Exodus 23

Exodus 23:1

SHalt not raise] By being the author or divulger thereof. Others have it, shalt not receive, that is to say, thou shalt not give eare unto it, nor lightly believe it.

Exodus 23:2

A Multitude] The Italian hath it, After great ones] That is to say, for to make thy selfe partiall with them: others have it after a multitude.

Exodus 23:3

Countenance] Regarding his poverty, and not the justice of the cause.

Exodus 23:5

Wouldest forbeare] Or, wouldest thou forbeare from freeing of him?

Exodus 23:6

Of harvest] Namely at Pentecost, when they offered two leaves, for the first fruits of harvest: Leviticus 23:17 Of in gathering] The Feast of the Tabernacles, after all 〈◊〉 were brought in both of fields, vines, and trees. Deuteronomy 16:13 Of the yeare] Namely of the politick yeare which begins in September; for there was an holy yeare, which began in March, se Exodus 12:2.

Exodus 23:7

From a false matter] The Italian hath it, From false speaking] In the accusation, by not receiving it, and in the sentence, by not giving it will not justifie] In my soveraigne judgement, I will correct all false humane judgements, and will do justice as well against the Judges as against the parties. Neither is this contrary to the free justification of a sinner, through Gods absolute grace, by the meanes of Faith: Romans 4:5. because that in the precedent act, God is brought in as a Judge, doing according to the rigor of the Law; and in this last he proceedeth as Soveraigne, and absolute Lord, pardoning whom hee pleaseth.

Exodus 23:8

No gift] Namely gifts to corrupt judgement Perverteth] Maketh them neither speak, nor judge aright: or frustrates all the reasons of a good cause.

Exodus 23:11

Let it rest] Doing nothing with it, neither plowing, sowing, nor reaping The poore] Let the fruit of the trees, and whatsoever else the earth brings forth of it selfe, be common to all men. Levit. 25. 6, 7. and so let the poore bee relieved.

Exodus 23:12

And the sonne of] The slave borne in thy house, and the purchased stranger, and the hired servant.

Exodus 23:15

Of unleavened bread] That is the Passeover Before me] In my Temple, where I shew my selfe in the signes of my grace and power Empty] Without an offering.

Exodus 23:17

Three times] That is to say, at these three feasts.

Exodus 23:18

Of my sacrifice] This is indeed a Law common to all sacrifices: Levit. 2. 11. but here is particularly meant the Paschall Lambe, which is also called a sacrifice: Exodus 12:27 with leavened bread] As Exodus 12:8 The fat] No part of the Lambe was to be offered in burnt offering, 2 Chron. 35. 12. 14. and therefore in that expresly consisted, the figure of the singular sacrifice of Christ, offered but once, Heb. 9. 26. and 10 12.

Exodus 23:19

In his mothers milk] Whilest it was as yet all milke, being newly borne, because the Lambe that was offered for a stling was to be seven dayes old: Exodus 22:30. Leviticus 22:27. being also to be eaten: Deuteronomy 14:21.

Exodus 23:20

I send] The Holy Trinity speaking in the Sonnes person, sendeth the Sonne of God: Isaiah 48:16. to accomplish that worke in his own person; as it appeareth by Exodus 32:2-3. Acts 7. 38, 39. 1 Corinth. 10. 9. Hebrews 12:26. see upon Genesis 10:7. Exo. 13. 21. and 14. 19 Into the place] Into the land of Canaan.

Exodus 23:21

Provoke him not] Be not rebellious unto him My name] He is of the one essence, and glory, with me the Father, see John. 10. 38. and 14. 11. and 17. 1.

Exodus 23:22

An adversary] I will afflict them, as shall afflict thee.

Exodus 23:24

Overthrow them] Those wicked people, together with their Idols.

Exodus 23:26

The number] The naturall course of thy life.

Exodus 23:28

Hornets] Some understand this according to the letter, Joshua 24:12. Others figuratively, from a suddaine, gene all, and unavoydable invasion of the people comming upon their enemies with Gods assistance, as Psal. 118. 12.

Exodus 23:31

Of the histines] That is to say, the Mediterrar an, upon whose cost the Philistines Countrie was: Unto the River] Euphrates: This was fulfilled under David and Solomon. 2 Samuel 8:3. 1 Kings 4:21.

Exodus 23:32

Nor with their] Thou shalt make no covenant with them, neither in matters of policy nor of religion.

Exodus 23:33

It wil surely be] That conversation and familiarny, would almost be an inevitable inticement to idoltry, and consequently an occasion of perdition and ruine.