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Passage 1: Deuteronomy 30

(Deu 30:1) Nowe when all these things shall come vpon thee, either the blessing or the curse which I haue set before thee, and thou shalt turne into thine heart, among all the nations whither the Lord thy God hath driuen thee,

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt (a) call [them] to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

(a) By calling to mind both his mercies and his plagues.

(Deu 30:2) And shalt returne vnto the Lord thy God, and obey his voyce in all that I commaund thee this day: thou, and thy children with all thine heart and with all thy soule,

(Notes Reference) And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine (b) heart, and with all thy soul;

(b) In true repentance there is no hypocrisy.

(Deu 30:3) Then the Lord thy God wil cause thy captiues to returne, and haue compassion vpon thee, and wil returne, to gather thee out of all the people, where the Lord thy God had scattered thee.

(Deu 30:4) Though thou werest cast vnto the vtmost part of heauen, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence wil he take thee,

(Notes Reference) If [any] of thine be driven out unto the outmost [parts] of (c) heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he (d) fetch thee:

(c) Even to the worlds end.

(d) And bring you into your country.

(Deu 30:5) And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possesse it, and he will shewe thee fauour, and will multiplie thee aboue thy fathers.

(Deu 30:6) And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seede, that thou mayest loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with al thy soule, that thou maiest liue.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD thy God will (e) circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

(e) God will purge all your wicked affections, a thing that is not in your own power to do.

(Deu 30:7) And the Lord thy God will lay all these curses vpon thine enemies, and on them, that hate thee, and that persecute thee.

(Deu 30:8) Returne thou therefore, and obey the voyce of the Lord, and do all his commandements, which I commaund thee this day.

(Notes Reference) (f) And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

(f) If we will have God work in us with his Holy Spirit, we must turn again to him by repentance.

(Deu 30:9) And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in euery worke of thine hande, in the fruite of thy bodie, and in the fruite of thy cattel, and in the fruite of the lande for thy wealth: for the Lord will turne againe, and reioyce ouer thee to do thee good, as he reioyced ouer thy fathers,

(Notes Reference) And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again (g) rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

(g) He does not mean that God is subject to these passions, to rejoice, or to be sad: but he uses this manner of speech to declare the love that he has for us.

(Deu 30:10) Because thou shalt obey the voyce of the Lord thy God, in keeping his comandements, and his ordinances, which are written in the booke of this Law, when thou shalt returne vnto the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with al thy soule.

(Deu 30:11) For this commandement which I commande thee this day, is not hid from thee, neither is it farre off.

(Notes Reference) For this commandment which I command thee this day, it [is] (h) not hidden from thee, neither [is] it far off.

(h) The law is so evident that no one can pretend ignorance.

(Deu 30:12) It is not in heauen, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go vp for vs to heauen, and bring it vs, and cause vs to heare it, that we may doe it?

(Deu 30:13) Neither is it beyonde the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go ouer the sea for vs, and bring it vs, and cause vs to heare it, that we may do it?

(Notes Reference) Neither [is] it beyond the (i) sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

(i) By heaven and the sea he means places most far distant.

(Deu 30:14) But the word is very neere vnto thee: euen in thy mouth and in thine heart, for to do it.

(Notes Reference) But the (k) word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest (l) do it.

(k) Even the law and the gospel.

(l) By faith in Christ.

(Deu 30:15) Beholde, I haue set before thee this day life and good, death and euill,

(Deu 30:16) In that I commaund thee this day, to loue the Lord thy God, to walke in his wayes, and to keepe his commandements, and his ordinances, and his lawes, that thou mayest liue, and be multiplied, and that the Lord thy God may blesse thee in the land, whither thou goest to possesse it.

(Notes Reference) In that I command thee this day (m) to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest (n) live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

(m) So that to love and obey God, is only life and happiness.

(n) He adds these promises to signify that it is for our profit that we love him, and not for his.

(Deu 30:17) But if thine heart turne away, so that thou wilt not obey, but shalt be seduced and worship other gods, and serue them,

(Deu 30:18) I pronounce vnto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, ye shall not prolong your dayes in the lande, whither thou passest ouer Iorden to possesse it.

(Deu 30:19) I call heauen and earth to recorde this day against you, that I haue set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. therefore chuse life, that both thou and thy seede may liue,

(Notes Reference) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore (o) choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

(o) That is, love and obey God; which is not in man's power, but only God's Spirit works it in his elect.

(Deu 30:20) By louing the Lord thy God, by obeying his voyce, and by cleauing vnto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy dayes: that thou mayest dwell in the lande which the Lord sware vnto thy fathers, Abraham, Izhak, and Iaakob, to giue them.

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Passage 2: Isaiah 2

(Isa 2:1) The worde that Isaiah the sonne of Amoz sawe vpon Iudah and Ierusalem.

(Isa 2:2) It shall be in the last dayes, that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shalbe prepared in the top of the mountaines, and shall be exalted aboue the hilles, and all nations shall flowe vnto it.

(Notes Reference) And it (a) shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mount of the LORD'S house (b) shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall (c) flow to it.

(a) The decree and ordinance of God, concerning the restoration of the Church, which is chiefly meant by the time of Christ.

(b) In an evident place to be seen and discerned.

(c) When the kingdom of Christ will be enlarged by the preaching of the doctrine. Here also is declared the zeal of the children of God when they are called.

(Isa 2:3) And many people shall go, and say, Come, and let vs go vp to the mountaine of the Lord, to the house of the God of Iaakob, and hee will teach vs his wayes, and we will walke in his paths: for the Lawe shall go foorth of Zion, and the worde of the Lord from Ierusalem,

(Notes Reference) And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to (d) the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the (e) law, and the word of the LORD from (f) Jerusalem.

(d) Alluding to mount Zion, where the visible Church then was.

(e) Meaning, the whole doctrine of salvation.

(f) This was accomplished when the gospel was first preached in Jerusalem, and from there went through all the world.

(Isa 2:4) And he shall iudge among the nations, and rebuke many people: they shall breake their swords also into mattocks, and their speares into siethes: nation shall not lift vp a sworde against nation, neither shall they learne to fight any more.

(Notes Reference) And (g) he shall judge among the nations, and shall (h) rebuke many people: and they shall (i) beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn (k) war any more.

(g) The Lord, who is Christ, will have all power given to him.

(h) That they may acknowledge their sins, and turn to him.

(i) He shows the fruit of the peace which the gospel should bring, that is, that men should do good to one another, while before they were enemies.

(k) He speaks not against the use of weapons and lawful war, but shows how the hearts of the godly will be affected one toward another, which peace and love begin and grow in this life, but will be perfected when we are joined with our head Jesus Christ.

(Isa 2:5) O house of Iaakob, come ye, and let vs walke in the Lawe of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us (l) walk in the light of the LORD.

(l) Seeing the Gentiles will be ready, make haste, and show them the way to worship God.

(Isa 2:6) Surely thou hast forsaken thy people, the house of Iaakob, because they are full of the East maners, and are sorcerers as the Philistims, and abound with strange children.

(Notes Reference) Therefore thou (m) hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they are (n) filled [with customs] from the east, and [are] soothsayers like the Philistines, (o) and they please themselves in the children of foreigners.

(m) The prophet seeing the small hope that the Jews would convert, complains to God as though he had utterly forsaken them for their sins.

(n) Full of the corruptions that reigned chiefly in the east parts.

(o) They altogether gave themselves to the fashions of other nations.

(Isa 2:7) Their land also was full of siluer and golde, and there was none ende of their treasures: and their land was full of horses, and their charets were infinite.

(Notes Reference) Their land also is full of (p) silver and gold, neither [is there any] end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither [is there any] end of their chariots:

(p) The prophet first condemned their superstition and idolatry next their covetousness and thirdly their vain trust in worldly means.

(Isa 2:8) Their land also was full of idols: they worshipped the worke of their owne hands, which their owne fingers haue made.

(Isa 2:9) And a man bowed himselfe, and a man humbled himselfe: therefore spare them not.

(Notes Reference) And the mean man boweth down, and the great man (q) humbleth himself: therefore (r) forgive them not.

(q) He notes the nature of the idolaters who are never satisfied in their superstitions.

(r) Thus the prophet spoke being inflamed with the zeal of God's glory, and that he might fear them with God's judgment.

(Isa 2:10) Enter into the rocke, and hide thee in the dust from before the feare of the Lord, and from the glory of his maiestie.

(Isa 2:11) The hie looke of man shall be humbled, and the loftinesse of men shalbe abased, and the Lord onely shall be exalted in that day.

(Notes Reference) The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be abased, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in (s) that day.

(s) Meaning, as soon as God will begin to execute his judgments.

(Isa 2:12) For the day of the Lord of hostes is vpon all the proude and hautie, and vpon all that is exalted: and it shalbe made lowe.

(Isa 2:13) Euen vpon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are hie and exalted, and vpon all the okes of Bashan,

(Isa 2:14) And vpon all the hie mountaines, and vpon all the hilles that are lifted vp,

(Notes Reference) And upon all the high (t) mountains, and upon all the hills [that are] lifted up,

(t) By high trees and mountains are he means the proud and lofty, who think themselves most strong in this world.

(Isa 2:15) And vpon euery hie tower, and vpon euery strong wall,

(Isa 2:16) And vpon all the shippes of Tarshish, and vpon all pleasant pictures.

(Notes Reference) And upon (u) all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

(u) He condemns their vain confidence which they had in strongholds and in their rich merchandise which brought in vain pleasures with which men's minds became effeminate.

(Isa 2:17) And the hautinesse of men shalbe brought low, and the loftinesse of men shalbe abased, and the Lord shall onely be exalted in that day.

(Isa 2:18) And the idoles will he vtterly destroy.

(Isa 2:19) Then they shall goe into the holes of the rockes, and into the caues of the earth, from before the feare of the Lord, and from the glory of his maiestie, when he shall arise to destroy the earth.

(Isa 2:20) At that day shall man cast away his siluer idoles, and his golden idoles (which they had made themselues to worship them) to the mowles and to the backes,

(Notes Reference) In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made [each one] for himself to worship, (x) to the moles and to the bats;

(x) They will cast them into vile and filthy places when they perceive that they are not able to help them.

(Isa 2:21) To goe into the holes of the rockes, and into the toppes of the ragged rockes from before the feare of the Lord, and from the glory of his maiestie, when he shall rise to destroy the earth.

(Isa 2:22) Cease you from the man whose breath is in his nostrels: for wherein is he to be esteemed?

(Notes Reference) Cease ye from man, whose (y) breath [is] in his nostrils: for why is he to be esteemed?

(y) Cast off your vain confidence in man, whose life is so frail that if his nose is stopped he is dead and consider that you are dealing with God.

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Passage 3: Acts 28

(Act 28:1) And when they were come safe, then they knewe that the Yle was called Melita.

(Notes Reference) And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called (a) Melita.

(a) That place which we today call Malta.

(Act 28:2) And the Barbarians shewed vs no litle kindnesse: for they kindled a fire, and receiued vs euery one, because of the present showre, and because of the colde.

(Act 28:3) And when Paul had gathered a nomber of stickes, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heate, and leapt on his hand.

(Notes Reference) (1) And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

(1) The godly are sure to have danger upon danger, but they alway have a glorious outcome.

(Act 28:4) Nowe when ye Barbarians saw the worme hang on his hand, they said among themselues, This man surely is a murtherer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet Vengeance hath not suffered to liue.

(Notes Reference) (2) And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet (b) vengeance suffereth not to live.

(2) Although adversity is the punishment of sin, yet seeing that God in punishing men does not always punish because of sin, they judge rashly who either do not wait for the end, or who judge and esteem of men according to prosperity or adversity.

(b) Right and proper.

(Act 28:5) But he shooke off the worme into the fire, and felt no harme.

(Act 28:6) Howbeit they wayted whe he should haue swolne, or fallen downe dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and sawe no inconuenience come to him, they changed their mindes, and said, That he was a God.

(Notes Reference) Howbeit they looked when he should have (c) swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: (3) but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

(c) The Greek word signifies to be inflamed or to swell: moreover, Dioscorides in his sixth book, chap. 38, witnesses that the biting of a viper causes a swelling of the body, and so says Nicander, in his remedies against poisons. (3) There are none who are more changing in every way than they who are ignorant of true religion.

(Act 28:7) In the same quarters, the chiefe man of the Yle (whose name was Publius) had possessions: the same receiued vs, and lodged vs three dayes courteously.

(Notes Reference) (4) In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

(4) It never yet was a regret to any man who received the servant of God, were he ever so miserable and poor.

(Act 28:8) And so it was, that the father of Publius lay sicke of the feauer, and of a bloodie flixe: to whom Paul entred in, and when he prayed, he laide his hands on him, and healed him.

(Act 28:9) When this then was done, other also in the Yle, which had diseases, came to him, and were healed,

(Notes Reference) (5) So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

(5) Although Paul was a captive, yet the power of God was not captive.

(Act 28:10) Which also did vs great honour: and when we departed, they laded vs with things necessarie.

(Notes Reference) (6) Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.

(6) God does well to strangers for his children's sake.

(Act 28:11) Nowe after three moneths we departed in a shippe of Alexandria, which had wintred in the Yle, whose badge was Castor and Pollux.

(Notes Reference) (7) And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose (d) sign was Castor and Pollux.

(7) Idols do not defile the saints, who do in no way give consent of them.

(d) So they used to deck the front part of their ships, because of which their ships were called by such names.

(Act 28:12) And when we arriued at Syracuse, we taried there three dayes.

(Act 28:13) And from thence we set a compasse, and came to Rhegium: and after one day, the South wind blewe, and we came the seconde day to Putioli:

(Act 28:14) Where we found brethren, and were desired to tary with them seuen dayes, and so we went toward Rome.

(Notes Reference) (8) Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

(8) God bows and bends the hearts even of profane men, as it pleases him to show favour to his own.

(Act 28:15) And from thence, when the brethren heard of vs, they came to meete vs at the Market of Appius, and at the Three tauernes, whom when Paul sawe, he thanked God, and waxed bolde.

(Notes Reference) (9) And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as (e) Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

(9) God never allows his own to be afflicted beyond their strength.

(e) Appius was a paved road made by Appius the blind, with the help of his soldiers, long and broad, and it ran out towards the sea, and there were three taverns on it.

(Act 28:16) So when we came to Rome, the Centurion deliuered the prisoners to the generall Captaine: but Paul was suffered to dwell by him selfe with a souldier that kept him.

(Notes Reference) And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by (f) himself with a soldier that kept him.

(f) Not in a common prison, but in a house which he rented for himself.

(Act 28:17) And the third day after, Paul called the chiefe of the Iewes together: and when they were come, he said vnto them, Men and brethren, though I haue committed nothing against the people, or Lawes of the fathers, yet was I deliuered prisoner from Hierusalem into the handes of the Romanes.

(Notes Reference) (10) And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men [and] brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

(10) Paul in every place remembers himself to be an apostle.

(Act 28:18) Who when they had examined me, would haue let me goe, because there was no cause of death in me.

(Act 28:19) But when the Iewes spake contrary, I was constrained to appeale vnto Cesar, not because I had ought to accuse my nation of.

(Notes Reference) (11) But when the Jews spake against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

(11) We may use the means which God gives us, but in such a way that we seek the glory of God, and not of ourselves.

(Act 28:20) For this cause therefore haue I called for you, to see you, and to speake with you: for that hope of Israels sake, I am bound with this chaine.

(Act 28:21) Then they saide vnto him, We neither receiued letters out of Iudea concerning thee, neither came any of the brethren that shewed or spake any euill of thee.

(Act 28:22) But we will heare of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we knowe that euery where it is spoken against.

(Act 28:23) And when they had appointed him a day, there came many vnto him into his lodging, to whom he expounded testifying the kingdome of God, and persuading them those things that concerne Iesus, both out of the Lawe of Moses, and out of the Prophets, from morning to night.

(Notes Reference) (12) And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and (g) testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

(12) The Law and the Gospel agree well together.

(g) With good reasons, and proved that the kingdom of God foretold to them by the Prophets had come.

(Act 28:24) And some were persuaded with ye things which were spoken, and some beleeued not.

(Notes Reference) (13) And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

(13) The Gospel is a taste of life to those that believe, and a taste of death to those that are disobedient.

(Act 28:25) Therefore when they agreed not among themselues, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, to wit, Well spake the holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet vnto our fathers,

(Act 28:26) Saying, Goe vnto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall heare, and shall not vnderstand, and seeing ye shall see, and not perceiue.

(Notes Reference) (14) Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

(14) The unbelievers willingly resist the truth, and yet not by chance.

(Act 28:27) For the heart of this people is waxed fatte, and their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes haue they winked, least they shoulde see with their eyes, and heare with their eares, and vnderstand with their heartes, and should returne that I might heale them.

(Notes Reference) For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they (h) closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

(h) They made as though they did not see that which they saw against their desires: yea, they did see, but they would not see.

(Act 28:28) Be it knowen therefore vnto you, that this saluation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they shall heare it.

(Notes Reference) (15) Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

(15) The unbelief of the reprobate and castaways cannot cause the truth of God to be of no effect.

(Act 28:29) And when he had saide these things, the Iewes departed, and had great reasoning among themselues.

(Notes Reference) (16) And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

(16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the cause of strife and debate.

(Act 28:30) And Paul remained two yeeres full in an house hired for himselfe, and receiued all that came in vnto him,

(Notes Reference) (17) And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

(17) The word of God cannot be bound.

(Act 28:31) Preaching the kingdome of God, and teaching those things which concerne the Lord Iesus Christ, with all boldnesse of speache, without let.