Read Scripture In A Year: February 26

Passage 1: Exodus 39-40

(Exo 39:1) Moreouer they made garments of ministration to minister in the Sanctuarie of blewe silke, and purple, and skarlet: they made also the holy garments for Aaron, as the Lord had comanded Moses.

(Notes Reference) And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made (a) cloths of service, to do service in the holy [place], and made the holy garments for Aaron; as the LORD commanded Moses.

(a) As coverings for the ark, the candlestick, the altars and such like.

(Exo 39:2) So he made the Ephod of gold, blewe silke, and purple, and skarlet, and fine twined linen.

(Exo 39:3) And they did beate the golde into thinne plates, and cut it into wiers, to worke it in ye blewe silke and in the purple, and in the skarlet, and in the fine linen, with broydred worke.

(Exo 39:4) For the which they made shoulders to couple together: for it was closed by the two edges thereof.

(Exo 39:5) And the broydred garde of his Ephod that was vpon him, was of the same stuffe, and of like worke: euen of golde, of blewe silke, and purple, and skarlet, and fine twined linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 39:6) And they wrought two Onix stones closed in ouches of golde, and graued, as signets are grauen, with the names of the children of Israel,

(Notes Reference) And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as (b) signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.

(b) That is, of very fine and curious workmanship.

(Exo 39:7) And put them on the shoulders of the Ephod, as stones for a remembrance of the children of Israel, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 39:8) Also he made the brestplate of broydred worke like the worke of the Ephod: to wit, of gold, blewe silke, and purple, and skarlet, and fine twined linen.

(Exo 39:9) They made the brest plate double, and it was square, an hand breadth long, and an hand breadth broad: it was also double.

(Exo 39:10) And they filled it with foure rowes of stones. The order was thus, a Rubie, a Topaze, and a Carbuncle in the first rowe:

(Exo 39:11) And in the seconde rowe, an Emeraude, a Saphir, and a Diamond:

(Exo 39:12) Also in the thirde rowe, a Turkeis, an Achate, and an Hematite:

(Notes Reference) And the third row, (c) a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

(Exo 39:13) Likewise in the fourth rowe, a Chrysolite, an Onix, and a Iasper: closed and set in ouches of golde.

(Exo 39:14) So the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, euen twelue after their names, grauen like signets euery one after his name according to the twelue tribes.

(Notes Reference) And the stones [were] according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, (d) according to their names, [like] the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.

(d) That is, every tribe had his name written on a stone.

(Exo 39:15) After, they made vpon the brest plate cheines at the endes, of wrethen worke and pure golde.

(Exo 39:16) They made also two bosses of golde, and two golde rings, and put the two rings in the two corners of the brest plate.

(Exo 39:17) And they put ye two wrethe cheines of gold in the two rings, in the corners of the brest plate.

(Exo 39:18) Also the two other endes of the two wrethen chaines they fastened in the two bosses, and put the on the shoulders of the Ephod vpon the forefront of it.

(Exo 39:19) Likewise they made two rings of gold, and put them in the two other corners of the brest plate vpon the edge of it, which was on the inside of the Ephod.

(Exo 39:20) They made also two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the Ephod, beneath on the foreside of it, and ouer against his coupling aboue the broydered garde of the Ephod.

(Exo 39:21) Then they fastened the brest plate by his rings vnto the rings of the Ephod, with a lace of blewe silke, that it might bee fast vpon the broydered garde of the Ephod, and that the brest plate should not be loosed from the Ephod, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 39:22) Moreouer, he made the robe of the Ephod of wouen worke, altogether of blewe silke.

(Notes Reference) And he made the robe of the (e) ephod [of] woven work, all [of] blue.

(e) Which was next under the Ephod.

(Exo 39:23) And the hole of the robe was in the middes of it, as the coller of an habergeon, with an edge about the coller, that it shoulde not rent.

(Notes Reference) And (f) [there was] an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, [with] a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.

(f) Where he could put his head through.

(Exo 39:24) And they made vpon the skirts of the robe pomegranates, of blewe silke, and purple, and skarlet, and fine linen twined.

(Exo 39:25) They made also belles of pure gold and put the belles betweene the pomegranates vpon the skirtes of the robe rounde about betweene the pomegranates.

(Exo 39:26) A bel and a pomegranate, a bel and a pomegranate round about the skirts of the robe to minister in, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 39:27) After, they made coates of fine linen, of wouen worke for Aaron and for his sonnes.

(Exo 39:28) And the miter of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,

(Exo 39:29) And the girdle of fine twined linen, and of blew silke, and purple, and skarlet, euen of needle worke, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 39:30) Finally they made the plate for the holy crowne of fine golde, and wrote vpon it a superscription like to the grauing of a signet, HOLINES TO THE LORD.

(Exo 39:31) And they tied vnto it a lace of blewe silke to fasten it on hie vpon the miter, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 39:32) Thus was all the worke of the Tabernacle, euen of the Tabernacle of the Congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to al that the Lord had commanded Moses: so dyd they.

(Exo 39:33) Afterwarde they brought the Tabernacle vnto Moses, the Tabernacle and al his instruments, his taches, his boards, his barres, and his pillars, and his sockets,

(Exo 39:34) And the couering of rammes skinnes died red, and the couerings of badgers skinnes, and the couering vaile.

(Notes Reference) And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the (g) vail of the covering,

(g) So called, because it hung before the mercyseat and covered it from sight (Exo 35:12).

(Exo 39:35) The Arke of the Testimony, and the barres thereof, and the Merciseate,

(Exo 39:36) The Table, with all the instruments thereof, and the shewebread,

(Exo 39:37) The pure Candlesticke, the lampes thereof, euen the lampes set in order, and all the instruments thereof, and the oyle for light:

(Notes Reference) The pure candlestick, [with] the lamps thereof, [even with] the lamps to be (h) set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light,

(h) Or, which Aaron dressed and refreshed with oil every morning (Exo 30:7).

(Exo 39:38) Also the golden Altar and the anoynting oyle, and the sweete incense, and the hanging of the Tabernacle doore,

(Exo 39:39) The brasen Altar with his grate of brasse, his barres and all his instruments, the Lauer and his foote.

(Exo 39:40) The curtaines of the court with his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging to the court gate, and his cordes, and his pinnes, and all the instruments of the seruice of the Tabernacle, called the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

(Exo 39:41) Finally, the ministring garmentes to serue in the Sanctuarie, and the holy garmentes for Aaron the Priest, and his sonnes garmentes to minister in the Priestes office.

(Exo 39:42) According to euery poynt that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the worke.

(Notes Reference) According to all that the LORD (i) commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.

(i) Signifying that in God's matters man may neither add, nor diminish.

(Exo 39:43) And Moses beheld al the worke, and behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded: so had they done: and Moses blessed them.

(Notes Reference) And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses (k) blessed them.

(k) Praised God for the peoples diligence and prayed for them.

(Exo 40:1) Then the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,

(Exo 40:2) In the first day of the first moneth in the very first of the same moneth shalt thou set vp the Tabernacle, called ye Tabernacle of the Congregation:

(Notes Reference) On the (a) first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

(a) After that Moses had been 40 days and 40 nights in the mountain, that is, from the beginning of August to the tenth of September, he came down, and caused this work to be done: which when finished, was set up in Abib, half March and half April.

(Exo 40:3) And thou shalt put therein the Arke of the Testimonie, and couer the Arke with the vaile.

(Exo 40:4) Also thou shalt bring in the Table, and set it in order as it doth require: thou shalt also bring in the Candlesticke, and light his lampes,

(Exo 40:5) And thou shalt set ye incense Altar of gold before the Arke of the Testimonie, and put the hanging at the doore of the Tabernacle.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt set the altar (b) of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the (c) hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

(b) That is, the altar of perfume, or to burn incense on.

(Exo 40:6) Moreouer, thou shalt set the burnt offering Altar before the doore of the Tabernacle, called the Tabernacle of the Congregation.

(Exo 40:7) And thou shalt set the Lauer betweene the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the Altar, and put water therein.

(Exo 40:8) Then thou shalt appoynt the courte round about, and hang vp the hanging at the courte gate.

(Exo 40:9) After, thou shalt take the anoynting oyle, and anoynt the Tabernacle, and all that is therein, and halowe it with all the instruments thereof, that it may be holy.

(Exo 40:10) And thou shalt anoynt the Altar of the burnt offring, and all his instruments, and shalt sanctifie the Altar, that it may bee an altar most holie.

(Exo 40:11) Also thou shalt anoynt the Lauer, and his foote, and shalt sanctifie it.

(Exo 40:12) Then thou shalt bring Aaron and his sonnes vnto the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and wash them with water.

(Exo 40:13) And thou shalt put vpon Aaron the holy garmentes, and shalt anoynt him, and sanctifie him, that he may minister vnto me in the Priestes office.

(Exo 40:14) Thou shalt also bring his sonnes, and clothe them with garments,

(Exo 40:15) And shalt anoynt them as thou diddest anoynt their father, that they may minister vnto mee in the Priestes office: for their anoynting shall be a signe, that the Priesthood shall be euerlasting vnto them throughout their generations.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing (d) shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

(d) Till both the priesthood and the ceremonies should end, which is at Christ's coming.

(Exo 40:16) So Moses did according to all that ye Lord had commanded him: so did he.

(Exo 40:17) Thus was the Tabernacle reared vp the first day of the first moneth in the seconde yeere.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass in the first month in (e) the second year, on the first [day] of the month, [that] the tabernacle was reared up.

(e) After they came out of Egypt, (Num 7:1).

(Exo 40:18) Then Moses reared vp the Tabernacle and fastened his sockets, and set vp the boardes thereof, and put in the barres of it, and reared vp his pillars.

(Exo 40:19) And he spred the couering ouer the Tabernacle, and put the couering of that couering on hie aboue it, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 40:20) And he tooke and put the Testimonie in the Arke, and put the barres in the ringes of the Arke, and set the Merciseate on hie vpon the Arke.

(Notes Reference) And he took and put the (f) testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:

(f) That is, the tables of the law; (Exo 31:18, Exo 34:29).

(Exo 40:21) He brought also the Arke into the Tabernacle, and hanged vp the couering vaile, and couered the Arke of the Testimonie, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 40:22) Furthermore he put the Table in the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the Northside of the Tabernacle, without the vaile,

(Exo 40:23) And set the bread in order before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 40:24) Also he put the Candlesticke in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, ouer against the Table toward ye Southside of the Tabernacle.

(Exo 40:25) And he lighted the lampes before the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 40:26) Moreouer he set the golden Altar in the Tabernacle of the Congregation before the vayle,

(Exo 40:27) And burnt sweete incense thereon, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 40:28) Also he hanged vp the vayle at the doore of the Tabernacle.

(Notes Reference) And he set up the hanging [at] the (g) door of the tabernacle.

(g) Between the sanctuary and the court.

(Exo 40:29) After, he set the burnt offring Altar without the doore of the Tabernacle, called the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and offered the burnt offering and the sacrifice thereon, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 40:30) Likewise he set the Lauer betweene the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the Altar, and powred water therein to wash with.

(Exo 40:31) So Moses and Aaron, and his sonnes washed their handes and their feete thereat.

(Exo 40:32) When they went into the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and when they approched to the Altar, they washed, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Exo 40:33) Finally, he reared vp the court rounde about the Tabernacle and the Altar, and hanged vp the vaile at the court gate: so Moses finished the worke.

(Exo 40:34) Then the cloud couered the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and the glorie of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

(Exo 40:35) So Moses could not enter into the Tabernacle of the Congregation, because the cloude abode thereon, and the glorie of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

(Exo 40:36) Nowe when the cloude ascended vp from the Tabernacle, the children of Israel went forward in all their iourneyes.

(Exo 40:37) But if the cloude ascended not, then they iourneyed not till the day that it ascended.

(Exo 40:38) For the cloude of the Lord was vpon the Tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their iourneyes.

(Notes Reference) For (h) the cloud of the LORD [was] upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

(h) Thus the presence of God preserved and guided them night and day, till they came to the land promised.

Passage 2: Psalms 102

(Psa 102:1) A prayer of the afflicted, when he shall be in distresse, and pour forth his meditation before the Lord. O Lord, heare my prayer, and let my crye come vnto thee.

(Notes Reference) "A Prayer (a) of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD." Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my (b) cry come unto thee.

(a) By which is signified, that even though we are in great misery, yet there is always room for prayer.

(b) He declares that in our prayer we must lively feel that which we desire, and steadfastly believe to obtain.

(Psa 102:2) Hide not thy face from me in the time of my trouble: incline thine eares vnto me: when I call, make haste to heare me.

(Psa 102:3) For my dayes are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burnt like an herthe.

(Notes Reference) For my days are (c) consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.

(Psa 102:4) Mine heart is smitten and withereth like grasse, because I forgate to eate my bread.

(Notes Reference) My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget (d) to eat my bread.

(d) My sorrows were so great that I did not eat.

(Psa 102:5) For the voyce of my groning my bones doe cleaue to my skinne.

(Psa 102:6) I am like a pelicane of the wildernesse: I am like an owle of the deserts.

(Notes Reference) I am like a (e) pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

(e) Always mourning in solitude and casting out fearful cries.

(Psa 102:7) I watch and am as a sparrowe alone vpon the house top.

(Psa 102:8) Mine enemies reuile me dayly, and they that rage against me, haue sworne against me.

(Notes Reference) Mine enemies reproach me all the day; [and] they that are mad against me are (f) sworn against me.

(f) Have conspired my death.

(Psa 102:9) Surely I haue eaten asshes as bread, and mingled my drinke with weeping,

(Notes Reference) For I have (g) eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

(g) I have not risen out of my mourning to take my refreshment.

(Psa 102:10) Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast heaued me vp, and cast me downe.

(Notes Reference) Because of thine (h) indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

(h) He shows that not only the afflictions moved him, but chiefly the feeling of God's displeasure.

(Psa 102:11) My dayes are like a shadowe that fadeth, and I am withered like grasse.

(Psa 102:12) But thou, O Lord, doest remaine for euer, and thy remembrance from generation to generation.

(Notes Reference) But thou, O LORD, shalt (i) endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

(i) Though we are frail, yet your promise is sure, and the remembrance of it will confirm us forever.

(Psa 102:13) Thou wilt arise and haue mercy vpon Zion: for the time to haue mercie thereon, for the appointed time is come.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the (k) set time, is come.

(k) That is, the seventy years which by the prophet Jeremiah you appointed, (Jer 29:12).

(Psa 102:14) For thy seruants delite in the stones thereof, and haue pitie on the dust thereof.

(Notes Reference) For thy servants take pleasure in her (l) stones, and favour the dust thereof.

(l) The more the Church is in misery and desolation, the more the faithful should love and pity it.

(Psa 102:15) Then the heathen shall feare the Name of the Lord, and all the Kings of the earth thy glory,

(Psa 102:16) When the Lord shall build vp Zion, and shall appeare in his glory,

(Notes Reference) When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear (m) in his glory.

(m) That is, when he will have drawn his church out of the darkness of death.

(Psa 102:17) And shall turne vnto the prayer of the desolate, and not despise their prayer.

(Psa 102:18) This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people, which shalbe created, shall prayse the Lord.

(Notes Reference) This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be (n) created shall praise the LORD.

(n) The deliverance of the Church is an excellent benefit, and therefore he compares it to a new creation for in their banishment the body of the Church seemed to have been dead, which by deliverance was as it were created anew.

(Psa 102:19) For he hath looked downe from the height of his Sanctuarie: out of the heauen did the Lord beholde the earth,

(Psa 102:20) That he might heare the mourning of the prisoner, and deliuer the children of death:

(Notes Reference) To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are (o) appointed to death;

(o) Who now in their banishment could look for nothing but death.

(Psa 102:21) That they may declare the Name of the Lord in Zion, and his prayse in Ierusalem,

(Psa 102:22) When the people shalbe gathered together, and the kingdomes to serue the Lord.

(Notes Reference) When the people are gathered (p) together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.

(p) He shows that Gad's name is never more praised, than when religion flourishes and the church increases: which is chiefly accomplished under the kingdom of Christ.

(Psa 102:23) He abated my strength in the way, and shortened my dayes.

(Notes Reference) He (q) weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days.

(q) The church lament that they see not the time of Christ, which was promised, but have but few years and short days.

(Psa 102:24) And I sayd, O my God, take me not away in the middes of my dayes: thy yeeres endure from generation to generation.

(Psa 102:25) Thou hast aforetime layde the foundation of the earth, and the heauens are the worke of thine hands.

(Psa 102:26) They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: euen they all shall waxe olde as doeth a garment: as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.

(Notes Reference) (r) They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

(r) If heaven and earth perish, much more man will perish: but the Church by reason of God's promise endures forever.

(Psa 102:27) But thou art the same, and thy yeeres shall not fayle.

(Psa 102:28) The children of thy seruants shall continue, and their seede shall stand fast in thy sight.

(Notes Reference) The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall (s) be established before thee.

(s) Seeing you have chosen your Church out of the world, and joined it to you, it cannot but continue forever: for you are everlasting.

Passage 3: 1 Corinthians 10

(1Co 10:1) Moreouer, brethren, I woulde not that yee shoulde bee ignorant, that all our fathers were vnder that cloude, and all passed through that sea,

(Notes Reference) Moreover, (1) brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our (a) fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

(1) He sets out that which he said, laying before them an example of the horrible judgment of God against those who had in effect the very same pledges of the same adoption and salvation that we have. And yet nonetheless when they gave themselves to idol's feasts, they perished in the wilderness, being horribly and manifoldly punished. Now, moreover and besides that these things are fitly spoken against those who frequented idol's feasts, the same also seems to be alleged to this end and purpose, because many men think that those things are not of such great weight that God will be angry with them if they use them. And so they frequent Christian assemblies and are baptized, and receive the communion, and confess Christ.

(a) Paul says this in respect of the covenant, and not in respect of the persons, except generally.

(1Co 10:2) And were all baptized vnto Moses, in that cloude, and in that sea,

(Notes Reference) (2) And were all (b) baptized unto (c) Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

(2) In effect the ordinances of the old fathers were all one with ours, for they respected Christ alone, who offered himself to them in different forms.

(b) All of them were baptized with the outward sign, but not indeed, because of which God cannot be blamed, but they themselves.

(1Co 10:3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat,

(Notes Reference) And did all eat the (d) same spiritual (e) meat;

(d) The same that we do.

(e) Manna, which was a spiritual meat to the believers, who in faith lay hold upon Christ, who is the true meat.

(1Co 10:4) And did all drinke the same spirituall drinke (for they dranke of the spiritual Rocke that folowed them: and the Rocke was Christ)

(Notes Reference) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that (f) followed them: and that Rock was (g) Christ.

(f) Of the River and running Rock, who followed the people.

(g) Did signify Christ as an ordinance, so that together with the sign, there was the thing signified, and the truth itself. For God does not offer a bare sign, but the thing signified by the sign together with it, which is to be received with faith.

(1Co 10:5) But with many of them God was not pleased: for they were ouerthrowen in ye wildernes.

(1Co 10:6) Nowe these things are our ensamples, to the intent that we should not lust after euil things as they also lusted.

(Notes Reference) (3) Now these things were our (h) examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

(3) An amplifying of the example against those who are carried away with their lusts beyond the bounds which God has measured out. For this is the beginning of all evil, as of idolatry (which has gluttony as a companion), fornication, rebelling against Christ, murmuring, and such like. And these things God punished most sharply in that old people, to the end that we who succeed them, and have a more full declaration of the will of God, might by that means take better heed.

(h) Some read "figures": which signified our ordinances. For circumcision was to the Jews a seal of righteousness, to us a symbol of baptism, and so in the other ordinances.

(1Co 10:7) Neither bee ye idolaters as were some of them, as it is written, The people sate downe to eate and drinke, and rose vp to play.

(1Co 10:8) Neither let vs commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and fell in one day three and twentie thousand.

(1Co 10:9) Neither let vs tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted him, and were destroyed of serpents.

(Notes Reference) Neither let us tempt (i) Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

(i) To tempt Christ is to provoke him to a combat as it were, which those men do who abuse the knowledge that he has given them, and make it to serve for a cloak for their lusts and wickedness.

(1Co 10:10) Neither murmure ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

(1Co 10:11) Nowe all these things came vnto them for ensamples, and were written to admonish vs, vpon whome the endes of the world are come.

(Notes Reference) Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the (k) ends of the world are come.

(k) This our age is called the end, for it is the culmination of all the ages.

(1Co 10:12) Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heede lest he fall.

(Notes Reference) (4) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

(4) In conclusion he descends to the Corinthians themselves, warning them that they do not please themselves, but rather that they prevent the wiles of Satan. Yet he uses an declaration and comforts them, that he may not seem to make them altogether similar to those wicked idolaters and condemners of Christ, who perished in the wilderness.

(1Co 10:13) There hath no tentation taken you, but such as appertaine to man: and God is faithfull, which will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you be able, but wil euen giue the issue with the tentation, that ye may be able to beare it.

(Notes Reference) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to (l) man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also (m) make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].

(l) Which comes from weakness.

(m) He that would have you tempted for your profit's sake, will make a way for you to escape out of the temptation.

(1Co 10:14) Wherefore my beloued, flee from idolatrie.

(1Co 10:15) I speake as vnto them which haue vnderstanding: iugde ye what I say.

(Notes Reference) (5) I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

(5) Now returning to those idol's feasts, that he may not seem to delay at all: first he promises that he will use no other reasons, than such as they knew very well themselves. He gives the following line of reasoning. The holy banquets of the Christians are pledges, first of all, of the community that they have with Christ, and next, one with another. The Israelites also do ratify in the sacrifices, their mutual union in the very same religion. Therefore so do the idolaters also join themselves with their idols, or demons rather (for idols are nothing) in those solemn banquets, whereupon it follows, that that table is a table of demons, and therefore you must avoid it. For you cannot be partakers of the Lord and of idols together, much less may such banquets be considered as indifferent things. Will you then strive with God? And if you do, do you think that you will get the upper hand?

(1Co 10:16) The cup of blessing which we blesse, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we breake, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

(Notes Reference) The cup of (n) blessing which we bless, is it not the (o) communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

(n) Of thanksgiving: whereupon, that holy banquet was called "eucharist", which is Greek for thanksgiving.

(o) A most effectual pledge and note of your joining together with Christ, and ingrafting to him.

(1Co 10:17) For we that are many, are one bread and one body, because we all are partakers of one bread.

(1Co 10:18) Beholde Israel, which is after the flesh: are not they which eate of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

(Notes Reference) Behold Israel after the (p) flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices (q) partakers of the altar?

(p) That is, those who yet observe their ceremonies.

(q) Are consenting and guilty, both of that worship and sacrifice.

(1Co 10:19) What say I then? that the idole is any thing? or that that which is sacrificed to idoles, is any thing?

(1Co 10:20) Nay, but that these things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to deuils, and not vnto God: and I would not that ye should haue fellowship with the deuils.

(Notes Reference) But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have (r) fellowship with devils.

(r) Have anything to do with the demons, or enter into that society which is begun in the demon's name.

(1Co 10:21) Ye can not drinke the cup of the Lord, and the cup of the deuils. Ye can not be partakers of the Lords table, and of the table of the deuils.

(Notes Reference) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the (s) cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

(s) The heathen and profane people were accustomed to finish up and make an end of their feasts which they kept to the honour of their gods, in offering meat offerings and drink offerings to them, with banquets and feastings.

(1Co 10:22) Doe we prouoke the Lord to anger? are we stronger then he?

(1Co 10:23) All things are lawfull for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawfull for me, but all things edifie not.

(Notes Reference) (6) (t) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

(6) Coming to another type of things offered to idols, he repeats that general rule, that in the use of indifferent things we ought to have consideration not of ourselves only, but of our neighbours. And therefore there are many things which of themselves are lawful, which may be evil when done by us, because of offence to our neighbour.

(t) See before in (1Co 6:13).

(1Co 10:24) Let no man seeke his owne, but euery man anothers wealth.

(1Co 10:25) Whatsoeuer is solde in the shambles, eate ye, and aske no question for conscience sake.

(Notes Reference) (7) Whatsoever is sold in the (u) shambles, [that] eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

(7) An applying of the rule to the present matter: whatever is sold in the market, you may indifferently buy it as if it were from the Lord's hand, and eat it either at home with the faithful, or being called home to the unfaithful, that is, in a private banquet. But yet with this exception, unless any man is present who is weak, whose conscience may be offended by setting meats offered to idols before them: for then you ought to have a consideration of their weakness.

(u) The flesh that was sacrificed used to be sold in the markets, and the price returned to the priests.

(1Co 10:26) For the earth is the Lords, and all that therein is.

(Notes Reference) For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the (x) fulness thereof.

(x) All those things of which it is full.

(1Co 10:27) If any of them which beleeue not, call you to a feast, and if ye wil go, whatsoeuer is set before you, eate, asking no question for conscience sake.

(1Co 10:28) But if any man say vnto you, This is sacrificed vnto idoles, eate it not, because of him that shewed it, and for the conscience (for the earth is the Lords, and all that therein is)

(1Co 10:29) And the conscience, I say, not thine, but of that other: for why should my libertie be condemned of another mans conscience?

(Notes Reference) Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: (8) for why is my liberty judged of another [man's] conscience?

(8) A reason: for we must take heed that our liberty is not spoken of as evil, and that the benefit of God which we ought to use with thanksgiving is not changed into impiety. And this is through our fault, if we choose rather to offend the conscience of the weak, than to yield a little of our liberty in a matter of no importance, and so give occasion to the weak to judge in such sort of us, and of Christian liberty. And the apostle takes these things upon his own person, that the Corinthians may have so much the less occasion to oppose anything against him.

(1Co 10:30) For if I through Gods benefite be partaker, why am I euill spoken of, for that wherefore I giue thankes?

(Notes Reference) For if I by (y) grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

(y) If I may through God's grace eat this meat or that meat, why should I through my fault cause that benefit of God to turn to my blame?

(1Co 10:31) Whether therefore ye eate, or drinke, or whatsoeuer ye doe, doe all to the glory of God.

(Notes Reference) (9) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

(9) The conclusion: we must order ourselves in such a way that we seek not ourselves, but God's glory, and so the salvation of as many as we may. In which the apostle does not thrust himself to the Corinthians (even his own flock) as an example, except so that he calls them back to Christ, to whom he himself has regard.

(1Co 10:32) Giue none offence, neither to the Iewes, nor to the Grecians, nor to the Church of God:

(1Co 10:33) Euen as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine owne profite, but the profite of many, that they might be saued.