Read Scripture In A Year: June 5

Passage 1: Joshua 23-24

(Jos 23:1) And a long season after that the Lord had giuen rest vnto Israel from all their enemies round about, and Ioshua was olde, and stricken in age,

(Jos 23:2) Then Ioshua called all Israel, and their Elders, and their heads, and their iudges, and their officers, and said vnto them, I am old, and stricken in age.

(Jos 23:3) Also ye haue seene all that the Lord your God hath done vnto al these nations before you, howe the Lord your God him selfe hath fought for you.

(Notes Reference) And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations (a) because of you; for the LORD your God [is] he that hath fought for you.

(a) Your eyes bearing witness.

(Jos 23:4) Beholde, I haue deuided vnto you by lot these nations that remaine, to be an inheritance according to your tribes, from Iorden, with all the nations that I haue destroyed, euen vnto the great Sea Westward.

(Jos 23:5) And the Lord your God shall expell them before you, and cast them out of your sight, and ye shall possesse their land, as the Lord your God hath said vnto you.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD your God, he shall expel (b) them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

(b) Which yet remain and are not overcome, as in (Jos 13:2).

(Jos 23:6) Be ye therefore of a valiant courage, to obserue and doe all that is written in the booke of the Lawe of Moses, that ye turne not therefrom to the right hand nor to the left,

(Jos 23:7) Neither companie with these nations: that is, with them which are left with you, neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to sweare by them, neither serue them nor bowe vnto them:

(Notes Reference) That ye come not among these nations, these that (c) remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, (d) nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

(d) Let not the judges admit an oath which any shall swear by their idols.

(Jos 23:8) But sticke fast vnto the Lord your God, as ye haue done vnto this day.

(Jos 23:9) For ye Lord hath cast out before you great nations and mightie, and no man hath stand before your face hitherto.

(Jos 23:10) One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, he fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

(Jos 23:11) Take good heede therefore vnto your selues, that ye loue the Lord your God.

(Jos 23:12) Els, if ye goe backe, and cleaue vnto the rest of these nations: that is, of them that remaine with you, and shall make marriages with them, and goe vnto them, and they to you,

(Jos 23:13) Knowe ye for certaine, that the Lord your God will cast out no more of these nations from before you: but they shall be a snare and destruction vnto you, and a whip on your sides, and thornes in your eyes, vntill ye perish out of this good land, which ye Lord your God hath giue you.

(Notes Reference) Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your (e) eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

(e) Meaning, they will be a continual grief to you, and so the cause of your destruction.

(Jos 23:14) And beholde, this day do I enter into the way of all ye world, and ye know in al your heartes and in all your soules, that nothing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God promised you, but all are come to passe vnto you: nothing hath failed thereof.

(Notes Reference) And, behold, this day I [am] (f) going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your (g) hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.

(f) I die according to the course of nature.

(g) Most certainly.

(Jos 23:15) Therefore as all good things are come vpon you, which the Lord your God promised you, so shall the Lord bring vpon you euery euill thing, vntill he haue destroyed you out of this good land, which ye Lord your God hath giue you.

(Jos 23:16) When ye shall transgresse the couenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and shall goe and serue other gods, and bowe your selues to them, then shall the wrath of the Lord waxe hote against you, and ye shall perish quickely out of the good lande which he hath giuen you.

(Notes Reference) When ye have (h) transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.

(h) He shows that no evil can come to man, except he offend God by disobedience.

(Jos 24:1) And Ioshua assembled againe all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called the Elders of Israel, and their heades, and their iudges, and their officers, and they presented themselues before God.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua gathered all the (a) tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before (b) God.

(a) That is, the nine tribes and the half.

(b) Before the ark which was brought to Shechem, when they went to bury Joseph's bones.

(Jos 24:2) Then Ioshua said vnto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt beyond the flood in olde time, euen Terah the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor, and serued other gods.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the (c) flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

(Jos 24:3) And I tooke your father Abraham from beyond the flood, and brought him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seede, and gaue him Izhak.

(Jos 24:4) And I gaue vnto Izhak, Iaakob and Esau: and I gaue vnto Esau mount Seir, to possesse it: but Iaakob and his children went downe into Egypt.

(Jos 24:5) I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt: and when I had so done among them, I brought you out.

(Jos 24:6) So I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and ye came vnto the Sea, and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with charets and horsemen vnto the red sea.

(Jos 24:7) Then they cryed vnto the Lord, and he put a darkenesse betweene you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea vpon them, and couered them: so your eyes haue seene what I haue done in Egypt also ye dwelt in the wildernesse a long season.

(Notes Reference) And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a (d) long season.

(d) Even forty years.

(Jos 24:8) After, I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt beyond Iorden, and they fought with you: but I gaue them into your hand, and ye possessed their countrey, and I destroyed them out of your sight.

(Jos 24:9) Also Balak the sonne of Zippor King of Moab arose and warred against Israel, and sent to call Balaam the sonne of Beor for to curse you,

(Jos 24:10) But I would not heare Balaam: therefore he blessed you, and I deliuered you out of his hand.

(Jos 24:11) And ye went ouer Iorden, and came vnto Iericho, and the men of Iericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hiuites and the Iebusites, and I deliuered them into your hand.

(Notes Reference) And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the (e) men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.

(e) Because it was the chief city, under it he contains all the country: else they of the city fought not.

(Jos 24:12) And I sent hornets before you, which cast them out before you, euen the two kings of the Amorites, and not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

(Jos 24:13) And I haue giuen you a land, wherein ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and yee dwell in them, and eate of the vineyards and oliue trees, which yee planted not.

(Jos 24:14) Nowe therefore feare the Lord, and serue him in vprightnesse and in trueth, and put away the gods, which your fathers serued beyonde the flood and in Egypt, and serue the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Now therefore (f) fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

(f) This is the true use of God's benefits, to learn by it to fear and serve him with an upright conscience.

(Jos 24:15) And if it seeme euill vnto you to serue the Lord, choose you this day whome yee will serue, whether the gods which your fathers serued (that were beyond the flood) or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwel: but I and mine house will serue the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: (g) but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

(g) This teaches us that if all the world would go from God, yet every one of us particularly is bound to cleave to him.

(Jos 24:16) Then the people answered and saide, God forbid, that we shoulde forsake the Lord, to serue other gods.

(Jos 24:17) For the Lord our God, he brought vs and our fathers out of the lande of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and he did those great miracles in our sight, and preserued vs in all the way that we went, and among all the people through whome we came.

(Jos 24:18) And the Lord did cast out before vs all the people, euen the Amorites which dwelt in the lande: therefore will we also serue the Lord, for he is our God.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: [therefore] will we also serve the LORD; (h) for he [is] our God.

(h) How much more are we bound to serve God in Christ, by whom we have received the redemption of our souls.

(Jos 24:19) And Ioshua saide vnto the people, Ye can not serue the Lord: for he is an holie God: he is a ielous God: hee will not pardon your iniquitie nor your sinnes.

(Jos 24:20) If yee forsake the Lord and serue strange gods, then he will returne and bring euill vpon you, and consume you, after that hee hath done you good.

(Jos 24:21) And the people saide vnto Ioshua, Nay, but we will serue the Lord.

(Jos 24:22) And Ioshua saide vnto the people, Yee are witnesses against your selues, that yee haue chosen you the Lord, to serue him: and they sayd, We are witnesses.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua said unto the people, Ye [are] witnesses (i) against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, [We are] witnesses.

(i) If you do the contrary, your own mouths will condemn you.

(Jos 24:23) Then put away nowe, saide he, the strange gods which are among you, and bowe your hearts vnto the Lord God of Israel.

(Notes Reference) Now therefore put away, [said he], the strange (k) gods which [are] among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.

(k) Out of your hearts and otherwise.

(Jos 24:24) And ye people saide vnto Ioshua, The Lord our God wil we serue, and his voyce wil we obey.

(Jos 24:25) So Ioshua made a couenant with the people the same day, and gaue them an ordinance and lawe in Shechem.

(Notes Reference) So Joshua (l) made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.

(l) By joining God and the people together: also he repeated the promises and threatenings out of the Law.

(Jos 24:26) And Ioshua wrote these woordes in the booke of the Lawe of God, and tooke a great stone, and pitched it there vnder an oke that was in the Sanctuarie of the Lord.

(Jos 24:27) And Ioshua saide vnto all the people, Beholde, this stone shall be a witnesse vnto vs: for it hath heard all the wordes of the Lord which he spake with vs: it shall be therefore a witnesse against you, lest yee denie your God.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it (m) hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

(m) So that man's deception should not go unpunished, the dumb creatures will cry for vengeance.

(Jos 24:28) Then Ioshua let the people depart, euery man vnto his inheritance.

(Jos 24:29) And after these things Ioshua the sonne of Nun, the seruaunt of the Lord died, being an hundreth and ten yeeres olde.

(Jos 24:30) And they buried him in ye border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the Northside of mount Gaash.

(Jos 24:31) And Israel serued the Lord all the daies of Ioshua, and all the daies of the Elders that ouerliued Ioshua, and which had knowen all the workes of the Lord that he had done for Israel.

(Notes Reference) And Israel (n) served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.

(n) Such are the people commonly as their rulers are.

(Jos 24:32) And the bones of Ioseph, which the children of Israel brought out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem in a parcell of ground which Iaakob bought of the sonnes of Hamor the father of Shechem, for an hundreth pieces of siluer, and the children of Ioseph had them in their inheritance.

(Jos 24:33) Also Eleazar the sonne of Aaron died, whome they buried in the hill of Phinehas his sonne, which was giuen him in mount Ephraim.

Passage 2: Isaiah 29

(Isa 29:1) Ah altar, altar of the citie that Dauid dwelt in: adde yere vnto yere: let them kill lambs.

(Notes Reference) Woe to (a) Ariel, to Ariel, the city [where] David dwelt! add ye year to year; (b) let them kill sacrifices.

(a) Or Ariel: the Hebrew word Ariel signifies the Lion of God, and signifies the Altar, because the altar seemed to devour the sacrifice that was offered to God, as in (Eze 43:16).

(b) Your vain confidence in your sacrifices will not last long.

(Isa 29:2) But I wil bring the altar into distresse, and there shalbe heauines and sorowe, and it shall be vnto me like an altar.

(Notes Reference) Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be to me (c) as Ariel.

(Isa 29:3) And I wil besiege thee as a circle, and fight against thee on a mount, and will cast vp ramparts against thee.

(Isa 29:4) So shalt thou be humbled, and shalt speake out of the ground, and thy speach shalbe as out of the dust: thy voyce also shall be out of the ground like him that hath a spirite of diuination, and thy talking shall whisper out of the dust.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt be brought down, [and] shalt speak out of the (d) ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, like a medium, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

(d) Your speech will be no longer be so lofty but abased and low as the very charmers who are in low places and whisper, so that their voice can scarcely by heard.

(Isa 29:5) Moreouer, the multitude of thy strangers shalbe like small dust, and the multitude of strong men shalbe as chaffe that passeth away, and it shall be in a moment, euen suddenly.

(Notes Reference) Moreover the multitude of thy (e) strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones [shall be] as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.

(e) Your hired soldiers in whom you trusted, will be destroyed as dust or chaff in a whirlwind.

(Isa 29:6) Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hostes with thunder, and shaking, and a great noyse, a whirlewinde, and a tempest, and a flame of a deuouring fire.

(Isa 29:7) And the multitude of all the nations that fight against the altar, shalbe as a dreame or vision by night: euen all they that make the warre against it, and strong holdes against it, and lay siege vnto it.

(Notes Reference) And the (f) multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her strong hold, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

(f) The enemies that I will bring to destroy you, and that which you place your vain trust in will come at unawares even as a dream in the night. Some read as if this was a comfort to the Church for the destruction of their enemies.

(Isa 29:8) And it shalbe like as an hungry man dreameth, and beholde, he eateth: and when he awaketh, his soule is emptie: or like as a thirsty man dreameth, and loe, he is drinking, and when he awaketh, beholde, he is faint, and his soule longeth: so shall the multitude of all nations be that fight against mount Zion.

(Notes Reference) It shall even be as when an hungry [man] dreameth, and, behold, (g) he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, [he is] faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

(g) That is, he thinks that he eats.

(Isa 29:9) Stay your selues, and wonder: they are blinde, and make you blinde: they are drunken but not with wine: they stagger, but not by strong drinke.

(Notes Reference) (h) Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

(h) Muse on this a long as ye like, yet you will find nothing but opportunity to be astonished for your prophets are blind, and therefore cannot direct you.

(Isa 29:10) For the Lord hath couered you with a spirite of slumber, and hath shut vp your eyes: the Prophets, and your chiefe Seers hath he couered.

(Isa 29:11) And the vision of them all is become vnto you, as the wordes of a booke that is sealed vp, which they deliuer to one that can reade, saying, Reade this, I pray thee. Then shall he say, I can not: for it is sealed.

(Notes Reference) And the vision of all is become to you as the words of a book that is sealed, which [men] deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I (i) cannot; for it [is] sealed:

(i) Meaning, that it is all alike, either to read, or not to read, unless God open the heart to understand.

(Isa 29:12) And the booke is giuen vnto him that can not reade, saying, Reade this, I pray thee. And he shall say, I can not reade.

(Isa 29:13) Therefore the Lord sayd, Because this people come neere vnto me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips, but haue remooued their heart farre from me, and their feare toward me was taught by the precept of men,

(Notes Reference) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people (k) draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their (l) fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

(k) Because they are hypocrites and not sincere in heart, as in (Mat 15:7-8).

(l) That is, their religion was learned by man's doctrine, and not by my word.

(Isa 29:14) Therefore behold, I wil againe doe a marueilous worke in this people, euen a marueilous worke, and a wonder: for the wisdome of their wise men shall perish, and the vnderstanding of their prudent men shalbe hid.

(Notes Reference) Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, [even] an wonderful work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall (m) perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid.

(m) Meaning, where God is not worshipped according to his word, both magistrates and ministers are fools and without understanding.

(Isa 29:15) Wo vnto them that seeke deepe to hide their counsell from the Lord: for their workes are in darkenes, and they say, Who seeth vs? and who knoweth vs?

(Notes Reference) Woe to them that (n) seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

(n) This is spoken of them who in heart despised God's word, and mocked at the admonitions but outwardly bore a good face.

(Isa 29:16) Your turning of deuises shall it not be esteemed as the potters clay? for shall the worke say of him that made it, Hee made me not? or the thing formed, say of him that facioned it, He had none vnderstanding?

(Notes Reference) Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed (o) as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing formed say of him that formed it, He had no understanding?

(o) For all your craft says the Lord, you are not able to escape my hands any more than the clay that is in the potter's hands has power to deliver itself.

(Isa 29:17) Is it not yet but a litle while, and Lebanon shall be turned into Carmel? and Carmel shall be counted as a forest?

(Notes Reference) [Is] it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be (p) turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

(p) Will there not be a change of all things? Carmel is a plentiful place in respect to what it will be then and may be taken for a forest, as in (Isa 32:15) and thus he speaks to comfort the faithful.

(Isa 29:18) And in that day shall the deafe heare the wordes of the booke, and the eyes of the blinde shall see out of obscuritie, and out of darkenesse.

(Isa 29:19) The meeke in the Lord shall receiue ioye againe, and the poore men shall reioyce in the holy one of Israel.

(Isa 29:20) For the cruel man shall cease, and the scornefull shalbe consumed: and all that hasted to iniquitie, shalbe cut off:

(Isa 29:21) Which made a man to sinne in ye worde, and tooke him in a snare: which reproued them in the gate, and made the iust to fall without cause.

(Notes Reference) That make a man an offender for a (q) word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nothing.

(q) They who went about to find fault with the prophets words, and would not abide admonitions, but would entangle them and bring them into danger.

(Isa 29:22) Therefore thus sayth the Lord vnto the house of Iaakob, euen hee that redeemed Abraham, Iaakob shall not now be confounded, neither now shall his face be pale.

(Isa 29:23) But when he seeth his children, the worke of mine hands, in the mids of him, they shall sanctifie my Name, and sanctifie the holy one of Iaakob, and shall feare the God of Israel.

(Isa 29:24) Then they that erred in spirit, shall haue vnderstanding, and they that murmured, shall learne doctrine.

(Notes Reference) They also that erred in spirit (r) shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

(r) Signifying that unless God gives understanding and knowledge, man cannot but still err and murmur against him.

Passage 3: Hebrews 12

(Heb 12:1) Wherefore, let vs also, seeing that we are compassed with so great a cloude of witnesses, cast away euery thing that presseth downe, and the sinne that hangeth so fast on: let vs runne with patience the race that is set before vs,

(Notes Reference) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, (1) let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which (a) doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

(1) An applying of the former examples, by which we ought to be stirred up to run the whole race, casting away all hindrances and impediments.

(a) For sin besieges us on all sides, so that we cannot escape.

(Heb 12:2) Looking vnto Iesus the authour and finisher of our faith, who for the ioy that was set before him, endured the crosse, and despised the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Notes Reference) (2) (b) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the (c) joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(2) He sets before us, as the mark of this race, Jesus himself our captain, who willingly overcame all the roughness of the same way.

(b) As it were upon the mark of our faith.

(Heb 12:3) Consider therefore him that endured such speaking against of sinners, lest ye should be wearied and faint in your mindes.

(Notes Reference) (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

(3) An amplification, taken from the circumstance of the person and the things themselves, which he compares between themselves: for how great is Jesus in comparison of us, and how far more grievous things did he suffer than we?

(Heb 12:4) Ye haue not yet resisted vnto blood, striuing against sinne.

(Notes Reference) (4) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

(4) He takes an argument from the profit which comes to us by God's chastisements, unless we are at fault. First of all because sin, or that rebellious wickedness of our flesh, is by this means tamed.

(Heb 12:5) And ye haue forgotten the consolation, which speaketh vnto you as vnto children, My sonne, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when thou art rebuked of him.

(Notes Reference) (5) And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

(5) Secondly, because they are testimonies of his fatherly good will towards us, in that they show themselves to be illegitimate, if they cannot abide to be chastened by God.

(Heb 12:6) For whom the Lord loueth, he chasteneth: and he scourgeth euery sonne that he receiueth:

(Heb 12:7) If ye endure chastening, God offereth him selfe vnto you as vnto sonnes: for what sonne is it whom the father chasteneth not?

(Heb 12:8) If therefore ye be without correction, whereof al are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sonnes.

(Heb 12:9) Moreouer we haue had the fathers of our bodies which corrected vs, and we gaue them reuerence: should we not much rather be in subiection vnto the father of spirites, that we might liue?

(Notes Reference) (6) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

(6) Thirdly, if all men yield this right to fathers, to whom next after God we owe this life, that they may rightfully correct their children, shall we not be much more subject to our Father, who is the author of spiritual and everlasting life?

(Heb 12:10) For they verely for a few dayes chastened vs after their owne pleasure: but he chasteneth vs for our profite, that we might be partakers of his holinesse.

(Notes Reference) (7) For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.

(7) An amplification of the same argument: Those fathers have corrected us after their fancy, for some frail and temporary good: but God chastens and instructs us for our singular good to make us partakers of his holiness: which although our senses do not presently perceive it, yet the end of the matter proves it.

(Heb 12:11) Now no chastising for the present seemeth to be ioyous, but, grieuous: but afterwarde, it bringeth the quiet fruite of righteousnesse, vnto them which are thereby exercised.

(Heb 12:12) Wherfore lift vp your hands which hang downe, and your weake knees,

(Notes Reference) (8) Wherefore lift up the hands which (d) hang down, and the feeble knees;

(8) The conclusion: we must go forward courageously and keep always a right course and (as far forth as we may) without any staggering or stumbling.

(d) The description of a man that is out of heart and completely discouraged.

(Heb 12:13) And make straight steppes vnto your feete, lest that which is halting, be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed.

(Notes Reference) And make (e) straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

(e) Keep a right course, and so, that you show examples of good life for others to follow.

(Heb 12:14) Followe peace with all men, and holinesse, without the which no man shall see ye Lord.

(Notes Reference) (9) Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

(9) We must live in peace and holiness with all men.

(Heb 12:15) Take heede, that no man fall away from the grace of God: let no roote of bitternes spring vp and trouble you, lest thereby many be defiled.

(Notes Reference) (10) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any (f) root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;

(10) We must study to edify one another both in doctrine and example of life.

(f) That no heresy, or backsliding be an offence.

(Heb 12:16) Let there be no fornicator, or prophane person as Esau, which for one portion of meate solde his birthright.

(Notes Reference) (11) Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

(11) We must shun immorality, and a profane mind, that is, such a mind as does not give God his due honour, which wickedness, how severely God will at length punish, the horrible example of Esau teaches us.

(Heb 12:17) For ye knowe howe that afterwarde also when he woulde haue inherited the blessing, he was reiected: for he founde no place to repentance, though he sought that blessing with teares.

(Notes Reference) For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no (g) place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

(g) There was no room left for his repentance: and it appears by the effects, what his repentance really was, for when he left his father's presence, he threatened to kill his brother.

(Heb 12:18) For ye are not come vnto the mount that might be touched, nor vnto burning fire, nor to blacknes and darkenes, and tempest,

(Notes Reference) (12) For ye are not come unto the mount that might be (h) touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

(12) Now he applies the same exhortation to the prophetic and kingly office of Christ compared with Moses, after this sort. If the majesty of the law was so great, how great do you think the glory of Christ and the gospel is? This comparison he declares also particularly.

(h) Which might be touched with hands, which was of a gross and earthly matter.

(Heb 12:19) Neither vnto the sounde of a trumpet, and the voyce of wordes, which they that heard it, excused themselues, that the word should not be spoken to them any more,

(Heb 12:20) (For they were not able to abide that which was commanded, yea, though a beast touche the mountaine, it shalbe stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

(Heb 12:21) And so terrible was the sight which appeared, that Moses said, I feare and quake.)

(Notes Reference) And so terrible was the (i) sight, [that] Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

(i) The shape and form which he saw, which was no counterfeit and forged shape, but a true one.

(Heb 12:22) But ye are come vnto the mount Sion, and to the citie of the liuing God, the celestiall Hierusalem, and to ye company of innumerable Angels,

(Heb 12:23) And to the assemblie and congregation of the first borne, which are written in heauen, and to God the iudge of all, and to the spirits of iust and perfite men,

(Notes Reference) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made (k) perfect,

(k) So he calls them that are taken up to heaven, although one part of them sleeps in the earth.

(Heb 12:24) And to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then that of Abel.

(Heb 12:25) See that ye despise not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not which refused him, that spake on earth: much more shall we not escape, if we turne away from him, that speaketh from heauen.

(Notes Reference) (13) See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven:

(13) The applying of the former comparison: If it were not lawful to condemn his word which was spoken on the earth, how much less his voice which is from heaven?

(Heb 12:26) Whose voyce then shooke the earth and nowe hath declared, saying, Yet once more will I shake, not the earth onely, but also heauen.

(Notes Reference) (14) Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, (l) Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

(14) He compares the steadfast majesty of the gospel, with which the whole world was shaken, and even the very frame of heaven was astonished, with the small and vanishing sound of the governance by the law.

(l) It appears evidently in this that the prophet speaks of the calling of the Gentiles, that these words must refer to the kingdom of Christ.

(Heb 12:27) And this worde, Yet once more, signifieth the remouing of those things which are shaken, as of things which are made with hands, that the things which are not shaken, may remaine.

(Heb 12:28) Wherefore seeing we receiue a kingdome, which cannot be shaken, let vs haue grace whereby we may so serue God, that we may please him with reuerence and feare.

(Notes Reference) (15) Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with (m) reverence and godly (n) fear:

(15) A general exhortation to live reverently and religiously under the most happy subjection of so mighty a King, who as he blesses his most mightily, so does he most severely revenge the rebellious. This is the sum of a Christian life, respecting the first table of the law.

(m) By reverence is meant that honest modesty which keeps them in their duties.

(n) Religious and godly fear.

(Heb 12:29) For euen our God is a consuming fire.