God inlarge Japhet] Or, perswade Japhet. (for so the Originall may be rendred) Wherein is a pleasant Paranomasia, or a verball allusion, Japht Elohim Lejepheth, that is, God inlarge the inlarged, or, perswade the perswasible. After the former reading the word inlarge imports a temporall blessing upon Japhet, for the increase of his posterity, and an inlargement of their territories; for the European Gentiles, especially the Romanes of the posteritie of Japhet extended their Temporall Empire so farre as to account themselves Lords of the world. According to the latter reading, God perswade Japhet, the meaning of the blessing, prayer, or prophecie, (for it is all) is, that the Gentiles who came of Japhet, and were separated in Religion from the Church, should by conversion be joyned to it, Ephesians 2:13. and that this conversion should be wrought by the powerfull perswasion of the Word and Spirit of God, and not by humane Oratory, though never so eloquent. tents of Shem] By the tents of Shem is meant the Church of Christ: But should it not rather be called the tents of Japhet (if those of his posteritie were the most renowned Christians) then the tents of Shem? Answ. No, because first the Church was setled and most continued in the Line of Shem. Secondly, because Christ the head of the Christian Church descended from Shem according to the flesh. And the Church is called a Tent, or Tabernacle rather then a Palace, because of the moveable condition of it; as when the members of it persecuted in one place are faine to flie to another: See Hebrews 11:9. 13. 37. & Hebrews 13:14.