Exodus 20

Exodus 20:3

GOds] Idols, to whom idolaters do falsly attribute any divinity; see 1 Corinthians 8:4-5:Before me] in my Church, where I am present in grace and power, wherfore idolatry in it, is like an adultery committed before the husbands eyes, and despighteth God to his face, Isaiah 65:3; Isaiah 65:5.

Exodus 20:4

Image] No representation of God absolutely: Nor likenesse of any creature to yeeld unto it any part of divine honor and service.

Exodus 20:5

Jealous] Impatient to see my divine glory taken from me, or imparted unto any else: and an uplacable revenger of this misdeed, Isa: 48. 〈◊〉Visiting] I inquire after it and punish it; Of the Fathers] As concerning eternall judgement upon the soule, every one dieth for his own iniquity, Jeremiah 31:30. but for the fathers sins, the children are often punished in body, in goods and other things, which they hold, and derive from their fathers, Numbers 14:33 Sam. 12. 1 & 21. 5, 14: And besides, God often times cuseth the generation of the wicked, withdrawing his grace and spirit from it, wherby imitating their parents wickednesse, they are punished in the same manner, 1 Same 15 2: Matthew 23:32; Matthew 23:35.

Exodus 20:7

Shalt not take] That is to say in oathes, and other kind of frivolous, unprofitable, rasi, false and impious speeches.

Exodus 20:8

To keepe it Holy] To keep it, as consecrated to divine exercises of piety, and religion, Isay 58 13. and effectually employ it wholly therein.

Exodus 20:10

Of the Lord] The Italian To the Lord] and dedicated to him and to his service: Any work] That is to say servile or toilesome labour or diligence about corporall things: Exodus 34:21. Leviticus 23 7. Numbers 28:18 That is] That dwelleth with thee in the same city or countrey.

Exodus 20:12

May be] Or that they may bee prolonged through them, that is to say, that they may be instruments and a meanes of it, by their blessing, and that this good may befall thee from God by their means.

Exodus 20:18

Saw] They could perceive and hear plainly; They removed] The Italian hathIt trembled] or went further off and fled.

Exodus 20:19

Speake thou] This request of the people was approved of, and allowed by God, Deuteronomy 5:28. and by this interposition of Moses, was figured the necessity of the great Mediator between God and men: See Gal. 3 19. Which was also promised upon this occasion, Deuteronomy 18:16.

Exodus 20:20

To prove you] Whether this terror will breed in you a holy feare and reverence, which is the 〈◊〉 spring of obedience.

Exodus 20:21

Where] Where he shewed the power of his presence, by these admirable effects and signes.

Exodus 20:22

From Heaven] From above, on high in the aire, on the top of the mount, Deu: 4. 36. Nehemiah 9:1-38. 5. And therefore, Hebrews 12:25-26: It is said that he had spoken on earth.

Exodus 20:23

Ye shall not make] Imagine none in your minds, neither shape any with your handy work, neither set it up to be worshipped, through any custome or authority.

Exodus 20:24

An Altar] This is to be understood of some altars set up for some extraordinary service, Deuteronomy 27:5. Joshua 8:31. or made only for the mean time, until the Tabernacle was built, where the Altar was made of wood, or till the Temple was built where it was made of brasse: Exod. 27. 1. 1 King. 8. 64. And it seemeth that God would have such transitory altars, to be of some meane stuffe, and of no durable forme, because that in ensuing times, they might not divert the people from the only altar, upon which he delighted to be servd. Deuteron. 12. 5. see Jos. 22. 16. 19. 23. in token of the onely altar of the crosse of Christ, Burnt offerings] See Leviticus 1:3 Peace offerings] See Leviticus 3:1 In all places] Build no constant altars, to fixe as it were my grace upon any place, at thy pleasure. For I will heare thee indifferently in any place where I shall give thee occasion or command to call upon me.

Exodus 20:25

Thou hast] Thou having transgressed my commandement, the altar shall no more be holy, to sanctifie the offering, Matth. 23. 19.

Exodus 20:26

By steps] This was in part changed in ensuing times when God caused the brazen altar to be made ten cubites high, 2 Chro. 4 1. with an ascent: Eec. 43. 17. providing for modestie the Priests linnen breeches. Exod. 27. 42. Now the occasion of this commandement seemeth to be taken, from the shamefull shewes and actions which the Pagans used in their sacrifices.