Read Scripture In A Year: February 2

Passage 1: Exodus 7-8

(Exo 7:1) Then the Lord saide to Moses, Behold, I haue made thee Pharaohs God, and Aaron thy brother shall be thy Prophet.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a (a) god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

(a) I have given you power and authority to speak in my name and to execute my judgments on him.

(Exo 7:2) Thou shalt speake all that I commanded thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speake vnto Pharaoh, that he suffer the children of Israel to go out of his land.

(Exo 7:3) But I will harden Pharaohs heart, and multiplie my miracles and my wonders in the lande of Egypt.

(Exo 7:4) And Pharaoh shall not hearken vnto you, that I may lay mine hand vpon Egypt, and bring out myne armies, euen my people, the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, by great iudgements.

(Notes Reference) But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, [and] my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great (b) judgments.

(b) To strengthen Moses' faith, God promises again to punish most severely the oppression of his Church.

(Exo 7:5) Then the Egyptians shall knowe that I am the Lord, when I stretch foorth mine hand vpon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

(Exo 7:6) So Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, euen so did they.

(Exo 7:7) (Nowe Moses was foure score yeere olde, and Aaron foure score and three, when they spake vnto Pharaoh)

(Notes Reference) And Moses [was] (c) fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.

(Exo 7:8) And the Lord had spoken vnto Moses and Aaron, saying,

(Exo 7:9) If Pharaoh speake vnto you, saying, Shewe a miracle for you, then thou shalt say vnto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shalbe turned into a serpent.

(Exo 7:10) Then went Moses and Aaron vnto Pharaoh, and did euen as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast forth his rod before Pharaoh and before his seruants, and it was turned into a serpent.

(Exo 7:11) Then Pharaoh called also for the wise men and sorcerers: and those charmers also of Egypt did in like maner with their enchantmens,

(Notes Reference) Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the (d) sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

(d) It seems that these were Jannes and Jambres; (2Ti 3:8) so the wicked maliciously resist the truth of God.

(Exo 7:12) For they cast downe euery man his rod, and they were turned into serpents: but Aarons rodde deuoured their rods.

(Exo 7:13) So Pharaohs heart was hardened, and hee hearkened not to them, as the Lord had saide.

(Exo 7:14) The Lord then saide vnto Moses, Pharaohs heart is obstinate, hee refuseth to let the people goe.

(Exo 7:15) Goe vnto Pharaoh in the morning, (loe, he will come forth vnto the water) and thou shalt stand and meete him by the riuers brinke, and the rod, which was turned into a serpent, shalt thou take in thine hand.

(Notes Reference) Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by (e) the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

(e) That is, the Nile river.

(Exo 7:16) And thou shalt say vnto him, The Lord God of the Ebrewes hath sent me vnto thee, saying, Let my people goe, that they may serue mee in the wildernesse: and beholde, hitherto thou wouldest not heare.

(Exo 7:17) Thus saith the Lord, In this shalt thou know that I am the Lord: behold, I wil smite with the rodde that is in mine hand vpon the water that is in the riuer, and it shalbe turned to blood.

(Exo 7:18) And the fish that is in the riuer shall dye, and the riuer shall stinke, and it shall grieue the Egyptians to drinke of the water of the riuer.

(Exo 7:19) The Lord then spake to Moses, Say vnto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand ouer the waters of Egypt, ouer their streames, ouer their riuers, and ouer their pondes,, and ouer all pooles of their waters, and they shalbe blood, and there shalbe blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and of stone.

(Exo 7:20) So Moses and Aaron did euen as the Lord commanded: and hee lift vp the rodde, and smote the water that was in the riuer in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his seruants: and all the water that was in the riuer, was turned into blood.

(Exo 7:21) And the fish that was in the ryuer dyed, and the riuer stanke: so that the Egyptians could not drinke of the water of the riuer: and there was blood throughout all the lande of Egypt.

(Notes Reference) And the (f) fish that [was] in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

(f) To show that it was a true miracle, God plagued them in that which was most needed for the preservation of life.

(Exo 7:22) And the enchanters of Egypt did likewise with their sorceries: and the heart of Phraoh was hardened: so that he did not hearken vnto them, as the Lord had sayde.

(Notes Reference) And the magicians of Egypt did (g) so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.

(g) In outward appearance, after the seven days were ended.

(Exo 7:23) Then Pharaoh returned, and went againe into his house, neither did this yet enter into his heart.

(Exo 7:24) All the Egyptians then digged rounde about the riuer for waters to drinke: for they could not drinke of the water of the riuer.

(Exo 7:25) And this continued fully seuen dayes after the Lord had smitten the riuer.

(Exo 8:1) Afterward the Lord sayde vnto Moses, Goe vnto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people goe, that they may serue me:

(Exo 8:2) And if thou wilt not let them goe, beholde, I will smite all thy countrey with frogges:

(Notes Reference) And if thou refuse to let [them] go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with (a) frogs:

(a) There is nothing so weak that God cannot use it to overcome the greatest power of man.

(Exo 8:3) And the riuer shall scral ful of frogges, which shall goe vp and come into thine house, and into thy chamber, where thou sleepest, and vpon thy bed, and into the house of thy seruants, and vpon thy people, and into thine ouens, and into thy kneading troughes.

(Exo 8:4) Yea, the frogges shall climbe vp vpon thee, and on thy people, and vpon all thy seruants.

(Exo 8:5) Also the Lord said vnto Moses, Say thou vnto Aaron, Stretch out thine hande with thy rod vpon the streames, vpon the riuers, and vpon the ponds, and cause frogs to come vp vpon the land of Egypt.

(Exo 8:6) Then Aaron stretched out his hand vpon the waters of Egypt, and the frogges came vp, and couered the land of Egypt.

(Notes Reference) And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of (b) Egypt.

(b) But Goshen, where God's people dwelt, was excepted.

(Exo 8:7) And the sorcerers did likewise with their sorceries, and brought frogges vp vpon the land of Egypt.

(Exo 8:8) Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Pray ye vnto the Lord, that hee may take away the frogges from mee, and from my people, and I will let the people goe, that they may doe sacrifice vnto the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, (c) Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

(Exo 8:9) And Moses said vnto Pharaoh, Concerning me, euen command when I shall pray for thee, and for thy seruants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogges from thee and from thine houses, that they may remaine in the riuer only.

(Exo 8:10) Then he said, To morowe. And he answered, Be it as thou hast said, that thou maiest know, that there is none like vnto the Lord our God.

(Exo 8:11) So the frogges shall depart from thee, and from thine houses, and from thy seruantes, and from thy people: onely they shall remaine in the riuer.

(Exo 8:12) Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cryed vnto the Lord concerning the frogges, which hee had sent vnto Pharaoh.

(Exo 8:13) And the Lord did according to the saying of Moses: so the frogges died in the houses, in the townes, and in the fieldes.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs (d) died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields.

(d) In things of this life God often hears the prayers of the just for the ungodly.

(Exo 8:14) And they gathered the together by heaps, and the land stanke of them.

(Exo 8:15) But when Pharaoh sawe that hee had rest giuen him, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not vnto them, as the Lord had said.

(Exo 8:16) Againe the Lord sayd vnto Moses, Say vnto Aaron, Stretche out the rod, and smite the dust of the earth, that it may bee turned to lyce throughout all the land of Egypt.

(Exo 8:17) And they did so: for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth: and lyce came vpon man and vpon beast: all the dust of the earth was lyce throughout all the land of Egypt.

(Exo 8:18) Nowe the enchanters assaied likewise with their enchantments to bring forth lyce, but they could not. So the lyce were vpon man and vpon beast.

(Notes Reference) And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they (e) could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.

(e) God confounded their wisdom and authority in a thing most vile.

(Exo 8:19) Then saide the enchanters vnto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God. But Pharaohs heart remained obstinate, and hee hearkened not vnto them, as the Lord had said.

(Notes Reference) Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This [is] (f) the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

(f) They acknowledged that this was done by God's power and not by sorcery; (Luk 11:20).

(Exo 8:20) Moreouer the Lord sayd to Moses, Rise vp earely in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh (lo, hee will come forth vnto the water) and say vnto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serue me.

(Exo 8:21) Els, if thou wilt not let my people goe, behold, I will send swarmes of flies both vpon thee, and vpon thy seruants, and vpon thy people, and into thine houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shalbe full of swarmes of flies, and the ground also whereon they are.

(Exo 8:22) But ye land of Goshe, where my people are, wil I cause to be wonderfull in that day, so that no swarmes of flies shalbe there, that thou maiest know that I am the Lord in the middes of the earth.

(Exo 8:23) And I will make a deliuerance of my people from thy people: to morowe shall this miracle be.

(Exo 8:24) And the Lord did so: for there came great swarmes of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his seruants houses, so that through all the lande of Egypt, the earth was corrupt by the swarmes of flies.

(Exo 8:25) Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and saide, Goe, doe sacrifice vnto your God in this lande.

(Exo 8:26) But Moses answered, It is not meete to do so: for then we shoulde offer vnto the Lord our God that, which is an abomination vnto the Egyptians. Loe, can we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and they not stone vs?

(Notes Reference) And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the (g) abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?

(g) For the Egyptians worshipped various beasts, ox, sheep and such like which the Israelites offered in sacrifice, a thing the Egyptians abhorred to see.

(Exo 8:27) Let vs go three dayes iourney in the desert, and sacrifice vnto the Lord our God, as he hath commanded vs.

(Exo 8:28) And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice vnto the Lord your God in the wildernesse: but goe not farre away, pray for me.

(Notes Reference) And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not (h) go very far away: intreat for me.

(h) So the wicked instruct God's messengers how far they may go.

(Exo 8:29) And Moses said, Behold, I will go out from thee, and pray vnto the Lord, that the swarmes of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his seruants, and from his people to morowe: but let Pharaoh from hencefoorth deceiue no more, in not suffering the people to sacrifice vnto the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms [of flies] may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal (i) deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.

(i) He could not judge his heart, but yet he charged him to do this honestly.

(Exo 8:30) So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed vnto the Lord.

(Exo 8:31) And the Lord did according to the saying of Moses, and the swarmes of flies departed from Pharaoh, from his seruants, and from his people, and there remained not one.

(Exo 8:32) Yet Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, and did not let the people goe.

(Notes Reference) And Pharaoh (k) hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

(k) Where God does not give faith, no miracles can prevail.

Passage 2: Psalms 60-61

(Psa 60:1) To him that excelleth upon Shushan Eduth, or Michtam. A Psalme of David to teach. When he fought against Aram Naharaim, and against Aram Zobah, when Joab returned and slew twelve thousand Edomites in the salt valley. O God, thou hast cast vs out, thou hast scattered vs, thou hast bene angry, turne againe vnto vs.

(Notes Reference) "To the chief Musician upon (a) Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with (b) Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand." O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast (c) scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

(a) These were certain songs after the note of which this psalm was sung.

(b) Also called Sophene, which stands by Euphrates.

(c) For when Saul was not able to resist the enemy, the people fled here and there: for they were not safe in their own homes.

(Psa 60:2) Thou hast made the land to tremble, and hast made it to gape: heale the breaches thereof, for it is shaken.

(Notes Reference) Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast (d) broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

(d) As split with an earthquake.

(Psa 60:3) Thou hast shewed thy people heauy things: thou hast made vs to drinke the wine of giddines.

(Notes Reference) Thou hast (e) shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

(e) You have handled your people sharply, in asking from them sense and judgment in that they aided Saul the wicked King, and punished him to whom God had given the just title of the realm.

(Psa 60:4) But now thou hast giuen a banner to them that feare thee, that it may be displayed because of thy trueth. Selah.

(Notes Reference) Thou hast given (f) a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

(f) In making me king, you have performed your promise, which seemed to have lost the force.

(Psa 60:5) That thy beloued may be deliuered, helpe with thy right hand and heare me.

(Psa 60:6) God hath spoken in his holines: therefore I will reioyce: I shall deuide Shechem, and measure the valley of Succoth.

(Notes Reference) God hath spoken in his (g) holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

(g) It is as certain as if it were spoken by an oracle, that I will possess those places which Saul has left to his children.

(Psa 60:7) Gilead shalbe mine, and Manasseh shalbe mine: Ephraim also shalbe the strength of mine head: Iudah is my lawgiuer.

(Notes Reference) Gilead [is] mine, and Manasseh [is] mine; Ephraim also [is] the (h) strength of mine head; (i) Judah [is] my lawgiver;

(h) For it was strong and well peopled.

(i) David means that in this tribe his kingdom will be established, (Gen 49:10).

(Psa 60:8) Moab shalbe my wash pot: ouer Edom will I cast out my shoe: Palestina shew thy selfe ioyfull for me.

(Notes Reference) Moab [is] my (k) washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: (l) Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

(k) In most vile subjection.

(l) For you will lie and pretend you were glad.

(Psa 60:9) Who will leade me into the strong citie? who will bring me vnto Edom?

(Notes Reference) Who will bring me [into] the (m) strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

(m) He was assured that God would give him the strong cities of his enemies, in which they thought themselves sure.

(Psa 60:10) Wilt not thou, O God, which hadest cast vs off, and didest not go forth, O God, with our armies?

(Psa 60:11) Giue vs helpe against trouble: for vaine is the helpe of man.

(Psa 60:12) Through God we shall doe valiantly: for he shall tread downe our enemies.

(Psa 61:1) To him that excelleth on Neginoth. A Psalme of David. Heare my cry, O God: giue eare vnto my prayer.

(Psa 61:2) From the endes of the earth will I crye vnto thee: when mine heart is opprest, bring me vpon the rocke that is higher then I.

(Notes Reference) From (a) the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is (b) higher than I.

(a) From the place where I was banished, being driven out of the city and temple by my son Absalom.

(b) To which without your help I cannot attain.

(Psa 61:3) For thou hast bene mine hope, and a strong tower against the enemie.

(Psa 61:4) I will dwell in thy Tabernacle for euer, and my trust shall be vnder the couering of thy wings. Selah.

(Psa 61:5) For thou, O God, hast heard my desires: thou hast giuen an heritage vnto those that feare thy Name.

(Notes Reference) For thou, O God, (c) hast heard my vows: thou hast given [me] the heritage of those that fear thy name.

(Psa 61:6) Thou shalt giue the King a long life: his yeeres shalbe as many ages.

(Notes Reference) Thou wilt prolong the king's (d) life: [and] his years as many generations.

(d) This chiefly refers to Christ, who lives eternally not only in himself but also in his members.

(Psa 61:7) Hee shall dwell before God for euer: prepare mercie and faithfulnes that they may preserue him.

(Notes Reference) He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare (e) mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him.

(e) For the stability of my kingdom stands in your mercy and truth.

(Psa 61:8) So will I alway sing prayse vnto thy Name in performing dayly my vowes.

Passage 3: Romans 12

(Rom 12:1) I Beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that yee giue vp your bodies a liuing sacrifice, holy, acceptable vnto God, which is your reasonable seruing of God.

(Notes Reference) I beseech (1) you therefore, brethren, (a) by the mercies of God, that ye (b) present your (c) bodies a (d) living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your (e) reasonable service.

(1) The fourth part of this epistle, which after the finishing of the principal points of Christian doctrine, consists in the declaring of precepts of the Christian life. And first of all he gives general precepts and grounds: the principal of which is this, that every man consecrate himself wholly to the spiritual service of God, and do as it were sacrifice himself, trusting the grace of God.

(a) By this preface he shows that God's glory is the utmost goal of everything we do.

(b) In times past the sacrifices were presented before the altar: but now the altar is everywhere.

(d) In times past, dead sacrifices were offered, but now we must offer those which have the spirit of life in them.

(e) Spiritual.

(Rom 12:2) And fashion not your selues like vnto this worlde, but bee yee changed by the renewing of your minde, that ye may prooue what that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God is.

(Notes Reference) (2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your (f) mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(2) The second precept is this, that we do not take other men's opinions or conduct as a rule for life, but that we wholly renounce this world, and set before us as our mark the will of God as is manifested and revealed to us in his word.

(f) This is the reason that there is no room left for reason, which the heathen philosophers place as a queen in a castle, nor for man's free will, which the popish scholars dream of, because the mind must be renewed; (Eph 1:18; Eph 2:3; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21)

(Rom 12:3) For I say through the grace that is giuen vnto me, to euery one that is among you, that no man presume to vnderstande aboue that which is meete to vnderstand, but that he vnderstande according to sobrietie, as God hath dealt to euery man the measure of faith.

(Notes Reference) (3) For I (g) say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not (h) to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think (i) soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of (k) faith.

(3) Thirdly, he admonishes us very earnestly that every man keep himself within the bounds of his calling, and that every man be wise according to the measure of grace that God has given him.

(g) I charge.

(h) That he does not please himself too much, as those do who persuade themselves they know more than they actually do.

(i) We will be sober if we do not take that upon us which we do not have, and if we do not brag of that which we do have.

(k) By faith he means the knowledge of God in Christ, and the gifts which the Holy Spirit pours upon the faithful.

(Rom 12:4) For as wee haue many members in one body, and all members haue not one office,

(Notes Reference) (4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

(4) There are two reasons for the previous precept: the first is because God has not committed everything to be done by every man: and therefore he does backwardly, and unprofitably, and also to the great disservice of others, wearying himself and others, who passes the bounds of his calling: the second is because this diversity and inequality of vocations and gifts results in our being benefitted: seeing that this is therefore instituted and appointed, so that we should be bound one to another. From which it follows that no man ought to be grieved at this, seeing that the use of every private gift is common.

(Rom 12:5) So we being many are one body in Christ, and euery one, one anothers members.

(Rom 12:6) Seeing then that we haue gifts that are diuers, according to the grace that is giuen vnto vs, whether we haue prophecie, let vs prophecie according to the portion of faith:

(Notes Reference) (5) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the (l) proportion of faith;

(5) That which he spoke before in general, he applies particularly to the holy functions, in which men are in greater danger if they sin. And he divides them into two types: that is, into prophets and deacons: and again he divides the prophets into teachers and pastors. And of deacons he makes three types: that is, those who are to be (as it were) treasurers of the Church, whom he calls deacons in the most proper sense: the others to be the governors of discipline, who are called seniors or elders: the third, those who properly serve in the help of the poor, such as the widows.

(l) That every man observe the measure of that which is revealed to him.

(Rom 12:7) Or an office, let vs waite on the office: or he that teacheth, on teaching:

(Notes Reference) Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that (m) teacheth, on teaching;

(m) Whose office is only to expound the scriptures.

(Rom 12:8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that distributeth, let him doe it with simplicitie: he that ruleth, with diligence: he that sheweth mercie, with cheerefulnesse.

(Notes Reference) Or he that (n) exhorteth, on exhortation: he that (o) giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that (p) ruleth, with diligence; he that (q) sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

(n) Who in other passages is called the "pastor".

(o) That is, the alms, that he distributes them faithfully, and without any favouritism.

(p) The elders of the church.

(q) Those that are occupied with the care of the poor must do it with cheerfulness, lest they add sorrow upon sorrow.

(Rom 12:9) Let loue be without dissimulation. Abhorre that which is euill, and cleaue vnto that which is good.

(Notes Reference) (6) [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

(6) Now he comes to the duties of the second table of the ten commandments, which he derives from charity, which is as it were the fountain of them all. And he defines Christian charity as sincerity, hatred of evil, earnest study of good things, good affection to help our neighbour, and whose final goal is the glory of God.

(Rom 12:10) Be affectioned to loue one another with brotherly loue. In giuing honour, goe one before another,

(Rom 12:11) Not slouthfull to do seruice: seruent in spirit seruing the Lord,

(Notes Reference) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; (r) serving the Lord;

(r) This verse is well put, for it makes a distinction between Christian duties, and philosophical duties.

(Rom 12:12) Reioycing in hope, pacient in tribulation, continuing in prayer,

(Notes Reference) (7) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

(7) He reckons up different virtues together with their effects, that is, hope, patience in tribulation, evenness of mind, continuance in prayer, liberality towards the saints, hospitality, moderation of mind even in helping our enemies, feeling the same as others in their adversity as well as their prosperity, modesty, endeavouring to maintain honest agreement as much as we are able with all men, which cannot be extinguished by any man injuring us.

(Rom 12:13) Distributing vnto the necessities of the Saintes: giuing your selues to hospitalitie.

(Notes Reference) (s) Distributing to the (t) necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

(s) A true rule of charity, that we feel for other men's wants as we do for our own, and having that feeling, to help them as much as we can.

(t) Not upon pleasures and needless duties, but upon necessary uses.

(Rom 12:14) Blesse them which persecute you: blesse, I say, and curse not.

(Rom 12:15) Reioyce with them that reioyce, and weepe with them that weepe.

(Rom 12:16) Be of like affection one towardes another: be not hie minded: but make your selues equall to them of the lower sort: be not wise in your selues.

(Notes Reference) [Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of (u) low estate. Be not (x) wise in your own conceits.

(u) There is nothing that disrupts harmony as much as seeking glory, when every man detests a base estate, and ambitiously seeks to be exalted.

(x) Do not be puffed up with an opinion of your own wisdom.

(Rom 12:17) Recompence to no man euill for euill: procure things honest in the sight of all men.

(Rom 12:18) If it bee possible, as much as in you is, haue peace with all men.

(Rom 12:19) Dearely beloued, auenge not your selues, but giue place vnto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord.

(Rom 12:20) Therefore, if thine enemie hunger, feede him: if he thirst, giue him drinke: for in so doing, thou shalt heape coales of fire on his head.

(Notes Reference) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap (y) coals of fire on his head.

(y) In this manner Solomon points out the wrath of God which hangs over a man.

(Rom 12:21) Bee not ouercome of euill, but ouercome euill with goodnesse.