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Passage 1: 2 Kings 22-23

(2Ki 22:1) Iosiah was eight yeere olde when he beganne to reigne, and hee reigned one and thirtie yeere in Ierusalem. His mothers name also was Iedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozcath.

(2Ki 22:2) And hee did vprightly in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the wayes of Dauid his father, and bowed neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

(Notes Reference) And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, and (a) walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

(a) His zeal was prophesied of, and his name mentioned by Iddo the prophet, more than 300 years before, (1Ki 13:2) and being but eight years old, he sought the God of his father David, (2Ch 34:3).

(2Ki 22:3) And in the eighteenth yeere of King Iosiah, the King sent Shaphan the sonne of Azaliah the sonne of Meshullam the chanceller to ye house of the Lord, saying,

(2Ki 22:4) Goe vp to Hilkiah the high Priest, that hee may summe the siluer which is brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the doore haue gathered of the people.

(Notes Reference) Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the (b) door have gathered of the people:

(b) Certain of the priests were appointed to this office, as in (2Ki 12:9).

(2Ki 22:5) And let them deliuer it into the hande of them that doe the worke, and haue the ouersight of the house of the Lord: let them giue it to them that worke in the house of the Lord, to repaire the decayed places of the house:

(Notes Reference) And let (c) them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which [is] in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,

(c) From the time of Joash for the space of 244 years, the temple remained without repairs through the negligence of the priests. This shows that they who have a charge and do not execute it should have it taken from them.

(2Ki 22:6) To wit, vnto the artificers and carpenters and masons, and to bye timber, and hewed stone to repaire the house.

(2Ki 22:7) Howebeit, let no rekoning bee made with them of the money, that is deliuered into their hand: for they deale faithfully.

(Notes Reference) Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt (d) faithfully.

(d) So God provided him with faithful servants, seeing he went about so zealously to set forth the work of God.

(2Ki 22:8) And Hilkiah the high Priest sayde vnto Shaphan the chanceller, I haue found the booke of the Lawe in the house of the Lord: and Hilkiah gaue the booke to Shaphan, and hee reade it.

(Notes Reference) And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the (e) book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

(e) This was the copy that Moses left them, as it appears in (2Ch 34:14), which either by the negligence of the priests had been lost, or else by the wickedness of idolatrous kings had been abolished.

(2Ki 22:9) So Shaphan the chanceller came to ye King, and brought him word againe, and saide, Thy seruants haue gathered the money, that was found in the house, and haue deliuered it vnto the hands of them that doe the worke, and haue the ouersight of the house of the Lord.

(2Ki 22:10) Also Shaphan the chanceller shewed the King saying, Hilkiah the Priest hath deliuered me a booke. And Shaphan read it before the King.

(2Ki 22:11) And when the King had heard the wordes of the booke of the Law, he rent his clothes.

(2Ki 22:12) Therefore the King commanded Hilkiah the Priest, and Ahikam the sonne of Shaphan, and Achbor the sonne of Michaiah, and Shaphan the chanceller, and Asahiah the Kings seruant, saying,

(2Ki 22:13) Go ye and inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Iudah concerning the wordes of this booke that is founde: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against vs, because our fathers haue not obeyed the wordes of this booke, to doe according vnto all that which is written therein for vs.

(Notes Reference) Go ye, (f) enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great [is] the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

(f) Meaning, to some prophet to whom God reveals the knowledge of things, as in (Jer 21:8), though at other times they enquired the Lord by Urim and Thummim.

(2Ki 22:14) So Hilkiah the Priest and Ahikam, and Achbor and Shaphan, and Asahiah went vnto Huldah the Prophetesse the wife of Shallum, ye sonne of Tikuah, the sonne of Harhas keeper of the wardrobe: (and she dwelt in Ierusalem in the colledge) and they communed with her.

(Notes Reference) So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the (g) college;) and they communed with her.

(g) Or the house of doctrine, which was near the temple, and where the learned assembled to search the scriptures and the doctrine of the prophets.

(2Ki 22:15) And shee answered them, Thus sayth the Lord God of Israel, Tel the man that sent you to mee,

(2Ki 22:16) Thus sayth the Lord, Behold, I wil bring euill vpon this place, and on the inhabitants thereof, euen al the words of the booke which ye King of Iudah hath read,

(2Ki 22:17) Because they haue forsaken mee, and haue burnt incense vnto other gods, to anger me with all ye works of their hands: my wrath also shalbe kindled against this place and shall not be queched:

(Notes Reference) Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the (h) works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

(h) The works of man's hand here signifies all that man invents beside the word of God, which are abominable in God's service.

(2Ki 22:18) But to the King of Iudah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, so shall ye say vnto him, Thus sayeth the Lord God of Israel, The wordes that thou hast heard, shall come to passe.

(2Ki 22:19) But because thine heart did melt, and thou hast humbled thy selfe before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants of the same, to wit, that it should be destroyed and accursed, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me, I haue also heard it, saith the Lord.

(Notes Reference) Because thine heart was (i) tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard [thee], saith the LORD.

(i) Meaning, that he repented as they that do not repent are said to harden their heart, (Psa 95:8).

(2Ki 22:20) Beholde therefore, I wil gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be put in thy graue in peace, and thine eyes shall not see all the euil, which I will bring vpon this place. Thus they brought the King worde againe.

(Notes Reference) Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in (k) peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

(k) Upon which we may gather that the anger of God is ready against the wicked when God takes his servants out of this world.

(2Ki 23:1) Then the King sent, and there gathered vnto him all the Elders of Iudah and of Ierusalem.

(Notes Reference) And the king (a) sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

(a) Because he saw the great plagues of God that were threatened, he knew no more speedy way to avoid them, than to turn to God by repentance which cannot come but from faith, and faith by hearing the word of God.

(2Ki 23:2) And the King went vp into the house of the Lord, with all the men of Iudah and all the inhabitants of Ierusalem with him, and the Priests and Prophets, and all the people both small and great: and he reade in their eares all the wordes of the booke of the couenant, which was found in the house of the Lord.

(2Ki 23:3) And the King stood by the pillar, and made a couenant before the Lord, that they shoulde walke after the Lord, and keepe his commandements, and his testimonies, and his statutes with all their heart, and with all their soule, that they might accomplish the wordes of this couenant written in this booke. And all the people stood to the couenant.

(Notes Reference) And the king stood by (b) a pillar, and made a (c) covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all [their] heart and all [their] soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

(b) Where the king had his place, (2Ki 11:14).

(c) As Joshua did, (Jos 24:22, Jos 24:25).

(2Ki 23:4) Then the King commanded Hilkiah the hie Priest and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the doore, to bring out of ye Temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the groue, and for all the hoste of heauen, and he burnt them without Ierusalem in the fieldes of Kedron, and caryed the pouder of them into Beth-el.

(Notes Reference) And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the (d) priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried (e) the ashes of them unto Bethel.

(d) Meaning, they who were next in dignity to the high priest.

(e) In contempt of the altar Jeroboam had built there to sacrifice to his calves.

(2Ki 23:5) And he put downe the Chemarims, whom the Kings of Iudah had founded to burne incense in the hie places, and in the cities of Iudah, and about Ierusalem, and also them that burnt incense vnto Baal, to the sunne and to the moone, and to the planets, and to all the hoste of heauen.

(Notes Reference) And he put down the (f) idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.

(f) Or Chemarims, meaning the priests of Baal who were called Chemarims either because they wore black garments or else were smoked with burning incense to idols.

(2Ki 23:6) And he brought out the groue from the Temple of the Lord without Ierusalem vnto the valley of Kedron, and burnt it in the valley Kedron, and stampt it to pouder, and cast the dust thereof vpon the graues of the children of the people.

(Notes Reference) And he brought out the (g) grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the (h) graves of the children of the people.

(g) He removed the grove which idolaters for devotion had planted near the temple, contrary to the commandment of the Lord, (Deu 16:21), or as some read, the similitude of a grove which was hung in the temple.

(h) Both in contempt of the idols and reproach of them who had worshipped them in their lives.

(2Ki 23:7) And hee brake downe the houses of the Sodomites, that were in the house of the Lord, where the women woue hangings for the groue.

(2Ki 23:8) Also he brought all the priests out of the cities of Iudah, and defiled the hie places where the Priests had burnt incense, euen from Geba to Beer-sheba, and destroyed the hie places of the gates, that were in the entring in of the gate of Ioshua the gouernour of the citie, which was at the left hand of the gate of the citie.

(2Ki 23:9) Neuerthelesse the Priests of the hie places came not vp to the altar of the Lord in Ierusalem, saue onely they did eate of the vnleauened bread among their brethren.

(Notes Reference) Nevertheless the priests of the high places (i) came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.

(i) Because they who had forsaken the Lord to serve idols, were not fit to minister in the service of the Lord for the instruction of others.

(2Ki 23:10) He defiled also Topheth, which was in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man shoulde make his sonne or his daughter passe through the fire to Molech.

(Notes Reference) And he defiled (k) Topheth, which [is] in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

(k) Which was a valley near to Jerusalem, and signifies a tabret because they smote on the tabret while their children were burning, that their cry should not be heard, (Lev 18:21), after which Josiah commanded trash to be cast in contempt of it.

(2Ki 23:11) He put downe also the horses that the Kings of Iudah had giuen to the sunne at the entring in of the house of the Lord, by the chamber of Nethan-melech the eunuche, which was ruler of the suburbes, and burnt the charets of the sunne with fire.

(Notes Reference) And he took away the (l) horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which [was] in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.

(l) The idolatrous kings had dedicated horses and chariots to the sun, either to carry about the image of it as the heathen did, or else to sacrifice them as a most agreeable sacrifice.

(2Ki 23:12) And the altars that were on the top of the chamber of Ahaz, which the Kings of Iudah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord did the King breake downe, and hasted thence, and cast the dust of them in the brooke Kedron.

(2Ki 23:13) Moreouer the King defiled the hie places that were before Ierusalem and on the right hand of the mount of corruption (which Salomon the King of Israel had buylt for Ashtoreth the idole of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the idole of the Moabites, and for Milchom the abomination of the children of Ammon)

(Notes Reference) And the high places that [were] before Jerusalem, which [were] on the right hand of the (m) mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

(m) That was the mount of olives, so called because it was full of idols.

(2Ki 23:14) And he brake the images in pieces, and cut downe the groues and filled their places with the bones of men.

(2Ki 23:15) Furthermore the altar that was at Beth-el, and the hie place made by Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat, which made Israel to sinne, both this altar and also the hie place, brake he downe, and burnt the hie place, and stampt it to powder and burnt the groue.

(Notes Reference) Moreover (n) the altar that [was] at Bethel, [and] the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, [and] stamped [it] small to powder, and burned the grove.

(n) Which Jeroboam had built in Israel, (1Ki 12:28-29).

(2Ki 23:16) And as Iosiah turned himselfe, he spied the graues, that were in the mount, and sent and tooke the bones out of the graues, and burnt them vpon the altar and polluted it, according to the word of the Lord, that the man of God proclaimed, which cryed the same wordes.

(Notes Reference) And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that [were] there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned [them] upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the (o) man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

(o) According to the prophecy of Iddo, (1Ki 13:2).

(2Ki 23:17) Then he sayde, What title is that which I see? And the men of the citie sayd vnto him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Iudah, and tolde these things that thou hast done to the altar of Beth-el.

(2Ki 23:18) Then sayde he, Let him alone: let none remooue his bones. So his bones were saued with the bones of the Prophet that came from Samaria.

(Notes Reference) And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the (p) prophet that came out of Samaria.

(p) Meaning, the prophet who came after him, and caused him to eat contrary to the command of the Lord, who were both buried in the same grave, (1Ki 13:31).

(2Ki 23:19) Iosiah also tooke away all the houses of the hie places, which were in the cities of Samaria, which the Kings of Israel had made to anger the Lord, and did to them according to all the factes that he had done in Beth-el.

(2Ki 23:20) And he sacrificed all the Priests of the hie places, that were there vpon the altars, and burnt mens bones vpon them, and returned to Ierusalem.

(2Ki 23:21) Then the king commanded all the people, saying, Keepe the passeouer vnto the Lord your God, as it is written in the booke of this couenant.

(2Ki 23:22) And there was no Passeouer holden like that from the dayes of the Iudges that iudged Israel, nor in all the dayes of the Kinges of Israel, and of the Kings of Iudah.

(Notes Reference) Surely there was not holden (q) such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;

(q) For the multitude and zeal of the people with the great preparation.

(2Ki 23:23) And in the eightenth yere of King Iosiah was this Passeouer celebrated to the Lord in Ierusalem.

(2Ki 23:24) Iosiah also tooke away them that had familiar spirits, and the soothsayers, and the images, and the idoles, and al the abominations that were espied in the lande of Iudah and in Ierusalem, to performe the wordes of the Lawe, which were written in the booke that Hilkiah the Priest found in the house of the Lord.

(2Ki 23:25) Like vnto him was there no King before him, that turned to the Lord with al his heart, and with all his soule, and with all his might according to all the Lawe of Moses, neither after him arose there anie like him.

(2Ki 23:26) Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fiercenesse of his great wrath wherewith he was angrie against Iudah, because of all the prouocatios wherwith Manasseh had prouoked him.

(Notes Reference) Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the (r) fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.

(r) Because of the wicked heart of the people, who would not turn to him by repentance.

(2Ki 23:27) Therefore the Lord saide, I will put Iudah also out of my sight, as I haue put away Israel, and will cast off this citie Ierusalem, which I haue chosen, and the house whereof I said, My name shalbe there.

(2Ki 23:28) Concerning the rest of the actes of Iosiah, and all that hee did, are they not written in the booke of the Chronicles of the Kings of Iudah?

(2Ki 23:29) In his dayes Pharaoh Nechoh King of Egypt went vp against the King of Asshur to the riuer Perath. And King Iosiah went against him, whome when Pharaoh sawe, he slewe him at Megiddo.

(Notes Reference) In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah (s) went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.

(s) Because Pharaoh passed through his country, he was afraid Pharaoh would have done him harm and would have stopped him, yet he did not consult the Lord, and therefore was slain.

(2Ki 23:30) Then his seruants caryed him dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Ierusalem, and buried him in his owne sepulchre. And the people of the lande tooke Iehoahaz the sonne of Iosiah, and anointed him, and made him King in his fathers steade.

(2Ki 23:31) Iehoahaz was three and twentie yeere olde when he beganne to reigne, and reigned three moneths in Ierusalem. His mothers name also was Hamutal the daughter of Ieremiah of Libnah.

(2Ki 23:32) And he did euill in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

(Notes Reference) And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his (t) fathers had done.

(t) Meaning, the wicked kings before.

(2Ki 23:33) And Pharaoh Nechoh put him in bondes at Riblah in the lande of Hamath, while he reigned in Ierusalem, and put the lande to a tribute of an hundreth talents of siluer, and a talent of golde.

(Notes Reference) And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands (u) at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

(u) Which was Antiochia in Syria, also called Hamath.

(2Ki 23:34) And Pharaoh Nechoh made Eliakim the sonne of Iosiah King in steade of Iosiah his father, and turned his name to Iehoiakim, and tooke Iehoahaz away, which when he came to Egypt, dyed there.

(2Ki 23:35) And Iehoiakim gaue the siluer and the golde to Pharaoh, and taxed the land to giue the money, according to the commadement of Pharaoh: he leuyed of euery man of the people of the lande, according to his value, siluer and golde to giue vnto Pharaoh Nechoh.

(2Ki 23:36) Iehoiakim was fiue and twentie yere olde, when he began to reigne, and he reigned eleuen yeeres in Ierusalem. His mothers name also was Zebudah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

(2Ki 23:37) And he did euill in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

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Passage 2: Ezekiel 12

(Eze 12:1) The worde of the Lord also came vnto me, saying,

(Eze 12:2) Sonne of man, thou dwellest in the middes of a rebellious house, which haue eyes to see, and see not: they haue eares to heare, and heare not: for they are a rebellious house.

(Notes Reference) Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, and see (a) not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they [are] a rebellious house.

(a) That is, they receive not the fruit of that which they see and hear.

(Eze 12:3) Therefore thou sonne of man, prepare thy stuffe to goe into captiuitie, and goe foorth by day in their sight: and thou shalt passe from thy place to another place in their sight, if it be possible that they may consider it: for they are a rebellious house.

(Eze 12:4) Then shalt thou bring foorth thy stuffe by day in their sight as the stuffe of him that goeth into captiuitie: and thou shalt go forth at euen in their sight, as they that go foorth into captiuitie.

(Eze 12:5) Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and cary out thereby.

(Eze 12:6) In their sight shalt thou beare it vpon thy shoulders, and carie it foorth in the darke: thou shalt couer thy face that thou see not the earth: for I haue set thee as a signe vnto the house of Israel.

(Notes Reference) In their sight shalt thou bear [it] upon [thy] shoulders, [and] carry [it] forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou mayest not see the ground: for I have set thee [for] a (b) sign to the house of Israel.

(b) That as you do, so shall they do, and therefore in you they will see their own plague and punishment.

(Eze 12:7) And as I was commanded, so I brought forth my stuffe by day, as ye stuffe of one that goeth into captiuitie: and by night I digged through the wall with mine hand, and brought it forth in ye darke, and I bare it vpon my shoulder in their sight.

(Eze 12:8) And in the morning came the word of the Lord vnto me, saying,

(Eze 12:9) Sonne of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, sayde vnto thee, What doest thou?

(Notes Reference) Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to thee, What (c) doest thou?

(c) Do they not deride your doings?

(Eze 12:10) But say thou vnto them, Thus saith the Lord God, This burden concerneth the chiefe in Ierusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them.

(Eze 12:11) Say, I am your signe: like as I haue done, so shall it be done vnto them: they shall goe into bondage and captiuitie.

(Eze 12:12) And the chiefest that is among them, shall beare vpon his shoulder in the darke, and shall goe forth: they shall digge through the wall, to cary out thereby: he shall couer his face, that he see not the ground with his eies.

(Eze 12:13) My net also will I spread vpon him, and he shall be taken in my net, and I will bring him to Babel to the lande of the Caldeans, yet shall he not see it, though he shall dye there.

(Notes Reference) My net also will I spread upon (d) him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon [to] the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

(d) When the king will think to escape by fleeing, I will take him into my net, as in (Eze 32:3).

(Eze 12:14) And I will scatter toward euerie winde all that are about him to helpe him, and all his garisons, and I will drawe out the sworde after them.

(Eze 12:15) And they shall knowe that I am the Lord, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countreis.

(Eze 12:16) But I will leaue a litle nomber of them from the sworde, from the famine, and from the pestilence, that they may declare all these abominations among the heathen, where they come, and they shall knowe, that I am the Lord.

(Notes Reference) But I will leave a (e) few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they come; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

(e) Who would bear his Name, and would be his Church.

(Eze 12:17) Moreouer, the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

(Eze 12:18) Sonne of man, eate thy bread with trembling and drinke thy water with trouble, and with carefulnesse,

(Eze 12:19) And say vnto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord God of the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and of the lande of Israel, They shall eate their bread with carefulnes, and drinke their water with desolation: for the lande shall bee desolate from her abundance because of the crueltie of them that dwell therein.

(Eze 12:20) And the cities that are inhabited, shall be left voyde, and the land shall be desolate, and yee shall knowe that I am the Lord.

(Eze 12:21) And the worde of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

(Eze 12:22) Sonne of man, what is that prouerbe that you haue in the land of Israel, saying, The dayes are prolonged and all visions faile?

(Notes Reference) Son of man, what [is] that proverb [that] ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days (f) are prolonged, and every vision faileth?

(f) Because they did not immediately see the prophecies accomplished, they contemned them as though they would never be fulfilled.

(Eze 12:23) Tell them therefore, Thus sayeth the Lord God, I wil make this prouerbe to cease, and they shall no more vse it as a prouerbe in Israel: but say vnto them, The daies are at hand and the effect of euery vision.

(Eze 12:24) For no vision shall be any more in vaine, neither shall there bee any flattering diuination within the house of Israel.

(Eze 12:25) For I am the Lord: I wil speake, and that thing that I shall speake, shall come to passe: it shall be no more prolonged: for in your dayes, O rebellious house, will I saye the thing, and will performe it, sayeth the Lord God.

(Eze 12:26) Againe the word of the Lord came vnto me, saying,

(Eze 12:27) Sonne of man, beholde, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that hee seeth, is for many dayes to come, and he prophecieth of the times that are farre off.

(Notes Reference) Son of man, behold, [they of] the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth [is] for (g) many days [to come], and he prophesieth of the times [that are] distant.

(g) That is, it will not come to pass in our days, and therefore we care not for it: thus the wicked ever abuse God's patience and benignity.

(Eze 12:28) Therefore say vnto them, Thus sayth the Lord God, All my wordes shall no longer be delayed, but that thing which I haue spoken, shall be done, saith the Lord God.

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Passage 3: Luke 8

(Luk 8:1) And it came to passe afterwarde, that hee himselfe went through euery citie and towne, preaching and publishing the kingdome of God, and the twelue were with him,

(Luk 8:2) And certaine women, which were healed of euill spirites, and infirmities, as Mary which was called Magdalene, out of whom went seuen deuils,

(Luk 8:3) And Ioanna the wife of Chuza Herods steward, and Susanna, and many other which ministred vnto him of their substance.

(Luk 8:4) Nowe when much people were gathered together, and were come vnto him out of all cities, he spake by a parable.

(Notes Reference) (1) And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

(1) The same gospel is sown everywhere, but does not everywhere yield the same fruit, and this is only due to the fault of men themselves.

(Luk 8:5) A sower went out to sowe his seede, and as he sowed, some fell by the wayes side, and it was troden vnder feete, and the foules of heauen deuoured it vp.

(Luk 8:6) And some fell on the stones, and when it was sprong vp, it withered away, because it lacked moystnesse.

(Luk 8:7) And some fell among thornes, and the thornes sprang vp with it, and choked it.

(Luk 8:8) And some fell on good ground, and sprang vp, and bare fruite, an hundreth folde. And as hee sayd these things, he cryed, He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

(Luk 8:9) Then his disciples asked him, demaunding what parable that was.

(Luk 8:10) And he sayd, Vnto you it is giuen to know the secrets of ye kingdome of God, but to other in parables, that when they see, they shoulde not see, and when they heare, they should not vnderstand.

(Notes Reference) And he said, Unto you it is given to know the (a) mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

(a) Those things are called secret which may not be uttered: for the word used here is equivalent to our saying, "to hold a man's peace".

(Luk 8:11) The parable is this, The seede is the worde of God.

(Luk 8:12) And they that are beside the way, are they that heare: afterward commeth the deuill, and taketh away the worde out of their hearts, least they should beleeue, and be saued.

(Luk 8:13) But they that are on the stones, are they which when they haue heard, receiue ye word with ioy: but they haue no rootes: which for a while beleeue, but in the time of tentation goe away.

(Luk 8:14) And that which fell among thornes, are they which haue heard, and after their departure are choked with cares and with riches, and voluptuous liuing, and bring forth no fruite.

(Notes Reference) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, (b) go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and (c) bring no fruit to perfection.

(b) That is, as soon as they have heard the word, they go about their business.

(c) They do not bring forth perfect and full fruit to the ripening: or, they begin, but they do not bring to an end.

(Luk 8:15) But that which fell in good ground, are they which with an honest and good heart heare the worde, and keepe it, and bring forth fruite with patience.

(Notes Reference) But that on the good ground are they, which in an (d) honest and good heart, having heard the word, (e) keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.

(d) Who seek not only to seem to be such, but are indeed so: so that this word "honest" refers to the outward life, and the word "good" refers to the good gifts of the mind.

(e) With much difficulty, for the devil and the flesh fight against the Spirit of God, who is a new guest.

(Luk 8:16) No man when he hath lighted a candle, couereth it vnder a vessell, neither putteth it vnder the bed, but setteth it on a candlesticke, that they that enter in, may see the light.

(Notes Reference) (2) No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

(2) That which every man has received in private he ought to bestow to the use and profit of all men.

(Luk 8:17) For nothing is secret, that shall not be euident: neither any thing hid, that shall not be knowen, and come to light.

(Luk 8:18) Take heede therefore how ye heare: for whosoeuer hath, to him shall be giuen: and whosoeuer hath not, from him shalbe taken euen that which it seemeth that he hath.

(Notes Reference) (3) Take (f) heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that (g) which he seemeth to have.

(3) Heavenly gifts are lost when one is sparing with them, and increase when one is liberal with them.

(f) That is, with what minds you come to hear the word, and how you behave yourselves when you have heard it.

(g) Either to himself, or to others, or to both: for there are none so proud as these fellows, if it were possible to see those things which they disguise: neither are there those that deceive the simple more than they do.

(Luk 8:19) Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come neere to him for the preasse.

(Notes Reference) (4) Then came to him [his] mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

(4) There is no relationship of flesh and blood among men so intimate and upright as the band which is between Christ and those who embrace him with a true faith.

(Luk 8:20) And it was tolde him by certaine which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, and would see thee.

(Luk 8:21) But he answered, and sayd vnto them, My mother and my brethren are these which heare the worde of God, and doe it.

(Luk 8:22) And it came to passe on a certaine day, that he went into a ship with his disciples, and he sayd vnto them, Let vs goe ouer vnto the other side of the lake. And they lanched forth.

(Notes Reference) (5) Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.

(5) It is expedient for us sometimes to come into extreme danger, as though Christ was not with us, that we may have a better test, both of his power, and also of our weakness.

(Luk 8:23) And as they sayled, he fell a sleepe, and there came downe a storme of winde on the lake, and they were filled with water, and were in ieopardie.

(Notes Reference) But as they sailed he fell (h) asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and (i) they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy.

(h) Jesus fell asleep, and it appears that he was very fast asleep, because they called him twice before he awoke.

(i) Not the disciples, but the ship.

(Luk 8:24) Then they went to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, Master, we perish. And he arose, and rebuked the winde, and the waues of water: and they ceased, and it was calme.

(Luk 8:25) Then he sayde vnto them, Where is your fayth? and they feared, and wondered among them selues, saying, Who is this that commandeth both the windes and water, and they obey him!

(Luk 8:26) So they sailed vnto the region of the Gadarenes, which is ouer against Galile.

(Luk 8:27) And as he went out to land, there met him a certaine man out of the citie, which had deuils long time, and he ware no garment, neither abode in house, but in the graues.

(Notes Reference) (6) And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs.

(6) Christ shows by casting out a legion of demons by his word alone that his heavenly power was appointed to deliver men from the slavery of the devil: but foolish men for the most part will not redeem this so excellent grace freely offered unto them if it means the loss of even the least of their wealth.

(Luk 8:28) And when he sawe Iesus, he cryed out and fell downe before him, and with a loude voyce sayd, What haue I to doe with thee, Iesus the Sonne of God the most High? I beseech thee torment me not.

(Luk 8:29) For he commanded ye foule spirit to come out of the man: (for oft times he had caught him: therefore he was bound with chaines, and kept in fetters: but he brake the bands, and was caried of the deuill into wildernesses.)

(Notes Reference) (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, (k) and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

(k) By force and violence, as a horse when he is spurred.

(Luk 8:30) Then Iesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? and he sayd, Legion, because many deuils were entred into him.

(Luk 8:31) And they besought him, that he would not commaund them to goe out into the deepe.

(Luk 8:32) And there was there by, an hearde of many swine, feeding on an hill: and the deuils besought him, that he would suffer them to enter into them. So he suffered them.

(Luk 8:33) Then went the deuils out of the man, and entred into the swine: and the hearde was caried with violence from a steepe downe place into the lake, and was choked.

(Luk 8:34) When the heardmen sawe what was done, they fled: and when they were departed, they tolde it in the citie and in the countrey.

(Luk 8:35) Then they came out to see what was done, and came to Iesus, and found the man, out of whom the deuils were departed, sitting at the feete of Iesus, clothed, and in his right minde: and they were afrayd.

(Luk 8:36) They also which saw it, tolde them by what meanes he that was possessed with the deuill, was healed.

(Luk 8:37) Then the whole multitude of the countrey about the Gadarenes, besought him that he would depart from them: for they were taken with a great feare: and he went into the ship, and returned.

(Luk 8:38) Then the man, out of whome the deuils were departed, besought him that hee might be with him: but Iesus sent him away, saying,

(Luk 8:39) Returne into thine owne house, and shewe what great things God hath done to thee. So hee went his way, and preached throughout all the citie, what great things Iesus had done vnto him.

(Notes Reference) Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published (l) throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

(l) That is, the city of the Gadarenes: and though Mark says that he preached it in Decapolis, these accounts do not differ, for Pliny records in lib. 5, chap. 18, that Gadara is a town of Decapolis: so that Decapolis was partly on this side of Jordan, and partly on the other side.

(Luk 8:40) And it came to passe, when Iesus was come againe, that the people receiued him: for they all waited for him.

(Notes Reference) And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people (m) [gladly] received him: for they were all waiting for him.

(m) The multitude was glad he had come again, and greatly rejoiced.

(Luk 8:41) And beholde, there came a man named Iairus, and he was the ruler of the Synagogue, who fell downe at Iesus feete, and besought him that he would come into his house.

(Notes Reference) (7) And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:

(7) Christ shows by a double miracle that he is Lord both of life and death.

(Luk 8:42) For he had but a daughter onely, about twelue yeeres of age, and she lay a dying (and as he went, the people thronged him.

(Luk 8:43) And a woman hauing an yssue of blood, twelue yeeres long, which had spent all her substance vpon physicians, and could not be healed of any:

(Notes Reference) And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her (n) living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

(n) All that she had to live upon.

(Luk 8:44) When she came behind him, she touched the hemme of his garment, and immediatly her yssue of blood stanched.

(Luk 8:45) Then Iesus sayd, Who is it that hath touched me? When euery man denied, Peter sayd and they that were with him, Master, the multitude thrust thee, and tread on thee, and sayest thou, Who hath touched me?

(Luk 8:46) And Iesus sayde, Some one hath touched me: for I perceiue that vertue is gone out of me.

(Luk 8:47) When the woman sawe that she was not hid, she came trembling, and fell downe before him, and tolde him before all the people, for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediatly.

(Luk 8:48) And he said vnto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath saued thee: go in peace.)

(Luk 8:49) While he yet spake, there came one from the ruler of the Synagogues house, which sayde to him, Thy daughter is dead: disease not the Master.

(Luk 8:50) When Iesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Feare not: beleeue onely, and she shall be saued.

(Luk 8:51) And when he went into the house, he suffered no man to goe in with him, saue Peter, and Iames, and Iohn, and the father and mother of the maide.

(Luk 8:52) And all wept, and sorowed for her: but he sayd, Weepe not: for she is not dead, but sleepeth.

(Notes Reference) And all wept, and (o) bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.

(o) The word signifies to beat and strike, and is used in the mournings and lamentations that are at burials, at which times men used this type of behaviour.

(Luk 8:53) And they laught him to scorne, knowing that she was dead.

(Luk 8:54) So he thrust them all out, and tooke her by the hand, and cryed, saying, Maide, arise.

(Luk 8:55) And her spirite came againe, and she rose straightway: and he comanded to giue her meate.

(Notes Reference) And her spirit came again, and she (p) arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

(p) The corpse was lying there, and then the young girl received life, and rose out of the bed, that all the world might see that she was not only restored to life, but also void of all sickness.

(Luk 8:56) Then her parents were astonied: but hee commanded them that they should tell no man what was done.