Read Scripture In A Year: October 11

Passage 1: 1 Chronicles 28

(1Ch 28:1) Nowe Dauid assembled all the princes of Israel: the princes of the tribes, and the captaines of the bandes that serued the King, and the captaines of thousands and the captaines of hundreths, and the rulers of all the substance and possession of the King, and of his sonnes, with the eunuches, and the mightie, and all the men of power, vnto Ierusalem.

(1Ch 28:2) And King Dauid stoode vp vpon his feete; and saide, Heare ye me, my brethren and my people: I purposed to haue buylt an house of rest for the Arke of the couenant of the Lord, and for a footestoole of our God, and haue made ready for the building,

(Notes Reference) Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of (a) rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

(a) Where the ark would stay and no longer move to and fro.

(1Ch 28:3) But God sayde vnto me, Thou shalt not buylde an house for my Name, because thou hast bene a man of warre, and hast shed blood.

(1Ch 28:4) Yet as the Lord God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father, to be King ouer Israel for euer (for in Iudah woulde he chuse a prince, and of the house of Iudah is the house of my father, and among the sonnes of my father he delited in me to make me King ouer all Israel)

(Notes Reference) Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah [to be] the ruler; and of the house of (b) Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make [me] king over all Israel:

(b) According to the prophecy of Jacob, (Gen 49:8).

(1Ch 28:5) So of all my sonnes (for the Lord hath giuen me many sonnes) he hath euen chosen Salomon my sonne to sit vpon the throne of the kingdome of the Lord ouer Israel.

(1Ch 28:6) And he sayd vnto me, Salomon thy sonne, he shall build mine house and my courtes: for I haue chosen him to be my sonne, and I will be his father.

(1Ch 28:7) I will stablish therefore his kingdome for euer, if he endeuour himselfe to do my commandements, and my iudgements, as this day.

(Notes Reference) Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at (c) this day.

(1Ch 28:8) Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the Congregation of the Lord, and in the audience of our God, keepe and seeke for all the commandements of the Lord your God, that ye may possesse this good lande, and leaue it for an inheritance for your children after you for euer.

(Notes Reference) Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this (d) good land, and leave [it] for an inheritance for your children after you (e) for ever.

(d) That is, of Canaan.

(e) He declares that nothing can separate them from the conveniences of this land, both for themselves and their posterity except for their sins and iniquity.

(1Ch 28:9) And thou, Salomon my sonne, know thou the God of thy father, and serue him with a perfit heart, and with a willing minde: For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and vnderstandeth all the imaginations of thoughts: if thou seeke him, he will be found of thee, but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for euer.

(1Ch 28:10) Take heede now, for the Lord hath chosen thee to buylde the house of the Sanctuarie: be strong therefore, and doe it.

(Notes Reference) Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build (f) an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and (g) do [it].

(f) Meaning, for his ark.

(g) Put it in execution.

(1Ch 28:11) Then Dauid gaue to Salomon his sonne the paterne of the porch and of the houses thereof, and of the closets thereof, and of the galleries thereof, and of the chambers thereof that are within, and of the house of the mercieseate,

(1Ch 28:12) And the paterne of all that he had in his minde for the courtes of the house of the Lord, and for all the chambers round about, for the treasures of the house of God, and for the treasures of the dedicate things,

(1Ch 28:13) And for the courses of the Priestes, and of the Leuites, and for all the woorke for the seruice of the house of the Lord, and for all the vessels of the ministerie of the house of the Lord.

(1Ch 28:14) He gaue of golde by weight, for the vessels of gold, for all the vessels of all maner of seruice, and all the vessels of siluer by weight, for all maner vessels of all maner of seruice.

(1Ch 28:15) The weight also of golde for the candlestickes, and gold for their lampes, with the weight for euery candlesticke, and for the lampes thereof, and for the candlestickes of siluer by the weight of the candlesticke, and the lampes thereof, according to the vse of euery candlesticke,

(Notes Reference) Even the weight for the (h) candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, [both] for the candlestick, and [also] for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.

(h) That is, the ten candlesticks, (1Ki 7:49).

(1Ch 28:16) And the weight of the gold for the tables of shewbread, for euery table, and siluer for the tables of siluer,

(1Ch 28:17) And pure golde for the fleshhookes, and the bowles, and plates, and for basens, golde in weight for euery basen, and for siluer basens, by weight for euery basen,

(1Ch 28:18) And for the altar of incense, pure golde by weight, and golde for the paterne of the charet of the Cherubs that spread themselues, and couered the Arke of the couenant of the Lord:

(Notes Reference) And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of (i) the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out [their wings], and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

(i) Meaning, of the mercy seat that covered the ark, which was called the chariot, because the Lord declared himself there.

(1Ch 28:19) All, said he, by writing sent to me by the hand of the Lord, which made me vnderstand all the workemanship of the paterne.

(Notes Reference) All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing (k) by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.

(k) For all this was left in writing in the book of the Law, (Exo 25:40), which the king was bound to put in execution, (Deu 17:19).

(1Ch 28:20) And Dauid said to Salomon his sonne, Be strong, and of a valiant courage and doe it: feare not, nor be afraide: for the Lord God, euen my God is with thee: he will not leaue thee nor forsake thee till thou hast finished all the worke for the seruice of the house of the Lord.

(1Ch 28:21) Beholde also, the companies of the Priests and the Leuites for all the seruice of the house of God, euen they shall be with thee for the whole worke, with euery free heart that is skilfull in any maner of seruice. The princes also and all the people will be wholy at thy commandement.

(Notes Reference) And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, [even they shall be with thee] for all the service of the house of God: and [there shall be] with thee for all manner of workmanship (l) every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people [will be] wholly at thy commandment.

(l) That is, everyone will be ready to help you with those gifts that God has given him.

Passage 2: Ezekiel 37

(Eze 37:1) The hand of the Lord was vpon me, and caryed me out in ye spirit of ye Lord, and set me downe in ye mids of the field, which was full of bones.

(Notes Reference) The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which [was] full of (a) bones,

(a) He shows by a great miracle that God has power and will deliver his people from their captivity, in as much as he is able to give life to the dead bones and bodies and raise them up again.

(Eze 37:2) And he led me round about by them, and beholde, they were very many in the open fielde, and lo, they were very drie.

(Eze 37:3) And he sayde vnto me, Sonne of man, can these bones liue? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.

(Eze 37:4) Againe he sayde vnto me, Prophecie vpon these bones and say vnto them, O ye dry bones, heare the word of the Lord.

(Eze 37:5) Thus saith the Lord God vnto these bones, Behold, I wil cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall liue.

(Eze 37:6) And I will lay sinewes vpon you, and make flesh growe vpon you, and couer you with skinne, and put breath in you, that ye may liue, and yee shall know that I am the Lord.

(Eze 37:7) So I prophecied, as I was commanded: and as I prophecied, there was a noyse, and beholde, there was a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.

(Eze 37:8) And when I beheld, loe, the sinewes, and the flesh grewe vpon them, and aboue, the skinne couered them, but there was no breath in them.

(Eze 37:9) Then sayd he vnto me, Prophecie vnto the winde: prophecie, sonne of man, and say to the winde, Thus sayth the Lord God, Come from the foure windes, O breath, and breathe vpon these slayne, that they may liue.

(Notes Reference) Then said he to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four (b) winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

(b) Signifying all places where the Israelites were scattered that is, the faithful will be brought to the same unity of spirit and doctrine wherever they are scattered through the world.

(Eze 37:10) So I prophecied as hee had commanded me: and the breath came into them, and they liued, and stood vp vpon their feete, an exceeding great armie.

(Eze 37:11) Then he sayd vnto me, Sonne of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is gone, and we are cleane cut off.

(Eze 37:12) Therefore prophecie, and say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Beholde, my people, I will open your graues, and cause you to come vp out of your sepulchres, and bring you into the lande of Israel,

(Eze 37:13) And yee shall knowe that I am the Lord, when I haue opened your graues, O my people, and brought you vp out of your sepulchres,

(Notes Reference) And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, (c) when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you out of your graves,

(Eze 37:14) And shall put my Spirit in you, and ye shall liue, and I shall place you in your owne land: then yee shall knowe that I the Lord haue spoken it, and performed it, sayth the Lord.

(Eze 37:15) The word of the Lord came againe vnto me, saying,

(Eze 37:16) Moreouer thou sonne of man, take thee a piece of wood, and write vpon it, Vnto Iudah, and to the children of Israel his companions the take another piece of wood, and write vpon it, Vnto Ioseph the tree of Ephraim, and to al the house of Israel his companions.

(Notes Reference) Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take (d) another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and [for] all the house of Israel his companions:

(d) Which signifies the joining together of the two houses of Israel and Judah.

(Eze 37:17) And thou shalt ioyne the one to another into one tree, and they shalbe as one in thine hand.

(Eze 37:18) And when the children of thy people shall speake vnto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shewe vs what thou meanest by these?

(Eze 37:19) Thou shalt answere them, Thus sayeth the Lord God, Behold, I wil take the tree of Ioseph, which is in the hande of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellowes, and will put them with him, euen with the tree of Iudah, and make them one tree, and they shalbe one in mine hand.

(Notes Reference) Say to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick (e) of Joseph, which [is] in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, [even] with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in my hand.

(e) That is, the house of Israel.

(Eze 37:20) And the pieces of wood, whereon thou writest, shalbe in thine hand, in their sight.

(Eze 37:21) And say vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Beholde, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and wil gather them on euery side, and bring them into their owne land.

(Eze 37:22) And I will make them one people in the lande, vpon the mountaines of Israel, and one king shalbe king to them all: and they shalbe no more two peoples, neither bee deuided any more henceforth into two kingdomes.

(Eze 37:23) Neither shall they bee polluted any more with their idoles, nor with their abominations, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will saue them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they haue sinned, and will clense them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.

(Eze 37:24) And Dauid my seruant shalbe king ouer them, and they all shall haue one shepheard: they shall also walke in my iudgements, and obserue my statutes, and doe them.

(Eze 37:25) And they shall dwell in the lande, that I haue giuen vnto Iaakob my seruant, where your fathers haue dwelt, and they shall dwel therein, euen they, and their sonnes, and their sonnes sonnes for euer, and my seruant Dauid shall bee their prince for euer.

(Notes Reference) And they shall dwell in the (f) land that I have given to Jacob my servant, in which your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell in it, [even] they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David [shall be] their prince for ever.

(f) Meaning that the elect by Christ will dwell in heaven by Jerusalem, which is meant by the land of Canaan.

(Eze 37:26) Moreouer, I will make a couenant of peace with them: it shall be an euerlasting couenant with them, and I wil place them, and multiply them, and wil set my Sanctuarie among them for euermore.

(Eze 37:27) My tabernacle also shalbe with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shalbe my people.

(Eze 37:28) Thus the heathen shall knowe, that I the Lord do sanctifie Israel, when my Sanctuarie shall be among them for euermore.

Passage 3: John 2-3

(Joh 2:1) And the thirde day, was there a mariage in Cana a towne of Galile, and the mother of Iesus was there.

(Notes Reference) And (1) the (a) third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

(1) Christ, declaring openly in an assembly by a notable miracle that he has power over the nature of things to feed man's body, leads the minds of all men to consider his spiritual and saving strength and power.

(a) After the talk which he had with Nathanael, or after his departure from John, or after he came into Galilee.

(Joh 2:2) And Iesus was called also, and his disciples vnto the mariage.

(Joh 2:3) Nowe when the wine failed, the mother of Iesus saide vnto him, They haue no wine.

(Notes Reference) (2) And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

(2) Christ takes good enough care of our salvation, and therefore has no need of others to remind of it.

(Joh 2:4) Iesus saide vnto her, Woman, what haue I to doe with thee? mine houre is not yet come.

(Notes Reference) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine (b) hour is not yet come.

(b) My appointed time.

(Joh 2:5) His mother saide vnto the seruants, Whatsoeuer he sayeth vnto you, doe it.

(Joh 2:6) And there were set there, sixe waterpots of stone, after the maner of the purifying of the Iewes, conteining two or three firkins a piece.

(Notes Reference) And there were set there six (c) waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three (d) firkins apiece.

(d) Every firkin contained one hundred pounds, at twelve ounces a pound: By this we gather that Christ helps them with one thousand and eight hundred pounds of wine. (about 135 imperial gallons or 600 litres Ed.)

(Joh 2:7) And Iesus sayde vnto them, Fill the waterpots with water. Then they filled them vp to the brim.

(Joh 2:8) Then he sayde vnto them, Draw out nowe and beare vnto the gouernour of the feast. So they bare it.

(Joh 2:9) Nowe when the gouernour of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, (for he knewe not whence it was: but the seruants, which drewe the water, knewe) the gouernour of ye feast called the bridegrome,

(Joh 2:10) And saide vnto him, All men at the beginning set foorth good wine, and when men haue well drunke, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept backe the good wine vntill nowe.

(Notes Reference) And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have (e) well drunk, then that which is worse: [but] thou hast kept the good wine until now.

(e) Literally, "are drunken". Now this saying, to be drunken, does not always refer to being drunk in the evil sense in the Hebrew language, but sometimes signifies an abundant and plentiful use of wine, which is nonetheless a measured amount, as in (Gen 43:34).

(Joh 2:11) This beginning of miracles did Iesus in Cana a towne of Galile, and shewed forth his glorie: and his disciples beleeued on him.

(Joh 2:12) After that, he went downe into Capernaum, he and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: but they continued not many daies there.

(Notes Reference) After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his (f) brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

(f) That is, his cousins.

(Joh 2:13) For the Iewes Passeouer was at hande. Therefore Iesus went vp to Hierusalem.

(Notes Reference) (3) And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

(3) Christ being made subject to the law for us, satisfies the law of the passover.

(Joh 2:14) And he found in the Temple those that sold oxen, and sheepe, and doues, and changers of money, sitting there.

(Notes Reference) (4) And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

(4) Christ being ordained to purge the Church with great zeal begins his office both of Priest and Prophet.

(Joh 2:15) Then hee made a scourge of small cordes, and draue them all out of the Temple with the sheepe and oxen, and powred out the changers money, and ouerthrewe the tables,

(Joh 2:16) And said vnto them that solde doues, Take these things hence: make not my fathers house, an house of marchandise.

(Joh 2:17) And his disciples remembred, that it was written, The zeale of thine house hath eaten me vp.

(Notes Reference) And his disciples remembered that it was written, The (g) zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

(g) "Zeal" in this place is taken for a wrathful indignation and displeasure of the mind, brought about when someone deals wickedly and evilly towards those whom we love well.

(Joh 2:18) Then answered the Iewes, and saide vnto him, What signe shewest thou vnto vs, that thou doest these things?

(Notes Reference) (5) Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What (h) sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

(5) Against those who so bind God to an ordinary calling, which they themselves most shamefully abuse, that they will not admit of an extraordinary calling, which God confirms from heaven (and they would have it extinguished, although in vain) unless it is sealed with outward and bodily miracles.

(h) With what miracle do you confirm it, that we may see the heavenly power and strength which gives you authority to speak and to act in this manner?

(Joh 2:19) Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Destroy this Temple, and in three daies I will raise it vp againe.

(Joh 2:20) Then said the Iewes, Fourtie and sixe yeeres was this Temple a building, and wilt thou reare it vp in three daies?

(Joh 2:21) But he spake of the temple of his bodie.

(Notes Reference) But he spake of the (i) temple of his body.

(i) That is, of his body.

(Joh 2:22) Assoone therefore as he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembred that hee thus sayde vnto them: and they beleeued the Scripture, and the worde which Iesus had saide.

(Joh 2:23) Nowe when hee was at Hierusalem at the Passeouer in the feast, many beleeued in his Name, when they sawe his miracles which he did.

(Joh 2:24) But Iesus did not commit him selfe vnto them, because he knewe them all,

(Notes Reference) (6) But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],

(6) It is not good giving credit to those who trust only because of miracles.

(Joh 2:25) And had no neede that any should testifie of man: for he knewe what was in man.

(Notes Reference) (7) And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

(7) Christ is the searcher of hearts, and therefore truly God.

(Joh 3:1) There was nowe a man of the Pharises, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Iewes.

(Notes Reference) There (1) was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a (a) ruler of the Jews:

(1) There are none sometimes more unlearned than the learned, but the learned as well as the unlearned must desire wisdom from Christ only.

(a) A man of great estimation and a ruler amongst the Jews.

(Joh 3:2) This man came to Iesus by night, and sayd vnto him, Rabbi, we knowe ye thou art a teacher come from God: for no man could do these miracles that thou doest, except God were with him.

(Notes Reference) The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a (b) teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, (c) except God be with him.

(b) We know that you are sent from God to teach us.

(c) But he in whom some part of the excellency of God appears. And if Nicodemus had rightly known Christ, he would not only have said that God was with him, but in him, as Paul does in (2Co 1:19).

(Joh 3:3) Iesus answered, and said vnto him, Verely, verely I say vnto thee, except a man be borne againe, he can not see the kingdome of God.

(Notes Reference) (2) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot (d) see the (e) kingdom of God.

(2) The beginning of Christianity consists in this, that we know ourselves not only to be corrupt in part, but to be wholly dead in sin: so that our nature has need to be created anew, with regard to its qualities, which can be done by no other power, but by the divine and heavenly, by which we were first created.

(d) That is, "go in", or "enter", as he expounds himself below in (Joh 3:5).

(e) The Church: for Christ shows here how we come to be citizens and to have anything to do in the city of God.

(Joh 3:4) Nicodemus sayde vnto him, Howe can a man be borne which is olde? can he enter into his mothers wombe againe, and be borne?

(Notes Reference) Nicodemus saith unto him, How (f) can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

(f) How can I who am old be born again? For Nicodemus answers as if Christ's words were only addressed to himself.

(Joh 3:5) Iesus answered, Verely, verely I say vnto thee, except that a man be borne of water and of the Spirite, hee can not enter into the kingdome of God.

(Joh 3:6) That which is borne of the flesh, is flesh: and that that is borne of the Spirit, is spirit.

(Notes Reference) That which is born of the flesh is (g) flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(g) That is, fleshly, namely, wholly unclean and under the wrath of God: and therefore this word "flesh" signifies the corrupt nature of man: contrary to which is the Spirit, that is, the man ingrafted into Christ through the grace of the Holy Spirit, whose nature is everlasting and immortal, though the strife of the flesh remains.

(Joh 3:7) Marueile not that I said to thee, Yee must be borne againe.

(Joh 3:8) The winde bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it commeth, and whither it goeth: so is euery man that is borne of the Spirit.

(Notes Reference) The wind bloweth where it (h) listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

(h) With free and wandering blasts as it wishes.

(Joh 3:9) Nicodemus answered, and said vnto him, Howe can these things be?

(Notes Reference) (3) Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

(3) The secret mystery of our regeneration which cannot be comprehended by man's capacity, is perceived by faith, and that in Christ only, because he is both God on earth, and man in heaven, that is to say, man in such a way that he is God also, and therefore almighty: and God in such a way that he is man also, and therefore his power is made manifest to us.

(Joh 3:10) Iesus answered, and saide vnto him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things?

(Joh 3:11) Verely, verely I say vnto thee, wee speake that we know, and testifie that we haue seene: but yee receiue not our witnesse.

(Notes Reference) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our (i) witness.

(i) You handle doubtful things even though you have no solid basis for believing them, and yet men believe you: but I teach those things that are of a truth and well known, and you do not believe me.

(Joh 3:12) If when I tel you earthly things, ye beleeue not, howe should yee beleeue, if I shall tel you of heauenly things?

(Joh 3:13) For no man ascendeth vp to heauen, but he that hath descended from heauen, that Sonne of man which is in heauen.

(Notes Reference) And no (k) man (l) hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] (m) the Son of man which (n) is in heaven.

(k) Only Christ can teach us heavenly things, for no man ascends, etc.

(l) That is, has any spiritual light and understanding, or ever had any, but only the Son of God who came down to us.

(m) Whereas he is said to have come down from heaven, this must be understood as referring to his Godhead, and of the manner of his conception: for Christ's birth upon the earth was heavenly and not earthly, for he was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

(n) That which is proper to the divinity of Christ, is here spoken of the whole Christ, to show us that he is but one person in which two natures are united.

(Joh 3:14) And as Moses lift vp the serpent in the wildernesse, so must that Sonne of man be lift vp,

(Joh 3:15) That whosoeuer beleeueth in him, shoulde not perish, but haue eternall life.

(Joh 3:16) For God so loued the worlde, that hee hath giuen his onely begotten Sonne, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life.

(Notes Reference) (5) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth (o) in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(5) Nothing else but the free love of the Father is the beginning of our salvation, and Christ is he in whom our righteousness and salvation dwells: and faith is the instrument or means by which we apprehend it, and everlasting life is that which is set before us to apprehend.

(o) It is not the same to believe in a thing, and to believe about a thing, for we may not believe in anything except in God alone, but we may believe about anything whatever, says Nazianzene in his Oration of the Spirit.

(Joh 3:17) For God sent not his Sonne into the world, that he should condemne the world, but that the world through him might be saued.

(Notes Reference) (6) For God sent not his Son into the world (p) to condemn the world; but that the (q) world through him might be saved.

(6) Christ does not condemn, but rather despising Christ condemns.

(p) That is, to be the cause of the condemning of the world, for indeed sins are the cause of death; however, Christ will still judge the living and the dead.

(q) Not only the people of the Jews, but whoever will believe in him.

(Joh 3:18) Hee that beleeueth in him, is not condemned: but hee that beleeueth not, is condemned already, because he hath not beleeued in the Name of that onely begotten Sonne of God.

(Joh 3:19) And this is the condemnation, that that light came into the worlde, and men loued darknesse rather then that light, because their deedes were euill.

(Notes Reference) (7) And this is the (r) condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

(7) The only reason why men refuse the light that is offered to them is wickedness.

(r) That is, the cause of condemnation, which remains in men, unless through God's great benefit they are delivered from it.

(Joh 3:20) For euery man that euill doeth, hateth the light, neither commeth to light, least his deedes should be reprooued.

(Joh 3:21) But he that doeth trueth, commeth to the light, that his deedes might bee made manifest, that they are wrought according to God.

(Notes Reference) But he that (s) doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought (t) in God.

(s) That is, he that leads an honest life, and is void of all cunning and deceit.

(t) That is, with God, God as it were going before.

(Joh 3:22) After these things, came Iesus and his disciples into the lande of Iudea, and there taried with them, and baptized.

(Joh 3:23) And Iohn also baptized in Enon besides Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

(Joh 3:24) For Iohn was not yet cast into prison.

(Joh 3:25) Then there arose a question betweene Iohns disciples and the Iewes, about purifying.

(Notes Reference) (8) Then there arose a question between [some] of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.

(8) Satan inflames the disciples of John with a fond emulation of their master in order to hinder the course of the gospel: but John, being mindful of his office, not only puts a stop to their endeavours, but also takes occasion by that means to give testimony of Christ, that in him alone the Father has set forth everlasting life.

(Joh 3:26) And they came vnto Iohn, and saide vnto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Iorden, to whom thou barest witnesse, behold, he baptizeth, and all men come to him.

(Joh 3:27) Iohn answered, and saide, A man can receiue nothing, except it be giuen him from heauen.

(Notes Reference) John answered and said, A man (u) can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

(u) Why are you trying to better my state? This is every man's lot and portion, that he cannot better himself in the slightest way.

(Joh 3:28) Yee your selues are my witnesses, that I sayde, I am not that Christ, but that I am sent before him.

(Joh 3:29) He that hath the bride, is the bridegrome: but the friend of the bridegrome which standeth and heareth him, reioyceth greatly, because of the bridegromes voyce. This my ioy therefore is fulfilled.

(Joh 3:30) He must increase, but I must decrease.

(Joh 3:31) Hee that is come from an hie, is aboue all: he that is of the earth, is of the earth, and speaketh of the earth: hee that is come from heauen, is aboue all.

(Notes Reference) He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is (x) earthly, and (y) speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

(x) Is nothing else but man, a piece of work made of the slime of the earth.

(y) Is characterized by nothing but corruption, ignorance, dulness, etc.

(Joh 3:32) And what hee hath seene and heard, that he testifieth: but no man receiueth his testimonie.

(Notes Reference) And what he hath (z) seen and heard, that he testifieth; and (a) no man receiveth his testimony.

(z) What he knows fully and perfectly.

(a) That is, very few.

(Joh 3:33) He that hath receiued his testimonie, hath sealed that God is true.

(Joh 3:34) For hee whome God hath sent, speaketh the woordes of God: for God giueth him not the Spirit by measure.

(Joh 3:35) The Father loueth the Sonne, and hath giuen all things into his hande.

(Notes Reference) The Father loveth the Son, and hath (b) given all things into his hand.

(b) Committed them to his power and will.

(Joh 3:36) Hee that beleeueth in the Sonne, hath euerlasting life, and hee that obeyeth not the Sonne, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

(Notes Reference) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not (c) see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.