OT-POET.filter - geneva These:

geneva@Job:1:1 @ There was a man in the land of (note:)That is, of the country of Idumea, (Lam_4:21), or bordering on it: for the land was called by the name of Uz, the son of Dishan, the son of Seir (Gen_36:28).(:note) Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and Since he was a Gentile and not a Jew and yet is pronounced upright and without hypocrisy, it declares that among the heathen God revealed himself. upright, and By this it is declared what is meant by an upright and just man. one that feared God, and eschewed evil. The Argument - In this history the example of patience is set before our eyes. This holy man Job was not only extremely afflicted in outward things and in his body, but also in his mind and conscience, by the sharp temptation of his wife and friends: who by their vehement words and subtle disputations brought him almost to despair. They set forth God as a sincere judge, and mortal enemy to him who had cast him off, therefore in vain he should seek him for help. These friends came to him under pretence of consolation, and yet they tormented him more than all his afflictions did. Even so, he constantly resisted them, and eventually succeeded. In this story we must note that Job maintains a good cause, but handles it badly. His adversaries have an evil matter, but they defend it craftily. Job held that God did not always punish men according to their sins, but that he had secret judgments, of which man knew not the cause, and therefore man could not reason against God in it, but he should be convicted. Moreover, he was assured that God had not rejected him, yet through his great torments and afflictions he speaks many inconveniences and shows himself as a desperate man in many things, and as one that would resist God, and this is his good cause which he handles well. Again the adversaries maintain with many good arguments that God punishes continually according to the trespass, grounding on God's providence, his justice and man's sins, yet their intention is evil; for they labour to bring Job into despair, and so they maintain an evil cause. Ezekiel commends Job as a just man, (Eze_14:14) and James sets out his patience for an example, (Jam_5:11).

geneva@Job:3:13 @ For now should I have (note:)The vehemency of his afflictions made him utter these words as though death was the end of all miseries, and as if there were no life after this, which he speaks not as though it were so, but the infirmities of his flesh caused him to break out in this error of the wicked.(:note) lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

geneva@Job:4:14 @ Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones (note:)In these visions which God shows to his creatures, there is always a certain fear joined, that the authority of it might be had in greater reverence.(:note) to shake.

geneva@Job:5:5 @ Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the (note:)Though there are only two or three ears left in the hedges, yet these will be taken from him.(:note) thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

geneva@Job:5:27 @ Lo (note:)We have learned these points by experience, that God does not punish the innocent, that man cannot compare in justice with him, that the hypocrites will not prosper for long, and that the affliction which man sustains comes for his own sin.(:note) this, we have searched it, so it [is]; hear it, and know thou [it] for thy good.

geneva@Job:6:22 @ Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your (note:)He touches the worldlings who for need will give part of their goods, and much more these men, who would not give him comfortable words.(:note) substance?

geneva@Job:8:2 @ How long wilt thou speak these [things]? and [how long shall] the words of thy mouth (note:)He declares that their words which would diminish anything from the justice of God, are but as a puff of wind that vanishes away.(:note) [be like] a strong wind?

geneva@Job:9:9 @ Which maketh (note:)These are the names of certain stars by which he means that all stars both known and unknown are at his appointment.(:note) Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

geneva@Job:9:27 @ If (note:)I think not to fall into these afflictions, but my sorrows bring me to these manifold infirmities, and my conscience condemns me.(:note) I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort [myself]:

geneva@Job:10:8 @ Thine (note:)In these eight verses following he describes the mercy of God, in the wonderful creation of man: and on it grounds that God should not show himself rigorous against him.(:note) hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.

geneva@Job:10:13 @ And these [things] hast thou hid in thine heart: I know (note:)Though I am not fully able to comprehend these things, yet I must confess that it is so.(:note) that this [is] with thee.

geneva@Job:10:16 @ For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself (note:)Job being sore assaulted in this battle between the flesh and the spirit, breaks out into these affections, wishing rather for short days than long pain.(:note) marvellous upon me.

geneva@Job:12:9 @ Who is ignorant of all these, but that the hande of the Lord hath made these?

geneva@Job:13:20 @ But doe not these two things vnto me: then will I not hide my selfe from thee.

geneva@Job:17:4 @ For thou hast hid their heart from (note:)That these my afflictions are your just judgments, though man does not know the reason.(:note) understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt [them].

geneva@Job:19:3 @ These (note:)That is, many times, as in (Neh_4:12).(:note) ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed [that] ye make yourselves strange to me.

geneva@Job:19:20 @ My bone (note:)Besides these great losses and most cruel unkindness, he was touched in his own person as follows.(:note) cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

geneva@Job:19:21 @ Have pity upon me, have (note:)Seeing I have these just causes to complain, condemn me not as a hypocrite, especially you who should comfort me.(:note) pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

geneva@Job:20:18 @ That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow [it] down: according to [his] substance [shall] the restitution [be], (note:)That is these raveners and spoilers of the poor will enjoy their theft but for a time for after God will take it from them, and cause them to make restitution so that it is only an exchange.(:note) and he shall not rejoice [therein].

geneva@Job:24:15 @ The eye also of the (note:)By these particular vices and the licence of it, he would prove that God did not punish the wicked and reward the just.(:note) adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth [his] face.

geneva@Job:26:14 @ Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but (note:)If these few things which we see daily with our eyes, declare his great power and providence, how much more would they appear, if we were to comprehend all his works.(:note) how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

geneva@Job:27:12 @ Behold, all ye yourselves (note:)That is, these secret judgments of God and yet do not understand them.(:note) have seen [it]; why then are ye thus altogether Why do you then maintain this error? vain?

geneva@Job:29:6 @ When I washed my steps (note:)By these comparisons he declares the great prosperity that he was in, so that he had no opportunity to be such a sinner as they accused him.(:note) with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

geneva@Job:32:1 @ So these three men ceased to answere Iob, because he esteemed himselfe iust.

geneva@Job:33:7 @ Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand (note:)I will not handle you so roughly as these others have done.(:note) be heavy upon thee.

geneva@Job:33:29 @ Lo, all these [things] worketh God (note:)Meaning, as often as a sinner repents.(:note) oftentimes with man,

geneva@Job:35:2 @ Thinkest thou this to be right, [that] thou saidst, My (note:)Job never spoke these words: but because he maintained his innocency, it seemed as though he would say, that God tormented him without just cause.(:note) righteousness [is] more than God's?

geneva@Job:36:5 @ Behold, God [is] mighty, and despiseth not [any: he is] (note:)Strong and constant, and of understanding: for these are the gifts of God, and he loves them in man: but as much as God punished Job now, it is a sign that these are not in him.(:note) mighty in strength [and] wisdom.

geneva@Job:37:21 @ And now [men] see not the bright light (note:)The cloud stops the shining of the sun, that man cannot see it till the wind has chased away the cloud: and if man is not able to attain to the knowledge of these things, how much less God's judgments?(:note) which [is] in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

geneva@Job:38:38 @ When the dust groweth into hardness, (note:)For when God does not open these bottles, the earth comes to this inconvenience.(:note) and the clods cleave fast together?

geneva@Job:40:10 @ Deck thyself now [with] (note:)Meaning, that these were proper to God, and belonged to no man.(:note) majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

geneva@Job:42:7 @ And it was [so], that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me [the thing that is] (note:)You took in hand an evil cause, in that you condemned him by his outward afflictions, and not comforted him with my mercies.(:note) right, as my servant Who had a good cause, but handled it evil. Job [hath].

geneva@Psalms:15:5 @ [He that] (note:)To the hinderance of his neighbour.(:note) putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these [things] That is, will not be cast from the Church as a hypocrite. shall never be moved.

geneva@Psalms:29:9 @ The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to (note:)For fear makes them deliver their calves.(:note) calve, and Makes the trees bare, or pierces the most secret places. discovereth the forests: and in his Though the wicked are not moved by these lights, yet the faithful praise God. temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.

geneva@Psalms:35:3 @ Draw out also the spear, and stop [the way] against them that persecute me: say unto my (note:)Assure me against these temptations, that you are the author of my salvation.(:note) soul, I [am] thy salvation.

geneva@Psalms:36:4 @ He (note:)By describing at large the nature of the reprobate, he admonishes the godly to beware of these vices.(:note) deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way [that is] not good; he abhorreth not evil.

geneva@Psalms:37:30 @ The (note:)These three points are required from the faithful, that their talk is godly, that God's law is in their heart, and that their life is upright.(:note) mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

geneva@Psalms:42:1 @ «To the chief Musician, Maschil, (note:)As a treasure to be kept by them, who were of the number of the Levites.(:note) for the sons of Korah.» As the hart By these comparisons of the thirst and panting, he shows his fervent desire to serve God in his temple. panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

geneva@Psalms:42:4 @ When I remember (note:)That is, how I led the people to serve you in your tabernacle, and now seeing my contrary estate, I die for sorrow.(:note) these [things], I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

geneva@Psalms:44:10 @ Thou makest vs to turne backe fro the aduersary, & they, which hate vs, spoile for theselues.

geneva@Psalms:49:10 @ For he seeth [that] wise men (note:)In that that death makes no difference between the persons.(:note) die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to That is, not to their children, but to strangers. Yet the wicked profit not by these examples, but still dream of immortality on earth. others.

geneva@Psalms:50:21 @ These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and (note:)I will write all your wicked deeds in a roll, and make you read and acknowledge them, whether you will or not.(:note) set [them] in order before thine eyes.

geneva@Psalms:57:1 @ «(note:)This was either the beginning of a certain song, or the words which David uttered when he stayed his affection.(:note) To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave.» Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until [these] He compares the afflictions which God lays on his children, to a storm that comes and goes. calamities be overpast.

geneva@Psalms:60:1 @ «To the chief Musician upon (note:)These were certain songs after the note of which this psalm was sung.(:note) Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Also called Sophene, which stands by Euphrates. Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.» O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast For when Saul was not able to resist the enemy, the people fled here and there: for they were not safe in their own homes. scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

geneva@Psalms:62:7 @ In God [is] my salvation and my (note:)These vehement and often repetitions were necessary to strengthen his faith against the horrible assault of Satan.(:note) glory: the rock of my strength, [and] my refuge, [is] in God.

geneva@Psalms:71:20 @ [Thou], which hast shewed me great and (note:)As he confesses that God is the only author of his deliverance, so he acknowledges that these evils were sent to him by God's providence.(:note) sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.

geneva@Psalms:73:12 @ Lo, these are the wicked, yet prosper they alway, and increase in riches.

geneva@Psalms:78:8 @ And might not be as their (note:)Though these fathers were the seed of Abraham and the chosen people, yet he shows by their rebellion, provocation, falsehood, and hypocrisy, that the children should not follow their examples.(:note) fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

geneva@Psalms:81:1 @ «To the chief Musician upon (note:)An instrument of music brought from Geth.(:note) Gittith, [A Psalm] of Asaph.» Sing It seems that this psalm was appointed for solemn feasts and assemblies of the people to whom for a time these ceremonies were ordained, but now under the gospel are abolished. aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

geneva@Psalms:83:8 @ Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children (note:)The wickedness of the Ammonites and Moabites is described in that they provoked these other nations to fight against the Israelites.(:note) of Lot. Selah.

geneva@Psalms:83:9 @ Do unto them as [unto] the (note:)By these examples they were confirmed that God would not permit his people to be completely destroyed, (Jdg_7:21, Jdg_4:15).(:note) Midianites; as [to] Sisera, as [to] Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

geneva@Psalms:87:4 @ I will make mention of (note:)That is, Egypt and these other countries will come to the knowledge of God.(:note) Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; It will be said of him who is regenerate and come to the Church, that he is as one who was born in the Church. this [man] was born there.

geneva@Psalms:92:3 @ Upon an (note:)These instruments were then permitted in the Church as also they are now. (Ed.)(:note) instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

geneva@Psalms:95:6 @ O come, let us (note:)By these three words he signifies one thing: meaning that they must wholly give themselves to serve God.(:note) worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

geneva@Psalms:99:6 @ Moses and Aaron among his priests, (note:)Under these three he comprehends the whole people of Israel, with whom God made his promise.(:note) and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

geneva@Psalms:101:5 @ Whoso privily (note:)In promising to punish these vices, which are most pernicious in them that are about Kings, he declares that he will punish all.(:note) slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

geneva@Psalms:102:3 @ For my days are (note:)These excessive kinds of speech show how much the affliction of the Church should wound the hearts of the godly.(:note) consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

geneva@Psalms:107:43 @ Who is wise that hee may obserue these things? for they shall vnderstand the louing kindnesse of the Lord.

geneva@Psalms:108:7 @ God hath spoken in his (note:)As he has spoken to Samuel concerning me, so will he show himself constant and holy in his promise, so that these nations following will be subject to me.(:note) holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

geneva@Psalms:114:4 @ The (note:)Seeing that these dead creatures felt God's power and after a sort saw it, much more his people ought to consider it, and glorify him for the same.(:note) mountains skipped like rams, [and] the little hills like lambs.

geneva@Psalms:120:5 @ Woe is me, that I sojourn in (note:)These were people of Arabia, who came from Japheth, (Gen_10:2).(:note) Mesech, [that] I dwell in the tents of That is, of the Ishmaelites. Kedar!

geneva@Psalms:127:4 @ As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] (note:)That is, endued with strength and virtues from God: for these are signs of God's blessings, and not the number.(:note) children of the youth.

geneva@Psalms:128:5 @ The LORD shall (note:)Because of the spiritual blessing which God has made to his Church, these temporal things will be granted.(:note) bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of For unless God blessed his Church publicly, this private blessing was nothing. Jerusalem all the days of thy life.

geneva@Psalms:133:1 @ «A Song of degrees of David.» Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell (note:)Because the greatest part was against David, though some favoured him, yet when he was established king at length, they joined all together like brothers: and therefore he shows by these similarities the convenience of brotherly love.(:note) together in unity!

geneva@Psalms:143:8 @ Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the (note:)That is, speedily and in due season.(:note) morning; for in thee do I trust: Let your Holy Spirit counsel me how to come forth from these great cares and troubles. cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

geneva@Psalms:144:15 @ Happy [is that] people, that is (note:)And if God does not give to all his children all these blessings, yet he replaces them with better things.(:note) in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose God [is] the LORD.

geneva@Psalms:146:8 @ The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD (note:)Though he visits them with affliction, hunger, imprisonment and such like, yet his fatherly love and pity never fails them, yea rather to his these are signs of his love.(:note) loveth the righteous:

geneva@Psalms:148:3 @ Praise ye him, (note:)In that God's glory shines in these insensible creatures, this their beauty is as a continual praising of God.(:note) sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

geneva@Proverbs:1:1 @ The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; (note:)The Argument - The wonderful love of God toward his Church is declared in this book: for as much as the sum and effect of the whole Scriptures is here set forth in these brief sentences, which partly contain doctrine, and partly manners, and also exhortations to both: of which the first nine Chapters are as a preface full of grave sentences and deep mysteries, to assure the hearts of men to the diligent reading of the parables that follow: which are left as a precious jewel to the Church, of those three thousand parables mentioned in (1Ki_4:32) and were gathered and committed to writing by Solomon's servants and incited by him.(:note)

geneva@Proverbs:1:5 @ A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of (note:)As he shows that these parables containing the effect of religion concerning manners and doctrine, belong to the simple people: so he declares that the same is also necessary for them who are wise and learned.(:note) understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

geneva@Proverbs:1:18 @ And they lay wait for their [own] blood; they lurk privily for (note:)He shows that there is no reason to move these wicked to spoil the innocent, aside from their malice and cruelty.(:note) their [own] lives.

geneva@Proverbs:3:21 @ My sonne, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but obserue wisdome, and counsell.

geneva@Proverbs:6:16 @ These sixe things doeth the Lorde hate: yea, his soule abhorreth seuen:

geneva@Proverbs:20:12 @ The Lord hath made both these, euen the eare to heare, and the eye to see.

geneva@Proverbs:24:23 @ Also these things perteine to the wise, It is not good to haue respect of any person in iudgement.

geneva@Proverbs:25:1 @ These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the (note:)Whom Hezekiah appointed for this purpose.(:note) men of Hezekiah king of Judah That is, gathered out of various books of Solomon. copied out.

geneva@Proverbs:30:22 @ For (note:)These commonly abuse the state to which they are called.(:note) a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with food;

geneva@Proverbs:30:28 @ The spider taketh hold (note:)If man is not able to compass these common things by his wisdom, we cannot attribute wisdom to man, but folly.(:note) with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

geneva@Ecclesiastes:3:13 @ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it [is] the (note:)Read (Ecc_2:24) and these places declare that we should do all things with sobriety and in the fear of God, as he gives not his gifts to the intent that they should be abused.(:note) gift of God.

geneva@Ecclesiastes:4:2 @ Wherefore I praised the (note:)Because they are no longer subject to these oppressions.(:note) dead who are already dead more than the living who are yet alive.

geneva@Ecclesiastes:5:8 @ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, wonder not at the matter: for [he that is] (note:)Meaning, that God will address these things, and therefore we must depend on him.(:note) higher than the highest regardeth; and [there are] higher than they.

geneva@Ecclesiastes:7:10 @ Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire (note:)Murmur not against God when he sends adversities for man's sins.(:note) wisely concerning this.

geneva@Ecclesiastes:7:18 @ [It is] good that thou shouldest take hold of (note:)That is, on these admonitions that go before.(:note) this; yea, also from Consider what desolation and destruction will come, if you do not obey them. this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.

geneva@Ecclesiastes:9:1 @ For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, [are] in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or (note:)Meaning, what things he ought to chose or refuse: or man knows not by these outward things that is, by prosperity or adversity, whom God favours or hates, for he sends them as well to the wicked as to the godly.(:note) hatred [by] all [that is] before them.

geneva@Ecclesiastes:12:12 @ And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many (note:)These things cannot be comprehended in books or learned by study, but God must instruct your heart that you may only know that wisdom is the true happiness and the way to it is to fear God.(:note) books [there is] no end; and much study [is] a weariness of the flesh.

geneva@Songs:5:7 @ The (note:)These are the false teachers who wound the conscience with their traditions.(:note) watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

geneva@Isaiah:1:1 @ The (note:)That is, a revelation or prophecy, which was one of the two means by which God declared himself to his servants in old times, as in (Num_12:6) and therefore the prophets were called seers, (1Sa_9:9).(:note) vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw Isaiah was chiefly sent to Judah and Jerusalem, but not only: for in this book are prophecies concerning other nations also. concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Called also Azariah, (2Ki_15:1) of these kings read (2Ki. strkjv@14:1-21:1; 2Ch. strkjv@25:1-33:1). Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah. The Argument - God, according to his promise in (Deu_18:15) that he would never leave his Church destitute of a prophet, has from time to time accomplished the same: whose office was not only to declare to the people the things to come, of which they had a special revelation, but also to interpret and declare the law, and to apply particularly the doctrine contained briefly in it, for the use and profit of those to whom they thought it chiefly to belong, and as the time and state of things required. Principally in the declaration of the law, they had respect to three things which were the ground of their doctrine: first, to the doctrine contained briefly in the two tables: secondly to the promises and threatenings of the law: and thirdly to the covenant of grace and reconciliation grounded on our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the end of the law. To which they neither added nor diminished, but faithfully expounded the sense and meaning of it. As God gave them understanding of things, they applied the promises particularly for the comfort of the Church and the members of it, and also denounced the menaces against the enemies of the same: not for any care or regard to the enemies, but to assure the Church of their safeguard by the destruction of their enemies. Concerning the doctrine of reconciliation, they have more clearly entreated it than Moses, and set forth more lively Jesus Christ, in whom this covenant of reconciliation was made. In all these things Isaiah surpassed all the prophets, and was diligent to set out the same, with vehement admonitions, reprehensions, and consolations: ever applying the doctrine as he saw that the disease of the people required. He declares also many notable prophecies which he had received from God, concerning the promise of the Messiah, his office and kingdom, the favour of God toward his Church, the calling of the Gentiles and their union with the Jews. Which are principal points contained in this book, and a gathering of his sermons that he preached. Which after certain days that they had stood upon the temple door (for the manner of the prophets was to post the sum of their doctrine for certain days, that the people might the better mark it as in (Isa_8:1; Hab_2:2)) the priests took it down and reserved it among their registers. By God's providence these books were preserved as a monument to the Church forever. Concerning his person and time he was of the king's stock (for Amos his father was brother to Azariah king of Judah, as the best writers agree) and prophesied more than 64 years, from the time of Uzziah to the reign of Manasseh who was his son-in-law (as the Hebrews write) and by whom he was put to death. In reading of the prophets, this one thing among others is to be observed, that they speak of things to come as though they were now past because of the certainty of it, and that they could not but come to pass, because God had ordained them in his secret counsel and so revealed them to his prophets.