Works

CHAP. II. to Ver. 11.

[Years of the Promise. 341] ISRAELS afflictions increase upon them; the cruel King of Egypt commanding [Years of the Promise. 342] all the Male children to be slain. Miriam was born not far from [Years of the Promise. 343] this time, she was able to stand and watch Moses when he was cast into the [Years of the Promise. 344] river; her name signifieth Bitterness and Rebellion both: and it is not to be [Years of the Promise. 345] doubted but holy Amram when he gave her name, had regard to that sad [Years of the Promise. 346] cause and effect, of which they had so great cause to be sensible. Miriam [Years of the Promise. 347] was a Prophetess, Exod. 15. 20. Micah 6. 4.

[World 2431] [Years of the Promise. 348] AARON born; a Saint of the Lord, Psal. 106. 16. His name soundeth [Years of the Promise. 349] both of sorrow and joy: as the tenor of Psal. 88. 89. made in these afflictions, [Years of the Promise. 350] doth.

[World 2433] [Years of the Promise. 351] [Moses 1] MOSES born supernaturally, his mother being exceeding old at his [Years of the Promise. 352] [Moses 2] birth; she was his fathers own Aunt, the daughter of Levi: so is Moses [Years of the Promise. 353] [Moses 3] a Levite both by father and mother. He is preserved in an ark like a [Years of the Promise. 354] [Moses 4] second Noah; his mother is paid for nursing her own child: he is adopted [Years of the Promise. 355] [Moses 5] by Pharaohs daughter for her own son, and so the King is his nursing Father, [Years of the Promise. 356] [Moses 6] and the Queen his nursing Mother. And in this doth Moses typify [Years of the Promise. 357] [Moses 7] Christ, that his true Father is unknown to the Egyptians, and he [Years of the Promise. 358] [Moses 8] reputed the son of Pharaoh; as the true Father of Christ unknown to [Years of the Promise. 359] [Moses 9] the Jews, and he reputed the son of Joseph.

[Years of the Promise. 360] [Moses 10] Moses was educated and learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, [Years of the Promise. 361] [Moses 11] [Years of the Promise. 362] [Moses 12] Acts 7. 22. Stephen speaketh this from necessary consequence, not having [Years of the Promise. 363] [Moses 13] express Text for it; for it could no otherwise be conceived of the adopted [Years of the Promise. 364] [Moses 14] [Years of the Promise. 365] [Moses 15] son of a King, and of a King of Egypt; which Nation was exceedingly [Years of the Promise. 366] [Moses 16] given to learning and study. JOB is yet alive, and probably outliveth [Years of the Promise. 367] [Moses 17] Moses; In the reading of his Book it may be advantageous to the [Years of the Promise. 368] [Moses 18] [Years of the Promise. 369] [Moses 19] Reader to observe how in very many places it toucheth upon the history [Years of the Promise. 370] [Moses 20] [Years of the Promise. 371] [Moses 21] that is contained in the Book of Genesis, though that Book was not then [Years of the Promise. 372] [Moses 22] written. The creation is handled, Chap. 38. The first Adam mentioned, [Years of the Promise. 373] [Moses 23] Chap. 15. 7. The fall of Angels and Man, Chap. 4. 20. & 5. 2. The miserable [Years of the Promise. 374] [Moses 24] [Years of the Promise. 375] [Moses 25] case of Cain, that was hedged in that he could not die, Chap. 3. 21. [Years of the Promise. 376] [Moses 26] The old world and the flood, Chap. 22. 6. The builders of Babel, Chap. 3. [Years of the Promise. 377] [Moses 27] [Years of the Promise. 378] [Moses 28] 15. & 5. 13. The fire of Sedom, Chap. 20. 23, 26. and divers such references [Years of the Promise. 379] [Moses 29] may be observed which are closely touched in the Book, which [Years of the Promise. 380] [Moses 30] [Years of the Promise. 381] [Moses 31] they came to know, partly by tradition, partly by living so near the Hebrews, [Years of the Promise. 382] [Moses 32] and the places where these things were done, and partly by revelation; [Years of the Promise. 383] [Moses 33] as Chap. 4. 12. & 38. 1,

[Years of the Promise. 384] [Moses 34] [Years of the Promise. 385] [Moses 35] The Penman of the Book before and after the speeches of Job and his [Years of the Promise. 386] [Moses 36] friends, often useth the name Jehovah; but in all the speeches never but [Years of the Promise. 387] [Moses 37] once, and that is in Chap. 12. 10. speaking there of God's giving the Creature [Years of the Promise. 388] [Moses 38] [Years of the Promise. 389] [Moses 39] his being.

CHAP. II. from Ver. 11. to the end.

[World 2473] [Years of the Promise. 390] [Moses 40] MOses by faith at forty years old, Acts 7. 23. refuseth the Courts [Years of the Promise. 391] [Moses 41] visiteth his brethren; slayeth an Egyptian; fleeth into Midian. [Years of the Promise. 392] [Moses 42] [Years of the Promise. 393] [Moses 43] Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26. By faith Moses refuseth to be called the son of Pharaohs [Years of the Promise. 394] [Moses 44] daughter: choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then [Years of the Promise. 395] [Moses 45] [Years of the Promise. 396] [Moses 46] to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Esteeming the reproach of Christ [Years of the Promise. 397] [Moses 47] greater riches then the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense [Years of the Promise. 398] [Moses 48] [Years of the Promise. 399] [Moses 49] of the reward. In Midian he marrieth Zipporah, and hath a son by [Years of the Promise. 400] [Moses 50] her whom he calleth Gershom, which signifieth a desolate stranger, because [Years of the Promise. 401] [Moses 51] of his remote residence from his own people in a foreign land.

[Years of the Promise. 402] [Moses 52] [Years of the Promise. 403] [Moses 53] Israel is not yet thoroughly humbled under their affliction, and therefore [Years of the Promise. 404] [Moses 54] it is but just they should continue under it; they refused the deliverer [Years of the Promise. 405] [Moses 55] [Years of the Promise. 406] [Moses 56] when he offered himself unto them, with, Who made thee a Prince [Years of the Promise. 407] [Moses 57] and a Ruler over us? And therefore they are but answered according to [Years of the Promise. 408] [Moses 58] [Years of the Promise. 409] [Moses 59] their own dealing when their deliverance is deferred: this deferring was [Years of the Promise. 410] [Moses 60] for forty years; and so when being upon the borders of Canaan, they [Years of the Promise. 411] [Moses 61] [Years of the Promise. 412] [Moses 62] refused that good land, their entrance into it is deferred forty years [Years of the Promise. 413] [Moses 63] also.

[Years of the Promise. 414] [Moses 64] [Years of the Promise. 415] [Moses 65] Moses passeth through shepherdy and tribulation to the government; [Years of the Promise. 416] [Moses 66] and so doth David after him: A figure of the great shepherd of the [Years of the Promise. 417] [Moses 67] [Years of the Promise. 418] [Moses 68] sheep, &c. Jether [or in Arabic pronunciation Jethro ] a son of Abraham, [Years of the Promise. 419] [Moses 69] but an alien to Abraham's God, is happy in his son-in-law; a son of [Years of the Promise. 420] [Moses 70] Abraham, and of Abraham's faith: by him he is instructed and taught [Years of the Promise. 421] [Moses 71] [Years of the Promise. 422] [Moses 72] in the way and knowledge of the true God. [In Arabia where sojourned [Years of the Promise. 423] [Moses 73] this first Prophet and Law-giver Moses, there arose the false Prophet [Years of the Promise. 424] [Moses 74] [Years of the Promise. 425] [Moses 75] and deceiver Mahomet. ] Moses is now exceedingly changed in Midian [Years of the Promise. 426] [Moses 76] from his state and studies, which he had whilst he was in Egypt; there he [Years of the Promise. 427] [Moses 77] [Years of the Promise. 428] [Moses 78] was a high courtier, here a poor shepherd; there a student in Philosophy [Years of the Promise. 429] [Moses 79] and Egyptian wisdom, here a student of Divinity, and of God himself. In this Country and desert where he now liveth, and retireth in so private a condition, he must ere long do glorious things, and before he die destroy Midian: That Country had been first planted by Cush the son of Cham, therefore Aaron and Miriam call Moses wife a Cushite, Numb. 12, 1. and Zerah the Arabian is so called, 2 Chron. 14. But Abraham by the conquest of Chedorlaomer, and the other Kings with him, had obtained that land for his own, and thither he sent the concubines sons.

CHAP. III. IV.

[World 2513] [Years of the Promise. 430] [Moses 80] MOses feeding his sheep and studying upon God, hath a vision of Christ in a bush, appearing in fire, as he had done when he made the Promise, Gen. 15. 17, 18. He giveth Moses commission for Israel's deliverance; and the power of miracles for their sakes that believed not. Moses himself fell under this predicament of unbelief, and shifteth all he can to avoid the employment, as doubting and distrusting the issue; and when he musts needs go upon it, he dare not leave his wife and children behind him, for fear he should never return to them again: but taketh his wife with him, though she were but newly delivered of a child, and her infant with her, though it were not so much as eight days old. For this his distrust, the Lord meets him by the way, and seeks to kill him; which danger Zipporah his wife misconceiving to have been, because her infant was not circumcised: [it having by this time passed the eighth day] she circumciseth it: but Moses conscious of the proper cause, recovereth his faith, and in evidence of his faith, calleth the child Eliazer, in assurance of God's help to him, and so the danger departeth. Moses and Aaron meet in the wilderness; go together into Egypt; assemble the elders of Israel; relate their commission, and are believed.

CHAP. V.

MOses beginneth to execute his commission: observe that he was with Israel in the wilderness forty years complete; that he was eighty years old when he began to deal with Pharaoh, Exod. 7. 7. that he was a good while before he got Israel released, and it teacheth how to date and lay the occurrences of his eightieth year.

CHAP. VI.

GOD proclaimeth himself JEHOVAH, The faithful one of his Promise: he had revealed himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by the name of El-shaddai, The God almighty; and they relied upon his all-sufficiency, being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able to perform: as Rom. 4. 21. And now he cometh to glorify another attribute of his, namely his truth and faithfulness, in making good what he had promised.

Moses goeth about, as if he would reckon the heads of all Israel, but he only nameth three tribes; and that not only because in the third, namely in the tribe of Levi, his story fixed upon Moses and Aaron, the men that he looked after; but also, because he would only name the most scandalous of all the twelve: Reuben the incestuous with his Fathers wife, and Simeon and Levi the murderers of Shechem; that he might show their entire conversion, and magnify God's mercy in their pardon; and lay this in the very entry of the now building Church, for a comfortable copy for penitents to look after: as the four women are mentioned in the beginning of the Gospel in Mat. 1. for such another purpose.

CHAP. VII. VIII. IX. X. to Ver. 21.

MOses beginneth to work miracles, and to bring plagues upon Egypt; his rod is turned into a Crocodile: the waters in which the children's blood had been shed, is turned into blood. Their great deity Nile is plagued first. The plague of Frogs; they go up even over all the land, and raven upon the very bodies of men: As Moses brought real Frogs upon Egypt, so the Enchanters bring magical Frogs upon Goshen. The plague of lice, at which the Magicians are at a non-plus; and blaspheme horridly against Jehovah, when they say, This is the finger of God, [ but not of Jehovah. ] The plague of noisesome beasts; Flies, Wasps, Snaks, &c. Now God separateth betwixt Israel and Egypt; betwixt whom there had been no difference in the preceding plagues. The plague of Murrain upon Beasts, Boils upon Men, and Hail upon the Land, and Locusts.

CHAP. XII. to Ver. 21.

THE beginning of the year is changed; the Passover is instituted and commanded: although the story of its institution be set after the plague of darkness, yet was it commanded before the plague of Darkness came, and it may be, before the plague of Hail or Locusts came; for as soon as ever the Darkness is over, and any Egyptian can stir, Pharaoh sendeth for Moses, Chap. 10. 24. and after some smart speeches betwixt them, Moses telleth him of the Slaughter of the first-born, that it should be the very next night, Chap. 11. 4, 8. so that the Darkness did but end on the very morning of Passover day; and it had been upon the Egyptians, the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth days of the month, and the Passover was on the fourteenth. Now the command for the Passover was given to Moses before the tenth day of the month at least, Chap. 12. 3. if not on the very first day of the month, as is more probable. The reason therefore why the story of the institution of it is laid after this plague, is because the Holy Ghost would handle that matter of the Passover all at once; and though the command for it, and the observation of it fell at some days distance, yet hath he brought both together, and handled the story of its institution, at that time when fell out the story of its observation, namely on the fourteenth day.

CHAP. X. from Vers. 21. to the end. And XI. all. And XII. from Vers. 21. to the end.

THE plague of Darkness for three days: In it the Egyptians saw the apparition of Devils and evil Spirits; and in the time of this Darkness, the Israelites are circumcised. Moses on the Passover day morning, giveth warning to Pharaoh of the death of the first-born; on the fourteenth day in the morning, he giveth charge for preparation of the Passover against even: which is accordingly done, and the Passover kept. At midnight all the firstborn of Egypt are slain; and Israel even driven out by the Egyptians.

CHAP. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. XVII.

[World 2514] [Moses 81] [Redemption from Egypt. 1] THE command for observing the Passover renewed, and a command for dedicating the first-born given. The cloud of glory is their conductor; their march was measured by these times: On the fifteenth day of Nisan, even while it was yet night, they began their march, and go out in the sight of all Egypt, while they are burying their dead: this day they go from Rameses to Succoth. The sixteenth day they come to the edge of the wilderness of Etham; the Red-sea pointeth so into this wilderness, that before they pass through the Red-sea, they are in the wilderness of Etham, and when they are passed through, they are in it again. The wilderness of Etham and Shur, are one and the same; see Numb. 33. 7, 8. and compare Exod. 15. 22. On the seventeenth day they come to Hiroth. On the eighteenth day it is told Pharaoh that the people fled; for till their third days march, they went right for Horeb, according as they had desired to go three days journey to sacrifice; but when they turned out of that way toward the Red-sea, then Pharaoh hath intelligence, that they intended to go some whither else, then whither they asked to go: thereupon, he and Egypt prepair to pursue them, for their Jewels and their Servants. On the nineteenth day they pursue: On the twentieth day towards even they overtake them, and Israel entereth the Sea, and by break of day are all marched through, and the Egyptians drowned.

On the one and twentieth day of the month in the morning betime they came out of the Sea; this was the last holy day of the Passover week: they sung for their delivery, and after three days march they come to Marah; and from thence to Elim, and there they pitch divers days.

On the fifteenth day of the month Ijar, they come to the wilderness of Zin, murmur for bread as they had done at Marah for water; and they have Quails sent them and Manna. The Sabbath now first mentioned, but not now first commanded; in Egypt they had neglected the Sabbath; since their coming thence, they had marched on it; now a rule is given for its constant observation. The people murmur a fourth time, and it is for water, which they obtain out of the rock, but are scourged by Amalek for their repining: Amalek conquered by Moses his prayer.

CHAP. XIX.

THE eighteenth Chapter that containeth the story of Jethro is anticipated, and is to be taken in at the tenth of Numbers, betwixt the tenth and eleventh Verses; and the reason of this dislocation, and proof of the order, shall be shown there. On the first day of Sivan, Israel cometh to Sinai.

On the second day, Moses called by the Lord, goeth up into the Mount, talketh with God, and when he cometh down, relateth the words of the Lord unto the people.

On the third day he goeth up, and relateth the people's answer unto God.

On the fourth and fifth day he sanctifieth the people, and boundeth the mountain.

CHAP. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV.

[World 2514] [Moses 81] [Redemption from Egypt. 1] ON the sixth day of the month Sivan in the morning, the Ten Commandments are given by Christ, with such terror, that the people are not able to abide it, but desire Moses to be a Mediator: he drawing near to God in the thick darkness, receiveth seven and fifty Precepts, Ceremonial and Judicial; which when he cometh down from the Mount he telleth the people of, and writeth in a book.

On the next day, which was the seventh day of the month Sivan, in the morning, he buildeth an altar to represent Christ; and setteth up twelve pillars, to represent the twelve Tribes; and with blood besprinkled upon both, he bringeth the people into covenant with God: after the making of which covenant, the elders of Israel that before might not come near the Lord, now see him, and eat and drink before him, and he layeth not his avenging hand on them: And from among them he calleth Moses up into the Mount to himself; and he goeth up, and from hence he beginneth his forty days fast, which upon occasions he doubleth, yea trebleth, and concludeth his third or last fast on that day which was from thence forward ordained the day of expiation.

CHAP. XXV. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX. XXX. XXXI.

WHile Moses is in the Mount with God, he showeth him a Tabernacle pitched with all the utensils of it, and a Priest arrayed in all his habiliments, and giveth him charge and instructions to make another according to that pattern, and appointeth Bezaleel and Aholiah for chief work-men.

CHAP. XXXII. XXXIII. XXXIV.

MOses on the seventeenth day of the month Tammuz, cometh down from the Mount, and findeth a golden Calf, breaketh it, and breaketh the two Tables; for whereas God had given him the two Tables, written at the end of his first forty days fast, Moses brake those Tables at the sight of the golden Calf; to show that Israel had made themselves unworthy of so great a Jewel, and whereas the Lord had given him a pattern, and a command for the making and setting up of a Tabernacle, and the service of it: that benefit is also forfeited by their calvish Idolatry, and neither Tables restored, nor Tabernacle to be made, till Moses by long and earnest prayer had made Israel's peace.

Moses having destroyed the golden calf and slain the Idolaters, returns the next day to God by prayer; but is returned back the same day with a sad message, whereupon Israel is humbled; the tent of Moses which hitherto had been instead of a Tabernacle, is removed out of the unclean camp, and then the cloud of glory which had been taken away because of Idolatry, is restored. The next day Moses goeth up to the Mount again, and falleth into a second forty days fast; and as in his first forty days fast he had seen the figure and pattern of a glorious Tabernacle, so now in this second forty days fast, he desireth to have a sight of the glory of God. On the thirtieth day of the month A • , he goeth up again with the two Tables, and beginneth another forty days fast; and seeth the Lord, and heareth him proclaim himself by most glorious attributes, and receiveth some commands from him. On the tenth day of the month Tisri, he cometh down with the glad tidings, that all is well betwixt God and Israel, with the renewed Tables in his hand, and with commission to set about making the Tabernacle.

CHAP. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVIII. XXXIX. XL.

[World 2515] [Moses 82] [Redemption from Egypt. 2] AND so do Israel fall about that work, which by the first day of the month Abib, the first month of the next year is finished, and it begun to be erected; when it is set up the cloud of glory filleth it, and God taketh up his seat upon the Ark, in figure of his dwelling amongst men in Christ.

CHAP. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII.

RUles given for all manner of sacrifices. This is the first Oracle given from off the Mercy-seat. There is the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the very first word of the Book, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 written less then all his fellows, and it seemeth by such a writing to hint and intimate, that though this were a glorious Oracle, yet was it small in comparison of what was to come, when God would speak to his people by his own Son, whom the Ark, Mercy-seat, and Oracle did represent.

CHAP. VIII. IX.

THE seven days of the consecration of Aaron and his sons, follow after the time of the setting up of the Tabernacle, and were not coincident or concurrent with that time, as the Jews very generally, but very groundlessly do apprehend: [as, Seder Olam; Tanchum ex R. Joseph: Baal Turim: Ab: Ezra: R. Sol: and others,] For 1. this command for their consecration is given out of the Tabernacle now erected, as well as the rules for sacrifice were. And 2. they abide the seven days in the Tabernacle, Chap. 8. 33. and the very first day of the seven, the congregation were gathered to the door, verse. 3, 4. which undeniably show, that it was finished and set up when these seven days of consecration began.

CHAP. X.

THE death of Nadab and Abihu was on the very first day that the service of the Altar began; namely, on that eighth day after the seven of the consecration, when Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices for themselves and the people. This appeareth plainly by comparing the third and fifteenth Verses of the ninth Chapter with the sixteenth Verse of this tenth Chapter: and thus the service of the Sanctuary by an accident began with Death and Judgment.

NUMBERS IX. to Ver. 15.

AFter the end of the tenth Chapter of Leviticus, in the proper order of story, are the first fourteen Verses of the ninth Chapter of Numbers to be taken in, which treat concerning the Passover. For the Tabernacle being reared on the very first day of the second year of their coming out of Egypt, namely, on the first day of Nisan; these orders and rules concerning Sacrifices and the Priests consecration were given, and the eight days of Priests consecration and Sacrifices, were accomplished before the fourteenth day of that month came, when the Passover was to be kept by an old command, given the last year in Egypt, and by a second command now given in the wilderness, so that this order and method is clear.

Now the reason why this story of this second Passover is not only not laid in its proper place in this Book of Leviticus, but also out of its proper place, in the Book of Numbers; [for the Book beginneth its story with the beginning of the second month, but this story of the Passover belongeth to the first month:] The reason I say of this dislocation is, because Moses his chief aim in that place, is to show and relate the new dispensation, or command for a Passover in the second month, which was a matter of very great moment. For the translation of that feast a month beyond its proper time, did the rather enforce the significancy of things future then of things past; as rather recording the death of Christ to come, then their delivery from Egypt, when it hit not on that very night.

This story therefore of the Passover transferred to the second month upon some occasions, being the matter that Moses chiefly aimed at, and respected in that relation, and history; he hath set it in his proper place, for so is that where it lies in the Book of Numbers: and intending and aiming at the mention of that, he hath also brought in the mention of the right Passover, or that of the first month, as it was necessary he should, to show the occasion of the other.

LEVITICUS XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV.

AFter the rules for things clean and fit for sacrifice, the Lord cometh to give rules for things clean and fit to eat, and clean and fit to touch; for this was the tripartite distinction of clean or unclean in the Law. Every thing that was unclean to touch, was unclean to eat; but everything that was unclean to eat, was not unclean to touch: everything that was unclean to eat, was unclean to sacrifice; but everything that was unclean to sacrifice, was not unclean to eat: for many things might be eaten, which might not be sacrificed, and many things might be touched, which might not be eaten. And under the Law, about clean and unclean, there is exceeding much of the doctrine of sin, and renovation touched; considerable in very many particulars:

• 1. By the Law of Moses nothing was unclean to be touched while it was alive, but only man. A man in Leprosy unclean to be touched, Lev. 13. and a woman in her separation, Lev. 12. but Dogs, Swine, Worms, &c. not unclean to be touched till they be dead, Lev. 11. 31.
• 2. By the Law of Moses uncleanness had several degrees, and Leprosy was the greatest. There was uncleanness for a day, as by touching a dead beast: for a week, as by touching a dead man; for a month, as a woman after Child-birth; and for a year or more, as Leprosy.
• 3. Every Priest had equal privilege and calling to judge of the Leprosy, as well as the the high Priest.
• 4. The Priests that were judges of Leprosy could not be tainted with it; see the notes at Numb. 12.
• 5. The Priests could not make any man clean, but only pronounce him clean.
• 6. He that was Leprous all over, and no place free, was to be pronounced clean; for it appeared that all the poison was come forth, and the danger of infecting others was past; but he that had any part that was not scabby over, he was unclean: he that appears before God in any of his own righteousness, like the proud Pharisee, he hath his answer in that Parable; but that humble confession of a poor sinner that shows him Leprous all over, like that of the Publican, obtains the best answer.
• 7. The Leper that was cleansed had not his disease healed; but the danger of the infection being over, he was restored to the society of men again: so that he was not so much clean unto himself, as unto the Congregation.

CHAP. XVI.

THE solemn and mysterious Feast of Reconciliation, instituted to be on the tenth day of the month Tisri, the day that Moses had come down from the Mount, with tidings of reconciliation betwixt God and the People, as was said bebefore. And as the solemnity and carriage of the work of this day was a figure of good things to come in Christ, so the very time itself, had some respect that way; for if Christ were not born and came into the World a Reconciler on that very day, yet was he born and baptized [nine and twenty years after] in that very month.

CHAP. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV.

DIvers Laws are given, concerning Offerings, Marriages, Festivals, the Priests and other things, and the main end of them all, Piety, Sanctity, Charity, and in them a distinction of Israel from other people.

CHAP. XXVI. XXVII.

SAD denunciation of judgment upon disobedience, and the valuation of persons, in reference to redemption of vows. Hosea speaketh in allusion to the rates and values mentioned here, when he saith, I bought her to me for fifteen shekels of silver, and for an homer of barley, and half an homer of barley, Hos. 3. 2.

The fifteen shekels was the value of a man above sixty years old, Lev. 27. 7. The homer of barley which valued fifty shekels, ver. 16. was the value of a man from twenty years old to sixty, ver. 3. And half an homer which valued five and twenty shekels, was for one from five years old to twenty, twenty shekels, ver. 5. And from a month old to five years, five shekels, ver. 6.

CHAP. I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII.

RUles given for all manner of sacrifices. This is the first Oracle given from off the Mercy-seat. There is the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the very first word of the Book, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 written less then all his fellows, and it seemeth by such a writing to hint and intimate, that though this were a glorious Oracle, yet was it small in comparison of what was to come, when God would speak to his people by his own Son, whom the Ark, Mercy-seat, and Oracle did represent.

CHAP. VIII. IX.

THE seven days of the consecration of Aaron and his sons, follow after the time of the setting up of the Tabernacle, and were not coincident or concurrent with that time, as the Jews very generally, but very groundlessly do apprehend: [as, Seder Olam; Tanchum ex R. Joseph: Baal Turim: Ab: Ezra: R. Sol: and others,] For 1. this command for their consecration is given out of the Tabernacle now erected, as well as the rules for sacrifice were. And 2. they abide the seven days in the Tabernacle, Chap. 8. 33. and the very first day of the seven, the congregation were gathered to the door, verse. 3, 4. which undeniably show, that it was finished and set up when these seven days of consecration began.

CHAP. X.

THE death of Nadab and Abihu was on the very first day that the service of the Altar began; namely, on that eighth day after the seven of the consecration, when Aaron and his sons offered sacrifices for themselves and the people. This appeareth plainly by comparing the third and fifteenth Verses of the ninth Chapter with the sixteenth Verse of this tenth Chapter: and thus the service of the Sanctuary by an accident began with Death and Judgment.

NUMBERS IX. to Ver. 15.

AFter the end of the tenth Chapter of Leviticus, in the proper order of story, are the first fourteen Verses of the ninth Chapter of Numbers to be taken in, which treat concerning the Passover. For the Tabernacle being reared on the very first day of the second year of their coming out of Egypt, namely, on the first day of Nisan; these orders and rules concerning Sacrifices and the Priests consecration were given, and the eight days of Priests consecration and Sacrifices, were accomplished before the fourteenth day of that month came, when the Passover was to be kept by an old command, given the last year in Egypt, and by a second command now given in the wilderness, so that this order and method is clear.

Now the reason why this story of this second Passover is not only not laid in its proper place in this Book of Leviticus, but also out of its proper place, in the Book of Numbers; [for the Book beginneth its story with the beginning of the second month, but this story of the Passover belongeth to the first month:] The reason I say of this dislocation is, because Moses his chief aim in that place, is to show and relate the new dispensation, or command for a Passover in the second month, which was a matter of very great moment. For the translation of that feast a month beyond its proper time, did the rather enforce the significancy of things future then of things past; as rather recording the death of Christ to come, then their delivery from Egypt, when it hit not on that very night.

This story therefore of the Passover transferred to the second month upon some occasions, being the matter that Moses chiefly aimed at, and respected in that relation, and history; he hath set it in his proper place, for so is that where it lies in the Book of Numbers: and intending and aiming at the mention of that, he hath also brought in the mention of the right Passover, or that of the first month, as it was necessary he should, to show the occasion of the other.

LEVITICUS XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV.

AFter the rules for things clean and fit for sacrifice, the Lord cometh to give rules for things clean and fit to eat, and clean and fit to touch; for this was the tripartite distinction of clean or unclean in the Law. Every thing that was unclean to touch, was unclean to eat; but everything that was unclean to eat, was not unclean to touch: everything that was unclean to eat, was unclean to sacrifice; but everything that was unclean to sacrifice, was not unclean to eat: for many things might be eaten, which might not be sacrificed, and many things might be touched, which might not be eaten. And under the Law, about clean and unclean, there is exceeding much of the doctrine of sin, and renovation touched; considerable in very many particulars:

• 1. By the Law of Moses nothing was unclean to be touched while it was alive, but only man. A man in Leprosy unclean to be touched, Lev. 13. and a woman in her separation, Lev. 12. but Dogs, Swine, Worms, &c. not unclean to be touched till they be dead, Lev. 11. 31.
• 2. By the Law of Moses uncleanness had several degrees, and Leprosy was the greatest. There was uncleanness for a day, as by touching a dead beast: for a week, as by touching a dead man; for a month, as a woman after Child-birth; and for a year or more, as Leprosy.
• 3. Every Priest had equal privilege and calling to judge of the Leprosy, as well as the the high Priest.
• 4. The Priests that were judges of Leprosy could not be tainted with it; see the notes at Numb. 12.
• 5. The Priests could not make any man clean, but only pronounce him clean.
• 6. He that was Leprous all over, and no place free, was to be pronounced clean; for it appeared that all the poison was come forth, and the danger of infecting others was past; but he that had any part that was not scabby over, he was unclean: he that appears before God in any of his own righteousness, like the proud Pharisee, he hath his answer in that Parable; but that humble confession of a poor sinner that shows him Leprous all over, like that of the Publican, obtains the best answer.
• 7. The Leper that was cleansed had not his disease healed; but the danger of the infection being over, he was restored to the society of men again: so that he was not so much clean unto himself, as unto the Congregation.

CHAP. XVI.

THE solemn and mysterious Feast of Reconciliation, instituted to be on the tenth day of the month Tisri, the day that Moses had come down from the Mount, with tidings of reconciliation betwixt God and the People, as was said bebefore. And as the solemnity and carriage of the work of this day was a figure of good things to come in Christ, so the very time itself, had some respect that way; for if Christ were not born and came into the World a Reconciler on that very day, yet was he born and baptized [nine and twenty years after] in that very month.

CHAP. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV.

DIvers Laws are given, concerning Offerings, Marriages, Festivals, the Priests and other things, and the main end of them all, Piety, Sanctity, Charity, and in them a distinction of Israel from other people.

CHAP. XXVI. XXVII.

SAD denunciation of judgment upon disobedience, and the valuation of persons, in reference to redemption of vows. Hosea speaketh in allusion to the rates and values mentioned here, when he saith, I bought her to me for fifteen shekels of silver, and for an homer of barley, and half an homer of barley, Hos. 3. 2.

The fifteen shekels was the value of a man above sixty years old, Lev. 27. 7. The homer of barley which valued fifty shekels, ver. 16. was the value of a man from twenty years old to sixty, ver. 3. And half an homer which valued five and twenty shekels, was for one from five years old to twenty, twenty shekels, ver. 5. And from a month old to five years, five shekels, ver. 6.

CHAP. I.

ON the first day of the second month, the Lord provided for the pitching of their camp, as on the first day of the first month, they had begun to erect the Tabernacle. First the people are numbered from twenty years old and upwards, and their sum amounteth to 603550. men; of all which number, only two men enter the land. The Levites are not reckoned in this sum, nor with this reckoning; and accordingly they fall not under the same curse with the others, of not entering into his rest. Not a man impotent through old age in Israel.

CHAP. II.

THeir Camp is pitched, and the Sanctuary set just in the middle of it; for Religion is the heart of a State. The Levites pitch next unto it in a quadrangular body round about it, at a certain distance. The whole body of the army pitcheth at another distance about them, in the same form, and 2000 cubits distance from the Tabernacle: every side of the square carried its several colors; Judah, a Lion; Ephraim, a Bullock; Reuben, a Man; Dan, an Eagle. Compare the description of Christ dwelling in the midst of the Christian Church, Rev. 4. 4. The Ark, the strength of the Lord, Pitcheth before Ephraim and Benjamin, and Manasseh, Psal. 80. 2.

CHAP. III. IV.

THE Levites taken for the first-born of Israel, and so interested in every family among them. The first-born had been Priests till the consecration of the Levites, now that function must be confined to that Tribe. The Levites engaged to their service from nine and twenty years old complete, or thirty currant till fifty. Our Savior's age at his entrance into his Ministry, Luke 3. 23. answereth to this type.

CHAP. V. VI.

A Law concerning uncleanness and offenses, that the Camp might continue in purity, and unity, chastity and unchastity tried miraculously. The Law concerning Nazarites, the only votaries of the people. The Congregation to be blessed by the Priests, in the name of the Trinity.

CHAP. VII. VIII.

THE Princes offer to the Sanctuary, and more ordinances are given about it. That they offered not till they were ordered into their standards, is plain by the order and method of their offering. The Levites to be five years probationers at the Sanctuary before they take their office, Chap. 8. 24. compared with Chap. 4. 23.

CHAP. IX. from Ver. 15. to the end. And CHAP. X. to Ver. 11.

BEfore the reading of the fifteenth Verse, the Reader is to suppose a Passover to be kept the fourteenth day of this second month, although the keeping of it be not expressly mentioned, but only hinted; for on the fourteenth day of the first month, which was the proper day for the Passover, some men because they were unclean could not observe it, and upon their acquainting Moses with their case, he presently gives them a warrant, to keep it the fourteenth day of the next month, which they did no doubt accordingly, although it be not in plain terms related. For the occurrences mentioned in the Book hitherto, came to pass in the first thirteen days of the month, [save only the offering of the Princes, which indeed began before the fourteenth day, but continued [World 2515] [Moses 82] [Redemption from Egypt. 2] beyond it; notwithstanding the Holy Ghost would conclude the story of their offering all together,] and on the fourteenth day, those that had been unclean at the proper time of the Passover, kept the Passover by a new ordinance, so that the order of the story of this new Passover, is most genuine and proper here; but Moses could not relate the thing, but he must relate the occasion, namely because some could not keep it at the right time, therefore he giveth the story of the right time here, which as we shown before, lieth properly between the tenth and eleventh Chapters of Leviticus.

From the fifteenth Verse of this Chapter to the eleventh Verse of the tenth Chapter, there is mention of two special things; namely the dwelling of the cloud upon the Tabernacle, and the making of the silver Trumpets; which however they were indeed somewhat afore this time, [for the Cloud descended, and the Trumpets were made before the fourteenth day of this month,] yet are they brought in here as relating to the removal of the Army, which is mentioned in Chap. 10. verse. 11. for then the Cloud was taken up, and the Trumpets were sounded.

EXODUS XVIII.

BEtween the tenth and eleventh Verses of the tenth of Numbers, as in its proper place and order, cometh in the story of Jethro, contained in the eighteenth of Exodus, as may be evidenced by these observations.

First, That that story lieth not in its proper place in the Book of Exodus, may be concluded upon these two or three reasons; first, because there it is said, Jethro took burnt-offerings and sacrifices for God, ver. 12. Now as the story lieth there, the Law for burnt-offerings and sacrifices was not yet given. 2. It is said, that Moses sat to judge the people, and made them know the Statutes of God, and his Laws, verse. 13, 16. Now as the story lieth there, the Statutes and Laws are not as yet given to Moses, and he himself knoweth them not. 3. The choosing of Judges and Elders, which was upon Jethro's counsel, was not till their departing from Sinai, Deut. 1. 7, 8. And now as the story of Jethro lieth in the book of Exodus, they are not as yet come to Sinai; therefore that that story is misplaced as it lieth there, there is evidence sufficient. There remaineth only to see why it is laid there out of its proper place and where is the proper place to lay it; the former may be resolved upon, by looking back upon the curse that God denounceth upon Amalek, in the 17 Chapter: I will put out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven: And the Lord hath sworn, that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation, ver. 14, 16. Now that the Holy Ghost might show that Jethro who dwelt among the Amalekites, 1 Sam. 15. 16. did not fall under this curse, he bringeth in the story of his coming into Israel, in the very next place after that curse is related; not thereby to conclude strictly that his coming was at that very time as soon as the curse was denounced; but to show that he once came, and so avoideth and escapeth that curse.

Now that the proper place of that story is this that we have mentioned, may be evidenced by these particulars: First, that Moses himself telleth, Deut. 1. 7. that their choice of Judges, which was by Jethro's counsel, instantly upon his coming, was so near their departure from Sinai, which is metioned Num. 10. ver. 11. that the warning of their departure was given him before. 2. That the murmuring of Aaron and Miriam against Zipporah Moses wife, [which in all probability was upon her first coming among them, and their converse with her or instantly after,] is set after their departure from Sinai. 3. That the departure of Hobab or Jethro from them at Sinai, is joined so near to the place where we suppose this story of his coming is to be laid, as that but a few Verses come between; and compair that story with the latter end of Exodus 18. and it will help to confirm this place to be the proper place of its order.

CHAP. X. from Vers. 11. to the end.

[World 2515] [Moses 82] [Redemption from Egypt. 2] THE Cloud is taken up on the twentieth day of the second month, and the Camp removeth from Sinai to the wilderness of Paran; three days journey. In the 35 Verse of this Chapter, the letter Nun is written the wrong way in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , when the Ark set forward, and so is it also in the first Verse of the next Chapter in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , they became as murderers. In the former is hinted, as the Jews observe, God's gracious turning back towards the people; in the latter the people's ungracious turning away from God.

CHAP. XI.

AT their first incamping after Jethro's departure, Moses findeth an occasion to choose Judges and Elders, to help to bear the burden with him; and therefore the 24, 25, 26. Verses of Exodus 18. are to be reputed coincident with this time. The Sanhedrin chosen by Moses and endued with the Spirit by God; six of a Tribe made up the number, and two over, and these two were Eldad and M • dad, who were written for Elders, but the lot cast them out, that there might be but seventy: yet did the Lord honor them with the Spirit of Prophecy.

CHAP. XII.

ZIpporah Moses wife called a Cushite, for Arabia was the land of Cush, for her sake Aaron and Miriam begin to rebel against Moses authority; for which Miriam is struck with Leprosy, but Aaron is not, because he was the Judge of Leprosy, and could not be tainted with it. Their sin causeth the Cloud of glory to depart, as the sin of the golden Calf had done before; there Aaron had a hand in the sin also; Moses vindicated by God himself; It is said, They removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran, ver. 16. that is, they marched and pitched in that wilderness: see Chap. 10. 12.

CHAP. XIII.

THEY are now come not very far from the South-point of the land of Canaan, [compare Ver. 26. and Deut. 1. 2, 19.] and Moses at the desire of the people, Deut. 1. 22. sendeth twelve men to spy the land: Sethur the man for the Tribe of Asher, ver. 13. his name is in number 666. and in signification hidden or mystical; it is toward the end of the year Stilo veteri, when they search the land; for grapes and figs are then ripe, verse. 20.

CHAP. XIV.

THE decree and oath in God's anger, that they should not enter into his rest, cometh forth, and beginneth to seize upon some of them; for the ten men that caused the people to murmur died by the plague: as they were forty days in searching the land, so the people must wander forty years ere they came to enjoy it; that is, eight and thirty years and an half to make up the year and half that had passed since their coming out of Egypt to be forty: and in that time must all the men that were numbered at Sinai, [the Levites excepted] be consumed in the wilderness; and here is man's age cut short again, as it had been at the Flood and building of Babel.

PSAL. XC.

UPON this sad decree of God against the people, and upon his cutting short man's age, Moses maketh the nintieth Psalm, [whose proper order is coincident with this story,] and there sadly showeth how they were consumed by God's anger for their impieties: that now man's age is come to seventy or eighty years, from those hundreds that men lived before, &c.

CHAP. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX.

[World 2516] [Moses 83] [Redemption from Egypt. 3] THE place where the people murmured upon the return of the spies, was Kadesh Barnea, Numb. 13. 26. & 32. 8. Deut. 1. 19. This place was called Rithmah before, Numb. 33. 18. compared with Numb. 12. 16. & 13. 26. and it may be it was so called from the Juniper-trees that grew there: as 1 Kings 19. 4. but now named Kadesh, because the Lord was there sanctified upon the people, as Chap. 20. 13. and Barnea, or the wandering son, because here was the decree made of their long wandering in the wilderness. Here at Kadesh they continued a good space before they removed; for so Moses saith, Ye abode in Kadesh many days: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , according to the days that ye had made abode, namely at Sinai, as ver. 6. and so they spent one whole year there, for so they had done at Sinai: and whereas God bids them upon their murmuring to turn back to the Red-sea, Deut. 1. 40. his meaning was, that at their next march whensoever it was, they should not go forward towards Canaan, but clean back again towards the Red-sea from whence they came.

[Moses 84] [Redemption from Egypt. 4] And so they do, and so they wander by many stations and marches [Moses 85] [Redemption from Egypt. 5] from Kadesh Barnea now, till they come to Kadesh Barnea again, some seven [Moses 86] [Redemption from Egypt. 6] or eight and thirty years hence. Their marches mentioned in Numb. 33. [Moses 87] [Redemption from Egypt. 7] were these; from Kadesh or Rithmah to Rimmon Parez, to Libnah, to [Moses 88] [Redemption from Egypt. 8] Rissah, to Kehelathah, to Mount Shapher, to Haradah, to Makheloth, to [Moses 89] [Redemption from Egypt. 9] Tahath, to Tarah, to M •• hcah, to Hashmonah, to Moseroth, to Horhagidgad, [Moses 90] [Redemption from Egypt. 10] to Jotbathah, to Ebronah, to Ezion Gaber, to Kadesh again in the [Moses 91] [Redemption from Egypt. 11] fortieth year. And thus whereas it was but eleven days journey from Horeb [Moses 92] [Redemption from Egypt. 12] by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea, Deut. 1. 2. they have now [Moses 93] [Redemption from Egypt. 13] made it above three times eleven years journey. The occurrences of all [Moses 94] [Redemption from Egypt. 14] this time were but few, and those undated either to time or place; some [Moses 95] [Redemption from Egypt. 15] Laws are given, Chap. 15. Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebel, Chap. 16. [Moses 96] [Redemption from Egypt. 16] Korah for the Priest-hood from Aaron, as being one of the Tribe of Levi; [Moses 97] [Redemption from Egypt. 17] and Dathan and Abiram for the principality from Moses, as being of [Moses 98] [Redemption from Egypt. 18] Reuben the first-born. An earth-quake devoureth them, and all theirs, [Moses 99] [Redemption from Egypt. 19] and a fire devoured the 250 men that conspired with them; only Korahs [Moses 100] [Redemption from Egypt. 20] sons escape, Chap. 26. 11. and of them came Samuel, and divers famous [Moses 101] [Redemption from Egypt. 21] [Moses 102] [Redemption from Egypt. 22] singers in the Temple, 1 Chron. 6. 22. &c. Aaron's Priest-hood that was [Moses 103] [Redemption from Egypt. 23] so opposed is confirmed by the budding of his withered rod, and upon [Moses 104] [Redemption from Egypt. 24] [Moses 105] [Redemption from Egypt. 25] this approval, divers services for the Priests are appointed, Chap. 17. & 18. [Moses 106] [Redemption from Egypt. 26] & 19. and so we have no more occurrences mentioned till the first day of [Moses 107] [Redemption from Egypt. 27] [Moses 108] [Redemption from Egypt. 28] their fortieth year. They went under four or five continual miracles; [Moses 109] [Redemption from Egypt. 29] as the appearing of the Cloud of glory, the raining of Manna, the following [Moses 110] [Redemption from Egypt. 30] [Moses 111] [Redemption from Egypt. 31] of the Rock or the waters of Horeb, the continual newness of [Moses 112] [Redemption from Egypt. 32] their clothes, and the untiredness of their feet; yet did they forget, and [Moses 113] [Redemption from Egypt. 33] were continually repining against him that did all these wonders for them. [Moses 114] [Redemption from Egypt. 34] [Moses 115] [Redemption from Egypt. 35] They repined when they came out of Egypt, that they must come out of [Moses 116] [Redemption from Egypt. 36] Egypt, Exod. 14. 12. They repined when they came near Canaan, that [Moses 117] [Redemption from Egypt. 37] [Moses 118] [Redemption from Egypt. 38] they must go into Canaan, Numb. 14. and so they repined all the way between. [Moses 119] [Redemption from Egypt. 39] Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee, &c. Deut. 32. 6.

CHAP. XX.

[World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] ISRAEL is now come to Kadesh Barnea again; an unhappy place, for there they had been eight and thirty years ago, and received the doom of not entering into the land: and the same doom falleth upon Moses and Aaron there now, It is said, They came into the desert of Zin to Kadesh in the first month, but nameth not the year; for it referreth to the decree made in that very place of forty years wandering, and this is the first month of the fortieth year, and so Numb. 33. 8. and Deut. 2. 7, 14. make it undoubted. Miriam dieth at Kadesh, and is buried there, being a great deal above 120 years old.

The people murmur here now for water, as they had done here before about the land; and the Holy Ghost by a most strange word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , most sweetly showeth their confusedness. They had lain here a whole twelve-month at their being here before, but then no want of water, for the rock or the waters of Horeb had followed them hither, but how [World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] that was now departed is not expressed.

Moses and Aaron are excluded Canaan for not believing the Lord, and not sanctifying him before the people; their particular fault is diversely guessed at, it seemeth to me that it was this; What say they, ye rebels, must we bring water out of this rock, as we did out of Horeb? Is all our hopes and expectation of getting out of the wilderness come to this? We never fetched you water out of a rock but once, and that was because ye were to stay a long time in the wilderness, and that was to serve you all the while, as we have seen it did by experience. Now that water is gone, and must we now fetch you water out of another rock? O ye rebels, have you brought it to this by your murmuring, that we must have a new stay in the wilderness, and a new rock opened to yield you water for your long stay as Horeb did? Are we to begin our abode in the wilderness anew now when we hoped that our travel had been ended; and so we shall never get out? And so he smote the rock twice in a fume and anger. And thus they believed not the promise of entering the land after forty years; and thus they sanctified not the Lord in the sight of the people to encourage them in the Promise, but damped them in it; and thus they spake unadvisedly in their lips, and so they were excluded Canaan. It was a sign that the Promise aimed at better things then the earthly Canaan, when the holiest persons in all Israel are debarred from coming thither from Kadesh Barnea, they turn back toward the Red-sea again, as they had done before, Deut. 1. 40. because Edom would not now give them passage.

Aaron dieth in Horhagidgad the first day of the fifth month, and is lamented all that month.

CHAP. XXI.

SOme Canaanites are overcome; here appeareth some glimpse of the performance of God's promise, but the people turning clean back again, they begin to murmur. Here the strange word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ver. 5. and the scornful word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , used for Manna, showeth their scornfulness and fuming: Seraphim, Nehashim, fiery Serpents, or Serpents of a flame color sting the murmurers; and the brazen Serpent lifted up and looked at cureth them: a figure of better things to come, Joh. 3. 14. This brazen Serpent seemeth to have named the place Zalmonah, Num. 33. 42. that is, the place of the image; and the coming up of the Serpents upon the people, seemeth also to have named the place there about Maaleh Akrabbim, The coming up of the Scorpions: See Josh. 15. 3.

From Zalmonah they remove to Pimon, to Oboth, to Ije Aharim by the border of Moab; they are forbidden to invade Moab, Deut. 2. 9. They pass the valley Zared; and here all the generation numbered at Sinai is clean gone, Deut. 2. 14. They coast along Moab and Ammon, and so to the other side Arnon, Deut. 2. 13, 18, 24.

In Numb. 21. ver. 14. there is this Geographical quotation taken out of the book of the wars of the Lord which describeth that part of the Country thus, Vaheh in Suphah, and the brooks of Arnon, and the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab. This Book of the war of the Lord, seemeth to have been some Book of remembrances and directions written by Moses for Joshua's private instructions in the managing of the wars after him; see Exod. 17. 14, 16. It may be this Book was also called Sepher Jasher, liber rectus, or a directory for Joshua from Moses, what to do and what to expect in his wars; and in it Moses directs the setting up of Archery, 2 Sam. 1. 18. and warrants him to command the Sun, and to expect its obedience, Josh. 10. 13.

From thence they come to Beer, where the seventy Elders of the Sanhedrin by Moses appointment, do bring forth waters by the stroke of their staves, as he had done with the stroke of his Rod; this great work and wonder, and this great privilege bestowed upon so many of them, maketh all the people to sing for joy.

Sihon and Og conquered; It is now six and twenty generations from the Creation, or from Adam to Moses, and accordingly doth Psal. 136. rehearse the durableness of God's mercy six and twenty times over, beginning [World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] the story with the Creation, and ending it in the conquest of Sihon and Og: The numerals of the name Jehovah, amount to the sum of six and twenty.

CHAP. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV.

BAlaam cannot curse Israel, but curseth Amalek their first, and Rome their last enemy: He foretelleth that Israel shall be so prosperous and happy, that he wisheth that his end might be like theirs. He returns to his own place, Chap. 24. 25. that is, saith Baal Turim, He went to hell, as Acts 1. 25. He went not home to Syris his own Country, but he went homeward, and by the way falls in with Midian, and giveth them the cursed counsel to entangle Israel with their Daughters and Idolatry. Israel is yoked 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to Baal Peor, not only to the Idol, but to the women; the old generation of wicked Israel is utterly gone, and this new generation that must enter Canaan, begins after their fathers with such courses as these: there died for this sin 24000 men: viz. 23000 by the plague, 1 Cor. 10. 8. and 1000 by the hand of Justice.

CHAP. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX. XXX.

THE people are numbered that must go into Canaan, as those had been that came out of Egypt: One family of Simeon that had gone into Egypt is extinct, namely that of Ohad; a Prince of Simeon had been chief actor in the matter of Peor, Chap. 25. 14. It may be that utterly rooted out his stock. Divers Laws given.

CHAP. XXXI. XXXII.

MIdian destroyed, though Abraham's children; Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, have thereby the quieter settling beyond Jordan, when they say, We will build us Sheepfolds and Cities, Chap. 32. 6. and when the Text saith they did so ver. 34. it is to be understood that they took course for such buildings, for they themselves went over Jordan, and were in Canaan wars seven years.

CHAP. XXXIII. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI.

ISraels two and forty stations from Egypt to Jordan; the borders of the Land; the Cities of the Levites; the disposal of Zelophohads daughters.

CHAP. I.

ON the first day of the second month, the Lord provided for the pitching of their camp, as on the first day of the first month, they had begun to erect the Tabernacle. First the people are numbered from twenty years old and upwards, and their sum amounteth to 603550. men; of all which number, only two men enter the land. The Levites are not reckoned in this sum, nor with this reckoning; and accordingly they fall not under the same curse with the others, of not entering into his rest. Not a man impotent through old age in Israel.

CHAP. II.

THeir Camp is pitched, and the Sanctuary set just in the middle of it; for Religion is the heart of a State. The Levites pitch next unto it in a quadrangular body round about it, at a certain distance. The whole body of the army pitcheth at another distance about them, in the same form, and 2000 cubits distance from the Tabernacle: every side of the square carried its several colors; Judah, a Lion; Ephraim, a Bullock; Reuben, a Man; Dan, an Eagle. Compare the description of Christ dwelling in the midst of the Christian Church, Rev. 4. 4. The Ark, the strength of the Lord, Pitcheth before Ephraim and Benjamin, and Manasseh, Psal. 80. 2.

CHAP. III. IV.

THE Levites taken for the first-born of Israel, and so interested in every family among them. The first-born had been Priests till the consecration of the Levites, now that function must be confined to that Tribe. The Levites engaged to their service from nine and twenty years old complete, or thirty currant till fifty. Our Savior's age at his entrance into his Ministry, Luke 3. 23. answereth to this type.

CHAP. V. VI.

A Law concerning uncleanness and offenses, that the Camp might continue in purity, and unity, chastity and unchastity tried miraculously. The Law concerning Nazarites, the only votaries of the people. The Congregation to be blessed by the Priests, in the name of the Trinity.

CHAP. VII. VIII.

THE Princes offer to the Sanctuary, and more ordinances are given about it. That they offered not till they were ordered into their standards, is plain by the order and method of their offering. The Levites to be five years probationers at the Sanctuary before they take their office, Chap. 8. 24. compared with Chap. 4. 23.

CHAP. IX. from Ver. 15. to the end. And CHAP. X. to Ver. 11.

BEfore the reading of the fifteenth Verse, the Reader is to suppose a Passover to be kept the fourteenth day of this second month, although the keeping of it be not expressly mentioned, but only hinted; for on the fourteenth day of the first month, which was the proper day for the Passover, some men because they were unclean could not observe it, and upon their acquainting Moses with their case, he presently gives them a warrant, to keep it the fourteenth day of the next month, which they did no doubt accordingly, although it be not in plain terms related. For the occurrences mentioned in the Book hitherto, came to pass in the first thirteen days of the month, [save only the offering of the Princes, which indeed began before the fourteenth day, but continued [World 2515] [Moses 82] [Redemption from Egypt. 2] beyond it; notwithstanding the Holy Ghost would conclude the story of their offering all together,] and on the fourteenth day, those that had been unclean at the proper time of the Passover, kept the Passover by a new ordinance, so that the order of the story of this new Passover, is most genuine and proper here; but Moses could not relate the thing, but he must relate the occasion, namely because some could not keep it at the right time, therefore he giveth the story of the right time here, which as we shown before, lieth properly between the tenth and eleventh Chapters of Leviticus.

From the fifteenth Verse of this Chapter to the eleventh Verse of the tenth Chapter, there is mention of two special things; namely the dwelling of the cloud upon the Tabernacle, and the making of the silver Trumpets; which however they were indeed somewhat afore this time, [for the Cloud descended, and the Trumpets were made before the fourteenth day of this month,] yet are they brought in here as relating to the removal of the Army, which is mentioned in Chap. 10. verse. 11. for then the Cloud was taken up, and the Trumpets were sounded.

EXODUS XVIII.

BEtween the tenth and eleventh Verses of the tenth of Numbers, as in its proper place and order, cometh in the story of Jethro, contained in the eighteenth of Exodus, as may be evidenced by these observations.

First, That that story lieth not in its proper place in the Book of Exodus, may be concluded upon these two or three reasons; first, because there it is said, Jethro took burnt-offerings and sacrifices for God, ver. 12. Now as the story lieth there, the Law for burnt-offerings and sacrifices was not yet given. 2. It is said, that Moses sat to judge the people, and made them know the Statutes of God, and his Laws, verse. 13, 16. Now as the story lieth there, the Statutes and Laws are not as yet given to Moses, and he himself knoweth them not. 3. The choosing of Judges and Elders, which was upon Jethro's counsel, was not till their departing from Sinai, Deut. 1. 7, 8. And now as the story of Jethro lieth in the book of Exodus, they are not as yet come to Sinai; therefore that that story is misplaced as it lieth there, there is evidence sufficient. There remaineth only to see why it is laid there out of its proper place and where is the proper place to lay it; the former may be resolved upon, by looking back upon the curse that God denounceth upon Amalek, in the 17 Chapter: I will put out the remembrance of Amalek from under Heaven: And the Lord hath sworn, that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation, ver. 14, 16. Now that the Holy Ghost might show that Jethro who dwelt among the Amalekites, 1 Sam. 15. 16. did not fall under this curse, he bringeth in the story of his coming into Israel, in the very next place after that curse is related; not thereby to conclude strictly that his coming was at that very time as soon as the curse was denounced; but to show that he once came, and so avoideth and escapeth that curse.

Now that the proper place of that story is this that we have mentioned, may be evidenced by these particulars: First, that Moses himself telleth, Deut. 1. 7. that their choice of Judges, which was by Jethro's counsel, instantly upon his coming, was so near their departure from Sinai, which is metioned Num. 10. ver. 11. that the warning of their departure was given him before. 2. That the murmuring of Aaron and Miriam against Zipporah Moses wife, [which in all probability was upon her first coming among them, and their converse with her or instantly after,] is set after their departure from Sinai. 3. That the departure of Hobab or Jethro from them at Sinai, is joined so near to the place where we suppose this story of his coming is to be laid, as that but a few Verses come between; and compair that story with the latter end of Exodus 18. and it will help to confirm this place to be the proper place of its order.

CHAP. X. from Vers. 11. to the end.

[World 2515] [Moses 82] [Redemption from Egypt. 2] THE Cloud is taken up on the twentieth day of the second month, and the Camp removeth from Sinai to the wilderness of Paran; three days journey. In the 35 Verse of this Chapter, the letter Nun is written the wrong way in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , when the Ark set forward, and so is it also in the first Verse of the next Chapter in the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , they became as murderers. In the former is hinted, as the Jews observe, God's gracious turning back towards the people; in the latter the people's ungracious turning away from God.

CHAP. XI.

AT their first incamping after Jethro's departure, Moses findeth an occasion to choose Judges and Elders, to help to bear the burden with him; and therefore the 24, 25, 26. Verses of Exodus 18. are to be reputed coincident with this time. The Sanhedrin chosen by Moses and endued with the Spirit by God; six of a Tribe made up the number, and two over, and these two were Eldad and M • dad, who were written for Elders, but the lot cast them out, that there might be but seventy: yet did the Lord honor them with the Spirit of Prophecy.

CHAP. XII.

ZIpporah Moses wife called a Cushite, for Arabia was the land of Cush, for her sake Aaron and Miriam begin to rebel against Moses authority; for which Miriam is struck with Leprosy, but Aaron is not, because he was the Judge of Leprosy, and could not be tainted with it. Their sin causeth the Cloud of glory to depart, as the sin of the golden Calf had done before; there Aaron had a hand in the sin also; Moses vindicated by God himself; It is said, They removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran, ver. 16. that is, they marched and pitched in that wilderness: see Chap. 10. 12.

CHAP. XIII.

THEY are now come not very far from the South-point of the land of Canaan, [compare Ver. 26. and Deut. 1. 2, 19.] and Moses at the desire of the people, Deut. 1. 22. sendeth twelve men to spy the land: Sethur the man for the Tribe of Asher, ver. 13. his name is in number 666. and in signification hidden or mystical; it is toward the end of the year Stilo veteri, when they search the land; for grapes and figs are then ripe, verse. 20.

CHAP. XIV.

THE decree and oath in God's anger, that they should not enter into his rest, cometh forth, and beginneth to seize upon some of them; for the ten men that caused the people to murmur died by the plague: as they were forty days in searching the land, so the people must wander forty years ere they came to enjoy it; that is, eight and thirty years and an half to make up the year and half that had passed since their coming out of Egypt to be forty: and in that time must all the men that were numbered at Sinai, [the Levites excepted] be consumed in the wilderness; and here is man's age cut short again, as it had been at the Flood and building of Babel.

PSAL. XC.

UPON this sad decree of God against the people, and upon his cutting short man's age, Moses maketh the nintieth Psalm, [whose proper order is coincident with this story,] and there sadly showeth how they were consumed by God's anger for their impieties: that now man's age is come to seventy or eighty years, from those hundreds that men lived before, &c.

CHAP. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX.

[World 2516] [Moses 83] [Redemption from Egypt. 3] THE place where the people murmured upon the return of the spies, was Kadesh Barnea, Numb. 13. 26. & 32. 8. Deut. 1. 19. This place was called Rithmah before, Numb. 33. 18. compared with Numb. 12. 16. & 13. 26. and it may be it was so called from the Juniper-trees that grew there: as 1 Kings 19. 4. but now named Kadesh, because the Lord was there sanctified upon the people, as Chap. 20. 13. and Barnea, or the wandering son, because here was the decree made of their long wandering in the wilderness. Here at Kadesh they continued a good space before they removed; for so Moses saith, Ye abode in Kadesh many days: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , according to the days that ye had made abode, namely at Sinai, as ver. 6. and so they spent one whole year there, for so they had done at Sinai: and whereas God bids them upon their murmuring to turn back to the Red-sea, Deut. 1. 40. his meaning was, that at their next march whensoever it was, they should not go forward towards Canaan, but clean back again towards the Red-sea from whence they came.

[Moses 84] [Redemption from Egypt. 4] And so they do, and so they wander by many stations and marches [Moses 85] [Redemption from Egypt. 5] from Kadesh Barnea now, till they come to Kadesh Barnea again, some seven [Moses 86] [Redemption from Egypt. 6] or eight and thirty years hence. Their marches mentioned in Numb. 33. [Moses 87] [Redemption from Egypt. 7] were these; from Kadesh or Rithmah to Rimmon Parez, to Libnah, to [Moses 88] [Redemption from Egypt. 8] Rissah, to Kehelathah, to Mount Shapher, to Haradah, to Makheloth, to [Moses 89] [Redemption from Egypt. 9] Tahath, to Tarah, to M •• hcah, to Hashmonah, to Moseroth, to Horhagidgad, [Moses 90] [Redemption from Egypt. 10] to Jotbathah, to Ebronah, to Ezion Gaber, to Kadesh again in the [Moses 91] [Redemption from Egypt. 11] fortieth year. And thus whereas it was but eleven days journey from Horeb [Moses 92] [Redemption from Egypt. 12] by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea, Deut. 1. 2. they have now [Moses 93] [Redemption from Egypt. 13] made it above three times eleven years journey. The occurrences of all [Moses 94] [Redemption from Egypt. 14] this time were but few, and those undated either to time or place; some [Moses 95] [Redemption from Egypt. 15] Laws are given, Chap. 15. Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebel, Chap. 16. [Moses 96] [Redemption from Egypt. 16] Korah for the Priest-hood from Aaron, as being one of the Tribe of Levi; [Moses 97] [Redemption from Egypt. 17] and Dathan and Abiram for the principality from Moses, as being of [Moses 98] [Redemption from Egypt. 18] Reuben the first-born. An earth-quake devoureth them, and all theirs, [Moses 99] [Redemption from Egypt. 19] and a fire devoured the 250 men that conspired with them; only Korahs [Moses 100] [Redemption from Egypt. 20] sons escape, Chap. 26. 11. and of them came Samuel, and divers famous [Moses 101] [Redemption from Egypt. 21] [Moses 102] [Redemption from Egypt. 22] singers in the Temple, 1 Chron. 6. 22. &c. Aaron's Priest-hood that was [Moses 103] [Redemption from Egypt. 23] so opposed is confirmed by the budding of his withered rod, and upon [Moses 104] [Redemption from Egypt. 24] [Moses 105] [Redemption from Egypt. 25] this approval, divers services for the Priests are appointed, Chap. 17. & 18. [Moses 106] [Redemption from Egypt. 26] & 19. and so we have no more occurrences mentioned till the first day of [Moses 107] [Redemption from Egypt. 27] [Moses 108] [Redemption from Egypt. 28] their fortieth year. They went under four or five continual miracles; [Moses 109] [Redemption from Egypt. 29] as the appearing of the Cloud of glory, the raining of Manna, the following [Moses 110] [Redemption from Egypt. 30] [Moses 111] [Redemption from Egypt. 31] of the Rock or the waters of Horeb, the continual newness of [Moses 112] [Redemption from Egypt. 32] their clothes, and the untiredness of their feet; yet did they forget, and [Moses 113] [Redemption from Egypt. 33] were continually repining against him that did all these wonders for them. [Moses 114] [Redemption from Egypt. 34] [Moses 115] [Redemption from Egypt. 35] They repined when they came out of Egypt, that they must come out of [Moses 116] [Redemption from Egypt. 36] Egypt, Exod. 14. 12. They repined when they came near Canaan, that [Moses 117] [Redemption from Egypt. 37] [Moses 118] [Redemption from Egypt. 38] they must go into Canaan, Numb. 14. and so they repined all the way between. [Moses 119] [Redemption from Egypt. 39] Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy Father that hath bought thee, &c. Deut. 32. 6.

CHAP. XX.

[World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] ISRAEL is now come to Kadesh Barnea again; an unhappy place, for there they had been eight and thirty years ago, and received the doom of not entering into the land: and the same doom falleth upon Moses and Aaron there now, It is said, They came into the desert of Zin to Kadesh in the first month, but nameth not the year; for it referreth to the decree made in that very place of forty years wandering, and this is the first month of the fortieth year, and so Numb. 33. 8. and Deut. 2. 7, 14. make it undoubted. Miriam dieth at Kadesh, and is buried there, being a great deal above 120 years old.

The people murmur here now for water, as they had done here before about the land; and the Holy Ghost by a most strange word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , most sweetly showeth their confusedness. They had lain here a whole twelve-month at their being here before, but then no want of water, for the rock or the waters of Horeb had followed them hither, but how [World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] that was now departed is not expressed.

Moses and Aaron are excluded Canaan for not believing the Lord, and not sanctifying him before the people; their particular fault is diversely guessed at, it seemeth to me that it was this; What say they, ye rebels, must we bring water out of this rock, as we did out of Horeb? Is all our hopes and expectation of getting out of the wilderness come to this? We never fetched you water out of a rock but once, and that was because ye were to stay a long time in the wilderness, and that was to serve you all the while, as we have seen it did by experience. Now that water is gone, and must we now fetch you water out of another rock? O ye rebels, have you brought it to this by your murmuring, that we must have a new stay in the wilderness, and a new rock opened to yield you water for your long stay as Horeb did? Are we to begin our abode in the wilderness anew now when we hoped that our travel had been ended; and so we shall never get out? And so he smote the rock twice in a fume and anger. And thus they believed not the promise of entering the land after forty years; and thus they sanctified not the Lord in the sight of the people to encourage them in the Promise, but damped them in it; and thus they spake unadvisedly in their lips, and so they were excluded Canaan. It was a sign that the Promise aimed at better things then the earthly Canaan, when the holiest persons in all Israel are debarred from coming thither from Kadesh Barnea, they turn back toward the Red-sea again, as they had done before, Deut. 1. 40. because Edom would not now give them passage.

Aaron dieth in Horhagidgad the first day of the fifth month, and is lamented all that month.

CHAP. XXI.

SOme Canaanites are overcome; here appeareth some glimpse of the performance of God's promise, but the people turning clean back again, they begin to murmur. Here the strange word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ver. 5. and the scornful word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , used for Manna, showeth their scornfulness and fuming: Seraphim, Nehashim, fiery Serpents, or Serpents of a flame color sting the murmurers; and the brazen Serpent lifted up and looked at cureth them: a figure of better things to come, Joh. 3. 14. This brazen Serpent seemeth to have named the place Zalmonah, Num. 33. 42. that is, the place of the image; and the coming up of the Serpents upon the people, seemeth also to have named the place there about Maaleh Akrabbim, The coming up of the Scorpions: See Josh. 15. 3.

From Zalmonah they remove to Pimon, to Oboth, to Ije Aharim by the border of Moab; they are forbidden to invade Moab, Deut. 2. 9. They pass the valley Zared; and here all the generation numbered at Sinai is clean gone, Deut. 2. 14. They coast along Moab and Ammon, and so to the other side Arnon, Deut. 2. 13, 18, 24.

In Numb. 21. ver. 14. there is this Geographical quotation taken out of the book of the wars of the Lord which describeth that part of the Country thus, Vaheh in Suphah, and the brooks of Arnon, and the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab. This Book of the war of the Lord, seemeth to have been some Book of remembrances and directions written by Moses for Joshua's private instructions in the managing of the wars after him; see Exod. 17. 14, 16. It may be this Book was also called Sepher Jasher, liber rectus, or a directory for Joshua from Moses, what to do and what to expect in his wars; and in it Moses directs the setting up of Archery, 2 Sam. 1. 18. and warrants him to command the Sun, and to expect its obedience, Josh. 10. 13.

From thence they come to Beer, where the seventy Elders of the Sanhedrin by Moses appointment, do bring forth waters by the stroke of their staves, as he had done with the stroke of his Rod; this great work and wonder, and this great privilege bestowed upon so many of them, maketh all the people to sing for joy.

Sihon and Og conquered; It is now six and twenty generations from the Creation, or from Adam to Moses, and accordingly doth Psal. 136. rehearse the durableness of God's mercy six and twenty times over, beginning [World 2553] [Moses 120] [Redemption from Egypt. 40] the story with the Creation, and ending it in the conquest of Sihon and Og: The numerals of the name Jehovah, amount to the sum of six and twenty.

CHAP. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV.

BAlaam cannot curse Israel, but curseth Amalek their first, and Rome their last enemy: He foretelleth that Israel shall be so prosperous and happy, that he wisheth that his end might be like theirs. He returns to his own place, Chap. 24. 25. that is, saith Baal Turim, He went to hell, as Acts 1. 25. He went not home to Syris his own Country, but he went homeward, and by the way falls in with Midian, and giveth them the cursed counsel to entangle Israel with their Daughters and Idolatry. Israel is yoked 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to Baal Peor, not only to the Idol, but to the women; the old generation of wicked Israel is utterly gone, and this new generation that must enter Canaan, begins after their fathers with such courses as these: there died for this sin 24000 men: viz. 23000 by the plague, 1 Cor. 10. 8. and 1000 by the hand of Justice.

CHAP. XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX. XXX.

THE people are numbered that must go into Canaan, as those had been that came out of Egypt: One family of Simeon that had gone into Egypt is extinct, namely that of Ohad; a Prince of Simeon had been chief actor in the matter of Peor, Chap. 25. 14. It may be that utterly rooted out his stock. Divers Laws given.

CHAP. XXXI. XXXII.

MIdian destroyed, though Abraham's children; Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, have thereby the quieter settling beyond Jordan, when they say, We will build us Sheepfolds and Cities, Chap. 32. 6. and when the Text saith they did so ver. 34. it is to be understood that they took course for such buildings, for they themselves went over Jordan, and were in Canaan wars seven years.

CHAP. XXXIII. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI.

ISraels two and forty stations from Egypt to Jordan; the borders of the Land; the Cities of the Levites; the disposal of Zelophohads daughters.

CHAP. I.

[World 2554] [Joshua 1] JOSHUA of Joseph succeedeth Moses, the seventh from Ephraim, 1 Chron. 7. 25. and in him first appeared Josephs birth-right, 1 Chron. 5. 1. and Ephraim's dignity, Gen. 48. 10, He is called Jesus by the LXX. and by the New Testament, Acts 7. 45. Heb. 4. 8. a type of him that bringeth his people into eternal rest. He is installed into the authority of Moses, both to command the people and to work miracles; and the Book of the Law put into his hand by Eleazar, as the manner was at Coronations, 2 Chron. 23. 11. He foreseeth the dividing of Jordan, and gives charge to provide to march through it.

CHAP. II.

RAhab an hostess of Jericho hath more faith then 600000 men of Israel, that had seen the wonders in Egypt, and the wilderness. Two Spies that were sent out the sixth day of Nisan come out of Jericho again that night; the seventh day they lie in the mountains, and the eighth day they return to the Camp: here are the three days just so counted as the three days of our Savior's burial.

CHAP. III. IV.

ON the ninth day, the people march along upon Jordans banks till they come over against Jericho. The Ark leads the van, for the Cloud of Glory which had been their conductor hitherto, was taken away at Moses his death. On the tenth day the Ark divided Jordan; there are 4000 cubits dry land in the midst of Jordan, between the two bodies of the armies that marched on either side of the Ark as it stood in the midst of the river: the Ark pitcheth besides Adam, Chap. 3. 16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Psal. 78. 60.

CHAP. V.

THERE is a general circumcision now of the people, as there had been at their coming out of Egypt; and as God then closed the Egyptians in three days darkness that they could not stir, so now he striketh the Canaanites with terror that they dare not stir to hurt the people while they were fore. Circumcision sealed the lease of the land of Canaan, and therefore as soon as they set foot on it, they must be circumcised; the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth days of Abib or Nisan are spent about this business, and on the fourteenth day they kept the Passover, and so are sensible of both their Sacraments at once. It is now forty years to a day since they came out of Egypt; Christ appeareth weaponed, and is Lord General in the wars of Canaan.

CHAP. VI.

JEricho strangely besieged; encompassed seven days, according to the seven generations since the land was promised, counting from Abraham by Levi and Moses.

Israel marcheth on the Sabbath day by a special dispensation. The walls of Jericho brought down by trumpets and a shout, in figure of the subduing of the strong holds of Satan among the heathens by the power of the Gospel: the spoil of the Town dedicated to the Lord, as the first fruits of Canaan, Rahab received as the first fruits of the Heathen; she afterward marrieth Salmon a Prince of Judah, Matth. 1. 5. Joshua adjureth Rahab's kindred forever building Jericho again.

CHAP. VII.

[World 2554] [Joshua 1] AChan by one fact maketh all Israel abominable; the like thing not to be paralleled again: The valley of Achor is now the door of discomfiture and discontent; in time to come it must be the door of hope, Hos. 2. 15. fulfilled to the very letter, Joh. 4.

CHAP. VIII.

AI taken, and the spoil given to the soldiers; and here they have the first seisure and possession of the Land, (for in the spoil of Jericho they had no part) And then Joshua built an Altar, verse. 30. and writeth the Law upon it, and the blessings and the curses are pronounced; and now it was full time, for now had the Lord by the sweet of the spoil of Ai, given the people a taste of his performance of his promise, to give them that land, and now it was seasonable on their part to engage themselves to him, and to the keeping of the Law.

CHAP. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV.

[Joshua 2] A Great delusion of the Church by the color of Antiquity; the Gibeonites [Joshua 3] made Nechenims for the inferior offices about the Sanctuary: the [Joshua 4] Sun and Moon do obeisance to a son of Joseph, as Gen. 37. 9. thereupon there [Joshua 5] is a miraculous day of three days long. In seven years is the land conquered, [Joshua 6] as Jericho had been seven days besieged; that this was the date of Joshua's [Joshua 7] battles, appeareth from the words of Caleb, Chap. 14. 7, 10. he was sent one of the Spies of the land in the second year of their coming out of Egypt, and had lived five and forty years since, viz. eight and thirty years in the wilderness, and seven in Canaan.

CHAP. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV.

[Joshua 8] JUdah the royal Tribe first seated; the taking of Hebron and Kiriath Sepher, [Joshua 9] are mentioned here by anticipation, (for these occurrences came [Joshua 10] not to pass till after Joshua's death) because the Holy Ghost in describing of [Joshua 11] the inheritance of Judah, would take special notice of the portion of Caleb [Joshua 12] who had adhered to the Lord. Then Ephraim and Manasseh seated; the [Joshua 13] birth-right of Joseph is served next after the royalty of Judah. The Tabernacle [Joshua 14] set up in a Town of the lot of Ephraim, and the Town named Shiloh, [Joshua 15] because of the peaceableness of the land at this time. The Temple [Joshua 16] was afterward built at Salem, which signifieth Peaceable also; that in the lot of Benjamin, this in the lot of Joseph, both the sons of beloved Rachel.

The rest of the land divided; Simeon though he were of the same standard with Reuben and Gad, yet consenteth not with them to reside beyond Jordan, but is mixed in his inheritance with the Tribe of Judah, as Gen. 49. 7. The rest of the Tribes seated agreeable to the prediction of Jacob and Moses. The taking of Laish or Leshem by the Danites, is related here by anticipation, (for it was not done till after Joshua's death, Judge. 18. 29.) because the Text would give account of their whole inheritance together, now it is speaking of it. From this mention of an occurrence that befell after Joshua's death, and the like about Hebron and Kiriath Sepher, it may be concluded that Joshua wrote not this Book, but Phineas rather. Joshua himself is inheritanced last. Three Cities of refuge appointed within Jordan, one in Judea, another in Samaria, and the third in Galilee: and three without Jordan in the three Tribes there.

Eight and forty Cities appointed for the Priests and Levites; as so many Universities wherein they studied the Law.

It is not worth the labor to examine, because it is past the ability to determine, whether the two Tribes and an half returned to their own homes as soon as ever the land had rest from the wars, which was in the seventh year; or whether they stayed till the land was divided, and the people settled, which took up a long time more: howsoever it was, the two and twentieth Chapter that containeth that story, is laid very properly where it lieth, because it was fit that the whole story which concerned the conquest and the possession of the land, should be handled all together, before any other particulars and emergencles should interpose and interrupt it.

[World 2570] [Joshua 17] JOSHUA dieth, one hundred and ten years old; the age of his old father Joseph, Gen. 50. 26. He had divided Jordan, shouted down Jericho walls, stopped the Sun, conquered Canaan, set up the Tabernacle, settled the people, buried the bones of the Patriarchs at Shechem, the head City of the land; engaged the people to Religion, and done gloriously in his generation: A type of Christ in the most of these things.

With those Chapters of Joshua that do treat concerning the division of the land, and settling of the Tribes in their several possessions, it may not be unproper nor unprofitable to read those Chapters in the first Book of Chronicles that do mention the Fathers and chief men in every Tribe, and who were planters and raisers of families in these several possessions: as with Josh. 13. that relateth the inheritance of the two Tribes and half, to read 1 Chron. 5. With Josh. 15. that describeth the possession of Judah, to read 1 Chron. 2, 3, 4. to verse 24. With Josh. 16, 17. that handleth the lot of Ehphraim and Manasseh, to read 1 Chronicles 7. from verse 14. to verse 30. With Joshua 18. from verse 11. to the end, about the possession of Benjamin, to read 1 Chron. 7. from verse 6. to verse 13. and 8. all. With Josh. 19. to verse 10. read 1 Chron. 4. from verse 24. to the end. With Josh. 19. from verse 19. to verse 24. read 1 Chron. 7. to verse 6. With Josh. 19. from verse 24. to verse 31. read 1 Chron. 7. from verse 30. to the end. With Josh. 19. verse 32. &c. 1 Chron. 7. verse 13. With Josh. 21. read 1 Chron. 6.

And with these Chapters of Joshua as an exposition of some of them, read 1 Chronicles 9. But as for the casting the several Texts and parcels of these Chapters in the Book of Chronicles into their proper times, and to take in every man named there, and his story into the Chronicle in the age where he lived, would not only be difficult if possible, but would be confused in this Work we have in hand. A close Commentary upon the first Book of Chronicles, would be a matter of singular value, and might be conducible for this and for other very material purposes.

CHAP. I.

[World 2554] [Joshua 1] JOSHUA of Joseph succeedeth Moses, the seventh from Ephraim, 1 Chron. 7. 25. and in him first appeared Josephs birth-right, 1 Chron. 5. 1. and Ephraim's dignity, Gen. 48. 10, He is called Jesus by the LXX. and by the New Testament, Acts 7. 45. Heb. 4. 8. a type of him that bringeth his people into eternal rest. He is installed into the authority of Moses, both to command the people and to work miracles; and the Book of the Law put into his hand by Eleazar, as the manner was at Coronations, 2 Chron. 23. 11. He foreseeth the dividing of Jordan, and gives charge to provide to march through it.

CHAP. II.

RAhab an hostess of Jericho hath more faith then 600000 men of Israel, that had seen the wonders in Egypt, and the wilderness. Two Spies that were sent out the sixth day of Nisan come out of Jericho again that night; the seventh day they lie in the mountains, and the eighth day they return to the Camp: here are the three days just so counted as the three days of our Savior's burial.

CHAP. III. IV.

ON the ninth day, the people march along upon Jordans banks till they come over against Jericho. The Ark leads the van, for the Cloud of Glory which had been their conductor hitherto, was taken away at Moses his death. On the tenth day the Ark divided Jordan; there are 4000 cubits dry land in the midst of Jordan, between the two bodies of the armies that marched on either side of the Ark as it stood in the midst of the river: the Ark pitcheth besides Adam, Chap. 3. 16. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Psal. 78. 60.

CHAP. V.

THERE is a general circumcision now of the people, as there had been at their coming out of Egypt; and as God then closed the Egyptians in three days darkness that they could not stir, so now he striketh the Canaanites with terror that they dare not stir to hurt the people while they were fore. Circumcision sealed the lease of the land of Canaan, and therefore as soon as they set foot on it, they must be circumcised; the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth days of Abib or Nisan are spent about this business, and on the fourteenth day they kept the Passover, and so are sensible of both their Sacraments at once. It is now forty years to a day since they came out of Egypt; Christ appeareth weaponed, and is Lord General in the wars of Canaan.

CHAP. VI.

JEricho strangely besieged; encompassed seven days, according to the seven generations since the land was promised, counting from Abraham by Levi and Moses.

Israel marcheth on the Sabbath day by a special dispensation. The walls of Jericho brought down by trumpets and a shout, in figure of the subduing of the strong holds of Satan among the heathens by the power of the Gospel: the spoil of the Town dedicated to the Lord, as the first fruits of Canaan, Rahab received as the first fruits of the Heathen; she afterward marrieth Salmon a Prince of Judah, Matth. 1. 5. Joshua adjureth Rahab's kindred forever building Jericho again.

CHAP. VII.

[World 2554] [Joshua 1] AChan by one fact maketh all Israel abominable; the like thing not to be paralleled again: The valley of Achor is now the door of discomfiture and discontent; in time to come it must be the door of hope, Hos. 2. 15. fulfilled to the very letter, Joh. 4.

CHAP. VIII.

AI taken, and the spoil given to the soldiers; and here they have the first seisure and possession of the Land, (for in the spoil of Jericho they had no part) And then Joshua built an Altar, verse. 30. and writeth the Law upon it, and the blessings and the curses are pronounced; and now it was full time, for now had the Lord by the sweet of the spoil of Ai, given the people a taste of his performance of his promise, to give them that land, and now it was seasonable on their part to engage themselves to him, and to the keeping of the Law.

CHAP. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV.

[Joshua 2] A Great delusion of the Church by the color of Antiquity; the Gibeonites [Joshua 3] made Nechenims for the inferior offices about the Sanctuary: the [Joshua 4] Sun and Moon do obeisance to a son of Joseph, as Gen. 37. 9. thereupon there [Joshua 5] is a miraculous day of three days long. In seven years is the land conquered, [Joshua 6] as Jericho had been seven days besieged; that this was the date of Joshua's [Joshua 7] battles, appeareth from the words of Caleb, Chap. 14. 7, 10. he was sent one of the Spies of the land in the second year of their coming out of Egypt, and had lived five and forty years since, viz. eight and thirty years in the wilderness, and seven in Canaan.

CHAP. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV.

[Joshua 8] JUdah the royal Tribe first seated; the taking of Hebron and Kiriath Sepher, [Joshua 9] are mentioned here by anticipation, (for these occurrences came [Joshua 10] not to pass till after Joshua's death) because the Holy Ghost in describing of [Joshua 11] the inheritance of Judah, would take special notice of the portion of Caleb [Joshua 12] who had adhered to the Lord. Then Ephraim and Manasseh seated; the [Joshua 13] birth-right of Joseph is served next after the royalty of Judah. The Tabernacle [Joshua 14] set up in a Town of the lot of Ephraim, and the Town named Shiloh, [Joshua 15] because of the peaceableness of the land at this time. The Temple [Joshua 16] was afterward built at Salem, which signifieth Peaceable also; that in the lot of Benjamin, this in the lot of Joseph, both the sons of beloved Rachel.

The rest of the land divided; Simeon though he were of the same standard with Reuben and Gad, yet consenteth not with them to reside beyond Jordan, but is mixed in his inheritance with the Tribe of Judah, as Gen. 49. 7. The rest of the Tribes seated agreeable to the prediction of Jacob and Moses. The taking of Laish or Leshem by the Danites, is related here by anticipation, (for it was not done till after Joshua's death, Judge. 18. 29.) because the Text would give account of their whole inheritance together, now it is speaking of it. From this mention of an occurrence that befell after Joshua's death, and the like about Hebron and Kiriath Sepher, it may be concluded that Joshua wrote not this Book, but Phineas rather. Joshua himself is inheritanced last. Three Cities of refuge appointed within Jordan, one in Judea, another in Samaria, and the third in Galilee: and three without Jordan in the three Tribes there.

Eight and forty Cities appointed for the Priests and Levites; as so many Universities wherein they studied the Law.

It is not worth the labor to examine, because it is past the ability to determine, whether the two Tribes and an half returned to their own homes as soon as ever the land had rest from the wars, which was in the seventh year; or whether they stayed till the land was divided, and the people settled, which took up a long time more: howsoever it was, the two and twentieth Chapter that containeth that story, is laid very properly where it lieth, because it was fit that the whole story which concerned the conquest and the possession of the land, should be handled all together, before any other particulars and emergencles should interpose and interrupt it.

[World 2570] [Joshua 17] JOSHUA dieth, one hundred and ten years old; the age of his old father Joseph, Gen. 50. 26. He had divided Jordan, shouted down Jericho walls, stopped the Sun, conquered Canaan, set up the Tabernacle, settled the people, buried the bones of the Patriarchs at Shechem, the head City of the land; engaged the people to Religion, and done gloriously in his generation: A type of Christ in the most of these things.

With those Chapters of Joshua that do treat concerning the division of the land, and settling of the Tribes in their several possessions, it may not be unproper nor unprofitable to read those Chapters in the first Book of Chronicles that do mention the Fathers and chief men in every Tribe, and who were planters and raisers of families in these several possessions: as with Josh. 13. that relateth the inheritance of the two Tribes and half, to read 1 Chron. 5. With Josh. 15. that describeth the possession of Judah, to read 1 Chron. 2, 3, 4. to verse 24. With Josh. 16, 17. that handleth the lot of Ehphraim and Manasseh, to read 1 Chronicles 7. from verse 14. to verse 30. With Joshua 18. from verse 11. to the end, about the possession of Benjamin, to read 1 Chron. 7. from verse 6. to verse 13. and 8. all. With Josh. 19. to verse 10. read 1 Chron. 4. from verse 24. to the end. With Josh. 19. from verse 19. to verse 24. read 1 Chron. 7. to verse 6. With Josh. 19. from verse 24. to verse 31. read 1 Chron. 7. from verse 30. to the end. With Josh. 19. verse 32. &c. 1 Chron. 7. verse 13. With Josh. 21. read 1 Chron. 6.

And with these Chapters of Joshua as an exposition of some of them, read 1 Chronicles 9. But as for the casting the several Texts and parcels of these Chapters in the Book of Chronicles into their proper times, and to take in every man named there, and his story into the Chronicle in the age where he lived, would not only be difficult if possible, but would be confused in this Work we have in hand. A close Commentary upon the first Book of Chronicles, would be a matter of singular value, and might be conducible for this and for other very material purposes.

CHAP. 1.

[World 2571] [Othniel 1] ISrael being assured by Joshua before his death, that the Canaanites that were [Othniel 2] yet left in the land should and must be subdued, Josh. 23. 5. they inquire by [Othniel 3] Urim and Thummini who should first begin that expedition; the success of [Othniel 4] which beginning would have much influence to daunt or encourage the enemy [Othniel 5] according as it should prove. Judah the royal Tribe is chosen for that purpose, [Othniel 6] and Caleb the son of Jephunneh is general for that Tribe, till his age and Othniels [Othniel 7] prowess caused the command to devolve upon Othniel. Simeon joineth with [Othniel 8] Judah in the expedition, who was mingled with him in possession; as Josh. 19. 1. [Othniel 9] Civil wars among the Canaanites have made the way the easier for Israel's victories: [Othniel 10] for Judah conquereth seventy Kings in the conquest of Adonibesek; they bring this Tyrant before Jerusalem for the greater terror of the Jebusites, and there kill him, and then they sack and burn that City. This story of the taking of Jerusalem lieth in its proper place here, for though the King of it had been slain in the field, Josh. 10. yet was not the City taken, nor it nor any other City fired in Joshua's time, but only Jericho, Ai, and Hazor, Josh. 6. 24. & 8. 26. & 11. 3. and therefore the eight Verse should be read, And the children of Judah warred against Jerusalem, and took it, and smote it, &c. and not as if it had been done before, Now the children of Israel had warred.

Hebron and Debir taken by Caleb, and by Othniel Caleb's uncle, but younger then he, and so are those words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to be understood, And Othniel the son of Kenaz, a kinsman of Caleb's, younger then he took it. For Othniel and Jephunneh Caleb's father, were brethren, both sons of Kenaz, see Numb. 32. 12. and 1 Chron. 4. 13, 14.

Hebron and Debir had been taken by Joshua in the first or second year of his wars, Josh. 10. 36, 37, 38, 39. and about the seventh year of his wars, he sweeps those places again of the Canaanites and Anakims that had swarmed thither again in the space between, Josh. 11. 20. And when the land begins to be divided, he allotteth Hebron unto Caleb: as Josh. 14. Now ten or twelve years passed since that allotment, and the public service had been acting all this while for the dividing of the land, and bringing every Tribe into its possession; so that Caleb hitherto had had little leisure because of the public, or if he had leisure, yet left to his own strength and forces, which he can make a part and distinct from the public; he is too weak to work his own settlement, and the Canaanites are still growing upon him, till now that the whole Tribe of Judah and Simeon engage for him, and he their General, and then he takes Hebron and Debir, and destroys the Anakims and Canaanites clear out, that they grow no more there.

Othniel marrieth his nephews daughtet, or his own great niece, and hath an inheritance of land with her, though she had three brethren, 1 Chron. 4. 15.

Jethro's family [called Kenites, because they dwelt in the Country called Kain, Numb. 24. 22.] had come up with Joshua and Israel into the land of Canaan, and resided about Jericho, the City of Palm-trees, among the Tribe of Judah till now; and now that Judah hath cleared his portion and begins to spread into plantations they go along and plant with them in the South, upon the coasts of the Amalekites: and so in Saul's time are mingled among them, 1 Sam. 15. 6. These Kenites were the root of the Rechabites, Jerem. 35. 1 Chron. 3. 55.

Judah conquereth Horma for Simeon, and Azza, Askelon, Ekron for himself; but the Philistines soon recover these three last Towns again, Chap. 3. 1, 2. The several Tribes are working themselves into settlement in their several possessions, but are not careful to root out the Canaanites, but suffer them to live amongst them, and so hazard themselves to be corrupted by them; and forget the command of God which had engaged them utterly to destroy and not to spare them.

CHAP. II. to Ver. 11.

[Othniel 11] FOR this, Christ himself cometh up from Judah's camp at Gilgal to the people [Othniel 12] assembled at some solemnity at Shiloh or Bethel, and telleth them [Othniel 13] plainly that he will no more conquer for them; he had offered himself to [Othniel 14] Joshua to lead the field in all the wars, and so had done, Josh. 5. 14. He had [Othniel 15] been with Judah and made him victorious till he also spares the Canaanites, and [Othniel 16] either for fear or neglect, lets the inhabitants of the vale inhabit there still [Othniel 17] [ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : ver. 19. it is left to construe indifferently, either he would not, or [Othniel 18] could not, or durst not drive them out. And then the Captain of the Lord's [Othniel 19] host, the Angel of the Covenant, that had brought them from Egypt thitherto, [Othniel 20] departs from them, for which all the people have good cause to weep; and [Othniel 21] they call the place Bochim; the dimission of the people by Joshua, and his age, [Othniel 22] and death, and the death of that generation are mentioned here, that the [Othniel 23] foundation of the future story may be the better laid, and the time of the people's [Othniel 24] beginning to degenerate may be marked out.

CHAP. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI.

[Othniel 25] AFter the tenth Verse of the second Chapter, is the proper place and order of these Chapters, for though they be laid at the end of the Book, yet were the things mentioned in them acted even in the beginning of their wickedness, after Joshua's and the Elders death; for the better evidencing of which it will be pertinent to consider, first the connection of the passages there mentioned one to another, and then the reason of the dislocation of them all.

CHAP. XVII.

IDolatry is begun in Israel by a woman, and in Ephraim, where afterwards Jeroboam established it by Law: Micah's mother devoteth eleven hundred shekels to the making of an Idol, and nine hundred of them go for materials, and two hundred for workmanship: Micah setteth it up in his own house for his own use, and the use of the neighbor-hood round about him. The Text in the Original calleth him Micaiahu, with a part of the name Jehovah affixed to his name, till he have set up his image, and from thence forward, viz. from ver. 5. it calleth him Micah.

CHAP. XVIII.

[Othniel 26] THE Danites take Micah's Idol from him, and set it up publicly in their own Tribe; there Jeroboam setteth up one of his calves afterward also. For this first public Idolatry begun in the Tribe of Dan, that Tribe is not named among the sealed of the Lord, Rev. 7. A great grandchild of Moses is the first Idolatrous Priest, but Moses his name is written 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , Manasseh with the letter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 above the word; partly for the honor of Moses in the dust, and partly because this his grandchilds actions were like Manasseh his actions the King of Judah.

CHAP. XIX.

[Othniel 27] ISrael tolerateth this Idolatry, and never stirreth either against Micah or the Danites; which toleration breedeth all iniquity, so that Gibeah a City of Israel becometh as abominable as Sodom. A whorish woman is killed with whoredom.

CHAP. XX.

ALL Israel goeth against Gibeah, and that by God's express commission and command, and yet 40000 of them are slain by that wicked and wretched Town, and by the Tribe that took part with it. Thus did God avenge his own cause against Israel, because Israel would not avenge God's cause against Idolatry; they were so sensible of an injury done to a whore in Gibeah, but were not at all sensible of an injury done to God by Dan's Idolatry; when God hath thus used Benjamin to execute his justice against Israel for not punishing Idolatry, he then useth Israel to punish Benjamin for not delivering Gibeah up to justice; Othniel it is like was chief commander in this service, and Phineas was zealous in this case, as he had been in one of a not much different nature, Numb. 25. Benjamin is now Benoni, a son of sorrow, and Rachel hath cause to weep for her children.

CHAP. XXI.

HAdad Rimmon, Zech. 12. 11. or the sad shout of Rimmon, the Prophet alludeth to the two great and general Lamentations of Israel, the one about the rock Rimmon, where a whole Tribe was now come to 400 men, and whereupon even the very conquerors become mourners. The other in the valley of Megiddo, for the death of Josiah. The one in the beginning of their estate, the other in the latter end. Jabesh Gilead is destroyed for affection to Benjamin, they were both of Joseph, and both had pitched under one standard. Benjamin raveneth like a wolf for wives, Josephs daughters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gen. 49. 22. go to the enemy and repair the decayed Tribe, when the daughters of Shiloh in Ephraim, and of Jabesh in Manasseh, supply Benjamin an hostile Tribe with wives, or else it had perished; and thus is the story of these Chapters knit to itself.

Now that the beginning of the Book of Judges is the proper time and place of these stories, may be concluded upon these reasons.

• 1. The Danites were unsettled when the stories of the seventeenth and eighteenth Chapters came to pass, and therefore this could not be long after Joshua's death.
• 2. Phinehas was alive at the battle at Gibeah, Chap. 20. 28.
• 3. The wickedness of Gibeah is reckoned for their first villainy, Hos. 10 9.
• 4. Deborah speaketh of the 40000 of Israel that perished by Benjamin, as if neither sword nor spear had been among them, Chap. 5. 8.
• 5. Mahaneh Dan which was so named upon the march of the