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Passage 1: Ezra 7

(Ezr 7:1) Now after these things, in the reigne of Artahshashte King of Persia, was Ezra the sonne of Seraiah, the sonne of Azariah, the sonne of Hilkiah,

(Notes Reference) Now after these things, in the reign of (a) Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

(a) The Hebrews write that many of the kings of Persia were called by this name, as Pharaoh was a common name to the kings of Egypt and Caesar to the Romans emperors.

(Ezr 7:2) The sonne of Shallum, the sonne of Zadok, the sonne of Ahitub,

(Ezr 7:3) The sonne of Amariah, the sonne of Azariah, the sonne of Meraioth,

(Ezr 7:4) The sonne of Zeraiah, the sonne of Vzzi, the sonne of Bukki,

(Ezr 7:5) The sonne of Abishua, the sonne of Phinehas, the sonne of Eleazar, the sonne of Aaron, the chiefe Priest.

(Notes Reference) The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of (b) Aaron the chief priest:

(b) Ezra traces his family till he comes to Aaron, to prove that he came from him.

(Ezr 7:6) This Ezra came vp from Babel, and was a Scribe prompt in the Lawe of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had giuen, and the King gaue him all his request according to the hande of the Lord his God which was vpon him.

(Notes Reference) This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he [was] a ready (c) scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.

(c) He shows here what a scribe is, who had charge to write the law and to expound it. Whom Mark calls a scribe, (Mar 12:28), Matthew and Luke called a lawyer or doctor of the law, (Mat 22:35; Luk 10:25).

(Ezr 7:7) And there went vp certaine of the children of Israel, and of the Priests, and the Leuites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims vnto Ierusalem, in the seuenth yere of King Artahshashte.

(Ezr 7:8) And hee came to Ierusalem in the fift moneth, which was in the seuenth yeere of the King.

(Notes Reference) And he came to Jerusalem in the (d) fifth month, which [was] in the seventh year (e) of the king.

(d) That contained part of July and part of August.

(e) Of king Darius.

(Ezr 7:9) For vpon the first day of the first moneth began he to goe vp from Babel, and on the first day of the fift moneth came he to Ierusalem, according to the good hande of his God that was vpon him.

(Ezr 7:10) For Ezra had prepared his heart to seeke the Lawe of the Lord, and to doe it, and to teach the precepts and iudgements in Israel.

(Ezr 7:11) And this is the copie of the letter that King Artahshashte gaue vnto Ezra the Priest and scribe, euen a writer of the words of the commadements of ye Lord, and of his statutes ouer Israel.

(Ezr 7:12) ARTAHSHASHTE King of Kings to Ezra the Priest and perfite scribe of the Lawe of the God of heauen, and to Cheeneth.

(Notes Reference) Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect [peace], and (f) at such a time.

(f) Some take this for the name of a people, some for time or continuance, meaning that the king wished him long life.

(Ezr 7:13) I haue giuen commandement, that euery one, that is willing in my kingdome of the people of Israel, and of the Priestes, and Leuites to goe to Ierusalem with thee, shall goe.

(Notes Reference) I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and [of] his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill (g) to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.

(g) Who still remained in Babylon and had not returned with Zerubbabel.

(Ezr 7:14) Therefore art thou sent of the King and his seuen counsellers, to enquire in Iudah and Ierusalem, according to the lawe of thy God, which is in thine hand,

(Notes Reference) Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to (h) enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which [is] in (i) thine hand;

(h) To examine who lived according to the law.

(i) Of which you are an expert.

(Ezr 7:15) And to carry the siluer and the gold, which the King and his cousellers willingly offer vnto the God of Israel (whose habitation is in Ierusalem)

(Ezr 7:16) And all the siluer and gold that thou canst finde in all the prouince of Babel, with the free offring of the people, and that which the Priestes offer willingly to the house of their God which is in Ierusalem,

(Ezr 7:17) That thou mayest bye speedily with this siluer, bullocks, rammes, lambes, with their meate offrings and their drinke offrings: and thou shalt offer them vpon the altar of the house of your God, which is in Ierusalem.

(Ezr 7:18) And whatsoeuer it pleaseth thee and thy brethren to do with the rest of the siluer, and gold, doe ye it according to the will of your God.

(Notes Reference) And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your (k) God.

(k) As you know best may serve to God's glory.

(Ezr 7:19) And the vessels that are giuen thee for the seruice of the house of thy God, those deliuer thou before God in Ierusalem.

(Ezr 7:20) And the residue that shall be needeful for the house of thy God, which shall be meete for thee to bestowe, thou shalt bestowe it out of the Kings treasure house,

(Ezr 7:21) And I King Artahshashte haue giuen commandemet to all the treasurers which are beyond the Riuer, that whatsoeuer Ezra the Priest and Scribe of the Law of the God of heauen shall require of you, that it be done incontinently,

(Notes Reference) And I, [even] I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which [are] beyond (l) the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

(l) Which was the Euphrates river and they were beyond it in respect to Babylon.

(Ezr 7:22) Vnto an hundreth talents of siluer, vnto an hundreth measures of wheate, and vnto an hundreth baths of wine, and vnto an hundreth baths of oyle, and salt without writing.

(Notes Reference) Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred (m) baths of oil, and salt without prescribing [how much].

(m) Read (1Ki 7:26; 2Ch 2:10).

(Ezr 7:23) Whatsoeuer is by the commandement of the God of heauen, let it be done speedily for the house of the God of heauen: for why should he be wroth against the realme of the King, and his children?

(Notes Reference) Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath (n) against the realm of the king and his sons?

(n) This declares that the fear of God's judgment causes him to use this liberality, and not the love that he bore for God's glory or affection for his people.

(Ezr 7:24) And we certifie you, that vpon any of the Priestes, Leuites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or Ministers in this house of God, there shall no gouernour laye vpon them tolle, tribute nor custome.

(Ezr 7:25) And thou Ezra (after the wisedome of thy God, that is in thine hand) set iudges and arbiters, which may iudge all the people that is beyond the Riuer, euen all that knowe the Lawe of thy God, and teach ye them that know it not.

(Notes Reference) And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that [is] in thine hand, (o) set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that [are] beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know [them] not.

(o) He gave Ezra full authority to restore all things according to the word of God, and to punish them who resisted and would not obey.

(Ezr 7:26) And whosoeuer will not doe the Lawe of thy God, and the Kings lawe, let him haue iudgement without delay, whether it be vnto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

(Ezr 7:27) Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which so hath put in the Kings heart, to beautifie the house of the Lord that is in Ierusalem,

(Notes Reference) (p) Blessed [be] the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put [such a thing] as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which [is] in Jerusalem:

(p) Thus Ezra gave thanks to God for giving him success in his business with the king.

(Ezr 7:28) And hath enclined mercy toward me, before the King and his counsellers, and before all the Kings mightie Princes: and I was comforted by the hand of the Lord my God which was vpon me, and I gathered the chiefe of Israel to goe vp with me.

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Passage 2: Hosea 8

(Hos 8:1) Set the trumpet to thy mouth: he shall come as an eagle against the House of the Lord, because they haue transgressed my couenant, and trespassed against my Lawe.

(Notes Reference) [Set] the trumpet to thy (a) mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

(a) God encourages the Prophet to signify the speedy coming of the enemy against Israel, which was once the people of God.

(Hos 8:2) Israel shall crie vnto me, My God, we know thee.

(Notes Reference) Israel shall (b) cry unto me, My God, we know thee.

(b) They will cry like hypocrites, but not from the heart, as their deeds declare.

(Hos 8:3) Israel hath cast off ye thing that is good: the enemie shall pursue him.

(Hos 8:4) They haue set vp a King, but not by me: they haue made princes, and I knew it not: of their siluer and their gold haue they made them idoles: therefore shall they be destroyed.

(Notes Reference) They have set up (c) kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew [it] not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

(c) That is, Jeroboam, by whom they sought their own liberty, and to obey my will.

(Hos 8:5) Thy calfe, O Samaria, hath cast thee off: mine anger is kindled against them: howe long will they be without innocencie!

(Notes Reference) Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast [thee] off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long [will it be] ere they attain to (d) innocency?

(d) That is, upright judgment and a godly life.

(Hos 8:6) For it came euen from Israel: the workeman made it, therefore it is not God: but the calfe of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

(Notes Reference) (e) For from Israel [was] it also: the workman made it; therefore it [is] not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

(e) Meaning the calf was invented by themselves, and by their fathers in the wilderness.

(Hos 8:7) For they haue sowne the winde, and they shall reape the whirlewind: it hath no stalke: the budde shall bring foorth no meale: if so be it bring forth, the strangers shall deuoure it.

(Notes Reference) For they have (f) sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

(f) Showing that their religion has but a show, and in itself is but vanity.

(Hos 8:8) Israel is deuoured, now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessell wherein is no pleasure.

(Hos 8:9) For they are gone vp to Asshur: they are as a wilde asse alone by himselfe: Ephraim hath hired louers.

(Notes Reference) For they are gone up to Assyria, a (g) wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

(g) They never cease, but run to and fro to seek help.

(Hos 8:10) Yet though they haue hired among the nations, nowe will I gather them, and they shall sorowe a litle, for the burden of the King and the princes.

(Notes Reference) Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the (h) burden of the king of princes.

(h) That is, for the king and the princes will lay upon them: and by this means the Lord brings them to repentance.

(Hos 8:11) Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sinne, his altars shalbe to sinne.

(Hos 8:12) I haue written to them the great things of my Lawe: but they were counted as a strange thing.

(Notes Reference) I have written to him the great things of my law, [but] they were counted as a (i) strange thing.

(i) In this way the idolaters consider the word of God as strange with regard to their own invention.

(Hos 8:13) They sacrifice flesh for ye sacrifices of mine offerings, and eate it: but the Lord accepteth them not: now will he remember their iniquitie, and visite their sinnes: they shall returne to Egypt.

(Notes Reference) They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the (k) LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

(k) Saying that they offer it to the Lord, but he accepts no service which he himself has not appointed.

(Hos 8:14) For Israel hath forgotten his maker, and buildeth Temples, and Iudah hath increased strong cities: but I will sende a fire vpon his cities, and it shall deuoure the palaces thereof.

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Passage 3: Acts 27

(Act 27:1) Now when it was concluded, that we should sayle into Italie, they deliuered both Paul, and certaine other prisoners vnto a Centurion named Iulius, of the band of Augustus.

(Notes Reference) And (1) when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto [one] named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

(1) Paul, with many other prisoners and through the midst of many deaths, is brought to Rome, but yet by God's own hand as it were, and set forth and commended to the world with many singular testimonies.

(Act 27:2) And we entred into a ship of Adramyttium purposing to saile by the coastes of Asia, and launched foorth, and had Aristarchus of Macedonia, a Thessalonian, with vs.

(Act 27:3) And the next day we arriued at Sidon: and Iulius courteously entreated Paul, and gaue him libertie to go vnto his friends, that they might refresh him.

(Act 27:4) And from thence we launched, and sayled hard by Cyprus, because ye windes were contrarie.

(Act 27:5) Then sayled we ouer the sea by Cilicia, and Pamphilia, and came to Myra, a citie in Lycia.

(Act 27:6) And there the Centurion found a ship of Alexandria, sayling into Italie, and put vs therein.

(Act 27:7) And when we had sayled slowly many dayes, and scarce were come against Gnidum, because the winde suffered vs not, we sailed hard by Candie, neere to Salmone,

(Notes Reference) And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against (a) Salmone;

(a) Which was a high hill of Crete.

(Act 27:8) And with much adoe sayled beyond it, and came vnto a certaine place called the Faire hauens, neere vnto the which was the citie Lasea.

(Act 27:9) So when much time was spent, and sayling was now ieopardous, because also the Fast was nowe passed, Paul exhorted them,

(Notes Reference) (2) Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the (b) fast was now already past, Paul admonished [them],

(2) God's providence does not take away the causes which God uses as means, but rather orders and disposes their right use, even when he reveals an extraordinary issue.

(b) This refers to the Jews fast which they kept in the feast of expiation, as we read in (Lev 23:17), which fell in the seventh month which we call October, and is not good for navigating or sailing.

(Act 27:10) And sayde vnto them, Syrs, I see that this voiage will be with hurt and much damage, not of the lading and ship onely, but also of our liues.

(Act 27:11) Neuertheles the Centurion beleeued rather the gouernour and the master of the ship, then those things which were spoken of Paul.

(Notes Reference) (3) Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

(3) Men cast themselves willingly into an infinite amount of dangers, when they choose to follow their own wisdom, rather than God, when he speaks by the mouth of his servants.

(Act 27:12) And because the hauen was not commodious to winter in, many tooke counsell to depart thence, if by any meanes they might attaine to Phenice, there to winter, which is an hauen of Candie, and lyeth toward the Southwest and by West, and Northwest and by West.

(Act 27:13) And when the Southerne winde blew softly, they supposing to atteine their purpose, loosed neerer, and sailed by Candie.

(Act 27:14) But anon after, there arose by it a stormy winde called Euroclydon.

(Notes Reference) But not long after there arose against (c) it a tempestuous wind, called (d) Euroclydon.

(c) By Crete, from whose shore our ship was driven by that means.

(d) Northeast wind.

(Act 27:15) And when the ship was caught, and could not resist the winde, we let her goe, and were caried away.

(Act 27:16) And we ran vnder a litle Yle named Clauda, and had much a doe to get the boat.

(Act 27:17) Which they tooke vp and vsed all helpe, vndergirding the ship, fearing least they should haue fallen into Syrtes, and they strake saile, and so were caried.

(Act 27:18) The next day when we were tossed with an exceeding tempest, they lightened the ship.

(Notes Reference) (4) And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next [day] they lightened the ship;

(4) The result proves that none provide worse for themselves than those who commit themselves to be governed only by their own wisdom.

(Act 27:19) And the third day we cast out with our owne hands the tackling of the ship.

(Act 27:20) And when neither sunne nor starres in many dayes appeared, and no small tempest lay vpon vs, all hope that we should be saued, was then taken away.

(Act 27:21) But after long abstinece, Paul stood forth in the mids of them, and said, Syrs, ye should haue hearkened to me, and not haue loosed from Candie: so should ye haue gained this hurt and losse.

(Notes Reference) (5) But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

(5) God spares the wicked for a time, for the sake of his elect and chosen.

(Act 27:22) But now I exhort you to be of good courage: for there shalbe no losse of any mans life among you, saue of the ship onely.

(Act 27:23) For there stood by me this night the Angel of God, whose I am, and whome I serue,

(Act 27:24) Saying, Feare not, Paul: for thou must be brought before Cesar: and lo, God hath giuen vnto thee freely all that sayle with thee.

(Act 27:25) Wherefore, sirs, be of good courage: for I beleeue God, that it shall be so as it hath bene tolde me.

(Notes Reference) (6) Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

(6) The promise is made effectual through faith.

(Act 27:26) Howbeit, we must be cast into a certaine Iland.

(Act 27:27) And when ye fourteenth night was come, as we were caried to and from in the Adriaticall sea about midnight, the shipmen deemed that some countrey approched vnto them,

(Notes Reference) (7) But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in (e) Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed (f) that they drew near to some country;

(7) We attain and come to the promised and sure salvation through the midst of tempests and death itself.

(e) For Ptolemy writes that the Adriatic Sea beats upon the east shore of Cecilia.

(f) Or, some country drew near to them.

(Act 27:28) And sounded, and found it twentie fathoms: and when they had gone a litle further, they sounded againe, and found fifteene fathoms.

(Act 27:29) Then fearing least they should haue fallen into some rough places, they cast foure ancres out of the sterne, and wished that the day were come.

(Act 27:30) Nowe as the mariners were about to flee out of the ship, and had let downe the boat into the sea vnder a colour as though they would haue cast ankers out of the foreship,

(Notes Reference) (8) And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

(8) No matter how foul the act, distrust and an evil conscience can always compel men to commit it.

(Act 27:31) Paul sayde vnto the Centurion and the souldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye can not be safe.

(Notes Reference) (9) Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

(9) Although the performing of God's promises does not depend upon secondary causes, yet they make themselves unworthy of God's bountifulness who do not embrace those means which God offers them, either upon rashness or distrust.

(Act 27:32) Then the souldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let it fall away.

(Act 27:33) And when it began to be day, Paul exhorted them all to take meate, saying, This is the fourteenth day that ye haue taried, and continued fasting, receiuing nothing:

(Notes Reference) (10) And while the day was coming on, Paul besought [them] all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

(10) When the world trembles, the faithful alone are not only at peace, but strengthen and encourage others by their example.

(Act 27:34) Wherefore I exhort you to take meate: for this is for your safegarde: for there shall not an heare fall from the head of any of you.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore I pray you to take [some] meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an (g) hair fall from the head of any of you.

(g) This is a proverb which the Hebrews use, by which is meant that they will be safe, and that not one of them will perish.

(Act 27:35) And when he had thus spoken, hee tooke bread and gaue thankes to God, in presence of them all, and brake it, and began to eate.

(Act 27:36) Then were they all of good courage, and they also tooke meate.

(Act 27:37) Nowe we were in the ship in all two hundreth three score and sixteene soules.

(Act 27:38) And whe they had eaten ynough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

(Act 27:39) And when it was day, they knewe not the countrey, but they spied a certaine creeke with a banke, into the which they were minded (if it were possible) to thrust in the ship.

(Notes Reference) (11) And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain (h) creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

(11) Then are tempests most of all to be feared and looked for, when the port or haven is nearest.

(h) A creek is a sea within land, as the Adriatic Sea, and the Persian Sea.

(Act 27:40) So when they had taken vp the ankers, they committed the ship vnto the sea, and loosed the rudder bonds, and hoised vp the maine saile to the winde, and drewe to the shore.

(Act 27:41) And when they fell into a place, where two seas met, they thrust in the ship: and the forepart stucke fast, and could not be moued, but the hinderpart was broken with the violence of the waues.

(Notes Reference) And falling into a place where (i) two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

(i) So is an isthmus called, because the Sea touches it on both sides.

(Act 27:42) Then the souldiers counsell was to kill the prisoners, least any of them, when he had swomme out, should flee away.

(Notes Reference) (12) And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

(12) There is nowhere more unfaithfulness and unthankfulness in unbelievers.

(Act 27:43) But the Centurion willing to saue Paul, stayed them from this counsell, and commanded that they that coulde swimme, shoulde cast them selues first into the sea, and goe out to land:

(Notes Reference) (13) But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from [their] purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast [themselves] first [into the sea], and get to land:

(13) God finds even amongst his enemies those whose help he uses to preserve his own.

(Act 27:44) And the other, some on boardes, and some on certaine pieces of the ship: and so it came to passe that they came all safe to land.

(Notes Reference) (14) And the rest, some on boards, and some on [broken pieces] of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

(14) The goodness of God overcomes man's malice.