Exodus

But God is described with seven eyes (Zechariah 3:9), to show that he sees all the plots and stratagems of the enemies, and when they deal proudly, he can be above them. Come, says Pharaoh, let us deal wisely (Exodus 1:10), and he never played the fool more, than when he thought…

The showers of blood have made her more fruitful. Julian. (Exodus 1:10): Come let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply. And that way they took to suppress them, made them multiply (Verse 12).

He raises his Church by bringing it low. The blood of the martyrs has watered the Church, and made it more fruitful (Exodus 1:12). The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied: The Church is like that plant Gregory Nazianzen speaks of, [illegible], it lives by dying, a…

In general, Their hiding of the child was this: They kept him close, and unknown to the Egyptians for three months space; because the King had given commandment and charge to all his people, that they should drown every man-child born among the Hebrews. Exodus 1.22. In this acti…

We shall first open the words a little, and then speak to some doctrines from them, reserving the uses to the close of all. 1. Where it is said, He was oppressed, the word signifies to exact; and we find it three ways applied in Scripture: 1. To the exacting of tribute, as (2 Ki…

For in speaking, there should be a conformity, and consent, between the tongue, and the mind; which is not, when any lie is uttered. Secondly, it is objected, that the Egyptian Midwives, saved the male children of the Israelites: and Rahab the spies, by lying (Exodus 1:19; Joshu…

Others, by a new commandment, understand another diverse or different commandment; for Christ in the beginning of the chapter, had given them a commandment to flee pride, to be humble, to live at peace, and concord one with another: and then he says, But I give you a new command…

1. How clear is it to every mans observation, that the kindnesses and benefits any have done to the Lords people, have been rewarded with full measure into their bosoms? The Egyptian Midwives ressed to obey Pharaoh's inhumane command, and saved the Male Children of Israel: for t…

The word which we translate increased, signifies not an ordinary increase, but such an increase as breaks the bounds; it signifies so to increase in such abundance, as that the former place where those things were, cannot contain nor hold them, but they must seek some new place,…

It is also a fault in this kind, to put servants to such toiling works as are fitter for beasts than men: or to oppress them with too much work, as the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites. Let God's hearing the cry of those servants so oppressed, and revenging their oppressors fo…

I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians. 5. If the Lord of Hosts be on our side, he can make the Churches affliction a means of her Augmentation, Exodus 1:12. The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied.

9. He who Fears God had rather displease man than God. Exodus 1:17. The Midwives Feared God, and did not as the King commanded, but saved the Men-children alive.

There is their agreement to put Christ to death. In the Old Testament Pharaoh and his nobles (Exodus 1:10): Come on, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that when there falls out any war, they join also to our enemi…

2. The officious lie, for the help and relief of others. Many instances of this we have in Scripture: Thus Rebekah teaches Jacob to lie that he might gain the blessing (Genesis 27), and the Egyptian Midwives saved the male children of the Israelites, by feigning they were delive…

Nehemiah did not convert the public treasures to his private use (Nehemiah 5:15), "so did not I, for I fear God." This grace, when it is hazardous to be faithful to men, makes us to slight the danger (Exodus 1:17), "The Midwives feared God, and did not as the King of Egypt comma…

Surely the wisdom, counsel and understanding of the creature can do nothing without him, nothing against him; not without him, for it is dependent: whatever the creature has, it comes from him; otherwise our understanding is but ignorance, our counsel rashness, our wisdom folly.…

9. Wisdom lies in a diligent endeavor to improve grace by temptation. As the Israelites were multiplied by being oppressed; it is said, The more they were afflicted, the more they grew; so a true Israelite, the more he is tempted, the more is his grace increased; as trees are th…

If the devil bids a man lie or cheat, he does not refuse; and which is worst, men are enslaved, and they willingly obey this tyrant; other slaves are forced against their will. Israel sighed by reason of their bondage (Exodus 2:23). But sinners are willing to be slaves, they wil…

Question. What is this [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], this filiation or Adoption? Answer. Adoption is the taking a stranger into the relation of a son and heir: So Moses was the adopted son of King Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:10). And Esther was the adopted child of her cousin Mo…

Thus all sin's commands are unlawful, we cannot obey sin's law but by breaking God's law. 4. Other slaves are forced against their will: Israel groaned under slavery (Exodus 2:23). But sinners are content to be under the command of sin, they are willing to be slaves, they love t…

Thirdly, if it be for the safety of his life in a good cause. So Moses, Exodus 2:14-15, fled into the land of Midian, and there stayed, when Pharaoh sought his life: And Christ himself fled with his Father and Mother into Egypt, from the fury of Herod, Matthew 1. The like may be…

The Text says of him first of all, That when he was come to age, he refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter. How Moses became her son, we may read at large, Exodus 2: where it is said, that she having found Moses in the basket, preserved him alive, and brought him up a…

From there arises that fortitude; though the world rejects us as the scum of the world: for God holds us precious in his sight, in regard our cause is his own. Let us then with Moses, esteem the rebuke of Christ above all the riches of Egypt (Exodus 2:11; Hebrews 11:26). Let us…

As for your cavil at the oath ex officio, since you will needs draw it in by head and shoulders; however little it concerns us, I return you this answer — That, if any of our profession have in the pressing of it exceeded the lawful bounds, I excuse him not, I defend him not; le…

Meekness suffers the word of admonition, and takes it patiently and thankfully, not only from the hand of God that sends it, but from the hand of our friend that brings it. We must not be like the reprobate Sodomites (Genesis 19:9), or that pert Hebrew (Exodus 2:14), that flew i…

Indeed the mother herself was desirous to do it, and therefore appointed her daughter to watch who should take it up. These two circumstances imply that it pertains to a mother to nurse her children (Exodus 2:7, etc.). 5. The Apostle lays this down as a note of a good woman, who…

If a good servant does by occasion slip, and commit a fault, his master ought in wisdom either to take no notice of it: or with some mild admonition pass it over: and not deal with him as with a lewd, graceless servant. 4. When such servants (their covenanted time being expired)…

Something like a pity arising in his heart upon the sight of it; which the Scripture frequently ascribes to God, and we can best understand, as we consider the divine perfections shining forth in the human nature of Christ. (Exodus 2:24) He heard their groaning; and (Isaiah 63:4…

Others hide their sins, like one who shuts up his shop windows but follows his trade within doors. Many deal with their sins as Moses's mother dealt with him — she hid him in the ark of bulrushes as if she had left him; but her eye was still upon him, and in the end she became h…

O how happy were England if it had more peacemakers! Abraham was a peacemaker (Genesis 13:8); Moses was a peacemaker (Exodus 2:13). And that ever-to-be-honored Emperor Constantine, when he called the bishops together at the first Council of Nicaea to end church controversies, an…

Weeping for sin is a sign of the new birth; as soon as the child is born, it weeps. Exodus 2:6: And behold, the baby wept. To weep sincerely for sin is a good sign we are born of God.

The same with that of Abraham (Deuteronomy 8:18): that he may establish his Covenant, which he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. When he is to deliver them out of Egypt (Exodus 2:24): and God heard their groaning, and remembered his Covenant with Abraham and Isaac and Ja…

Now the people and Levites, and house of David were never so multiplied in the Jews, after the deliverance from Babylon, and therefore must be extended to the New Testament. And if God establish David's seed forever (Psalm 89:4) and the seed of his people shall possess the gates…

4. Death will dry up a believer's tears, Revelation 7. 17. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; weeping is nothing but a cloud of sorrow gathered in the heart, dropping into water. A Christian often has none to keep him company, but his own griefs and sorrows; he s…

In the Moral Law God himself gives a charge, God spoke all these words; therefore with what veneration should we attend? Moses was to put off his shoes from his feet (in token of reverence,) when God was about to speak to him (Exodus 3:5-6). 3. If God spoke all these words of th…

He is Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last (Revelation 1:8). No creature can write itself Alpha, that is only a flower of the crown of heaven (Exodus 3:14): I am that I am; namely, he who exists from and to eternity. Use 1. Here is thunder and lightning to the wicked; God is…

Three times I was beaten with rods; as if you should see a scullion whip the king's son. God beholds it (Exodus 3:7). I know their sorrows.

If a man were on the top of a high tower or theatre, he might from there see all the people below: God is in Heaven as in a tower or theatre, and he sees all the transactions of men. The wicked make wounds in the backs of the righteous, and then pour in vinegar; God writes down…

14. Vlt. There is kindness in affliction, in that it is a means to make us happy (Job 5:17): Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. This seems strange to flesh and blood that affliction should make one happy; when Moses saw the bush burning and not consumed, I will (says he…

In these words is laid down a second reason, whereby is proved, that these Patriarchs died in the faith, seeking their country in heaven. The reason is drawn from the testimony of God himself, recorded by Moses in the book of Exodus, where God saith, He is the God of their Fathe…

Objection 2. Exodus 3:5: God said to Moses, Stand far off and put off your shoes, for the place is holy. Now if holy places must be reverenced, then much more holy images, as the cross of Christ and such like.

He now confirms the former sentence, and shows that the cause of this famine and barrenness shall be, in regard that thorns and briars shall grow upon the land; that is to say, the fields shall be laid fallow and barren, whereas before they were fat and fruitful. Now this must n…

Answer: I answer, there are two sorts of signs, one goes before, and leads us by the hand as it were to the thing promised, the other comes after and confirms it, that it may stick fast in our memories, never to be erased. As for example, when the Lord brought Israel out of Egyp…

First, she thinks she stands by her own power: secondly, she makes herself believe, that the rest of the world are not worthy to be compared with her: thirdly, she promises herself a rest unchangeable. For the first, none can say truly I am, but God only, to whom it belongs prop…

For there is here a close comparison between their deliverance out of Egypt, and this out of Babylon. For they fled by night out of Egypt, feigning as if they had only meant to have gone three days' journey to offer sacrifice to God (Exodus 3:5 and 8:27). Afterward, they went fo…

He calls them mercies of David, because this covenant which was now so solemnly confirmed, was made in David's hand. True it is that the Lord made the covenant first with Abraham (Genesis 15:5 and 17:7), and afterwards confirmed it by Moses (Exodus 3:15), and lastly he establish…

Besides, he did not aim at collecting all the passages of Scripture, as we see that the apostles do not always make use of the same proofs on the same subject. And yet we must not imagine that there were no good reasons why Christ seized on this passage (Exodus 3:6) in preferenc…

If we judge by that rule, we must conclude, the more apt and powerful the means are, the more successful and prosperous they must needs be; and where they are inept, weak, and contemptible, nothing can be expected from them: thus reason layes it according to the rules of nature;…

And for this end and purpose it is, that the Holy Ghost has affixed those notes of attention to the narratives of the works of Providence in Scripture: all which do invite and call men to a due and deep observation of them. So in that great and celebrated work of Providence, in…

(Exodus 3:2-3) And he looked, and behold the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed; and Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. IT is a common saying, and common sayings are generally founded on matter of fact, that i…

It is a proverbial speech among us, What the eye sees not, the heart grieves not. And when the Lord would show how he was moved with the sufferings and knew the sorrows of his people in Egypt, he doubles it upon this sense, I have seen, I have seen, or I have surely seen the aff…

I have cryed unto you Jehovah. God gave out that name to his people to confirm their faith in the stability of his promises; Exodus 3. He who is BEING himself, will assuredly give being and subsistance to his promises. being to deal with God, about the promises of grace, he make…

Now we may see what reason there was for the words of the text, "The moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall endure forever and ever, and my salvation from generation to generation." Now we may see abundant reason…

This redemption was by Jesus Christ, as is evident from this, that it was wrought by him that appeared to Moses in the bush; for that was the person that sent Moses to redeem that people. But that was Christ, as is evident, because he is called the angel of the Lord, Exodus 3:2-…

But Christ's holy religion, though for some ages it was utterly destitute of all secular supports and advantages, and was assaulted on all hands by the most vigorous attacks of its daring and most implacable enemies, yet it has strangely weathered its point, and is in being, and…

This his infinite Spirit being everywhere — yet it is said here by it he went and preached, signifying the remarkable clearness of his administration that way. As when he appears eminently in any work of his own, or taking notice of our works, God is said to come down — so to th…

We have most experiences of God, when we are alone with him, and sequestered from all distractions of company and business, solacing ourselves with God. (Exodus 3:1) Moses drove the sheep to the backside of the wilderness, and came to the mount of God: he goes aside from the oth…

Therefore certainly they that know any thing of God, will be pressing to know more of his nature and will; one degree draws on another. Moses desires God; Tell me your name (Exodus 3:13-14). Then show me your glory (Exodus 33:18).

1. By the name of his essence. When Moses was very inquisitive to know his name (and God can best tell his own name), let us see what answer was made him (Exodus 3:12-13). When they shall say to me, What is his name, and God said, I Am, that I Am.

When he is to deliver them out of Egypt (Exodus 2:24): and God heard their groaning, and remembered his Covenant with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. So the Lord expounds it in his appearing to Moses (Exodus 3:6; Jeremiah 31:32): Not according to the Covenant which I made with thei…

It must be a narrow blessing of covenanted Egypt, Assyria, Israel, if it be a blessing of these come to age, 2. professing the faith, 3. and baptized. How can the Lord say, blessed be Egypt, and though the whole seed be visibly in covenant, old and young, yet it follows not that…

Third, the Covenant of Works has more of hire, more of man, of nature, of earning and working, and more of man's Covenant, where he binds for himself, and the other party for himself, without the mutual help of any of the confederate parties. Fourth, the Covenant of Grace is, th…

Isaiah 57:1-2: "When the righteous man is taken away, he shall enter into peace." The Lord is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, when their bodies are rotten (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32). (5.) This comes too near the opinion of those who make faith a cause of satisfaction for…

For nature common to all is over-gilded with free grace. And the natural life and being, and the material heavens we shall enjoy, are blessed in another manner to the glorified, than these they now enjoy (1 Corinthians 15:40-43, etc.; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 65:17)…

And Crellius and he say, the cause why the confirming of the Covenant is ascribed to the death of Christ, is because as by a slain beast and divided into two parts, covenants of old were established, so by the death of Christ the covenant of grace was solemnly confirmed and seal…

Here must the whole church fall down and worship the Author of this wonderful contrivance, and captivating their understandings unto the obedience of faith, humbly adore what they cannot comprehend. This was obscurely represented unto the church of old (Exodus 3:2-6): "And the A…

God alone has all being in him. Hence he gives himself that name, "I AM" (Exodus 3:14). He was eternally all; when all things else that ever were, or now are, or shall be, were nothing.

From whom as all things take their beginning, so is it fitting that they have also their end appointed and directed to him. There is no man (I say) but he ought to be seized to embrace the lawmaker, to the keeping of whose commandments, he is taught that he is peculiarly chosen:…

But it may be objected, if there be any material fire in hell, it will consume the bodies there? I answer, it shall burn without consuming, as Moses' bush did, Exodus 3:2. The power of God silenceth all disputes.

And this has bin an vsuall dealing of God, with his own seruants. When Moses was called to deliver the Israelites, and was in the way, the Lord, for a defect in his family, comes against him; to destroy him, Exod 4:24. Da uid is annointed king of Israel: and withall Saul is rais…

For there is neither precept, nor fitting example for it in the word of God. The example of Zipporah is alleged (Exodus 4:28), who circumcised her child. Answer.

Let us therefore renounce all opinion of merit which is not to be found in us, that so we may wholly attribute all to God's free grace, who shows us no mean or common favor, when he vouchsafes to entitle us precious. In which respect he also calls us his firstborn (Exodus 4:22),…

And therefore it is well termed the power of God, indeed rather God himself. For so he said to Moses (Exodus 4): I will be in your mouth. And in (Psalm 81): Open your mouth wide: that is, show forth boldly, speak out, be hungry and I will fill it, I myself being present with you…

And not content simply to call them sons, sometimes he calls them his first begotten, sometimes his darlings. In Exodus the Lord says thus, Israel is my first begotten son, let my son go that he may serve me (Exodus 4:22). I am become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first…

Abigail was a discreet and vertuous Wman, but very unsuitably matched to a churlish Nabal; see 1 Samuel 25:25 What a temptation to the neglect of a known duty, prevail'd upon the renowned Moses, by the means of Zipporah his Wife? Exodus 4. 24, 25. David had his scoffing Michal,…

Lest Satan should cavil that God had touched him but lightly, he puts him into Satan's power and lets him do it himself, who would do it thoroughly. The hand (as we before noted) is put for power, and when anything is put into the hand, it is put into the power or disposition of…

And lastly, others detract from themselves out of a too bashful modesty, or to avoid some troublesome and unpleasing employments which they are called to. Thus we find Moses (Exodus 4:10) making many excuses, that he was not eloquent, but of slow tongue, and a slow speech; and a…

Armor of proof shall be sure to be shot at. It should seem that his wife was none of the best humored women; for what a passion was she in, about the circumcising of her son, when she reproached him as a bloody husband, and we do not read of one word that he replied, but let her…

Moses had a privy sore which he was loath to disclose; and therefore when God would have sent him into Egypt, he pleads other things — insufficiency, want of elocution, that he was a stammerer, that he had not utterance. Yes, but his carnal fear was the main: therefore see how G…

As to the inward case, it is God that gives a spirit of courage and fortitude, and a mouth and wisdom which all the adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist (Luke 21:15). He will give it us in that hour, what we shall say, so God encourages Moses when he pleads his slo…

Usually when the Lord intends us some signal mercy, he fits us for it by some eminent trial. As Moses's hand was first leprous before it worked salvation (Exodus 4:6), so God may let his people be stricken with the cursings and revilings of men before he showers down some blessi…

6. It is against God's anger and displeasure at the sins of his own children, for God is really angry at his own children's sins, and why then does he not punish them for their sins? (Exodus 4:14) The anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. (Deuteronomy 1:37) Also the Lord…

God's will and ours are like the wind and tide when they are contrary; God wills one thing, we will another; God calls us to be crucified to the world, by nature we love the world; God calls us to forgive our enemies, by nature we bear malice in our heart; God's will and ours ar…

In his laws he appoints our duty, in his providence he appoints their trials; to refuse either, is to question his sovereignty (Psalm 12:4): Who have said, With our tongues will we prevail, our lips are our own, who is Lord over us. (Exodus 5:2) And Pharaoh said, who is the Lord…

If things continue at one rate with us, we think our prayers are lost, and our hopes perished from the Lord: much more when things grow worse and worse, and our darkness and trouble encreases, as usually it does just before the break of day and change of our condition, then we c…

It is added, they hear not the voice of the oppressor. The word which we translate an oppressor, signifies by violence to compel one to work or to pay a debt; so the taskmasters, (Exodus 5) are said to compel the people with violence to go on about the work. The same word signif…

Expediency and inexpediency were great motives to him, to forbear things which were otherwise lawful: yet little is this regarded by many: for (1 Corinthians 10:33). 1. Many command things to the very utmost of their servants' strength, if not above it, (as Pharaoh) or else thin…

He doubles the burden. (Exodus 5:17) You are idle, etc. So that out of bondage of soul, they would not hearken to Moses.

God does not only give us counsel as a friend, but commands us as a sovereign; and so the second notion whereby the evil of sin is set forth, is that of disobedience and rebellion; and so it is a great injury done to God, because it is a depreciation and contempt of his authorit…

But why are the persecutors and the injurious called the proud? Answer 1. Because wicked men shake off the yoke of God, and will not be subject to their Maker, and therefore desist not from troubling his People (Exodus 5:2). Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice, and let…

2. Sin is contrary to all the names and attributes of God; it sets itself in opposition to them all. (1) It deposes the sovereignty of God, as much as in it lies; it will not that the King of Kings should be on the throne, and govern this world which he has made: it was by this…

The heir, as he is a child or babe, differs nothing from a servant, but is under tutors and governors; so we (says the apostle) were in bondage, etc. To be under tutors, is all one as to be under a schoolmaster, and that's to be in a condition of bondage: Many go to school with…

Pharaoh soon bethought him what consequence might follow upon this, and cunningly labors to prevent by doubling their task: Ye are idle, ye are idle, therefore ye say, Let us go, and do sacrifice to the Lord. Go thorefore and work, Exodus 5:17, 18. As if he had said, Have you so…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

We can mourn as doves, but not pray or praise God. We are so discomposed that we are not fit to hearken to any good counsel (Exodus 6:9). Israel were so full of grief under their present burdens, that they minded not what Moses said, though he came with a message from God to the…

'You have always suspected,' says carnal reason, 'that you were a child of wrath and that you and God were enemies; but now you find it put out of question, and that from God's own mouth, who speaks grievous things against you; you have it also under his own hand, for lo he writ…

The third direction I give to such is that they keep and lend one ear as well to hear and consider what makes for their comfort as to what may make against them. This direction meets with a great infirmity of such as are in distress, who through Satan's temptations have their he…

She will admit no comfort, her disease is curable by no other means but the restoration of her children; give her them again and she will be quiet, else you speak into the air, she regards not whatever you say. Thus Israel in the cruel bondage in Egypt, Moses brings them the gla…

Not that the day of Judgment shall shortly approach and come soon after the Ascension of Christ, but because that after this preaching of the Gospel of Christ, there should be none other: And that we should not look for any further revelation, or more manifestation of grace, tha…

Neither does God call us to trust in any name of his however declared, or revealed, unless he gives it us in an especial manner, by way of covenant to rest upon. So he speaks, Exodus 6:3. I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and to Jacob () in the name of God Almighty, but by my…

The Saints Purgatory is in this life. But there are two things may bear up their Spirits. 1. Every Groan of theirs goes to Gods Heart, Exodus 6:7. I have heard the Groanings of the Children of Israel.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose faith God tried above most of his Saints before or since, for not one of those great things which were promised to them, did they live to see performed in their days; and how does God make known himself to them for their support, but by displaying…

Now the people and Levites, and house of David were never so multiplied in the Jews, after the deliverance from Babylon, and therefore must be extended to the New Testament. And if God establish David's seed forever (Psalm 89:4) and the seed of his people shall possess the gates…

Abraham prayed for Abimelech, Genesis 20:17-18, and, God healed him and his family of barrenness. At Moses' prayer, God's judgments were taken from Egypt: Exodus 7:12, 13, 30, and his wrath appeased toward his people, Exodus 32:11, 14. And some think that Stephen's prayer at his…

And the scriptures elsewhere, use the like phrases of God. (Exodus 7:3) God is said to harden Pharaoh's heart. (2 Samuel 24:1) The Lord moved David to number the people.

Again, the devil can delude the outward senses, as the hearing, and the sight. Thus Jannes and Jambres turned their rods into serpents, before Pharaoh, and brought frogs, by deceiving the eye, and not in truth (Exodus 7 and 8). Thus the witch of Endor made a counterfeit of Samue…

Witchcraft: The word [illegible] properly signifies poisoning: but here it is fitly translated witchcraft: because all poisoning is comprehended under murder which follows. And the Magicians of Egypt (Exodus 7) are called [illegible] in the translation of the Seventy: as also th…

The word "destroy" signifies to swallow up or to devour: you have it (Genesis 41:4), where it is said, that the seven lean ears and seven lean kine did devour or eat up the seven full ears and the seven fat kine. And (Exodus 7:12) the text says, that Moses his rod did swallow up…

Run down religion? In the name of my great master, I defy all the powers of hell and earth to run it down: they may sooner run down the flowing tide, or the sun when he goes forth in his strength, than run down the least of the dictates of eternal truth, not one jot or tittle of…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

14. And upon this account there is required a deadening of our hearts to shipping and trading with diverse mighty nations, as we see in the case of Tyre (Ezekiel 27), of Babylon (Revelation 18:11-13; Jeremiah 51). So are we to be mortified to fair houses (Isaiah 5:8), stately ci…

Objection. But is it not said, that God hardened Pharaoh's heart, here's more than God's bare permitting of sin? Answer. God does not infuse evil into men, only he withdraws the influence of his graces, and then the heart hardens of itself, even as light being withdrawn, darknes…

In this we have, 1. The mean applied and made use of. 2. The manner of application. (For that the worker is the Beloved himself, is clear) The mean in his hand, which in Scripture signifies three things, when attributed to God, 1. His Omnipotence, whereby he does what he pleases…

The Devil is very jealous of the first beam of light which breaks into the heart, and of every ordinance which conveys it; therefore sets corruptions at work, that it may appear to be a vain hope of ever escaping his clutches: So men are tired, and give over, and think it is to…

1. Rational, Hosts of men: these are under Gods command and conduct, they stir not without his Warrant: the Lord has the managing of all Martial affairs: not a stroke is struck, but God orders it: not a Bullet flies but God directs it. 2. Irrational, God can raise an Army of Fli…

'Tis with long accustomed sinners, as with those who have sate long under a Government, they rather like to be as they are, (though but ill on it) then think of a change, or like those who in a journey have gone out of their way all the day, will rather take any new way, overhed…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

Natural causes work more strongly under opposition, the fire burns most vehemently in winter frost, and the internal heat of the body is most mighty for concoction, when the coldness of the air is most piercing without, faith sees God most piercingly at midnight in Job, when rot…

Now mark the issue of all: when Pharaoh saw that he had rest given him, he hardened his heart and listened not to them, as the Lord had said. This is the ordinary and common repentance that most men practice in the world (Exodus 8:8; Exodus 9:27; Exodus 10:16; Exodus 8:15). Desp…

Thirdly, sometimes God so far leaves men to themselves, as only to propound to them good objects, yet such as he knows they will make an ill use of, sometimes his patience and long suffering (Romans 2:4, 5; Ecclesiastes 8:11). Pharaoh, when he saw that he had rest, he hardened h…

This wrath is very dismal; it is this wrath of God that embitters afflictions in this life: when sickness comes attended with God's wrath, it puts conscience into an agony. The mingling the fire with the hail made it so terrible (Exodus 9:24); so mingling God's wrath with afflic…

Hypocrites pray more against temporal evils than spiritual. Pharaoh prayed more to have the plague of hail and thunder removed, than his hard heart should be removed (Exodus 9:28). The Israelites prayed, Tolle Serpentes, Take away the serpents from us more than to have their sin…

When the matter bears a clear exception, and other Scriptures expound it, then surely Christ's dying for all must be expounded as his giving himself a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28, compared with 1 Timothy 2:6). So the law says all do that which the most part do; men's will doe…

In that the false Apostles are saide to be ielous, or zealous, we see how nature can counterfeit [〈◊〉] grace of God: and that which the child of God does by [〈◊〉] that the naturall man can doe by nature. Thus Pharao fa[〈…〉] repentance, Exod 9:27. and Ahab, that sold himselfe to…

The grammarians express it, sometimes more generally, a filthy scab; sometimes more particularly, an ulcer, a boil, sometimes a leprosy, it is indeed any foul disease breaking out upon the body. The same word is used (Exodus 9:10), where it is said, that God smote the Egyptians…

As he did it upon the old Roman world (Revelation 6:16), and this also he does two ways. 1. By calling out here and there an eminent opposer, and making him an example to all the world, so he dealt with Pharaoh, for this cause have I raised you up (Exodus 9:16). So he does to th…

Faithfulness is to us, and for our good. Pharaoh could own justice (Exodus 9:27): The Lord is righteous, but I and my people are wicked. But it's a higher thing to own faithfulness; that supposes faith, as the other does conviction.

What promises and resolves did Pharaoh make against that sin of detaining God's people? Says he, I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice to the Lord; and again, I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer (Exodus 9:28). And yet Saul and Pharaoh both perished in…

Had God brought Israel out of Egypt in the time of those Kings which knew Joseph, most likely they might have had a friendly departure and an easie deliverance, but God reserves this for the reigne of that proud Pharaoh, who shall cruelly oppress them, and venture his Kingdom, b…

'Tis vain to confess, we have done those things which we ought not to have done, and continue still in doing so. Pharaoh confessed he had sinned, (Exodus 9:27). But when the thunder ceased, he fell to his sin again, verse 33.

Now mark the issue of all: when Pharaoh saw that he had rest given him, he hardened his heart and listened not to them, as the Lord had said. This is the ordinary and common repentance that most men practice in the world (Exodus 8:8; Exodus 9:27; Exodus 10:16; Exodus 8:15). Desp…

God's will stands in the people's way, bidding them return, they answer: There is no hope but we will walk after our own devices. Hell, vengeance, omnipotency, crossed Pharaoh's will, but it would neither bow nor break (Exodus 9:27). But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, that h…

The consideration hereof, how would it humble a man's soul in the sight of God? There is no means in the world so effectual to break the heart of a man kindly, as this is; it was the last means God used with Pharaoh (Exodus 9:16-17). I have raised you up, says God, to show my po…

Beneficium postulat officium: The deepest springs yield the sweetest water: and hearts deeply sensible of God's deliverances yield the sweetest praises. Moses tells Pharaoh, when he was going out of Egypt, We will go with our sheep and our cattle (Exodus 10:9). Why so?

Pride and lust darken the glory of the soul: A sinner's heart is a dark conclave, it looks blacker than hell. 3. A natural man is under the darkness of misery; he is exposed to divine vengeance; and the sadness of this darkness is, that men are not sensible of it; they are blind…

Therefore the wicked man, being troubled only with the sting and smart of sin — pull that sting out, take that load off, and he is well enough, as cheerful and pleasant as ever. It being present ease he seeks, he confesses his sin and does anything for the present to come out of…

But malefactors flee for fear of due punishment. Moses departed with courage and boldness, and therefore fled not as a malefactor: for he feared not the King, as appears plainly in the History; for, though Pharaoh had said unto him, Exodus 10.28 Get you gone, see you see my face…

Take Moses in his own case, and his conduct toward men, as they had respect to himself, and then he was a meek man, soon persuaded. Yet the same Moses, when he saw the matter concerned the cause of God, he is so stiff and immovable, as that he will not yield one jot — he will no…

Distributing to the necessities of the Saints. The two latter sorts, (being principally meant in this place) are not to be borne by dissembling of them, or yeelding to them▪ much lesse by bolstering men vp in them, or by partaking with thē; For albeit the adulterer and vncleane…

Verse 3. I clothe the heavens with darkness, and make a sack their covering. He also mentions the thick darkness which was spread over the whole land of Egypt for the space of three days (Exodus 10:22), for then the heavens were in a manner clothed with mourning weeds, because a…

But God respects none of all these, he deals in all things with indifference, be the persons never so high of calling. So did he in Egypt slay the child as well of the king, as of the poorest shepherd (Exodus 10). And therefore the Apostle here warns us that we looking for the l…

We must charge it on him who was the contriver and director of all this mischief; Satan, Prince of the air, raised up this mighty wind. Winds are said sometimes to come from God; as (Exodus 10:13) the Lord brought an East wind upon the land of Egypt that it was covered with locu…

Great services require great strength, that we may neither be weary of, nor weary in the Lord's work, we must lay in much, that we may lay out much for God, we know not what God will call us to use. When Israel was to go out of Egypt, Moses would take the cattle, and not leave a…

Does the Spirit of God convince the consciences of his people, of the evil of sin (Romans 7:9)? Hypocrites have their convictions too (Exodus 10:16): Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and he said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Thus was…

Indeed, Lord, and if ever my Conscience, which by rebellion is now grown silent, should be in judgment awakened in this life, Oh what an Hell should I have within me! how would it thunder and roar upon me, and surround me with terrors! Your word assures me, that no length of tim…

That he reared up a wall of separation between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:11, 14). That light is in Goshen, and darkness in all the parts of Egypt besides (Exodus 10:22-23). That to the Jews were committed the oracles of God (Romans 3:1).

If God has the mattins, he looks for the vigils, and thus he is content the day should be divided. Does conscience presse a reformation and change of the sinners course, rather than faile, he'll grant that also: yet as Pharaoh when he yielded they should go, he meant their littl…

Now mark the issue of all: when Pharaoh saw that he had rest given him, he hardened his heart and listened not to them, as the Lord had said. This is the ordinary and common repentance that most men practice in the world (Exodus 8:8; Exodus 9:27; Exodus 10:16; Exodus 8:15). Desp…

When Christ, knocking, took his last good-night with this word: "he that is filthy, let him be filthy still," and said he would never come again. I grant, an ill conscience can speak prophecy (Exodus 10:28-29). So Pharaoh did prophesy, and Cain also (Genesis 4:13-14).

This manner of speech is found often in other places, as when it is said, that God went forth for the salvation of his people, even for the salvation with his anointed (Habakkuk 3:13). Also that he went through Egypt, and led them in the wilderness like a flock (Exodus 11:4; Psa…

And therefore (as Job speaks of the sea: Job 38:11) He [reconstructed: sets] the bounds and compass of their course which they shall not pass thus far and no further: So to the Devil he tells [reconstructed: him] punctually how far he shall proceed, he is in your hand only save…

This shows the voice of God speaking in it; it was foretold by the prophet, a virgin shall conceive (Isaiah 7:14), and the Messiah shall be cut off (Daniel 9:26). The Scripture foretells things that should fall out many ages and centuries after; as how long Israel should serve i…

Resp. 1. Because of the strangeness of the deliverance. God delivered his people Israel by strange signs and wonders, by sending plague after plague upon Pharaoh, blasting the fruits of the earth, killing all the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 12:29). And when Israel marched out of…

He turned their heart to hate his people. The more they hated and oppressed Israel, the more God plagued the Egyptians, and the gladder they were to let Israel go (Exodus 12:33). The Egyptians were urgent upon Israel that they might send them out of the land in haste.

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord: let us make our houses Bethel places, where God's name is called upon (Colossians 4:15). Salute Nymphas, and the church that is in his house: let the parent endeavor that his children may honor God, and the master that his servants…

Response 1. It is a duty imposed; let him examine himself. The Passover was not to be eaten raw (Exodus 12:19). To come to such an ordinance slightly, without examination, is to come in an undue manner, and is like eating the Passover raw.

In the Powder-Treason he made the traitors to be their own betrayers: God can do his work by the enemy's hand. God made the Egyptians send away the people of Israel laden with jewels (Exodus 12:36). The Church is the apple of God's eye, and the eyelid of his providence does dail…

Think with yourselves how great a mercy it is: it is one of the richest jewels in the cabinet of the new covenant (Psalm 32:1): "Blessed is he whose iniquity is forgiven" — in the Hebrew it is Ashre, meaning "blessednesses." And think with yourselves the unparalleled misery of s…

Adam's family was GOD's Church, and therein was first notable peace: but when GOD accepted Abel's sacrifice, and refused Cain's, then persecution began, and Cain slew his brother Abel. Abraham is called the Father of the faithful, and his family in those days, was the true Churc…

When went Moses out of Egypt? The time is directly set down, Exodus 12.41, Even the self same day when the promise of God was expired: for when the four hundred and thirty years were expired, then went all the host of the Lord out of Egypt, neither before nor after, but the very…

When Sodom must be destroyed, righteous Lot and his family, must be drawn out; nay, the Angel can do nothing till he be safe, Genesis 19:16, 22. When the destroying Angel went over the land of Egypt, and destroyed the firstborn in every house of the Egyptians (the Israelites dwe…

Before God sends his judgments on Jerusalem, an angel is sent to mark them in the foreheads that mourn for the abominations of the people (Ezekiel 9:4). And this privilege none can have but he whose heart is sprinkled with the blood of Christ (Exodus 12:23 with 1 Corinthians 5:7…

1. Either he will make his Enemies friendly to his people. Exod 12. 35. The children of Israel borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and the Lord gave his people favour in the eyes of the Egyptians. God can make wolves to suckle his lambs: Or,

The promise is marvelously sweet and strong, you may handle the matter so, that as you have instrumentally given them natural life, you may procure them spiritual life, they came out of your loins dead in sin, and they will grow in sin more and more, more unsavory, and more unpr…

When God delivered his people after a long captivity, he delivered them with glory, and some kind of triumph, when he turned the Egyptian captivity, they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment. And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of…

Mark here how the promises of God lie as void, dead, and of none effect, till the particular time of their accomplishment. God promises Jacob that his posterity shall be a great nation after 430 years: for which time they remain in thrall and bondage; but the very night after th…

God promised that after 430 years, the Israelites should be delivered out of Egypt, presently when the time was expired, nothing could hinder the promise. Read (Exodus 12:41). Therefore our duty is, to rest on God's promises in all times, both in life and death.

But our Prophet tells us, that we shall not need to fear missing of the way when we follow God, while he goes before us; seeing it pleases him to take this office upon him. It is very likely also, that he alludes to the history of the first deliverance, because God then led his…

For he uses not their ministry, as if he stood in need of their help, but rather to support our infirmity, as we have said before: yet it is most probable, and answers best to the Prophet's words, that one Angel alone had commission to do this service. Even as in the ancient del…

It is as much then as if he had said, Upon those which shall bear the signs and marks of their deliverance. It may be also that he alludes to that place of Exodus: where it is said, that the houses which the destroying Angel had marked, were not hurt (Exodus 12:23). For as then…

Now having pulled off their mask of holiness, to wit, their glorying in the name of Israel, (as in the first verse) he imposes upon them a more proper name, and flatly calls them rebels. By the womb, I understand not their first estate, soon after they were separated to be the L…

For they fled by night out of Egypt, feigning as if they had only meant to have gone three days' journey to offer sacrifice to God (Exodus 3:5 and 8:27). Afterward, they went forth hastily and with tumult, as it was enjoined them (Exodus 12:31), and then Pharaoh pursued them, th…

But some childishly descant here upon the sign of the Cross: others refer it to the preaching of the Gospel: and both of them, as I take it, are wide from the mark. For he rather seems to allude to that which was done at the going forth and deliverance of the people: as Moses de…

23. As it is written in the Law This was another exercise of piety which was discharged by Joseph and Mary. The Lord commanded, that all the males should be dedicated to him, in remembrance of their deliverance; because when the angel slew all the first-born of Egypt, (Exodus 12…

It is first inquired, Why does the day which preceded the sacrificing of the lamb receive the name of the day of unleavened bread? For the Law did not forbid the use of leaven till the lamb was eaten, (Exodus 12:18.) But this difficulty may be speedily removed, for the phrase re…

After the same sort he here also leads us into the Scriptures, where as he says: You were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb undefiled and without spot. For here does he expound that which is read in the Prophets and Moses: as that in Isaiah 53, He was brou…

In like manner, we find the evils done to Gods people have been repaid, by a just retribution to their enemies. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were cruel enemies to Gods Israel, and designed the ruine of their poor innocent babes; and God repaid it, in smiting all the first-born of E…

Now nothing can be more precise, certain and punctual, than is the performance of mercy at the time and season which God has appointed, how long soever it be, or how many obstacles soever lye in the way of it. There was a time prefixed by God himself for the performance of that…

2. A present sad affliction, the sense whereof makes men careless of what is adorning; So David (2 Samuel 15:30), under heavy affliction, walks barefooted. 3. An unfitness for travel: Therefore, when the people were to be in readiness for their journey (Exodus 12:11), their feet…

Or if you should meet with such cruel Dives's, who will contribute nothing to your support, you ought rather with godly Lazarus to die in your integrity, than to steal anything from them; which although it be their superfluity, yet it is not your right without their donation: an…

And Christ, the seed of the woman, did now, in a very remarkable manner, fulfill the curse on the serpent, in bruising his head. Exodus 12:12. "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and ag…

Now he does so unto that blood as sprinkled, in respect of its application to purification and holiness. He tells us how this sprinkling was performed — by dipping hyssop in the blood of the sacrifice and dashing it upon the things and persons to be purified, as also in the inst…

Now that this Pentateuch which was never as such committed to the Church of God, that had its rise no man knows by whom, and that hath been preserved no man knows how, known by few, used by none of the ancient Christians, that hath been voluntarily corrupted by men of corrupt mi…

And also that nation whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterwards they shall come out with great substance. Compare now Exodus 12:41. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the self-same day, it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lo…

(5.) Infants in the former Covenant had right by birth to the means of salvation, to be taught and Catechized in the Law of the Lord, because born of Covenanting Parents within the Visible Church, and so had title to Covenant-calling and God's Covenant-choosing (Matthew 22:4), a…

It is a stronger consolation (and the strongest should be the Christian's choice) that is founded upon the Father's giving, and the Son's receiving of sinners; and the faith of salvation to me which relies and leans upon Christ's undertaking for me, that I shall not be lost, nor…

This bitterness that a soul tastes of, makes the love of God sweet and savory to his soul, and it is a special reason that God looks at in all the bitterness which he gives us to taste of in all our sins, that so our pardoning and healing in Christ might seem more precious in ou…

Lastly, to a cloud of witnesses. They are compared to a cloud (as I take it) by allusion to the cloud which directed and led the Israelites in the wilderness: for, when they came from Egypt, and were 40 years in the Desert of Arabia; all that while, they were directed by a pilla…

My presence, that is, my Angel, spoken of before, called the angel of his presence (Isaiah 63:9): In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. This Angel is called Jehovah (Exodus 13:21): And the Lord went before them, by day in a pillar of…

For why should they enjoy that comfort which they had unkindly refused to give to others? He takes the mid-day here for extreme heat: and this similitude is often found in the scriptures, to wit, that the Lord was as a cloud at high noon, and as a pillar of fire by night (Exodus…

If the faithful then at any time have desired that their faith might be confirmed by signs, we must not by and by follow them therein; because it was a thing very rare: as to Gideon, who being taken from the flail to govern the people, he gave two signs which he asked, to the en…

For I take not assembly for congregation, but for the place where men meet. Now to the end he might describe and set forth a full blessing, he alludes to that which Moses recites; namely, that when the Lord would deliver his people from the bondage of Egypt, he sent a pillar of…

I answer, Ans. that however he mentions none but Abraham here, yet under him he meant to call to mind other examples of his goodness, which their forefathers had tasted of since, that from both, they might conceive hope of deliverance. Abraham was not only delivered out of Chald…

But especially when he has shown so certain and so excellent testimonies of his continual care over us. He brought Israel out of Egypt, upon condition they should never forget such a deliverance (Exodus 13:9). The Prophet now sets the same God before their eyes, showing that not…

He carried them up (says Moses, Deuteronomy 32:13) to the high places of the earth, when they passed through the wilderness. Also he says, that the Lord went before the Israelites, when they departed out of Egypt (Exodus 13:21). Here we see then what singular love the Lord bears…

For they fled by night out of Egypt, feigning as if they had only meant to have gone three days' journey to offer sacrifice to God (Exodus 3:5 and 8:27). Afterward, they went forth hastily and with tumult, as it was enjoined them (Exodus 12:31), and then Pharaoh pursued them, th…

Whatever he does in religion, he does to purpose. Under the law, God rejected the snail and the ass (Leviticus 11:30; Exodus 13:13). And under the gospel, he allows no sluggish lazy professor (1 Timothy 5:11, 13).

2. Quest. Why is it then said the first, when no other commandments with promise follow? Answ. This particle (first) has not always reference to some other following, but is often simply taken, to show that none was before it: so is the word firstborn used in the law: and so Chr…

1. There is an excellency in the firstborn, as is evident by Jacob's speech to his eldest son, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power (Genesis 49:3). And thereupon God took the firstborn as peculia…

The Lord has made all things for himself; that is, for his glory. As a king has excise out of commodities, God will have his glory out of every thing; he will have glory out of the wicked, the glory of his justice; they will not give him glory, but he will get his glory upon the…

with a look. That is all it needs cost God to destroy his enemies, a look, a cast of his eye (Exodus 14:24). The Lord looked into the host of the Egyptians, through the pillar of fire, and troubled their host.

Come, says Pharaoh, let us deal wisely (Exodus 1:10), and he never played the fool more, than when he thought to deal wisely. In the morning watch the Lord looked to the host of the Egyptians, by the pillar of fire, and troubled their host (Exodus 14:24). How may this be as sap…

To say, Hallowed be your Name, yet not to bring honor to God's Name, it is to take his Name in vain. 4. Such as do not hallow God's Name, and bring revenues of honor to him, God will get his honor upon them (Exodus 14:17). I'll get me honor upon Pharaoh.

Riches are golden snares. If a man were to climb up a steep rock, and had weights tied to his legs, it would hinder him from his ascent: Too many golden weights will hinder us from climbing that steep rock which leads to heaven; (Exodus 14:3) They are entangled in the land, the…

When Christ's kingdom comes the bodies of the saints that slept in the dust shall be raised in honor, and made like Christ's glorious body; then shall your souls like diamonds sparkle with holiness; you shall never have a sinful thought more, you shall be as holy as the angels,…

The Spouse (in the Canticles) which is the Church of God, or a true Christian soul, whether you will (for it is true both in the general, and particular) Canticles 3:2-3, She seeks Christ everywhere, in the streets and open places, but she finds him not; then she goes to the wat…

But, within a while, the family was so great in the Land, that he was fain to go down into Egypt, to sojourn there. And, there the Lord blessed him exceedingly, and enriched him so greatly, that he became a mighty Prince, able to encounter with the Kings of those nations in batt…

Moses departed with courage and boldness, and therefore fled not as a malefactor: for he feared not the King, as appears plainly in the History; for, though Pharaoh had said unto him, Exodus 10.28 Get you gone, see you see my face no more: for when you come in my sight, you shal…

When the three children were cast into the fiery furnace, God was with them, and took away the natural force from the fire: Daniel 3:27. When the Israelites were to pass through the sea, or else die (a hard shift) God was with them, and made the sea give place to his children, a…

And here their faith is commended unto us by a wonderful strange action, which they did, through the power and goodness of God: namely, by their passing through the Red Sea; not by passing over it: for, that might have been by Art; but through it: which is above nature and Art,…

Now the reasons which some papists bring to the contrary to prove that we may believe in the creatures, and in the church, are of no moment. First they allege the phrase of scripture, (Exodus 14:31) They believed in God, and in Moses. (1 Samuel 27:12) And Achish believed in Davi…

The prayer of the righteous has stopped the sun in its full career (Joshua 10:13). It has divided the waters (Exodus 14:15). Overcome armies (Exodus 17:11).

And the reason of this is, 1. Because there is nothing that is not saving, but a natural man may have it; now, this doctrinal faith is not saving, and so a natural man may have it — yea, the devils believe and tremble; and James does not dispute with these to whom he writes on t…

And though they were forbidden to gather it on the Sabbath day, having on the evening before enough for two days, and it was told them they should find none on the Sabbath day, yet they must try. Where need is, there a man may commit himself to the providence of God, and rely up…

When Moses stoode at the redde sea, in great danger, hauing the sea before him, and Pharaohs charriots behind him, no doubt he lifted vp his heart to God, but we read not of any thing that he said, and yet the Lord says, Why criest you to me? Exod 14:15. When Iehosaphat was in g…

Now he alludes to the first deliverance of the Church when it was brought out of Egypt. For when it pleased God to give them passage, he dried up the sea by the violence and force of the winds (Exodus 14:21). I grant that God needed not the help of winds, because he was able to…

This doctrine ought to be common to all the faithful, for Satan invents nothing else but how to trouble and vex them, and to cause them to fall from that happy estate in which they are. Moses long since gave this admonition, stand you still, and the Lord shall fight for you (Exo…

The Prophet now sets the same God before their eyes, showing that nothing could withstand him, which by his power he overcame not, when he took his people's salvation in hand. For then he made a way for them in the sea (Exodus 14:21), and guided them through the tempestuous and…

And no doubt he puts them in mind of that time in which their fathers were ready to perish in the desert for want of food; in which necessity, God gave them manna from heaven the space of forty years (Exodus 16:35). Also in speaking of the shadow against the heat, it is certain…

At his rebuke he says the sea is dried up, as if he had terrified it, in rebuking of it. For by his commandment the waters parted in two to give his people passage (Exodus 14:21). And Jordan fled back (Joshua 3:16; Psalm 114:5), so as the fishes being destitute of water, died an…

He speaks not here generally but alleges that work of wonder, so often mentioned heretofore: for in that redemption of their fathers, he gave hope of eternal salvation to all their posterity. He therefore rightly affirms himself to be that God, who long since divided the sea (Ex…

So that in many Providences, they are able to discern a very clear answer to their prayers, and are sure they have the petitions they asked of him, 1 John 5:15 Thus when the Sea divided it self, just upon Israels cry to Heaven, Exodus 14:10 When so signal a victory is given to A…

As we know in ourselves: a man meditates, he conceives such and such things, he forms them all in his spirit under some words into such notions; and he can put forth these by desires, though he does not speak. And so we are said often in Scripture to speak to God in our hearts,…

They have the Prince of the power of the Air, and all his armies, all the forces he can make against them. Though his power is nothing but tyranny, and usurpation, yet because once they were under his yoke, he bestirs himself to pursue them, when they are led forth from their ca…

It is not the loud noise of words, which is best heard in heaven; but the fervent affectionate cries of the saints are those of the heart, rather than of the tongue. Exodus 14:17 — it is said, Moses cried to the Lord: we do not read of the words he uttered; his cry was with the…

Through the bright Mirror of his own essence he has a ful Idea of all things. He knows the Intrigues of States, the Stratagems of his Enemies, Exodus 14:24. Future Contingencies fall within his Cognizance.

How easily can God chastise Rebels? Exodus 14:24. In the morning-watch God looked to the host of the Egyptians through the Pillar of fire, and troubled their host.

There is a twofold salvation: temporal and eternal. 1. Temporal salvation is deliverance from temporal dangers (Exodus 14:13): "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." 2. Eternal deliverance from hell and wrath, together with that positive blessedness which is called ete…

1. For that temporal deliverance which God gives, or has promised to give to his people. So it is taken, (Exodus 14:13) Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord that he will show you today: that is, the wonderful deliverance which he will work for you. So (Lamentations 3:2…

Second, when men are sorry for the good which they have done. Pharaoh grieved that he had let the children of Israel go (Exodus 14:5). Many are so devilish that they are troubled they have prayed so much and heard so many sermons; they repent of their repentance.

(5) It's wicked stoutness to rest upon your own righteousness and refuse to treat with God (Isaiah 46:12-13). (6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh an…

That which makes salvation to be salvation is that God has a finger of power, and an influence of free grace in it. O but this puts the luster, sweetness and smell of Heaven on it, that it is the salvation of the Lord (Exodus 14:13). In regard of irresistible efficacy and succes…

Romans 8:26: the Spirit helps our infirmities with sighs and groans that cannot be expressed. Exodus 14:15: Why do you cry to me? And crying implies earnestness.

The church has more with her than against her; she has Immanuel on her side, even that great King to whom all knees must bend. Christ is called a Man of War (Exodus 15:3); he understands all the policies of warfare; he is described with seven eyes, and seven horns (Revelation 5:…

What cannot omnipotent power do? The Lord is a man of war (Exodus 15:3). He has a mighty arm (Psalm 89:13).

The next attribute is God's holiness (Exodus 15:11): "Glorious in holiness" — Nedar Bakkodesh. Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it's the name by which God is known (Psalm 111:9): "Holy and reverend is his name."

And have put on the new man, which is renewed [illegible] — after the image of him that created him. He who has God for his Father resembles God in holiness: Holiness is the glory of the Godhead (Exodus 15:11). The holiness of God is the intrinsic purity of his essence.

That which makes God glorious, must needs make us so. Holiness is the most sparkling jewel in the Godhead (Exodus 15:11): Glorious in holiness. Sanctification is the first fruit of the Spirit; it is Heaven begun in the soul.

God counts holiness his glory, and the most sparkling jewel of his crown. (Exodus 15:11) Glorious in holiness. Here is a meditation fit for our first entrance into a Sabbath, God's holiness: the contemplation of this would work in us such a frame of heart as is suitable to a hol…

Chrysostom says, where dancing is, there the devil is: I speak chiefly of mixed dancing. And whereas we read of dances in Scripture (Exodus 15), those were sober and modest. They were not mixed dances, but pious and religious, being usually accompanied with singing praises to Go…

How many injuries and affronts did he put up? The people of Israel dealt unkindly with him, they murmured against him at the waters of Marah (the water was not so bitter as their spirits,) but he fell to prayer for them (Exodus 15:24). He cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed h…

This is the most sparkling jewel of his crown. Glorious in Holiness (Exodus 15:11). God is first transcendently holy.

So (Deuteronomy 10:20): "You shall fear the Lord your God, and serve him." Christ expounds it (Luke 4:8) exclusively: "You shall serve only the Lord," because it is the prerogative of God to be worshipped, as it is a prerogative of grace to be the ransomed and redeemed of God (D…

So have the Lord Jesus Christ by worshiping of him; and you have him fully (Psalm 45:10-11). He is the Lord your God, and worship him; implying, that as God has set over his Son to us, to be our Lord, so we must receive, accept, and worship him; this is that which Moses and the…

When their hearts are most joyful, and they go about duties most willingly, yet then most awfully; for take you a Christian when he comes unwillingly, his heart is not much affected with fear and trembling, but then he is most awful when his heart is in the best frame towards ho…

See Psalm 18. Title, and v. 1, 2, 3. So Moses and the people with him, Exodus 15. when God had delivered them from Pharaoh, how do they exalt him in a song of thanksgiving, which for the elegancy and spirituality of it, is made an Emblem of the doxologies given to God in glory b…

The measure thereof is longer than the Earth, and broader than the Sea. 2 Chron. 2:6 The Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain him. Exodus 15:11 He is glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders. When the Scripture speaks of him comparatively, see how it expres…

In Leviticus and Numbers, other outward preparations are commanded, as the abstaining from all things that were unclean, they must not touch anything that was unclean; and then sometimes they were not only to wash their clothes, but to change their clothes: you have the expressi…

While it is called A Song of Songs, it is compared with, and preferred to, all other songs: and we conceive the comparison is not only between this and human songs; but, 1. It is compared with, and preferred to, all these which Solomon wrote, and it is preferable to all these 10…

In this we have, 1. The mean applied and made use of. 2. The manner of application. (For that the worker is the Beloved himself, is clear) The mean in his hand, which in Scripture signifies three things, when attributed to God, 1. His Omnipotence, whereby he does what he pleases…

4. That the care and love of Christ to them, in reference to all these, may appear, that they may know upon what grounds to comfort themselves in every condition, and may have this song, as a little magazine, for direction, and consolation in every condition. Therefore this song…

And how weak will they all appear together at the day of judgment! Thus we may apply those words in the song of Moses, Exodus 15:6. "Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy."

They which worship the sun, among the heathens, they used a flying-horse, as a thing most suitable to the swift motions of the sun. Well then, they that will glorify and honor God with a glory due to his name, must sanctify him as well as honor him: why? for God is glorious in h…

Think of Gods Omnisciency: he makes a Curious and Critical descant upon all our Actions, and enters them down into his day-book. Think of Gods Holiness, which is the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown, Exodus 15:11. Think of Gods Mercy: this makes all his other Attributes sweet.

See Hosea 2:18, 22. 2. By acting contrary to their ordinary course and nature; for waters to stand on a heap (Exodus 15:8), fire not to burn (Daniel 3), are unwonted and contranatural things, and they do this to witness against the contranaturalness of sin, and both these were w…

It is said to weary him, when men do but say that evil is good in his sight (Malachi 2:17). This is the thing God glories in, that he is holy, yes, glorious in holiness (Exodus 15:11). And holiness is the attribute, which frees God from not only evil itself, but from all appeara…

How many injuries did he bear! When the people of Israel murmured against him, instead of falling into a rage, he fell to prayer for them (Exodus 15:24-25). The text says they murmured at the waters of Marah; surely the waters were not so bitter as the spirits of the people.

First, there is a primitive purity which is in God originally and essentially, as light is in the sun. Holiness is the glory of the Godhead (Exodus 15:11); God is the pattern and prototype of all holiness. Second, there is a created purity; holiness is in the angels, and was onc…

I shall show: first, that Christ is a physician; second, why he is a physician; third, that he is the only physician; fourth, how he heals his patients; fifth, that he is the best physician. That Christ is a physician — it is one of his titles (Exodus 15:26): I am the Lord who h…

It is one thing to profess God, another thing to resemble him. A godly man is like God in Holiness: Holiness is the most orient Pearl of the King of Heavens Crown, Exodus 15:11. Glorious in Holiness. Gods power makes him Mighty, his mercy makes him lovely, but his holiness makes…

So (Psalm 30:7): You turned away your face, and I was troubled — [in non-Latin alphabet] Niuhal — I was troubled like a withered flower that loses sap and vigor. So (Exodus 15:15): the dukes of Edom — [in non-Latin alphabet] Niuhaln — were amazed; yet at that time David prayed,…

Now a man inhabits nothing but a house; if therefore God inhabit praises, it is a sign that it is a way to raise up a house to encompass God about with, such is the nature of prayer. A man that has a prayer to make, he has a house to build for God (Exodus 15:1): I will prepare a…

And for her it is said, that when the child was dead, he rose up from mourning and weeping, and went in and comforted Bathsheba; a sign that she was mourning alone. And so sometimes men by themselves, and women by themselves, as it was a custom; in thanksgiving, the women went o…

He that converts any time of the Sabbath to worldly business, is a worse thief than he who robs on the highway; for such a thief does but rob man, but this thief robs God, he robs him of his day. The Lord forbade manna to be gathered on the Sabbath (Exodus 16). One would think t…

4. We do God's will as the angels in Heaven, when we do God's will fervently, sine remissione (Romans 12:11): Fervent in spirit serving God; ⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩, a metaphor from water when it seethes and boils over; so our affections should boil over in zeal [◊] fervency; th…

There is a humor in men; we are very desirous to try conclusions, condemning things common, and are fond about strange novelties. It was told the Israelites as plain as could be, that they should not reserve Manna till the morning, and they need not to have reserved it, they had…

In regard the Jews saw no way open to return home, and that there lay between many great and vast wildernesses, the Prophet alleges God's power, from which he propounds some examples, that so the Jews might be dispossessed of all fear and doubts. He would have them then to consi…

The Prophet confirms that which was said in the former verse; to wit, that God has provision ready to sustain the Jews in the way; so as no necessaries shall be wanting to them. And no doubt he puts them in mind of that time in which their fathers were ready to perish in the des…

"But if you will not hearken to me to hallow the Sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." Indeed, God was so exacting about this, that he descends to a particular prohibition of seve…

When he purposed to bring a famine on the world, he sent a man beforehand to lay up provision for his Church (Genesis 45:7). When his Church was in a barren and dry wilderness, he gave them bread from heaven, water out of the rock, and kept their clothing from growing old, and t…

Carnal wishes for death arise either (1.) out of violent anger and a pet against providence, as Jonah 4:8: the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said it is better for me to die than live. The children of Israel murmured when they…

4th Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day, etc. He breaks this commandment: who labors in the servile works of his ordinary calling (Nehemiah 13:15); who travels abroad on his ordinary business (Exodus 16:24); who keeps fairs and markets on this day (Nehemiah 13:15); who works h…

Old Latimer was much strengthened and comforted by hearing Mr. Bilnyes' confession of faith. We read that when Moses' hands were heavy, and he was ready to let them fall, Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands (Exodus 17:12). A Christian who is ready to faint under temptation, and le…

He cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, they were made sweet. When they wanted water they fell to chiding with Moses (Exodus 17:3): Why have you brought us out of Egypt to kill us with thirst? As if they had said, if we die w…

It has divided the waters (Exodus 14:15). Overcome armies (Exodus 17:11). Cast out devils (Matthew 17:21).

There is no time or condition in the life of a Christian which will permit an intermission of this work. It is in the keeping watch over our hearts as it was in the keeping up of Moses's hands while Israel and Amalek were fighting below (Exodus 17:12). No sooner do Moses's hands…

If we must not tempt God, then it does not become Christ to tempt his Father's Providence for a new proof of his sonship and care over him. Therefore the devil's temptation was neither good nor profitable, to put either his sonship, or the care of God's Providence to this trial:…

We have also told you before that they were from age to age to feel the fruit of this redemption, that the Lord by a continual progress might still be acknowledged the protector of that people whom he had so redeemed at the first. Our Prophet's meaning is then, that the Lord wil…

And yet the Prophet condemns not only the men of his age, but those also of the ages before. For we see that under the conduct of Moses himself, they rebelled and murmured against God (Exodus 17:2; Numbers 20:3). Hence it came, that God who tenderly loved them, as it is in verse…

Baxter's saints Rest, p. 768. Thus Moses by divine direction wrote a memorial of that victory obtained over Amalek as the fruit and return of prayer, and built there an Altar with this Inscription Jehovah Nissi, The Lord my Banner, Exodus 17. 14, 15. Thus Mordecai and Hester too…

The Amalekites shewed their Spight to Israel two ways. 1. They did lye in ambush; and as Israel passed by, fell upon their rear, and cut off the feeble in their army, 1 Samuel 15:2. 2. They did openly give Battel to them, and would have hindred them from going into Canaan, Exodu…

For although it happens that the faithful suffer many things from the wicked, and are as it were oppressed by them, it will nevertheless one day come about that those impious persecutors will render an account to God for all those things. Let that famous history in Exodus 17 be…

There must be no fainting, whatever discouragements happen. As there was a great deal of work to hold up Moses's hands in Israel's conflict with Amalek (Exodus 17:11-12): as long as he held up the rod of God, Israel prevailed — but Moses's hands were heavy; a sign of many infirm…

4. They are called proud, because of their insolent carriage towards the Lord's people, partly in their laws and injunctions, requiring to give them more honor, respect and obedience, than in conscience can be afforded them; as Haman would have Mordecai to devote himself to him…

But they could not provoke him to passion, but to petition. Another time when they wanted water, they fell a-chiding with Moses (Exodus 17:3): Why is it that you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children with thirst? As if they said, If we die, we will lay our…

What a Silence has been in the Heaven of many Churches, for this last half hour? How many that began with the Lord in that Work, did never Sacrifice at the Altar of Jehovah Nissi: nor considered that the Lord has sworn to have War with such Amalekites as are there, from Generati…

Read also (Deuteronomy 25:17-20). Remember what Amalek did to you in the day when you came out of Egypt, how he spoiled those that were feeble and weak with you, therefore blot out his remembrance from under Heaven (Exodus 17:16). All things fell out to them in types; Amalek was…

What is the matter? Why, the enemy had pursued his soul, and his spirit was like to quail within him; and so in some deep afflictions, then, Is the Lord among us or not? (Exodus 17:7). When plagued more than other men, then we seek to God right early; and when we come to good du…

Secondly, hence we may learn, that Magistrates which are to govern the people, ought to be men of courage in performing the duties of their calling. When too heavy a burden lay on Moses, in judging all the congregation himself; Jethro his father in law bids him provide among all…

They may threaten great things to us, but God threatens greater. See (Exodus 18:11): Now I know that God is greater than all gods, for in the thing in which they dealt proudly God was above them. There is a greater being we have to depend upon.

There was a similar reason for these seventy. We know that Moses, finding himself insufficient for the burden, took seventy judges to be associated with him in governing the people, (Exodus 18:22; 24:1.) But when the Jews returned from the Babylonish captivity, they had a counci…

Then further, the word Elohim, is used in Scripture, not only for the true God, for God himself: but it is applied sometimes to Angels, and sometimes to Idols, to Devil gods, to false gods. (Exodus 18:11). Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, namely, than all the I…

For, because kings cannot be omnipresent, nor omniscient, it is therefore necessary that they should hear with other men's ears, and see with other men's eyes, and act with other men's hands; and therefore they ought to make choice of such as are men of known fidelity and wisdom…

Carnal fear is an enemy to Religion. The Fear of God frights it away; it causes Courage, Exodus 18:21. Able men, such as Fear God: some Translations render it, Men of Courage.

The love of the world will make him altogether unfit for magistracy, ministry, the master of a family, or any such relation. In magistracy, who are the men that are qualified for that office (Exodus 18:22)? Such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.

It made Martha forget that one thing necessary, being encumbered with many things (Luke 10:4) — this breeds care which distracts the mind (so the word signifies, as dividing it), and so causes wandering thoughts nothing more, so that the mind is not itself. For this weakens it,…

And that so he might learn to fear the Lord his God, and not to exalt himself above his brothers. Now if kings whose heads and hands are most full of business, continually employed from morning to night (Exodus 18). If they be to read in the word all the days of their lives, how…

If the enemies destroy the Church, it must be at a time when it is neither night nor day, for Christ keeps it day and night. Christ is said to carry his Church as the eagle her young ones upon her wings (Exodus 19:4). The arrow must first hit the eagle before it can hurt the you…

2. God adopts us to a state of dignity: God makes us heirs of promise; God installs us into honor (Isaiah 43:4): Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honorable. The adopted are God's treasure (Exodus 19:5), his jewels (Malachi 3:17), his firstborn (Hebrews 12:23).…

Question. What are the great arguments or incentives to obedience? Response 1. Obedience makes us precious to God; we shall be his favorites (Exodus 19:15). If you will obey my voice, you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people; you shall be my portion, my jewels, th…

God did put glory upon it in the manner of the promulgation of it. 1. The people before the Moral Law was delivered, were to wash their clothes (Exodus 19:10), whereby as by a type God required the sanctifying of their ears and hearts to receive the Law. 2. There were bounds set…

The gospel tells us of reigning, but first of suffering (2 Timothy 2:12). 2. It informs us that affliction is not always the sign of God's anger: Israel the apple of God's eye, a peculiar treasure to him above all people (Exodus 19:5). Yet these were in the house of bondage: we…

(3.) Having dressed our bodies, we must dress our souls for the hearing of the Word. As the people of Israel were to wash themselves before the Law was delivered to them (Exodus 19:10), so we must wash and cleanse our souls, and that is by reading, meditation and prayer. 1. By r…

(3.) That infect souls, namely by their scandalous lives. (Exodus 19:22) Let the priests which come near to the Lord sanctify themselves. Ministers who by their places are nearer to God, should be holier than others.

We read that the wicked are to be set at Christ's feet (Psalm 110), not at his table. (Matthew 7:6; Exodus 19:12) Quest. 7. How may we receive the Supper of the Lord worthily, that so it may become effectual to us?

He has taken them out of the world as out of the wild forest, and enclosed them to himself by a decree; or, (as the Greek carries it) they are a purchased people; the righteous are the purchase of Christ's blood, he will not lose his purchase. 11. God calls them a kingdom of pri…

O think solemnly upon that Scripture (Psalm 89:7): 'God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all that are round about him.' Why did God descend in thunderings and lightnings and dark clouds upon Sinai (Exodus 19:16-18)? Why did the…

You should also consider that other word (Romans 9:20): Who are you that reply against God? or expostulates with Him, Shall the thing formed, say to him that formed it, why have you made me thus? It's good to inquire and to seek to know the use the Lord calls for of this doctrin…

1. Signs and wonders done in one age and time for the confirmation of the true religion, should suffice all ages and times afterward; and it is a tempting God to ask more signs and wonders, for the confirmation of that truth, which is sufficiently confirmed already, if there be…

This is altogether unknown to hypocrites, to the popish Sophisters and Schooldivines, and to all that walk in the opinion of the righteousness of the law, or of their own righteousness. But to the end that God might bridle and beat down this monster and this mad beast (I mean th…

For it is so tender a thing, that for a small sin it is so troubled and terrified, that it utterly despairs, unless it be raised up again. Therefore the law in its proper use has more strength and riches, than heaven and earth is able to contain: insomuch that one letter or one…

The Israelites say at Mount Sinai, that they will doe all things which the Lord shall command them. Exod 19:8. The young Prince said, that he had kept all the commandementsfrom his youth.

This favor then was continued to his successors, and in respect of the promise, God had a special care over the welfare of this people, as also Saint Paul says (Romans 9:4), that to them were given the covenants, the promises, and the law. For which cause this seed was called a…

As if he should say, Up until now the Lord has chosen you for his heritage only: but hereafter he will endow you with more excellent gifts, for he will make you Priests. Now however all the people were a kingdom of Priests (Exodus 19:6), yet we know that the Tribe of Levi only e…

As if he should say: Lord, if you would come down, the people would tremble at your presence, your adversaries would forthwith melt away. But I think it to be more natural, as I have translated it: for it is very sure that the Prophet alludes here to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:20),…

But now all are indifferently received. Some expound this place generally, that the Gentiles shall be priests: that is to say, shall offer themselves to God; for so the scriptures in many places calls all by the name of a royal priesthood: (Exodus 19:6), (1 Peter 2:9), (Revelati…

The preparation to the sacrifice, was a cleansing or a sanctifying of them. So (Exodus 19:20), when the people were to be prepared to receive the law, the Lord says to Moses, Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, that is, prepare the people, or warn the people…

Such was the appearance that he gave of his glory in the giving of the law, whereby he will judge the world, and condemn the transgressors of it, who obtain not an acquitment in the blood of Jesus Christ. See the description of it in Exodus 19:16, 18. So terrible was the sight h…

Secondly, the mount on which God appeared was to be fenced and railed in, with a strict prohibition that none should presume to pass the bounds there set them, nor approach to touch the holy mount, under the penalty of death. So we have it (Exodus 19:12), which intimates to us t…

God being a Spirit, has no mouth nor tongue properly as men have, who have bodies, and therefore his way of speaking is not like ours (though sometimes he has created a voice in as articulate sound as if it had proceeded from the mouth of man to declare his will) but there are s…

O let it never seem a light thing in our eyes, that we grow within his blessed enclosure. How sweet a promise is that (Exodus 19:5), 'You shall be to me a peculiar treasure above all people; for all the earth is mine.'

The waters were dark indeed, but they were quiet, when the Spirit of God moved upon them, and out of them produced a beautiful world. This calm and sedate frame does very much qualify and dispose us for the reception and entertainment of divine visits, and sets bounds to the mou…

Here it has been represented to us by a building, a spiritual temple, and by a priesthood conform to it. The former is confirmed, and illustrated by testimonies of Scripture in the preceding verses, in this the latter, in these words: though it is not expressly cited, yet it is…

He careth for you. God to shew his tender anxiousness towards Israel, bare them as upon Eagles wings, Exodus 19:4. The Eagle carries her young ones upon her wing to defend them; the Arrow must first shoot through the Old Eagle, before it can touch her Young ones.

Use 2. To believe the commandments with a lively faith; we should be tender of disobeying God's law. The law may be considered as a covenant of works, or, as a rule of life: as a covenant of works, so it is satisfied by Christ for those that have an interest in him; and serves t…

Constantine the Emperor bore great reverence to the Word. When God gave the law, the mount was on fire and trembled (Exodus 19:18), that the people might prostrate themselves more reverently before the Lord. The ark wherein the law was put was carried upon poles so that the Levi…

The eye of providence is ever awake; God gives his angels charge over his children (Psalm 91:11), a believer has a guard of angels for his life-guard; we read of the wings of God in Scripture: as the breast of his mercy feeds his children, so the wings of his power cover them; h…

Here is not only the sack full of corn, but money in the mouth of the sack. Spiritual blessings (Exodus 19:5): if you will obey my voice indeed, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people. You shall be my portion, my jewels, the apple of my eye; I will give kin…

The Power of God is that shoulder, on which Christ carries his sheep home, rejoycing all the way he goes, Luke 15:5. These everlasting armes of his strength are those Eagles wings, upon which the Saints are both tenderly and securely conveyed to glory, Exodus 19:4. There is a fi…

So (Deuteronomy 29:14, 15) he says not, he shall make another Covenant with these when they shall be born: but I make a Covenant with you, and with these that are not here, not born. Hence by way of excellency he calls it the Covenant, the Covenant of the Lord (Jeremiah 2[illegi…

This was food for the souls of believers; on these and like occasions did the whole church lift up their voice in that holy cry, "Make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices." Of the same nature was his glorious appearance on Mount Si…

Exodus 20:1-2. And God spoke all these words saying, I am the Lord your God, etc. Quest. What is the Preface to the Ten Commandments?

Exodus 20:2 I am the Lord your God, &c. 2. The preface itself, which consists of three parts: 1. I am the Lord your God: 2. Which have brought you out of the land of Egypt: 3. Out of the house of bondage.

(Exodus 20:1) I am the Lord, your God, etc. To all such as can make out this covenant-union, it exhorts to several things.

Exodus 20:2. Out of the House of Bondage. Egypt and the House of Bondage are the same, only they are expressed under a different notion.

Exodus 20:2 Who brought you out of the House of Bondage. We may consider these words, Who brought you out of the House of Bondage, either 1. Literally, or 2. Spiritually and mystically.

Exodus 20:2. Out of the House of Bondage. 2. These words are to be understood mystically and spiritually.

Exodus 20:3. You shall have no other gods before me, etc. Before I come to the commandment, I shall premise some things about the moral law: answer questions, rules.

Exodus 20:3. You shall have no other Gods before me, etc. Quest. Why does the Commandment run in the second person singular, You] why does not God say, You shall have no other Gods, but You?

Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before me. 2. That we must have no other God: You shall have no other God before me.

Exodus 20:4 You shall not make to you any graven image, etc. In the First Commandment is forbidden the worshipping a false God, in this, the worshipping the true God in a false manner.

Exodus 20:6. Showing Mercy to Thousands, etc. This is another argument against image-worship, because such as do not provoke God with their images, he is merciful to them, and will entail mercy upon their posterity, showing mercy to thousands.

(Exodus 20:6) Of them that love me, &c. 1. God's mercy is for them that love him.

Exodus 20:6 And keep my Commandments. Love and obedience, like two sisters, must go hand in hand: indeed this is a good evidence of our loving God (John 14:21): If you love me, keep my Commandments.

(Exodus 20:7) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, etc. This commandment has two parts; first, a negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain, namely, cast any reflection or dishonor upon God's name.

Exodus 20:2 The Land of Egypt, etc. The second part of preface.

Exodus 20:5. For I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation, of them that hate me. 1. I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.] The first reason why Israel must not worship graven images, is bec…

To understand worldly affairs, there is the wisdom of the serpent; yet not neglect the soul, there is the innocency of the dove. God has said, Six days shall you labor (Exodus 20:9). Religion did never grant a patent to idleness: There is a lawful care to be had about secular th…

Exodus 20:8. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.

Exodus 20:9-10. Six days shall you labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall do no manner of work, etc. Six days shall you labor — God would not have any live out of a calling; religion seals no warrant for idleness.

Exodus 20:10. 4. Having thus dressed your souls in a morning, for the further sanctification of the Sabbath, address yourselves to the hearing of the word preached.

Exodus 20:8. Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy, etc. 2. If you would hear the word aright, lay aside those things which may render the word preached ineffectual.

Exodus 20:8 Remember to keep the Sabbath-day holy. Use 1. See here a Christian's duty: to keep the Sabbath-day holy.

Exodus 20:12. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you. Having done with the First Table, I am next to speak of the duties of the Second Table.

Exodus 20:12. Honor your Father— Use 1. If we are to honor our fathers on earth, then much more our Father in Heaven.

Quest. Which is the Sixth Commandment? Resp. Exodus 20:13. You shall not kill. In this Commandment, (1.) is a sin forbidden, namely, murder. You shall not kill. (2.) A duty implied, to preserve our own life, and the life of others.

Exodus 20:12. You shall not kill. (3.) We must not injure another's soul.

Exodus 20:13. You shall not kill. 2. The second duty implied is that we should do all the good we can to ourselves and others.

Exodus 20:14. You shall not commit adultery. God is [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩], a pure holy Spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness.

Exodus 20:15. You shall not steal. As the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, You shall not commit adultery, so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:16.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. The tongue, which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness.

Exodus 20:17. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's. This commandment forbids, (1.) covetousness in general, You shall not cov…

Exodus 20:17. You shall not covet your Neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, etc. I am in the next place to resolve a question, how we may do to cure this itch of covetousness?

Let us pray, Lead us not into temptation. Still bear in mind that Scripture (Exodus 20:13). You shall not kill.

And this is common to all men: for every man may bless another, that is, pray to God for a blessing upon another; but especially it belongs to Parents thus to bless their children, by praying to God for a blessing upon them. And therefore the Commandment goes thus, Honor your fa…

Reason 2. (Exodus 20:8) And show mercy upon thousands in them that love me, and keep my commandments. Hence I reason thus: where reward is given upon mercy, there is no merit: but reward is given of mercy to them that fulfill the law: therefore no merit.

We on the contrary hold it unlawful for us to make any image in any way to represent the true God, or to make an image of anything in way of religion to worship God, much less the creature thereby. For the second commandment says plainly in Exodus 20:4: You shall not make for yo…

Fourthly, by way of free acceptance, when God offers him. First, a man is said to have God, or to have Christ, that worships him, and the very worshiping of him, is the having of him; so you read (Exodus 20:3), 'You shall have no other gods but me;' it is the express words of th…

Blessed be God that he has chosen fit means to reveal himself to us, that we may behold the glory of the Lord in a glass (2 Corinthians 3:18), by the ministry of the Word and other ordinances. The Israelites were sensible how little they could endure him who is as it were all su…

So (2 Corinthians 6:16-17) what agreement has the temple of God with idols? In short, for it is endless to reckon up all which the Scripture comprehends under service, and gestures of reverence (Exodus 20:5). You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them.

This we have seen in certain fanatical spirits in these our days, which proved not their work: that is, they did not seek only to preach the Gospel purely and simply, but misused it to gain praise among men, contrary to the second commandment. Therefore after their inward confus…

Answer: The one, the Lord allows, namely, the description of Christ in speech. But the carving or painting of images in churches, and that for religious use, he condemns (Exodus 20:6). The second question is, whether there be now in the church of God, any sacrifice or oblation o…

Let us then reject these proud speeches so full of blasphemies, as: I have done this by my power; I have directed this by my wisdom; I have brought such a thing to pass by my industry. For the Lord is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5), and cannot abide to give his glory to another (Is…

I answer, that this ought not to be referred to the outward form or building, but to the eternal decree of God, according to which he had chosen this city for his dwelling place. For although it was then only said when the Ark was made, This is my rest, here will I dwell (Psalm…

The Prophet hitherto has shown at large how mighty the Lord is to save his people: now he says that all the miracles which were wrought in the first redemption, were nothing in comparison of those that should be effected hereafter: that is to say; the glory of this second delive…

His meaning is then, that he raised up Cyrus to manifest his righteousness, in that he was ordained the Captain to conduct the people home out of captivity. By these words, my City, he means Jerusalem, which he calls his, because he would have his name there to be praised, and t…

Thus you see then how necessary it was that the Prophets should suit their manners of speech to the times and customs then in use, that so all might understand them: for the time of the full and open revelation of things was not yet come, but God's service was clothed with diver…

Also, that by means hereof all the sacrifices by them devised were wicked and abominable, in regard God only ought to be heard, when there is any question touching his religion and worship. If you will turn it polished stones, then Isaiah taxes them for the contempt of the law,…

Whoever then will endeavor to serve God as he ought, he must first of necessity wholly renounce his will and carnal reason. Hence we see why the Lord so often requires the observation of the Sabbath in the Scriptures (Exodus 20:13). Doubtless he looked higher than to the externa…

For Ratson signifies good pleasure, good will, or favor: and therefore I think it should be read as I have translated it, namely, that the oblations should come up in good pleasure upon the altar; so as the words may thus be resolved, They shall go up, to appease God: for the al…

The latter clause which he quotes, he who kills shall be liable to the judgment, confirms what I said a little before, that Christ charges them with turning into a political scheme the law of God, which had been given for the government of the heart. 22. But I say to you His rep…

In the Old Law, had a man killed another unawares, he might take sanctuary; but if he had killed him willingly, though he did fly to the sanctuary, the holiness of the place was not to defend him. (Exodus 21:14) If a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor to slay him with gui…

7. God no more wills all, and every man to be saved, and come to believe; so they will all, and every one believe; than he wills all and every one to be damned; so they believe not and refuse the Gospel: the one will is as universal as the other. 8. It is no justice, that the ra…

By his example we are taught to make satisfaction for all injuries and hurts done to others, and that to the utmost. He that steals, according to the quality of his theft, must restore either twofold, or fourfold (Exodus 22:7); he that maims a man must pay for his healing, and f…

This law is a necessary fence to the fifth commandment, and upholds the honor that is due to parents. Example 5. He that strikes a man so that he dies, shall die the death (Exodus 21:12). To this law there is no exception made, but one, and that is, when a man is killed unawares.

And this shows, that the children in respect of their bodies, are the goods of their parents. In this respect, the Jews were permitted to sell their children (Exodus 21:7). And so sacred a thing was the authority of the parent, that he which rebelliously despised the same, was p…

Againe, if all sinne committed voluntarily, and willingly, were simply inexpiable, euery mans case were damnable. And though the word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], signifie willingly, as Aristotle takes it, Eth. l. 3. c. 2. yet sometime it signifis, spitefully, and malitiously, a…

So that to do a thing for nothing is to do a thing without wages, without price. And there is the same interpretation of the word in Exodus 21:11, where Moses, speaking of the maid who was taken into the family and was not married, says, "If he does not do these three to her, th…

And certainly it is but fit and meet that we should give them the best and the most obliging language, who have taught us to speak; and to please them with our words, who have instructed us how to form them. Indeed, that rude and boisterous language which many of the sons of Bel…

But here we must look to it, that we be employed about lawful things; otherwise, if we be doing that which is unjustifiable, which accidentally proves to be the death of another, this cannot be excused from murder; and I am sure God exacts the same punishment for it. And therefo…

If there is a curse for him that smites his neighbor secretly (Deuteronomy 27:24), then he is double cursed that kills him. If a man had [reconstructed: slain] another unawares, he might take sanctuary, and fly to the altar: but if he had done it willingly, the holiness of the p…

Here was his greatest humiliation and suffering, by which principally he made satisfaction to the justice of God for the sins of men. First, his life was sold by one of his own disciples for thirty pieces of silver, which was the price of the life of a servant, as you may see in…

4. They ought not to marry while the time of their covenant for service lasts, unless their master gives consent to that. The law of God sets forth the lawful marriages of servants thus: "If his master has given him a wife" — by which is implied that if a servant marries, it mus…

Answer. No, not without the free consent of the servants themselves: for marriages must be made with the free consent of the parties that are married. Objection. The law implies that a master has power to give his servant a wife, for it shows whose those children shall be that a…

He is like the Servant under the Law. Exodus 21:5. I love my Master, I will not go out free.

The law of God condemned pits for tame beasts. (Exodus 21:33-34) If a man open a pit, or dig a pit, and not cover it, and an ox or ass fall therein: the owner of the pit shall make it good, and give money to the owners of them. Though it was lawful for hunters to take wild beast…

Adam was, and so were we the children of God by creation, God was our Father, who made us, and woe to him that strives with (and fights against) his Maker (Isaiah 43:9); it is woeful sinning against God as a Maker; Oh how unnatural it is to sin against our parents! So heinous wa…

(Matthew 5:38): Eye for eye, tooth for tooth. (Exodus 21:24, 23): You shall give life for life. Give that piece of money for you and me (Matthew 17).

Being justified , so the LXX. render the Hebrew particle ; without price, without merit, without cause; and sometimes it is used for without end, that is, what is done in vain; as is used by the apostle, Galatians 2:21. without price or reward, Genesis 29:15. Exodus 21:22. 2 kin…

For what can you more ascribe to chance, than when a broken bough falling from a tree kills a wayfaring man passing by it? But the Lord says far otherwise, who confesses that he has delivered him into the hand of the slayer (Exodus 21:13). Likewise, who does not leave the happen…

No, but before he began, he foreknew and foretold the end. Go (said he to Moses) and declare to him my will, but I will harden his heart, that he obey not (Exodus 21). So when he stirs up Ezekiel, he warns him beforehand that he sends him to a rebellious and stubborn people, to…

6th Commandment: You shall not kill. He breaks this commandment: who bears malice to another (1 John 3:15); who is given to hastiness (Matthew 5:22); who uses inward fretting and grudging (James 3:14); who is froward of nature, hard to please (Romans 1:31); who is full of rancor…

3. To commit the sin of theft against checks of conscience, and examples of God's justice; this is like the dye to the wool, it does dye the sin of a crimson color. 4. To rob the widow and orphan (Exodus 22:22). You shall not afflict the widow or fatherless: Peccatum clamans: If…

His malice, in that, whereas he cannot overturn God himself, yet he labors to disturb the order which he has set down in the creation, and especially the image of God in the most excellent creatures on earth, that they may be in the same miserable condition with himself. His fra…

None so merciful as those who have been once miserable; and they who have not only known misery but felt it, do more readily relieve and succor others. God bids Israel to pity strangers (Exodus 22:21): You shall neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him, for you were strangers in…

By his example we are taught to make satisfaction for all injuries and hurts done to others, and that to the utmost. He that steals, according to the quality of his theft, must restore either twofold, or fourfold (Exodus 22:7); he that maims a man must pay for his healing, and f…

Here note by the way, that they which have been born, baptized, and brought up among us, and yet afterward become Mass-priests, and seek maliciously and obstinately, without ceasing to seduce our people, deserve in this respect, to be put to death. Example 2. You shall not suffe…

In Numbers 30:6, the father may make void the vow of the child pertaining to God's worship: much more a matrimonial promise. If a young man defile a maid, and this be found, in equity he is to be compelled to marry her (Deuteronomy 22:28), yet by God's law this may not be, excep…

This is a sin that God has threatened with many severe curses and punishments. First, the temporal punishment which the Scripture awards to it, is a fourfold, and sometimes a fivefold restitution, as you may see (Exodus 22:1). And therefore Zacchaeus, when he was converted, offe…

Not by his permission only, but by his ordinance and appointment. And whereas a great and conspicuous part of the image of God consists in his sovereignty and dominion, he has so expressly stamped this image of his upon them, that for their likeness to him in it, he gives them t…

Neither indeed is it at all necessary, that the laws of every nation should be conformed to the laws which the Jews lived under; for doubtless each state has its liberty to frame such constitutions as may best serve to obtain the ends of government. And therefore although the pu…

But if the assault be sudden, and no way of escape visible, we may lawfully take away the life of him who unjustly seeks to take ours; for this is not a design to kill him, but to preserve ourselves. Indeed we find (Exodus 22:2) that God allows the killing of a thief, if he brea…

This law was not proper to the Jews only; but as a branch of the moral law it is pressed upon Christians (1 Corinthians 7:36-37). To this may be added the judicial law (if it be to be accounted merely judicial) of a parent's power in giving his daughter, or refusing to give her…

If we have eclipsed the good name of others, we are bound to ask them forgiveness; if we have wronged them in their estate by unjust or fraudulent dealing, we must make them some compensation. Thus Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8): if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation,…

1. Because the Lord so threatened Adam, as he remained free and absolute either to inflict the punishment, or to provide an Evangelical remedy, even as Solomon, (1 Kings 2:37) says to Shimei (in the day you pass over the brook Kidron, you shall surely die) that is, you shall be…

5. It necessarily must follow, if it be sin to eat, because the non-converted have no spiritual right in Christ, to bread, the converted may spoil by their grounds, all the non-converted, of their goods, houses, gold, gardens, vineyards, lands, and upon the same ground, for the…

The law of God forbids to steal. What penalty was appointed for thefts in the civil state of the Jews, is to be seen in Exodus (Exodus 22:1). The most ancient laws of other nations punished theft with recompense of double: the laws that followed afterward, made difference betwee…

2. There is but one omnipotent power. If there be two omnipotents, then we must always suppose a contest between these two; that which one would do, the other power being equal would oppose, and so all things would be brought into a confusion. If a ship should have two pilots of…

1. They make him better, and are lodestones to draw him nearer to God. 2. He has his Father's blessing with them: a little blessed is sweet (Exodus 23:25). He shall bless your bread and your water.

That we may be content with daily bread — that which God in his providence carves out to us — and not covet or murmur, let me propose these things. 1. God can bless a little (Exodus 23:24): He will bless your bread and your water. A blessing put sweetness into the least morsel o…

Our knowledge in this life is imperfect. Exodus 23: Moses may not see God's face, but his hinder parts. 1 Corinthians 13:12: We may see God as men do, through spectacles in his word, sacraments, and creatures.

This is Charity to souls when we see men in the gall of bitterness, and we labour by counsel, admonition, reproof, to pull them out of their natural estate as the Angel did Lot out of Sodom; Genesis 19. 6. God made a Law, Exodus 23. 5. that whoever did see his enemy's ass lying…

Here (say they) is a prayer made to angels. Answer: By the angel is meant Christ, who is called the angel of the covenant (Malachi 3:1) and the angel that guided Israel in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:9 compared with Exodus 23:20). Objection 2.

Use 2: It gives a great commendation to the grace of God in Christ Jesus; it makes grace wonderfully glorious, that takes the sinner at this nick, and in this pinch. We shall not dispute here; nor is it needful, nor edifying, whether God might have forgiven sin freely, without a…

[Son, remember you in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus evil, etc.] says Abraham to the soul of Dives in hell (Luke 16:25). [Remember me when you come into your Kingdom] said the good thief to Christ; And (Revelation 1) I am he (says Christ) that was dead,…

God bids Israel to pity strangers (Exodus 22:21): You shall neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the Land of Egypt. They knew what it was to be exposed to the envy and hatred of the neighbors in the land where they sojourned (Exodus 23:9): For you k…

So their murmuring might be called a tempting of Christ. Christ was the perpetual head of the church, who in his own person did lead the people, and was present in the midst of them under the notion of the angel of the covenant: the Eternal Son of God guided them in the wilderne…

Answer: So long as men are curable, means must be used to recover them. The sheep or ox that goes astray, must be brought home again (Exodus 23:4), much more your neighbor. Christ himself brings home again the lost sheep, and so must every shepherd (Ezekiel 34:4).

Let us consider the good Samaritan's practice: Albeit there was mortal hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans (John 4:6), yet he seeing his deadly enemy wounded and half dead, had compassion upon him; poured wine and oil into his sores, bound up his wounds, set him on his ow…

Answer. This is very true, but the Prophet aimed at that which falls out for the most part, and yet notwithstanding meant not to spare the vices which he expressed not. By whose example good teachers ought to be wise and well advised in considering and correcting those vices whi…

It was not of their own accord, but by a divine command, that they undertook this annual journey. The law enjoins the males "only to appear before the Lord," (Exodus 23:17.) This arrangement does not entirely exclude females, but spares them by an exercise of kindness.

I am more inclined to favor those who understand by it the second festivity in the year; and this agrees exceedingly well with the name given to it, the second-first Sabbath, because, among the great Sabbaths which were annually observed, it was the second in the order of time.…

This is a notable comfort that we Christians have, in that we may say: the word which I preach, is none of my own, neither is my faith my own; they are all the works and the gifts of God: He who reviles and rails on me, reviles and rails on God: according to Christ's own saying…

Yet more exactly, it is not only said, he rose in the morning (for there is a great latitude in the morning, there are various hours which all are called morning) but it is said he rose early in the morning, in the very beginning or first of the morning. As it is commanded (Exod…

For whoever are thus partial, want that courage and firmness that ought to be in a magistrate, and should make him as inflexible as the rule of justice itself is; neither being frightened by the power or threats of those who are great, nor melted or softened with the cries of th…

"In that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt, unto the great river, the river Euphrates." So again God promised at Mount Sinai, Exodus 23:31. "And I will set thy bounds from the Red Sea even unto t…

Though your children dare not tell you so, yet perhaps they cannot but think that you are very unfit to command them who are so very unable to command yourselves. Time was when you were yourselves children, and scholars, and perhaps servants and apprentices, and so (if you will…

God chargeth us to be singular, Matthew 5:47. to be circumspect, Ephesians 5:15. to be separate from Idolaters, 2 Corinthians 6:17. to shine as Lights in the World, Philippians 2:15. He forbids us to symbolize with Sinners, or doe as they doe: the way to Hell is a beaten road, t…

Verily you shalt be fed. God has not promised dainties; he will not satisfie his Peoples lusts, but he will supply their wants; if the Bill of Fare grows low, what they lack in chear, they shall have in blessing, Exodus 23:25. He will bless your bread and your water.

And that of the Jewish elders who said (Matthew 28:12-13), "Say you, his disciples came and stole him away while we slept." All these are severely forbidden, but especially in point of witnessing in courts of judicature (Exodus 23:1): "Put not your hand with the wicked to be an…

This is soul-mercy. God made a law (Exodus 23:5) that whoever saw his enemy's donkey lying under a burden, he should help him. On which words Chrysostom says: We will help a beast that is fallen under a burden; and shall we not extend relief to those who are fallen under a worse…

God give you of the dew of heaven; which was not only a prayer for Jacob, but a prophecy of that happiness and blessing which should come upon him and his posterity. Thus every adopted child has his heavenly Father's benediction, there is a special blessing distilled into all th…

The small number of those who embrace religion argues that the way of religion is excellent. We are warned not to go with the crowd (Exodus 23:2); most fish go into the devil's net. The second prejudice is that the ways of religion are made to appear ugly by the scandals of thos…

They will hardly be able to run the heavenly race who have old age and old sins upon them. Run the pathway, not the road-way; hell-road is full of travellers; most go wrong (Exodus 23:2): you shall not follow a multitude to do evil. The multitude does not consider what is best,…

(5) It's wicked stoutness to rest upon your own righteousness and refuse to treat with God (Isaiah 46:12-13). (6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh an…

And v. 35. Moses is made a Ruler and a deliverer by the hands of the Angel that appeared to him in the bush. This is Christ, the Angel (Malachi 3:1), the Angel of the covenant, whom they tempted (1 Corinthians 10:9), of whom the Lord said (Exodus 23:21), Beware of him, and obey…

4. With him must the Covenant of Redemption be made in his way; of whom God says, verse 25: I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. The Chaldean Paraphrase expounds his hand to be his power and command, which extends to the Euphrates, as is promise…

Do justice to the Afflicted and Poor; that is, justify them in their cause against Wrong and Oppression. Exodus 23:7. I will not justify the wicked; absolve, acquit, or pronounce him righteous.

What communion has light with darkness? How can the righteous God indulge him that goes on still in his trespasses? (Exodus 23:7). I will not justifie the wicked.

2nd Commandment: You shall make to yourself no graven image, etc. He breaks this commandment: who represents God in an image (Exodus 32:6-8); who worships God in or at images, as crucifixes and such like (2 Kings 18:4); who kneels down before an image; who is bodily present at M…

The meditation of this, would, 1. Keep us from marching along with the multitude. You shall not follow a multitude, Exodus 23:2. The multitude usually goes wrong; most men walk, [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], after the course of the world, Ephesians 2:2.

They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God, when we have bestowed ourselves upon God, he is not wanting to receive us, to be his people. Now for further opening of this, it was said this covenant was made with God by way of sacrifice (Psalm 50:5,7)…

When Abraham went to worship in the mount, he left his servants below in the valley, lest they should obstruct his communion with God. When Moses was to go up to the Lord, though Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders went further than the people, yet the text says, they…

Sixthly, the law has Moses for the mediator (Deuteronomy 5:27), but Christ is the mediator of the new testament (Hebrews 8:6). Lastly, the law was dedicated by the blood of beasts (Exodus 24:5), and the new Testament, by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:12). Here then falls to the…

Life is promised, but it must be sought only in the death and resurrection of Christ. This too is the reason why God commanded of old, that the book of the law should be sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifice, (Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:19, 20.) It is also worthy of notice, that…

Let us therefore learn that, by the guidance of the Spirit, Christ withdrew from the crowd of men, in order that he might come forth as the highest teacher of the church, as the ambassador of God, — rather as sent from heaven, than as taken from some town, and from among the com…

Wait awhile, and you shall be possessed of a kingdom. When Moses went up to receive God's commands, he stayed six days on the Mount, and on the seventh day, God called to him (Exodus 24:16). Though we wait long, and have not the thing waited for, yet let us continue doing our du…

So it was a human form in which Christ appeared to the seventy elders, of which we have an account. Exodus 24:9-11: "Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel." "And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet, as it were a p…

Now our answer to this demand of God, and to this interrogatory he puts to us in the covenant, it is sealed by us in baptism; and it is renewed in the Lord's Supper. Look as in the old sacrifices, they were all a renewing of the oath of allegiance to God, or confirming their pur…

For so Paul (Romans 10:5-7, etc.) expounds Moses (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). 4. The Covenant of Works taught nothing of the way of expiation of sin by blood typifying the Ransom of blood that Christ was to pay for our sins, as this Covenant all along had sacrifices and blood to conf…

Hence by way of excellency he calls it the Covenant, the Covenant of the Lord (Jeremiah 2[illegible]:9; Deuteronomy 4:23; Joshua 23:11); My Covenant, says the Lord (Genesis 17:7, 9, 10; Exodus 19:5; Psalm 50:16); His Covenant (Psalm 105:8); He remembered his Covenant forever (Ps…

This promise is not formally made to Christ, yet it is a special Covenant-promise (Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 11; Hebrews 8); for there is no stony heart in Christ, yet the promise is laid down in him, and made to him, eminenter; for by the merit of his blood (for he sanctified the pe…

If you believe, you may be baptized: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God; if you believe there is no salvation but in Christ, whether you feel the comfort of it, yes or no, if you believe there it is to be had, you may be baptized, wait therefore upon every…

This divine worship God is very jealous of; this is the apple of his eye, this is the pearl of his crown which he guards as he did the tree of life, with cherubim and a flaming sword, that no man may come near to violate it: divine worship must be such as God himself has appoint…

Answ. 1, Read the Bible with reverence; think every line you read God is speaking to you. The ark wherein the law was put was overlaid with pure gold, and was carried on bars that the Levites might not touch it (Exodus 25:14). And why was this?

1. The Introduction to the Lord's Prayer, sic orate vos, After this manner pray you.] Our Lord Jesus in these words prescribed to his disciples and us a directory for prayer. The Ten Commandments are the rule of our life, the Creed is the sum of our faith, and the Lord's Prayer…

What duties we are to do, what sins we are to avoid. God gave Moses a pattern how he would have the tabernacle made, and he was to go exactly according to the pattern (Exodus 25:9). The word is the pattern God has given us in writing for modeling our lives; therefore how careful…

If obedience has not the Word for its rule, it is not doing God's will but our own, it is [in non-Latin alphabet], will-worship (Deuteronomy 12:32). The Lord would have Moses make the Tabernacle, [in non-Latin alphabet], according to the pattern (Exodus 25:40). If Moses had left…

But I had rather take it here for covenant, or agreement. For the Lord speaking of the Tabernacle of the covenant in Exodus, says, 'I will there make appointment with you' (Exodus 25:21, 22, 29, 42). We must not think then that he speaks here of an assembly of men, as when the p…

For however obscurely and at a distance Moses may exhibit Christ in shadows, rather than in a full portrait, (Hebrews 10:1,) this, at least, is beyond dispute, that unless there be in the family of Abraham one exalted Head, under whom the people may be united in one body, the co…

2. To be kept as things of price; as jewels and treasures are hidden in chests and secret places, that they may not be embezzled or purloined. And herein there may be an allusion to the law, which was kept in a chest or ark (Exodus 25:21). Thus the word is hidden, not in order t…

Now because the word of God branches itself into two parts, the Law and the Gospel, this notion may be applied to both. First, To the Law, in regard of which the Ark is called the Ark of the Testimony (Exodus 25:16), because the two Tables were laid up in it. The Gospel is also…

When God gave the law, the mount was on fire and trembled (Exodus 19:18), that the people might prostrate themselves more reverently before the Lord. The ark wherein the law was put was carried upon poles so that the Levites might not touch it (Exodus 25:11-14), to show what rev…

When a believer can call nothing his own, he can say all is his. The tabernacle was covered with rough skins on the outside (Exodus 25), yet most of it was gold within. So a saint may have a poor covering, ragged clothes, but he is inlaid with gold — Christ is formed in his hear…

The covenant is founded upon Christ, and is sealed in his blood. We read of the mercy seat, which was a divine hieroglyph, typifying Jesus Christ (Exodus 25:17). There will I meet you, and I will commune with you from above the mercy seat, verse 22.

“Cependant que le service, qui avoit les ombres de la Loy, a duré;” — “so long as the service, which contained the shadows of the Law, lasted.” a veil was hung up before the earthly sanctuary, in order to keep the people not only from entering but from seeing it, (Exodus 26:33;…

As it is in wicked communion, those who are more spiritually wicked, (for there is a kinde of spiritual wickedness) they do more unite together, those that are more fleshly wicked, do not so closely unite, as your drunkards, and prophane fellows, though they call good fellows, y…

(1 Corinthians 12:21) "The eye" (the knowing man) "cannot say to the hand" (the active man) in God's cause, "I have no need of you." All have their use by mutual gifts and graces to profit one another, as the curtains of the Tabernacle were coupled to one another by loops, (Exod…

Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. The curtains of the tabernacle were to be joined together (Exodus 26:3-4); so should the hearts of Christians be looped together in peace and unity. That I may persuade to peaceable-mindedness,…

God's covenant people are separated from the world, and sanctified by the Spirit. The priests under the law were not only to wash in the great laver, but were arrayed with glorious apparel (Exodus 28:2). This was typical, to show God's people are not only washed from gross sin,…

1. How illustrious every holy person is; he is [illegible], he is a fair glass in which some of the beams of God's holiness shines forth. We read Aaron put on garments for glory and beauty (Exodus 28:2). When we wear the embroidered garment of holiness, it is for glory and beaut…

2. A positive part, Vivification, which is the spiritual refining of the soul, which in Scripture is called a renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), and a partaking of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The priests in the law not only were washed in the great laver, but adorned with…

God has two heavens, and the humble heart is one of them. 2. A righteous man is devoted to holiness: the priests under the law were not only washed in the great laver, but adorned with glorious apparel (Exodus 28:2), the emblem of a righteous man who is not only washed from gros…

7. More particularly, our Lord, by his intercession, takes away the guilt of our holy things, for when we approach to God in worship, there is a carnalness, and pollutedness in the best things we do, much irreverence, much unbelief, much want of humility, zeal, sincerity, and te…

Rule 5. [illegible], or [illegible], is undeniably expounded of all that are saved only, and is restrictive; such a Physician cured all the city; that is, no man is cured but by him. Exodus 28:4 Jethro says to Moses, What is this that you do? you sit alone. [illegible] and all t…

Hence we may perceive that the Priesthood under Christ, differs much from that which was under the Law. For under it only one tribe was admitted to offer sacrifices (Exodus 28:1). The Gentiles were rejected as unclean, neither did they once enter into the Temple: so far was it t…

In this matter David attempted nothing contrary to what the law enjoined. God had bestowed the priesthood on Aaron and his sons, (Exodus 28:1.) The other Levites were set apart to inferior offices, (Numbers 3:9.)

But we positively affirm that to the works of regenerate persons, to their best works some defilement cleaves, so that though the action be not sinful, yet there is some sin in the action. There is a great deal of difference between a sinful action and sin in an action: We have…

Christ deals so with our performances. All the ingredients of self that are in them on any account, he takes away, and adds Incense to what remains, and presents it to God, Exodus 28:36. This is the cause that the saints at the last day when they meet their own duties and perfor…

In sum, we conceive the words look to one, or both of these similitudes, or allusions: 1. In general, to men who had such respect to their seals or rings, that they wore them on their fingers, and carried them still about with them; now, she would be carried about on his heart,…

The allusion is doubtless from the high priest of the Jews, in his spiritual representation of the church before God. He had a breastplate which he is said to wear on his heart (Exodus 28:29), wherein the names of the children of Israel were engraved after the manner of seals or…

Self, unbelief, form, drop themselves into all that we do. We may be ashamed of our choicest performances: God has promised that the saints' good works shall follow them; truly were they to be measured by the rule as they come from us, and weighed in the balance of the sanctuary…

There meets the first donation and the last. Now to obtain this life for them he died in their stead, appeared as the high priest, being perfectly, and truly what the name was on their plate of gold: holiness to the Lord (Exodus 28:36). And so bearing their iniquity, as it is ad…

In fact, (Matthew 10:30) the hairs of their heads are numbered; God has a particular notice of their necessities: and Jesus Christ, he is his remembrancer, one that ever appears before him to represent their wants. (Hebrews 9:24) As the high priest, in the law, was to go in with…

Sin infects men's prayers, the prayers of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 28:9), indeed, though offered up with incense to perfume them (Isaiah 1:13). Under the law Aaron was to bear the iniquity of the holy things (Exodus 28:38). Israel brought God many a pr…

Furthermore, Christ's bearing of our iniquities is an obvious Hebraism, and the same as the bearing, not of the intrinsic and fundamental guilt of sin, but of the extrinsic guilt, or debt and punishment of sin. So, (Exodus 28:38) a miter shall be on Aaron's forehead, that Aaron…

Nehemiah 13:22: when he had been most faithful in his place, and had set all in good order, Yet spare me O God, according to your rich mercies: to show you, that though the good man saw no guile in his heart, he sought the reformation of all things, yet spare me for the defects…

Sin drops poison on our holy things, it infects our prayers. The High Priest was to make atonement for sin on the altar (Exodus 29:36), to signify that our holiest services need Christ to make atonement for them. Duties of religion in themselves are good, but sin corrupts them,…

Answer: Because faith eyes Christ in every duty, and so both the person and offering are accepted. The high priest under the law laid his hand upon the head of the beast slain, which did point to the Messiah (Exodus 29:10). So faith in every duty lays its hand upon the head of C…

The Virgin Mary's obedience was not perfect; she needed Christ's blood to wash her tears. Aaron was to make atonement for the altar (Exodus 29:37), to show that the most holy offering has defilement in it, and needs atonement to be made for it. Question 1. But if man has not pow…

The reason of the diversity is, because the same word in the original, which signifies the second person masculine, you, meaning the Father; signifies the third person feminine: his soul shall make itself; but on the matter, whether we apply it to the Father, or to Christ, both…

2. That there be some appointed to offer the sacrifice; that there be some set apart for that very thing. 3. That there be a killing, or destroying, of the thing that is offered in a sacrifice; which especially in the sin-offering was necessary; to wit, that it should be killed,…

In the old Testament, when a man had sinned, he brought a sheepe or an oxe to the doore of the Tabernacle, and when the Priest cut the throat of it, the partie laid his hand upon the head of it. Exod 29:10. And hereby he signified, that the beast had done no hurt, and that he as…

Answer. Even because he sustained our person and cause: for there was nothing at all that could satisfy God's justice, but the death of his only begotten Son. The word Asham, signifies sin, and oblation for sin; and so oftentimes it is found in the latter signification in the Sc…

The Prophet then expresses three things here distinctly. For first when he says, that the sacrifices went up, he alludes to the ceremony which in old time they used in the sacrifices, for they lifted up their offerings (Exodus 29:24; Leviticus 8:29), to signify, that they were t…

It would have been more correct to say that the noun נזר signifies a crown than a flower. "Thou shalt put the holy crown," את נזר הקדש, (Exodus 29:6.) "Thou hast profaned his crown," נזרו, (Psalm 89:39.)

When he says, that it was not lawful to eat that bread but for the priests alone, we must understand him to refer to the ordinary law: they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them; but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because…

For this reason the apostle, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, (13:12,) refers it to an ancient figure of the law. For as God commanded his people to burn without the camp the bodies of those animals, the blood of which was carried into the sanctuary to make atonement for sins, (Ex…

Sleepy duties are utterly unsuitable to the living God; he will have the very spirits distilled and offered up to him in every duty (John 4:24). He bestows upon his people the very substance and kernel of mercies, and will not accept from them the shells and shadows of duties; n…

We are not accepted through our duties, but through the Beloved; faith looks at the merit of Christ to take away the guilt, and the Spirit of Christ to take away the filth which cleaves to the most angelical services, thus it procures acceptance. The high priest under the law lo…

And therefore Calvin solidly observes that Paul in 2 Corinthians 3 speaks with less respect of the Law than the Prophets do, for their cause, who out of a vain affectation of the Law-ceremonies gave too much to the Law and darkened the Gospel, and says the one was: 1. literal; 2…

Sometimes it declares by the punishments already extended, that God is a judge, that sinners should think to themselves, that worse things hang over them if they do not repent in time. You have an example thereof in Exodus 29. But because the turning begins at the abhorring and…

2. Duties of religion are not accepted without the new creature, because there is that wanting which should make them a sweet savor to God. The holy oil for the tabernacle was to be made of several spices and ingredients (Exodus 30:23). Now, if any of these spices had been left…

Faith is a necessary requisite in prayer. The oil of the sanctuary was made up of several sweet spices, pure myrrh, cassia, cinnamon (Exodus 30:23). Faith is the chief spice or ingredient in prayer, which makes it go up to the Lord as sweet incense (James 1:6).

We may pray absolutely for grace; for this is the will of God, our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). There might be no strange incense offered (Exodus 30:9). When we pray for things which are not agreeable to God's will, it is offering strange incense.

(1.) A soul that is melted into God's will shows variety of grace. As the holy ointment was made up of several aromatic spices, Myrrh, Cinnamon, Cassia (Exodus 30:23), so this sweet temper of soul, submission to God's will in affliction, has in it a mixture of several graces. In…

And that which gives us this boldness, is that (as it is Hebrews 4:15-16), we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are: then follows, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, tha…

7. God no more wills all, and every man to be saved, and come to believe; so they will all, and every one believe; than he wills all and every one to be damned; so they believe not and refuse the Gospel: the one will is as universal as the other. 8. It is no justice, that the ra…

Vers. 24. You bought me no sweet savor with your money, neither have you made me drunk with the fat of your sacrifices: but you have made me to serve with your sins, and wearied me with your iniquities. By the word Caneh, he means that wherewith they made the precious ointment w…

Because the purgation wherewith we are cleansed, that is, the death of Christ, was ratified and approved in regard of his intercession towards the Father, it was necessary this should be added. For as in the Old Testament, the high priest, who never entered without blood, made p…

] that he became suddenly dumb without disease, and after a more than ordinary delay came out of the temple in a state of amazement. The word temple, as we have already mentioned, is put for the sanctuary, where the altar of incense stood, (Exodus 30:1.) From this place the prie…

He is indeed a mortal man, born of earthly parents; but a supernatural method, so to speak, recommends him strongly as if he had fallen from heaven 9. According to the custom of the priest's office The law enjoined that incense should be offered twice every day, that is, every m…

but an annual tribute laid individually on every man among the Jews, so that they paid to tyrants what they were formerly in the habit of paying to God alone. For we know that this tax was imposed on them by the Law, that, by paying every year half a stater, (Exodus 30:13,) they…

The Pharisees, perceiving that all their other attempts against Christ had been fruitless, at length concluded that the best and most expeditious method of destroying him was, to deliver him to the governor, as a seditious person and a disturber of the peace. There was at that t…

And name is called a good fame or renown, glory, praise and worship. Now must every man then abstain from the name of God, so that he neither touch it, nor draw it to himself, the which is also meant (Exodus 30): where Moses was commanded by God to make precious ointment, and it…

The first similitude is a bundle of myrrh. Myrrh was a precious and savory spice, made use of in the anointing oil (Exodus 30:23), and in embalming Christ's body. A bundle of it signifies abundance of it — not a stalk or a grain, but a bundle that must be of more worth and virtu…

By mountain is often understood the Church (as Isaiah 2:1 and Micah 4:1) called so for her endurance and stability; for typifying of which, the Temple was built on mount Moriah. And it's called a mountain of Myrrh, and hill of Frankincense, to difference this one mountain (which…

This sweet smelling myrrh that drops, is the flowing of habitual grace, which formerly was not vigorous and active, but now it flows and vents, and is to the heart as oil applied to moisten and make easy a rusted lock, to make it open without difficulty. This grace is ordinarily…

Thus the Papists are violent in their religion, witness their penance, fasting, dilacerating themselves till the blood comes, but it is a zeal without knowledge: their metal is better than their eyesight. When Aaron was to burn the [reconstructed: Incense] upon the altar, he was…

First the glory of color in the lilies, and the sweetness of savor in the myrrh. The glory, and beauty of the lilies in those countries was such, as that our Savior tells us, that Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of them (Matthew 6:29) and the savor of myrrh, s…

You have not a better Christ, nor a better Father in Heaven, than they have. The rich and the poor were to give one ransom under the law (Exodus 30), to show they have all the same Redeemer. The weak should not despise nor disdain the strong, nor the rich be ashamed to own the p…

Think not, O Christian, that your sins are washed away only by Christ's blood, but by water and blood. The brazen laver (Exodus 30:18) that the people of Israel were to wash in might be a fit emblem of this spiritual laver — tears and blood. And when holy mourning is thus qualif…

Secondly the actual Inauguration, or solemn admission of Christ unto his office, committing all judgment unto the Son (John 5:22), section 4, making him to be both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), appointing him over his whole house (Hebrews 3:1-3), which is that anointing of the Mo…

But sometimes with respect unto the second, and then it signifies a sacrifice for sin, to make expiation of it. And so it is rendered by the LXX, sometimes by , Ezekiel 44:27. sometimes , Exodus 30:10. Ezekiel 43:23.

See how this limbeck dropped; the sorrow of her heart ran out at her eye. The brazen laver for the Priests to wash in, (Exodus 30:18). did typify a double laver: The laver of Christs blood we must wash in by Faith; and the laver of tears we must wash in by Repentance. A true Pen…

There remains laying on of hands, which as I grant in true and lawful orderings to be a Sacrament, so I deny that it has any part in this play, where they neither obey the commandment of Christ, nor have respect to the end to which the promise ought to lead us. If they will not…

2. There were bounds set that none might touch the mount (Exodus 19:12), which was to breed in the people reverence to the Law. 3. God wrote the Law with his own finger (Exodus 31:18), which was such an honor put upon the Moral Law, as we read of no other writing. God did by som…

No, that work which had a reference to a religious use, might not be done on the Sabbath, as the hewing of stones for the building of the sanctuary. Bezaleel, who was to cut the stones, and carve the timber out for the sanctuary, yet he must forbear it on the Sabbath (Exodus 31:…

1. As to the design. God was well pleased, that lapsed mankind should be restored, at the first God was pleased with his creation (Exodus 31:17), on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed, that is recreated in the view of his works, as the effects of his wisdom, power and…

Seeing then that of his own good will he calls us to himself, and offers his righteousness freely, we are to take heed, that we deprive not ourselves of so great a benefit. Now because the Sabbath (as it appears by Moses and Ezekiel (Exodus 31:13-17; Ezekiel 21:13)) was the prin…

“they shall sit every man under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid,” (Micah 4:4.) 75. In holiness and righteousness As the rule of a good life has been reduced by God to two tables, (Exodus 31:18; 34:1,) so Zacharias here declares, that we serve Go…

And of this spiritual Sabbath, the temporal one is a sign and type. So (Exodus 31:13): My Sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you — that you may know that I am the Lord, that does sanctify you. Thirdly; it is used likewise, to signify the eternal rest of the…

Section 24. Thus God who himself began the writing of the Word with his own finger, Exodus 31:11; after he had spoken it Exodus 20; appointing or approving the writing of the rest that followed, Deuteronomy 31:12; Joshua 23:6; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 14:6; 2 Kings 17:13; 1 Chronicl…

The Sabbath is given as a distinctive Sign between the people of God, and the profane. Exodus 31.17. And among the Primitive Saints, when the question was asked, Hast thou kept the Lord's Day? the answer was, I am a Christian, and dare not omit the celebration of this day.

Christ's intercession must needs be effectual, if you consider, (1.) The excellency of his person; if the prayer of a saint be so prevalent with God: Moses's prayer did bind God's hands (Exodus 32:10): Let me alone; and Jacob as a prince prevailed with God (Genesis 32:28); and E…

2. There is but one omnipotent power. If there be two omnipotents, then we must always suppose a contest between these two; that which one would do, the other power being equal would oppose, and so all things would be brought into a confusion. If a ship should have two pilots of…

Plead with your mother, plead, for she is not my wife. And (Exodus 32:7) Your people have corrupted themselves; no more my people, but your people. God calls idolatry blasphemy (Ezekiel 20:27, 31).

When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel. Image worship enrages God (Proverbs 6:34). Jealousy is the rage of a man: It makes God divorce a people (Exodus 32:7). Your people, lo-ammi (Hosea 2:2). Plead with your mother, plead, for she is not my wife (Song of…

11. We hallow and sanctify God's name when we sympathize with him: we grieve when his name suffers. 1. We lay to heart his dishonors: how was Moses affected with God's dishonor, he breaks the tables (Exodus 32:19). We grieve to see God's sabbaths profaned, his worship adulterate…

Prayer vincit invincibilem, it overcomes the Omnipotent (Hosea 12:4). The [reconstructed: Tyrians] tied fast their god Hercules with a golden chain that he should not remove: the Lord was held by Moses' prayer as with a golden chain (Exodus 32:10). Let me alone: why what did Mos…

Abraham prayed for Abimelech, Genesis 20:17-18, and, God healed him and his family of barrenness. At Moses' prayer, God's judgments were taken from Egypt: Exodus 7:12, 13, 30, and his wrath appeased toward his people, Exodus 32:11, 14. And some think that Stephen's prayer at his…

Whereby we are taught, that before God should want any part of his glory, we must let body and soul and all go, that God may have all his glory. This affection had Moses (Exodus 32:32) when he said, Either forgive them, or if you will not, blot my name out of your book. In this…

First the diligence of ungodly men and the quickness of their nature to practice sin and wickedness: as it was said of the old Jews (Isaiah 59:7), their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. When the Israelites would sacrifice to the golden calf which they had mad…

No cause, but that he might stir us up to be more earnest to cry to the Lord. Exodus 32:10. When Moses prayed to God in the behalf of the Israelites, the Lord answers, Let me alone: as though his prayers did bind the Lord, and hinder him from executing his judgments. Therefore t…

Objection 2. Exodus 32:13: Moses prays that God would respect his people for Abraham's sake, and for Isaac and Israel his servants, who were not then living. Answer: Moses prays God to be merciful to the people not for the intercession of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but for his c…

But we hold it unlawful to worship God in, by, or at any image, for this is what the second commandment forbids. And the fact of the Israelites in Exodus 32, in worshipping the golden calf, is condemned as flat idolatry — albeit they worshipped not the calf but God in the calf.…

Christ gave himself a ransom for all capable of a ransom; Arminians say that the finally obdurate, those that sin against the Holy Ghost, and infants of heathens, or any dying infants, cannot be ransomed by Christ. (Exodus 32:26) "All the sons of Levi came to Moses" — not all wi…

He prays like a king, who is in joint commission with God. If God puts that honor upon our prayers, that we are said to have power with God, as Jacob (Hosea 12:3) — that if God be never so angry, yet by taking hold of his strength, we hold his hands (Isaiah 27:5) — that God crie…

He under God had been the deliverer of the people of Israel out of Egypt, with the hazard of his own life, & had led them in the wildernesse, and given them that good Law that was their wisdom in the sight of all the Nations, and by his prayers kept off God's wrath from them. An…

If any man see his brother sin, let him ask. So did holy Moses (Exodus 32:31-33). This was the first work he had to do upon their sin, and he spent forty days and forty nights about that work; when he saw it was a sin, and punished it as a magistrate, he satisfies not himself in…

We ought to shame ourselves for this breach of covenant, else we cannot say, that we make a true covenant with God, and charge ourselves for being so false to God, and then some good may come of it. When the people had broken covenant with God, and God was very angry, and would…

And this is a notable sign of a man's integrity and uprightness of heart: he would not have anything by which God might have dishonor; he would not have the ordinances with the church's loss, but rather sit out, and shift for himself as well as he could, and would venture the lo…

The drift of the Psalmist in this place, is to show by eminent instances of holy men that were most notable for prayer, how they have stopped judgments when they began to be executed. Moses, at his prayer God was propitiated, after the provocation of the Golden Calf; for it is s…

This suggestion entrenched upon the glory of God, the other upon his love to mankind, and Christ could endure neither; Satan is commanded out of his presence with indignation. The same zeal we see in his servants, in Moses in case of idolatry (Exodus 32:19): He broke the tables.…

And none with them, yea Moses only must come near, and the rest must worship afar off: And what business have these familiar friends one with another? Why, sometimes the Lord speaks to Moses, sometimes Moses speaks to God in secret prayer: See both together in (Exodus 32:9-11).…

It was not the will and counsel of God to destroy the Israelites for their idolatry. And he does not speak to Moses anything contrary to his will, but something that is beside, or different to it, when he says: let me alone, that my wrath [reconstructed: may wax hot] and I may d…

Now that inward nakednes of heart is noted as a speciall euill, Gen 3:7. Exod 32:25. Prou. 29. 18.

Aarons calfe was an Image of the true God. Exod 32:5. And it must be obserued, that Iehu destroied the Idols of Baal, 2.

For believers, in pouring out their prayers, do not always ascend to the contemplation of the secrets of God, or deliberately inquire what is possible to be done, but are sometimes carried away hastily by the earnestness of their wishes. Thus Moses prays that he may be blotted o…

God has his certain days, or appointed seasons of the exercise both of mercy and judgment. There are some seasons that are remarkable times of wrath, that are laid out by God for that purpose, for his awful visitation, and the executions of his anger; which times are called days…

Doth Communion with God set the keenest edge upon the soul against sin? You see it does: and have a pregnant Instance of it in Moses, when he had been with God in the Mount for forty days, and had there enjoyed communion with him; when he came down and saw the Calf the people ha…

As when it is said in the Scripture, they went down into the midst of the Sea, the word is, they went down into the heart of the Sea; and in the midst of the earth, it is the heart of the earth; And so when it is said that Absalom was hanging in the midst of the Oak, the Origina…

2. We may observe here the power of lively faith (to which nothing is impossible) love and faith will stick to Christ against his own seeming entreaties, till they gain their point, and will prevail (Genesis 32:28). 3. See here the condescending, the wonderful condescending of t…

2. This phrase, Turn away your eyes, is not so to be taken, as if Christ approved not her looking to him, or her faith in him; but, to show the exceeding great delight he had in her placing her faith and love on him, which was such, that her loving and believing looks ravished h…

First, upon the same account the Israelites were not idolaters in worshipping the golden calf: for they were not so brutish as to believe that calf itself to be their God: in fact, it is most evident, that they intended to worship the true God under that representation. See (Exo…

The magistrate receives his commission from God and does it as his minister and servant; yes, and in doing it is so far from doing a cruel and unjust act — an act that will either pollute his hands or stain his conscience — that it makes him the more holy and pure. And therefore…

And, O how bare and uncomely does profession appear, for want of this adorning! When the Israelites had stripped themselves of their ornaments to furnish up a golden calf, it is said, they were made naked to their shame (Exodus 32:25). How naked are we (like Adam when he had sin…

This was Adam's folly, who at his wife's motion did eat of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). This was Aaron's folly, who to please the people, erected an idol (Exodus 32:1). And this was Saul's folly, who against God's express prohibition suffered his people to take some of the…

Except the like charge can be shown, his example makes nothing to the purpose. 2. For Levi's speech, 1. It was noted by Moses in relation to a particular zealous fact of the Levites in executing the vengeance of the Lord, and so to be reckoned among such extraordinary things as…

Nay, in some cases God's glory is more to be cared for than our own salvation, if they two could come in competition; but that case never falls out with the creature; our salvation is conjoined with the glory of God. But yet in supposition, if it should, as Paul and Moses puts t…

The Lord disclaims the people which were brought out of the land of Egypt, when they rebelled against him. (Exodus 32:7) The Lord said to Moses, Go, get [reconstructed: you] down; for your people which you brought out of [reconstructed: the] land of Egypt, have corrupted themsel…

(Proverbs 11:31) Behold the righteous shall be recompensed upon the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner. (Exodus 32, etc.) 2. That he may go on in ungodliness, injustice, intemperance, because grace has abounded in the Gospel (Titus 2:11-12). For the grace of God that bri…

How earnestly did Abraham pray for mercy in behalf of Sodom, that if possible it might not be destroyed. When Israel had sinned a great sin, and provoked the Lord, Moses mediates and intercedes for them, and offers to die that they may live (Exodus 32). Now if they did not know…

As to the first, the less of the creature and self, and the more of God in the end, so much the more denied and spiritual is the doer, when purely for God [⟨in non-Latin alphabet⟩] we do (1 Corinthians 10:13; Colossians 3:23), we are sick for God, and in health for God, and wake…

But there is much of the creature, of self, of gain, of empty glory, in our spiritual actings. God weighs not down the creature nor heaven and union with Christ, as (Exodus 32:32; Romans 9:3). (2.) It's a spiritual soul that misses God, rather than the train of all the graces of…

2nd Commandment: You shall make to yourself no graven image, etc. He breaks this commandment: who represents God in an image (Exodus 32:6-8); who worships God in or at images, as crucifixes and such like (2 Kings 18:4); who kneels down before an image; who is bodily present at M…

Jacob had a princely power over the Angel, and prevailed, he wept, and made supplication to him, [illegible] Is a Prince, or as many render it, Rectus fuit cum Deo, or, Directus fuit, vel prosperum successum habuit, Which may note either a princedom in prayer over God, which is…

So James calls it (chapter 5, verse 16): [reconstructed: prayer possessed with a spirit] — but a good spirit — prayer steeled with fervor of spirit, so fervent that David is like the messenger who lays by three horses as breathless: his heart, his throat, his eyes (Psalm 69:3).…

Now fervency stands in two things; in earnestness of the affection, and strength of persuasion; earnestness of affection, Why do you cry? and so strength of persuasion; he makes choice of such arguments as are most fit to persuade, as from God's former gracious dealing, and so p…

Now both these would have done well together, in a time of solemn humiliation; the one mourning for his own corruptions, and the other, for the sins of the town and country he lives in; and this makes a fit combination in such a duty. Then consider, you may have men that may be…

We could not now bear that glory, it would overwhelm us; sensibile fortè destruit sensum, as a weak eye cannot behold the sun; but God will capacitate us for glory; our souls shall be so heavenly, and perfected with holiness, that they may be able to enjoy the blessed vision of…

God showing mercy, makes his Godhead appear full of glory. When Moses said to God, I beseech you show me your glory, I will (God says) show mercy (Exodus 33:19). His mercy is his glory.

5. We must pray earnestly that the kingdom of glory may come, that we may see God face to face, and have an [reconstructed: uninterrupted] and eternal communion with him in the Empyrean Heaven. Moses desired but a glimpse of God's glory (Exodus 33:18); how then should we pray to…

(2.) It is implied, that we should endeavor to preserve the souls of others; counsel them about their souls, set life and death before them, help them to Heaven. In the law, if one met his neighbor's ox or ass going astray, he must bring him back (Exodus 33:4). Much more if we s…

Position 5. God's mercy is one of the most orient pearls of his crown; it makes his Godhead appear amiable and lovely. When Moses said to God, "I beseech you, show me your glory," the Lord answered him, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will show mercy" (Exodus…

And so of the rest. But Moses is said, to talk with God face to face: and, to see his back parts, Exodus 33.11, 23. Answer.

No — but there is an invisible hand upon them. Well then, as it is said (Exodus 33:14): let his presence give us rest. And though the mountains be hurled into the sea, though heaven and earth mingle together — fear not!

All similitudes and representations of God are discharged. 4. In our addresses to God through the Mediator; we would rest our faith on what is revealed in the Word, seeking rather to take up God, and Christ as they are revealed in it, than without the Word, to seek satisfaction…

Nor need we flee to that exposition ever and anon, that Christ died for all, that is, all ranks of men. For "all" is put in Scripture ordinarily for many; as (Deuteronomy 1:21; Psalm 71:18; Jeremiah 15:10; Jeremiah 19:9; Jeremiah 20:7; Jeremiah 23:30; Jeremiah 49:17; Ezekiel 16:…

Both had ventured their lives, Moses by encountering Pharaoh, and Elias Ahab. Both had seen the glory of God in Mount Horeb, and spoke with God also, Moses (Exodus 33:11) he saw the Lord face to face, and spoke with him as a man does with his friend, and Elias (1 Kings 19). Both…

This Angel can be no other than Christ, whose office it is to keep us in the way, and to bring us into the place which Christ has prepared for us; he it is that must be obeyed by the people of God, and pardon their transgressions; in him is God's name, for he will not communicat…

First; it is speciall, whereby he knowes all the elect euen by name. Exod 33:17. Againe, it is a perpetuall and vnchangeable knowledge.

In making your Calling sufficient for you. It was the prayer of Moses fr the Tribe of Judah, Exodus 33:7 Let his hands be sufficient for him: and it is no small mercy, if yours be so to you. Some there be that have work, but not strength to go through with it; others have streng…

So (Isaiah 49:1) the Lord has called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name, it notes the special care, and the special love that God had of and bore to Christ. See it eminently in that place (Exodus 33:12), where Moses speaks thus to God,…

All the fruits of Gods goodness, and grace, are in the sole keeping of his own Soveraign will and pleasure. This is his great glory, Exodus 33:18, 19. Shew me your glory, says Moses.

2. Sympathy, and condescending to supply their wants; he cleaves closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24); it is such a love as one has who aims at his friend's good, as well as his own. 3. Familiarity in mutual communion, as is accustomed to be between friends, and freedom in con…

Next, the privilege, or advantage which accompanies this her good condition, is held out in these words, I was in his eyes as one that found favor, or peace: To find favor in his eyes, is to be kindly and affectionately dealt with, and to have that manifested by some suitable ev…

At other times God spoke with a more still and gentle voice, and in a more mild way, as when he spoke to Samuel in the night, he thought at first that it had been the voice of Eli (1 Samuel 3:4-5). Thus God spoke to Abraham, to Jacob, to Moses, to whom it is said, he spoke face…

1. He endeavors to wean them from the vanity of outward ornaments, verse 3: whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning, etc. This does not forbid the sober and moderate use of decent ornaments, when it is according to the quality, place, and station, and in due season, (…

Section 4. The various ways of special Revelation, by Dreams, Visions, Audible voices, Inspirations, with that peculiar one of the Lawgiver under the Old Testament, called [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] face to face, Exodus 33:11. Deuteronomy 34:10: and [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉]…

1. It is his glory to forgive sins. Exodus 33:18. And he said, I beseech you show me your glory; compared with Exodus 34:6-7. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

What greater Honor for a Person, than to have God keep him Company? Exodus 33:11. 3. In that God makes them Rich heirs; Romans 8:17., joynt heirs with Christ.

Moses desires God; Tell me your name (Exodus 3:13-14). Then show me your glory (Exodus 33:18). And he said, I beseech you show me your glory.

So (Psalm 25:8), Good and upright is the Lord. And (Exodus 33:19), He said, I will make all my goodness go before you, and proclaim my name. As the creature has a natural goodness of beauty, power, dominion, wisdom; so it has a moral goodness of purity and holiness.

The works of mercy are the glory of the Godhead. Moses prayed, 'Lord, show me your glory' (Exodus 33:18); God replied, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you' (verse 19). God accounts himself most glorious in the shining robes of his mercy.

Thus Moses saw him who was invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Believers see God's glory as it were veiled over; they behold his back-parts (Exodus 33:23). Second, in the life to come; and this glorious sight of God is meant in the text — they shall see God.

1. A sensible glory, (to begin with what is lower) is fittingly in our way to be taken notice of; and may well be comprehended (as its less-principal intent) within the significance of the expression the Face of God. So indeed it does evidently signify (Exodus 33:11). And if we…

And this is a Gospel-truth now, that stands after the Incarnation, as before (Romans 9:18): he has therefore mercy upon whom he will, and hardens whom he will. And he said it in the Old Testament (Exodus 33:19), and repeats it to us (Romans 9:15): I will have mercy upon whom I w…

Gods anger is not so hot, but mercy can cool it; nor so sharp, but mercy can sweeten it. God counts his mercy his glory, (Exodus 33:18), 19. We have some drops of mercy our selves, but God is the Father of mercies, who begets all the mercies that are in us.

How much more should we prize that view of it, which we may have with open face, though yet as in a glass (2 Corinthians 3:18)? Moses when he had seen the works of God, which were great and marvelous, yet found not himself satisfied therewith: therefore after all, he prays that…

Let Italy boast that it is for pleasure the Garden of the world; an humble heart glories in this, that it is the Presence-chamber of the Great King. 3. The Times we live in are humbling: The Lord seems to say to us now, as he did to Israel, Exodus 33:5. Put off your Ornaments fr…

Obj. 2. To ascribe God's not loving of men to God's disposition, heart, will, and pleasure, and not to our defects, is blasphemy. Ans. The Lord ascribes his having mercy, and his hardening to his own free will (Romans 9:17; Exodus 33:19), and his love is as free as his mercy, an…

We shall be like him. If when Moses was with God on the mount, and had but some imperfect sight of his glory, Moses' face shined (Exodus 34:33), how shall the saints glorified shine, being always in God's presence, and having some beams of his glory put upon them! We shall be li…

2. There is but one omnipotent power. If there be two omnipotents, then we must always suppose a contest between these two; that which one would do, the other power being equal would oppose, and so all things would be brought into a confusion. If a ship should have two pilots of…

His mercy is his glory. Mercy is the name by which God will be known (Exodus 34:6): The Lord passed by, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious. Mercy proceeds primarily and originally from God; he is called the Father of mercies (2 Corinthians 1:3), becaus…

Exodus 20:5. For I the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation, of them that hate me. 1. I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.] The first reason why Israel must not worship graven images, is bec…

Our senses may fail us, but the promise cannot, being built upon the truth of God; God will not deceive the faith of his people, in fact he cannot; God which cannot lie has promised: he can as well part with his deity, as his verity. God is said to be abundant in truth, (Exodus…

This rest is when the saints shall lie on Christ's bosom, that hive of sweetness, that bed of perfume. 8. The saints shall in the Kingdom of Heaven have their bodies richly bespangled with glory; they shall be full of clarity and brightness, as Moses' face shone, so that Israel…

First, I shall lay down these twelve positions: 1. It is the great design of the Scripture to represent God as merciful. This is a loadstone to draw sinners to him (Exodus 34:6): "The Lord merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness," etc. Here are six expressions t…

Surely from a conceit that God is made up all of mercy. 'Tis true God is merciful, but also he is just (Exodus 34:6-7): Keeping mercy for thousands, and that will by no means clear the guilty. If a king did proclaim that only those should be pardoned who came in and submitted, s…

4. Men seek not after the forgiveness of sin, through a bold presumption of mercy, they conceit God to be made up all of mercy, and that he will indulge them, though they take little or no pains to sue out their pardon. It is true, God is merciful, but withal he is just, he will…

Second, Jesus Christ, as he is made and set forth to be righteousness to the sons of men. For the first, in Exodus 34:4-7 the Lord proclaimed his name: 'The Lord God, merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniqu…

In which forlorn condition, what is there to be found to relieve and support this man? But only one thing, which is here held forth to him: the name of the Lord, for him to trust and stay himself upon — both that name of God (Exodus 34:6), 'The Lord God, gracious and merciful,'…

Cain contrariwise brought not the best of his fruits, but either the worst, or whatsoever came first to hand; as thinking that whatsoever he brought, was good enough: therefore worthily is Abel said to have offered a better sacrifice than Cain. And further, this holy practice of…

3 Branch. See what high thoughts God has of the righteous, he looks upon them more excellent than others, and his judgment is best worth prizing; the saints have low thoughts of themselves, they overlook their own worth, like Moses who knew not that his face shined (Exodus 34:29…

A second carnal principle is, that there is no such reality in the threatenings of God as there is in His promises, as if He were utterly averse from executing a threatening, and as if it were a rare thing to Him to condemn any; and is there anything more opposite to Scripture t…

(Romans 2:8-9) Indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that does evil; which one place, putting the four words together says, 1. That there is sorrow most certainly and inseparably on every soul that has sinned, and 2. That this sorrow is exceeding…

2. How is man freed from this sinfulness and misery? Answer: He cannot be free from it, till there be a condign satisfaction made to divine justice; wounding and bruising must be to procure pardon, and stripes must be to procure healing, and chastisement must be to bring about o…

4. It is implied here, that sin wherever it is deserves strokes, even the sin of the elect; Indeed we may add this to it, that not only do the sins of the elect deserve strokes in themselves, being breaches of God's Law, but that there is an actual curse standing against them ti…

Use 2: It gives a great commendation to the grace of God in Christ Jesus; it makes grace wonderfully glorious, that takes the sinner at this nick, and in this pinch. We shall not dispute here; nor is it needful, nor edifying, whether God might have forgiven sin freely, without a…

All similitudes and representations of God are discharged. 4. In our addresses to God through the Mediator; we would rest our faith on what is revealed in the Word, seeking rather to take up God, and Christ as they are revealed in it, than without the Word, to seek satisfaction…

(Psalm 34:5) "They looked to him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed." 2. That we should pray so as that the heart may be raised and lifted up to God, and in some sort made like God; when Christ prayed to God he is made partaker of the divine glory, as Moses als…

Where observe, 1. That he fasted forty days, and forty nights; so did Moses when he received the law (Exodus 34:28). And at the restoring of the law Elijah did the like (1 Kings 19:8).

1. Of the first consideration, if Christ's prayer were of ordinary import it teaches us, that we should pray so that the heart may be raised and lifted to God in prayer, and in some sort made like to God, let us state this matter aright. 1. It must be granted that this shining o…

He gives directions about the manner of worship, but supposes it, that he will be worshipped. When God had proclaimed his name and manifested himself to Moses (Exodus 34:8), Moses made haste, and bowed himself and worshipped. It is the crime charged upon the Gentiles, that when…

There some Moses must needs come between as a Mediator, and yet notwithstanding without any fruit, as I will declare hereafter. To this purpose serves that place in 2 Corinthians 3 concerning the covered face of Moses, where Paul out of the history of Exodus 34 shows that the ch…

No where. For Moses himself confesses that he is not such a one: for he says in Exodus 34 that none is innocent before God. And David says: Lord, enter not into judgment with your servant, for no flesh is righteous in your sight.

This authority shows itself, specially in two things: in the marriage, and in the calling of the child. In the marriage of the child, the parent is the principal agent, and the disposer thereof (Deuteronomy 7:3; Exodus 34:16; 1 Corinthians 7:38). Where observe, that the commandm…

Some think he calls this a strange work, because nothing agrees better to God's nature than to show mercy in pardoning sins: for when he is angry, it is against his liking, and therefore puts upon him another nature as it were contrary to his own. Because in (Exodus 34:6) he pro…

What is lawful and proper the Lord has comprehended under the ten words. Where the English version gives the words, ten commandments, the phrase in the original Hebrew is, עשרת הדברים, the ten words, (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4.) — Editor Now as it is possible that man…

For nothing can encourage a sinner as such, but under this consideration, that it is, or it respects forgiveness. That this Graciousness of Gods nature, lyes at the head or spring, and is the root from whence forgiveness does grow, is manifest from that solemn Proclamation which…

See (Psalm 122:3, 6). 3. When believers get nearest Christ for themselves, it's then the fit time to deal with him for others, especially for the Church whereof they are members: it's Moses's only express suit (Exodus 34:9), when God admits him to his company (in presenting wher…

Seventhly, and lastly, it is said that when Moses came down from the mount after his long converse with God, his face shone with such a divine and heavenly luster, that the Israelites were dazzled with the brightness, and could not steadfastly look upon him; and that therefore h…

"But if you will not hearken to me to hallow the Sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched." Indeed, God was so exacting about this, that he descends to a particular prohibition of seve…

Secondly, whether God does always observe this method of revenging the fathers' crimes upon their posterity and offspring? First, for the former query: There seems some difficulty in reconciling Scripture to itself in this particular, and in reconciling such a proceeding to just…

They see God's name, that is, the glorious attributes of his name displayed. God proclaimed his name before Moses when he caused his goodness to pass before him; and discovered himself to be the Lord, the Lord God gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in lovingkindness,…

The people of Israel were generally surrounded with enemies, that sought all opportunities to destroy them, and dispossess them of their land; and till David's time there were great numbers in the land of the remains of the Canaanites, and the other former inhabitants of the lan…

We read in Scripture of three, whose faces shone remarkably, and they were all three eminent for meekness. The face of Moses shone (Exodus 34:30), and he was the meekest of all the men on earth. The face of Stephen shone (Acts 6:15), and he it was, who in the midst of a shower o…

For all things being made good, there could be no place for the exercise of any of these properties, or manifestation of them. The whole fabric of heaven and earth considered in itself, as at first created, will not discover any such thing as patience and forbearance in God; whi…

That the name of God is here taken personally and for the person of the Father, not essentially, is evident from verse 9, where he is distinguished from his only begotten Son whom he sends into the world. Now says the apostle, the Father is love — that is, not only of an infinit…

Consider then, to keep your heart in continual awe of the majesty of God, that persons of the most high and eminent attainments, of the nearest and most familiar communion with God, do yet in this life know but a very little of him, and his glory. God reveals his name to Moses,…

The Lord's dealing with the wicked in those times before he swept them away by the deluge, is in these two. 1. Long suffering, and withal clear warning; long suffering, (Exodus 34) long forbearing to be angry, as the Hebrew word is in his name; which supposes a great provocation…

1. It is his glory to forgive sins. Exodus 33:18. And he said, I beseech you show me your glory; compared with Exodus 34:6-7. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

It is not speculations about the divine nature, or high-strained conceptions, which does fit us for prayer: the discoursing of these things with some singularity, or terms removed from common understanding, this is not that which I press you to; but such a sight of God, as promp…

Beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same Image. The contemplative sight of God was transforming: they had some Print of Gods Holiness upon them; as Moses when he had been on the Mount with God, his face shined, Exodus 34:35. What is Godliness b…

Holiness without Mercy, and Justice without Mercy would be terrible. Think of Gods Veracity, Exodus 34:6. Abundant in Truth; that is, God will be so far from coming short of his word, that he does more then he has said.

Ointment in the box does not yield such a fragrance as when it is poured out. God has proclaimed his name (Exodus 34:6): "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth." God has given this description of himself, and the saints oft…

The wisdom of God in the Word shows your duty, his power what need you have to bind it on your hearts, and your case is not without hope, for you have to do with a good God: there is no mercy to such as fear not his powerful justice, and no justice for such as flee from it to hi…

Whatever you do, keep a good conscience toward God and men, and though the children of this world should call you fools, yet they will call themselves fools another day, for calling you so now: it is undoubtedly better and more profitable to please God than men; and what will it…

What shall we say? It is God, who is (as his name is (Exodus 34:6; Numbers 10:18; Psalm 86:15), and as he was yesterday, he is today) the God of grace and patience (Romans 15:5), and rich in it (Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:13-16). Indeed, we are all living monuments and…

And though it may be understood in verse 23 of that chapter to signify an overcoming spiritual glory, as the principal thing there intended, such as no soul dwelling in flesh could behold without rending the veil and breaking all to pieces; yet, even there also, may such a degre…

And if God establish David's seed forever (Psalm 89:4) and the seed of his people shall possess the gates of their enemies (Genesis 24:60) and if he pour his Spirit upon the seed of Jacob (Isaiah 44:3) and circumcise the heart of the seed of his people (Deuteronomy 30:6) and put…

By civil use I understand that use which is made of them in the common societies of men, outside the appointed places of the solemn worship of God. That this is lawful appears because the arts of painting and engraving are the ordinance of God, and to be skillful in them is the…

1. For his artifice, in working us in this life. Learned Cameron has but one note upon this whole fifth chapter, and it falls to be upon this very word [who has wrought] and it is this: This word (says he) as used by the Septuagint, signifies Rem expolire rudem & informem, to po…

Indeed, God was so exacting about this, that he descends to a particular prohibition of several sorts of works which he would not have to be done on the Sabbath day; on that day the Israelites were not to gather manna (Exodus 16:27), nor to gather in their harvest (Exodus 34:21)…

In the law, he that could not bring a lamb for an offering, if he brought but two turtle-doves, it sufficed. We read (Exodus 35) the people brought gold and silver and goats' hair to the building of the tabernacle. On which Origen says: 'I desire, Lord, to bring something to the…

Mary Magdalen had before sinned in her eye, by adulterous glances, and now she will be revenged on her eyes; she washs Christs feet with her tears; she had sinned in her hair, it had intangled her Lovers; now she will be revenged on her hair; she wipes Christs feet with it . The…

Through thy precepts I get understanding. This glass both shows us our spots, and takes them away; it may be compared to the Laver which was made of the women's looking-glasses, Exodus 38.8. It was both a glass and a Laver; a glass to look in, and a Laver to wash in; so the Law…

3. They are washed with milk, that is, most clean, white and pure. 4. They are fitly set, or (as the word is) set in fullness, like the stones in Aaron's breastplate (Exodus 39:10), (where the same word is) signifying that there is no deformity in them, but like curious jewels,…

Romans 2:4: The goodness of God leads you to repentance. But despair hides mercy out of sight, as the cloud covered the ark (Exodus 39). Take heed of this; despair is an irrational sin — there is no ground for it.

Dwelling, notes the continuance and consistency of darkness, he does not say, let a cloud pass over it, (for clouds properly are unfixed, clouds move continually, and are carried on the wings of the wind;) but Job would have his cloud a fixed cloud, a cloud so black and so stron…

"For I will appear in the tabernacle upon the mercy-seat." We read elsewhere of the cloud of glory descending into the tabernacle, Exodus 40:35; and so we do likewise with respect to Solomon's temple. But we have no account that this cloud of glory was in the second temple.

But yet this seems not to satisfy. 1. Circumcision, and the ceremonies; and the priesthood (Exodus 40:15), (Leviticus 16:29) the fast in the seventh month, shall be a statute, for ever. (Leviticus 6:18) All the [reconstructed: males] of the sons of Aaron shall eat the remainder…