CHAP。13。——SAMESUBJECT,CONTINUED。
21。Whatever,then,isinaccordancewiththehabitsofthosewithwhomweareeithercompelledbynecessity,orundertakeasamatterofduty,tospendthislife,istobeturnedbygoodandgreatmentosomeprudentorbenevolentend,eitherdirectly,asisourduty,orfiguratively,asisallowabletoprophets。
CHAP。14。——ERROROFTHOSEWHOTHINKTHATTHEREISNOABSOLUTERIGHT
ANDWRONG。
22。Butwhenmenunacquaintedwithothermodesoflifethantheirownmeetwiththerecordofsuchactions,unlesstheyarerestrainedbyauthority,theylookuponthemassins,anddonotconsiderthattheirowncustomseitherinregardtomarriage,orfeasts,ordress,ortheothernecessitiesandadornmentsofhumanlife,appearsinfultothepeopleofothernationsandothertimes。And,distractedbythisendlessvarietyofcustoms,somewhowerehalfasleep(asImaysay)——thatis,whowereneithersunkinthedeepsleepoffolly,norwereabletoawakeintothelightofwisdom——havethoughtthattherewasnosuchthingasabsoluterightbutthateverynationtookitsowncustomforright;
andthat,sinceeverynationhasadifferentcustom,andrightmustremainunchangeable,itbecomesmanifestthatthereisnosuchthingasrightatall。Suchmendidnotperceive,totakeonlyoneexample,thattheprecept,\"Whatsoeveryewouldthatmenshoulddotoyou,doyeevensotothem,\"(1)cannotbealteredbyanydiversityofnationalcustoms。Andthisprecept,whenitisreferredtotheloveofGod,destroysallviceswhentotheloveofone’sneighbor,putsanendtoallcrimes。Fornooneiswillingtodefilehisowndwelling;heoughtnot,therefore,todefilethedwellingofGod,thatis,himself。Andnoonewishesaninjurytobedonehimbyanother;hehimself,therefore,oughtnottodoinjurytoanother。
CHAP。15。——RULEFORINTERPRETINGFIGURATIVEEXPRESSIONS。
23。Thetyrannyoflustbeingthusover-thrown,charityreignsthroughitssupremllyjustlawsoflovetoGodforHisownsake,andlovetoone’sselfandone’sneighborforGod’ssake。Accordingly,inregardtofigurativeexpressions,arulesuchasthefollowingwillbeobserved,tocarefullyturnoverinourmindsandmeditateuponwhatwereadtillaninterpretationbefoundthattendstoestablishthereignoflove。Now,ifwhentakenliterallyitatoncegivesameaningofthiskind,theexpressionisnottobeconsideredfigurative。
CHAP。16。——RULEFORINTERPRETINGCOMMANDS
ANDPROHIBITIONS。
24。Ifthesentenceisoneofcommand,eitherforbiddingacrimeorvice,orenjoininganactofprudenceorbenevolence,itisnotfigurative。If,however,itseemstoenjoinacrimeorvice,ortoforbidanactofprudenceorbenevolence,itisfigurative。
\"ExceptyeeatthefleshoftheSonofman,\"saysChrist,\"anddrinkHisblood,yehavenolifeinyou。\"(2)Thisseemstoenjoinacrimeoravice;itisthereforeafigure,enjoiningthatweshouldhaveashareinthesufferingsofourLord,andthatweshouldretainasweetandprofitablememoryofthefactthatHisfleshwaswoundedandcrucifiedforus。Scripturesays:\"Ifthineenemyhunger,feedhim;ifhethirst,givehimdrink;\"andthisisbeyonddoubtacommandtodoakindness。Butinwhatfollows,\"forinsodoingthoushallheapcoalsoffireonhishead,\"(3)
onewouldthinkadeedofmalevolencewasenjoined。Donotdoubt,then,thattheexpressionisfigurative;and,whileitispossibletointerpretitintwoways,onepointingtothedoingofaninjury,theothertoadisplayofsuperiority,letcharityonthecontrarycallyoubacktobenevolence,andinterpretthecoalsoffireastheburninggroansofpenitencebywhichaman’sprideiscuredwhobewailsthathehasbeentheenemyofonewhocametohisassistanceindistress。Inthesameway,whenourLordsays,\"Hewholovethhislifeshallloseit,\"(4)wearenottothinkthatHeforbidstheprudencewithwhichitisaman’sdutytocareforhislife,butthatHesaysinafigurativesense,\"Lethimlosehislife\"——thatis,lethimdestroyandlosethatpervertedandunnaturalusewhichhenowmakesofhislife,andthroughwhichhisdesiresarefixedontemporalthingssothathegivesnoheedtoeternal。Itiswritten:\"Givetothegodlyman,andhelpnotasinner。\"(5)Thelatterclauseofthissentenceseemstoforbidbenevolence;foritsays,\"helpnotasinner。\"Understand,therefore,that\"sinner\"isputfigurativelyforsin,sothatitishissinyouarenottohelp。
CHAP。17。——SOMECOMMANDSAREGIVENTOALLINCOMMON,OTHERSTOPARTICULAR
CLASSES。
25。Again,itoftenhappensthatamanwhohasattained,orthinkshehasattained,toahighergradeofspirituallife,thinksthatthecommandsgiventothosewhoarestillinthelowergradesarefigurative;
forexample,ifhehasembracedalifeofcelibacyandmadehimselfaeunuchforthekingdomofheaven’ssake,hecontendsthatthecommandsgiveninScriptureaboutlovingandrulingawifearenottobetakenliterally,butfiguratively;
andifhehasdeterminedtokeephisvirginunmarried,hetriestoputafigurativeinterpretationonthepassagewhereitissaid,\"Marrythydaughter,andsoshallthouhaveperformedaweightymatter。\"(6)Accordingly,anotherofourrulesforunderstandingtheScriptureswillbeasfollows,——torecognizethatsomecommandsaregiventoallincommon,otherstoparticularclassesofpersons,thatthemedicinemayactnotonlyuponthestateofhealthasawhole,butalsouponthespecialweaknessofeachmember。
ForthatwhichcannotberaisedtoahigherstatemustbecaredforinitsownstateCHAP。18。——WEMUSTTAKEINTOCONSIDERATIONTHETIMEATWHICHANYTHING
WASENJOYED
ORALLOWED。
26。WemustalsobeonourguardagainstsupposingthatwhatintheOldTestament,makingallowancefortheconditionofthosetimes,isnotacrimeoraviceevenifwetakeitliterallyandnotfiguratively,canbetransferredtothepresenttimeasahabitoflife。Fornoonewilldothisexceptlusthasdominionoverhim,andendeavorstofindsupportforitselfintheveryScriptureswhichwereintendedtooverthrowit。Andthewretchedmandoesnotperceivethatsuchmattersarerecordedwiththisusefuldesign,thatmenofgoodhopemaylearnthesalutarylesson,boththatthecustomtheyspurncanbeturnedtoagooduse,andthatwhichtheyembracecanbeusedtocondemnation,iftheuseoftheformerbeaccompaniedwithcharity,andtheuseofthelatterwithlust。
27。For,ifitwaspossibleforonemantousemanywiveswithchastity,itispossibleforanothertouseonewifewithlust。AndIlookwithgreaterapprovalonthemanwhousesthefruitfulnessofmanywivesforthesakeofanulteriorobject,thanonthemanwhoenjoysthebodyofonewifeforitsownsake。Forintheformercasethemanaimsatausefulobjectsuitedtothecircumstancesofthetimes;inthelattercasehegratifiesalustwhichisengrossedintemporalenjoyments。Andthosementowhomtheapostlepermittedasamatterofindulgencetohaveonewifebecauseoftheirincontinence,(1)werelessneartoGodthanthosewho,thoughtheyhadeachofthemnumerouswives,yetjustasawisemanusesfoodanddrinkonlyforthesakeofbodilyhealth,usedmarriageonlyforthesakeofoffspring。And,accordingly,iftheselasthadbeenstillaliveattheadventofourLord,whenthetimenotofcastingstonesawaybutofgatheringthemtogetherhadcome,(2)theywouldhaveimmediatelymadethemselveseunuchsforthekingdomofheaven’ssake。Forthereisnodifficultyinabstainingunlesswhenthereislustinenjoying。AndassuredlythosemenofwhomIspeakknewthatwantonnesseveninregardtowivesisabuseandintemperance,asisprovedbyTobit’sprayerwhenhewasmarriedtohiswife。Forhesays:\"BlessedartThou,OGodofourfathers,andblessedisThyholyandgloriousnameforever;lettheheavensblessThee,andallThycreatures。ThoumadestAdam,andgavesthimEvehiswifeforanhelperandstay……Andnow,OLord,ThouknowestthatItakenotthismysisterforlust,butuprightly:thereforehavepityonus,OLord。\"(3)
CHAP。19。——WICKEDMENJUDGEOTHERSBY
THEMSELVES。
28。Butthosewho,givingthereintolust,eitherwanderaboutsteepingthemselvesinamultitudeofdebaucheries,oreveninregardtoonewifenotonlyexceedthemeasurenecessaryfortheprocreationofchildren,butwiththeshamelesslicenceofasortofslavishfreedomheapupthefilthofastillmorebeastlyexcess,suchmendonotbelieveitpossiblethatthemenofancienttimesusedanumberofwiveswithtemperance,lookingtonothingbuttheduty,necessaryinthecircumstancesofthetime,ofpropagatingtherace;andwhattheythemselves,whoareentangledinthemeshesoflust,donotaccomplishinthecaseofasinglewife,theythinkutterlyimpossibleinthecaseofanumberofwives。
29。Butthesesamemenmightsaythatitisnotrighteventohonorandpraisegoodandholymen,becausetheythemselveswhentheyarehonoredandpraised,swellwithpride,becomingthemoreeagerfortheemptiestsortofdistinctionthemorefrequentlyandthemorewidelytheyareblownaboutonthetongueofflattery,andsobecomesolightthatabreathofrumor,whetheritappearprosperousoradverse,willcarrythemintothewhirlpoolofviceordashthemontherocksofcrime。Letthem,then,learnhowtryinganddifficultitisforthemselvestoescapeeitherbeingcaughtbythebaitofpraise,orpiercedbythestingsofinsult;butletthemnotmeasureothersbytheirownstandard。
CHAP。20。——CONSISTENCYOFGOODMENINALL
OUTWARDCIRCUMSTANCES。
Letthembelieve,onthecontrary,thattheapostlesofourfaithwereneitherpuffedupwhentheywerehonoredbymen,norcastdownwhentheyweredespised。Andcertainlyneithersortoftemptationwaswantingtothosegreatmen。Fortheywerebothcriedupbytheloudpraisesofbelievers,andcrieddownbytheslanderousreportsoftheirpersecutors。Buttheapostlesusedallthesethings,asoccasionserved,andwerenotcorrupted;
andinthesamewaythesaintsofoldusedtheirwiveswithreferencetothenecessitiesoftheirowntimes,andwerenotinbondagetolustastheyarewhorefusetobelievethesethings。
30。Foriftheyhadbeenundertheinfluenceofanysuchpassion,theycouldneverhaverestrainedthemselvesfromimplacablehatredtowardstheirsons,bywhomtheyknewthattheirwivesandconcubinesweresolicitedanddebauched。
CHAP。21。——DAVIDNOTLUSTFUL,THOUGHHE
FELLINTOADULTERY。
ButwhenKingDavidhadsufferedthisinjuryatthehandsofhisimpiousandunnaturalson,henotonlyborewithhiminhismadpassion,butmournedoverhiminhisdeath。Hecertainlywasnotcaughtinthemeshesofcarnaljealousy,seeingthatitwasnothisowninjuriesbutthesinsofhissonthatmovedhim。Foritwasonthisaccounthehadgivenordersthathissonshouldnotbeslainifhewereconqueredinbattle,thathemighthaveaplaceofrepentanceafterhewassubdued;andwhenhewasbaffledinthisdesign,hemournedoverhisson’sdeath,notbecauseofhisownloss,butbecauseheknewtowhatpunishmentsoimpiousanadultererandparricidehadbeenhurried。(1)
Forpriortothis,inthecaseofanothersonwhohadbeenguiltyofnocrime,thoughhewasdreadfullyafflictedforhimwhilehewassick,yethecomfortedhimselfafterhisdeath。(2)
31。Andwithwhatmoderationandself-restraintthosemenusedtheirwivesappearschieflyinthis,thatwhenthissameking,carriedawaybytheheatofpassionandbytemporalprosperity,hadtakenunlawfulpossessionofonewoman,whosehusbandalsoheorderedtobeputtodeath,hewasaccusedofhiscrimebyaprophet,who,whenhehadcometoshowhimhissin,setbeforehimtheparableofthepoormanwhohadbutoneewe-lamb,andwhoseneighbor,thoughhehadmany,yetwhenaguestcametohimsparedtotakeofhisownflock,butsethispoorneighbor’sonelambbeforehisguesttoeat。AndDavid’sangerbeingkindledagainsttheman,hecommandedthatheshouldbeputtodeath,andthelambrestoredfourfoldtothepoorman;thusunwittinglycondemningthesinhehadwittinglycommitted。(3)
Andwhenhehadbeenshownthis,andGod’spunishmenthadbeendenouncedagainsthim,hewipedouthissinindeeppenitence。Butyetinthisparableitwastheadulteryonlythatwasindicatedbythepoorman’sewe-lamb;aboutthekillingofthewoman’shusband,——thatis,aboutthemurderofthepoormanhimselfwhohadtheoneewe-lamb,——nothingissaidintheparable,sothatthesentenceofcondemnationispronouncedagainsttheadulteryalone。Andhencewemayunderstandwithwhattemperancehepossessedanumberofwiveswhenhewasforcedtopunishhimselffortransgressinginregardtoonewoman。Butinhiscasetheimmoderatedesiredidnottakeupitsabodewithhim,butwasonlyapassingguest。Onthisaccounttheunlawfulappetiteiscalledevenbytheaccusingprophet,aguest。Forhedidnotsaythathetookthepoorman’sewe-lambtomakeafeastforhisking,butforhisguest。InthecaseofhissonSolomon,however,thislustdidnotcomeandpassawaylikeaguest,butreignedasaking。AndabouthimScriptureisnotsilent,butaccuseshimofbeingaloverofstrangewomen;forinthebeginningofhisreignhewasinflamedwithadesireforwisdom,butafterhehadattaineditthroughspirituallove,helostitthroughcarnallust。(4)
CHAP。22。——RULEREGARDINGPASSAGESOFSCRIPTUREINWHICHAPPROVALIS
EXPRESSEDOF
ACTIONSWHICHARENOWCONDEMNEDBYGOODMEN。
32。Therefore,althoughall,ornearlyall,thetransactionsrecordedintheOldTestamentaretobetakennotliterallyonly,butfigurativelyaswell,neverthelesseveninthecaseofthosewhichthereaderhastakenliterally,andwhich,thoughtheauthorsofthemarepraised,arerepugnanttothehabitsofthegoodmenwhosinceourLord’sadventarethecustodiansofthedivinecommands,lethimreferthefiguretoitsinterpretation,butlethimnottransfertheacttohishabitsoflife。Formanythingswhichweredoneasdutiesatthattime,cannotnowbedoneexceptthroughlust。
CHAP。23。——RULEREGARDINGTHENARRATIVE
OFSINSOFGREATMEN。
33。Andwhenhereadsofthesinsofgreatmen,althoughhemaybeabletoseeandtotraceoutinthemafigureofthingstocome,lethimyetputtheliteralfacttothisusealso,toteachhimnottodaretovaunthimselfinhisowngooddeeds,andincomparisonwithhisownrighteousness,todespiseothersassinners,whenheseesinthecaseofmensoeminentboththestormsthataretobeavoidedandtheshipwrecksthataretobeweptover。Forthesinsofthesemenwererecordedtothisend,thatmenmighteverywhereandalwaystrembleatthatsayingoftheapostle:\"Whereforelethimthatthinkethhestandethtakeheedlesthefall。\"(5)ForthereishardlyapageofScriptureonwhichitisnotclearlywrittenthatGodresisteththeproudandgivethgracetothehumble。(6)
CHAP。24。——THECHARACTEROFTHEEXPRESSIONSUSEDISABOVEALLTOHAVE
WEIGHT。
34。Thechiefthingtobeinquiredinto,therefore,inregardtoanyexpressionthatwearetryingtounderstandis,whetheritisliteralorfigurative。Forwhenitisascertainedtobefigurative,itiseasy,byanapplicationofthelawsofthingswhichwediscussedinthefirstbook,toturnitineverywayuntilwearriveatatrueinterpretation,especiallywhenwebringtoouraidexperiencestrengthenedbytheexerciseofpiety。Nowwefindoutwhetheranexpressionisliteralorfigurativebyattendingtotheconsiderationsindicatedabove。
CHAP。25。——THESAMEWORDDOESNOTALWAYS
SIGNIFYTHESAMETHING。
Andwhenitisshowntobefigurative,thewordsinwhichitisexpressedwillbefoundtobedrawneitherfromlikeobjectsorfromobjectshavingsomeaffinity。
35。Butastherearemanywaysinwhichthingsshowalikenesstoeachother,wearenottosupposethereisanyrulethatwhatathingsignifiesbysimilitudeinoneplaceitistobetakentosignifyinallotherplaces。ForourLordusedleavenbothinabadsense,aswhenHesaid,\"BewareoftheleavenofthePharisees,\"(1)
andinagoodsense,aswhenHesaid,\"Thekingdomofheavenislikeuntoleaven,whichawomantookandhidinthreemeasuresofmeal,tillthewholewasleavened。\"(2)
36。Nowtheruleinregardtothisvariationhastwoforms。Forthingsthatsignifynowonethingandnowanother,signifyeitherthingsthatarecontrary,orthingsthatareonlydifferent。Theysignifycontraries,forexample,whentheyareusedmetaphoricallyatonetimeinagoodsense,atanotherinabad,asinthecaseoftheleavenmentionedabove。AnotherexampleofthesameisthatalionstandsforChristintheplacewhereitissaid,\"ThelionofthetribeofJudahhathprevailed;\"(3)andagain,standsforthedevilwhereitiswritten,\"Youradversarythedevil,asaroaringlion,walkethaboutseekingwhomhemaydevour。\"(4)Inthesamewaytheserpentisusedinagoodsense,\"Bewiseasserpents;\"(5)andagain,inabadsense,\"TheserpentbeguiledEvethroughhissubtilty。\"(6)Breadisusedinagoodsense,\"Iamthelivingbreadwhichcamedownfromheaven;\"(7)inabad,\"Breadeateninsecretispleasant。\"(8)Andsoinagreatmanyothercases。TheexamplesIhaveadducedareindeedbynomeansdoubtfulintheirsignification,becauseonlyplaininstancesoughttobeusedasexamples。Therearepassages,however,inregardtowhichitisuncertaininwhatsensetheyoughttobetaken,asforexample,\"InthehandoftheLordthereisacup,andthewineisred:itisfullofmixture。\"(9)
NowitisuncertainwhetherthisdenotesthewrathofGod,butnottothelastextremityofpunishment,thatis,\"totheverydregs;\"
orwhetheritdenotesthegraceoftheScripturespassingawayfromtheJewsandcomingtotheGentiles,because\"Hehasputdownoneandsetupanother,\"——certainobservances,however,whichtheyunderstandinacarnalmanner,stillremainingamongtheJews,for\"thedregshereofisnotyetwrungout。\"
Thefollowingisanexampleofthesameobjectbeingtaken,notinopposite,butonlyindifferentsignifications:waterdenotespeople,aswereadintheApocalypse,(10)andalsotheHolySpirit,asforexample,\"Outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater;\"(11)andmanyotherthingsbesideswatermustbeinterpretedaccordingtotheplaceinwhichtheyarefound。
37。Andinthesamewayotherobjectsarenotsingleintheirsignification,buteachoneofthemdenotesnottwoonlybutsometimesevenseveraldifferentthings,accordingtotheconnectioninwhichitisfound。
CHAP。26。——OBSCUREPASSAGESARETOBEINTERPRETEDBYTHOSEWHICHARE
CLEARER。
Nowfromtheplaceswherethesenseinwhichtheyareusedismoremanifestwemustgatherthesenseinwhichtheyaretobeunderstoodinobscurepassages。Forexample,thereisnobetterwayofunderstandingthewordsaddressedtoGod,\"Takeholdofshieldandbucklerandstandupforminehelp,(12)thanbyreferringtothepassagewhereweread,\"Thou,Lord,hastcrowneduswithThyfavoraswithashield。\"(13)Andyetwearenotsotounderstandit,asthatwhereverwemeetwithashieldputtoindicateaprotectionofanykind,wemusttakeitassignifyingnothingbutthefavorofGod。Forwehearalsooftheshieldoffaith,\"wherewith,\"saystheapostle,\"yeshallbeabletoquenchallthefierydartsofthewicked。(14)Noroughtwe,ontheotherhand,inregardtospiritualarmorofthiskindtoassignfaithtotheshieldonly;forwereadinanotherplaceofthebreastplateoffaith:\"puttingon,\"saystheapostle,\"thebreastplateoffaithandlove。(15
CHAP。27。——ONEPASSAGESUSCEPTIBLEOFVARIOUSINTERPRETATIONS。
38。When,again,notsomeoneinterpretation,buttwoormoreinterpretationsareputuponthesamewordsofScripture,eventhoughthemeaningthewriterintendedremainundiscovered,thereisnodangerifitcanbeshownfromotherpassagesofScripturethatanyoftheinterpretationsputonthewordsisinharmonywiththetruth。AndifamaninsearchingtheScripturesendeavorstogetattheintentionoftheauthorthroughwhomtheHolySpiritspoke,whetherhesucceedsinthisendeavor,orwhetherhedrawsadifferentmeaningfromthewords,butonethatisnotopposedtosounddoctrine,heisfreefromblamesolongasheissupportedbythetestimonyofsomeotherpassageofScripture。
Fortheauthorperhapssawthatthisverymeaninglayinthewordswhichwearetryingtointerpret;andassuredlytheHolySpirit,whothroughhimspokethesewords,foresawthatthisinterpretationwouldoccurtothereader,nay,madeprovisionthatitshouldoccurtohim,seeingthatittooisfoundedontruth。ForwhatmoreliberalandmorefruitfulprovisioncouldGodhavemadeinregardtotheSacredScripturesthanthatthesamewordsmightbeunderstoodinseveralsenses,allofwhicharesanctionedbytheconcurringtestimonyofotherpassagesequallydivine?
CHAP。28。——ITISSAFERTOEXPLAINADOUBTFULPASSAGEBYOTHERPASSAGES
OFSCRIPTURE
THANBYREASON。
39。When,however,ameaningisevolvedofsuchakindthatwhatisdoubtfulinitcannotbeclearedupbyindubitableevidencefromScripture,itremainsforustomakeitclearbytheevidenceofreason。Butthisisadangerouspractice。ForitisfarsafertowalkbythelightofHolyScripture;sothatwhenwewishtoexaminethepassagesthatareobscuredbymetaphoricalexpressions,wemayeitherobtainameaningaboutwhichthereisnocontroversy,orifacontroversyarises,maysettleitbytheapplicationoftestimoniessoughtoutineveryportionofthesameScripture。
CHAP。29。——THEKNOWLEDGEOFTROPESIS
NECESSARY。
40。Moreover,IwouldhavelearnedmentoknowthattheauthorsofourScripturesuseallthoseformsofexpressionwhichgrammarianscallbytheGreeknametropes,andusethemmorefreelyandingreatervarietythanpeoplewhoareunacquaintedwiththeScriptures,andhavelearntthesefiguresofspeechfromOtherwritings,canimagineorbelieve。NeverthelessthosewhoknowthesetropesrecognizetheminScripture,andareverymuchassistedbytheirknowledgeoftheminunderstandingScripture。Butthisisnottheplacetoteachthemtotheilliterate,lestitmightseemthatIwasteachinggrammar。Icertainlyadvise,however,thattheybelearntelsewhere,althoughindeedIhavealreadygiventhatadviceabove,inthesecondbook——namely,whereItreatedofthenecessaryknowledgeoflanguages。
Forthewrittencharactersfromwhichgrammaritselfgetsitsname(theGreeknameforlettersbeinggrammata
arethesignsofsoundsmadebythearticulatevoicewithwhichwespeak。NowofsomeofthesefiguresofspeechwefindinScripturenotonlyexamples(whichwehaveofthemall),buttheverynamesaswell:forinstance,allegory,enigma,andparable。However,nearly,allthesetropeswhicharesaidtobelearntasamatterofliberaleducationarefoundevenintheordinaryspeechofmenwhohavelearntnogrammar,butarecontenttousethevulgaridiom。Forwhodoesnotsay,\"Somayyouflourish?\"Andthisisthefigureofspeechcalledmetaphor。
Whodoesnotspeakofafish-pond(1)inwhichthereisnofish,whichwasnotmadeforfish,andyetgetsitsnamefromfish?
Andthisisthefigurecalledcatachresis。
41。Itwouldbetedioustogooveralltherestinthisway;forthespeechofthevulgarmakesuseofthemall,evenofthosemorecuriousfigureswhichmeantheveryoppositeofwhattheysay,asforexample,thosecalledironyandantiphrasis。Nowinironyweindicatebythetoneofvoicethemeaningwedesiretoconvey;
aswhenwesaytoamanwhoisbehavingbadly,\"Youaredoingwell。\"Butitisnotbythetoneofvoicethatwemakeanantiphrasistoindicatetheoppositeofwhatthewordsconvey;buteitherthewordsinwhichitisexpressedareusedintheoppositeoftheiretymologicalsense,asagroveiscalledlucusfromitswantoflight;(2)oritiscustomarytouseacertainformofexpression,althoughitputsyesfornobyalawofcontraries,aswhenweaskinaplaceforwhatisnotthere,andgettheanswer,\"Thereisplenty;\"orweaddwordsthatmakeitplainwemeantheoppositeofwhatwesay,asintheexpression,\"Bewareofhim,forheisagoodman。\"Andwhatilliteratemanistherethatdoesnotusesuchexpressions,althoughheknowsnothingatallabouteitherthenatureorthenamesofthesefiguresofspeech?AndyettheknowledgeoftheseisnecessaryforclearingupthedifficultiesofScripture;becausewhenthewordstakenliterallygiveanabsurdmeaning,weoughtforthwithtoinquirewhethertheymaynotbeusedinthisorthatfigurativesensewhichweareunacquaintedwith;andinthiswaymanyobscurepassageshavehadlightthrownuponthem。
CHAP。30。——THERULESOFTICHONIUSTHE
DONATISTEXAMINED。
42。OneTichonius,who,althoughaDonatisthimself,haswrittenmosttriumphantlyagainsttheDonatists(andhereinshowedhimselfofamostinconsistentdisposition,thathewasunwillingtogivethemupaltogether),wroteabookwhichhecalledtheBookofRules,becauseinithelaiddownsevenrules,whichare,asitwere,keystoopenthesecretsofScripture。Andoftheserules,thefirstrelatestotheLordandHisbody,thesecondtothetwofolddivisionoftheLord’sbody,thethirdtothepromisesandthelaw,thefourthtospeciesandgenus,thefifthtotimes,thesixthtorecapitulation,theseventhtothedevilandhisbody。Nowtheserules,asexpoundedbytheirauthor,doindeed,whencarefullyconsidered,affordconsiderableassistanceinpenetratingthesecretsofthesacredwritings;butstilltheydonotexplainallthedifficultpassages,forthereareseveralothermethodsrequired,whicharesofarfrombeingembracedinthisnumberofseven,thattheauthorhimselfexplainsmanyobscurepassageswithoutusinganyofhisrules;finding,indeed,thattherewasnoneedforthem,astherewasnodifficultyinthepassageofthekindtowhichhisrulesapply。As,forexample,heinquireswhatwearetounderstandintheApocalypsebythesevenangelsofthechurchestowhomJohniscommandedtowrite;andaftermuchandvariousreasoning,arrivesattheconclusionthattheangelsarethechurchesthemselves。Andthroughoutthislongandfulldiscussion,althoughthematterinquiredintoiscertainlyveryobscure,nousewhateverismadeoftherules。Thisisenoughforanexample,foritwouldbetootediousandtroublesometocollectallthepassagesinthecanonicalScriptureswhichpresentobscuritiesofsuchakindasrequirenoneofthesesevenrulesfortheirelucidation。
43。Theauthorhimself,however,whencommendingtheserules,attributessomuchvaluetothemthatitwouldappearasif,whentheywerethoroughlyknownanddulyapplied,weshouldbeabletointerpretalltheobscurepassagesinthelaw——thatis,inthesacredbooks。Forhethuscommencesthisverybook:\"Ofallthethingsthatoccurtome,Iconsidernonesonecessaryastowritealittlebookofrules,and,asitwere,tomakekeysfor,andputwindowsin,thesecretplacesofthelaw。Fortherearecertainmysticalruleswhichholdthekeytothesecretrecessesofthewholelaw,andrendervisiblethetreasuresoftruththataretomanyinvisible。AndifthissystemofrulesbereceivedasIcommunicateit,withoutjealousy,whatisshutshallbelaidopen,andwhatisobscureshallbeelucidated,sothatamantravellingthroughthevastforestofprophecyshall,ifhefollowtheserulesaspathwaysoflight,bepreservedfromgoingastray。\"
Now,ifhehadsaid,\"Therearecertainmysticalruleswhichholdthekeytosomeofthesecretsofthelaw,\"oreven\"whichholdthekeytothegreatsecretsofthelaw,\"andnotwhathedoessay,\"thesecretrecessesofthewholelaw;\"andifhehadnotsaid\"Whatisshutshallbelaidopen,\"but,\"Manythingsthatareshutshallbelaidopen,\"hewouldhavesaidwhatwastrue,andhewouldnot,byattributingmorethaniswarrantedbythefactstohisveryelaborateandusefulwork,haveledthereaderintofalseexpectations。AndIhavethoughtitrighttosaythusmuch,inorderboththatthebookmaybereadbythestudious(foritisofverygreatassistanceinunderstandingScripture),andthatnomoremaybeexpectedfromitthanitreallycontains。Certainlyitmustbereadwithcaution,notonlyonaccountoftheerrorsintowhichtheauthorfallsasaman,butchieflyonaccountoftheheresieswhichheadvancesasaDonatist。AndnowIshallbrieflyindicatewhatthesesevenrulesteachoradvise。
CHAP。31。——THEFIRSTRULEOFTICHONIUS。
44。ThefirstisabouttheLordHisbody,anditisthis,that,knowingaswedothattheheadandthebody——thatis,ChristandHisChurch——aresometimesindicatedtousunderoneperson(foritisnotinvainthatitissaidtobelievers,\"YethenareAbraham’sseed,\"(1)whenthereisbutoneseedofAbraham,andthatisChrist),weneednotbeinadifficultywhenatransitionismadefromtheheadtothebodyorfromthebodytothehead,andyetnochangemadeinthepersonspokenof。
Forasinglepersonisrepresentedassaying,\"Hehathdeckedmeasabridegroomwithornaments,andadornedmeasabridewithjewels\"(2)andyetitis,ofcourse,amatterforinterpretationwhichofthesetworeferstotheheadandWhichtothebody,thatis,whichtoChristandwhichtotheChurch。
CHAP。32——-THESECONDRULEOFTICHONIUS。
45。ThesecondruleisaboutthetwofolddivisionofthebodyoftheLord;butthisindeedisnotasuitablename,forthatisreallynopartofthebodyofChristwhichwillnotbewithHimineternity。Weought,therefore,tosaythattheruleisaboutthetrueandthemixedbodyoftheLord,orthetrueandthecounterfeit,orsomesuchname;because,nottospeakofeternity,hypocritescannotevennowbesaidtobeinHim,althoughtheyseemtobeinHisChurch。Andhencethisrulemightbedesignatedthus:ConcerningthemixedChurch。NowthisrulerequiresthereadertobeonhisguardwhenScripture,althoughithasnowcometoaddressorspeakofadifferentsetofpersons,seemstobeaddressingorspeakingofthesamepersonsasbefore,justasifbothsetsconstitutedonebodyinconsequenceoftheirbeingforthetimeunitedinacommonparticipationofthesacraments。AnexampleofthisisthatpassageintheSongofSolomon,\"Iamblack,butcomely,asthetentsofKedar,asthecurtainsofSolomon。\"(1)Foritisnotsaid,IwasblackasthetentsofKedar,butamnowcomelyasthecurtainsofSolomon。TheChurchdeclaresitselftobeatpresentboth;andthisbecausethegoodfishandthebadareforthetimemixedupintheonenet。(2)ForthetentsofKedarpertaintoIshmael,who\"shallnotbeheirwiththesonofthefreewoman。\"(3)Andinthesameway,whenGodsaysofthegoodpartoftheChurch,\"Iwillbringtheblindbyawaythattheyknewnot;Iwillleadtheminpathsthattheyhavenotknown;Iwillmakedarknesslightbeforethem,andcrookedthingsstraight:thesethingswillI
dountothem,andnotforsakethem;\"(4)Heimmediatelyaddsinregardtotheotherpart,thebadthatismixedwiththegood,\"Theyshallbeturnedback。\"Nowthesewordsrefertoasetofpersonsaltogetherdifferentfromtheformer;butasthetwosetsareforthepresentunitedinonebody,Hespeaksasiftherewerenochangeinthesubjectofthesentence。Theywillnot,however,alwaysbeinonebody;foroneofthemisthatwickedservantofwhomwearetoldinthegospel,whoselord,whenhecomes,\"shallcuthimasunderandappointhimhisportionwiththehypocrites。\"(5)
CHAP。33。THETHIRDRULEOFTICHONIUS。
46。Thethirdrulerelatestothepromisesandthelaw,andmaybedesignatedinothertermsasrelatingtothespiritandtheletter,whichisthenameImadeuseofwhenwritingabookonthissubject。Itmaybealsonamed,ofgraceandthelaw。This,however,seemstometobeagreatquestioninitself,ratherthanaruletobeappliedtothesolutionofotherquestions。Itwasthewantofclearviewsonthisquestionthatoriginated,oratleastgreatlyaggravated,thePelagianheresy。AndtheeffortsofTichoniustoclearupthispointweregood,butnotcomplete。For,indiscussingthequestionaboutfaithandworks,hesaidthatworksweregivenusbyGodastherewardoffaith,butthatfaithitselfwassofarourownthatitdidnotcometousfromGod;
notkeepinginmindthesayingoftheapostle:\"Peacebetothebrethren,andlovewithfaith,fromGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChrist,\"(6)Buthehadnotcomeintocontactwiththisheresy,whichhasariseninourtime,andhasgivenusmuchlaborandtroubleindefendingagainstitthegraceofGodwhichisthroughourLordJesusChrist,andwhich(accordingtothesayingoftheapostle,\"Theremustbealsoheresiesamongyou,thattheywhichareapprovedmaybemademanifestamongyou\"(7))
hasmadeusmuchmorewatchfulanddiligenttodiscoverinScripturewhatescapedTichonius,who,havingnoenemytoguardagainst,waslessattentiveandanxiousonthispoint,namely,thatevenfaithitselfisthegiftofHimwho\"hathdealttoeverymanthemeasureoffaith。\"(8)Whenceitissaidtocertainbelievers:\"Untoyouitisgiven,inthebehalfofChrist,notonlytobelieveonHim,butalsotosufferforHissake。\"(9)Who,then,candoubtthateachoftheseisthegiftofGod,whenhelearnsfromthispassage,andbelieves,thateachofthemisgiven?Therearemanyothertestimoniesbesideswhichprovethis。ButIamnotnowtreatingofthisdoctrine。Ihave,however,dealtwithit,oneplaceoranother,veryfrequently。
CHAP。34。——THEFOURTHRULEOFTICHONIUS。
47。ThefourthruleofTichoniusisaboutspeciesandgenus。Forsohecallsit,intendingthatbyspeciesshouldbeunderstoodapart,bygenusthewholeofwhichthatwhichhecallsspeciesisapart:as,forexample,everysinglecityisapartofthegreatsocietyofnations:thecityhecallsaspecies,allnationsconstitutethegenus。Thereisnonecessityforhereapplyingthatsubtiltyofdistinctionwhichisinuseamonglogicians,whodiscusswithgreatacutenessthedifferencebetweenapartandaspecies。
Theruleisofcoursethesame,ifanythingofthekindreferredtoisfoundinScripture,notinregardtoasinglecity,butinregardtoasingleprovince,ortribe,orkingdom。Notonly,forexample,aboutJerusalem,orsomeofthecitiesoftheGentiles,suchasTyreorBabylon,arethingssaidinScripturewhosesignificanceoverstepsthelimitsofthecity,andwhicharemoresuitablewhenappliedtoallnations;butinregardtoJudeaalso,andEgypt,andAssyria,oranyothernationyouchoosetotakewhichcontainsnumerouscities,butstillisnotthewholeworld,butonlyapartofit,thingsaresaidwhichpassoverthelimitsofthatparticularcountry,andapplymorefitlytothewholeofwhichthisisapart;or,asourauthortermsit,tothegenusofwhichthisisaspecies。Andhencethesewordshavecometobecommonlyknown,sothatevenuneducatedpeopleunderstandwhatislaiddownspecially,andwhatgenerally,inanygivenImperialcommand。Thesamethingoccursinthecaseofmen:thingsaresaidofSolomon,forexample,thescopeofwhichreachesfarbeyondhim,andwhichareonlyproperlyunderstoodwhenappliedtoChristandHisChurch,ofwhichSolomonisapart。(1)
48。Nowthespeciesisnotalwaysoverstepped,forthingsareoftensaidofsuchakindasevidentlyapplytoitalso,orperhapseventoitexclusively。ButwhenScripture,havinguptoacertainpointbeenspeakingaboutthespecies,makesatransitionatthatpointfromthespeciestothegenus,thereadermustthenbecarefullyonhisguardagainstseekinginthespecieswhathecanfindmuchbetterandmoresurelyinthegenus。Take,forexample,whattheprophetEzekielsays:\"WhenthehouseofIsraeldweltintheirownland,theydefileditbytheirownway,andbytheirdoings:theirwaywasbeforemeastheuncleannessofaremovedwoman。WhereforeIpouredmyfuryuponthemforthebloodthattheyhadshedupontheland,andfortheiridolswherewiththeyhadpollutedit:andIscatteredthemamongtheheathen,andtheyweredispersedthroughthecountries:
accordingtotheirway,andaccordingtotheirdoings,Ijudgedthem。\"(2)
NowitiseasytounderstandthatthisappliestothathouseofIsraelofwhichtheapostlesays,\"BeholdIsraelaftertheflesh;\"(3)becausethepeopleofIsraelafterthefleshdidbothperformandendureallthatisherereferredto。Whatimmediatelyfollows,too,maybeunderstoodasapplyingtothesamepeople。Butwhentheprophetbeginstosay,\"AndIwillsanctifymygreatname,whichwasprofanedamongtheheathen,whichyehaveprofanedinthemidstofthem;andtheheathenshallknowthatIamtheLord,\"(4)thereaderoughtnowcarefullytoobservethewayinwhichthespeciesisoversteppedandthegenustakenin。Forhegoesontosay:\"AndIshallbesanctifiedinyoubeforetheireyes。ForIwilltakeyoufromamongtheheathen,andgatheryououtofallcountries,andwillbringyouintoyourownland。ThenwillIsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean:fromallyourfilthiness,andfromallyouridols,willIcleanseyou。AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou;andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourfleshandIwillgiveyouaheartofflesh。AndIwillputySpiritwithinyou,andcauseyoutowalkinmystatutes,andyeshallkeepmycommandments,anddothem。AndyeshalldwellinthelandthatIgavetoyourfathers;andyeshallbemypeople,andIwillbeyourGod。Iwillalsosaveyoufromallyouruncleannesses。\"(5)NowthatthisisaprophecyoftheNewTestament,towhichpertainnotonlytheremnantofthatonenationofwhichitiselsewheresaid,\"ForthoughthenumberofthechildrenofIsraelbeasthesandofthesea,yetaremnantofthemshallbesaved,\"(6)butalsotheothernationswhichwerepromisedtotheirfathersandourfathers;andthatthereishereapromiseofthatwashingofregenerationwhich,aswesee,isnowimpartedtoallnations,noonewholooksintothemattercandoubt。
Andthatsayingoftheapostle,whenheiscommendingthegraceoftheNewTestamentanditsexcellenceincomparisonwiththeOld,\"Yeareourepistle……writtennotwithink,butwiththeSpiritofthelivingGod;notintablesofstone,butinfleshytablesoftheheart,\"(7)hasanevidentreferencetothisplacewheretheprophetsays,\"AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou;andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh。\"(8)Nowtheheartoffleshfromwhichtheapostle’sexpression,\"thefleshytablesoftheheart,\"isdrawn,theprophetintendedtopointoutasdistinguishedfromthestonyheartbythepossessionofsentientlife;andbysentientheunderstoodintelligentlife。AndthusthespiritualIsraelismadeup,notofonenation,butofallthenationswhichwerepromisedtothefathersintheirseed,thatis,inChrist。
49。ThisspiritualIsrael,therefore,isdistinguishedfromthecarnalIsraelwhichisofonenation,bynewnessofgrace,notbynobilityofdescent,infeeling,notinrace;buttheprophet,inhisdepthofmeaning,whilespeakingofthecarnalIsrael,passeson,withoutindicatingthetransition,tospeakofthespiritual,andalthoughnowspeakingofthelatter,seemstobestillspeakingoftheformer;notthathegrudgesusthedearapprehensionofScripture,asifwewereenemies,butthathedealswithusasaphysician,givingusawholesomeexerciseforourspirit。Andthereforeweoughttotakethissaying,\"AndIwillbringyouintoyourownland,\"andwhathesaysshortlyafterwards,asifrepeatinghimself,\"AndyeshalldwellinthelandthatIgavetoyourfathers,\"notliterally,asiftheyreferredtoIsraelaftertheflesh,butspiritually,asreferringtothespiritualIsrael。FortheChurch,withoutspotorwrinkle,gatheredoutofallnations,anddestinedtoreignforeverwithChrist,isitselfthelandoftheblessed,thelandoftheliving;andwearetounderstandthatthiswasgiventothefatherswhenitwaspromisedtothemforwhatthefathersbelievedwouldbegiveninitsowntimewastothem,onaccountoftheunchangeablenessofthepromiseandpurpose,thesameasifitwerealreadygiven;justastheapostle,writingtoTimothy,speaks。ofthegracewhichisgiventothesaints:
\"Notaccordingtoourworks,butaccordingtoHisownpurposeandgrace,whichwasgivenusinChristJesusbeforetheworldbegan;butisnowmademanifestbytheappearingofourSaviour。\"(1)
Hespeaksofthemanifest。Itispossible,however,thatthesewordsmayrefertothelandoftheagetocome,whentherewillbeanewheavenandanewearth,whereintheunrighteousshallbeunabletodwell。Andsoitistrulysaidtotherighteous,thatthelanditselfistheirs,nopartofwhichwillbelongtotheunrighteous;becauseitisthesameasifitwereitselfgiven,whenitisfirmlysettledthatitshallbegiven。
CHAP。35。——THEFIFTHRULEOFTICHONIUS。
50。ThefifthruleTichoniuslaysdownisonehedesignatesoftimes,——arulebywhichwecanfrequentlydiscoverorconjecturequantitiesoftimewhicharenotexpresslymentionedinScripture。
Andhesaysthatthisruleappliesintwoways:eithertothefigureofspeechcalledsynecdoche,ortolegitimatenumbers。Thefiguresynecdocheeitherputsthepartforthewhole,orthewholeforthepart。As,forexample,inreferencetothetimewhen,inthepresenceofonlythreeofHisdisciples,ourLordwastransfiguredonthemount,sothatHisfaceshoneasthesun,andHisraimentwaswhiteassnow,oneevangelistsaysthatthiseventoccurred\"aftereightdays,\"(2)whileanothersaysthatitoccurred\"aftersixdays。\"(3)Nowbothofthesestatementsaboutthenumberofdayscannotbetrue,unlesswesupposethatthewriterwhosays\"aftereightdays,\"countedthelatterpartofthedayonwhichChristutteredthepredictionandthefirstpartofthedayonwhichheshoweditsfulfillmentastwowholedays;whilethewriterwhosays\"aftersixdays,\"countedonlythewholeunbrokendaysbetweenthesetwo。Thisfigureofspeech,whichputsthepartforthewhole,explainsalsothegreatquestionabouttheresurrectionofChrist。ForunlesstothelatterpartofthedayonwhichHesufferedwejointhepreviousnight,andcountitasawholeday,andtothelatterpartofthenightinwhichHearosewejointheLord’sdayandHewouldbeintheheartoftheearth。(4)
51。Inthenextplace,ourauthorcallsthosenumberslegitimatewhichHolyScripturesmorehighlyfavorssuchasseven,orten,ortwelve,oranyoftheothernumberswhichthediligentreaderofScripturesooncomestoknow。Nownumbersofthissortareoftenmeansjustthesameas\"Hispraiseshallcontinuallybeinmymouth。\"(5)Andtheirforceisexactlythesame,eitherwhenmultipliedbyten,asseventyhundredsevenhundred(whencetheseventyyearsmentionedinJeremiahmaybetakeninaspiritualsenseforintothemselves,astenintotengivesonehundred,andtwelveintotwelvegivesonehundredandforty-four,whichlastnumberisusedintheApocalypsetosignifythewholebodyofthesaints。(1)Henceitappearsthatitisnotmerelyquestionsabouttimesthataretobesettledbythesenumbers,butthattheirsignificanceisofmuchwiderapplication,andextendstomanysubjects。ThatnumberintheApocalypse,forexample,mentionedabove,hasnotreferencetotimes,buttomen。
CHAP。36。——THESIXTHRULEOFTICHONIUS。
52。ThesixthruleTichoniuscallstherecapitulation,which,withsufficientwatchfulness,isdiscoveredindifficultpartsofScripture。Forcertainoccurrencesaresorelated,thatthenarrativeappearstobefollowingtheorderoftime,orthecontinuityofevents,whenitreallygoesbackwithoutmentioningittopreviousoccurrences,whichhadbeenpassedoverintheirproperplace。Andwemakemistakesifwedonotunderstandthis,fromapplyingtheruleherespokenof。Forexample,inthebookofGenesisweread,\"AndtheLordGodplantedagardeneastwardinEden;
andthereHeputthemanwhomHehadformed。
AndoutofthegroundmadetheLordGodtogroweverytreethatispleasanttothesight,andgoodforfood。\"(2)NowhereitseemstobeindicatedthattheeventslastmentionedtookplaceafterGodhadformedmanandputhiminthegarden;whereasthefactis,thatthetwoeventshavingbeenbrieflymentioned,viz。,thatGodplantedagarden,andthereputthemanwhomHehadformed,thenarrativegoesback,bywayofrecapitulation,totellwhathadbeforebeenomitted,thewayinwhichthegardenwasplanted:thatoutofthegroundGodmadetogroweverytreethatispleasanttothesight,andgoodforfond。Heretherefollows\"Thetreeoflifealsowasinthemidstofthegarden,andthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevil。\"Nexttheriverismentionedwhichwateredthegarden,andwhichwaspartedintofourheads,thesourcesoffourstreams;andallthishasreferencetothearrangementsofthegarden。Andwhenthisisfinished,thereisarepetitionofthethis:\"AndtheLordGodtooktheman,andputhimintothegardenofEden。\"(3)Foritwasafteralltheseotherthingsweredonethatmanwasputinthegarden,asnowappearsfromtheorderofthenarrativeitself:itwasnotaftermanwasputtherethattheotherthingsweredone,asthepreviousstatementmightbethoughttoimply,didwenotaccuratelymarkandunderstandtherecapitulationbywhichthenarrativerevertstowhathadpreviouslybeenpassedover。
53。Inthesamebook,again,whenthegenerationsofthesonsofNoaharerecounted,itissaid:\"ThesearethesonsofHam,aftertheirfamilies,aftertheirtongues,intheircountries,andintheirnations。\"(4)And,again,whenthesonsofShemareenumerated:\"ThesearethesonsofShem,aftertheirfamilies,aftertheirtongues,intheirlands,aftertheirnations。\"(5)Anditisaddedinreferencetothemall:\"ThesearethefamiliesofthesonsofNoah,aftertheirgenerationsintheirnations;andbythesewerethenationsdividedintheearthaftertheflood。Andthewholeearthwasofonelanguageandofonespeech。\"(6)Nowtheadditionofthissentence,\"Andthewholeearthwasofonelanguageandofonespeech,\"seemstoindicatethatatthetimewhenthenationswerescatteredovertheearththeyhadallonelanguageincommon;butthisisevidentlyinconsistentwiththepreviouswords,intheirfamilies,aftertheirtongues。\"Foreachfamilyornationcouldnotbesaidtohaveitsownlanguageifallhadonelanguageincommon。Andsoitisbywayofrecapitulationitisadded,\"Andthewholeearthwasofonelanguageandofonespeech,\"thenarrativeheregoingback,withoutindicatingthechange,totellhowitwas,thatfromhavingonelanguageincommon,thenationsweredividedintoamultitudeoftongues。And,accordingly,weareforthwithtoldofthebuildingofthetower,andofthispunishmentbeingtherelaiduponthemasthejudgmentofGodupontheirarrogance;anditwasafterthisthattheywerescatteredovertheearthaccordingtotheirtongues。
54。Thisrecapitulationisfoundinastillmoreobscureform;as,forexample,ourLordsaysinthegospel:\"ThesamedaythatLotwentoutofSodomitrainedfirefromheaven,anddestroyedthemall。EventhusshallitbeinthedaywhentheSonofmanisrevealed。Inthatday,hewhichshallbeuponthehouse-top,andhisstuffinthehouse,lethimnotcomedowntotakeitaway;andheback。RememberLot’swife。\"(7)IsitwhenourLordshallhavebeenrevealedthatmenaretogiveheedtothesesayings,andnottolookbehindthem,thatis,nottolongafterthepastlifewhichtheyhaverenounced?Isnotthepresentratherthetimetogiveheedtothem,thatwhentheLordshallhavebeenrevealedeverymanmayreceivehisrewardaccordingtothethingshehasgivenheedtoordespised?AndyetbecauseScripturesays,\"Inthatday,\"thetimeoftherevelationoftheLordwillbethoughtthetimeforgivingheedtothesesayings,unlessthereaderbewatchfulandintelligentsoastounderstandtherecapitulation,inwhichhewillbeassistedbythatotherpassageofScripturewhicheveninthetimeoftheapostlesproclaimed:
\"Littlechildren,itisthelasttime。\"(1)Theverytimethenwhenthegospelispreached,uptothetimethattheLordshallberevealed,isthedayinwhichmenoughttogiveheedtothesesayings:
fortothesameday,whichshallbebroughttoaclosebyadayofjudgment,belongsthatveryrevelationoftheLordherespokenof。(2)
CHAP。37。——THESEVENTHRULEOFTICHONIUS。
55。TheseventhruleofTichoniusandthelast,isaboutthedevilandhisbody。Forheistheheadofthewicked,whoareinasensehisbody,anddestinedtogowithhimintothepunishmentofeverlastingfire,justasChrististheheadoftheChurch,whichisHisbody,destinedtobewithHiminHiseternalkingdomandglory。Accordingly,asthefirstrule,whichiscalledoftheLordandHisbody,directsus,whenScripturespeaksofoneandthesameperson,totakepainstounderstandwhichpartofthestatementappliestotheheadandwhichtothebody;sothislastruleshowsusthatstatementsaresometimesmadeaboutthedevil,whosetruthisnotsoevidentinregardtohimselfasinregardtohisbody;andhisbodyismadeupnotonlyofthosewhoaremanifestlyoutoftheway,butofthosealsowho,thoughtheyreallybelongtohim,areforatimemixedupwiththeChurch,untiltheydepartfromthislife,oruntilthechaffisseparatedfromthewheatatthelastgreatwinnowing。Forexample,whatissaidinIsaiah,\"Howheisfallenfromheaven,Lucifer,sonofthemorning!\"(3)andtheotherstatementsofthecontextwhich,underthefigureofthekingofBabylon,aremadeaboutthesameperson,areofcoursetobeunderstoodofthedevil;andyetthestatementwhichismadeinthesameplace,\"Heisgrounddownontheearth,whosendethtoallnations,\"(4)
doesnotaltogetherfitlyapplytotheheadhimself。For,althoughthedevilsendshisangelstoallnations,yetitishisbody,nothimself,thatisgrounddownontheeach,exceptthathehimselfisinhisbody,whichisbeatensmalllikethedustwhichthewindblowsfromthefaceoftheearth。
56。Nowalltheserules,excepttheoneaboutthepromisesandthelaw,makeonemeaningtobeunderstoodwhereanotherisexpressed,whichisthepeculiarityoffigurativediction;andthiskindofdiction,itseemstome,istoowidelyspreadtobecomprehendedinitsfullextentbyanyone。For,whereveronethingissaidwiththeintentionthatanothershouldbeunderstoodwehaveafigurativeexpression,eventhoughthenameofthetropeisnottobefoundintheartofrhetoric。Andwhenanexpressionofthissortoccurswhereitiscustomarytofindit,thereisnotroubleinunderstandingit;whenitoccurs,however,whereitisnotcustomary,itcostslabortounderstandit,fromsomemore,fromsomeless,justasmenhavegotmoreorlessfromGodofthegiftsofintellect,orastheyhaveaccesstomoreorfewerexternalhelps。And,asinthecaseofproperwordswhichIdiscussedabove,andinwhichthingsaretobeunderstoodjustastheyareexpressed,sointhecaseoffigurativewords,inwhichonethingisexpressedandanotheristobeunderstood,andwhichIhavejustfinishedspeakingofasmuchasI
thoughtenough,studentsofthesevenerabledocumentsoughttobecounsellednotonlytomakethemselvesacquaintedwiththeformsofexpressionordinarilyusedinScripture,toobservethemcarefully,andtorememberthemaccurately,butalso,whatisespeciallyandbeforeallthingsnecessary,topraythattheymayunderstandthem。Forintheseverybooksonthestudyofwhichtheyareintent,theyread,\"TheLordgivethwisdom:outofHismouthcomethknowledgeandunderstanding;\"(5)anditisfromHimtheyhavereceivedtheirverydesireforknowledge,ifitisweddedtopiety。Butaboutsigns,sofarasrelatestowords,Ihavenowsaidenough。Itremainstodiscuss,inthefollowingbook,sofarasGodhasgivenmelight,themeansofcommunicatingourthoughtstoothers。