would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. Ne. vi. 11. He that knew not (saith Jesus), and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Lu. xii. 48. Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 1 Co. iv. 8. Exhort servants to be obedient; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Tit. ii. 10.

How then can I do this, &c.] God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife. And God said unto "him" (“Abimelech”) in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me

therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. Ge. xx. 3. 6. The man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Le. xx. 10. And when the mourning (for Uriah) was past, David sent and fetched her (Bath-sheba, Uriah's wife) to his house; and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. 2 Sa. xi. 27. If any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; if mine heart hath been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door; this is an heinous crime: it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase; for destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. Job xxxi. 7. 9. 11, 12. 23. See Pr. vi. 29. 32. at verse 8. They (the Jews) were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? Je. v. 8, 9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, &c. &c. shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Co. vi. 9, 10. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, &c. &c. and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that

Be

they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Ga. v. 19. 21. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. He. xiii. 4. Murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Re. xxi. 8. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Re. xxii. 15.

Sin against God.] And Joseph said unto "them "" ("his brethren") the third day (of their being in ward), This do, and live; for I fear God. Ge. xlii. 18. If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the Lord. Le. vi. 2. 6. But if ye (the Reubenites) will not "do so ("go out armed to subdue their enemies east of Jordan," &c.), behold, ye have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. Nu. xxxii. 23. And David said unto Nathan (who had addressed to him the parable of the ewe lamb), I have sinned against the Lord (in taking Uriah's wife to be my wife). And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin. Thou shalt not die. 2 Sa. xii. 13. The former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I (Nehemiah), because of the fear of God. Ne. v. 15. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Ps. li. 4. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth (0 Hanuniah); this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord. Je. xxviii. 16. All that found "them" ("my people," as sheep forsaken by their shepherds) have devoured them; and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, even the Lord, the hope of their fathers. Je. 1. 7. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. 1 John iii. 9.

10 As she spake to Joseph, &c.] See verse 8. and com. By means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread; and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Pr. vi. 26.

Or to be with her.] My son, walk not thou in the way with "them" (“ sinners"); refrain thy foot from their path. Pr. i. 15. Remove thy way far from "her" ("the strange woman"), and come not nigh the door of her house. Pr. v. 8. What? know ye not that

And

your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Co. vi. 19. Be not deceived, evil communication corrupts good manners. 1 Co. xv. 33. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Th. v. 22. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 1 Ti. v. 14. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Ti. ii. 22. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. 1 Pe. ii. 11.

11 None of the men of the house, &c.] The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me, and disguiseth his face. Job xxiv. 15. Stolen waters are sweet (saith the foolish woman), and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Pr. ix. 17. Can any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. Je. xxiii. 24. I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the adulterers, saith the Lord of hosts. Mal. iii. 5. But fornication, and all uncleanness, let it not be named among you, as becometh saints; for it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. Ep. v. 3. 12.

12 She caught him.] See verses 8. 10. and com. I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands. Whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her. Ec. vi. 26. And there followed him (Jesus) a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body: and the young men laid hold on him; and he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked. Mar. xiv. 51, 52. See com. on "Or be with her," verse 10.

14 An Hebrew.] See verse 17. Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born. Ge. x. 21. See chap. xiv. 13 under "The Hebrew." What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Ps. cxx. 3.

Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee which art infamous, and much vexed. Ex. xxii. 5.

Is.

He came in unto me.] See verse 7 and com. False witnesses did rise up: they laid to my charge things that I knew not. Ps. XXXV. 11. I mourn in my complaint, because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. Ps. lv. 3. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. Pr. x. 18. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness; the people in whose heart is my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. li. 7. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against "thee" (the "Church of Christ") in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Is. liv. 17. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Mat. v. 11. Now the chief priests and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death. Mat. xxvi. 59. And they began to accuse him (Jesus), saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, saying, That he himself is Christ a king. Lu. xxiii. 2. We beseech you that ye receive not the grace of God in vain, but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report. 2 Co. vi. 1. 4. 8. What glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 1 Pe. ii. 20. But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ; for it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust,

that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Pe. iii. 14-18. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Pe. iv. 14-19.

16 Laid up his garment.] The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth; the wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. Ps. xxxvii. 12. 32. My people is foolish, they have not known me; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. Je. iv. 22. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord. And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity. Je. ix. 3. 5. For we ourselves were sometimes foolish, hateful, and hating one another. Tit. iii. 3.

17 The Hebrew servant, &c.] See verse 14 and com. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Ex. xx. 16. Thou shalt not raise a false report. Ex. xxiii. 1. And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 1 Ki. xviii. 17. And "she" ("Zezebel") wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people; and set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And the men of his city did as Jezebel had sent unto them; then they carried him forth, and stoned him with stones that he died. 1 Ki. xxi. 9-13. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Ps. xxxvii. 14. I mourn because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked, for they cast iniquity upon me, and

in wrath they hate me. Ps. lv. 3. Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper. Ps. cxx. 2, 3, 4. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but a for moment. Pr. xii. 19. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Pr. xix. 5. 9. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He (Jesus) hath spoken blasphemy (in saying we should see the Son of man coming in the clouds from heaven); what further need have we of witnesses? Mat. xxvi. 65.

19 Heard the words of his wife.] I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not, I searched out. Job xxix. 16. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just ; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. Pr. xviii. 17. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. Pr. xxix. 12. It is not the manner of the Romans (said Festus, declaring Paul's cause to the king Agrippa) to deliver any man to die before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Ac. xxv. 16. For this cause (as they received not the love of truth) God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. 2 Th. ii. 11.

His wrath was kindled.] Cain was very wroth (that the Lord had no respect to his offering), and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? Ge. iv. 5, 6. Jealousy is the rage of a man ; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom, neither will he rest content though thou givest many gifts. Pr. vi. 34, 35. Jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. viii. 6.

Ca.

20 Into the prison.] I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Ge. xl. 15. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they

Ge.

brought him hastily out of the dungeon. xli. 14. Whose feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in iron until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. Ps. cv. 18, 19. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. Is. liii. 8.

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Da. iii. 21, 22. I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds (saith Paul): but the word of God is not bound. 2 Ti. ii. 9. For this is thank worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 1 Pe. ii. 19. The king's prisoners.] It came to pass that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers: and he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. Indeed (said Joseph to the butler, having interpreted his dream) I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews; and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Ge. xl. 1, 2, 3. 15. Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward, both me and the chief baker: and we dreamed a dream in one night, and there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and he interpreted to us our dreams: and it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him (the baker) he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. Ge. xli. 9-14. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. Ps. lxxvi. 10.

21 The Lord was with Joseph, &c.] See verse 2 and com. The archers have sorely grieved him (said Jacob of his son Joseph), and shot at him, and hated him: but his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel). Ge. xlix. 23, 24. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions'

mouths (said Daniel), that they have not hurt me, forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me: and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Da. vi. 22. If God be for us, who can be against us? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, &c.? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Ro. viii. 31-37. Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled: for it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 1 Pe. iii. 13, 14. 17. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Pe. iv. 14. 16.

Gave him favour, &c.] And he (Pharaok) put "them" (his" butler" and "baker") in ward, in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. Ge. xl. 3. And I will give this people (Israel) favour in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall come to pass, that when ye go, ye shall not go empty. Ex. iii. 21. And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Ex. xi. 3. And the Lord gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyp tians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required, and they spoiled the Egyptians. Ex. xii. 36. Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him (Joseph); the king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: to bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. Ps. cv. 19-22. He made them (Israel) also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. Ps. cvi. 46. When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Pr. xvi. 7. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. Da. i. 9. The patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. At. vii. 9, 10.

22 Committed to Joseph's hand.] See vers