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A Commentary, or Exposition on the BOOK of RUTH.
THERE be little Books in the Bible, which the Hebrews call [Chamesh Megilloth] the five little Volumes, to wit, Canticles, Lamentations, Ruth, Esther, and Ecclesiastes. This short Book (being the shortest of all the Hi∣storical Books in the whole Bible) Hugo Cardinalis compares to a Honey-Bee, which, though but a very little Creature, yet is great in Labour and Usefulness, as gathering both Wax and Honey, which are two useful things for Light and Medicine: Lavater compares it to a Jewel, or precious Stone, which is but little in bulk and sub∣stance, yet great both in value and vertue.
N. B. This is an Appendix (only) to the Book of the Judges, which contains an History of things that did fall out (as some say) betwixt the third and fourth Chap∣ters of Judges, and therefore they would have it there inserted betwixt those two Chapters.
'Tis call'd the Book of Ruth, not because she was the Author of it, but because she is the chief Matter and Subject of the Story, and her Person and Part is principally Acted in it. The Author of the Book, some suppose to be Hezekiah, others Esdras, but most (and that most probably) do think it to be Samuel, for he being the Author (by Universal Consent) of the four Books of Kings, beginning that History with David, 'tis altogether improbable that he should over-look the Original of David, and not speak of Ruth, the Grandmother of David, being the Mother of Obed, Da∣vid's Grandfather, Ruth 4.18, 19, 20, 21, 22.
The chief Scope is to demonstrate the Genealogy of Christ (our Spiritual David, of whom literal David was both Father and Figure) shewing how Christ descended, not only of Boaz a Jew, but also of Ruth a Gentile, which teaches us, that Christ was to become a Saviour unto both Jew and Gentile, and that he is no Respecter of Persons, but in every Nation, he that feareth God, and worketh Righteousness is accepted of him, Act. 10.34.35. Thus is Christ call'd the Saviour of the World.
In order to the Accomplishment of this great Enterprize, many Eminent Passages of Providence are expresly Recorded in Scripture, and among the rest, this of the Original of David from Ruth the Moabite, though the Moabites were forbidden to en∣ter into the Congregation of the Lord, even to the Tenth Generation, Deut. 23.3. and that by a perpetual and Indispensable Law, to wit, for ever.
The Analysis, or Summ and Substance, the Contents of this Book, followeth Ruth, who is both the Subject and Title of it, falls under a Threefold Consideration (1.) In her first Marriage. (2.) In her time of Widowhood. (3.) In her Second Marriage.
Of her First Marriage so little is Recorded of her, that we find she is a Widow as soon almost as a Wife.
Secondly, The time of her Widow-hood was spent partly in the Land of Moab, and partly in the Land of Canaan. In both which places, 1. He•• Affection to her Mother-in-Law. 2. Her Subjection to her in all her Matron like Instructions. 3. Her Unfeigned Devotion to the true God, (as a right Gentile-Proselyte) evidently appeareth. All which, her God whom she had owned and avouched, richly rewarded 4. With a Second Happy Marriage, and made her Great-Grandmother to the Son of God.