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。