph.] Is the first among them, whose Prophecy although it consist of more Chapters then Daniel, yet the other is more prolix. Hosheang noteth Salvator Saviour; he is therefore so called, because he published Salvation to the house of Iudah, and spake of the Saviour of the world, and was a Type of Christ our Saviour; He prophesied before the Babylonish Captivity; in the time of King Ieroboam, under four Kings of Iudah, Uzziah, Iotham, Achaz and Hezekiah, and was contemporary (as some say) with Ionah, 2 Kin. 14. 26. Isaiah, Isa. 1. 1. Amos 1. 1. and Mic. 1. 1. all which prophesied destruction to the Kingdome of Israel: It consists of fourteen Chapters.

The best Expositors of it are Zanchius, Tremelius, Paraeus, Rivet and Livelie. Diu vixit Osee, & Prophetam egit, ut volunt Hebraei, per annos 90 ita multos habuit Prophetas foreign, ut Isaiam, Ioelem, Amosum, Abdiam, Ionam, Mich…am, ut notat Hieronymus.

Ioel] He prophesied in the time of Hezekiah; it consists of three Chapters, which contain partly exhortation to repentance; and partly comfort to the penitent.

Danaeus, Paraeus, Drusius and Livelie are the best Expositors of it.

Amos] Of a Shepherd he was made a Prophet, Chap. 1. 1. and 7. 14. He was contemporaryGnamos, on…s, because he is a vehement Prophet which denounceth a hard burden, that is, most grievous punishment to the people for their impiety. to Isaiah and Hosea. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Israel, or the ten Tribes, Chap. 1. 1. and 3. 1. and 4. 1. and 5. 1. He utters a few things concerning the Kingdom of Iudah, chap. 2 4. and 6. 1.

It consists of nine Chapters, Danaeus, Paraeus, Livelie and Drusius are the best Interpreters of it; D^r Bensi…ld hath done well on two Chapters.

Obadiah hhGnobadeiah servus Dei, a Minister of God. Ieremy 49 Chapter, and Ezek. 25. took many things out of this Prophecie.Jer 49Ezek 25] He was almost contemporary to Ieremiah. It is but one Chapter. D. Rainold… hath well expounded this Prophecy. The destruction of the enemies of the Church is handled in the sixteen first verses, the Salvation thereof by the Ministery of Pastors in the five last.

Ionah iiColumba, quemodo dictus videtur a mansuetudine & facilitate morum. Ionas ordine quintus numeratur inter duod…im Prophetas qui minores vocantur; tempore verò illis omnibus prior & ani…quior fuit. Id 2 R…g. 14. 25. liquet, ex co quod de pace & salute Israelitarum sub Ieroboamo futura vati…inatus est, antequam calamitosam corum captivitatem denunciasset Oseas & Amos, cum Isaia. Itaquo temporis ratione eum primo loco collocari oportuit. Livelius in Aunotat. in Ion.] He prophesied in the time of Ieroboam, 2 King. 14. 25. Ierom proves by the authority of the Hebrews that he was contemporary with Hosea and Amos. It consists of four Chapters. Abbot and King have both commented well in English on this Prophecy.

Micah] Humiliatus, sic dictus Propheta ab insigni & miranda humilitate. He prophesied in the times of Iotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah Kings of Iudah, as appears by p. 40the inscription, Chap. 1. 1. and was almost contemporary with Isaiah, with whom he agreeth in many things. He exceeds all the Prophets in this one thing, that he determines the place of Christs Birth, Chap. 5. 2.

It consists of seven Chapters. Danaeus and Chythraeus have done well on it.

Nahum kkNomen Hebraeum Nacum significat & poenitentiae Doctorem & consolatorem, quo utroque munere is defunctus est, illo erga Ninevitas hoc erga Iudaeos. Waltherus in offi…ina Biblica.] It is probable that he lived before the Babylonish Captivity, and was contemporary to Micah, but ninety years after Ionah. It consists of three Chapters, which contain both a prediction of the destruction of the Assyrians, ch. 1. and also an Explication of the causes of it, Chap. 2. and 3.

Danaeus is the best Expositor of this Book: The Hebrews think that both Nahum and Habakkuk wrote in the times of Manasseh. Both the order in which these Books were anciently placed, and the things themselves which are contained in their writings do intimate as much. Grotius.

Habakkuk. Luctator.

It is probable that he lived about Ieremiahs time, or a little before.

It consists of three Chapters. Grinaeus and Danaeus have done well on him.

Zephany llTsphan…iah Secretarius vel speculator Domini.] He prophesied in the times of Iosiah King of Iudah, and was contemporary to Ieremiah. He prophesieth especially of the overthrow of the Kingdome of Iudah.

It consists of three Chapters. Danaeus hath done well on this Prophecy.

Haggai mmHe excites and earnestly exhorts the people to the restoring of the Temple.] Chag signifieth a Feast in Hebrew, his name signifieth Festivus & laetus, aut festum celebrans, vel diligens, quòd Templi Hierosolymitani aedificationem post Captivitatem maximè urserit.

He began to prophesie after the Babylonish Captivity in the second year of Darius King of Persia, Ezr. 5. 1. Hag. 1. 1.

Grinaeus and Danaeus have done well on this.

Zachary nnZechareiah memoria Domini, sortassis quiae per ipsum Deus sui memoriam populo suo refricare voluerit, & testari seipsum quoque meminisse ejusdem, aut quia & ipse Domino charus extitit, & quasi in recenti memoria.] He prophesied after the Babylonish Captivity, and followed Haggai within two moneths; he handleth the same subject, it consists of fourteen Chapters. His Book is more large and obscure then any of the twelve Prophets.

Danaeus hath done well on the whole, and M^r Pemble on nine Chapters.

Malachi] Nuncius seu Angelus meus, Mal. 4. 4, 5, He was the last Prophet of the Old Testament. See Grotius of him. Tertullian cals him the Limit and Landmark of both Testaments, Limes inter vetus & Novum Testamentum.

It consists of four Chapters: Danaeus, and Polanus, and Stock have commented well on this Book.

So much concerning the several Books of the Old Testament.