A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond.

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Title
A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond.
Author
Hammond, Henry, 1605-1660.
Publication
London :: Printed by J. Flesher for Richard Davis,
1659.
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Subject terms
Bible. -- N.T. -- Commentaries.
Bible. -- N.T. -- Paraphrases, English.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A45436.0001.001
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"A paraphrase and annotations upon all the books of the New Testament briefly explaining all the difficult places thereof / by H. Hammond." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A45436.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 16, 2024.

Pages

CHAP. II.

1. BUt there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, * 1.1 even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift de∣struction.]

[Paraphrase] 1. But as among those prophets sent and incited by the holy Ghost, c. 1. 21. some false ones also slily crept in so also now according to Christ's prediction Mat. 24. 11. shall there be false teachers among you, viz. the Gnostick Christians, bringing into the true faith, under pretence of greater perfection, most destructive doctrines of liberty and licentiousnesse, and that count it an indifferent thing to deny Christ in time of persecution, (see 1 Pet. 2. 21. and note on Rev. 2. b.) and forswear him who redeemed them, that are thus unlike him, as not to venture any danger for him who dyed for them, and do also by this means most imprudent∣ly incur the dangers which they desite (and pay so dear) to avoid, by complying with the Jews, come to speedy destruction with them, according to that of Christ, Mat. 16. 25.

2. And many shall follow† 1.2 their pernicious ways, by reason of whom* 1.3 the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.]

[Paraphrase] 2. And these carnal do∣ctrines of theirs shall have many followers, Mat. 24. 11. and thereby the glorious pure Gospel of Christ shall be much defamed, when Christian pro∣fessors shall live such filthy lives.

3. And† 1.4 through covetousnesse shall they with feigned words make merchan∣dise of you: whose judgement now of a long time lingreth not, and their damna∣tion slumbreth not.]

[Paraphrase] 3. And with cunning dis∣courses shall they circumvent you, and gain you to all fil∣thinesse, (see note on Rom. 1. i.) which shall within a while be most signally punished with utter destruction here, and damna∣tion attending it.

4. For if God spared not the Angels that sinned, but ca't them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darknesse* 1.5 to be reserved unto judgment,]

[Paraphrase] 4. For if God, when the Angels rebelled against him, punished them severely, and having decreed them to eternal hell, cast them presently out of heaven into the abyfe, a kind of dungeon or dark prison, there to be reserved, as condemned malefactors, to the day of judgment, the time of their exe∣cution,

5. And spared not the old world, but† 1.6 saved Noah [note a] the eighth person, a preacher of righteousnesse, bringing in the floud upon the world of the ungodly,]

[Paraphrase] 5. And if he punish'd the whole world of sinners in Noahs time, bringing a deluge on them, and onely preserved Noah (with seven more) who warned them to amend their abo∣minable lives, or else that vengeance would befall them,

6. * 1.7 And turning the cities of Sodome and Gomortha into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto them that after should live ungodly,]

[Paraphrase] 6. And if he adjudged the cities and suburbs of Sodome and Gomorrha to utter de∣struction by fire from heaven, and made them an exemplary spectacle and document to all that should ever live in their sins,

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7. And delivered just Lot vexed with the† 1.8 filthy conversation of the wicked:]

[Paraphrase] 7. At that time deliver∣ing Lot (and his family) who was a person so far from being guilty of that lewdnesse and unnatural filthinesse, that he was extremely vext and molested by dwelling among those that lived in those villanies:

8. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing,* 1.9 vex∣ed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawfull deeds)]

[Paraphrase] 8. (For he being a very pure and chast person, yet in∣habiting among them that were so impure, was from day to day continually afflicted and tormented, to see them doe as they did.)

9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to re∣serve the† 1.10 unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished;]

[Paraphrase] 9. If, I say, all these ex∣amples of vengeance on wick∣ed obdurate rebels and carnal persons, (the patterns of the crucifying Jewes and lewd Gnosticks) and withall the deliverances afforded to the righteous in these passages of story, be considered, we may then sure learn from hence, how ready and able God now is to rescue the persecuted constant Christian out of the persecuters hand, and to reserve the persecuters themselves, and all wicked livers that join or comply with them, by cutting them off here, to eternal perdition in another world: see note on Rom. 13. b.

10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleannesse, and despise government.* 1.11 Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they† 1.12 are not afraid to speak evil of dignities:]

[Paraphrase] 10. Of this sort especially are the Gnosticks, whose cha∣racter it is to commit all fil∣thinesse, and to despise all kind of authority of magistrates or masters (1 Tim. 3. 6.) a bold insolent sort of men, that can without any trembling or fear speak contumeliously of the Apostles themselves, see note on Jude b.

11.11 1.13 Whereas Angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not* 1.14 railing accusation against them before the Lord.]

12. But these, as† 1.15 natural brute beasts, [note b] made* 1.16 to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;]

[Paraphrase] 12. But these men, like beasts ruled only by their na∣tural or brutish appetites, without any reason to restrain and temper them, which are good for nothing but (as vultures to tear and pollute, so these) to spoil and debauch all they come near, venturing to speak reproachfully of all that they doe not understand, and so consequently of the mysteries of Christianity, taught by Apostles, but despised by them, (see Jude note d.) shall be destroyed in their be∣stial sinnes,

13. And shall receive the reward of unrighteousnesse, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day-time: spots they are and blemishes,† 1.17 sporting them∣selves in their own [note c] * 1.18 deceivings, while they feast with you,]

[Paraphrase] 13. And receive that ven∣geance that is due to them; those I mean that in the day-time take pleasure in those villanies which are wont to need the night to cover the shame of them, that are become the reproach∣es of Christianity, committing all villanie in their sacred assemblies and festivities, and making use of their false doctrines to turn your Christ•••••• feasts into unclean lascivious meetings.

14. Having eyes [note d] full† 1.19 of adulterie, and that* 1.20 cannot cease from sin,† 1.21 be∣guiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with* 1.22 covetous practices, cursed children,]

[Paraphrase] 14. Their eyes are so fil∣led with unlawfull objects, that they can receive nothing else, nor ever take them off from beholding them, they corrupt young new-converted Christians, and have their hearts, as their eyes, alwaies busied with base filthy thoughts, persons fit for nothing but a curse;

15. Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of [note e] Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousnesse,

[Paraphrase] 15. Which have for∣saken the Christian doctrine, and brought in heathenish, (so did Simon Magus mix Pagan 'sme with Christianity; Carpocrates brought in Hesiods theologie to Christ, and adored all equally) after the example of Balaam, who to get a reward (see note on Jude f.) taught Balak to curse the Israelites by inticing them to filthinesse and idolatry together, Num. 25. 1. Rev. 2. 14. though this madnesse of his were miraculously rebuked by the speaking of a dumb creature, an Asse, and so forbid∣den by God severely.

16. But was rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb asse speaking with mans voice forbad the madnesse of the prophet.]

[Paraphrase] 16. Which have for∣saken the Christian doctrine, and brought in heathenish, (so did Simon Magus mix Pagan 'sme with Christianity; Carpoerates brought in Hesiods theologie to Christ, and adored all equally) after the example of Balaam, who to get a reward (see note on Jude f.) taught Balak to curse the Israelites by inticing them to filthinesse and idolatry together, Num. 25. 1. Rev. 2. 14. though this madnesse of his were miraculously rebuked by the speaking of a dumb creature, an Asse, and so forbid∣den by God severely.

17. These are† 1.23 wells without water, clouds that are* 1.24 carried with a [note f] tempest, to whom the† 1.25 mist of darknesse is reserved for ever.]

[Paraphrase] 17. These take upon them to be fountains of all deep knowledge, but have no drop either of truth or good practice among them; they pretend to be sublime above other men, but are only like clouds in the air that darken the skie, but never distill into rain, and those driven impetuously by every wind, be it never so black or dark, from one vicious hellish doctrine and practice to another: and to these black souls is reserved in the just judgment of God eternal darknesse and blacknesse.

18. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they* 1.26 allure through the lusts of the flesh† 1.27 through much wantonnesse those that* 1.28 were clean escaped from them who live in error.]

[Paraphrase] 18. For attributing divi∣nity to Simon and Helena, and exalting them idolatrous∣ly above the God of Israel, (see note on Jude i.) they entice and catch again, bring back to all manner of carnality and filthinesse those who had not long since gotten out of the heathen bestiality, (see note on Jude b.) and really given them over.

19. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of cor∣ruption; for of whom a man† 1.29 is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.]

[Paraphrase] 19. And this upon pre∣tence of giving them liberty, whereas they are themselves the greatest slaves in the wo•••• to wit, enslaved to all basenesse and filthinesse (see note on c. 1. b.) for the title of victory giving dominion, they must needs be slaves of those lusts which have conquered them, to whom they have yielded themselves captives.

20. For if after they have escaped the† 1.30 pollutions of the world, through the * 1.31 knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again intangled there∣in and overcome, the latter end is worse with them then the beginning.]

[Paraphrase] 20. And this is so far from being extenuated by the pri∣vilege of their being Christi∣ans, that it is become the greater and more dangerous guilt by this means; for certainly they that have been converted from all their heathen sins by accepting of the faith of Christ, and then again relapse and return to them, this latter estate of theirs, this Christian heathenisme, is worse then their bare heathenisme at first.

21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteous∣nesse, then after they have known it to† 1.32 turn from the holy commandement deli∣vered unto them.]

[Paraphrase] 21. For it had been more for the advantage of such ne∣ver to have been taught the doctrine of Christ and Christian practice, then when they have undertaken to obey it, to fall back again into their heathen vicious courses.

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22. * 1.33 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dogge is turned to his own vomit again, and, The [note g] sow that was washed to her wal∣lowing in mire.]

[Paraphrase] 22. But now their condi∣tion is a most profane un∣clean state, best signified by a dogge and a swine, two most unclean profane creatures, which among the Jewes stood interdicted both for sacrifice and food, and are both observed proverbially for this quality, that the dogge when any thing lies upon his stomach, which causes him to vomit, when that trouble is over, he presently licks up again what he had before vomited up, (see Prov. 26. 11.) and the swine, when she is washed never so clean, takes pleasure to tumble again in the next mire she comes to

Annotations on Chap. II.

V. 5. The eighth person] Why the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the eighth is here prefix'd to the mention of Noah, might be matter of some inquirie, were it not so ordi∣nary and proverbial among all writers, Jewish as well as Heathens, to expresse the persons that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saved in the Deluge, by this style, the eight. Hence the very mountain whereon the Ark rested is found to be expressed and called by this style, Themanim, that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the mountain of the eight. So Georgius El∣macinus, Hist. Saracen. lib. 1. cap. 1. Heraclius went thence, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the town so cal∣led the town of the eight, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 octo, which is there rendred Themaninum, and ascending to the hill 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it should sure be read, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gordi (so those mountains are called promiscuously Cardiei, Cordjei, Cordueni, Gordi, Cordaei, Curdi) he saw the place of the Ark, the highest of all that region. So* 1.34 Geographus Nubiensis, Mons 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Jemanim (it should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Themanim) idem qui Algode (it should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Algordi, that is, Gordieus) in quo requievit navis illa, Navis Noae, cui pax, the hill Themanim, which is al∣so called Algordi, on which the Ark rested, the Ark of Noah— So* 1.35 Agathias, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, about the Cardian mountains, at the town called Themanim, that is, the eight.

[ b] * 1.36 V. 12. Made to be taken] The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, catch∣ing, is here in an Active sense, to prey, or take, or catch, and not to be taken,* 1.37 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 made for taking are creatures, beasts or birds of prey, vultures. So Job 24. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (rendred by the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to catch) is in the Chaldee Paraphrase expressed by rising up early to their prey. So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is also here in an Active sense, and so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to, or for the corrupting, or defi∣ling, or polluting of others. In reference to which it is that the creatures which are caught and torn by wild beasts, the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, are by the Law counted unclean or polluted, Lev. 17. 15. (see Excerpta Gemarae tr. Sanhedr. c. 1. §. 7.) and ordinarily by the Rabbines set to signifie all forbidden meats, as if the lungs of any thing have a hole in them, they call it. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that which is torn by wild beasts, saith Elias Levita in Thisbi, p. 139. And so these vicious, lustfull, filthy Gnosticks, that, like the Sodomites, force and corrupt all that come in their way, and by making them their prey, doe also defile and pollute them (as those crea∣tures that are torn by wild beasts are accounted pollu∣ted) are here said to be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, like those land-vultures, born to take and pollute, and nothing else,* 1.38 and I suppose are noted by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 forcers, snatchers, ravishers, 1 Cor. 5. 10. See Note h. on that Chapter.

[ C] * 1.39 V. 13. Deceivings] That which is read here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in deceits, may not improbably be mistaken by the scribe for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in their Christian feasts, instituted in order to maintaining of Charity, but defi∣led by the luxurie of carnal Gospellers. Thus it is read in Jude v. 12. (which in most things is agreeable with this second of Peter) and that verse in the other parts of it is directly parallel to this, there 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 spots, as here 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, spots and blemishes; there 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, feasting together, as here in the same word, and so probably also in this word, which differs so little from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that it might be easily mistaken for it.

[ d] * 1.40 V. 14. Full of adulterie] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies distinctly an adulteresse (not adulterie) and the phrase of, having eyes full of her, is very agreeable to that of the Rhe∣torician cited by Plutarch De verecund. who discri∣bing an impure unchast person, (an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 one with∣out shame) rhetorically said of him, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that he had whores in his eyes in stead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is an equivocal word, and signifies both a maid (or virgine, opposite to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 whore) and the pupilla oculi, the apple of the eye also, and is there∣fore made use of in that Rhetor.

[ e] * 1.41 V. 15. Bosor] The name Bosor here is Beor in the Old Testament; the Hebrew being 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and the Chaldee pronouncing the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by S. and accordingly the Arabick translation reads here the sonne of Beor, the same that (as here, so Jude 11. Rev. 11. 14.) is made use of, to exemplify the Hereticks that were thus easily crept into the Church, the Gnosticks so often spoken of. As for the fitnesse of representing this he∣resy by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.42 the way of Balaam, three things may especially be observed. First, that he be∣ing a Prophet of the true God did yet join in Idol-worship with the King of Moab, Num. 22. 41. be∣ing taken up with him into the high places of Baal, and 23. 2, 14, 29. building altars, and offering up sacrifices there. And this was remarkable in the Gnosticks, (whose whole Divinity was a mixture of Christian and Jewish with Heathen doctrine) they made no scruple, for the saving or gaining any thing to themselves, to join with those who offer'd sacri∣fice to Idols. Secondly, that he complied and joined in faction with the Moabites and Midianites, the enemies of God's people, was very willing to assist them to his uttermost, and when God permitted him not to curse Israel, yet he associated with the Midi∣anites, as appears Num. 31. 8. where he is found with them in the battail. And the same was signal∣ly observable of the Gnosticks, who alwaies compli∣ed with the persecuters of Christianity, whether Jews or Heathens, and were the bitterest enemies the Or∣thodox Christians had. Thirdly, that he gave coun∣sel to the King of Moab how to corrupt and bring a Curse upon the Israelites, by enticing them into uncleannesse in the matter of Peor, Num. 25. 1. and 31. 16. And the same did the Gnosticks, corrupting all that could be wrought on by their unclean doctrines and practices: see Note on Jude f. And as they were parallell in their sinne, so were they in their ruine al∣so. When the Midianites were destroyed by Israel, Num. 31. Balaam also the sonne of Beor they slew with the sword, v. 8. And so when the Jewes were de∣stroyed by the Romans, the Gnosticks that complyed with them, were found among them, and destroyed also.

[ f] * 1.43 V. 17. Tempest] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is by Hesychius rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 What 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 notes is by him best expressed elswhere, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the violence of a strong wind. To this Phavorinus adds 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, darknesse with a violent wind:

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And so it is here fitly set to signifie that black wind, as it were, of dark heathen error and practices, by which these 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 clouds, to which Saint Jude addes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 empty, waterlesse clouds, the Gno∣sticks, are driven and carried about, to which there∣fore is apportioned 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the blacknesse of darknesse for ever, in the end of the verse.

[ g] V. 22. Sow that was washed] The Hebrew word for a swine 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is deduced from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 rediit, re∣versus est, returning, to note this quality of the swine taken notice of by this proverb, of returning to the mire again.

Notes

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