A briefe exposition of such chapters of the olde testament as vsually are redde in the church at common praier on the Sondayes set forth for the better helpe and instruction of the vnlearned. By Thomas Cooper Bishop of Lincolne.

The fifte Sunday in Lent at Morning prayer.

Exodus. 3.

MOyses kept the shéepe of Iethro his father in lawe [ A] priest of Madian: and he droue the flocke to the backside of the desert, and came to the Mountaine of God Horeb. 2 And the Angell of the Lorde appeared vnto hym in a flame of fyre out of the middest of a bushe. And he looked, and beholde the bushe burned wyth fyre, and the bushe was not consumed.

3 Therefore Moyses sayde, I will go nowe, and sée this great sight, howe it commeth that the bushe burneth not.

4 And when the Lorde sawe that he came for to sée, God

called vnto him out of the middest of the bushe, and sayde, Moyses, Moyses? And he answered, Here am I.

5 And he saide, Drawe not nigh bither: put thy shwes of thy féete, for the place wheron thou standest is holy ground.

6 And he saide, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob. And Moyses hid his face: for he was afrayde to looke vpon God.

[ B] 7 And the Lorde sayde, I haue surely séene the trouble of my people which are in Egypt, and haue heard their crye from the face of their taske maisters: for I knowe their sor∣rowes. 8 And am come downe to deliuer them out of the hande of the Egiptians, and to bring them out of that land, vnto a good lande and a large, vnto a lande that floweth with mylke and hony, (euen) vnto the place of the Chanaanites, and Hethites, and Amorites, and Pherezites, and Heuites, and of the Iebu••ites.

9 Nowe therefore beholde the complaint of the children of Israel is come vnto me: and I haue also séene the oppres∣sion wherewith the Egiptians oppressed them.

[ C] 10 Come thou therfore, and I will send thée vnto Pharao, that thou mayest bring my people the children of Israel out of Egypt, 11 And Moyses ••aide vnto God, what am I to go vnto Pharao, and to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And he answered, For I will be with thée: and this shall be a token vnto thée that I haue sent thée, After that thou hast brought the people out of Egipt, ye shall serue God vpon this mountaine. 13 And Moyses sayde vnto God, Beholde, (vvhen) I come vnto the children of Israel, and shall say vnto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me vnto you: And if they saye vnto me, what is his name? what answere shall I giue them?

14 And God answered Moyses, I am that I am. And he said, Thus shalt thou say vnto the children of Israel, I am hath sēt me vnto you. 15 And God spake further vnto Moses.

Thus shalt thou say vnto the children of Israel. The Lorde God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of I∣saac, and the God of Iacob hath sent me vnto you: This is my name for euer, and this is my memoriall into genera∣tion and generation. 16 Go, and gather the elders of Is∣rael [ D] togither, and thou shalt say vnto them, The Lorde God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob appeared vnto me, and sayde, In vi∣siting, haue I visited you, and knowe that which is done to you in Egypt. 17 And I haue sayde, I will bring you out of the tribulation of Egypt, vnto the lande of the Chanaa∣nites, and Hethites, and Amorites, & Pherezites, and He∣uites, and Iebusites, (euen) into a lande which floweth with milke and hony. 18 And they shall heare thy voyce: then both thou and the elders of Israel shall go vnto the king of Egypt, and saye vnto him, The Lorde God of the Hebrews hath met wyth vs, and nowe let vs go we beséech thée thrée dayes iourney into the wildernesse, and doe sacrifice vnto the Lorde our God. 19 And I am sure that the King of Egypt will not let you go, no not in a mightie hande.

20 And I will stretch out my hande, and smite Egypt with all my woonders which I will doe in the mids thereof: and after that he will let you go.

21 And I will get this people fauour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that when ye go, ye shall not go emptie.

22 But euerye wyfe shall borowe of her neighbour and of her that soiourneth in her house, Iewels of Siluer, and Iewels of Golde, and rayment: and ye shall put them on your sonnes and daughters, and shall robbe the Egiptians.

The Exposition vpon the thirde Chapter of Exodus.

Moses kept the sheepe of Iethro his father in lawe priest of Madian,* 1.1 &c.

AS in the other Chapters be∣fore haue bene declared the great Op∣pression and Miserie of the children of Israell in Aegypt, so in this Chapter and the residue folowing, is set forth the great and mercifull Goodnesse of Almightye God deliuering them from the same. And as tou∣ching Moises, whom God had chosen to be his In∣strument herein, we may in him learne howe God vseth commonly to deale with his Elect. This Mo∣ses was at this time of all men in the worlde most acceptable to God, whome euen from his mothers wombe he had chosen to be the Deliuerer of hys people, and the Publisher of his lawe. And yet it pleased him to suffer the same Moyses to be in Ba∣nishment * fortie yeares,* 1.2 not onely among heathen persons, but in the poore and harde condition of a Sheepehearde. And yet may we not thinke, that God at the same time did Contemne Moyses, but vndoubtedly had great Care of him, and while he was in the trauaile of a Sheepeheard,* 1.3 did prepare for him an Office farre aboue the Dignitie or ma∣iestie of any earthly Prince. The like we see in Io∣seph, in Dauid, in Daniel, and in our sauiour Christ himselfe.

And the Angell of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire,* 1.4 &c.

When God of his goodnes was disposed to De∣liuer his people out of Aegypt, because of 〈…〉〈…〉 matter of Great weight, & in the sight of 〈…〉〈…〉 Vnpossible, the Egyptians being Mighty 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the Israelites Poore and miserable, and for that Moyses might doubt of his Calling to so great a purpose: God vseth at the beginning a stravnge and woonderfull Miracle of a Fyre burning in a bush, and yet the bush not consumed therewith. I thinke it not so profitable to recite the Allegories, that many interpreters do mention in this place. For the true and simple 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is, as I haue sayde, that God purposing to call Moyses to Deli∣uer his people, doth Confirme him there in by this Miracle of the burning Bushe, that he might not Doubt, but that the voyce that spake 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him was in dede from God, and not by the Delusion of any Man.

And when the Lorde sawe that he came to see,* 1.5 God called vnto him, &c.

It is no repugnancie, that the Scripture be∣fore reported, that the Angel appeared in a Fla••e office, & here in this place ••yth, that God Called Moyses. For God speaketh by his Angels, as he doth by his Prophets and other Ministers. God is the Maister and Instructer, and the Angell is the Minister in the name and authoritie of God doing the Message.

When he sayth, The place is holy, he meaneth not that the Ground or earth was of it selfe more Holy

or acceptable to GOD than anye other place was. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God minded in that place to Reueale himselfe and his holy Will vnto Moyses, and afterwardes in the same place to Publishe his lawe and blessed Worde, and therefore he doth call it Holy. For like cause ••acob called the Place where in a * dreame he saw•••• ladder goyng vp to heauen,* 1.6 and the Lorde standing at the toppe of it, by the name of The ter∣rible house of God and gate of heauen.

Hierusalem is * called the Holy Citie,* 1.7 because Gods worde and his true worship was there de∣clared. Take away the Worde of God, and his di∣uine Presence, and the Place of it selfe is Indiffe∣rent as other are.

As touching that God willeth Moyses to put of his Shooes, by that token or ceremonie of his Bare feete he woulde strike into him a Reuerence towarde that Vision, that in the name of God ap∣peared vnto him: And also that he should now re∣signe, and giue ouer that State, that he was in at that time, and submit himselfe wholy to the Will of God, nowe at this time reuealed vnto him, and to this present calling to be the Deliuerer of his peo∣ple.* 1.8 For in y^e .4. of Ruth, the putting off of the Shoe is a token of Resigning or giuing ouer his Right to an other.

I am the God of thy father,* 1.9 the God ••f A∣braham, the God of Isaac, &c.

This is that notable Sentence which Christ v∣seth in the* 1.10 .22. of Math. to proue the Resurrection,

and that the Soule liueth after it is Depart••d from the body, and therewith stopped the mouthes of the Saduces.

And the Lorde sayde,* 1.11 I haue surely seene the trouble of my people, &c.

Such is the goodnesse of God, that when helpe and succour seemeth vtterly Desperate, then he of∣fereth his mercie, and mightlly Deliuereth, euen when his people Least thinke of it. Thereby are we taught at no time to Despayre of Gods Help, seeme it neuer so Hard or Vnpossible to the world. Then is Gods Glorie most set foorth, when in greatest Difficultie he Deliuereth. The Israelites were nowe more Vniust in the sight of God ••hen that they might Hope for any Reliefe at his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 For they had almost Forgot GOD and his true Worship. And is the world they were more Weak and Miserable, then eyther three, many man see them, coulde Deuise whiche ware it ••ought he wrought. In this great Distresse God calleth ••••∣ses, and offereth their Deliuerance, not in respect of any Worthinesse in them, but partly of his great Pitie that he tooke of their miserie and a••••••iction▪ partly for the truth of his * Promises,* 1.12 that he had made to their Forefathers▪ Abraham, Isaac, and Ia∣cob. And herby teacheth vs, to the great strength∣ning of our fayth, that although there be much vn∣worthinesse in vs, yet▪ for his truthes sake, and for the Glorie of his name; he will fulfill his Promi∣ses, and worke the safetie of his people agaynst all

the gates of hell.

Come thou therefore,* 1.13 and I will sende thee vnto Pharao, &c.

Here Moyses is called to this office of a Deli∣uerer of the people of GOD, and we by him are taught not Ambiciously to offer our selues to any high Office or Function, but diligently to followe that State, that we be in, and loke in all things for the Calling of God, eyther by himselfe, or by hys Officers, to whome he hath giuen Authoritie.

And Moises sayde vnto God,* 1.14 what am I to go vnto Pharao, &c.

This Refusall was not of Disobedience to the will and calling of God, but a Confessing and ac∣knowledging of his Infirmitie, as afterwarde G••deon and othere did.* 1.15 As if he had sayde, I am but a poore Sheepehearde, and sea••t hable to kepe my sheepe from the wilde beastes of the Desert: But the Aegyptians are a Mightie people, and their king a sterne and Prowde Tiranne: there∣fore, O Lorde, I see a great vnfitnesse in my selfe for such a purpose. As it is Sinne to withstande the Calling of God, so is it a Vertue to acknow∣ledge his Weakenesse and Dishabilitie.

And he answered,* 1.16 for I will be with thee: and this shall be a token, &c.

If God had promised Moyses an infinite num∣ber of mightie Armyes to worke this exployte, it

had not bene halfe so much as that in this place he offereth.* 1.17 * For if God himselfe be with vs, all the Power of y^e World is in vaine against vs. He doth also strengthen his Weakenesse with further assu∣rance that this his calling should be of such Force, and of so good Effect in the ende, that in the same Place, He and they togither, should Worship theyr God, that hath Deliuered them.

And Moyses said vnto God,* 1.18 when I come vnto the children of Israel, &c.

Moyses being nowe well Confirmed for him∣selfe, and his owne Calling, desireth also that he may be hable by some euident meanes to Assure the Israelites of the same, least, when he came vn∣to them and declared, that he was appoynted their Capitain and Deliuerer, they should Refuse him, and aske from what God he was sent. For the Is∣raelites being brought vp a long time among Ido∣latours in Aegypt, had almost forgot the True and liuing God of their fathers. Therefore Moises de∣sireth to know here the Name of God, which was some Timerous Curiositie in Moyses, and there∣fore God by his answere signifieth, that he should Stay himselfe vpon his Worde and Promises made both now to him, and before time to his and their forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, rather then to enquire for his name, whose Nature, Ma∣iestie, and Power is vnspeakable, and not to be vt∣tered by any Name. Wherefore God answereth I am, that Iam, and say vnto the children of Israel,

I am, hath sent me vnto you, &c. That is, the Beear and the onely Vnsearchable Substance that hath his being of himselfe and of none other: and of whom all things that are *haue their Being,* 1.19 Life, and Moouing, Euen I that eternall God that is nowe, and euer hath beene, who in the beginning made Heauen and earth & gaue Life and Being vnto all Creatures, and that afterwarde made his Promise and Couenant to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, that he woulde be their God and the God of their Seede,* 1.20 that God I say, * mindefull of his promises, and pitying your miseryes, hath nowe sent me vnto you to be your Capitaine and guide to deliuer you out of that great Tyrannie and Crueltie wherwith you are now Oppressed in Aegypt.

And they shall heare thy voyce,* 1.21 then both thou and the elders of Israel, &c.

Now he Instructeth Moyses what he shall pre∣tende to Pharao in his message, that he may suffer them to go. Wherein it may with some offence ap∣peare as though God did teach Moyses to Lie. For the chief purpose was not in the Desert to do Sa∣crifice to God, but to conuey themselues away out of Aegypt, into the lande of Chanaan. For an∣swere wherevnto we must consider. 1 First, that Peculier things done Extraordinarily, by the In∣spiration or commaundement of God, are not to be taken as Generall Rules or examples for all men to followe. 2 Secondly, there is a difference be∣tweene

Lying and Dissimuling. A godly, and wise Man in time and place may Dissemble and not vtter his Purpose: But none sauing wicked and vaine persons doe Lie.* 1.22 As touching the Lande of Chanaan promised *to them by God, what did it ap∣pertaine to Pharao to knowe? In that Moyses is taught to say, they should goe three dayes iourney into the wildernesse to Sacrifice to God, it was no Vntruth.* 1.23 For in Exod. 24. it is declared they did so.

And I am sure the king of Egipt will not let them go,* 1.24 no not in a mightie &c.

God telleth Moyses of this before, least when it shoulde so fall out hereafter, it myght shake Moyses his fayth, and make him to Doubt of his calling. So God vseth often to Forewarne his E∣lect of such Stormes as are to come, least in the time of their troubles they should Faint and Mis∣trust his gracious Promises of comfort and bles∣sing. So our Sauiour Christ tolde his Apostles, when he sent them to preach.* 1.25 They shall delyuer you vp (sayth he) vnto their counsailes and shal whip you.* 1.26 And againe. Ioh. 15. If they haue persecuted me, they will persecute you also.* 1.27 And Ioh. 16. The tyme shall come when they that kill you shall thinke them selues, to doe acceptable service to God.

These things haue I tolde you (sayth Christ) that when they come to passe,* 1.28 you maye not be offended therwith, but remember that I haue forewarned you.

And I will stretch out my hand and smite Egipt with all my wonders,* 1.29 &c▪

He doth againe Comforte Moyses with the pro∣mise of his Mightie assistance, and the great Suc∣cesse that he wyll worke for hym and hys people. But this may seeme straunge, that God sayth he will helpe the Israelites to Spoyle and Robbe the Egiptians. We must learne that the Eternall God and Lorde of Heauen and Earth, that made the Lawe, is not bounde and tyed by his owne Law. Therfore that the Israelites do by the appointment of God, is no Breach of his law, but a work of O∣bedience to his holy will.** 1.30 GOD is Lorde of all things, neyther hath any Man any thing, but that he hath at Gods hande, and that not in perpetuall Possession, but so of Loan for the time that he may without vniustice take it away from any. It was Iustice also before God that they, which had beene Enriched by the Oppression and iniurie of the peo∣ple of God, should also by the appointment of God haue their Iniurious gotten Goodes taken from them by the same People. But I must often re∣peate this, that such Extraordinarie Acts done by the especiall Commaundement of God, are not to be drawne into the Example of common life.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vers. 1.
• * 1.2

  Act. 7. c. 23.
• * 1.3

  Gen. 37. f. 28. 1. Reg. 21. d. 10 Dan. 2 b. 13. Math. 2. c. 13.
• * 1.4

  Vers. 2. 3.
• * 1.5

  Vers. 4.
• * 1.6

  Gen. 28. d. 17.
• * 1.7

  Math. 27. f. 53
• * 1.8

  Ruth. 4. b. 7.
• * 1.9

  Vers. 6.
• * 1.10

  Math. 22. d. 32
• * 1.11

  Vers. 7. &c.
• * 1.12

  Gen. 12. a. 2. Gen. 26. a. 4. Gen. 32. c. 12.
• * 1.13

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.14

  Vers. 11.
• * 1.15

  Iudi••. 6. c. 15.
• * 1.16

  Vers. 12.
• * 1.17

  Rom. 8. f. 31.
• * 1.18

  Vers. 13. &c.
• * 1.19

  Act. 17. f. 28.
• * 1.20

  Psal. 104. a. 8.
• * 1.21

  Vers. 18.
• * 1.22

  Gen. 12. b. 7. Psa. 104. a. 11. 1. Par. 16. b. 18
• * 1.23

  Exod. 24. b. 5.
• * 1.24

  Vers. 19.
• * 1.25

  Mat. 10. b. 17.
• * 1.26

  Io. 15. c. 20.
• * 1.27

  Io. 16. a. 2.
• * 1.28

  Io. 16. a. 4.
• * 1.29

  Vers. 20. &c.
• * 1.30

  Psal. 23. a. 1