Read Scripture In A Year: May 20

Passage 1: Joshua 5-6

(Jos 5:1) Nowe when all the Kings of the Amorites, which were beyond Iorden Westward, and all the Kinges of the Canaanites which were by the Sea, heard that the Lord had dried vp the waters of Iorden before the children of Israel vntill they were gone ouer, their heart fainted: and there was no courage in them any more because of the children of Israel.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, when all the kings of the (a) Amorites, which [were] on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which [were] by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

(a) The Amorites were on both sides of Jordan, of which two kings were slain already on the side toward Moab.

(Jos 5:2) That same time the Lord said vnto Ioshua, Make thee sharpe kniues, and returne, and circumcise the sonnes of Israel the second time.

(Notes Reference) At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, (b) and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.

(b) For now they had left it off, about 40 years.

(Jos 5:3) Then Ioshua made him sharpe kniues and circumcised the sonnes of Israel in the hill of the foreskinnes.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at (c) the hill of the foreskins.

(Jos 5:4) And this is the cause why Ioshua circumcised all the people, euen the males that came out of Egypt, because all the men of warre were dead in the wildernesse by the way after they came out of Egypt.

(Jos 5:5) For all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were borne in the wildernes by the way after they came out of Egypt, were not circumcised.

(Notes Reference) Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people [that were] born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, [them] they had (d) not circumcised.

(d) For they looked daily to move at the Lord's command, which they who were newly circumcised could not do without great danger.

(Jos 5:6) For the children of Israel walked fourtie yeres in the wildernes, till all the people of the men of warre that came out of Egypt were consumed, because they obeyed not the voyce of the Lord: vnto whome the Lord sware, that he would not shewe them the lande, which the Lord had sworne vnto their fathers, that he would giue vs, euen a land that floweth with milke and hony.

(Jos 5:7) So their sonnes whome he raysed vp in their steade, Ioshua circumcised: for they were vncircumcised, because they circumcised them not by the way.

(Jos 5:8) And when they had made an ende of circumcising al the people, they abode in the places in the campe till they were whole.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they (e) were whole.

(e) For their sore was so grievous, that they were not able to move.

(Jos 5:9) After, the Lord said vnto Ioshua, This day I haue taken away the shame of Egypt from you: wherefore he called the name of that place Gilgal, vnto this day.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the (f) reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

(f) By bringing you into this promised land, contrary to the wicked opinion of the Egyptians or the foreskin by which you were like the Egyptians.

(Jos 5:10) So the children of Israel abode in Gilgal, and kept ye feast of the Passeouer the fourteenth day of the moneth at euen in ye plaine of Iericho.

(Jos 5:11) And they did eat of the corne of the land, on the morow after the Passeouer, vnleauened breade, and parched corne in the same day.

(Jos 5:12) And the MAN ceased on the morowe after they had eaten of the corne of the land, neither had the children of Israel MAN any more, but did eate of the fruite of the land of Canaan that yeere.

(Jos 5:13) And when Ioshua was by Iericho, he lift vp his eyes and looked: and behold, there stood a man against him, hauing a sword drawen in his hand: and Ioshua went vnto him, and said vnto him, Art thou on our side, or on our aduersaries?

(Jos 5:14) And he said, Nay, but as a captaine of the host of the Lord am I nowe come: then Ioshua fel on his face to the earth, and did worship, and saide vnto him, What sayth my Lord vnto his seruant?

(Notes Reference) And he said, Nay; but [as] captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and (g) did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

(g) In that Joshua worships him, he acknowledges him to be God: and in that he calls himself the Lord's captain he declares himself to be Christ.

(Jos 5:15) And the captaine of ye Lords host said vnto Ioshua, Loose thy shoe of thy foote: for ye place wheron thou standest, is holy: and Ioshua did so.

(Jos 6:1) Now Iericho was shut vp, and closed, because of the children of Israel: none might go out nor enter in.

(Notes Reference) Now Jericho was straitly (a) (b) shut up (c) because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

(a) That none could go out.

(b) That none could go in.

(Jos 6:2) And the Lord saide vnto Ioshua, Behold, I haue giuen into thine hand Iericho and the King thereof, and the strong men of warre.

(Jos 6:3) All ye therefore that be men of warre, shall compasse the citie, in going round about the citie once: thus shall you doe sixe dayes:

(Notes Reference) And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city (d) once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

(d) Every day one.

(Jos 6:4) And seuen Priests shall beare seuen trumpets of rams hornes before the Arke: and the seuenth day ye shall compasse the citie seuen times, and the Priests shall blow with the trumpets.

(Notes Reference) And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of (e) rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

(e) That the conquest might not be assigned to man's power, but to the mercy of God, which with most weak things can overcome that which seems most strong.

(Jos 6:5) And when they make a long blast with the rams horne, and ye heare the sound of the trumpet, al the people shall shoute with a great shoute: then shall the wall of the citie fall downe flat, and the people shall ascend vp, euery man streight before him.

(Jos 6:6) Then, Ioshua the sonne of Nun called the Priests and said vnto them, Take vp the Arke of the couenant, and let seuen Priests beare seuen trumpets of rams hornes before the Arke of the Lord.

(Jos 6:7) But he said vnto the people, Goe and compasse the citie: and let him that is armed, go forth before the Arke of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And he said unto the people, (f) Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.

(f) This is chiefly meant by the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.

(Jos 6:8) And when Ioshua had spoken vnto the people, the seuen Priestes bare the seuen trumpets of rams hornes, and went foorth before the Arke of the Lord, and blew with the trumpets, and the Arke of the couenant of ye Lord followed them.

(Jos 6:9) And the men of armes went before the Priestes, that blewe the trumpets: then the gathering hoste came after the Arke, as they went and blewe the trumpets.

(Notes Reference) And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the (g) rereward came after the ark, [the priests] going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

(g) Meaning, the gathering host, in which was the standard of the tribe of Dan, (Num 10:25).

(Jos 6:10) (Nowe Ioshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall nor shout, neither make any noyse with your voyce, neither shall a worde proceede out of your mouth, vntill the day that I say vnto you, Shout, then shall ye shoute)

(Jos 6:11) So the Arke of the Lord compassed the citie, and went about it once: then they returned into the hoaste, and lodged in the campe.

(Notes Reference) So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about [it] (h) once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

(h) For that day.

(Jos 6:12) And Ioshua rose early in the morning, and the Priestes bare the Arke of the Lord:

(Jos 6:13) Also seuen Priests bare seuen trumpets of rams hornes, and went before the Arke of the Lord, and going blewe with the trumpets: and the men of armes went before them, but the gathering hoste came after the Arke of the Lord, as they went and blewe the trumpets.

(Notes Reference) And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the (i) rereward came after the ark of the LORD, [the priests] going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

(i) The tribe of Dan was so called, because it marched last and gathered up whatever was left of others.

(Jos 6:14) And the second day they compassed the citie once, and returned into the host: thus they did sixe dayes.

(Jos 6:15) And when the seuenth day came, they rose early, euen with the dawning of the day, and compassed the citie after ye same maner seuen times: only that day they compassed the citie seuen times.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner (k) seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

(k) Beside every day once for the space of six days.

(Jos 6:16) And when the Priests had blowen ye trumpets the seuenth time, Ioshua said vnto ye people, Shoute: for the Lord hath giuen you the citie.

(Jos 6:17) And the citie shalbe an execrable thing, both it, and all that are therein, vnto the Lord: onely Rahab the harlot shall liue, shee, and all that are with her in the house: for shee hid the messengers that we sent.

(Notes Reference) And the city shall be (l) accursed, [even] it, and all that [are] therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that [are] with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

(l) That is appointed wholly to be destroyed.

(Jos 6:18) Notwithstanding, be ye ware of the execrable thing, lest ye make your selues execrable, and in taking of the execrable thing, make also the hoste of Israel execrable, and trouble it.

(Jos 6:19) But all siluer, and gold, and vessels of brasse, and yron shalbe consecrate vnto the Lord, and shall come into the Lordes treasury.

(Notes Reference) But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, [are] (m) consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

(m) And therefore cannot be put to any private use, but must be first molten, and then serve for the Tabernacle.

(Jos 6:20) So the people shouted, whe they had blowen trumpets: for when the people had heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted with a great shoute: and the wall fel downe flat: so the people went vp into the citie, euery man streight before him: and they tooke the citie.

(Jos 6:21) And they vtterly destroyed all that was in the citie, both man and woman, yong, and olde, and oxe, and sheepe, and asse, with the edge of the sword.

(Jos 6:22) But Ioshua had said vnto the two men that had spied out the countrey, Go into the harlots house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware to her.

(Jos 6:23) So the yong men that were spies, went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that shee had: also they brought out all her familie, and put them without the host of Israel.

(Notes Reference) And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them (n) without the camp of Israel.

(n) For it was not lawful for strangers to dwell among the Israelites, till they were purged.

(Jos 6:24) After they burnt the citie with fire, and all that was therein: onely the siluer and the gold, and the vessels of brasse and yron, they put vnto the treasure of the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the (o) house of the LORD.

(o) Meaning, the tabernacle.

(Jos 6:25) So Ioshua saued Rahab the harlot, and her fathers houshold, and all that shee had; and shee dwelt in Israel euen vnto this day, because shee had hid the messengers, which Ioshua sent to spie out Iericho.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she (p) dwelleth in Israel [even] unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

(p) For she was married to Salmon prince of the tribe of Judah, (Mat 1:5).

(Jos 6:26) And Ioshua sware at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before ye Lord, that riseth vp, and buildeth this citie Iericho: hee shall lay the foundation thereof in his eldest sonne, and in his yongest sonne shall hee set vp the gates of it.

(Notes Reference) And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: (q) he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

(q) He will build it to the destruction of all his stock, which was fulfilled in Hiel of Beth-el, (1Ki 16:34).

(Jos 6:27) So the Lord was with Ioshua, and he was famous through all the world.

Passage 2: Isaiah 10

(Isa 10:1) Woe vnto them that decree wicked decrees, and write grieuous things,

(Notes Reference) Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that (a) write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;

(a) Who write and pronounce a wicked sentence to oppress the people: meaning, that the wicked magistrate, who were the chief cause of mischief, would be first punished.

(Isa 10:2) To keepe backe ye poore from iudgement, and to take away the iudgement of the poore of my people, that widowes may be their pray, and that they may spoyle the fatherlesse.

(Isa 10:3) What will ye doe nowe in the day of visitation, and of destruction, which shall come from farre? to whom will ye flee for helpe? and where will ye leaue your glorie?

(Notes Reference) And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation [which] shall come from (b) far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your (c) glory?

(b) That is, from Assyria.

(Isa 10:4) Without me euery one shall fall among them that are bound, and they shall fall downe among the slayne: yet for all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

(Notes Reference) (d) Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

(d) Because they have forsaken me, some will go into captivity and the rest will be slain.

(Isa 10:5) O Asshur, the rodde of my wrath: and the staffe in their hands is mine indignation.

(Notes Reference) O (e) Assyrian, the rod of my anger, and the staff in their hand is my indignation.

(e) God calls for the Assyrians to be the executioners of his vengeance.

(Isa 10:6) I will sende him to a dissembling nation, and I will giue him a charge against the people of my wrath to take the spoyle and to take the pray, and to treade them vnder feete like the mire in the streete.

(Notes Reference) I will send (f) him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I command him, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

(f) That is, the Assyrians against the Jews who are hypocrites. In the sixth and seventh verse is declared the difference of the work of God and of the wicked in one very thing and act: for God's intention is to chastise them for their amendment, and the Assyrians purpose is to destroy them to enrich themselves. Thus in respect to God's justice, it is God's work, but in respect to their own malice, it is the work of the devil.

(Isa 10:7) But he thinketh not so, neither doeth his heart esteeme it so: but he imagineth to destroy and to cut off not a fewe nations.

(Isa 10:8) For he sayeth, Are not my princes altogether Kings?

(Isa 10:9) Is not Calno as Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria as Damascus?

(Notes Reference) [Is] not Calno as (g) Carchemish? [is] not Hamath as Arpad? [is] not Samaria as Damascus?

(g) Seeing that I have overcome one city as well as another, so that none could resist, shall Jerusalem be able to escape my hands?

(Isa 10:10) Like as mine hand hath founde the kingdomes of the idoles, seeing their idoles were aboue Ierusalem, and aboue Samaria:

(Isa 10:11) Shall not I, as I haue done to Samaria, and to the idoles thereof, so doe to Ierusalem and to the idoles thereof?

(Isa 10:12) But when the Lord hath accomplished all his worke vpon mount Zion and Ierusalem, I will visite the fruite of the proude heart of the King of Asshur, and his glorious and proud lookes,

(Notes Reference) Wherefore it shall come to pass, [that] when the Lord hath performed (h) his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart (i) of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

(h) When he has sufficiently chastised his people (for he begins at his own house) then will he burn the rods.

(i) Meaning of Sennacherib.

(Isa 10:13) Because he said, By ye power of mine owne hand haue I done it, and by my wisdome, because I am wise: therefore I haue remooued the borders of the people, and haue spoyled their treasures, and haue pulled downe the inhabitants like a valiant man.

(Isa 10:14) And mine hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people, and as one gathereth egges that are left, so haue I gathered all the earth: and there was none to mooue the wing or to open the mouth, or to whisper.

(Isa 10:15) Shall the axe boast it selfe against him that heweth therewith? or shall the sawe exalt it selfe against him that moueth it? as if the rod shoulde lift vp it selfe against him that taketh it vp, or the staffe should exalt it selfe, as it were no wood.

(Notes Reference) Shall the (k) axe boast itself against him that heweth with it? [or] shall the saw magnify itself against him that moveth it? as if the rod should shake [itself] against them that lift it, [or] as if the staff should lift [itself, as if it were] no wood.

(k) Here we see that no creature is able to do anything, but as God appoints him, and that they are all his instruments to do his work though the intentions are diverse, as in (Isa 10:6).

(Isa 10:16) Therefore shall the Lord God of hostes send amog his fat men, leannes, and vnder his glorie he shall kindle a burning, like the burning of fire.

(Isa 10:17) And the light of Israel shalbe as a fire, and the Holy one thereof as a flame, and it shall burne, and deuoure his thornes and his briers in one day:

(Notes Reference) And the light of Israel shall be for a (l) fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour (m) his thorns and his briers in one day;

(l) Meaning that God is a light to comfort his people and a fire to burn his enemies.

(m) That is, the Assyrians.

(Isa 10:18) And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitfull fieldes both soule and flesh: and he shalbe as ye fainting of a standard bearer.

(Notes Reference) And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul (n) and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer (o) fainteth.

(n) That is, body and soul utterly.

(o) When the battle is lost and the standard taken.

(Isa 10:19) And the rest of the trees of his forest shalbe fewe, that a childe may tell them.

(Isa 10:20) And at that day shall the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Iaakob, stay no more vpon him that smote them, but shall stay vpon ye Lord, ye Holy one of Israel in trueth.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean upon him that smote them; but shall (p) lean upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

(p) This is the end of God's plagues toward his, to bring them to him, and to forsake all trust in others.

(Isa 10:21) The remnant shall returne, euen the remnant of Iaakob vnto the mightie God.

(Isa 10:22) For though thy people, O Israel, be as the sand of the sea, yet shall the remnant of them returne. The consumption decreed shall ouerflow with righteousnesse.

(Notes Reference) For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, [yet] a remnant of them shall return: the full end (q) decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

(q) This small number which seemed to be consumed and yet according to God's decree is saved, will be sufficient to fill all the world with righteousness.

(Isa 10:23) For the Lord God of hostes shall make the consumption, euen determined, in the middes of all the land.

(Notes Reference) For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a full end, even (r) determined, in the midst of all the land.

(r) God will destroy this land as he has determined and later save a small portion.

(Isa 10:24) Therefore thus saith ye Lord God of hostes, O my people, that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of Asshur: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift vp his staffe against thee after the maner of Egypt:

(Notes Reference) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of (s) Egypt.

(s) As the Egyptians punished you.

(Isa 10:25) But yet a very litle time, and the wrath shall be consumed, and mine anger in their destruction.

(Isa 10:26) And ye Lord of hostes shall raise vp a scourge for him, according to the plague of Midian in the rocke Oreb: and as his staffe was vpon the Sea, so he will lift it vp after the maner of Egypt.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD of hosts shall raise up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of (t) Midian at the rock of Oreb: and [as] his rod [was] upon the (u) sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.

(t) Read (Isa 9:4).

(u) When the Israelites passed through by the lifting up of Moses' rod, and the enemies were drowned, (Exo 14:28).

(Isa 10:27) And at that day shall his burden be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy necke: and the yoke shalbe destroied because of the anoynting.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of (x) the anointing.

(x) Because of the promise made to that kingdom, by which Christ's kingdom was prefigured.

(Isa 10:28) He is come to Aiath: he is passed into Migron: at Michmash shall he lay vp his armour.

(Notes Reference) He is come to (y) Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath attended to his carriages:

(y) He describes by what way the Assyrians would come against Jerusalem, to confirm the faithful, when it would come to pass, that as their plague was come, so should they be delivered.

(Isa 10:29) They haue gone ouer the foorde: they lodged in the lodging at Geba: Ramah is afraide: Gibeah of Saul is fled away.

(Isa 10:30) Lift vp thy voyce, O daughter Gallim, cause Laish to heare, O poore Anathoth.

(Isa 10:31) Madmenah is remoued: the inhabitants of Gebim haue gathered themselues together.

(Isa 10:32) Yet there is a time that he will stay at Nob: he shall lift vp his hand towarde the mount of the daughter Zion, the hill of Ierusalem.

(Isa 10:33) Beholde, the Lord God of hostes shall cut off the bough with feare, and they of high stature shalbe cut off, and the hie shalbe humbled.

(Notes Reference) Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the (z) bough with terror: and the high ones of stature [shall be] hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

(z) Fear and destruction will come on Judah for the princes and the people will all be led away captive.

(Isa 10:34) And he shall cut away the thicke places of the forest with yron, and Lebanon shall haue a mightie fall.

Passage 3: 2 Thessalonians 1-2

(2Th 1:1) Paul and Siluanus, and Timotheus, vnto the Church of the Thessalonians, which is in God our Father, and in the Lord Iesus Christ:

(2Th 1:2) Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.

(2Th 1:3) We ought to thanke God alwayes for you, brethren, as it is meete, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the loue of euery one of you toward another, aboundeth,

(Notes Reference) (1) We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith (a) groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

(1) The first part of the epistle, in which he rejoices that through the grace of God, they have bravely sustained all the assaults of their enemies. And in this he strengthens and encourages them, moreover showing with what gifts they must mainly fight, that is, with faith and charity, which must daily increase.

(a) That whereas it grew up before, it does also receive some increase every day more and more.

(2Th 1:4) So that we our selues reioyce of you in the Churches of God, because of your patience and faith in al your persecutions and tribulatios that ye suffer,

(2Th 1:5) Which is a manifest token of the righteous iudgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdome of God, for the which ye also suffer.

(Notes Reference) (2) [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

(2) He shows the source of all true comfort, that is, that in afflictions which we suffer from the wicked for righteousness' sake, we may behold as it were in a mirror the testimony of that judgment to come, the end of which is most acceptable to us, and most severe to his enemies.

(2Th 1:6) For it is a righteous thing with God, to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you,

(Notes Reference) (3) Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

(3) A proof: God is just, and therefore he will worthily punish the unjust, and will do away the miseries of his people.

(2Th 1:7) And to you which are troubled, rest with vs, when the Lord Iesus shall shewe himselfe from heauen with his mightie Angels,

(Notes Reference) And to you who are troubled rest (4) with us, (5) when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

(4) He strengthens and encourages them also along the way by this means, that the condition both of this present state and the state to come, is common to him with them. (5) A most glorious description of the second coming of Christ, to be set against all the miseries of the godly, and the triumphs of the wicked.

(2Th 1:8) In flaming fire, rendring vengeance vnto them, that doe not know God, and which obey not vnto the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ,

(Notes Reference) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them (6) that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

(6) There is no knowledge of God to salvation, without the Gospel of Christ.

(2Th 1:9) Which shall be punished with euerlasting perdition, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power,

(2Th 1:10) When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints, and to be made marueilous in all them that beleeue ( because our testimonie toward you was beleeued) in that day.

(Notes Reference) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe ((7) because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

(7) They are considered as children of God by the faith which they have in the Gospel, which is preached to them by the apostles.

(2Th 1:11) Wherefore, we also pray alwayes for you, that our God may make you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodnes, and the worke of faith with power,

(Notes Reference) (8) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of (b) [this] calling, and fulfil (c) all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the (d) work of faith with power:

(8) Seeing that we have the mark set before us, it remains that we go to it. And we go to it, by certain degrees of causes: first by the free love and good pleasure of God, by virtue of which all other inferior causes work: from there proceeds the free calling to Christ, and from calling, faith, upon which follows both the glorifying of Christ in us and us in Christ.

(b) By "calling" he does not mean the very act of calling, but that self same thing to which we are called, which is the glory of that heavenly kingdom.

(d) So then, faith is an excellent work of God in us: and we plainly see here that the apostle leaves nothing to free will, to make it something which God works through, as the papists dream.

(2Th 1:12) That the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Iesus Christ.

(2Th 2:1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by our assembling vnto him,

(Notes Reference) Now (1) we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our (a) gathering together unto him,

(1) The second part of the epistle, containing an excellent prophecy of the state of the Church, which will be from the apostles time to the latter day of judgment.

(a) If we think earnestly upon that unmeasurable glory which we will be partakers of with Christ, it will be an excellent remedy for us against wavering and impatience, so that neither the glistening of the world will allure us, nor the dreadful sight of the cross dismay us.

(2Th 2:2) That ye be not suddenly mooued from your minde, nor troubled neither by spirit, nor by worde, nor by letter, as it were from vs, as though the day of Christ were at hand.

(Notes Reference) (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by (b) spirit, nor by (c) word, nor by (d) letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

(2) We must take heed of false prophets, especially in this matter, who go about to deceive, and that for the most part, after three sorts: for either they brag of fake prophetical revelations, or they bring conjectures and reasons of their own, or use counterfeit writings.

(b) By dreams and fables, which men pretend to be spiritual revelations.

(d) Either by forged letter, or falsely commented upon.

(2Th 2:3) Let no man deceiue you by any meanes: for that day shall not come, except there come a departing first, and that that man of sinne be disclosed, euen the sonne of perdition,

(Notes Reference) Let no man deceive you by any means: (3) for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and (e) that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

(3) The apostle foretells that before the coming of the Lord, there will be a throne set up completely contrary to Christ's glory, in which that wicked man will sit, and transfer all things that appertain to God to himself: and many will fall away from God to him.

(e) By speaking of one, he singles out the person of the tyrannous and persecuting antichrist.

(2Th 2:4) Which is an aduersarie, and exalteth him selfe against all that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that he doeth sit as God in the Temple of God, shewing him selfe that he is God.

(Notes Reference) Who opposeth and (f) exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; (4) so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

(f) All men know who he is that says he can shut up heaven and open it at his pleasure, and takes upon himself to be lord and master above all kings and princes, before whom kings and princes fall down and worship, honouring that antichrist as a god. (4) He foretells that the antichrist (that is, whoever he is that will occupy that seat that falls away from God) will not reign outside of the Church, but in the very bosom of the Church.

(2Th 2:5) Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I tolde you these things?

(Notes Reference) (5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

(5) This prophecy was continually declared to the ancient Church, but it was neglected by those that followed.

(2Th 2:6) And nowe ye knowe what withholdeth that he might be reueiled in his time.

(Notes Reference) And now ye know (g) what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

(g) What hinders and stops.

(2Th 2:7) For the mysterie of iniquitie doeth already worke: onely he which nowe withholdeth, shall let till he be taken out of the way.

(Notes Reference) (6) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: (7) only he who now (h) letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

(6) Even in the apostles time the first foundations of the apostolic seat were laid, but yet so that they deceived men. (7) He foretells that when the empire of Rome is taken away, the seat that falls away from God will succeed and hold its place, as the old writers, Tertullian, Chrysostom, and Jerome explain and interpret it.

(h) He who is now in authority and rules all, that is, the Roman Empire.

(2Th 2:8) And then shall that wicked man be reueiled, whome the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of his mouth, and shall abolish with the brightnes of his comming,

(Notes Reference) (8) And then shall (i) that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall (k) consume with the (l) spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

(8) That wickedness will at length be detected by the word of the Lord, and will utterly be abolished by Christ's coming.

(i) Literally, "that lawless fellow", that is to say, he that will completely tread upon God's law.

(k) Bring to nothing.

(l) With his word, for the true ministers of the word are as a mouth, by which the Lord breathes out that mighty and everlasting word, which will break his enemies apart, as though the word were an iron rod.

(2Th 2:9) Euen him whose comming is by the effectuall working of Satan, with all power, and signes, and lying wonders,

(Notes Reference) (9) [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and (m) lying wonders,

(9) He foretells that Satan will bestow all his might and power, and use all false miracles that he can to establish that seat, and that with great success, because the wickedness of the world does so deserve it: yet in such a way that only the unfaithful will perish through his deceit.

(m) Which are partly false, and partly done to establish a falsehood.

(2Th 2:10) And in al deceiuablenes of vnrighteousnes, among them that perish, because they receiued not the loue of the trueth, that they might be saued.

(2Th 2:11) And therefore God shall send them strong delusion, that they should beleeue lies,

(Notes Reference) And for this cause God shall send them (n) strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

(n) A most mighty working to deceive them.

(2Th 2:12) That all they might be damned which beleeued not the trueth, but had pleasure in vnrighteousnes.

(Notes Reference) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but (o) had pleasure in unrighteousness.

(o) They liked lies so much that they had pleasure in them, which is the greatest madness that may exist.

(2Th 2:13) But we ought to giue thankes alway to God for you, brethren beloued of the Lord, because that God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and the faith of trueth,

(Notes Reference) (10) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through (p) sanctification of the Spirit and (q) belief of the truth:

(10) The elect will stand steadfast and safe from all these mischiefs. Now election is known by these testimonies: faith is increased by sanctification: faith, by that which we grant to the truth; truth, by calling, through the preaching of the Gospel: from where we come at length to a certain hope of glorification.

(p) To sanctify you.

(q) Faith which does not lay hold upon lies, but upon the truth of God, which is the Gospel.

(2Th 2:14) Whereunto he called you by our Gospel, to obtaine the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ.

(Notes Reference) Whereunto he called you by our (r) gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(r) By our preaching.

(2Th 2:15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast and keepe the instructions, which ye haue bene taught, either by worde, or by our Epistle.

(Notes Reference) (11) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

(11) The conclusion: it remains then that we continue in the doctrine which was delivered to us by the mouth and writings of the apostles, through the free good will of God, who comforts us with an invincible hope, and that we also continue in all godliness our whole life long.

(2Th 2:16) Now the same Iesus Christ our Lord; and our God euen the Father which hath loued vs, and hath giuen vs euerlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

(2Th 2:17) Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in euery word and good worke.