'erf. 9 . the Epiiffle to the Romans. 1 S a L. Two things : Fill}, the parts Parts. or'feverall kindes of punifhment. Se- condly, the equity of the punifhment wifhed unto the malicious _Jewes, for refilling and refuting Chrift the Redee- mer ofMankinde. T t. M. What is the fiefl kinde of puni fh- ment ? S r L. That their Table may be made for a fnare. T i Al. What fignifies the Table ? S i L. It is a figurative and borrow- ed fpeech, fignifying all things wherein the Jewes delighted and toolç plea- lure ; becaufé men who be rich and great, doe furnifh their Table with goodly delicacies, meats, and drinks, pleafant to the talk and fight : all:), for that men come to the table to be re- frefhed and merry. Hence it lignifies whatfoever is acceptable and delight - full unto us, giving us contentment and comfort in this life; I fay, that by a Sy- necdoche, the Table importeth riches, feafis, profperity, tpeace, and publick eflate ; yea, all their 1pirituall and tem- poralI bleffings,as Scriptures,'Saciifices, Temple, or whatfoever they had which was good, profperous, and glorious, (as Chryfofleme, Calvin, Peter Martyr, and Parus expounds it:)he prayeth that all this may be turned to their hurt,ruine, and downhill. T t M. By what eonsparifon is this hurt and ruitte fet forth in our Text ? S t L. By three fimilitudes : Firtf, of a fnare wherein Birds are taken when they think to feed. Secondly, of a net or trap, fuch as wilde beafis are caught in. Thirdly, of a !tumbling block, o r flone,whereat blinde men or drunkards do Humble and fall. This fill punifh- ment, how it is fulfilled in the Jewes, experience of many hundred years, have made it fo plain to all men, as it needeth no proof at all. For all men know what was the name, digni- ty, renown, glory, riches, priviledges, and benefits bellowed on that Nation; and now what calamities of body and foal they are tormented with, being plagued with extreme infamy and in- dignity, being vagabonds, hatefull to Q-A God Scope. DIALOGUE VIII. Verf. 9, só. And David faith, Let their table be made a fnare and a net, and a fumbling block, even for a recompense unto them'; Let their eyes be darkened'that they fee not, and bow down their backs alrvaies. TtMOTMEUs. WHat is the drift and end of this Scripture ? S e L. To prove the reje &ion ofthe Jewes, and their blindnefle through which they did not receive Chrift and his Gófpel,but wilfully contemned it, being wholly poffeffed with a fpirit of (lumber. And this Paul proves by a te[li- mony out of the Pfal.69. 22, 23. where- in Davidbearing the perfon of the Mel= fias (ofwhom he was a Type) cloth complain of the extreme injuries, and oppreflions wherewith the Jewes (his own people and countreymen) fhould vex Chrift. Amongft other things, that they fhould mingle his meat with gall, and vinegar with his drink : and now in this Text, by way of imprecation or curie, he prayeth for Gods horrible wrath and punifhment to came upon them ; and namely, that their mindes might befpoyled of all judgement and difcretion, to difcerp or choofe things; and their bodies of all ftrength, that they might beable never to attain good things defired, nor to hurt the godly; and their life to be void of all comforts, thatall their molt pleafant things might be turned to their deftru &íon. Now the holy King Davidhaving by a pro- phetical) fpirit prayed for fuck miferies to the Jewes, they muff be fulfilled : therefore the general unbelief and hard - ning ofthe Jewes, is no incredible thing to be wondred at. Note that though Paulchàngeth tone words, yet he hol- deth the fenfelikean Apoftolicall Pro- phet, keeping and explaining the mea- ning by alteration ofwords. T r M. What things are to be confidered in this Text,cited out of the Prophet David ? 447
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