Genesis 37

Genesis 37:1

IN the land] The land named was Canaan, the place in particular not named was Hebron.

Genesis 37:2

generations] (Chap. 5. 1. & 36. 1.) That is, the story of such things as came to him, and his family with reference unto the generation, or catalogue of his Issue set down before, Chap. 35. with the interposition of the generations of Esau, Chap. 36. to shew by way of comparison the different condition of Gods Church, and children, and of the families of the wicked.

seventeene yeares old] Some Popish Translators say, sixteene yeares old, a manifest swerving from the Hebrew Text, and with it fron the Greek Seventy; from which some eminent Papists pretend a secret instinct of the Spirit in the Authour of that Translation, which is a glosse more corrupt then their Text; for if Joseph were seventeen, he was sixteen in truth of story though not of interpretation; but it can be no way true that Gods Spirit would correct in a Translation that which it had dictated in the Originall.

with the sonnes of Bilhah, and] The sonnes of the handmaids, (it seemeth) were sorted together, and with them Joseph, because his mother Rachel was now dead, and he envyed perhaps by Leah, for his mothers sake; and by her sonnes, because he was the darling of his father; therefore Jacob for preservation of peace divided (as it is probable) both his women, children, and cattell into two companies; in the one was Leah, her sixe children, and a great part of his flock with them; in the other the handmaids, their children and Joseph with them; where Jacob might expect more safetie, because there lesse envie would follow the love of his father, or the preeminence which that might produce on Josephs behalfe.

his fathers wives] Not properly so called, for Bilhah, Chap. 35. vers. 22. is called a concubine; yet they above others might be called wives, because their sonnes shared in the inheritance in the Land of Canaan with the sonnes of Rachel and Leah who were wives in a proper sense. See the difference betwixt a wife and a concubine, in Annot. on Chap. 22. vers. 24.

their evill report] Which is thought to be some injurious usage or carriage towards Joseph; yet it may be besides that the sonnes of Bilhah and Zilpah mis-behaved themselves, and raised an ill report upon the family of Jacob by their criminall conversation, which if it were such as some have imagined, was most abominable, Joseph observing it with dislike acquaints his father with it, that by him they may be reclaimed from their evill courses; wherein he doth the office of a good sonne, and brother, to his father, and brethren, and acquitteth his own soule from all guilt that might have been contracted by his silence.

Genesis 37:3

more then all] That is, more then any of them all.

the sonne of his old age] (Genesis 44:20.) He was 91. yeares old at the birth of Joseph; now that parents love their young children better then the elder, there may be many reasons, aFirst, to be parents in old age argueth the continuance of Gods blessing, and of their good and strong constitution, when it was most like to faile for ever. Secondly, they more value such an issue, because they exspect no more of that kinde, and that makes it more deare because more rare. Object. But Benjamin was younger. Sol. First, this is to be understood in respect of his elder brethren; and for Benjamin he was not yet come to any proofe to gaine so much of his fathers affection.

Thirdly, in the youngest they looke that the memory should hold out longest, and naturall affection gaineth strength in its course, so that the further it goeth the stronger it groweth. Fourthly, the young children are commonly more conversant with old men, since they keepe home, whereas the bigger children are much abroad.

Fifthly, their innocency breeds acceptation without exception, whereas the elder children commit faults, it may be crimes, (as Reuben did, Genesis 35:22.) to grieve the hearts of their parents, and shorten their lives. Sixthly, Old fathers decline towards the infirmitie of young children, (as the Proverbe hath it, once a man, and twice a child) and are commonly more tender, and kinde to those who are by their tendernesse more apt to be exposed to injuries by others. Object. But Benjamin he was younger then Joseph, and so was he also son of Jacobs elder age. Answ. True, there was somewhat there besides the reasons here alleadged which made Joseph so beloved of Jacob; as that he was the long desired issue of his beloved mother Rachel, and her first borne that tooke away the great griefe of her former barrennesse, and left no matter of mis-hap behind to afflict the heart of the father, as the birth of Benjamin, with the death of his mother had done, and he was beautifull like her; and certainly, there appeared in young Joseph the presages of very vertuous acts, and employments of great importance.

a coat of many colours] (2 Samuel 13:18.) Or, pices; And it might be both, wherein both pieces and colours were so mingled, as might make most for delight and decencie in the eye: the Greek word Poikilon, used by the Lxx. and the other Greek word Polymita, by the Latines, sound both to the same sense, the one signifieth varied, the other varied in particular by pieces of severall colours. This coat is here mentioned both as an Argument of Jacobs love to Joseph, and as an occasion of his brothers hate, and a colour and cover for their bloody plot from the eyes of their father. Some curiously inquire concerning the matter of Josephs coat, whether it were silke, or of divers kinds of threads, (which afterward was forbidden by the Law to be made of linen and woollen, Leviticus 19:19.) and concerning the making of it, whether it were long, or with sleeves or no; but as there is no need of such nicetie, so can there be no good satisfaction given unto it. It is of more use to note that as Jacob loved him better, so he shewed his love unto him by such outward signes, as set him out unto his brethren as an object of envie: it had been better Jacob had loved him more, and shewed it lesse; it is a part of prudence in parents, so to governe their affections, or themselves in the expression of them, that they give no cause of grudge, or malignant emulation among their children, Ephesians 6:4.

Genesis 37:4

hated him] Many things met together to make Joseph maligned of his brethren, as his fathers favour, which in his gay coate was an eye-fore to their envious lookes; his complaint of his brethren, and after this his dream raised their hatred to a great height, vers. 5, 8, &c.

could not speake peaceably] Wherein appeares the power of humane corruption, which is too stubborne to be held in by any bond, either of Religion, or nature; those that are very bad cannot so much overrule their naughty hearts, as to permit a good word to come out of their lips, Matthew 12:23. an evidence against the opinion of the power of free-will in matter of moralitie.

Genesis 37:5

dreamed] Of Dreames, see Annot. on Chap. 20. 3. & on Chap. 31. vers. 24.

Genesis 37:7

Obeisance to my sheafe] This was but a dreame, the dreame of a child, but in the dreame was a mystery; and the meaning of it was that Josephs brethren should bow down to him, as their sheaves seemed to doe to his sheafe; if this had beene acted in the field it would have beene matter of amazement to them all; but then the providence of God in ordering the various affections, passions, and passages of his brethren towards him had not beene so manifest, nor his advancement so strange, and above their expectation, as when the presage was but a dreame, and that but Josephs owne dreame related of and by himselfe.

Genesis 37:9

Behold, the Sunne and Moone] See Annot on vers. 10.

did obeisance] It was twice revealed to him, how he should be honoured, but he hath no revelation how he should be humbled, for God meant to bring this about by waies unknowne both to Joseph, his father, and brethren; when God reveales himselfe to any, he doth it with stint and limitation; the light he giveth unto them being like that of a dark-lanterne, which may be shut, and opened by severall acts of illumination; so that neither the Prophets, nor Apostles knew any more of Gods secret counsel, then he was pleased by particular informations to impart unto them; for this purpose compare 2 Kings 5:26. with 2 Kings 4:27. And Acts 5:3. with Acts 10:17. 21.

Genesis 37:10

his father rebuked him] Partly in ignorance whence the dreame came, and how it was to be accomplished; and partly in wisdome, and good will to Joseph, whom he would not have by this meanes become more hated of his brethren.

shall I and thy mother, &c.] Jacob takes himselfe to be meant by the Sunne, his wife by the Moone, and his sonnes by the Starres, according to the promise made to his grandfather Abraham, Genesis 22:27. wherein he takes notice of his owne preeminence above his wife in the comparison; But though Josephs brethren did most humble homage unto him, Genesis 42:6. did his father doe so too? if he did, his mother could not, for she died before in travaile with Benjamin. Answ. First, for his father; though that be not expresly written of him, yet before he was made knowne unto him as his sonne, he had him in the estimation and honour of a Viceroy, or Deputie of a great King, and therefore did Josephs brethren call their father his servant, and with that word in their mouthes bowed their heads and made obeisance, Genesis 43:28. And when Jacob came into Egypt, it is not to be doubted but he gave him respect according to the dignitie of his place; and if Rachel were dead at this time, (which some denie) the words of Joseph might as to her seeme to sound like an idle dreame: Or, the mother of the familie, who was unto Jacob as the Moone to the Sunne, might, when she came with Jacob her husband, doe homage unto him, albeit it be not expressed.

Genesis 37:11

observed the saying] (Luke 2:19.) He thought there was somewhat extraordinary in it, and though he knew not what it was, he set his mind to observe it.

Genesis 37:13

I will send] This was a good while after his brethren had expressed their envy against him, and by this time he hoped it was appeased.

Genesis 37:14

whether it be well] Heb. peace. Peace is a compendium of all prosperitie, even the prosperitie of Warre is called Peace, 2 Samuel 11:7. Text and Margine; as on the contrarie Warre is the Master of all miseries. See Annot. on Chap. 29. vers. 6.

to Shechem] Which was from Hebron where his Father was, (as some compute the distance) sixtie English miles, (as others) eighteene leagues, which wants not much of that measure; those that were rich in cattell, to have them well pastured were faine to keepe them many times at great distance; when Laban by Gods blessing upon Jacobs faithfull service was enriched, his flocks were sometimes fed at the distance of three dayes journey, Genesis 30:36. Quest. But how durst Jacob trust his children, and his cattell in that place where his sonnes had committed such cruell revenge upon the Shechemites? and how durst he adventure his darling Joseph upon such a journey alone? Answ. For the first, though his sonnes had gotten them a title to Shechem by the sword, God gave Jacob a peaceable possession of it by an admirable over-awing of the people in those parts, for the terrour of God fell upon the Cities round about, Genesis 35:5. and by that or Gods protection otherwise, he hoped his Joseph would be safe, though sent alone, as himselfe had beene, when he travelled a single wayfaring man a farre longer journey, Gen. Chap. 28.

Genesis 37:17

Dothan] Dothan (as some write) is as farre distant from Shechem, as Shechem from Hebron; others reckon them to be about eight miles asunder, but if it were no more, yet added to the former journey it was a great way, and Josephs readinesse to take the paines to doe more then his father did command him, following to the full rather what he meant then what he bad him doe, is a commendable example of child-like obedience to his father, and might have beene an occasion of great benevolence from his brethren, if they had not beene prepapared with the prejudice of precedent envy, and malice, to requite his good with their evill. In this place (yet not a Citie) was afterwards a Citie built called by that name, 2 Kings 6:13.

Genesis 37:18

conspired] The Holy Ghost covereth not mens faults, as the vaine Writers which make vice vertue.

to slay him] To lay him in a dead sleepe, so that he should never dreame againe; In this was Joseph a Type of Christ conspired against by those, whom he came to visit, Luke 20. vers. 14.

Genesis 37:19

this dreamer] Heb. master of dreames. See Annot. on Chap. 14. vers. 13. They give him this nickname in scorne, as the manner of ill minded men is to set termes of reproach upon the Religios; so Christ was called a Galilean in derision by Julian; the Apostle Paul a Babler by profane Philosophers, Acts 17:18. This age abounds with such abusive appellations cast upon the best Christians, by such as are of an hereticall Religion, or of no Religion at all; the practice of this kind of contumelie is ancient, and the patience under it as ancient; which may make us both to looke for it, and make light of it.

Genesis 37:20

we will say some evill beast] To unnaturall crueltie, they purpose to adde an act of inhumanitie to kill him, for whose safetie they should hazard their own lives; and being killed, not to vouchsafe him a buriall; and to both these a probable lye to cover the matter, they will impute their bloody fact to wild beasts; a lye like enough to be beleeved by that we read, 1 King. 13. & 2 Kings 2:24. they would doe a brutish act, but would not own it; How much better is it to be reputed a murderer, and to be none, as Paul was, Acts 28:4. then to be one indeed, and lay the blame upon another, whether man, or beast, as these would doe?

Genesis 37:22

to deliver him] Reuben his halfe brother the eldest sonne of Jacob by Leah perswades them not to slay him, but to cast him into some dry pit; whence his meaning was to fetch him out, and to returne him safe unto his father; he made no scruple to pollute his fathers bed with incest, Genesis 35:22. ye he makes a conscience of being defiled with his brothers blood: and it may be he is the more desirous to redeeme the guilt of his lust with a gratefull office to his father, and to regaine his love. How corrupt is this Church in the Patriarch Jacobs family, when most of his sonnes are tainted with the hainous sinnes of incest, or murder in intent, and indeavour, though not in deed? for they were innocent in fact, but against their wils.

Genesis 37:24

into a pit] Their hypocrisie appeared in this, that they feared man more then God; and thought it was not murder, if they shed not his blood, or cared not though it were, while they had an excuse to cover their fault.

Genesis 37:25

sate down] Here is not a word how Joseph tooke the matter at his brethrens hands, nor what he said to save himselfe; yet it is plaine by the confession of his brethren among themselves (when they saw themselves entangled by their own fault) that he besought them in the anguish of his soule to spare him; but they would not heare, Chap. 42. 21. whence we may be directed to supply the sense of a doubtfull place with such additions as in probabilitie of reason are sutable to it.

to eat] They refreshed themselves, or it may be feasted, because now they were freed from their dreaming brother; their consciences were asleepe, as Jonah was in the side of the ship, Jonah 1:5. so they make much of themselves, and little regard the afflictions of Joseph, Amos 6:6.

to eat bread] An usuall phrase in Scripture for the sustenance of man, which is put many times for a full meale with varietie of meats, Exodus 18:12.

Gilead] Which was the way from Arabia to Dothan, and Dothan the way thence into Egypt.

Genesis 37:26

what profit] It would be a strong bridle of restraint from sinne, if we would but pose our selves with the question of profit, What shall we get to gaine the good will of men, and lose the love of God? what ease will it be to our minds to sacrifice innocent blood to our wrath, and when that is allayed, to raise a tmpest of anguish, and feare, in our own consciences? what profit to winne the whole world and lose our own souls? Matthew 16:26. see Romans 6:21.

and conceale his blood] Conceale it from men, when it will cry to God for vengeance against us, Genesis 4:10. Job 16:18.

Genesis 37:27

sell him] Men, especially captives taken in warre, were in many countreys sold upon a price, as cattell were, and therefore the servant is called the masters money, Exodus 21:21. and because he was his money, if he corrected him so cruelly that he dyed within a day or two after, his master was not to be punished for it. See the place forecited. In after times such as were taken in warre, and might in warre have been killed, remained in the power of their Saviours (for so are men sometimes called, 2 Kings 13:5. Nehem. 9. 27.) for their lives, and for all hard usages on this side death; but against this tyranny, especially among Christians, there have been many both Ecclesiasticall, and secular prohibitions, as against a practice both irreligious, and inhumane.

Genesis 37:28

Ishmaelites] It seemes uncertaine whether Joseph were sold to the Ishmaelites, or Midianites, for Vers. 25. 27. and in this verse, & Chap. 39. 1. the Ishmaelites are named for that purpose, and in this verse also, and vers. 36. the Midianites: the like change or confusion of the names of the Ishmaelites, and Midianites may be observed, Judg. 8. vers. 24. 26. 28. and the reason may be, because though they were a distinct people in their Originall, (for the Ishmaelites came of Ishmael, the sonne of Abraham by Hagar, Chap. 15. 6. The Midianites of Midian his sonne also, but by Keturah, Chap. 25. vers. 2.) yet they were a mixed people for a good part of them in their habitations (the Midianites living in the countrey of the Ishmaelites, and exercising the trade of Merchandise among them) and therefore the Chaldeans call them both together, Arabians (that is) a mixed people; coming of the Hebrew root Ghnarab, which signifieth to be mixed; and for the particular of selling of Joseph we may conceive that the Ishmaelites bought him, and such Merchants as were (though by their dwelling and commerce mingled with the posteritie of Ishmael) by descent sprung from Midian the sonne of Keturah; and that here Ishmaelites and Midianites must be two names of the same persons is plaine by the comparison of this verse with the last of this Chapter, where it is said, the Midianites sold him to Potiphar, and in the first verse of 39. Chapter, it is said, that Potiphar bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, to which agreeth that which is said in this place.

twentie pieces of silver] In this againe was Joseph a type of Christ, Joseph is sold by those of the twelve, who should have been more affectionate and faithfull to him then any other; so Christ was sold by one of the twelve chosen for especiall service, and fidelitie; and as Joseph was passed over from hand to hand, from his brethren to the Ishmaelites, from them to Potiphar, so was Christ delivered over from hand to hand, Luke 23:7. Joseph was sold for twentie pieces of silver, & Christ but for ten more; and though there were no comparison betwixt the worth of the wares and the price; for Christ was infinitely more excellent then Joseph, (though of a meere man he was of great worth, and renowne) yet they that bought Joseph had the better bargaine, for they were preserved by their purchase, but they (at least some of them,) that bought Christ, bought a stumbling stone, or rocke of ruine to themselves; to whom may be applyed that speech of his; Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whom soever it shall fall it will grind him to powder, Matthew 21:44. and though Joseph were sold (in the intent of those that sold him) to save his life, and in the purpose of Gods providence to be a meanes to save others from famishing to death, and Christ were bought with a mind to murder him, yet he saved many more by his death (which was the ayme of the Divine decree for mans redemption) then Joseph by his life; and in this respect Gods providence might set the sale of the antitype Christ upon an higher price, then that of Joseph his type, or figure.

Genesis 37:29

and he rent his cloathes] Reuben having carefull thoughts to deliver Joseph out of danger went some way about (to shun the suspition of his brethren) that he might take him out of the pit; before he came thither, sale and delivery was made of Joseph to the Ishmaelites, whereupon he returned with much anguish of heart, and extreamitie of passion, rent his cloathes, and often made the expression of a troubled spirit, and a signe and testimony of heartie sorrow: which manner was taken up, no doubt, at first by extreamitie of passion, without any regard to the decency of whole apparell, or damage by tearing them, and afterwards from the example of some eminent persons drawne into common practice; for so it seemes to be, Numbers 14:6. 2 Samuel 1:2. & Chap. 13. 19. 1 Kings 21. 27. 2 Kings 6:30. & 2 Kings 19:1. Ezra 9:3. Job 1:20. & Job 2:12. Esther 4. 1. Joel 2. 13. and from practice it was sometimes put into precept, as 2 Samuel 3:31.

Genesis 37:30

The child is not] He cals him a child though seventeene yeeres of age, because himselfe was eldest of all, and Joseph the youngest but one: See Annot. on Chap. 22. vers. 5. and he saith, he is not, that is, not there, viz. in the Pit, or not at all; for that is the speech used for one that is dead, or so reputed, Genesis 42:13. 36. Jeremiah 31:15. Matthew 2:18.

and I, whither shall I goe?] He thought some mischiefe had befallen him, because he could not find him, and feared his father would most require account of him at his hands, because he was the eldest; and that he would take it the worse from him, as being prepared for a misconceit by reason of the offence at his former evill act with Bilhah his Concubine, Chap. 35. 22. thence is he in great perplexitie, as not knowing what to doe, or whither to goe.

Genesis 37:32

and they brought it] In the beginning of this verse it is said, the brethren of Joseph sent his coat, and presently after, they brought it; in the word sent, there is to be understood messengers, and those messengers are they that brought it.

Genesis 37:33

an evill beast hath devoured him] The bloody coat makes Jacob take the matter just as the conspirators had plotted it; but thereby both are deceived; they, who thought their bloudy hypocrisie was sufficiently covered with Josephs coat; and he, who thought his Joseph was unrecoverably lost.

Genesis 37:34

and mourned for his sonne] There was more cause to mourne for the wickednesse of his sonnes, that were alive, if he had knowne what they had done, then for Joseph if he had beene dead; for if wild beasts had devoured his body, that is to the soule but as a garment to it; but with this difference, that though the garment may be cut, or pierced, or torne with the body, or the body may be wounded the garment kept whole, yet the soule can never be harmed by any outward violence; for the wounds of the body are but out-lets of the soule of the just to a state of libertie and safetie; so that they, that sorrow overmuch for the death of their holy friends, are as Jacob washing the bloudy coat of his sonne with his teares, when his body was rescued out of deadly danger.

Genesis 37:35

And all his sonnes] They that had their hearts and hands deepest in the plot that did so afflict their father, pretend a sympathie of sorrow with him, and a desire to minister comfort unto him; thus they increase their owne sin by hypocrisie, while they make offer of lessening his sorrow by compassion.

and all his daughters] That is, Dinah with his sonnes wives, for he had no daughters of his owne but Dinah, nor were his sonnes of age to have children (who being Jacobs grandchildren might be called his daughters, see Chap. 31. vers. 43.) to comfort him; for his eldest sonne being not above twenty five yeares old, it was not like that any child of his, or any of the rest were now of sufficient age to be his comforters.

I will goe downe] Jacob was so passionately affected with the conceit of his sonnes untimely death, that by sorrow he is like to hasten his owne; and carried with the tyde of his distemper beyond himselfe, he both refuseth all comfort, and resolveth to carry his griefe to his grave. He was perhaps too fond in his love to Joseph, and now he smarts for it, as David did for doting upon Absolom: 2 Sam. 18. 5: 33 The excesse of one affection (the case being changed) turneth to the excesse of another; in both the best may offend, and therefore all must watch more carefully over their hearts, that their passions grow not too wild to be governed with grace, and reason.

grave] The word Sheol here used and Englished the grave, signifieth generally the state of the dead, without any reference to paine, or anguish, as Psalms 30:3. Isaiah 38:18-19. and in many other places, especially in this place where Jacob, when he conceived that Joseph was killed, rent his clothes and refused comfort, saying, I will goe downe into the grave unto my sonne mourning; for by the grave he could not mean a place digged below in the earth, for he thought he was devoured and torn in pieces, by some evill beast, vers. 33. much lesse that he was gone to hell, the place of the damned, because he was a good child, and had evident signes of the favour of God towards him; and particularly it is taken for a low place in the earth, and that either shallower, as the grave, Proverbs 30:16. or deeper, as that devouring gulfe which swallowed Core, and his company, Numbers 16:33. or for the place and state of the damned, where they are shut up to suffer torment without mitigation or end. The Popish Divines in their annotations upon this place find fault with our Translation for the word grave, and would faine have it be beleeved, that because Jacob thought his sonne went not into the grave, and meant not himselfe to goe to hell, that Limbus is the place meant by Sheol, a place bordering upon hell, where they must meet and where there is no paine; and some of them deny the word Sheol to be any where in Scripture taken for the grave; but others of them confesse it is frequently so taken. We may take the word Sheol then here for the grave, or state of the dead, out of commerce with the living; and if the Papists will have the word Sheol to signifie either hell, or some state of the dead next above it, and neere unto it, as Limbus Patrum, or Purgatorie, what will they say of the sheep and oxen and tents which in the sixteenth of Numbers, vers. 33. went downe in the pit? in the Originall the word is Sheol; sure sheep and oxen, &c. went not to Hell, or Limbus.

Genesis 37:36

And the Midianites sold him] See Annot. on 5: 28.

an officer] The word in the Originall is an Eunuch, that is, a gelded man, Isaiah 56. vers. 3, 4. but it is not like that Potiphar was so, for he had a wife, Genesis 39:9. And some say a daughter also married to Joseph, but that is an errour: See Annot. on Chap. 41. vers. 45. And because Eunuches were Chamberlaines to the Kings women, Esther 2:3. and consequently Courtiers, and those Courtiers employed sometimes in other offices, the name Eunuch came to be a name of Court honour, or office, and so to be given to some who were perfect men and not gelded, as Eunuches were; such a one might Potiphar be in this place.

captaine of the guard] According to the Hebrew (as the Marginall reading hath it) it is one who is chiefe of the slaughtermen; and the word put for a slaughter-man, is sometimes taken for a cook, as 1 Samuel 9:23. because the same man many times killed the meat he dressed, and in some places the Butchers office and the Cooks met in one, the slaughter-house being a neere neighbour to the kitchin; in this place it may be a Captain of the guard, or fence; the Greeke word Magirenein, which properly is to play the Cooke, is used for to kill, and from killing of beasts and fowles, &c. it is made a Military word and put for killing of men: in this place the words rendred captaine of the guard, may be a Provost Marshall, or, chiefe Marshall, so it is in the Margvariat. in 2 Kings 25:8. or such a one as was of chief Authority over the custodie of malefactors, and was to see execution done upon them, when they were to be put to death, as a Sheriffe with us. He was fitly disposed of by the Divine providence, that of a sonne being made a slave by his brethren, he might by his Mistresses love, and hate (for he had both by turnes,) and by his Masters jealousie and authoritie be made a prisoner, and of a prisoner a Ruler, that the goodnesse of God might appeare more powerfull then the wickednesse of men; (whereof in Josephs case there is cleare evidence, for his honour was manyfold more then his humbling, for he was in a contemptible condition but thirteene yeares, and fourescore yeares in an honourable estate) and that his children might have faith for the fulfilling of his prophecies, and promises, not onely without the helpes of humane meanes, but against them.