Read Scripture In A Year: October 21

Passage 1: 2 Chronicles 14-15

(2Ch 14:1) So Abiiah slept with his fathers, and they buryed him in the citie of Dauid, and Asa his sonne reigned in his steade: in whose dayes the lande was quiet ten yeere.

(2Ch 14:2) And Asa did that was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.

(2Ch 14:3) For he tooke away the altars of the strange gods and the hie places, and brake downe the images, and cut downe the groues,

(Notes Reference) For he took away the altars of the strange [gods], and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the (a) groves:

(a) Which were planted contrary to the Law, (Deu 16:21).

(2Ch 14:4) And commanded Iudah to seeke the Lord God of their fathers, and to doe according to the Lawe and the comandement.

(2Ch 14:5) And he tooke away out of all the cities of Iudah the hie places, and the images: therefore the kingdome was quiet before him.

(Notes Reference) Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was (b) quiet before him.

(b) He shows that the rest and quietness of kingdoms stands in abolishing idolatry and advancing true religion.

(2Ch 14:6) He built also strong cities in Iudah, because the lande was in rest, and he had no warre in those yeeres: for the Lord had giuen him rest.

(2Ch 14:7) Therefore he saide to Iudah, Let vs builde these cities and make walles about, and towers, gates, and barres, whiles the lande is before vs: because we haue sought the Lord our God, we haue sought him, and he hath giuen vs rest on euery side: so they built and prospered.

(Notes Reference) Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about [them] walls, and towers, gates, and bars, [while] the land [is] yet (c) before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought [him], and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.

(2Ch 14:8) And Asa had an armie of Iudah that bare shieldes and speares, three hundreth thousande, and of Beniamin that bare shieldes and drewe bowes, two hundreth and foure score thousande: all these were valiant men.

(2Ch 14:9) And there came out against them Zerah of Ethiopia with an hoste of ten hundreth thousande, and three hundreth charets, and came vnto Mareshah.

(Notes Reference) And there came out against them Zerah the (d) Ethiopian with an host of a million, and three hundred chariots; and came unto (e) Mareshah.

(d) The king of Ethiopia, or Egypt.

(e) Which was a city in Judah, (Jos 15:44) where Michaiah the prophet was born.

(2Ch 14:10) Then Asa went out before him, and they set the battell in aray in the valley of Zephathah beside Mareshah.

(2Ch 14:11) And Asa cryed vnto the Lord his God, and saide, Lord, it is nothing with thee to helpe with many, or with no power: helpe vs, O Lord our God: for we rest on thee, and in thy Name are we come against this multitude: O Lord, thou art our God, let not man preuaile against thee.

(Notes Reference) And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; (f) let not man prevail against thee.

(f) Thus the children of God neither trust in their own power or policy, nor fear the strength and subtilty of their enemies, but consider the cause and see whether their enterprises tend to God's glory, and thereupon assure themselves of the victory by him, who alone is Almighty and can turn all flesh into dust with the breath of his mouth.

(2Ch 14:12) So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa and before Iudah, and the Ethiopians fled.

(2Ch 14:13) And Asa and the people that was with him, pursued them vnto Gerar. And the Ethiopians hoste was ouerthrowen, so that there was no life in them: for they were destroyed before the Lord and before his hoste: and they caryed away a mightie great spoyle.

(2Ch 14:14) And they smote all the cities rounde about Gerar: for the feare of the Lord came vpon them, and they spoyled all the cities, for there was exceeding much spoyle in them.

(Notes Reference) And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the (g) fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.

(g) The Lord had stricken them with fear.

(2Ch 14:15) Yea, and they smote the tents of cattel, and carried away plentie of sheepe and camels, and returned to Ierusalem.

(2Ch 15:1) Then the Spirite of God came vpon Azariah the sonne of Obed.

(Notes Reference) And the Spirit of God came upon (a) Azariah the son of Oded:

(a) Who was called Obed as his father was, (2Ch 15:8).

(2Ch 15:2) And he went out to meete Asa, and said vnto him, O Asa, and all Iudah, and Beniamin, heare ye me. The Lord is with you, while ye be with him: and if ye seeke him, he wil be founde of you, but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

(2Ch 15:3) Nowe for a long season Israel hath bene without the true God, and without Priest to teach and without Lawe.

(Notes Reference) Now for a long season Israel [hath been] without the (b) true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

(b) For the space of twelve years under Rehoboam, and three years under Abijah, religion was neglected, and idolatry planted.

(2Ch 15:4) But whosoeuer returned in his affliction to the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was founde of them.

(Notes Reference) But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he (c) was found of them.

(c) He shows that despite the wickedness of tyrants and their rage, yet God has his whom he hears in their tribulation as he delivered his from Zerah king of the Ethiopians, (2Ch 14:9, 2Ch 14:12) and out of all other dangers, when they called upon the Lord.

(2Ch 15:5) And in that time there was no peace to him, that did goe out and goe in: but great troubles were to all the inhabitants of the earth.

(2Ch 15:6) For nation was destroyed of nation, and citie of citie: for God troubled them with all aduersitie.

(2Ch 15:7) Be ye strong therefore, and let not your handes be weake: for your worke shall haue a rewarde.

(Notes Reference) Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your (d) work shall be rewarded.

(d) Your confidence and trust in God will not be frustrated.

(2Ch 15:8) And when Asa heard these wordes, and the prophesie of Obed the Prophet, he was encouraged, and tooke away the abominations out of all the lande of Iudah, and Beniamin, and out of the cities which he had taken of mount Ephraim, and he renued the altar of the Lord, that was before the porche of the Lord.

(2Ch 15:9) And he gathered all Iudah and Beniamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for there fell many to him out of Israel, when they sawe that the Lord his God was with him.

(2Ch 15:10) So they assembled to Ierusalem in the third moneth, in the fifteenth yere of the reigne of Asa.

(Notes Reference) So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the (e) third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

(e) Called Shiuam, containing part of May and part of June.

(2Ch 15:11) And they offred vnto the Lord the same time of the spoyle, which they had brought, euen seuen hundreth bullockes, and seuen thousande sheepe.

(Notes Reference) And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the (f) spoil [which] they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.

(f) Which they had taken of the Ethiopians.

(2Ch 15:12) And they made a couenant to seeke the Lord God of their fathers, with all their heart, and with all their soule.

(2Ch 15:13) And whosoeuer will not seeke the Lord God of Israel, shalbe slaine, whether he were small or great, man or woman.

(Notes Reference) That (g) whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

(g) These were the words of their covenant, which commanded all idolaters be put to death, according to the law of God, (Deu 13:5, Deu 13:9, Deu 13:15).

(2Ch 15:14) And they sware vnto the Lord with a loude voyce, and with shouting and with trumpets, and with cornets.

(2Ch 15:15) And all Iudah reioyced at the othe: for they had sworne vnto the Lord with all their heart, and sought him with a whole desire, and he was founde of them. And the Lord gaue them rest rounde about.

(Notes Reference) And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was (h) found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

(h) As long as they served him correctly, so long did he preserve and prosper them.

(2Ch 15:16) And King Asa deposed Maachah his mother from her regencie, because she had made an idole in a groue: and Asa brake downe her idole, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brooke Kidron.

(Notes Reference) And also [concerning] Maachah the (i) mother of Asa the king, he removed her from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped [it], and burnt [it] at the brook Kidron.

(i) Or grandmother, and in this he showed that he lacked zeal, for she should have died both by the covenant, as (2Ch 15:13) and by the law of God, but he gave place to foolish pity and would also seem after a sort to satisfy the law.

(2Ch 15:17) But the hie places were not taken away out of Israel: yet the heart of Asa was perfit all his dayes.

(Notes Reference) But the high places were not (k) taken away out of (l) Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was (m) perfect all his days.

(k) Which was partly because of lack of zeal on his part, partly through the negligence of his officers and partly by the superstition of the people that all were not taken away.

(l) Because God was called the God of Israel, by reason of his promise to Jacob, therefore Israel is sometimes taken for Judah, because Judah was his chief people.

(m) In respect to his predecessors.

(2Ch 15:18) Also he brought into the house of God the things that his father had dedicate, and that he had dedicate, siluer, and golde, and vessels.

(2Ch 15:19) And there was no warre vnto the fiue and thirtieth yeere of the reigne of Asa.

Passage 2: Ezekiel 47

(Eze 47:1) Afterward he brought me vnto the doore of the house: and behold, waters yssued out from vnder the threshold of the house Eastward: for the forefront of the house stoode towarde the East, and the waters ran downe from vnder the right side of the house, at the southside of ye altar.

(Notes Reference) Afterward he brought me again to the door of the house; and, behold, (a) waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the front of the house [stood toward] the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south [side] of the altar.

(a) By which are meant the spiritual graces that would be given to the Church under the kingdom of Christ.

(Eze 47:2) Then brought he me out toward the North gate, and led me about by the way without vnto the vtter gate, by the way that turneth Eastward: and behold, there came forth waters on ye right side

(Eze 47:3) And when the man that had the line in his hand, went foorth Eastward, he measured a thousand cubites, and he brought me through the waters: the waters were to the ancles.

(Eze 47:4) Againe he measured a thousande, and brought me through the waters: the waters were to the knees: againe he measured a thousand, and brought me through: ye waters were to ye loynes.

(Eze 47:5) Afterward he measured a thousand, and it was a riuer, that I could not passe ouer: for the waters were risen, and the waters did flowe, as a riuer that could not be passed ouer.

(Notes Reference) Afterward he measured a thousand; [and it was] a river that I could not pass over: for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a (b) river that could not be passed over.

(b) Signifying that the graces of God would never decrease, but ever abound in his Church.

(Eze 47:6) And he said vnto me, Sonne of man, hast thou seene this? Then he brought me, and caused me to returne to the brinke of the riuer.

(Eze 47:7) Nowe when I returned, beholde, at the brinke of the riuer were very many trees on the one side, and on the other.

(Notes Reference) Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river [were] very many (c) trees on the one side and on the other.

(Eze 47:8) Then saide he vnto me, These waters issue out towarde the East countrey, and runne downe into the plaine, and shall goe into one sea: they shall runne into another sea, and the waters shalbe wholesome.

(Notes Reference) Then said he to me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the (d) sea: [which being] brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

(d) Showing that the abundance of these graces would be so great, that all the world would be full of it, which is here meant by the Persian sea, or Genezareth, and the sea called Mediterranean, (Zec 14:8).

(Eze 47:9) And euery thing that liueth, which moueth, wheresoeuer the riuers shall come, shall liue, and there shalbe a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be wholesome, and euery thing shall liue whither the riuer commeth.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, [that] every thing that liveth, which moveth, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come there: for they shall be (e) healed; and every thing shall live where the river cometh.

(e) The waters which by nature are salt and unwholesome will be made sweet and comfortable.

(Eze 47:10) And then the fishers shall stand vpon it, and from En-gedi euen vnto En-eglaim, they shall spread out their nettes: for their fish shalbe according to their kindes, as the fishe of the maine sea, exceeding many.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, [that] the (f) fishermen shall stand upon it from Engedi even to (g) Eneglaim; they shall be a [place] to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of (h) the great sea, very many.

(f) Signifying that when God bestows his mercies in such abundance the ministers will by their preaching win many.

(g) Which were cities at the corners of the salt or dead sea.

(h) They will be here of all sorts and in as great abundance as in the great ocean where they are bred.

(Eze 47:11) But the myrie places thereof, and the marises thereof shall not be wholesome: they shalbe made salt pittes.

(Notes Reference) But (i) its miry places and its marshes shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.

(i) That is, the wicked and reprobate.

(Eze 47:12) And by this riuer vpon the brinke thereof, on this side, and on that side shall grow all fruitful trees, whose leafe shall not fade, neither shall ye fruit thereof faile: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his moneths, because their waters run out of ye Sanctuarie: and the fruite thereof shalbe meat, and the leafe thereof shalbe for medicine.

(Eze 47:13) Thus saith the Lord God, This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherite the lande according to the twelue tribes of Israel: Ioseph shall haue two portions.

(Eze 47:14) And ye shall inherite it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lift vp mine hand to giue it vnto your fathers, and this lande shall fall vnto you for inheritance.

(Eze 47:15) And this shall be the border of the lande towarde the North side, from the maine sea toworde Hethlon as men goe to Zedadah:

(Notes Reference) And this [shall be] the border (k) of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;

(k) By the land of promise he signifies the spiritual land of which this was a figure.

(Eze 47:16) Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is betweene the border of Damascus, and the border of Hamath, and Hazar, Hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.

(Eze 47:17) And the border from the sea shalbe Hazar, Enan, and the border of Damascus, and the residue of the North, Northwarde, and the border of Hamath: so shalbe the North part.

(Eze 47:18) But the East side shall ye measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the lande of Israel by Iorden, and from the border vnto the East sea: and so shalbe the East part.

(Eze 47:19) And the Southside shalbe towarde Teman from Tamar to the waters of Meriboth in Kadesh, and the riuer to the maine sea: so shalbe the South part towarde Teman.

(Eze 47:20) The West parte also shalbe the great sea from the border, till a man come ouer against Hamath: this shalbe the West part.

(Eze 47:21) So shall ye deuide this lande vnto you, according to the tribes of Israel.

(Eze 47:22) And you shall deuide it by lot for an inheritance vnto you, and to the strangers that dwell among you, which shall beget children among you, and they shall be vnto you, as borne in the countrey among the children of Israel, they shall part inheritance with you in the middes of the tribes of Israel.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass, [that] ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be to you as born in the country among the children of Israel; (l) they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.

(l) Meaning that in this spiritual kingdom there would be no difference between Jew nor Gentile but that all would be partakers of this inheritance in their head Christ.

(Eze 47:23) And in what tribe the stranger dwelleth, there shall ye giue him his inheritance, saith the Lord God.

Passage 3: John 15-16

(Joh 15:1) I Am that true vine, and my Father is that husband man.

(Notes Reference) I (1) am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

(1) We are by nature dry and fit for nothing but the fire. Therefore, in order that we may live and be fruitful, we must first be grafted into Christ, as it were into a vine, by the Father's hand: and then be daily moulded with a continual meditation of the word, and the cross: otherwise it will not avail any man at all to have been grafted unless he cleaves fast to the vine, and so draws juice out of it.

(Joh 15:2) Euery branch that beareth not fruite in me, he taketh away: and euery one that beareth fruite, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruite.

(Joh 15:3) Nowe are ye cleane through the worde, which I haue spoken vnto you.

(Joh 15:4) Abide in me, and I in you: as the branche cannot beare fruite of it selfe, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

(Joh 15:5) I am that vine: ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruite: for without me can ye doe nothing.

(Joh 15:6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branche, and withereth: and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they burne.

(Joh 15:7) If ye abide in me, and my wordes abide in you, aske what ye wil, and it shalbe done to you.

(Notes Reference) (2) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

(2) Whoever rests in Christ's doctrine abides in him, and therefore brings forth good fruit, and the Father will not deny anything to such a person as this.

(Joh 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye beare much fruite, and be made my disciples.

(Notes Reference) (a) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

(a) As one would say, "Herein will my Father be glorified, and herein also will you be my disciples, if you bring forth much fruit."

(Joh 15:9) As the father hath loued me, so haue I loued you: continue in that my loue.

(Notes Reference) (3) As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: (b) continue ye in my love.

(3) The love of the Father towards the Son, and of the Son towards us, and of us toward God and our neighbour, are joined together with an inseparable knot: and there is nothing more sweet and pleasant than it is. Now this love shows itself by its effects, a most perfect example of which Christ himself exhibits to us.

(b) That is, in that love with which I love you, which love is the responsibility of both parties.

(Joh 15:10) If ye shall keepe my commandements, ye shall abide in my loue, as I haue kept my Fathers commandements, and abide in his loue.

(Joh 15:11) These things haue I spoken vnto you, that my ioy might remaine in you, and that your ioy might be full.

(Joh 15:12) This is my commandement, that ye loue one another, as I haue loued you.

(Joh 15:13) Greater loue then this hath no man, when any man bestoweth his life for his friendes.

(Joh 15:14) Ye are my friendes, if ye doe whatsoeuer I commaund you.

(Joh 15:15) Henceforth call I you not seruants: for the seruant knoweth not what his master doeth: but I haue called you friends: for all things that I haue heard of my Father, haue I made knowen to you.

(Notes Reference) (4) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

(4) The doctrine of the gospel, as it is uttered by Christ's own mouth, is a most perfect and absolute declaration of the counsel of God, which pertains to our salvation and is committed unto the apostles.

(Joh 15:16) Ye haue not chosen me, but I haue chosen you, and ordeined you, that ye goe and bring foorth fruite, and that your fruite remaine, that whatsoeuer ye shall aske of the Father in my Name, he may giue it you.

(Notes Reference) (5) Ye (c) have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

(5) Christ is the author and preserver of the ministry of the gospel, even to the end of the world, but the ministers have above all things need of prayer and brotherly love.

(c) These words plainly teach us that our salvation comes only from the favour and gracious goodness of the everlasting God towards us, and of nothing that we do or can deserve.

(Joh 15:17) These things commaund I you, that ye loue one another.

(Joh 15:18) If the worlde hate you, ye knowe that it hated me before you.

(Notes Reference) (6) If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

(6) When the faithful ministers of Christ are hated by the world as their master was, it should not cause them to fear, but rather strengthen and encourage them.

(Joh 15:19) If ye were of the worlde, the world woulde loue his owne: but because ye are not of ye world, but I haue chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

(Joh 15:20) Remember the word that I said vnto you, The seruant is not greater then his master. If they haue persecuted me, they will persecute you also: if they haue kept my worde, they will also keepe yours.

(Joh 15:21) But all these things will they doe vnto you for my Names sake, because they haue not knowen him that sent me.

(Notes Reference) (7) But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

(7) The hatred that the world bears against Christ proceeds from the stupidity of the mind, which nonetheless is voluntarily blind, so that those of the world cannot give any excuse to explain away their fault.

(Joh 15:22) If I had not come and spoken vnto them, they shoulde not haue had sinne: but nowe haue they no cloke for their sinne.

(Notes Reference) (d) If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

(d) As one would say, "If I had not come, these men would not have been wrong in saying before God's judgment seat that they are religious, and void of sin: but since I came to them, and they completely rejected me, they can have no cloak for their wickedness."

(Joh 15:23) He that hateth me, hateth my Father also.

(Joh 15:24) If I had not done workes among them which none other man did, they had not had sinne: but nowe haue they both seene, and haue hated both me, and my Father.

(Joh 15:25) But it is that the worde might be fulfilled, that is written in their Lawe, They hated me without a cause.

(Notes Reference) But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their (e) law, They hated me without a cause.

(e) Sometimes this word "law" refers to the five books of Moses, but in this place it refers to the whole scripture: for the place that he refers to is found in the Psalms.

(Joh 15:26) But when that Comforter shall come, whom I will send vnto you from the Father, euen the Spirit of trueth, which proceedeth of the Father, he shall testifie of me.

(Notes Reference) (8) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

(8) We will surely stand against the rage of the wicked by the inward testimony of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit speaks in no other way and is consistent with what he spoke by the mouth of the apostles.

(Joh 15:27) And ye shall witnesse also, because ye haue bene with me from the beginning.

(Joh 16:1) These thinges haue I saide vnto you, that ye should not be offended.

(Notes Reference) These (1) things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

(1) The ministers of the gospel must expect all types of reproaches, not only by those who are open enemies, but even by those also who seem to be of the same household, and the very pillars of the Church.

(Joh 16:2) They shall excommunicate you: yea, the time shall come, that whosoeuer killeth you, will thinke that he doeth God seruice.

(Joh 16:3) And these things will they doe vnto you, because they haue not knowen ye Father, nor me.

(Joh 16:4) But these things haue I tolde you, that when the houre shall come, ye might remember, that I tolde you them. And these things said I not vnto you from ye beginning, because I was with you.

(Joh 16:5) But now I go my way to him that sent me, and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?

(Joh 16:6) But because I haue saide these thinges vnto you, your hearts are full of sorowe.

(Joh 16:7) Yet I tell you the trueth, It is expedient for you that I goe away: for if I goe not away, that Comforter will not come vnto you: but if I depart, I will send him vnto you.

(Notes Reference) (2) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

(2) The absence of Christ according to the flesh is profitable to the Church in that it causes the Church to be wholly dependant upon his spiritual power.

(Joh 16:8) And when he is come, he will reproue the worlde of sinne, and of righteousnesse, and of iudgement.

(Notes Reference) (3) And when he is come, he will (a) reprove the (b) world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

(3) The Spirit of God works so mightily by the preaching of the word that he forces the world, whether or not it wants to, to confess its own unrighteousness and Christ's righteousness and almightiness.

(a) He will so reprove the world, that those of the world will not be able to give any excuse.

(b) He refers to the time that followed his ascension, when as all those opposed were manifestly reproved, through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon the Church: so that the very enemies of Christ were reproved of sin, in that they were forced to confess that they were deceived, in that they believed not, and therefore they said to Peter in (Act 2:37), "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

(Joh 16:9) Of sinne, because they beleeued not in me:

(Joh 16:10) Of righteousnesse, because I goe to my Father, and ye shall see me no more:

(Notes Reference) Of (c) righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

(c) Of Christ himself: for when the world will see that I have poured out the Holy Spirit they will be forced to confess that I was just, and was not condemned by my Father when I went out of this world.

(Joh 16:11) Of iudgement, because the prince of this world is iudged.

(Notes Reference) Of (d) judgment, (e) because the prince of this world is judged.

(d) Of that authority and power which I have both in heaven and in earth.

(e) That is, because they will then understand and indeed know that I have overcome the devil, and govern the world, and then all men will see that they set themselves against you in vain, for I will arm you with heavenly power by which you may destroy every high thing which is lifted up against the knowledge of God; (2Co 10:5).

(Joh 16:12) I haue yet many things to say vnto you, but ye cannot beare them nowe.

(Notes Reference) (4) I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

(4) The doctrine of the apostles proceeded from the Holy Spirit, and is most perfect.

(Joh 16:13) Howbeit, when he is come which is the Spirit of trueth, he will leade you into all trueth: for he shall not speake of himselfe, but whatsoeuer he shall heare, shall he speake, and he will shew you the things to come.

(Joh 16:14) He shall glorifie me: for he shall receiue of mine, and shall shewe it vnto you.

(Notes Reference) (5) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

(5) The Holy Spirit brings no new doctrine, but teaches that which was uttered by Christ's own mouth, and imprints it in our minds.

(Joh 16:15) All thinges that the Father hath, are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shewe it vnto you.

(Joh 16:16) A litle while, and ye shall not see me: and againe a litle while, and ye shall see me: for I goe to the Father.

(Notes Reference) (6) A (f) little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, (g) because I go to the Father.

(6) The grace of the Holy Spirit is a most distinct mirror in which Christ is truly beheld with the most sharp sighted eyes of faith, and not with the blurred eyes of the flesh: and by this we feel a continual joy even in the midst of sorrows.

(f) When a little time is past.

(g) For I go on to eternal glory, so that I will be much more present with you than I was before: for then you will feel indeed what I am, and what I am able to do.

(Joh 16:17) Then said some of his disciples among them selues, What is this that he saieth vnto vs, A litle while, and ye shall not see me, and againe, a litle while, and ye shall see me, and, For I goe to the Father.

(Joh 16:18) They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A litle while? we know not what he sayeth.

(Joh 16:19) Now Iesus knew that they would aske him, and said vnto them, Doe ye enquire among your selues, of that I said, A litle while, and ye shall not see me: and againe, a litle while, and yee shall see me?

(Joh 16:20) Verely, verely I say vnto you, that ye shall weepe and lament, and the worlde shall reioyce: and ye shall sorowe, but your sorowe shalbe turned to ioye.

(Joh 16:21) A woman when she traueileth, hath sorowe, because her houre is come: but assoone as she is deliuered of the childe, she remembreth no more the anguish, for ioy that a man is borne into the world.

(Joh 16:22) And ye nowe therefore are in sorowe: but I will see you againe, and your hearts shall reioyce, and your ioy shall no man take from you.

(Joh 16:23) And in that day shall ye aske me nothing. Verely, verely I say vnto you, whatsoeuer ye shall aske the Father in my Name, he will giue it you.

(Joh 16:24) Hitherto haue ye asked nothing in my Name: aske, and ye shall receiue, that your ioye may be full.

(Joh 16:25) These things haue I spoken vnto you in parables: but the time will come, when I shall no more speake to you in parables: but I shall shew you plainely of the Father.

(Notes Reference) (7) These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

(7) The Holy Spirit, who was poured upon the apostles after the ascension of Christ, instructed both them in all the central mysteries and secrets of our salvation, and also the Church by them, and he will also instruct the Church until the end of the world.

(Joh 16:26) At that day shall ye aske in my Name, and I say not vnto you, that I will pray vnto the Father for you:

(Notes Reference) (8) At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

(8) The sum of the worship of God is the invocation of the Father in the name of the Son the mediator, who is already heard for us, for whom he both abased himself, and is now also glorified.

(Joh 16:27) For the Father himselfe loueth you, because ye haue loued me, and haue beleeued that I came out from God.

(Joh 16:28) I am come out from the Father, and came into the worlde: againe I leaue the worlde, and goe to the Father.

(Joh 16:29) His disciples saide vnto him, Loe, nowe speakest thou plainely, and thou speakest no parable.

(Notes Reference) (9) His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

(9) Faith and foolish security differ greatly.

(Joh 16:30) Nowe knowe wee that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should aske thee. By this we beleeue, that thou art come out from God.

(Joh 16:31) Iesus answered them, Doe you beleeue nowe?

(Joh 16:32) Beholde, the houre commeth, and is already come, that ye shalbe scattered euery man into his owne, and shall leaue me alone: but I am not alone: for the Father is with me.

(Notes Reference) (10) Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

(10) Neither the wickedness of the world, neither the weakness of his own, can diminish anything of the virtue of Christ.

(Joh 16:33) These thinges haue I spoken vnto you, that in me ye might haue peace: in the world ye shall haue affliction, but be of good comfort: I haue ouercome the world.

(Notes Reference) (11) These things I have spoken unto you, that (h) in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

(11) The surety and foundation of the Church depends only upon the victory of Christ.

(h) That in me you might be thoroughly quieted. For by "peace" is meant here that quiet state of mind which is completely contrary to disquietness and great sadness.