The Christian Synagogue, Title page – Dedication
THE CHRISTIAN Synagogue
Wherein is contained the diverse Reading, The right Poynting, Translation, and Collation of Scripture with Scripture.
With the Customes of the Hebrewes and Proselytes, and of all those Nations, with whom they were conversant.
Digested into three Bookes.
The First, shewing the meanes both inward and outward, to attaine to the knowledge of the Sense of the whole Scripture.
The Second, vnfolding the true sense of the Scripture it selfe, as also teaching the right way of gathering Doctrines from any Text of Scripture.
The Third, teaching the true manner of Confirmation, Illustration, and Application of Doctrines, rightly gathered from the true Sense of Scripture.
Serving generally for a helpe to the vnderstanding of all, that desire to know and obey the vvill of God in holy Writ: But more specially for all young Students in Divinitie, that they may more easily vnderstand the Languages of Canaan, and Greece, and make a profitable vse of them in Preaching.
The second Edition, corrected, and amended.
By IOHN WEEMSE, of Lathoquar, in Scotland, Preacher of Christs Gospell.
Math. 25. 29.
foreign.
Revel. 1. 3.
Blessed is he who readeth &c.
LONDON, Printed by I. D. for Iohn Bellamie, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the two Grey-hounds in Cornehill, neare the Royall Exchange. 1623.
TO THE VERY NOBLE AND POTENT EARLE, THOMAS, Earle of MELROS, L. Byir's, and Binning, Praesident of the Colledge of Iustice; Principall Secretary to his MAIESTIE of Scotland, and one of his MAIESTIES Privie Councell in both Kingdomes.
Right Honorable,
THE auncient Jewes Talmud l. Iuch…sin. Folio. 13.testifie, that there were three Crownes, which made ISRAELL renowmed: The first was the Crowne of the Law; the second, the Crowne of the King; the third, the Crowne of the Priest: And of those three Crownes, they say, that the Crowne of the Law was most glorious; because Pro. 8. 15, 16. it is said, By me Princes Raigne. It was this Law of God, which David made his Counsellour, aPsal. 119.In the morning when he rose, and at night when he went to bed. It was this Law which made not onelyonly Kings and Princes wise, but also States-men and Counsellours: as bEsa. 22. 20Eliacim the Chancelour, c…er. 38. 7.Ebed-melech the Aethiopian (King Zedekiah's Courtier) dTit. 3. 13.Zenas the Lawyer, eCol. 4. 14.Luke the Physitian, fAct. 17. 34Dionysius Areopagita the Philosopher. So that, from him that sits vponupon the Throne, gDeut. 29. 11.to him who hewes the wood, and drawes the water, (that is, from the highest to the basest) this Law should ever be their director.
The Scriptures of God, hauehave beene directed to divers sorts of persons, both noble and base: Luke Dedicated his Gospell, and Acts of Luke 1. 1. Act. 1. 1.the Apostles to noble Theophilus: Iohn dedicated his second Epistle to the Elect Ladie: and his third Epistle to his Hoste Caius, a meane man, … Ioh. 1 1.but yet a good Christian. Some make choyce of Patrons onelyonly for Nobilitie, but hauehave no respect of vertue, then it were better to chuse such a Patron as Caius…: but where Nobilitie is grac'd with vertue, such a man is a most fit Patron, as Theophilus. Now because I find both those combin'd in your Lordship, I am bold to put these my latter gleanings vnderunder your Lordships Patrocinie.
A second reason, which moved me to offer these my travels to your Lordship, is this: I remembred that Apologue in the Talmud: Talmud Cholin. 62. 1.The grapes in Babell sent vponupon a time to the vine leaues in Iudaea, desiring them to come and overshadow them, otherwise the heate would consume them, and so neuer come to maturitie. Your Lordship knowes well the mythologie of this Apologue: If learning be not sheltred by those who are in eminent places: and if they cast not their shadow over it, it will soone perish: but where they favour it, then it prospers. If the spring be cold, then plants, herbs, and the blossome of the Trees wither; but where the influence is seasonable, then all things reviue: So where great men are averse to Learning, the spirits which otherwise could blossome, wither, and deay: but where it is vpholden by men of higher place, it is like a Fountaine of liuing water.Ioh. 4.
A third reason, which moved me to offer these my travels to your Lordship, is, your Lordships ingenuitie, who will cover such things as are said amisse here, (for who entreating of such Antiquities, and so diverse, will still touch the tru…h…) If any thing be said to the purpose, your Lordship will soone note it, who vnderstands matters of deeper insight then these are. For these and many moe reasons, and your Lordships vndeserved favour towards me. I offer most willingly these my travels to your Lordship, craving of God that you may continue like Eliacim, as a fastened nayle Isay 22. 23.in a sure place, to doe good in that place, which God and his Maiestie hauehave placed you in. I rest
Your Lordships, In all Christian duties, I. W. of Lathoquar.