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Passage 1: 2 Chronicles 29

(2Ch 29:1) Hezekiah began to reigne, when he was fiue and twentie yeere olde, and reigned nine and twentie yeres in Ierusalem: and his mothers name was Abiiah the daughter of Zechariah.

(2Ch 29:2) And hee did vprightly in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Dauid his father had done.

(2Ch 29:3) He opened the doores of the house of the Lord in the first yeere, and in the first moneth of his reigne, and repared them.

(Notes Reference) He in the first year of his reign, in the (a) first month, opened the (b) doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.

(a) This is a notable example for all princes, first to establish the pure religion of God and to procure that the Lord may be honoured and served correctly.

(b) Which Ahaz had shut up, (2Ch 28:24).

(2Ch 29:4) And he brought in the Priests and the Leuites, and gathered them into the East streete,

(2Ch 29:5) And said vnto them, Heare me, ye Leuites: sanctifie nowe your selues, and sanctifie the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and cary forth the filthinesse out of the Sanctuarie.

(Notes Reference) And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth (c) the filthiness out of the holy [place].

(c) Meaning, all the idols, altar groves and whatever was occupied in their service and with which the temple was polluted.

(2Ch 29:6) For our fathers haue trespassed, and done euill in the eyes of the Lord our God, and haue forsaken him, and turned away their faces from the Tabernacle of the Lord, and turned their backes.

(2Ch 29:7) They haue also shut the doores of ye porch, and quenched the lampes, and haue neither burnt incense, nor offred burnt offrings in the Sanctuarie vnto the God of Israel.

(2Ch 29:8) Wherfore the wrath of the Lord hath bin on Iudah and Ierusalem: and he hath made them a scattering, a desolation, and an hissing, as ye see with your eyes.

(Notes Reference) (d) Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes.

(d) He shows that the contempt of religion is the cause of all God's plagues.

(2Ch 29:9) For lo, our fathers are fallen by the sword, and our sonnes, and our daughters, and our wiues are in captiuitie for the same cause.

(2Ch 29:10) Now I purpose to make a couenant with the Lord God of Israel, that he may turne away his fierce wrath from vs.

(Notes Reference) Now [it is] in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may (e) turn away from us.

(e) He proves by the judgments of God on those who have contemned his word, that there is no way to avoid his plagues, but by conforming themselves to his will.

(2Ch 29:11) Now my sonnes, be not deceiued: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serue him, and to be his ministers, and to burne incense.

(2Ch 29:12) Then the Leuites arose, Mahath ye sonne of Amashai, and Ioel the sonne of Azariah of the sonnes of the Kohathites: and of the sonnes of Merari, Kish the sonne of Abdi, and Azariah the sonne of Iehalelel: and of the Gershonites, Ioah the sonne of Zimmah, and Eden the sonne of Ioah:

(2Ch 29:13) And of the sonnes of Elizaphan, Shimri, and Iehiel: and of the sonnes of Asaph, Zechariah, and Mattaniah:

(2Ch 29:14) And of the sonnes of Heman, Iehiel, and Shimei: and of the sonnes of Ieduthun, Shemaiah and Vzziel.

(2Ch 29:15) And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselues and came according to the commandement of the King, and by the words of the Lord, for to clense the house of the Lord.

(2Ch 29:16) And the Priests went into the inner partes of the house of the Lord, to clense it, and brought out all the vncleannesse that they founde in the Temple of the Lord, into the court of the house of the Lord: and the Leuites tooke it, to cary it out vnto the brooke Kidron.

(Notes Reference) And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to (f) cleanse [it], and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took [it], to carry [it] out abroad into the brook Kidron.

(f) From the pollution and filth that Ahaz had brought in.

(2Ch 29:17) They began the first day of the first moneth to sanctifie it, and the eight day of the moneth came they to the porche of the Lord: so they sanctified the house of the Lord in eight dayes, and in the sixeteenth day of the first moneth they made an ende.

(Notes Reference) Now they began on the first [day] of the (g) first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.

(g) Which contained part of March and part of April.

(2Ch 29:18) Then they went in to Hezekiah ye King, and sayde, We haue clensed all the house of the Lord and the altar of burnt offring, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof:

(2Ch 29:19) And all the vessels which King Ahaz had cast aside when he reigned, and transgressed, haue we prepared and sanctified: and beholde, they are before the altar of the Lord.

(2Ch 29:20) And Hezekiah the King rose early, and gathered the princes of the citie, and went vp to the house of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Then Hezekiah the king (h) rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.

(h) By this manner of speech the Hebrews mean a certain diligence and speed to do a thing: and when there is no delay.

(2Ch 29:21) And they brought seuen bullockes, and seuen rammes, and seuen lambes, and seuen hee goates, for a sinne offring for the kingdome, and for the sanctuarie, and for Iudah. And he commanded the Priests the sonnes of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the Lord.

(2Ch 29:22) So they slewe the bullockes, and the Priests receiued the blood, and sprinkled it vpon the altar: they slew also the rammes and sprinkled the blood vpon the altar, and they slew the lambes, and they sprinkled the blood vpon the altar.

(Notes Reference) So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and (i) sprinkled [it] on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.

(i) For without sprinkling of blood nothing could be sanctified, (Heb 9:21; Exo 24:8).

(2Ch 29:23) Then they brought the hee goates for the sinne offring before the King and the Congregation, and they layde their hands vpon them.

(Notes Reference) And they brought forth the he goats [for] the sin offering before the king and the congregation; (k) and they laid their hands upon them:

(k) That is, the king and the elders, as in (Lev 4:15) for they who offered a sin offering must lay their hands on it, to signify that they had deserved that death, and also that they consecrated it to God to be sanctified by it, (Exo 29:10).

(2Ch 29:24) And the Priests slewe them, and with the blood of them they clensed the altar to reconcile all Israel: for the King had commanded for all Israel the burnt offring and the sinne offring.

(2Ch 29:25) He appointed also the Leuites in the house of the Lord with cymbales, with violes, and with harpes, according to the commandement of Dauid, and Gad the Kings Seer, and Nathan the Prophet: for the commandement was by the hande of the Lord, and by the hande of his Prophets.

(Notes Reference) And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for [so was] the (l) commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

(l) This thing was not appointed by man, but it was the commandment of God.

(2Ch 29:26) And the Leuites stood with the instruments of Dauid, and the Priests with the trumpets.

(2Ch 29:27) And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offring vpon the altar: and when the burnt offring began, the song of the Lord beganne with the trumpets, and the instruments of Dauid King of Israel.

(Notes Reference) And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the (m) LORD began [also] with the trumpets, and with the instruments [ordained] (n) by David king of Israel.

(m) The psalm which David had appointed to be sung for thanksgiving.

(n) Which David had appointed to praise the Lord with.

(2Ch 29:28) And al the Congregation worshipped, singing a song, and they blew the trumpets: all this continued vntill the burnt offring was finished.

(2Ch 29:29) And when they had made an ende of offring, the King and all that were present with him, bowed themselues, and worshipped.

(2Ch 29:30) Then Hezekiah the King and the princes commanded the Leuites to prayse the Lord with the wordes of Dauid, and of Asaph the Seer. so they praysed with ioy, and they bowed themselues, and worshipped.

(Notes Reference) Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the (o) words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

(o) With the psalm mentioned in (1Ch 16:8).

(2Ch 29:31) And Hezekiah spake, and sayde, Now ye haue consecrate your selues to the Lord: come neere and bring the sacrifices and offerings of prayse into the house of the Lord. And the Congregation brought sacrifices; and offrings of prayses, and euery man that was willing in heart, offred burnt offrings.

(2Ch 29:32) And the nomber of the burnt offrings, which the Congregation brought, was seuentie bullockes, an hundreth rammes, and two hundreth lambes: all these were for a burnt offring to the Lord:

(2Ch 29:33) And for sanctification sixe hundreth bullockes, and three thousand sheepe.

(Notes Reference) And the (p) consecrated things [were] six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.

(p) That is, for the holy offerings.

(2Ch 29:34) But the Priests were too few, and were not able to flay all the burnt offrings: therefore their brethren the Leuites did helpe them, til they had ended the worke, and vntill other Priests were sanctified: for the Leuites were more vpright in heart to sanctifie themselues, then the Priests.

(Notes Reference) But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the [other] priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites [were] (q) more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

(q) Meaning, were more zealous to set forth the religion.

(2Ch 29:35) And also the burnt offerings were many with the fat of the peace offrings and the drinke offrings for the burnt offring. so the seruice of the house of the Lord was set in order.

(2Ch 29:36) Then Hezekiah reioyced and all the people, that God had made the people so ready: for the thing was done suddenly.

(Notes Reference) And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had (r) prepared the people: for the thing was [done] suddenly.

(r) He shows that religion cannot proceed unless God touches the heart of the people.

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Passage 2: Daniel 9

(Dan 9:1) In the first yeere of Darius the sonne of Ahashuerosh, of the seede of the Medes, which was made King ouer the realme of the Caldeans,

(Notes Reference) In the first year of Darius the son of (a) Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the (b) realm of the Chaldeans;

(a) Who was also called Astyages.

(b) For Cyrus led with ambition, and went about wars in other countries, and therefore Darius had the title of the kingdom, even though Cyrus was king in effect.

(Dan 9:2) Euen in the first yeere of his reigne, I Daniel vnderstood by bookes the nomber of the yeeres, whereof the Lord had spoken vnto Ieremiah the Prophet, that he would accomplish seuentie yeeres in the desolation of Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by (c) books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

(c) For even though he was an excellent Prophet, yet he daily increased in knowledge by the reading of the scriptures.

(Dan 9:3) And I turned my face vnto the Lord God, and sought by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

(Notes Reference) And I set my face unto the Lord God, to (d) seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

(d) He does not speak of that ordinary prayer, which he used in his house three times a day, but of a rare and vehement prayer, lest their sins should cause God to delay the time of their deliverance prophesied by Jeremiah.

(Dan 9:4) And I prayed vnto the Lord my God, and made my confession, saying, Oh Lord God, which art great and fearefull, and keepest couenant and mercy toward them which loue thee, and toward them that keepe thy commandements,

(Notes Reference) And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the (e) great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

(e) That is, has all power in yourself to execute your terrible judgments against obstinate sinners, as you are rich in mercy to comfort those who obey your word and love you.

(Dan 9:5) We haue sinned, and haue committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly, yea, we haue rebelled, and haue departed from thy precepts, and from thy iudgements.

(Dan 9:6) For we would not obey thy seruants the Prophets, which spake in thy Name to our Kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

(Dan 9:7) O Lord, righteousnes belongeth vnto thee, and vnto vs open shame, as appeareth this day vnto euery man of Iudah, and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem: yea, vnto all Israel, both neere and farre off, through all the countreys, whither thou hast driuen them, because of their offences, that they haue committed against thee.

(Notes Reference) O Lord, (f) righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

(f) He shows that whenever God punishes, he does it for just cause: and thus the godly never accuse him of rigour as the wicked do, but acknowledge that in themselves there is just cause why he should so treat them.

(Dan 9:8) O Lord, vnto vs apperteineth open shame, to our Kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we haue sinned against thee.

(Notes Reference) O Lord, to us [belongeth] confusion of face, to our (g) kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

(g) He does not excuse the kings because of their authority, but prays chiefly for them as the chief occasions of these great plagues.

(Dan 9:9) Yet compassion and forgiuenesse is in the Lord our God, albeit we haue rebelled against him.

(Dan 9:10) For we haue not obeyed the voyce of the Lord our God, to walke in his lawes, which he had laide before vs by the ministerie of his seruants the Prophets.

(Notes Reference) Neither have we obeyed the (h) voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

(h) He shows that they rebel against God, who do not serve him according to his commandment and word.

(Dan 9:11) Yea, all Israel haue transgressed thy Lawe, and are turned backe, and haue not heard thy voyce: therefore the curse is powred vpon vs, and the othe that is written in the Lawe of Moses the seruant of God, because we haue sinned against him.

(Notes Reference) Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the (i) curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

(i) As in (Deu 27:15), or the curse confirmed by an oath.

(Dan 9:12) And he hath confirmed his wordes, which he spake against vs, and against our iudges that iudged vs, by bringing vpon vs a great plague: for vnder the whole heauen hath not bene the like, as hath bene brought vpon Ierusalem.

(Dan 9:13) All this plague is come vpon vs, as it is written in the Lawe of Moses: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turne from our iniquities and vnderstand thy trueth.

(Dan 9:14) Therefore hath the Lord made ready the plague, and brought it vpon vs: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we would not heare his voyce.

(Dan 9:15) And nowe, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mightie hand, and hast gotten thee renoume, as appeareth this day, we haue sinned, we haue done wickedly.

(Dan 9:16) O Lord, according to all thy righteousnes, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy wrath be turned away from thy citie Ierusalem thine holy Mountaine: for because of our sinnes, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Ierusalem and thy people are a reproche to all that are about vs.

(Notes Reference) O Lord, according to all thy (k) righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people [are become] a reproach to all [that are] about us.

(k) That is, according to all your merciful promises and the performance of them.

(Dan 9:17) Nowe therefore, O our God, heare the prayer of thy serunant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine vpon thy Sanctuarie, that lyeth waste for the Lords sake.

(Notes Reference) Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to (l) shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the (m) Lord's sake.

(l) Show yourself favourable.

(m) That is, for your Christ's sake, in whom you will accept all of our prayers.

(Dan 9:18) O my God, encline thine eare and heare: open thine eyes, and beholde our desolations, and the citie whereupon thy Name is called: for we doe not present our supplications before thee for our owne righteousnes, but for thy great tender mercies.

(Notes Reference) O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our (n) righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

(n) Declaring that the godly flee only to God's mercies, and renounce their own works, when they seek for remission of their sins.

(Dan 9:19) O Lord, heare, O Lord forgiue, O Lord consider, and doe it: deferre not, for thine owne sake, O my God: for thy Name is called vpon thy citie, and vpon thy people.

(Notes Reference) O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, (o) hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

(o) Thus he could not content himself with any vehemency of words: for he was so led with a fervent zeal, considering God's promise made to the city in respect of his Church, and for the advancement of God's glory.

(Dan 9:20) And whiles I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sinne, and the sinne of my people Israel, and did present my supplication before the Lord my God, for the holy Mountaine of my God,

(Dan 9:21) Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, euen the man Gabriel, whome I had seene before in the vision, came flying, and touched mee about the time of the euening oblation.

(Dan 9:22) And he informed me, and talked with me, and sayd, O Daniel, I am now come forth to giue thee knowledge and vnderstanding.

(Dan 9:23) At the beginning of thy supplications the commandement came foorth, and I am come to shewe thee, for thou art greatly beloued: therefore vnderstande the matter and consider the vision.

(Dan 9:24) Seuentie weekes are determined vpon thy people and vpon thine holy citie, to finish the wickednes, and to seale vp the sinnes, and to reconcile the inquitie, and to bring in euerlasting righteousnesse, and to seale vp the vision and prophecie, and to anoynt the most Holy.

(Notes Reference) Seventy (p) weeks are determined upon (q) thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the (r) transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

(p) He alludes to Jeremiah's prophecy, who prophesied that their captivity would be seventy years: but now God's mercy would exceed his judgment seven times as much, which would be 490 years, even until the coming of Christ, and so then it would continue forever.

(q) Meaning Daniel's nation, over whom he was careful.

(r) To show mercy and to put sin out of remembrance.

(Dan 9:25) Knowe therefore and vnderstande, that from the going foorth of the commandement to bring againe the people, and to builde Ierusalem, vnto Messiah the prince, shall be seuen weekes and threescore and two weekes, and the streete shalbe built againe, and the wall euen in a troublous time.

(Notes Reference) Know therefore and understand, [that] from (s) the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven (t) weeks, and (u) threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

(s) That is, from the time that Cyrus gave them permission to depart.

(t) These weeks make forty-nine years, of which forty-six are referred to the time of the building of the temple, and three to the laying of the foundation.

(u) Counting from the sixth year of Darius, who gave the second commandment for the building of the temple are sixty-two weeks, which make 434 years, which comprehend the time from the building of the temple until the baptism of Christ.

(Dan 9:26) And after threescore and two weekes, shall Messiah be slaine, and shall haue nothing,, and the people of the prince that shall come, shall destroy the citie and the Sanctuarie, and the end thereof shalbe with a flood: and vnto the end of the battell it shalbe destroyed by desolations.

(Notes Reference) And after threescore and two (x) weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but (y) not for himself: and the people of the (z) prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

(x) In this week of the seventy, will Christ come and preach and suffer death.

(y) He will seem to have no beauty, nor to be of any estimation; (Isa 53:2).

(z) Meaning Titus, Vespasians's son, who would come and destroy both the temple, and the people, without any hope of recovery.

(Dan 9:27) And he shall confirme the couenant with many for one weeke: and in the middes of the weeke he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the ouerspreading of the abominations, he shall make it desolate, euen vntill the consummation determined shalbe powred vpon the desolate.

(Notes Reference) And he (a) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to (b) cease, (c) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

(a) By the preaching of the Gospel he affirmed his promise, first to the Jews, and after to the Gentiles.

(b) Christ accomplished this by his death and resurrection.

(c) Meaning that Jerusalem and the sanctuary would be utterly destroyed because of their rebellion against God, and their idolatry: or as some read, that the plague will be so great, that they will all be astonished at them.

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Passage 3: Acts 9

(Act 9:1) And Saul yet breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of ye Lord, went vnto the hie Priest,

(Notes Reference) And (1) Saul, yet (a) breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

(1) Saul (who is also Paul), persecuting Christ most cruelly, who did as it were flee before him, falls into Christ's hands, and is overcome: and with a singular example of the goodness of God, in place of punishment which he justly deserved for his cruelty, is not only kindly received, but is also even by the mouth of God appointed an apostle, and is confirmed by the ministry and witness of Ananias.

(a) This is a sign that Saul's stomach boiled and cast out great threats to murder the disciples.

(Act 9:2) And desired of him letters to Damascus to the Synagogues, that if he found any that were of that way (either men or women) hee might bring them bound vnto Hierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this (b) way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

(b) Any trade of life which a man take upon himself the Jews call a "way".

(Act 9:3) Now as he iourneyed, it came to passe that as he was come neere to Damascus, suddenly there shined rounde about him a light from heauen.

(Act 9:4) And hee fell to the earth, and heard a voyce, saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

(Act 9:5) And he sayd, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord sayd, I am Iesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kicke against pricks.

(Notes Reference) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] (c) hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

(c) This is a proverb which is spoken of those who through their stubbornness hurt themselves.

(Act 9:6) He then both trembling and astonied, sayd, Lord, what wilt thou that I doe? And the Lord sayd vnto him, Arise and goe into the citie, and it shall be tolde thee what thou shalt doe.

(Act 9:7) The men also which iourneyed with him, stood amased, hearing his voyce, but seeing no man.

(Notes Reference) And the men which journeyed with him (d) stood speechless, hearing a (e) voice, but seeing no man.

(d) Stood still and could not go one step forward, but remained amazed as stood still like statues.

(e) They heard Paul's voice: for afterwards it is plainly said in (Act 22:9) that they did not hear the voice of the one who spoke. Others, however, try to reconcile these places (which seem to contradict) by saying that the men with Saul heard the sound of a voice, but did not hear it clearly.

(Act 9:8) And Saul arose from the ground, and opened his eyes, but sawe no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus,

(Act 9:9) Where he was three dayes without sight, and neither ate nor dranke.

(Act 9:10) And there was a certaine disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and to him sayd the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he sayd, Beholde, I am here Lord.

(Act 9:11) Then the Lord sayd vnto him, Arise, and goe into the streete which is called Straight, and seeke in the house of Iudas after one called Saul of Tarsus: for beholde, he prayeth.

(Notes Reference) And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of (f) Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

(f) Tarsus was a city of Cilicia near to Anchiala. It is said that Sardanapalus built these two cities in one day.

(Act 9:12) (And he sawe in a vision a man named Ananias comming in to him, and putting his hands on him, that he might receiue his sight.)

(Act 9:13) Then Ananias answered, Lord, I haue heard by many of this man, howe much euill hee hath done to thy saints at Hierusalem.

(Act 9:14) Moreouer here hee hath authoritie of the hie Priestes, to binde all that call on thy Name.

(Act 9:15) Then the Lord said vnto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessell vnto me, to beare my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel.

(Notes Reference) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a (g) chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

(g) To bear my name in.

(Act 9:16) For I will shewe him, howe many things he must suffer for my Names sake.

(Notes Reference) For I will (h) shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

(h) I will plainly show him.

(Act 9:17) Then Ananias went his way, and entred into that house, and put his hands on him, and sayd, Brother Saul, the Lord hath sent me (euen Iesus that appeared vnto thee in the way as thou camest) that thou mightest receiue thy sight, and be filled with the holy Ghost.

(Notes Reference) And Ananias went his way, and entered into (i) the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

(i) Into Judas' house.

(Act 9:18) And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had bene scales, and suddenly he receiued sight, and arose, and was baptized,

(Act 9:19) And receiued meate, and was strengthened. So was Saul certaine dayes with the disciples which were at Damascus.

(Act 9:20) And straightway hee preached Christ in the Synagogues, that he was that Sonne of God,

(Notes Reference) (2) And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

(2) Paul begins immediately to execute the office which was given and commanded to him, never consulting with flesh and blood.

(Act 9:21) So that all that heard him, were amased, and sayde, Is not this hee, that made hauocke of them which called on this Name in Hierusalem, and came hither for that intent, that hee should bring them bound vnto the hie Priests?

(Act 9:22) But Saul encreased the more in strength, and confounded the Iewes which dwelt at Damascus, confirming, that this was that Christ.

(Notes Reference) (3) But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, (k) proving that this is very Christ.

(3) Paul does not do battle only with his own authority, but also with the testimonies of the Prophets.

(k) By conferring places of the Scripture together, as skilful craftsman do when they make something, they used to gather all parts together, to make them agree fitly one with another.

(Act 9:23) And after that many dayes were fulfilled, the Iewes tooke counsell together, to kill him,

(Notes Reference) (4) And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

(4) Paul, who was before a persecutor, now has persecution planned against himself, though it will not happen for a long time.

(Act 9:24) But their laying awayte was knowen of Saul: nowe they watched the gates day and night, that they might kill him.

(Act 9:25) Then the disciples tooke him by night, and put him through the wall, and let him downe by a rope in a basket.

(Notes Reference) (5) Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.

(5) We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, but only if we do not swerve from our vocation.

(Act 9:26) And when Saul was come to Hierusalem, he assayed to ioyne himselfe with the disciples: but they were all afrayd of him, and beleeued not that he was a disciple.

(Notes Reference) (6) And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

(6) In ancient times no man was rashly or lightly received into the members and the sheep of the Church, much less to be a pastor.

(Act 9:27) But Barnabas tooke him, and brought him to the Apostles, and declared to them, howe hee had seene the Lord in the way, and that hee had spoken vnto him, and how he had spoken boldly at Damascus in the Name of Iesus.

(Act 9:28) And hee was conuersant with them at Hierusalem,

(Notes Reference) (7) And he was (l) with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

(7) The steadfast servants of God must look out for danger after danger: yet God watches out for them.

(l) With Peter and James, for he says that he saw none of the apostles but them; (Gal 1:18-19).

(Act 9:29) And spake boldly in the Name of the Lord Iesus, and spake and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

(Notes Reference) And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the (m) Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

(m) See (Act 6:1).

(Act 9:30) But when the brethren knewe it, they brought him to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

(Notes Reference) (8) [Which] when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

(8) The ministers of the word may change their place with the advice and counsel of the congregation and church.

(Act 9:31) Then had the Churches rest through all Iudea, and Galile, and Samaria, and were edified and walked in the feare of the Lord, and were multiplied by the comfort of the holy Ghost.

(Notes Reference) (9) Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were (n) edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

(9) The result of persecutions is the building of the Church, so that we will patiently wait for the Lord.

(n) This is a borrowed type of speech which signifies establishment and increase.

(Act 9:32) And it came to passe, as Peter walked throughout all quarters, hee came also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

(Notes Reference) (10) And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all [quarters], he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

(10) Peter's apostleship is confirmed by the healing of the man who suffered from paralysis.

(Act 9:33) And there he found a certaine man named Aeneas, which had kept his couch eight yeeres, and was sicke of the palsie.

(Act 9:34) Then said Peter vnto him, Aeneas, Iesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise and trusse thy couch together. And he arose immediately.

(Act 9:35) And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron, sawe him, and turned to the Lord.

(Notes Reference) And all that dwelt at (o) Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

(o) Lydda was a city of Palestine, and Saron a first-class country, and a place which was excellent for grazing, between Caesarea of Palestine and Mount Tabor, and the lake of Gennesaret, which goes far beyond Joppa.

(Act 9:36) There was also at Ioppa a certaine woman, a disciple named Tabitha (which by interpretation is called Dorcas) she was full of good workes and almes which she did.

(Notes Reference) (11) Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

(11) Peter clearly declares, by raising up a dead body through the name of Christ, that he preaches the glad tidings of life.

(Act 9:37) And it came to passe in those dayes, that she was sicke and dyed: and when they had washed her, they layd her in an vpper chamber.

(Act 9:38) Now forasmuch as Lydda was neere to Ioppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent vnto him two men, desiring that he would not delay to come vnto them.

(Act 9:39) Then Peter arose and came with them: and when hee was come, they brought him into the vpper chamber, where all the widowes stoode by him weeping, and shewing the coates and garments, which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

(Act 9:40) But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled downe, and prayed, and turned him to the body, and sayd, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she sawe Peter, sate vp.

(Act 9:41) Then he gaue her the hand and lift her vp, and called the Saints and widowes, and restored her aliue.

(Act 9:42) And it was knowen throughout all Ioppa, and many beleeued in the Lord.

(Act 9:43) And it came to passe that he taried many dayes in Ioppa with one Simon a Tanner.