Works

CHAP. VI.

THE last Verse of the fourth Chapter, told of prosanation of Religion or Idolatry, begun in the family of Cain in the days of Enoch: now the beginning of the sixth Chapter telleth of corruption crept into the family of Seth, the very Church itself; and this especially by their following the cursed example of Lamech. The Sons of of God, or the members of the Church, and progeny of Seth marrying carelessly and promiscuously, with the daughters of men, or brood of Cain: hence they also became fleshly, like Cain's race, they grew into a giant-like breed as well as that; and those great ones became tyrannical as well as the other: hence was the whole world over-spread with cruelty and rapine, and all manner of corruptions, so that the Lord passeth a decree upon it for destruction; but to Noah he giveth a promise of preservation, and the plat-form of an Ark, in which he and his should be preserved.

The dimensions of the Ark were such, as that it had contained 450000. square cubits within the walls of it, if it had risen in an exact square unto the top; but it sloping in the roof, like the roof of an house, till it came to be but a cubit broad in the ridge of it, did abate some good parcel of that sum, but how much is uncertain; should we allow 50000. cubits in the abatement, yet will the space be sufficient enough of capacity, to receive all the creatures, and all their provision that were laid in there. The building was three stories high, but of the stairs that rose from story to story, the Text is silent; in every story were partitions, not so many, as to seclude one kind of creature from another, for that was needless, there being no enmity betwixt them, whilst they were there, and it would have been the more troublesome to Noah to bring their provisions to them: but there were such partitions, as to divide betwixt beasts and their provisions in store; betwixt provisions and provisions, that by lying near together might receive damage. The door was in the side of the lowest story, and so it was under water all the time of the flood; but God by so special a providence had shut them in, that it leaked not. In what story every kind of creature had its lodging and habitation, is a matter undeterminable; how their excrements were conveyed out of the Ark, and water conveyed in, the Text hath concealed. All the creatures were so cicurated and of a tamed condition for this time, that they lived together, and dieted together without dissention: The wolf dwelt with the lamb, and the leopard lay down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion together; [as the Prophet alludeth this quietness in the Ark, to the tranquility and change of temper under the Gospel,] and Noah or any of his family might come among lions, dragons, serpents, and they had forgot the wildness and cruelty of their nature, and did not meddle with him. This shows that the enmity set betwixt the serpent and woman, is chiefly to be understood in a spiritual respect.

Now for the time of the lasting of the Flood, it was betwixt Noah's going into the Ark and his coming out, a just and complete year of the sun; for the better viewing and observing of which, it may not be amiss to take it up in a Kalendar of the year, as it then ran.

CHAP. VIII. From Verse 13. to the end.

NOW is begun a new year of the world; namely the year 1657. and on the first day of Tisri, the waters are clean gone from off the earth, and on the 27th day of Marhesvan, the earth is clean dry, and Noah cometh that day out of the Ark. He staid a month and sixteen days after the waters were quite gone, that the earth which was moist, soft, and muddy, with so long a flood, might be hardened and dried: and thus hath he been in the Ark a just complete year of the sun.

His coming out was about the beginning of November, when winter was already come, and no provision then to be had for the beasts till the next spring, but what they had out of the Ark. Noah instantly after his coming out of the Ark buildeth an Altar, and offereth the odd clean beasts, that he had taken in of every kind for that purpose; and the Lord accepteth him, and promiseth never to destroy the world with water again: and thus as the old world, so also this new beginneth with Sacrifice.

CHAP. IX.

AS God had blessed Adam and his wife at their creation, with the blessing of increase and multiplication, and of dominion over the creatures; so doth he Noah and his sons at their going forth of the Ark: but with this difference in the last, That whereas Adam in innocence had rule over the creatures with amity and love, sin did now put such a difference, that Noah must have it with fear and dread. And whereas he had restrained Adam from eating of flesh, and consined his diet to the fruit of the ground; he enlargeth Noah to feed upon beasts, and alloweth them for the sustentation of his life, for he had been the preserver of theirs. This was that, that his father Lamech had foretold by the spirit of prophecy, when he was born; namely, That he should comfort them concerning their labor and toil, which they had, when they might eat nothing but the fruits of the ground, which cost them hard labor in the tillage and culture to get them: but Noah should be a comfort, in reference to this, because to him, and in him to all the world, God would give liberty to eat flesh. But with the flesh, God permitteth him not to eat the blood; partly for avoiding of cruelty, and partly, because blood was to be atonement for sin. And this prohibition of eating blood to Noah now, and afterward renewed to Israel, was, because of that custom which God foresaw would grow; and which in the time of Israel was grown common of eating flesh raw: as appeareth, 1 Sam. 14. 32. And by the prohibition of eating the Paschal Lamb: so Exod. 12. 9. This very law of not eating the flesh with the blood, confuteth the Doctrine of Transubstantiation, [or the eating of the very flesh and blood of Christ] to all the world.

The Rain-bow, which naturally is a sign of rain, is sacramentally made a sign of no more destruction by it.

The drunkenness of Noah was at some good space after the flood, but the very time uncertain: for Canaan who was not born of some years after they came out of the Ark, is then active and of capacity, and is doomed to slavery and subjection: his land bequeathed to Sem, and the calling of the Gentiles prophesied of.

The death of Noah is mentioned in the end of this Chapter, because Moses would totally conclude his story; but as it may be seen in the ensuing Table, he died not till within two years of Abraham's birth.

CHAP. X.

SEventy heads of Nations grown from the three sons of Noah by the time of confusion of Tongues: These became not seventy several languages then, though they were so many Nations, for it is undoubted that divers Nations joined in one language: as, Ashur, Arphaxad, and Aram in the Chaldee; and the most, if not all the sons of Canaan in one Tongue. When the most High divided the Nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people, according to the number of the children of Israel, Deut. 32. 8. With this 10 of Genesis read 1 Chron. 1. from Vers. 5. to Vers. 24.

CHAP. XI.

HEathenism beginneth at Babel; when the Hebrew Tongue is lost to all the world, but only to one family: in that Tongue alone was God preached, and the doctrine of salvation published, and when that is lost, Religion is lost with it, and all the earth become strangers to God, and closed up in blindness and superstition: and in this estate did it continue for the space of 2203. years, till the gift of Tongues at Zion began to recure the confusion of Tongues at Babel: and the Heathens thereby were so far brought into the true Religion, that even Babel itself was among those that knew the Lord, Psal. 87. 4. and a Church there elect, as well as the Jews, 1 Pet. 5. 13.

With this latter part of the eleventh of Genesis, read 1 Chron. 1. Vers. 24, 25, 26, 27.

Sem in the very front of the generations of the new world, standeth without mention of father or mother, beginning of days, or end of life: as Heb. 7. 3. The age of man was shortened at the confusion of Babel, for Peleg and those born after him live not above half the time of those born before. He dieth the first of all this line, to show God's dislike of that rebellion, which befell in the year of his birth. Nahor dieth the next year after him, having lived a shorter life then he, to show the like displeasure against the Idolatry, which was begun in that line also. Terah at seventy years old hath his son Haran; and Abraham is born to him when he is an hundred and thirty: this appeareth by casting Abram's age when he departs out of Haran to go for Canaan after his fathers death. Men frame intricacies and doubts to themselves here, where the Text is plain, if it be not wrested. God in Ur of the Chaldees calleth Abram out of his Idolatry, and out of that Idolatrous Country where he had caught it, to leave his Country and kindred, and to go for a Land, that he would show him, Acts 7. 2. Abram leaveth his Idolatry and embraceth this call, and so also doth his father Terah, [and therefore the conduct of the journey is ascribed to him for honors sake, Gen. 11. 31.] and they depart from Ur and go to Haran, and there they dwell, and there at last Terah dieth. After his death God giveth Abram another call, to leave his Country, kindred, and fathers house too now, and to follow him whither he calls him: and so he did, and he was seventy and five years old when he departs from Haran. Now taking seventy and five out of two hundred and five years of Terah, at which age he died, it is apparent that Abram was born to Terah when he was a hundred and thirty years old, and therefore must that passage, Verse 26. And Terah lived seventy years and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran, be understood that he begat one of these; as the like expression is, Chap. 5. 32. Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begat Sem, Ham and Japheth: Haran was Terah’s eldest son, though named last, as Japheth was Noah's: Abram is named first, because of his dignity, and because the story was to fall upon him: And so is it with Sem in that place.

CHAP. XII. XIII. XIV. XV.

[World 2083] [Sem 525] [Arphaxad 425] [Salah 390] [Eber 360] [Abram 75] THE PROMISE given to Abram in Haran, after [Abram 76] his fathers death: On the 15 day of the month [Abram 77] Abib or Nisan, Exod. 12. 41. He journyeth that Spring into [Abram 78] the land of Canaan, and at or near [Abram 79] mount Gerizim and mount Ebal, he buildeth two Altars, and taketh possession [Abram 80] of the land by faith. Famine driveth him into Egypt, [Abram 81] where the Blackmoor Egyptians are soon aware of the [Abram 82] beauty of Sarai, a white woman; and she is taken into [Abram 83] Pharaohs house, but redeemed by the Lord himself, plaguing the Egyptians: A type of things to come upon her posterity, and upon the Egyptians for their sake. Abram returning [Sem 534] [Arphaxad 434] [Salah 399] [Eber 369] [Abram 84] out of Egypt into Canaan again, riches suffer not Lot and him to dwell together in unity: they part asunder in the valley of Achor, and Lot separateth from Abram's family, and chooseth residence among the Sodomites, to his own danger and detriment: when he is parted, Abram hath a full promise of the land, and thereupon flits his habitation to Hebron, a place of singular eminency in time to come.

Then Abram that hitherto had the land by promise, hath it now by victory: For Kedorlaomer of Elam the eldest son of Sem, and so heir apparent to Canaan in Noah's prophecy, being now in the fourteenth year of his reign over the Country; and being provoked by the rebellion of the five Cities in the plain of Jordan, he bringeth three Kings more with him, and conquereth all the Canaanites both without and within Jordan: as, first the Rephaims under Lebanon; the Zuzims in Amon; the Emims in Moab; the Horims or Hivites, in the caves of Edom; and all the Canaanites in Hazezon Tamar, at the point of the dead Sea. Then turn they into the land within Jordan, and as they had subdued all the Countries from North to South without; so now they do the like from South to North within: but when they were come with all their spoil to the out-going of the land, upon the North border Abram over-takes them; and so their victories are become his. Sem or Melchizedek observeth this dispensation of God, and his devolving the land by so special a providence upon Abram; and therefore he meets him in his return, with bread and wine, as a King; and with a blessing as a Priest; and passeth the possession of the land, and of the blessing upon him.

Afterwards Abram hath the promise of an heir out of his own loins; God maketh a covenant with him by sacrifice; passing in the appearance of fire between the parts of the slain beasts, and consuming them: four hundred years affliction, and sojourning of his seed, are foretold.

CHAP. XVI.

[World 2093] [Sem 535] [Arphaxad 435] [Salah 400] [Eber 370] [Abram 85] ABRAM marrieth Hagar, that he might compass the promise of having a son of his own body; he being not yet informed whither by Sarai or no: Hagar through Sarai's harsh dealing is forced to return towards her own Country; but by the way, seeth the God of vision, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , and by him is instructed concerning the condition and name of the son in her womb, and is sent back to Sarai again.

[World 2094] [Sem 536] [Arphaxad 436] [Salah 401] [Eber 371] [Abram 86] ISMAEL born; the son of the bondwoman; [Abram 87] [Ishmael 1] born in the very latter end of Abram's eighty sixth year.

[World 2096] [Sem 538] [Arphaxad 438] [Salah 403] [Eber 373] [Abram 88] [Ishmael 2] ARPHAXAD dieth, 438. years old, read Gen. [Abram 89] [Ishmael 3] 11. 11, 13. It is now 440. years since the flood, for [Abram 90] [Ishmael 4] Arphaxad was born but two years after it. The Septuagint [Abram 91] [Ishmael 5] makes him the father of Cainan, which never was in being; and yet is that followed by Saint Luke, Chap. 3. 36. for special reason. There be that suppose the Chasdim [Abram 92] [Ishmael 6] or Chaldeans took their denomination from the last letters [Abram 93] [Ishmael 7] [Abram 94] [Ishmael 8] of Arphaxads name, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : and this hath the more probability, [Abram 95] [Ishmael 9] because they are so called Chasdim, Gen. 15. 7. before [Abram 96] [Ishmael 10] Chesed, which otherwise might have seemed to have given [Abram 97] [Ishmael 11] [Abram 98] [Ishmael 12] them their denomination, was born, Gen. 22. 22.

CHAP. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX.

[World 2107] [Sem 549] [Salah 414] [Eber 384] [Abram 99] [Ishmael 13] IN this year these several occurrences came to pass: Circumcision was instituted in the month Abib or Nisan, and instituted in Hebron; In which very place, and at which time of the year, John the Baptist is born, who brought in Baptism instead of Circumcision. Abram and Sarai have their names changed at the institution of Circumcision; and Isaac is named before he is conceived. Some three months after this, the three Persons in the Trinity dine with Abraham, and foretell the birth of Isaac again.

The Son and the Holy Ghost go down to Sodom, but the first Person in the Trinity stayeth with Abraham, and condescendeth to his prayer as long as he asketh.

Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboim, destroyed with fire and brimstone: Lot escapeth, but loseth two of his daughters in the flames, and his wife by lightning: his other two daughters help to undo him.

Abraham denieth Sarah again; the son of the promise being now in her womb, but she not yet to be discovered to be with child.

CHAP. XXI.

[World 2108] [Sem 550] [Salah 415] [Eber 385] [Abram 100] [Ishmael 14] ISAAC born the son of the promise: Abraham in [Abram 101] [Ishmael 15] [Isaac 1] the supernatural birth of Isaac, fore-saw the supernatural [Abram 102] [Ishmael 16] [Isaac 2] birth of Christ, and rejoiced. Isaac was not so [Abram 103] [Ishmael 17] [Isaac 3] named Laughter, only because of Abraham's joy for him, [Abram 104] [Ishmael 18] [Isaac 4] but also for his joy in Christ, John 8. 56. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it, and was glad.

[World 2113] [Sem 555] [Salah 420] [Eber 390] [Abram 105] [Ishmael 19] [Isaac 5] ISMAEL mocketh; Hagar, and he is cast out of [Abram 106] [Ishmael 20] [Isaac 6] Abraham's family. From hence begin the 400 years [Abram 107] [Ishmael 21] [Isaac 7] mentioned Chap. 15. 13. Abimelech and Abraham make a [Abram 108] [Ishmael 22] [Isaac 8] league, &c. God had foretold Abraham of the Egyptian [Abram 109] [Ishmael 23] [Isaac 9] affliction, and his affliction beginneth first by an Egyptian, [Abram 110] [Ishmael 24] [Isaac 10] namely by Hagar and her son. There is mention of [Abram 111] [Ishmael 25] [Isaac 11] a double space of his seeds, sojourning in a land not [Abram 112] [Ishmael 26] [Isaac 12] theirs; viz. 400 years, Chap. 15. 13. which was from [Abram 113] [Ishmael 27] [Isaac 13] Ishmael's mocking, to their delivery out of Egypt; and [Abram 114] [Ishmael 28] [Isaac 14] 430 years, Exod. 12. 40. which was from the promise [Abram 115] [Ishmael 29] [Isaac 15] given to Abram, Gen. 17. 1. to their delivery, Gal. 3. 17. [Abram 116] [Ishmael 30] [Isaac 16] Abraham consecrateth a grove at Beersheba, that he [Abram 117] [Ishmael 31] [Isaac 17] might have hallowed wood for his sacrifices, as well as holy fire; see Chap. 21. 7. he had had fire from heaven at some time upon his sacrifice, and he preserved it.

[World 2126] [Sem 568] [Salah 433] [Eber 403] [Abram 118] [Ishmael 32] [Isaac 18] SALAH or Shelah dieth, being 433 years old, read Gen. 11. 14, 15.

[Abram 119] [Ishmael 33] [Isaac 19] There is a good space of time passed over in silence [Abram 120] [Ishmael 34] [Isaac 20] concerning Isaac; for from the time of Ishmael's mocking, [Abram 121] [Ishmael 35] [Isaac 21] which was at his fifth year, till the time of his offering [Abram 122] [Ishmael 36] [Isaac 22] up in a figure, which was at his thirty third, as [Abram 123] [Ishmael 37] [Isaac 23] may be conceived; there is no mention of him: for as [Abram 124] [Ishmael 38] [Isaac 24] yet the story most especially followeth the Acts of Abraham. [Abram 125] [Ishmael 39] [Isaac 25] Now it is very likely, that as the offering up of [Abram 126] [Ishmael 40] [Isaac 26] Isaac was so plain and perfect a figure of the offering up [Abram 127] [Ishmael 41] [Isaac 27] of Christ, in other things, so also that these two things, the Type and Antitype did agree in the time; and that Isaac was offered when he was two and thirty years and an half old, or three and thirty current: which was the age [Abraham 128] [Ishmael 42] [Isaac 28] of our Savior when he was crucified. And the like concurrence [Abraham 129] [Ishmael 43] [Isaac 29] and circumstance of the time, may be also well [Abraham 130] [Ishmael 44] [Isaac 30] conceived of Abel at his death; who murdered by his brother, [Abraham 131] [Ishmael 45] [Isaac 31] typified the same thing that Isaac did, sacrificed by [Abraham 132] [Ishmael 46] [Isaac 32] his father.

CHAP. XXII.

[Abraham 133] [Ishmael 47] [Isaac 33] ISAAC probably offered up this year: The mount Moriah, [Abraham 134] [Ishmael 48] [Isaac 34] Ver. 2. the third day, Ver. 4. His first bearing the [Abraham 135] [Ishmael 49] [Isaac 35] wood, and then the wood bearing him, Vers. 6, 9. His [Abraham 136] [Ishmael 50] [Isaac 36] being bound hand and foot, Vers. 9. do call us to remember such circumstances in the death of Christ.

CHAP. XXIII.

[World 2145] [Sem 587] [Eber 422] [Abraham 137] [Ishmael 51] [Isaac 37] SARAH dieth, being 127 years old; the only woman [Abraham 138] [Ishmael 52] [Isaac 38] whose age is recorded in Scripture: A burial place is [Abraham 139] [Ishmael 53] [Isaac 39] the first land that Abraham hath in Canaan.

CHAP. XXIV. & XXV. to Verse 7. and 1 CHRON. 1. Vers. 32, 33.

[World 2148] [Sem 590] [Eber 425] [Abraham 140] [Ishmael 54] [Isaac 40] ISAAC is married to Rebekah: Abraham after Sarah's [Abraham 141] [Ishmael 55] [Isaac 41] death marrieth Keturah, and hath divers children by [Abraham 142] [Ishmael 56] [Isaac 42] her; those children when they come to age, he sendeth [Abraham 143] [Ishmael 57] [Isaac 43] away into those countries beyond Jordan, and in Arabia, [Abraham 144] [Ishmael 58] [Isaac 44] which Kedarlaomer and the Kings with him had conquered; [Abraham 145] [Ishmael 59] [Isaac 45] and by the conquest of them, they descended to Abraham. [Abraham 146] [Ishmael 60] [Isaac 46] There these sons of his grow into Nations, and become continual [Abraham 147] [Ishmael 61] [Isaac 47] enemies to the seed of Israel. Though Abraham were [Abraham 148] [Ishmael 62] [Isaac 48] very old at Sarah's death, being 137 years old then; yet is [Abraham 149] [Ishmael 63] [Isaac 49] he not past the strength of generation, through the strength of that promise, I will multiply thee, &c. The greatest wonder of Isaac's birth was, that he was born of an old barren woman.

[World 2158] [Sem 600] [Eber 435] [Abraham 150] [Ishmael 64] [Isaac 50] SEM dieth; being 600 years old, read Gen. 11. 11. the [Abraham 151] [Ishmael 65] [Isaac 51] same was Melchizedek; the only man in the world greater [Abraham 152] [Ishmael 66] [Isaac 52] then Abraham: For though Eber and Arphaxad, and the [Abraham 153] [Ishmael 67] [Isaac 53] other Patriarchs, had this dignity above Abraham, that they [Abraham 154] [Ishmael 68] [Isaac 54] were his fathers; yet he was dignified above them all in [Abraham 155] [Ishmael 69] [Isaac 55] this, that he had the singular and glorious Promise made to [Abraham 156] [Ishmael 70] [Isaac 56] him, which was not made to any of them but only Sem: [Abraham 157] [Ishmael 71] [Isaac 57] Sem saw the two great miseries of the world, the Flood [Abraham 158] [Ishmael 72] [Isaac 58] and the confusion of Tongues; but he saw comfort in Abraham [Abraham 159] [Ishmael 73] [Isaac 59] and Isaac. He lived as many years after Abraham came into the land of Canaan, as Abraham was old when he came thither; namely, 75 years.

CHAP. XXV. Ver. 11. and from Ver. 19. to the end.

[World 2168] [Eber 445] [Abraham 160] [Ishmael 74] [Isaac 60] JACOB and Esau born; first he that was natural, [Abraham 161] [Ishmael 75] [Isaac 61] [Jacob 1] and then he that was spiritual: These children [Abraham 162] [Ishmael 75] [Isaac 61] [Jacob 2] strove in the womb, and Rebekah inquired after the [Abraham 163] [Ishmael 77] [Isaac 63] [Jacob 3] cause, and the Lord by an oracle, it is like by Abraham's [Abraham 164] [Ishmael 78] [Isaac 64] [Jacob 4] oracle at Beersheba, resolves her of the difference of the [Abraham 165] [Ishmael 79] [Isaac 65] [Jacob 5] children, and of the Nations that should descend of [Abraham 166] [Ishmael 80] [Isaac 66] [Jacob 6] them. Esau is born all hairy over like a kid, a strange [Abraham 167] [Ishmael 81] [Isaac 67] [Jacob 7] birth; and he is therefore named Esau, that is, Made: [Abraham 168] [Ishmael 82] [Isaac 68] [Jacob 8] for he had his beard and his pubes now even from the [Abraham 169] [Ishmael 83] [Isaac 69] [Jacob 9] birth, as if he had been a mature man. The story is [Abraham 170] [Ishmael 84] [Isaac 70] [Jacob 10] now to fall upon the acts of Isaac and Jacob, and therefore in this Chapter it concludes the story of Abraham and Ishmael, reckoneth up the term of their lives, and mentioneth their deaths by anticipation: the Reader [Abrah. 171] [Ishmael 85] [Isaac 71] [Jacob 11] will readily reduce the Texts that mention these, to [Abrah. 172] [Ishmael 86] [Isaac 72] [Jacob 12] their proper time; it is most usual in Scripture thus [Abrah. 173] [Ishmael 87] [Isaac 73] [Jacob 13] to do, in reckoning up men's ages: as, Genesis 5. and [Abrah. 174] [Ishmael 88] [Isaac 74] [Jacob 14] 11. &c.

ABRAHAM dieth; here read Gen. 25. verse. 7, 8, 9, 10. Isaac is of the very same age when Abraham dieth, that Abraham was when the Promise came to him, viz. seventy five years old. The Promise now is come upon Isaac.

EBER dieth; read Gen. 11. 17. He was the longest liver born since the Flood; the father of the Hebrews, and denominator of the Hebrew Tongue: Religion staid in his family, when all the world lost it beside; and he liveth to see it gloriously settled in the families of Abraham and Isaac.

CHAP. XXVI.

THE time that Esau sold his birth-right, and that Isaac went [Ishmael 98] [Isaac 84] [Jacob 24] to Gerar, are both undated, but it seemeth by [Ishmael 99] [Isaac 85] [Jacob 25] the Text that they were near together; and that the famine [Ishmael 100] [Isaac 86] [Jacob 26] that caused Esau to part with his birth-right, caused Isaac [Ishmael 101] [Isaac 87] [Jacob 27] to depart out of his own residence, to go elsewhere to seek [Ishmael 102] [Isaac 88] [Jacob 28] for sustenance. It appeareth that there was great scarcity of [Ishmael 103] [Isaac 89] [Jacob 29] victuals, when Jacob is brought to his lentil pottage, and [Ishmael 104] [Isaac 90] [Jacob 30] when Esau, if he got not some of these pottage, is like to [Ishmael 105] [Isaac 91] [Jacob 31] famish. Many precious things were wrapped up in the [Ishmael 106] [Isaac 92] [Jacob 32] birth-right: as, the Priority, the Promise, the Priest-hood, [Ishmael 107] [Isaac 93] [Jacob 33] and excellent privileges; and Esau for a mess of pottage [Ishmael 108] [Isaac 94] [Jacob 34] despiseth them all. Compare this with Adams losing his [Ishmael 109] [Isaac 95] [Jacob 35] own and his posterities happiness, for a morsel of meat. [Ishmael 110] [Isaac 96] [Jacob 36] Isaac as his father had done, denieth his wife: A Philistim [Ishmael 111] [Isaac 97] [Jacob 37] King showeth here more conscience then he; he prospereth [Ishmael 112] [Isaac 98] [Jacob 38] exceedingly in the land of the Philistines, to the envy of the [Ishmael 113] [Isaac 99] [Jacob 39] inhabitants there.

[World 2208] [Ishmael 114] [Isaac 100] [Jacob 40] ESAU marrieth Canaanitish wives; a vexation to his [Ishmael 115] [Isaac 101] [Jacob 41] holy parents; for this his impious Polygamy he is called a fornicator, [Ishmael 116] [Isaac 102] [Jacob 42] Heb. 12. 16. for Polygamy is called fornication [Ishmael 117] [Isaac 103] [Jacob 43] or whoredom, Hos. 4. 11. and upon this it seemeth that the Holy [Ishmael 118] [Isaac 104] [Jacob 44] Ghost giveth one of his wives the name of Adah, the wife [Ishmael 119] [Isaac 105] [Jacob 45] of the first Polygamist in the world: see Gen. 36. 2. and Gen. [Ishmael 120] [Isaac 106] [Jacob 46] 4. 19. Esau here lay under a double offense, namely for Polygamy, [Ishmael 121] [Isaac 107] [Jacob 47] and for marrying in the stock of cursed Canaan; [Ishmael 122] [Isaac 108] [Jacob 48] Polygamy in the men of the holy generation: as, Jacob, David [Ishmael 123] [Isaac 109] [Jacob 49] and Solomon, &c. was of a more tolerable nature, and [Ishmael 124] [Isaac 110] [Jacob 50] of more dispensableness; because they sought to multiply [Ishmael 125] [Isaac 111] [Jacob 51] the holy seed, which Esau was out of capacity to do.

[Ishmael 126] [Isaac 112] [Jacob 52] Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith the Lord? Yet I loved [Ishmael 127] [Isaac 113] [Jacob 53] Jacob, and hated Esau, Mal. 1. ver. 2, 3. What shall we say then? [Ishmael 128] [Isaac 114] [Jacob 54] Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith [Ishmael 129] [Isaac 115] [Jacob 55] to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I [Ishmael 130] [Isaac 116] [Jacob 56] will have compassion on whom I will have compassion, Rom. 9. [Ishmael 131] [Isaac 117] [Jacob 57] 14, 15. Both the Prophet and the Apostle do rather take [Ishmael 132] [Isaac 118] [Jacob 58] their example for election and reprobation in Jacob and [Ishmael 133] [Isaac 119] [Jacob 59] Esau, then in Cain and Abel, at the beginning of the old [Ishmael 134] [Isaac 120] [Jacob 60] world, or in Sem and Ham in the beginning of the new; [Ishmael 135] [Isaac 121] [Jacob 61] partly because the free acting and disposing of God is the [Ishmael 136] [Isaac 122] [Jacob 62] better shown, in the contrary disposal of these two that were known to be born at one birth; and partly, because in Jacob there began to be a distinguished people from all the world, and the foundation of a distinct visible Church laid: and partly since both were born of parents under the Promise, that the spiritual and temporal virtue of the Promise might be differenced.

ISMAEL dieth; 137 years old: here read Gen. 25. from verse 12. to verse 19. and 1 Chron. 1. verse 28, 29, 30, 31. There may be some argument that he was saved, though once he persecuted [World 2231] [Ishmael 137] [Isaac 123] [Jacob 63] and mocked, and was expelled Abraham's house: as Abraham's [Isaac 124] [Jacob 64] prayer for him, and God's promise towards him, Gen. 17. 18, 20. [Isaac 125] [Jacob 65] the reckoning of his age, and using the very same expression of his [Isaac 126] [Jacob 66] death, as are used of Abraham's; Esau going to marry in his stock, [Isaac 127] [Jacob 67] when his Canaanitish matches displeased his parents, &c. But howsoever [Isaac 128] [Jacob 68] it was with Ishmael himself in matter of piety, it is certain his [Isaac 129] [Jacob 69] posterity grew impious, and were constant enemies to Israel: they [Isaac 130] [Jacob 70] and the rest of the seed of Abraham by Keturah, lived together in [Isaac 131] [Jacob 71] Arabiah, and were brethren in evil. The Turks are held by some to [Isaac 132] [Jacob 72] be of the seed of Ishmael, and their using Circumcision is used as an [Isaac 133] [Jacob 73] argument to confirm it: but that may speak them as well, if not rather, [Isaac 134] [Jacob 74] the offspring of the Jews captivated into the Northern parts [Isaac 135] [Jacob 75] of the world, by Assyria and Babylon, and now increased into these [Isaac 136] [Jacob 76] vast multitudes; and poured out toward the western parts.

CHAP. XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX.

[World 2245] [Isaac 137] [Jacob 77] ISAAC is now come to that age at which his brother Ishmael died 14 years ago, namely 137 and it is not improbable that the thought of his death at that age, puts Isaac in mind of his own end; and he accordingly disposeth towards it by conveying of the blessing, and settling it upon one of his sons: his sending Esau to hunt for venision, that he might eat of his savoury meat, and his soul might bless him, was not because meat or drink would conduce for that spiritual purpose; but he puts him to this, that he might know whether he should bless him or no; for his missing of venison before had occasioned the loss of his birth-right, and if he missed of it now, it would be a sign to Isaac, that God would have him also to lose the blessing. And this Rebekah easily knew to be Isaac's mind, in sending Esau upon that employment, and she accordingly makes use of it, for the advantage of her beloved son Jacob; and Isaac likewise passeth some blessing upon Esau when he seeth him to have sped of a prey, because he saw that God would have him to have some blessing, according to the sign that Isaac had proposed to himself, Jacob in his eldest brothers garments obtains the blessing, the garments of the Priest-hood which belonged to the first born, and so were now kept by Rebecoah in Jacob's right.

Jacob upon fear of Esau's displeasure, fleeth to Haran; before he goeth he hath the blessing which he had stolen from his father, now confirmed upon him by his father knowingly and purposely.

At Bethel in his way he hath a vision of a ladder, a type of Christ incarnate, that brings Heaven and Earth together, in his two natures, and in his reconciliation; he anoints the pillar and consecrates the place where he had lain, and voweth his tithes. The mention of Esau's going to Ishmael, [that is, to Ishmael's family, for Ishmael was dead] and taking his daughter to wife, is set before the mention of the vision at Bethel, and the actions at Haran well, though it were not so very soon; because the Holy Ghost would take up Jacob's story entire and uninterrupted, therefore he setteth that story before.

Jacob at Haran well, showeth himself stronger then three men, and rolleth away a stone from the wells mouth, which three shepherds could not; he meeteth with Rachel and Laban, and indenteth for seven years service. A man of threescore and seventeen years old is bound apprentice for a wife. That this was the year of these occurrences, namely the seventy seventh of Jacob's age, is to be collected backward from the story following, thus; Joseph the son of Jacob was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, Gen. 41. 46. then came seven years plenty, ver. 47, 53. which made Joseph thirty and seven years old; then passed two years famine ere Jacob came into Egypt, Chap. 45. 6. and now was Joseph thirty and nine years of age; when Jacob came at the end of the two years famine, he himself was an hundred and thirty years old, Chap. 47. 9. Now take the thirty and nine years of Joseph out of the hundred and thirty years of the age of Jacob, and it appeareth, that Jacob begat Joseph at the ninety first year of his age. Now Joseph was born in the last year of the second seven, or in the fourteenth year of Jacob's service with Laban, in the very conclusion of that year, Chap. 30. 25, 26. take therefore fourteen years out of Jacob's ninety one, when Joseph was born, and the remainder seventy seven, was the age of Jacob when he entered upon those fourteen years service.

[World 2246] [Isaac 138] [Jacob 78] Jacob beginneth his seven years apprenticeship; Leah and Rachel are [Isaac 139] [Jacob 79] figures of the two Churches; the Church of the Jews under the Law, [Isaac 140] [Jacob 80] and the Church of the Gentiles under the Gospel: the younger the more [Isaac 141] [Jacob 81] beautiful, and more in the thoughts of Christ, when he came in the [Isaac 142] [Jacob 82] form of a servant: but the other like Leah, first embraced and taken [Isaac 143] [Jacob 83] to wife.

[World 2252] [Isaac 144] [Jacob 84] At the end of this year, Jacob's apprenticeship for Rachel is out, but Laban deceiveth him with Leah; and so is Jacob paid in kind for deceiving his father. He had deceived his father with a suborned person, taking on him to be Esau when he was Jacob; and he is deceived by his father-inlaw with a suborned person, and so embraceth Leah thinking he had embraced Rachel: his thoughts were upon a child by Rachel whilst he had Leah in his arms, and so the birth-right by his thoughts and intention should be Rachel's first-born; and so it was in time.

He being thus deceived, indenteth yet seven years service longer for Rachel, and serveth a week in earnest, that he will serve yet other seven years, and at the weeks end he marrieth Rachel.

[World 2253] [Isaac 145] [Jacob 85] REUBEN born: and the rest of Jacob's sons probably in this order.

[Isaac 146] [Jacob 86] SIMEON born.

[Isaac 147] [Jacob 87] LEVI and DAN born.

[Isaac 148] [Jacob 88] JUDAH and NAPHTHALI born.

[Isaac 149] [Jacob 89] GAD born.

[Isaac 150] [Jacob 90] ASHER and ISSACAR born.

[World 2259] [Isaac 151] [Jacob 91] JOSEPH born, and ZEBULON born not long before him. [Isaac 152] [Jacob 92] [Joseph 1] Rachel prophecieth; Dinah not born in these seven years, unless she [Isaac 153] [Jacob 93] [Joseph 2] were a twin with Zebulon.

[Isaac 154] [Jacob 94] [Joseph 3] Upon a new bargain with Laban, Jacob by God's blessing and direction [Isaac 155] [Jacob 95] [Joseph 4] groweth exceeding rich, to the envy of Laban and his sons: [Isaac 156] [Jacob 96] [Joseph 5] Laban dealeth deceitfully with him about his cattle, as he had done about his daughters, but the Lord suffered him not to hurt him.

CHAP. XXXI.

[World 2265] [Isaac 157] [Jacob 97] [Joseph 6] JACOB departeth secretly from Laban, but at last is pursued by him: Rachel stole Laban's Teraphim, which were the pictures or statutes of some of her ancestors, and taken by her for the preservation of their memory with her, now she is never to see her country and fathers house again. Laban had abused them to Idolatry. He and Jacob make a covenant.

CHAP. XXXII. and XXXIII. to ver. 17.

[Isaac 158] [Jacob 98] [Joseph 7] JAcob afraid of Esau, is shaken in his faith at his approach, though he have the visible attendance of Angels; for which distrust, the Angel of the Covenant Christ meets him by the way, wrestles with him, and seeks to kill him: but he weepeth and maketh supplication, and is only maimed, but escapeth with life. He is called Israel, to assure him that he should prevail with Esau, who had thus prevailed with God; and now with the first naming of Israel, is a ceremony taken up to distinguish Israel from other people; namely the foregoing to eat the sinew that shrank.

Esau and Jacob meet friendly, and so they part; When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

CHAP. XXXIII. ver. 17, 18, 19, 20.

[Isaac 159] [Jacob 99] [Joseph 8] JAcob maketh some abode at Succoth beyond Jordan Eastward, and there buildeth boothes for his cattle till they have brought forth their young: See ver. 13. and an house or a tent for himself.

[Isaac 160] [Jacob 100] [Joseph 9] Jacob is at Shechem; thither he came, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , or peaceably, for till he came there, there was no miscarriage in his house; he purchaseth a piece of ground, and buildeth his first altar.

CHAP. XXXVIII. ver. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

JUdah goeth from his brethren at Shechem, and marrieth.

[Isaac 161] [Jacob 101] [Joseph 10] ER born to Judah.

[Isaac 162] [Jacob 102] [Joseph 11] ONAN born to Judah.

[Isaac 163] [Jacob 103] [Joseph 12] SHELAH born to Judah: Judah is now resident at Chezib, near the borders of the Philistines: observe these particulars concerning Judah. 1. That he was but three and forty years old at their going down into Egypt, 2. That his son Pharez had then two sons, Gen. 46. 12. 3. Observe the story of Er, Onan, and the birth of Pharez, and then guess how very young Judah was when he had his first child; these stories of his marriage, and birth of his children are laid after the story of the sale of Joseph, though they were before; because the Holy Ghost would handle all Judah's story together. Now there are some things in that Chapter that come to pass after Josephs sale, and are laid there in their proper order, and so these are laid with them that all that story may be taken up at once.

CHAP. XXXIV.

[Isaac 164] [Jacob 104] [Joseph 13] DINAH ravished, giveth cause of tears to the tender eyes of her mother Leah, this was the first miscarriage in Jacob's house; and it is no wonder if the Lord overtake him with some scourge, when he is so slack to purge his family, and to pay his vows: it is now seven or eight years since the Lord brought him back from Haran, and yet he hath not thought of the vow that he made when he went thither.

Circumcision groweth deadly to the Shechemites.

CHAP. XXXV. from ver. 1. to ver. 28.

[Isaac 165] [Jacob 105] [Joseph 14] NOW it is time for Jacob to pay his vows, and to purge his [Isaac 166] [Jacob 106] [Joseph 15] house from Idols, when he hath neglected it so long, and when [Isaac 167] [Jacob 107] [Joseph 16] so sad a dysaster is befallen him in his family: the Lord therefore commands him to Bethel where his vow had been made, and there he burieth all his family Idols under an oak, and admitteth the Proselytes of Shechem and Syria into his Religion by Baptism; for Circumcision was become deadly before their eyes. He burieth Deborah at Shechem; hath a vision, and setteth up a pillar.

He maketh thence for Hebron, hath Benjamin born by the way, and burieth Rachel besides Bethlehem; and hath Bilhah defiled by Reuben; and at length he cometh up to Hebron to his father Isaac; when he had now been thirty years absent from him.

CHAP. XXXVI. & 1 CHRON. 1. ver. 34. to the end.

THE thirty and sixth Chapter doth very properly come next after these stories; for when the Holy Ghost hath related the story of Jacob hitherto, and is now to fall upon the story of Joseph, he doth first dispatch the story of Esau: he had reckoned the sons of Jacob immediately before, and now he cometh to reckon up the posterity of Esau; that the blessing of Isaac upon Esau may be observed how it took place.

Observe in this Genealogy of Esau and Seir, besides the change of the names of Esau's wives; 1. That Esau marrieth Aholibamah the great grand-child of Seir, the daughter of Anah, the son of Zibeon, the son of. Seir, ver. 20, 24, 25. whereas Eliphaz the son of Esau marrieth Timnah Seirs immediate daughter, ver. 20, 22. and so the fathers wife is of the third generation after the sons. 2. That Timna the concubine of Eliphaz is reckoned as his son, 1 Chron. 1. 36. 3. That there was a Duke Korah of the stock of Eliphaz in after-times, whereas Eliphaz had no immediate son of that name; compare ver. 11. with ver. 16. 4. That whereas it is said, that Esau took his wives, and his children, and his cattle, and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob, ver. 6. It is to be understood that he did this to make room for Jacob, against he should come from Haran; for when he went thither, he left Esau in Canaan, and when he came thence, he found him in Seir.

CHAP. XXXVII.

[World 2276] [Isaac 168] [Jacob 108] [Joseph 17] JOseph sold, he being seventeen years old; ver. 2. the 36 Chapter handleth the story of Esau, the hater of his brother; and that lost his birth-right by his own fault. Now this 37 Chapter cometh and handleth the story of Joseph, the hated of his brethren, and he that obtaineth the birth-right by the fault of another. Reuben had forfeited his birth-right about a year or two ago, by lying with his fathers wife; and now Jacob devolveth the birth-right upon Joseph, and maketh him a part-coloured coat, as the badge of it: for this love of Jacob to him, and for this privilege conferred upon him, his brethren hate him; and for his dreams their hate increaseth, that they sell him. His father first sets him to feed the flocks with his brethren, but the sons of the very hand-maids made a servant of him; then his father sent him to visit his brethren at their flocks at Shechem, but there the Amorite had taken possession upon Jacob's departure and theirs after Shechems slaughter; so that they are forced to go for pasture at Dothan: there Joseph findeth them, and by the counsel of Judah [as Christ by the villainy of Judas ] he is sold to Medanites, Midianites, and Ishmaelites, for by all these names are the merchants that brought him named: for these people lived so promiscuously together, that any of them did indifferently bear any of these names.

Jacob is now deceived with the blood of a kid instead of Josephs; as he had deceived his father with the flesh and skin of a kid, instead of venison and his own skin.

Joseph is sold to Potiphar.

CHAP. XXXIX.

[Isaac 169] [Jacob 109] [Joseph 18] JOseph in Egypt is prosperous in his masters house, and the Lord is [Isaac 170] [Jacob 110] [Joseph 19] with him; his master intrusteth him with all that he hath; his [Isaac 171] [Jacob 111] [Joseph 20] black-moor mistress lusting after his beauty causeth his misery; she [Isaac 172] [Jacob 112] [Joseph 21] cloaks her villainy under his coat: the showing of his coat had before caused his fathers sorrow, and now it doth his own. Here the chastity of Joseph now the first-born, shameth the unchastity of Reuben the first-born before; the one denies his mistress, the other solicits his fathers wife.

CHAP. XXXVIII. from ver. 6. to the end.

[Isaac 173] [Jacob 113] [Joseph 22] ER and Onan about this time miscarry; and Judah himself not [Isaac 174] [Jacob 114] [Joseph 23] very long after, incestuates his own daughter-in-law, of which [Isaac 175] [Jacob 115] [Joseph 24] incest Pharez is begotten, yet a father of Christ according to the [Isaac 176] [Jacob 116] [Joseph 25] flesh. The story of the affairs of Judah's is laid presently after [Isaac 177] [Jacob 117] [Joseph 26] the story of the sale of Joseph, though some things contained in it [Isaac 178] [Jacob 118] [Joseph 27] came to pass a long time before Joseph was sold, and some after the story of the thirty ninth Chapter, that Judah requital for his sale, [for he had the chief hand in it] might be shown as soon as his selling of him is related. Judah was married before Joseph was sold, and Er and Onan were also born before, as was observed erewhile; therefore the first words of the Chapter, At that time, are not to be referred to the next words going before in the preceding Chapter, concerning Josephs sale to Potiphar, but are of a more large extent as that Phrase, and the Phrase, In those days, are oft in Scripture: It linketh Josephs selling and Judah's miscarriages very well together, that it might be shown how he was punished in his children, that had been so unnatural to a brother; and Josephs not sinning with his Mistress, and Judah's sinning with his daughter-inlaw, do help to set off one another towards such an observation. The four eldest sons of Jacob fell under foul guilt; and so repentance and mercy are taught and shown in their conversion.

CHAP. XL.

[World 2287] [Isaac 179] [Jacob] [Joseph 28] JOSEPH expoundeth his two fellow prisoners dreams, and like the two thieves with Christ, the one is saved, and the other condemned. One of these when Joseph said to him, Remember me when it shall be well with thee; forgot him: but one of those when he said to Christ, Remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom; was not forgotten. Thus as the telling of two dreams had brought Joseph into misery; so this expounding of two dreams will prove in time a forwarder of his delivery: as yet the Butler fills and drinks wine in bowles, but is not grieved for the affliction of Joseph: as Am. 6. 6.

[World 2288] [Isaac 180] [Jacob 120] [Joseph 29] ISAAC dieth; and Jacob and Esau are friends, and bury him: read Chap. 35. ver. 28, 29. and ruminate upon how Esau is changed from what he said, Chap. 27. 41.

CHAP. XLI.

[Jacob 121] [Joseph 30] JOSEPH expoundeth Pharaohs dream; compare Dan. 2. Seven [Jacob 122] [Joseph 31] [Jacob 123] [Joseph 32] years famine begin; Joseph treasureth up corn; hath Manasseh [Jacob 124] [Joseph 33] and Ephraim born to him within these years, of an Egyptian Lady. [Jacob 125] [Joseph 34] [Jacob 126] [Joseph 35] How looks his wretched Mistress upon him now if she be alive? Towards [Jacob 127] [Joseph 36] the latter end of the seven years famine, or thereabout, Pharez [Jacob 128] [Joseph 37] hath HEZRON born to him.

CHAP. XLII.

[World 2289] [Jacob 129] [Joseph 38] THE first year of famine; Josephs brethren bow to him for corn, as their sheaves of corn had done to him in his dream.

CHAP. XLIII. XLIV, XLV, XLVI, & XLVII. to Vers. 13.

[World 2290] [Jacob 130] [Joseph 39] THE second year of famine; Benjamin is brought by his brethren [World 2291] into Egypt; he is now the father of ten children. The feasting of Josephs brethren was the better to pretend the stealing of a silver bowle; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Chap. 44. 5. for which Joseph would make a very narrow search; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : for such a man as he that was in so high a place, could make a very strict inquiry, ver. 15.

Jacob goeth down into Egypt with seventy souls; himself and Joseph, and his two sons, being counted in the number. The Septuagint have added five more, viz. Machir, Gilead, Shutelah, Tahan, Eden: from 1 Chron. 7. 14, 20. &c. Followed by Saint Luke, Acts 7. 14.

Jacob and Joseph after thirteen years distance met: Jacob presented before Pharaoh, and the King asks no other question then about his age. It was news in Egypt to see so old a man; Jacob is now 130 years old, and now just the half of the 430 between the Promise and delivery out of Egypt are passed: see Exod. 12. 40. Gal. 3. 17. They had been taken up in these parcels five and twenty years after Abraham's coming into the land, before the birth of Isaac; sixty years of Isaac's age until the birth of Jacob; and now Jacob is an hundred and thirty; the sum of all 215. And now to the coming out of Egypt we must count 215 more; and that count must lead us on thither.

CHAP. XLVII. from ver. 13. to the end; and CHAP. XLVIII.

• [World 2299] [Jacob 131] [Joseph 40] [Years of the Promise. 216] THE third year of famine.
• [Jacob 132] [Joseph 41] [Years of the Promise. 217] The fourth year of famine.
• [Jacob 133] [Joseph 42] [Years of the Promise. 218] The fifth year of famine.
• [Jacob 134] [Joseph 43] [Years of the Promise. 219] The sixth year of famine.
• [Jacob 135] [Joseph 44] [Years of the Promise. 220] The seventh year of famine.

Joseph buyeth all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. He feedeth [Joseph 67] [Years of the Promise. 243] his father and family seventeen years before [Jacob 136] [Joseph 45] [Years of the Promise. 221] his fathers death, [Jacob 137] [Joseph 46] [Years of the Promise. 222] as his father had nourished him seventeen years before his sale. The [Jacob 138] [Joseph 47] [Years of the Promise. 223] children of Israel grow numerous and into multitudes, even before [Jacob 139] [Joseph 48] [Years of the Promise. 224] Jacob's death; he adopted Josephs two sons for tribes; he bestoweth [Jacob 140] [Joseph 49] [Years of the Promise. 225] the portion of land upon Joseph that he had first bought of the Shechemites, [Jacob 141] [Joseph 50] [Years of the Promise. 226] Chap. 33. and was after put to recover it out of the hand [Jacob 142] [Joseph 51] [Years of the Promise. 227] of the Amorite with his sword and bow; who had usurped it, and [Jacob 143] [Joseph 52] [Years of the Promise. 228] seized upon it, in his absence after his departure thence to Bethel and [Jacob 144] [Joseph 53] [Years of the Promise. 229] Hebron: He sweareth Joseph to bury him in the land of Canaan, [Jacob 145] [Joseph 54] [Years of the Promise. 230] with his fathers Abraham and Isaac. Thus is the birth-right clearly [Jacob 146] [Joseph 55] [Years of the Promise. 231] passed upon Joseph, when his two sons are taken by Jacob, as Simeon and Levi, and when the land is bestowed on him for inheritance.

CHAP. XLIX. L.

[World 2315] [Jacob 147] [Joseph 56] [Years of the Promise. 232] JACOB dieth, having first blessed all his sons; even everyone [Joseph 57] [Years of the Promise. 233] of them. A blessing is to be found in his passages to Reuben, [Joseph 58] [Years of the Promise. 234] Simeon, and Levi, of whom he speaketh the bitterest things. His [Joseph 59] [Years of the Promise. 235] words throughout concern the future events and occurrences of the [Joseph 60] [Years of the Promise. 236] tribes, most especially, for he professeth to tell them, what shall befall [Joseph 61] [Years of the Promise. 237] them in the last days.

[Joseph 62] [Years of the Promise. 238] That Reuben should have Jether seeth vejether gnaz: a remnant of [Joseph 63] [Years of the Promise. 239] dignity, and a remnant of strength: for he was to lead the field in the wars of [Joseph 64] [Years of the Promise. 240] Canaan, and was to be victorious against the Hagarens; see [Joseph 65] [Years of the Promise. 241] Jos. 4. 12. and 1 Chron. 5. 10. He was unstable as water, in affecting the [Joseph 66] [Years of the Promise. 242] Priest-hood, and refusing the land, Numb. 16. 1, 2. and 32. 1. but his father adviseth him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Al tother, let not unstability remain [Joseph 68] [Years of the Promise. 244] in him.

[Joseph 69] [Years of the Promise. 245] That the scattering of Simeon and Levi among the rest of the [Joseph 70] [Years of the Promise. 246] tribes, should be for the benefit of themselves, and of others.

[Joseph 71] [Years of the Promise. 247] That Judah should be Prince, and should be victorious; that Shiloh [Joseph 72] [Years of the Promise. 248] should descend of him; and that either the Scepter or Law-giver [Joseph 73] [Years of the Promise. 249] should continue in that tribe till his coming. That Judah's habitation [Joseph 74] [Years of the Promise. 250] should be a country of vines, so as to tie asses or colts to them, and [Joseph 75] [Years of the Promise. 251] not to be nice of spoiling them, they should be so abundant; that [Joseph 76] [Years of the Promise. 252] he should sowse his garments in wine with treading the winepresses, [Joseph 77] [Years of the Promise. 253] &c.

[Joseph 78] [Years of the Promise. 254] That Zebulon should trade at Sea on both hands, in the Ocean, and [Joseph 79] [Years of the Promise. 255] the Sea of Galilee.

[Joseph 80] [Years of the Promise. 256] That Issachar should be burdned with two Kingdoms of Phenicia [Joseph 81] [Years of the Promise. 257] and Samaria, on either hand him; yet love of ease should make [Joseph 82] [Years of the Promise. 258] him bear and become tributary.

[Joseph 83] [Years of the Promise. 259] [Joseph 84] [Years of the Promise. 260] That Dan in Samson shall bite the heels of the Philistines house, [Joseph 85] [Years of the Promise. 261] and overthrow so many thousand riders; and that makes Jacob to [Joseph 86] [Years of the Promise. 262] look at the delivery by Christ in the like manner, who should destroy [Joseph 87] [Years of the Promise. 263] [Joseph 88] [Years of the Promise. 264] Samson -like by dying.

[Joseph 89] [Years of the Promise. 265] That Gad should be hard set with the Hagarites, but he and his [Joseph 90] [Years of the Promise. 266] friends should overcome them at last.

[Joseph 91] [Years of the Promise. 267] [Joseph 92] [Years of the Promise. 268] That Ashur should abound in corn and provision; and Naphtali in [Joseph 93] [Years of the Promise. 269] venison, and in him should begin the Gospel.

[Joseph 94] [Years of the Promise. 270] [Joseph 95] [Years of the Promise. 271] That Josephs sons should grow by Jacob's well unto a Kingdom, [Joseph 96] [Years of the Promise. 272] and that his daughters should go 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , even to the enemy: to repair [Joseph 97] [Years of the Promise. 273] [Joseph 98] [Years of the Promise. 274] the hostile tribe of Benjamin; which otherwise had decayed for [Joseph 99] [Years of the Promise. 275] want of wives: as Judge. 21.

[Joseph 100] [Years of the Promise. 276] [Joseph 101] [Years of the Promise. 277] That Benjamin should be ravenous and devour the prey to themselves, [Joseph 102] [Years of the Promise. 278] in the morning of their estate in the great slaughter of Gibeah, and in stealing them wives; but should divide the spoil for the good of the other tribes, in the evening of their first estate by Mordecai; and in the evening of their second estate by Paul.

[Joseph 103] [Years of the Promise. 279] The Apostle in Heb. 11. 21. mentioneth only Jacob's blessing the two [Joseph 104] [Years of the Promise. 280] [Joseph 105] [Years of the Promise. 281] sons of Joseph; because born out of his family in a foreign land, yet [Joseph 106] [Years of the Promise. 282] [Joseph 107] [Years of the Promise. 283] by faith adopted by Jacob for his own children: the Apostle there [Joseph 108] [Years of the Promise. 284] follows the LXX. that in their unprickt Bibles, read Matteh, a rod, for [Joseph 109] [Years of the Promise. 285] Mittah, a bed.

[World 2369] [Joseph 110] [Years of the Promise. 286] JOSEPH dieth 110 years old having lived to see Ephrams children [Years of the Promise. 287] to the third generation; that is, to the third generation from Ephraim, or fourth from Joseph: and to this, the great 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Chap. 50. ver. 23. seemeth to point, to teach us to construe this to the greatest extent, namely to the third from Ephraim; as the like is expressed of Manasseh.

1 CHRON. VII. ver. 21, 22, 23.

[Years of the Promise. 288] EPHRAIM at Josephs death could not be less then threescore and [Years of the Promise. 289] fiteen years old, and therefore that passage concerning his sons being [Years of the Promise. 290] slain by the men of Gath, seemeth to have been not very long after [Years of the Promise. 291] Josephs death, if not before; unless we will conceive Ephraim to [Years of the Promise. 292] have begotten children after that, at a very great age. Zabad his son, [Years of the Promise. 293] and Shutelah, and Ezer, and Elead, his grandchildren, [probably enough [Years of the Promise. 294] that third generation of Ephraim, meant Gen. 50. 25.] were the men so [Years of the Promise. 295] unhappily slain by the men of Gath that were born in the land: that is, [Years of the Promise. 296] men born in Egypt, but now resident in Gath, and who came down to [Years of the Promise. 297] take away these Ephraimites cattle, and slew them as they stood in defense [Years of the Promise. 298] and retention of them; for so should I rather translate the verse, [Years of the Promise. 299] [Years of the Promise. 300] [ and men of Gath who were born in the land slew them, for they came down [Years of the Promise. 301] to take away their cattle. ] so as to make the men of Gath the plunderers, [Years of the Promise. 302] [Years of the Promise. 303] rather then the sons of Ephraim: Ephraim their father upon the sad occurrence [Years of the Promise. 304] [Years of the Promise. 305] mourneth many days, but afterward goeth in to his wife, and [Years of the Promise. 306] giveth him that name, because it went ill at that time with his house. [Years of the Promise. 307] Israel by this time is grown to a vast multitude in Egypt.