Read Scripture In A Year: November 4

Passage 1: 2 Chronicles 33

(2Ch 33:1) Manasseh was twelue yeere olde, when he beganne to reigne, and he reigned fiue and fiftie yeere in Ierusalem:

(2Ch 33:2) And he did euill in the sight of the Lord, like the abominations of the heathen, who the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.

(2Ch 33:3) For he went backe and built the hie places, which Hezekiah his father had broken downe: and he set vp altars for Baalim, and made groues, and worshipped all the hoste of the heauen, and serued them.

(2Ch 33:4) Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had saide, In Ierusalem shall my Name be for euer.

(2Ch 33:5) And he built altars for all the hoste of the heauen in the two courtes of the house of the Lord.

(2Ch 33:6) And he caused his sonnes to passe through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom: he gaue him selfe to witchcraft and to charming and to sorcerie, and he vsed them that had familiar spirits, and soothsayers: hee did very much euill in the sight of the Lord to anger him.

(Notes Reference) (a) And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

(a) Read (2Ki 16:3).

(2Ch 33:7) He put also the carued image, which he had made, in the house of God: whereof God had said to Dauid and to Salomon his sonne, In this house and in Ierusalem, which I haue chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my Name for euer,

(2Ch 33:8) Neither will I make the foote of Israel to remooue any more out of the lande which I haue appointed for your fathers, so that they take heede, and do all that I haue commanded them, according to the Lawe and statutes and iudgements by the hande of Moses.

(Notes Reference) Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the (b) hand of Moses.

(b) By the charge given to Moses.

(2Ch 33:9) So Manasseh made Iudah and the inhabitants of Ierusalem to erre, and to doe worse then the heathen, whome the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.

(2Ch 33:10) And the Lord spake to Manasseh and to his people, but they would not regarde.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD spake (c) to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

(c) Meaning by his prophets, but their hearts were not touched to believe and repent, without which the preaching of the word has no effect.

(2Ch 33:11) Wherefore the Lord brought vpon them the captaines of the hoste of the King of Asshur, which tooke Manasseh and put him in fetters, and bound him in chaines, and caryed him to Babel.

(2Ch 33:12) And when he was in tribulation, he prayed to the Lord his God, and humbled him selfe greatly before the God of his fathers,

(2Ch 33:13) And prayed vnto him: and God was entreated of him, and heard his prayer, and brought him againe to Ierusalem into his kingdome: then Manasseh knewe that the Lord was God.

(Notes Reference) And prayed unto him: and he was (d) intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.

(d) Thus affliction gives understanding: for he that hated God in his prosperity now in his misery seeks him.

(2Ch 33:14) Nowe after this he built a wall without the citie of Dauid, on the Westside of Gihon in the valley, euen at the entrie of the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it very hie, and put captaines of warre in all the strong cities of Iudah.

(Notes Reference) Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of (e) Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about (f) Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

(e) Read (2Ch 32:30).

(f) Read (2Ch 27:3).

(2Ch 33:15) And he tooke away the strange gods and the image out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Ierusalem, and cast them out of the citie.

(2Ch 33:16) Also he prepared the altar of the Lord, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings, and of thankes, and commanded Iudah to serue the Lord God of Israel.

(Notes Reference) And he repaired the (g) altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel.

(g) Which Solomon had caused to be made.

(2Ch 33:17) Neuerthelesse the people did sacrifice stil in the hie places, but vnto the Lord their God.

(Notes Reference) Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, [yet] unto the (h) LORD their God only.

(h) Thus by ignorance they were deceived, thinking it nothing to keep the altars, so that they worshipped God: but it is idolatry to worship God any other way than he has appointed.

(2Ch 33:18) Concerning the rest of the actes of Manasseh, and his prayer vnto his God, and the words of the Seers, that spake to him in ye Name of the Lord God of Israel, beholde, they are written in the booke of the Kings of Israel.

(Notes Reference) Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his (i) prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of the LORD God of Israel, behold, they [are written] in the book of the kings of Israel.

(i) Which although it is not contained in the Hebrew, yet because it is here mentioned and is written in the Greek, we have placed it in the end of this book.

(2Ch 33:19) And his prayer and how God was intreated of him, and all his sinne, and his trespasse, and the places wherein he built hie places, and set groues and images (before he was humbled) behold, they are written in the booke of the Seers.

(2Ch 33:20) So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his owne house: and Amon his sonne reigned in his stead.

(Notes Reference) So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own (k) house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

(k) Because he had so horribly offended against the Lord, they did not bury him in the sepulchres of the kings, but in the garden of the king's house.

(2Ch 33:21) Amon was two and twentie yeere olde, when he began to reigne, and reigned two yeere in Ierusalem.

(2Ch 33:22) But he did euill in the sight of the Lord, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed to all the images, which Manasseh his father had made, and serued them,

(2Ch 33:23) And he humbled not him selfe before the Lord, as Manasseh his father had humbled himselfe: but this Amon trespassed more and more.

(2Ch 33:24) And his seruants conspired against him, and slewe him in his owne house.

(2Ch 33:25) But the people of the land slewe all them that had conspired against King Amon: and the people of the land made Iosiah his sonne King in his steade.

Passage 2: Hosea 1

(Hos 1:1) The worde of the Lord that came vnto Hosea the sonne of Beeri, in the daies of Vzziah, Iotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah Kings of Iudah, and in the daies of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioash king of Israel.

(Notes Reference) The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days (a) of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, (b) kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

The Argument - After the ten tribes had fallen away from God by the wicked and subtle counsel of Jeroboam, the son of Neba, and instead of his true service commanded by his word, worshipped him according to their own imaginings and traditions of men, giving themselves to most vile idolatry and superstition, the Lord from time to time sent them Prophets to call them to repentance. But they grew even worse and worse, and still abused God's benefits. Therefore now when their prosperity was at the highest under Jeroboam, the son of Joash, God sent Hosea and Amos to the Israelites (as he did at the same time send Isaiah and Micah to those of Judah) to condemn them for their ingratitude. And whereas they thought themselves to be greatly in the favour of God, and to be his people, the Prophet calls them bastards and children born in adultery: and therefore shows them that God would take away their kingdom, and give them to the Assyrians to be led away captives. Thus Hosea faithfully executed his office for the space of seventy years, though they remained still in their vices and wickedness and derided the Prophets, and condemned God's judgments. And because they would neither be discouraged with threatening only, nor should they flatter themselves by the sweetness of God's promises, he sets before them the two principal parts of the Law, which are the promise of salvation, and the doctrine of life. For the first part he directs the faithful to the Messiah, by whom alone they would have true deliverance: and for the second, he uses threatenings and menaces to bring them from their wicked manners and vices: and this is the chief scope of all the Prophets, either by God's promises to allure them to be godly, or else by threatenings of his judgments to scare them from vice. And even though the whole Law contains these two points, yet the Prophets moreover note distinctly both the time of God's judgments and the manner.

(a) Also called Azariah, who being a leper was disposed from his kingdom.

(b) So that it may be gathered by the reign of these four kings that he preached about eighty years.

(Hos 1:2) At the beginning the Lord spake by Hosea, and the Lord said vnto Hosea, Goe, take vnto thee a wife of fornications, and children of fornications: for the lande hath committed great whoredome, departing from the Lord.

(Notes Reference) The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife (c) of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, [departing] from the LORD.

(c) That is, one that has been a harlot for a long time: not that the Prophet did this thing in effect, but he saw this in a vision, or else was commanded by God to set forth under this parable or figure the idolatry of the Synagogue, and of the people her children.

(Hos 1:3) So he went, and tooke Gomer, ye daughter of Diblaim, which conceiued and bare him a sonne.

(Notes Reference) So he went and took (d) Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

(d) Gomer signifies a consumption or corruption, and rotten clusters of figs, declaring that they were all corrupt like rotten figs.

(Hos 1:4) And the Lord said vnto him, Cal his name Izreel: for yet a litle, and I will visite the blood of Izreel vpon the house of Iehu, and will cause to cease the kingdome of the house of Israel.

(Notes Reference) And the LORD said unto him, Call his name (e) Jezreel; for yet a little [while], and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of (f) Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

(e) Meaning that they would no longer be called Israelites, which name they boasted because Israel did prevail with God: but that they were as bastards, and therefore should be called Jezreelites, that is, scattered people, alluding to Jezreel, which was the chief city of the ten tribes under Ahab, where Jehu shed so much blood; (1Ki 18:45).

(f) I will be avenged upon Jehu for the blood that he shed in Jezreel: for even though God stirred him up to execute his judgments, yet he did them for his own ambition, and not for the glory of God as the intended goal: for he built up that idolatry which he had destroyed.

(Hos 1:5) And at that day will I also breake the bowe of Israel in the valley of Izreel.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass at that (g) day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

(g) When the measure of their iniquity is full, and I will take vengeance and destroy all their administration and strength.

(Hos 1:6) She conceiued yet againe, and bare a daughter, and God saide vnto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more haue pitie vpon the house of Israel: but I wil vtterly take them away.

(Notes Reference) And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And [God] said unto him, Call her name (h) Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly (i) take them away.

(h) That is, not obtaining mercy: by which he signifies that God's favour had departed from them.

(i) For the Israelites never returned after they were taken captives by the Assyrians.

(Hos 1:7) Yet I will haue mercie vpon the house of Iudah, and wil saue them by the Lord their God, and wil not saue them by bow, nor by sword nor by battell, by horses, nor by horsemen.

(Notes Reference) But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will (k) save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

(k) For after their captivity he restored them miraculously by the means of Cyrus; (Ezr 1:1).

(Hos 1:8) Nowe when she had wained Lo-ruhamah, shee conceiued, and bare a sonne.

(Hos 1:9) Then saide God, Call his name Lo-ammi: for yee are not my people: therefore will I not be yours.

(Notes Reference) Then said [God], Call his name (l) Loammi: for ye [are] not my people, and I will not be your [God].

(l) That is, not my people.

(Hos 1:10) Yet the nomber of the children of Israel shall be as the sande of the sea, which can not be measured nor tolde: and in the place where it was saide vnto them, Yee are not my people, it shall be saide vnto them, Yee are the sonnes of the liuing God.

(Notes Reference) Yet the number of the (m) children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, [Ye are] the sons of the living God.

(m) Because they thought that God could not have been true in his promise unless he had preserved them, he declares that though they were destroyed, yet the true Israelites who are the sons of the promise, would be without number, who consist both of the Jews and the Gentiles; (Rom 9:26).

(Hos 1:11) Then shall the children of Iudah, and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint them selues one head, and they shall come vp out of the land: for great is the day of Izreel.

(Notes Reference) Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be (n) gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great [shall be] the day of Jezreel.

(n) That is, after the captivity of Babylon, when the Jews were restored: but chiefly this refers to the time of Christ, who would be the head both of the Jews and Gentiles.

(o) The calamity and destruction of Israel will be so great, that to restore them will be a miracle.

Passage 3: Acts 14-15

(Act 14:1) And it came to passe in Iconium, that they went both together into the Synagogue of the Iewes, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Iewes and of the Grecians beleeued.

(Notes Reference) And (1) it came to pass in (a) Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

(1) We should be no less constant in the preaching of the Gospel than the perversity of the wicked is obstinate in persecuting it.

(a) Iconium was a city of Lycaonia.

(Act 14:2) And the vnbeleeuing Iewes stirred vp, and corrupted the mindes of the Gentiles against the brethren.

(Notes Reference) But the (b) unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

(b) Who did not obey the doctrine.

(Act 14:3) So therefore they abode there a long time, and spake boldly in the Lord, which gaue testimonie vnto the woord of his grace, and caused signes and woders to be done by their hands.

(Notes Reference) (2) Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

(2) We should not leave our places and give in to threatenings, or to open rage, but only when there is no other remedy, and that not for our own peace and quiet, but only so that the Gospel may be spread further abroad.

(Act 14:4) But the multitude of the city was deuided: and some were with the Iewes, and some with the Apostles.

(Act 14:5) And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and of the Iewes with their rulers, to doe them violence, and to stone them,

(Act 14:6) They were ware of it, and fled vnto Lystra, and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and vnto the region round about,

(Notes Reference) They were ware of [it], and (c) fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

(Act 14:7) And there preached the Gospel.

(Act 14:8) Nowe there sate a certaine man at Lystra, impotent in his feete, which was a creeple from his mothers wombe, who had neuer walked.

(Notes Reference) (3) And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

(3) It is an old subtlety of the devil, either to cause the faithful servants of God to be immediately banished, or to be worshipped as idols: and he does this by taking occasion of miracles which they have done.

(Act 14:9) He heard Paul speake: who beholding him, and perceiuing that he had faith to be healed,

(Act 14:10) Said with a loude voyce, Stand vpright on thy feete. And he leaped vp, and walked.

(Act 14:11) Then when the people sawe what Paul had done, they lift vp their voyces, saying in ye speach of Lycaonia, Gods are come downe to vs in the likenesse of men.

(Act 14:12) And they called Barnabas, Iupiter: and Paul, Mercurius, because hee was the chiefe speaker.

(Act 14:13) Then Iupiters priest, which was before their citie, brought bulles with garlands vnto the gates, and would haue sacrificed with the people.

(Notes Reference) Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the (d) gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

(d) Of the house where Paul and Barnabas were.

(Act 14:14) But when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard it, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying,

(Act 14:15) And saying, O men, why doe yee these things? We are euen men subiect to the like passions that yee be, and preache vnto you, that yee shoulde turne from these vaine things vnto the liuing God, which made heauen and earth, and the sea, and all things that in them are:

(Notes Reference) (4) And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of (e) like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these (f) vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

(4) That is also called idolatry which gives to creatures, be they ever so holy and excellent, that which is proper to the only One God, that is, invocation, or calling upon.

(e) Men, as you are, and partakers of the very same nature of man as you are.

(f) He calls idols "vanities", after the manner of the Hebrews.

(Act 14:16) Who in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walke in their owne waies.

(Notes Reference) (5) Who in times past (g) suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

(5) Custom, be it ever so old, does not excuse the idolaters.

(g) Allowed them to live as they wished, prescribing and appointing them no type of religion.

(Act 14:17) Neuerthelesse, hee left not him selfe without witnes, in that hee did good and gaue vs raine from heauen, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with foode, and gladnesse.

(Act 14:18) And speaking these things, scarce appeased they the multitude, that they had not sacrificed vnto them.

(Act 14:19) Then there came certaine Iewes from Antiochia and Iconium, which when they had persuaded the people, stoned Paul, and drewe him out of the citie, supposing he had bene dead.

(Notes Reference) (6) And there came thither [certain] Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew [him] out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

(6) The devil, when he is brought to his last chance, at length rages openly, but in vain, even at that time when he seems to have the upper hand.

(Act 14:20) Howbeit, as the disciples stoode rounde about him, hee arose vp, and came into the citie, and the next day hee departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

(Act 14:21) And after they had preached the glad tidings of the Gospel to that citie, and had taught many, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antiochia,

(Notes Reference) (7) And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and [to] Iconium, and Antioch,

(7) We must go forward in our calling through a thousand deaths.

(Act 14:22) Confirming the disciples hearts, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, affirming that we must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of God.

(Notes Reference) (8) Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

(8) It is the office of the ministers, not only to teach, but also to confirm those that are taught, and prepare them for the cross.

(Act 14:23) And when they had ordeined them Elders by election in euery Church, and prayed, and fasted, they commended them to the Lord in whome they beleeued.

(Notes Reference) (9) And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

(9) The apostles committed the churches which they had planted to proper and special pastors, who they appointed not rashly, but with prayers and fastings preceding their choice: neither did they thrust them upon churches through bribery, or lordly superiority, but chose and placed them by the voice of the congregation.

(Act 14:24) Thus they went throughout Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.

(Notes Reference) (10) And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

(10) Paul and Barnabas, having completed their journey, and having returned to Antioch, give an account of their journey to the congregation or church.

(Act 14:25) And when they had preached the woorde in Perga, they came downe to Attalia,

(Notes Reference) And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into (h) Attalia:

(h) Attalia was a sea city of Pamphylia, near to Lycia.

(Act 14:26) And thence sailed to Antiochia, from whence they had bene comended vnto the grace of God, to the woorke, which they had fulfilled.

(Notes Reference) And thence sailed to (i) Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

(i) Antioch of Syria.

(Act 14:27) And when they were come and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all the things that God had done by them, and howe he had opened the doore of faith vnto the Gentiles.

(Act 14:28) So there they abode a long time with the disciples.

(Act 15:1) Then came downe certaine from Iudea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the maner of Moses, ye cannot be saued.

(Notes Reference) And (1) (a) certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

(1) The Church is at length troubled with dissension within itself, and the trouble rises from the proud and stubborn intellects of certain evil men. The first strife was concerning the office of Christ, whether we are saved only by his righteousness apprehended by faith, or if we also have need to observe the Law.

(a) Epiphanius is of the opinion that this was Cerinthus.

(Act 15:2) And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordeyned that Paul and Barnabas, and certaine other of them, should goe vp to Hierusalem vnto the Apostles and Elders about this question.

(Notes Reference) (2) When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

(2) Meetings of congregations were instituted to suppress heresies, to which certain were sent by common consent on behalf of all.

(Act 15:3) Thus being brought forth by ye Church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conuersion of the Gentiles, and they brought great ioy vnto all the brethren.

(Notes Reference) And (b) being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

(b) Courteously and lovingly brought on their way by the Church, that is, by certain ones appointed by the Church.

(Act 15:4) And when they were come to Hierusalem, they were receiued of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them.

(Act 15:5) But said they, certaine of the sect of the Pharises, which did beleeue, rose vp, saying, that it was needefull to circumcise them, and to commaund them to keepe the lawe of Moses.

(Act 15:6) Then the Apostles and Elders came together to looke to this matter.

(Notes Reference) (3) And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

(3) The matter is first handled, both parts being heard, in the assembly of the apostles and elders, and after is communicated to the people.

(Act 15:7) And when there had bene great disputation, Peter rose vp, and said vnto them, Ye men and brethren, ye know that a good while ago, among vs God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the worde of the Gospel, and beleeue.

(Notes Reference) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, (4) Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a (c) good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

(4) God himself, in the calling of the Gentiles who are uncircumcised, taught that our salvation consists in faith, without the worship appointed by the Law.

(c) Literally, "of old time", that is, even from the first time that we were commanded to preach the Gospel, and immediately after that the Holy Spirit came down upon us.

(Act 15:8) And God which knoweth the heartes, bare them witnesse, in giuing vnto them ye holy Ghost euen as he did vnto vs.

(Act 15:9) And he put no difference betweene vs and them, after that by faith he had purified their heartes.

(Notes Reference) And put no (d) difference between us and them, purifying their hearts (e) by faith.

(d) He put no difference between us and them, with regard to the benefit of his free favour.

(e) Christ proclaims those blessed who are pure of heart: and here we are plainly taught that men are made pure of heart by faith.

(Act 15:10) Nowe therefore, why tempt ye God, to lay a yoke on the disciples neckes, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to beare?

(Notes Reference) (5) Now therefore why (f) tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

(5) Peter, passing from the ceremonies to the Law itself in general, shows that no one could be saved, if salvation were to be sought for by the Law, and not by grace alone in Jesus Christ; and this is because no man could ever fulfil the Law, neither the patriarch nor the apostle.

(f) Why do you tempt God, as though he could not save by faith?

(Act 15:11) But we beleeue, through the grace of the Lord Iesus Christ to be saued, euen as they doe.

(Act 15:12) Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signes and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.

(Notes Reference) (6) Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

(6) A true pattern of a lawful council, where God's truth alone reigns.

(Act 15:13) And when they helde their peace, Iames answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken vnto me.

(Notes Reference) And after they had held their peace, (g) James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me:

(g) The son of Alphaeus, who is also called the Lord's brother.

(Act 15:14) Simeon hath declared, howe God first did visite the Gentiles, to take of them a people vnto his Name.

(Notes Reference) (7) Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

(7) James confirms the calling of the Gentiles out of the word of God, in this agreeing with Peter.

(Act 15:15) And to this agree the woordes of the Prophets, as it is written,

(Act 15:16) After this I will returne, and will builde againe the tabernacle of Dauid, which is fallen downe, and the ruines thereof will I build againe, and I will set it vp,

(Act 15:17) That the residue of men might seeke after the Lord, and all the Gentiles vpon whom my Name is called, saith the Lord which doeth all these things.

(Act 15:18) From the beginning of the worlde, God knoweth all his workes.

(Notes Reference) (h) Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

(h) And therefore nothing comes to pass by chance, but only by God's appointment.

(Act 15:19) Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,

(Notes Reference) (8) Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

(8) In indifferent matters, we may be patient with the weakness of our brethren with the end in view that they may have time to be instructed.

(Act 15:20) But that we send vnto them, that they abstaine themselues from filthinesse of idoles, and fornication, and that that is strangled, and from blood.

(Notes Reference) But that we write unto them, that they abstain from (i) pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.

(i) From sacrifices, or from feasts which were kept in idol's temples.

(Act 15:21) For Moses of olde time hath in euery citie them that preache him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues euery Sabbath day.

(Act 15:22) Then it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church, to sende chosen men of their owne companie to Antiochia with Paul and Barnabas: to wit, Iudas whose surname was Barsabas and Silas, which were chiefe men among the brethren,

(Notes Reference) (9) Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

(9) In a lawful synod, neither those who are appointed and chosen judges, appoint and determine anything tyrannously or upon a lordly superiority, neither do the common multitude stir up disorder against those who sit as judges by the word of God: and the like manner of doing things is also used in proclaiming and ratifying those things which have been so determined and agreed upon.

(Act 15:23) And wrote letters by them after this maner, THE APOSTLES, and the Elders, and the brethren, vnto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antiochia, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, send greeting.

(Act 15:24) Forasmuch as we haue heard, that certaine which went out from vs, haue troubled you with wordes, and cumbred your mindes, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keepe the Lawe: to whom we gaue no such commandement,

(Notes Reference) (10) Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which (k) went out from us have troubled you with words, (l) subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment:

(10) The council of Jerusalem concludes that the ones who trouble men's consciences are they who teach us to seek salvation in any other means than in Christ alone, apprehended by faith, no matter where they come from, and whoever they pretend to be the author of their calling.

(k) From our congregation.

(l) A borrowed type of speech taken of those who pull down that which was built up: and it is a very common metaphor in the scriptures, to say "the Church is built", for "the Church is planted and established".

(Act 15:25) It seemed therefore good to vs, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men vnto you, with our beloued Barnabas and Paul,

(Act 15:26) Men that haue giuen vp their liues for the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ.

(Act 15:27) We haue therefore sent Iudas and Silas, which shall also tell you ye same things by mouth.

(Act 15:28) For it seemed good to the holy Ghost, and to vs, to lay no more burden vpon you, then these necessary things,

(Notes Reference) (11) For it seemed good to the (n) Holy Ghost, and (o) to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these (p) necessary things;

(11) That is a lawful council, which the Holy Spirit rules.

(n) First they made mention of the Holy Spirit, so that it may not seem to be any man's work.

(o) Not that men have any authority of themselves, but to show the faithfulness that they used in their ministry and labour.

(p) This was no absolute necessity, but in respect of the state of that time, so that the Gentiles and the Jews might live together more peaceably, with less occasion to quarrel.

(Act 15:29) That is, that ye abstaine from things offered to idoles, and blood, and that that is strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keepe your selues, ye shall doe well. Fare ye well.

(Notes Reference) (12) That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

(12) Charity is required even in indifferent matters.

(Act 15:30) Nowe when they were departed, they came to Antiochia, and after that they had assembled the multitude, they deliuered the Epistle.

(Notes Reference) (13) So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

(13) It is required for all people to know certainly what to hold in matters of faith and religion, and not that the Church by ignorance and knowing nothing, should depend upon the pleasure of a few.

(Act 15:31) And when they had read it, they reioyced for the consolation.

(Act 15:32) And Iudas and Silas being Prophets, exhorted the brethren with many wordes, and strengthened them.

(Act 15:33) And after they had taried there a space, they were let goe in peace of the brethren vnto the Apostles.

(Notes Reference) And after they had tarried [there] a space, they were let go in (q) peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

(q) This is a Hebrew idiom, which is the same as saying, "as the brethren wished them all prosperous success, and the church dismissed them with good leave."

(Act 15:34) Notwithstanding Silas thought good to abide there still.

(Act 15:35) Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antiochia, teaching and preaching with many other, the worde of the Lord.

(Act 15:36) But after certaine dayes, Paul said vnto Barnabas, Let vs returne, and visite our brethren in euery citie, where we haue preached the worde of the Lord, and see how they doe.

(Notes Reference) (14) And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.

(14) Congregations or churches easily degenerate unless they are diligently watched over, and therefore these apostles went to oversee the churches they had planted, and for this reason also synods were instituted and appointed.

(Act 15:37) And Barnabas counselled to take with them Iohn, called Marke.

(Notes Reference) (15) And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

(15) A lamentable example of discord between excellent men and very great friends, yet not because of profane matters or their own private affairs, neither yet because of doctrine.

(Act 15:38) But Paul thought it not meete to take him vnto their companie, which departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the worke.

(Act 15:39) Then were they so stirred, that they departed asunder one from the other, so that Barnabas tooke Marke, and sailed vnto Cyprus.

(Notes Reference) (16) And (r) the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

(16) God uses the faults of his servants to the profit and building of the Church: yet we have to take heed, even in the best matters, that we do not let our anger overflow.

(r) They were in great heat: but in this we have to consider the power of God's counsel, for by this means it came to pass that the doctrine of the Gospel was spread into many places.

(Act 15:40) And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended of the brethren vnto the grace of God.

(Act 15:41) And he went through Syria and Cilicia, stablishing the Churches.