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Passage 1: Exodus 23

(Exo 23:1) Thou shalt not receiue a false tale, neyther shalt thou put thine hande with the wicked, to be a false witnes.

(Exo 23:2) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do euil, neither agree in a controuersie to decline after many and ouerthrowe the trueth.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt not follow a multitude to [do] evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause (a) to decline after many to wrest [judgment]:

(a) Do that which is godly, though few favour it.

(Exo 23:3) Thou shalt not esteeme a poore man in his cause.

(Exo 23:4) If thou meete thine enemies oxe, or his asse going astray, thou shalt bring him to him againe.

(Notes Reference) If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely (b) bring it back to him again.

(b) If we are bound to do good to our enemies beast, how much more to our enemy himself, (Mat 5:44).

(Exo 23:5) If thou see thine enemies asse lying vnder his burden, wilt thou cease to helpe him? thou shalt helpe him vp againe with it.

(Notes Reference) If thou see the (c) ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

(c) If God commands us to help our enemy's donkey under his burden, will he suffer us to cast down our brethren with heavy burdens?

(Exo 23:6) Thou shalt not ouerthrowe the right of thy poore in his sute.

(Exo 23:7) Thou shalt keepe thee farre from a false matter, and shalt not slaye the innocent and the righteous: for I will not iustifie a wicked man.

(Notes Reference) Keep thee far from a false matter; and the (d) innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

(d) Whether you are the magistrate or are commanded by the magistrate.

(Exo 23:8) Thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and peruerteth the wordes of the righteous.

(Exo 23:9) Thou shalt not oppresse a stranger: for ye knowe the heart of a stranger, seeing yee were strangers in the land of Egypt.

(Notes Reference) Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the (e) heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

(e) For since he is a stranger, his heart is sorrowful enough.

(Exo 23:10) Moreouer, sixe yeres thou shalt sowe thy land, and gather the fruites thereof,

(Exo 23:11) But the seuenth yeere thou shalt let it rest and lie still, that the poore of thy people may eat, and what they leaue, the beastes of the fielde shall eate. In like maner thou shalt doe with thy vineyard, and with thine oliue trees.

(Exo 23:12) Sixe dayes thou shalt do thy worke, and in the seuenth day thou shalt rest, that thine oxe, and thine asse may rest, and the sonne of thy maide and the stranger may be refreshed.

(Exo 23:13) And ye shall take heede to all things that I haue sayde vnto you: and ye shall make no mention of the name of other gods, neither shall it be heard out of thy mouth.

(Notes Reference) And in all [things] that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make (f) no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

(f) Neither by swearing by them, nor speaking of them, (Psa 16:4; Eph 5:3).

(Exo 23:14) Three times thou shalt keepe a feast vnto me in the yeere.

(Exo 23:15) Thou shalt keepe the feast of vnleauened bread: thou shalt eate vnleauened bread seue dayes, as I commanded thee, in the season of the moneth of Abib: for in it thou camest out of Egypt: and none shall appeare before me emptie:

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt keep the feast of (g) unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

(g) That is, Easter, in remembrance that the angel passed over and spared the Israelites, when he slew the first born of the Egyptians.

(Exo 23:16) The feast also of the haruest of the first fruites of thy labours, which thou hast sowen in the fielde: and the feast of gathering fruites in the ende of the yere, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the fielde.

(Notes Reference) And the (h) feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the (i) feast of ingathering, [which is] in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

(h) Which is Whit Sunday, in token that the law was given 50 days after they departed from Egypt.

(i) This is the feast of tabernacles, signifying that they lived for 40 years in the tents or the tabernacles in the wilderness.

(Exo 23:17) These three times in the yeere shall all thy men children appeare before the Lord Iehouah.

(Exo 23:18) Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leauened bread: neyther shall the fatte of my sacrifice remayne vntill the morning.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with (k) leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.

(k) No leavened bread will be in your house.

(Exo 23:19) The first of the first fruites of thy lande thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God: yet shalt thou not seeth a kid in his mothers milke.

(Notes Reference) The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his (l) mother's milk.

(l) Meaning, that no fruit should be taken before just time: and by this all cruel and wanton appetites are controlled.

(Exo 23:20) Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keepe thee in the way, and to bring thee to the place which I haue prepared.

(Exo 23:21) Beware of him, and heare his voyce, and prouoke him not: for he will not spare your misdeedes, because my name is in him.

(Notes Reference) Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my (m) name [is] in him.

(m) I will give him my authority, and he will govern you in my name.

(Exo 23:22) But if thou hearken vnto his voyce, and do all that I speake, the I wil be an enemie vnto thine enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee.

(Exo 23:23) For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee vnto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hiuites, and the Iebusites, and I will destroy them.

(Exo 23:24) Thou shalt not bow downe to their gods, neither serue them, nor doe after the workes of them: but vtterly ouerthrowe them, and breake in pieces their images.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt (n) utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

(n) God commands his own to not only not worship idols, but to destroy them.

(Exo 23:25) For ye shall serue the Lord your God, and he shall blesse thy bread and thy water, and I will take all sickenes away from the middes of thee.

(Notes Reference) And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy (o) bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

(o) That is, all things necessary for this present life.

(Exo 23:26) There shall none cast their fruite nor be baren in thy lande: the number of thy dayes will I fulfill.

(Exo 23:27) I will send my feare before thee, and will destroy all the people among whome thou shalt go: and I will make all thine enemies turne their backes vnto thee:

(Notes Reference) I will send my (p) fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.

(p) I will make them afraid of your coming and send my angel to destroy them, as in (Exo 35:2).

(Exo 23:28) And I will sende hornets before thee, which shall driue out the Hiuites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from thy face.

(Exo 23:29) I will not cast them out from thy face in one yeere, least the land grow to a wildernes: and the beasts of the field multiplie against thee.

(Exo 23:30) By litle and litle I will driue them out from thy face, vntill thou increase, and inherite the lande.

(Exo 23:31) And I will make thy coastes from the red sea vnto the sea of the Philistims, and from the desert vnto the Riuer: for I will deliuer the inhabitants of the lande into your hande, and thou shalt driue them out from thy face.

(Notes Reference) And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea (q) of the Philistines, and from the (r) desert unto the (s) river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.

(q) Called the Sea of Syria.

(r) Of Arabia called desert.

(s) That is, Ephraim.

(Exo 23:32) Thou shalt make no couenant with them, nor with their gods:

(Exo 23:33) Neither shall they dwell in thy lande, least they make thee sinne against me: for if thou serue their gods, surely it shall be thy destruction.

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Passage 2: Psalms 77

(Psa 77:1) For the excellent musician Ieduthun. A Psalme committed to Asaph. My voyce came to God, when I cryed: my voyce came to God, and he heard me.

(Notes Reference) "To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph." I cried unto God with my (a) voice, [even] unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

(a) The prophet teaches us by his example to flee to God for help in our necessities.

(Psa 77:2) In the day of my trouble I sought ye Lord: my sore ranne and ceased not in the night: my soule refused comfort.

(Psa 77:3) I did thinke vpon God, and was troubled: I praied, and my spirit was full of anguish. Selah.

(Notes Reference) I remembered God, and was (b) troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

(b) He shows that we must patiently abide though God does not deliver us from our troubles at the first cry.

(Psa 77:4) Thou keepest mine eyes waking: I was astonied and could not speake.

(Notes Reference) Thou holdest mine eyes (c) waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

(c) Meaning that his sorrows were as watchmen that kept his eyes from sleeping.

(Psa 77:5) Then I considered the daies of olde, and the yeeres of ancient time.

(Psa 77:6) I called to remembrance my song in the night: I communed with mine owne heart, and my spirit searched diligently.

(Notes Reference) I call to remembrance my (d) song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made (e) diligent search.

(d) Of thanksgiving, which I was accustomed to sing in my prosperity.

(e) Both the reasons why I was chastened, and when my sorrows would end.

(Psa 77:7) Will the Lord absent him selfe for euer? and will he shewe no more fauour?

(Psa 77:8) Is his mercie cleane gone for euer? doeth his promise faile for euermore?

(Notes Reference) Is his (f) mercy clean gone for ever? doth [his] promise fail for evermore?

(f) As if he would say, It is impossible: by which he exhorts himself to patience.

(Psa 77:9) Hath God forgotten to be mercifull? hath he shut vp his teder mercies in displeasure? Selah.

(Psa 77:10) And I sayde, This is my death: yet I remembred the yeeres of the right hand of the most High.

(Notes Reference) And I said, This [is] my (g) infirmity: [but I will remember] the years of the right hand of the most High.

(g) Though I first doubted of my life, yet considering that God had his years, that is, change of times, and was accustomed also to lift up them whom he had beaten, I took heart again.

(Psa 77:11) I remembred the workes of the Lord: certainely I remembred thy wonders of olde.

(Psa 77:12) I did also meditate all thy woorkes, and did deuise of thine actes, saying,

(Psa 77:13) Thy way, O God, is in the Sanctuarie: who is so great a God as our God!

(Notes Reference) Thy way, O God, [is] (h) in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a (i) God as [our] God?

(h) That is in heaven, to which we must ascend by faith, if we will know the ways of God.

(i) He condemns all who worship anything save the only true God, whose glory appears through the world.

(Psa 77:14) Thou art ye God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy power among the people.

(Psa 77:15) Thou hast redeemed thy people with thine arme, euen the sonnes of Iaakob and Ioseph. Selah.

(Psa 77:16) The waters sawe thee, O God: the waters sawe thee, and were afraide: yea, the depths trembled.

(Notes Reference) The (k) waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

(k) He declares how the power of God was declared when he delivered the Israelites through the Red Sea.

(Psa 77:17) The cloudes powred out water: the heauens gaue a sounde: yea, thine arrowes went abroade.

(Notes Reference) The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a (l) sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

(l) That is, thundered and lightninged.

(Psa 77:18) The voyce of thy thunder was rounde about: the lightnings lightened the worlde: the earth trembled and shooke.

(Psa 77:19) Thy way is in the Sea, and thy paths in the great waters, and thy footesteps are not knowen.

(Notes Reference) Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not (m) known.

(m) For when you had brought over your people, the water returned to her course, and the enemies who thought to have followed them, could not pass through, (Exo 14:28-29).

(Psa 77:20) Thou diddest leade thy people like sheepe by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

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Passage 3: Mark 9

(Mar 9:1) And he saide vnto them, Verely I say vnto you, that there be some of them that stande here, which shall not taste of death till they haue seene the kingdome of God come with power.

(Notes Reference) And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the (a) kingdom of God come with power.

(a) When he will begin his kingdom through the preaching of the gospel: that is to say, after the resurrection.

(Mar 9:2) And sixe dayes after, Iesus taketh vnto him Peter, and Iames, and Iohn, and carieth them vp into an hie mountaine out of the way alone, and his shape was changed before them.

(Notes Reference) (1) And after six days Jesus taketh [with him] Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

(1) The heavenly glory of Christ, which would within a short time be abased upon the cross, is confirmed by visible signs, by the presence and talk of Elias and Moses, and by the voice of the Father himself; all this occurred before three of his disciples, who are witnesses against whom there is no objection.

(Mar 9:3) And his rayment did shine, and was very white, as snowe, so white as no fuller can make vpon the earth.

(Notes Reference) And his raiment (b) became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

(b) Did sparkle as it were.

(Mar 9:4) And there appeared vnto them Elias with Moses, and they were talking with Iesus.

(Mar 9:5) Then Peter answered, and said to Iesus, Master, it is good for vs to be here: let vs make also three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

(Mar 9:6) Yet hee knewe not what he saide: for they were afraide.

(Notes Reference) For he wist not what to say; for they were sore (c) afraid.

(c) They were beside themselves with fear.

(Mar 9:7) And there was a cloude that shadowed them, and a voyce came out of the cloude, saying, This is my beloued Sonne: heare him.

(Mar 9:8) And suddenly they looked roud about, and sawe no more any man saue Iesus only with them.

(Mar 9:9) And as they came downe from the mountaine, he charged them, that they should tell no man what they had seene, saue when the Sonne of man were risen from the dead againe.

(Notes Reference) (2) And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

(2) The Lord has appointed certain times for the publishing of the gospel.

(Mar 9:10) So they kept that matter to themselues, and demaunded one of another, what the rising from the dead againe should meane?

(Notes Reference) And they (d) kept that saying with themselves, (e) questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

(d) Though just barely as it were.

(e) They did not question together concerning the general resurrection, which will be in the latter day, but they did not understand what he meant when he spoke of his own special resurrection.

(Mar 9:11) Also they asked him, saying, Why say the Scribes, that Elias must first come?

(Notes Reference) (3) And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

(3) The foolish opinion of the rabbis concerning Elias' coming is refuted here, which was that either Elias should rise again from the dead, or that his soul would enter into some other body.

(Mar 9:12) And he answered, and said vnto them, Elias verely shall first come, and restore all things: and as it is written of the Sonne of man, hee must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

(Mar 9:13) But I say vnto you, that Elias is come, (and they haue done vnto him whatsoeuer they would) as it is written of him.

(Mar 9:14) And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the Scribes disputing with them.

(Notes Reference) (4) And when he came to [his] disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

(4) Christ shows by a miracle, even to the unworthy, that he has come to restrain the wrath of Satan.

(Mar 9:15) And straightway all the people, when they behelde him, were amased, and ranne to him, and saluted him.

(Mar 9:16) Then hee asked the Scribes, What dispute you among your selues?

(Mar 9:17) And one of the companie answered, and said, Master, I haue brought my sonne vnto thee, which hath a dumme spirit:

(Mar 9:18) And wheresoeuer he taketh him, he teareth him, and he fometh, and gnasheth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples, that they should cast him out, and they could not.

(Notes Reference) And wheresoever he taketh him, he (f) teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

(f) Vexes him inwardly, as the colic does.

(Mar 9:19) Then he answered him, and said, O faithlesse generation, how long now shall I be with you! how long now shall I suffer you! Bring him vnto me.

(Mar 9:20) So they brought him vnto him: and assoone as the spirit sawe him, hee tare him, and hee fell downe on the ground walowing and foming.

(Notes Reference) And they brought him unto him: and when he (g) saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

(g) As soon as Jesus had looked upon the boy that was brought to him, the demon began to rage in this way.

(Mar 9:21) Then he asked his father, How long time is it since he hath bin thus? And he said, Of a childe.

(Mar 9:22) And oft times he casteth him into the fire, and into the water to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, helpe vs, and haue compassion vpon vs.

(Mar 9:23) And Iesus said vnto him, If thou canst beleeue it, al things are possible to him that beleeueth.

(Notes Reference) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, (h) all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

(h) Christ can and will do anything for those that believe in him.

(Mar 9:24) And straightway the father of the childe crying with teares, saide, Lord, I beleeue: helpe my vnbeliefe.

(Mar 9:25) When Iesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the vncleane spirit, saying vnto him, Thou domme and deafe spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

(Mar 9:26) Then the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out, and he was as one dead, in so much that many said, He is dead.

(Notes Reference) (5) And [the spirit] cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

(5) The nearer that the virtue of Christ is the far greater Satan rages.

(Mar 9:27) But Iesus tooke his hande, and lift him vp, and he arose.

(Mar 9:28) And when hee was come into the house, his disciples asked him secretly, Why could not we cast him out?

(Notes Reference) (6) And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

(6) We have need of faith, and therefore of prayer and fasting, in order to cast Satan out of that which belonged to him.

(Mar 9:29) And he saide vnto them, This kinde can by no other meanes come foorth, but by prayer and fasting.

(Mar 9:30) And they departed thence, and went together through Galile, and hee would not that any should haue knowen it.

(Notes Reference) And they departed thence, and (i) passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know [it].

(i) He and his disciples together.

(Mar 9:31) For he taught his disciples, and saide vnto them, The Sonne of man shalbe deliuered into the handes of men, and they shall kill him, but after that he is killed, he shall rise againe the third day.

(Notes Reference) (7) For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

(7) Christ forewarns us with great diligence so that we should not be discouraged with sudden calamities; but man's slowness to understand is great.

(Mar 9:32) But they vnderstoode not that saying, and were afraide to aske him.

(Mar 9:33) After, he came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house, he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among you by the way?

(Notes Reference) (8) And he came to Capernaum: and being in the (k) house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

(8) Only humility exalts.

(k) Where he was accustomed to make his home.

(Mar 9:34) And they helde their peace: for by the way they reasoned among themselues, who should bee the chiefest.

(Mar 9:35) And he sate downe, and called the twelue, and said to them, If any man desire to be first, the same shalbe last of all, and seruant vnto all.

(Mar 9:36) And he tooke a litle childe, and set him in the middes of them, and tooke him in his armes, and sayd vnto them,

(Mar 9:37) Whosoeuer shall receiue one of such litle children in my Name, receiueth me: and whosoeuer receiueth mee, receiueth not me, but him that sent me.

(Notes Reference) Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not (l) me, but him that sent me.

(l) He not only receives me, but also him that sent me.

(Mar 9:38) Then Iohn answered him, saying, Master, we sawe one casting out deuils by thy Name, which followeth not vs, and we forbade him, because he followeth vs not.

(Notes Reference) (9) And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

(9) God, who normally works through ordinary means, works also extraordinarily as often as it pleases him. But an extraordinary means is tested by the doctrine and the effects.

(Mar 9:39) But Iesus sayd, Forbid him not: for there is no man that can doe a miracle by my Name, that can lightly speake euill of me.

(Mar 9:40) For whosoeuer is not against vs, is on our part.

(Mar 9:41) And whosoeuer shall giue you a cup of water to drinke for my Names sake, because ye belong to Christ, verely I say vnto you, he shall not lose his rewarde.

(Mar 9:42) And whosoeuer shall offend one of these litle ones, that beleeue in me, it were better for him rather, that a milstone were hanged about his necke, and that he were cast into the sea.

(Notes Reference) (10) And whosoever shall offend one of [these] little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

(10) God is such a severe avenger of offences that it is better to suffer anything else than to be an occasion of offence to any.

(Mar 9:43) Wherefore, if thine hand cause thee to offend, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life, maimed, then hauing two hands, to goe into hell, into the fire that neuer shalbe quenched,

(Mar 9:44) Where their worme dyeth not, and the fire neuer goeth out.

(Notes Reference) Where their (m) worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

(m) Their worm who will be cast into that flame.

(Mar 9:45) Likewise, if thy foote cause thee to offend, cut it off: it is better for thee to go halt into life, then hauing two feete, to be cast into hell, into the fire that neuer shalbe quenched,

(Mar 9:46) Where their worme dyeth not, and the fire neuer goeth out.

(Mar 9:47) And if thine eye cause thee to offende, plucke it out: it is better for thee to goe into the kingdome of God with one eye, then hauing two eyes, to be cast into hell fire,

(Mar 9:48) Where their worme dyeth not, and the fire neuer goeth out.

(Mar 9:49) For euery man shalbe salted with fire: and euery sacrifice shalbe salted with salt.

(Notes Reference) (11) For every one shall be (n) salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

(11) We must be seasoned and sprinkled by God, so that we may be both acceptable sacrifices unto him, and also so that in our being knit together we may season one another.

(n) That is, will be consecrated to God, being seasoned with the incorruptible word.

(Mar 9:50) Salt is good: but if the salt be vnsauerie, wherewith shall it be seasoned? haue salt in your selues, and haue peace one with another.