Read Scripture In A Year: April 29

Passage 1: Deuteronomy 16

(Deu 16:1) Thou shalt keepe the moneth of Abib, and thou shalt celebrate the Passeouer vnto the Lord thy God: for in the moneth of Abib ye Lord thy God brought thee out of Egypt by night.

(Notes Reference) Observe the month of (a) Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

(a) Read (Exo_13:4).

(Deu 16:2) Thou shalt therefore offer the Passeouer vnto the Lord thy God, of sheepe and bullockes in the place where the Lord shall chose to cause his Name to dwell.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt therefore (b) sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

(b) You shall eat the Easter lamb.

(Deu 16:3) Thou shalt eate no leauened bread with it: but seuen dayes shalt thou eate vnleauened bread therewith, euen the bread of tribulation: for thou camest out of the land of Egypt in haste, that thou maist remember ye day whe thou camest out of the land of Egypt, all the dayes of thy life.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, [even] the bread of (c) affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.

(Deu 16:4) And there shalbe no leauen seene with thee in all thy coastes seuen dayes long: neither shall there remaine the night any of the flesh vntil the morning which thou offeredst ye first day at euen.

(Deu 16:5) Thou maist not offer ye Passeouer within any of thy gates, which ye Lord thy God giueth thee:

(Notes Reference) Thou mayest (d) not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:

(d) This was chiefly accomplished, when the temple was built.

(Deu 16:6) But in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his Name, there thou shalt offer the Passeouer at euen, about the going downe of the sunne, in the season that thou camest out of Egypt.

(Notes Reference) But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the (e) passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

(e) Which was instituted to remind them of their deliverance our of Egypt and to encourage them in the hope of Jesus Christ, of whom this lamb was a figure.

(Deu 16:7) And thou shalt roste and eate it in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, and shalt returne on the morowe, and goe vnto thy tentes.

(Deu 16:8) Six daies shalt thou eate vnleauened bread, and ye seuenth day shall be a solemne assemblie to ye Lord thy God thou shalt do no worke therein.

(Deu 16:9) Seuen weekes shalt thou nomber vnto thee, and shalt beginne to nomber ye seuen weekes, when thou beginnest to put the sickel to ye corne:

(Notes Reference) Seven weeks shalt thou (f) number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from [such time as] thou beginnest [to put] the sickle to the corn.

(f) Beginning the next morning after the Passover, (Lev_23:15; Exo_13:4).

(Deu 16:10) And thou shalt keepe the feast of weekes vnto the Lord thy God, euen a free gift of thine hand, which thou shalt giue vnto the Lord thy God, as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.

(Deu 16:11) And thou shalt reioyce before the Lord thy God, thou and thy sonne, and thy daughter, and thy seruant, and thy maide, and the Leuite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherles, and the widowe, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God shall chuse to place his Name there,

(Deu 16:12) And thou shalt remember that thou wast a seruant in Egypt: therefore thou shalt obserue and doe these ordinances.

(Deu 16:13) Thou shalt obserue the feast of the Tabernacles seuen daies, when thou hast gathered in thy corne, and thy wine.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt (g) observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:

(g) That is, the 15th day of the seventh month, (Lev_23:34).

(Deu 16:14) And thou shalt reioyce in thy feast, thou, and thy sonne, and thy daughter, and thy seruant, and thy maid, and the Leuite, and the stranger, and the fatherlesse, and the widow, that are within thy gates.

(Deu 16:15) Seuen daies shalt thou keepe a feast vnto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall chuse: when the Lord thy God shall blesse thee in all thine increase, and in all the workes of thine hands, thou shalt in any case be glad.

(Deu 16:16) Three times in the yeere shall all the males appeare before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall chuse: in the feast of the vnleauened bread, and in the feast of the weekes, and in the feast of the Tabernacles: and they shall not appeare before the Lord emptie.

(Deu 16:17) Euery man shall giue according to the gift of his hand, and according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, which he hath giuen thee.

(Notes Reference) Every man [shall give] as he is (h) able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

(h) According to the ability that God has given him.

(Deu 16:18) Iudges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy cities, which the Lord thy God giueth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall iudge the people with righteous iudgement.

(Notes Reference) (i) Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

(i) He gave temporary authority to the people to choose magistrates for themselves.

(Deu 16:19) Wrest not thou ye Law, nor respect any person, neither take rewarde: for the reward blindeth ye eyes of the wise, and peruerteth ye worde of ye iust.

(Deu 16:20) That which is iust and right shalt thou follow, that thou maiest liue, and possesse the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee.

(Notes Reference) That which (k) is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

(k) The magistrate must constantly follow the tenor of the law, and in noting decline from justice.

(Deu 16:21) Thou shalt plant thee no groue of any trees neere vnto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

(Deu 16:22) Thou shalt set thee vp no pillar, which thing the Lord thy God hateth.

Passage 2: Ecclesiastes 8

(Ecc 8:1) Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? the wisedome of a man doth make his face to shine: and the strength of his face shalbe changed.

(Notes Reference) Who [is] as the wise [man]? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face (a) to shine, and (b) the boldness of his face shall be changed.

(a) That is, gets him favour and prosperity.

(b) While before he was proud and arrogant, he will become humble and meek.

(Ecc 8:2) I aduertise thee to take heede to ye mouth of the King, and to the worde of the othe of God.

(Notes Reference) I [counsel thee] to keep the king's (c) commandment, and [that] in regard of the oath of God.

(Ecc 8:3) Haste not to goe forth of his sight: stand not in an euill thing: for he will doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him.

(Notes Reference) (d) Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatever pleaseth him.

(d) Do not withdraw from yourself lightly from the obedience of your prince.

(Ecc 8:4) Where the word of ye King is, there is power, and who shall say vnto him, What doest thou?

(Ecc 8:5) He that keepeth the commandement, shall knowe none euill thing, and the heart of the wise shall knowe the time and iudgement.

(Notes Reference) He who keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both (e) time and judgment.

(e) That is, when time is to obey, and how far he should obey.

(Ecc 8:6) For to euery purpose there is a time and iudgement, because the miserie of man is great vpon him.

(Notes Reference) Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the (f) misery of man [is] great upon him.

(f) Man by himself is miserable, and therefore should do nothing to increase the same, but to work all things by wisdom and counsel.

(Ecc 8:7) For he knoweth not that which shalbe: for who can tell him when it shalbe?

(Ecc 8:8) Man is not lorde ouer the spirit to retaine the spirite: neither hath hee power in the day of death, nor deliuerance in the battell, neither shall wickednesse deliuer the possessers thereof.

(Notes Reference) [There is] no man that hath power (g) over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither [hath he] power in the day of death: and [there is] no discharge in [that] war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

(g) Man has no power to save his own life and therefore must not rashly cast himself into danger.

(Ecc 8:9) All this haue I seene, and haue giuen mine heart to euery worke, which is wrought vnder the sunne, and I sawe a time that man ruleth ouer man to his owne hurt.

(Notes Reference) All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: [there is] a time in which one man ruleth over another to his own (h) hurt.

(h) As comes often to tyrants and wicked rulers.

(Ecc 8:10) And likewise I sawe the wicked buried, and they returned, and they that came from the holy place, were yet forgotten in the citie where they had done right: this also is vanitie.

(Notes Reference) And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and (i) gone from the (k) place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this [is] also vanity.

(i) That is, others as wicked as they.

(k) They who feared God and worshipped him as he had appointed.

(Ecc 8:11) Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to doe euill.

(Notes Reference) Because sentence against an evil work is not (l) executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

(l) Where justice is delayed, there sin reigns.

(Ecc 8:12) Though a sinner doe euill an hundreth times, and God prolongeth his dayes, yet I knowe that it shalbe well with them that feare the Lord, and doe reuerence before him.

(Ecc 8:13) But it shall not be well to the wicked, neither shall he prolong his dayes: he shall be like a shadowe, because he feareth not before God.

(Ecc 8:14) There is a vanitie, which is done vpon the earth, that there be righteous men to whom it commeth according to the worke of the wicked: and there be wicked men to whom it commeth according to the worke of the iust: I thought also that this is vanitie.

(Notes Reference) There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are just [men], to whom it happeneth according to the (m) work of the wicked; again, there are wicked [men], to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also [is] vanity.

(m) Who are punished as though they were wicked, as in (Ecc 7:17)

(Ecc 8:15) And I praysed ioy: for there is no goodnesse to man vnder the sunne, saue to eate and to drinke and to reioyce: for this is adioyned to his labour, the dayes of his life that God hath giuen him vnder the sunne.

(Notes Reference) Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than (n) to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

(n) See Ecc 3:22

(Ecc 8:16) When I applied mine heart to knowe wisedome, and to behold the busines that is done on earth, that neither day nor night the eyes of man take sleepe,

(Ecc 8:17) Then I behelde the whole worke of God, that man cannot finde out ye worke that is wrought vnder the sunne: for the which man laboureth to seeke it, and cannot finde it: yea, and though the wise man thinke to knowe it, he cannot finde it.

Passage 3: Acts 7

(Act 7:1) Then sayd the chiefe Priest, Are these things so?

(Notes Reference) Then (1) said the high priest, Are these things so?

(1) Steven is allowed to plead his cause, but for this reason and purpose, that under a disguise and pretence of the Law he might be condemned.

(Act 7:2) And he sayd, Ye men, brethren and Fathers, hearken. That God of glory appeared vnto our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

(Notes Reference) (2) And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of (a) glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in (b) Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

(2) Steven witnesses to the Jews that he acknowledges the true fathers, and the only true God, and more than this shows this that these are more ancient than the temple and all the temple service appointed by the Law, and therefore they ought to lay another foundation of true religion, that is to say, the free covenant that God made with the fathers.

(a) The mighty God full of glory and majesty.

(b) When he says afterwards in (Act 7:4) that Abraham came out of Chaldea, it is evident that Mesopotamia contained Chaldea which was near to it, and bordered upon it; and so writes Plinius, book 6, chap. 27.

(Act 7:3) And said vnto him, Come out of thy countrey, and from thy kindred, and come into the land, which I shall shewe thee.

(Act 7:4) Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran. And after that his father was dead, God brought him from thence into this land, wherein ye now dwell,

(Act 7:5) And hee gaue him none inheritance in it, no, not the bredth of a foote: yet he promised that he would giue it to him for a possession, and to his seede after him, when as yet hee had no childe.

(Notes Reference) And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not [so much as] to (c) set his foot on: yet he (d) promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.

(d) The promise of the possession was certain, and belonged to Abraham, though it was his posterity that enjoyed it a great while after his death: and this is the figure of speech synecdoche.

(Act 7:6) But God spake thus, that his seede should be a soiourner in a strange land: and that they should keepe it in bondage, and entreate it euill foure hundreth yeeres.

(Notes Reference) And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat [them] evil (e) four hundred years.

(e) Four hundred years are counted from the beginning of Abraham's progeny, which was at the birth of Isaac: and four hundred and thirty years which are spoken of by Paul in (Gal 3:17), from the time that Abraham and his father departed together out of Ur of the Chaldeans.

(Act 7:7) But the nation to whome they shall be in bondage, will I iudge, sayth God: and after that, they shall come forth and serue me in this place.

(Act 7:8) Hee gaue him also the couenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begate Isaac, and circumcised him the eight day: and Isaac begate Iacob, and Iacob the twelue Patriarkes.

(Act 7:9) And the Patriarkes moued with enuie, solde Ioseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

(Notes Reference) (3) And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was (f) with him,

(3) Steven diligently recounts the horrible misdeeds of some of the fathers, to teach the Jews that they ought not rashly to rest in the authority or examples of the fathers.

(f) By these words are meant the peculiar favour that God shows men: for he seems to be away from those whom he does not help: and on the other hand, he is with those whom he delivers out of troubles, no matter how great the troubles may be.

(Act 7:10) And deliuered him out of all his afflictions, and gaue him fauour and wisdome in the sight of Pharao King of Egypt, who made him gouernour ouer Egypt, and ouer his whole house.

(Notes Reference) And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him (g) favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

(g) Gave him favour in Pharaoh's sight because of his wisdom.

(Act 7:11) Then came there a famine ouer all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction, that our fathers found no sustenance.

(Act 7:12) But when Iacob heard that there was corne in Egypt, he sent our fathers first:

(Act 7:13) And at the second time, Ioseph was knowen of his brethren, and Iosephs kindred was made knowen vnto Pharao.

(Act 7:14) Then sent Ioseph and caused his father to be brought, and all his kindred, euen threescore and fifteene soules.

(Act 7:15) So Iacob went downe into Egypt, and he dyed, and our fathers,

(Act 7:16) And were remoued into Sychem, and were put in the sepulchre, that Abraham had bought for money of the sonnes of Emor, sonne of Sychem.

(Notes Reference) And were (h) carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor [the father] of Sychem.

(h) The patriarchs who were the sons of Jacob, though only Joseph is mentioned; (Jos 24:32).

(Act 7:17) But when the time of the promise drewe neere, which God had sworne to Abraham, the people grewe and multiplied in Egypt,

(Act 7:18) Till another King arose, which knewe not Ioseph.

(Act 7:19) The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and euill entreated our fathers, and made them to cast out their yong children, that they should not remaine aliue.

(Notes Reference) The same (i) dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

(i) He devised a subtle plan against our stock, in that he commanded all the males to be cast out.

(Act 7:20) The same time was Moses borne, and was acceptable vnto God, which was nourished vp in his fathers house three moneths.

(Notes Reference) In which time Moses was born, and was (k) exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

(k) This child was born through God's merciful goodness and favour, to be of a lovely and fair countenance.

(Act 7:21) And when he was cast out, Pharaohs daughter tooke him vp, and nourished him for her owne sonne.

(Act 7:22) And Moses was learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians, and was mightie in wordes and in deedes.

(Act 7:23) Nowe when he was full fourtie yeere olde, it came into his heart to visite his brethren, the children of Israel.

(Act 7:24) And whe he saw one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and auenged his quarell that had the harme done to him, and smote the Egyptian.

(Act 7:25) For hee supposed his brethren would haue vnderstand, that God by his hande should giue them deliuerance: but they vnderstoode it not.

(Act 7:26) And the next day, he shewed himselfe vnto them as they stroue, and woulde haue set them at one againe, saying, Syrs, ye are brethren: why doe ye wrong one to another?

(Act 7:27) But he that did his neighbour wrong, thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a prince, and a iudge ouer vs?

(Act 7:28) Wilt thou kill mee, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

(Act 7:29) Then fled Moses at that saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begate two sonnes.

(Act 7:30) And when fourtie yeres were expired, there appeared to him in the wildernes of mout Sina, an Angel of the Lord in a flame of fire, in a bush.

(Notes Reference) And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an (l) angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

(l) Now, he calls the Son of God an angel, for he is the angel of great counsel, and therefore immediately after he describes him as saying to Moses, "I am the God of thy fathers, etc."

(Act 7:31) And when Moses sawe it, hee wondred at the sight: and as he drew neere to consider it, the voyce of the Lord came vnto him, saying,

(Act 7:32) I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold it.

(Act 7:33) Then the Lord said to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feete: for the place where thou standest, is holy ground.

(Act 7:34) I haue seene, I haue seene the affliction of my people, which is in Egypt, and I haue heard their groning, and am come downe to deliuer them: and nowe come, and I will sende thee into Egypt.

(Act 7:35) This Moses whome they forsooke, saying, Who made thee a prince and a iudge? the same God sent for a prince, and a deliuerer by the hand of the Angel, which appeared to him in the bush.

(Notes Reference) This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send [to be] a ruler and a deliverer by the (m) hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

(m) By the power.

(Act 7:36) Hee brought them out, doing wonders, and miracles in the land of Egypt, and in the red sea, and in the wildernes fourtie yeeres.

(Act 7:37) This is that Moses, which saide vnto the children of Israel, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise vp vnto you, euen of your brethren, like vnto me: him shall ye heare.

(Notes Reference) (4) This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

(4) He acknowledges Moses as the Lawgiver, but in such a way that he proves by his own witness that the Law had respect to a more perfect thing, that is to say, to the prophetical office which accompanied Christ, the head of all Prophets.

(Act 7:38) This is he that was in the Congregation, in the wildernes with the Angell, which spake to him in mount Sina, and with our fathers, who receiued the liuely oracles to giue vnto vs.

(Act 7:39) To whom our fathers would not obey, but refused, and in their hearts turned backe againe into Egypt:

(Act 7:40) Saying vnto Aaron, Make vs gods that may goe before vs: for we knowe not what is become of this Moses that brought vs out of the land of Egypt.

(Act 7:41) And they made a calfe in those dayes, and offered sacrifice vnto the idole, and reioyced in the workes of their owne handes.

(Notes Reference) And they made a (n) calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

(n) This was the superstition of the Egyptian's idolatry: for they worshipped Apis, a strange and marvellous looking calf, and made beautiful images of cows.

(Act 7:42) Then God turned himselfe away, and gaue them vp to serue the host of heauen, as it is written in the booke of the Prophets, O house of Israel, haue ye offred to me slaine beasts and sacrifices by the space of fourtie yeres in the wildernes?

(Notes Reference) Then God turned, and (o) gave them up to worship the (p) host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?

(o) Being destitute and void of his Spirit, he gave them up to Satan, and wicked lusts, to worship stars.

(p) By "the host of heaven" here he does not mean the angels, but the moon, and sun, and other stars.

(Act 7:43) And ye tooke vp the tabernacle of Moloch, and the starre of your god Remphan, figures, which ye made to worship them: therefore I will carie you away beyond Babylon.

(Notes Reference) Yea, ye (q) took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

(q) You took it upon your shoulders and carried it.

(Act 7:44) Our fathers had the tabernacle of witnes, in the wildernes, as hee had appointed, speaking vnto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seene.

(Notes Reference) (5) Our fathers had the tabernacle of (r) witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

(5) Moses indeed erected a tabernacle, but that was to call them back to the one whom he had seen on the mountain.

(r) That is, of the covenant.

(Act 7:45) Which tabernacle also our fathers receiued, and brought in with Iesus into the possession of the Gentiles, which God draue out before our fathers, vnto the dayes of Dauid:

(Notes Reference) Which also our fathers that came after (s) brought in with Jesus into the (t) possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out (u) before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

(s) Delivered from hand to hand.

(t) This is said using the figure of speech metonymy, and refers to the countries which the Gentiles possessed.

(u) God drove them out that they should yield up the possession of those countries to our fathers when they entered into the land.

(Act 7:46) Who found fauour before God, and desired that hee might finde a tabernacle for the God of Iacob.

(Act 7:47) But Salomon built him an house.

(Notes Reference) (6) But Solomon built him an house.

(6) Solomon built a temple according to God's commandment, but not under any condition that the majesty of God should be enclosed within it.

(Act 7:48) Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with handes, as saith the Prophet,

(Act 7:49) Heauen is my throne, and earth is my footestoole: what house wil ye build for me, saith the Lord? or what place is it that I should rest in?

(Act 7:50) Hath not mine hand made all these things?

(Act 7:51) Ye stiffenecked and of vncircumcised heartes and eares, ye haue alwayes resisted the holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you.

(Notes Reference) (7) Ye stiffnecked and (x) uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

(7) Steven, moved with the zeal of God, at length judges his own judges.

(x) They are of uncircumcised hearts who still lie drowned in the sins of nature, and are stuck fast in them: for otherwise all the Jews were circumcised with regard to the flesh, and therefore there are two kinds of circumcision; (Rom 2:28-29).

(Act 7:52) Which of the Prophets haue not your fathers persecuted? and they haue slaine them, which shewed before of the comming of that Iust, of whome ye are now the betrayers and murtherers,

(Act 7:53) Which haue receiued the Lawe by the ordinance of Angels, and haue not kept it.

(Notes Reference) Who have received the law by the (y) disposition of angels, and have not kept [it].

(y) By the ministry of angels.

(Act 7:54) But when they heard these thinges, their heartes brast for anger, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

(Notes Reference) (8) When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with [their] teeth.

(8) The more Satan is pressed, the more he breaks out into an open rage.

(Act 7:55) But he being full of the holy Ghost, looked stedfastly into heauen, and sawe the glory of God, and Iesus standing at the right hand of God,

(Notes Reference) (9) But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus (z) standing on the right hand of God,

(9) The nearer that martyrs approach to death, the nearer that they rise up, even into heaven, as they behold Christ.

(z) Ready to affirm him in the confession of the truth, and to receive him unto himself.

(Act 7:56) And said, Beholde, I see the heauens open, and the Sonne of man standing at the right hand of God.

(Act 7:57) Then they gaue a shoute with a loude voyce, and stopped their eares, and ranne vpon him violently all at once,

(Notes Reference) (10) Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and (a) ran upon him with one accord,

(10) The zeal of hypocrites and superstitious people eventually breaks out into a most open madness.

(a) This was done in a rage and fury, for at that time the Jews could put no man to death by law, as they confessed before Pilate saying that it was no lawful for them to put any man to death, and therefore it is reported by Josephus that Ananus, a Sadducee, slew James the brother of the Lord, and for so doing was accused before Albinus, the president of the country; lib. 20.

(Act 7:58) And cast him out of the citie, and stoned him: and the witnesses layd downe their clothes at a yong mans feete, named Saul.

(Notes Reference) And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the (b) witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

(b) It was appointed by the Law that the witnesses should cast the first stones; (Deu 17:7).

(Act 7:59) And they stoned Steuen, who called on God, and said, Lord Iesus, receiue my spirit.

(Act 7:60) And he kneeled downe, and cried with a loude voyce, Lord, laye not this sinne to their charge. And when he had thus spoken, he slept.

(Notes Reference) (11) And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, (c) lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he (d) fell asleep.

(11) Faith and charity never forsake the true servants of God, even to the last breath.

(c) The word which he uses here refers to a type of imputing or laying to one's charge that remains firm and steady forever, never to be remitted.

(d) See (1Th 4:13).