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.

Easter daye at Morning prayer.

Exodus. 12.

[ A] AND the Lord spake vnto Moyses and Aaron in the lande of Egypt, saying. 2 This moneth shall bée vnto you the beginning of Monethes: and the first moneth of the yeare shall it be vnto you.

3 Speake ye vnto all the congregation of Israell, saying, In the tenth day of this moneth euery man take vnto him a lambe according to the house of the fathers, a lambe tho∣rowout euery house. 4. If the householde be to little for the lambe, let him take his neighbour which is next vnto hys house, according to the number of the s••••les, euery one of you according to his eating shall make your count for a lambe. 5. And let your lambe be without ••••••mish, a male of a yeare olde (vvhich) ye shal take out from among the shepe, and from among the goates. 6 And ye shall kéepe him in vntill the four••enth day of the same moneth: and euery as∣semble of the congregation of Israell shall kill him about euen. 7 And they shall take of the bloud and strike it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two (side) postes, and on the vpper doore post, in the houses where they shall eate him. 8 And they shall eate the fleshe the same night, rost with fire, and with vnleauened breade: and with sowre hearbes they shall eate it.

9 See that ye eate not there of rawe, nor sodden with wa∣ter, but rost with fire: the head, feete, and purtenance thereof.

10 And ye shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nothing of it remaine vnto the mor∣ning: That which remayneth of it vntill the morow, shal ye burn•• with fire. 11 Of this maner shall ye eate it, Wyth your loynes g••rded, and your shooes on your feete, and your staffe in your hande, and ye shall eate it in haste: for it as the Lordes Passouer. 12 For I will passe thorow the lande of Egypt this same night, and will smite all the first borne of Egipt from man to beast, and vpon all the Gods of Egypt I will execute iudgement: I (am) the Lorde.

13 And the bloud shall be vnto you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 token in the houses wherein you are: and when I see the blood, I will passe ouer you, and the plague shal•• not be vpon you to destroy you, when I smite the lande of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be [ C] vnto you a remembrance: and you shall kéepe it an holy feast vnto the Lorde throughout your generations, ye shall kéepe

〈◊〉〈◊〉 holy for an ordinance for euer. 15 Seuen dayes shall ye eate vnleaue ned bread, so that the first day ye put away lea∣uē out of your houses: For whosoeuer eateth leauened bread from the first day vnto the seuenth day, that soule shall be roo∣ted out of Israell. 16 The first day shall be an holy conuo∣cation vnto you, and the seuenth day shall be an holy conuo∣cation vnto you: and there shall be no maner of worke done in them, saue about that onely which euery man must eate, that onely may ye ••oe. 17 And ye shall obserue the feast of vnleauened bread: for this same day haue I brought your armies out of the lande of Egypt, therefore ye shall obserue this day, and all your children after you, by an euerlasting decrée. 18 The first moneth, and the fourtenth day of the moneth,* 1.1 at euen ye shall eate vnleauened bread, vnto the one and twentie day of the same moneth at euen againe.

19 Seuen dayes shall there be no leaneued bread founde in your houses: and who soeuer eateth leauened bread, that soule shall be rooted out from the congregation of Israell, whether he be a straunger or ••orne in the lande.

20 Ye shall eate no leauened breade: but in all your ha∣bitations shall ye eate vnleauened breade.

[ D] 21 Then Moyses called, for all the elders of Israell, and sayde vnto them; Choose out; and ta•••• you to euery houshold of you a l••mbe and kill the Passeouers.

22 And take a 〈…〉〈…〉* 1.2 and dip it in the bloud that is in the bason, and strike the vpper post of the doore, and the, two side postes with the bloud that is in the bason: and none of you go out at the doore of his house vntill the morning.

23 For the Lorde will passe ouer to smite the Egiptians: and when he séeth the bloud vpon the vpper doore post and the two side postes, he will passe ouer the doore, and will not suffer the destroyer to come into your houses to plague you.

24 Therefore shall ye obserue this thing for an ordinance to thée and to thy sonnes for euer. 25 And when ye be come

to the lande which the Lorde will giue you, according as he hath promised, ye shall kéepe this seruice.

26 And when your children aske you, What maner of seruice is this that ye doe? 27 Ye shall say, It is the sacri∣fice of the Lordes Passeouer, which passed ouer the houses of the children of Israell in Egypt▪ and he smote the Egip∣tians, and saued our houses. And the people bowed themsel∣ues, and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israell went [ E] and did as the Lorde had commaunded Moises and Aaron, so did they.* 1.3 29 And at midnight the Lorde smote the first borne in the lande of Egypt, from the first borne of Pharao that sate on his seate, vntill the first borne of the capt••••e that was in prison, and all the first borne of cattell.

30 And Pharao rose in the night, he and his seruantes, and all the Egyptians, and there was a great crie in Egypt▪ for there was not a house where there was not one deade.

31 And he called vnto Moyses and Aaron by night, saying, Rise vp, and get you out from amongst my people, both you and also the children of Israell: and go, and serue the Lorde as ye haue sayde. 32 And take your shéepe and your droues with you as ye haue sayde: and depart, and blesse me.

33 And the Egyptians forced the people; that they might sen••e them out of the lande in hast: for they sayd, We be all (but) dead men. 34 And the people tooke their dough be∣fore it was sowred, which they had in store, béeing bounde in clothes vpon their shoulders.* 1.4 35 And the children of Israel did according to the saying of Moises▪ and they borowed of the Egyptians iewels of siluer, and iewels of golde, and ray∣ment. 36 And the Lord gaue the people fouour in the fight of the Egyptians, so that they gr••••nted such things as they had re••••red: and they robbed the Egyptians.

37 And the children of Israel tooke their iourney from Ra∣mesis to Suchoth, sixe hundred thousand men of foote, beside children. 38 And a great multitude of sundrie other nati∣ons

went also with them, and shéepe and oxen, and excéeding much cattell. 39 And they baked vnleauened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt, for it was not sow∣red: For they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tary, [ F] neither had they prepared for themselues any prouision of meate. 40 The dwelling of the children of Israell which they dwelled in Egypt, was foure hundred & thirtie yeares.

41 And when the foure hundred and thirtie yeares were expyred, euen the selfe same day departed all the hostes of the Lorde out of the lande of Egypt. 42 It is a night to bée obserued vnto the Lorde, in the which he brought them out of the lande of Egypt: This is that night of the Lord, which all the children of Israell must kéepe throughout their gene∣rations. 43 And the Lorde sayde vnto Moises and Aaron, This is the law of Passeouer: there shall no straunger eate thereof. 44 But euery seruant that is bought for money, after that thou hast circumcised him, shall eate thereof.

45 A straunger and an hyred seruant shall not eate ther∣of. 46 In one house shall it be eate••, thou shalt 〈◊〉〈◊〉 none of the fleshe out of the house, neither shall ye breake a bo••e [ G] thereof. 47 All he congregation of Israell shall obserue it. 48 If a straunger also dwell 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you, and will helde passeouer vnto the Lord, let him circumcise all that be ••••les and then let him come and obserue it, and he shall be as one that is borne in the lande: for no vncircumcised person shall eate thereof. 49 One maner of lawe shall be vnto him that is borne in the lande, and vnto the straunger that dwelleth among you. 50 And all the children of Israel did as the Lorde commaunded Moyses and Aaron, so did they.

51 And the selfe same day did the Lorde bring the children of Israell out of the lande of Egypt with their 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

The Exposition vpon the .xij. Chapter of Exodus.

And the Lord spake vnto Moises,* 1.5 &c. Saying this Moneth, &c.

THe Historie of the oppression of the children of Israell in Aegypt, and their maruelous deliuerance from y^e tyrannie of Pharao, described in the former Chapters, doth, as it were, in a liuely Image set before our eyes our spirituall deliuerance from the tyrannie of Pharao the deuill, and from the heauie burthens of Sinne and Wic∣kednesse, wherwith we were ouerwhelmed in the Aegypt of this worlde. Our Pharao is the Deuill, our Aegypt is this worlde, our bondage is the sub∣iection to Satan and his kingdome, our taskes of Bricke, are the grieuous burthens of our sinnes, our Moises is Christ, our Deliuerance is the Con∣quest that our Sauiour Christ made of Sin, Sa∣tan, Hell, and Death, by the merite of his passion. And as the night before the Israelites were Deli∣uered, it pleased God to ordeyne them a Sacra∣ment, whereby they should from time to time call into theyr remembrance the great benefite of God shewed vnto them, and yeeld most heartie thankes to him for the same: Euen so our sauiour Christ, the night before he went to his passion, thereby to

worke our deliuerance,* 1.6 * ordeyned the holye Sa∣crament of his last supper, wherby we might con∣firme in our memorie the worke of our redempti∣on, and set forth his death vntill his last comming. This Sacrament of the Iewes, now here discri∣bed in this Chapter, is called the Passeouer, because by the sprinkling of the doore postes with the bloud of the lambe, God willed his Angell to Passeouer the houses of the Israelites, and not to strike them with that punishment, wherewith he plagued the Aegyptians. In like maner when Almightie God seeth the bloud of the Innocent Lambe his deere sonne Christ Iesu, sprinckled vpon the doore postes of our Consciences by Fayth in his Passion, the execution of his wrath due for sinne doth passe and not light vpon vs, as it doth vpon the Reprobate and Wicked, that haue not Fayth nor Beleeue his Gospel. But forsomuch as this whole Sacrament of the Iewes Passeouer, is nothing but a comforta∣ble & sweete preaching to vs of the death of Christ, and the mysterie of our redemption, I thinke it good to note some chiefe and particuler poyntes thereof vnto you.

The Pascall lambe, as I haue sayde, is Christ Iesu,* 1.7 for so sayth saint Paule. Our Passeouer is offered Christ Iesu, And for this cause also Iohn y^e Baptist poynting vnto him,* 1.8 sayde: Beholde the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the VVorlde.

This Lambe must be without spot,* 1.9 to note ther∣by the innocencie of our Sauiour Christ, who there∣fore of saint Peter is called The Immaculate and vn∣defiled* 1.10

Lambe, For in him there was no sinne, al∣though he tooke vpon hym the Burthen of all our sinnes.* 1.11 This lambe was taken From among the sheepe, to declare the humanitie of Christ, who was taken out of the flocke of that breede that God be∣fore had blessed in Abraham. And therefore sayth saint Paule to the Hebrewes.* 1.12 He tooke not the nature of Angels vpon him, but the seede of Abraham.

The Passeouer was killed in the euening,* 1.13 and latter part of the day, and so Christ came to redeeme and deliuer Mankinde towarde the latter ende of the worlde.* 1.14 The bloud of the Lambe Sprinckled vpon the doore postes, as is before sayde, is the bloud of Christ, by fayth, sprinckled in our consci∣ences.* 1.15 As the flesh of the Lambe might not bee eaten raw, so must not Christ be receyued as a raw, an vnperfite, or an vnsufficient Sacrifice, only for originall sinne, or for our sinnes before Baptisme onely, or for the sinnes of some, and not of other: But for a sufficient Sacrifice and ful Satisfaction for all the sinnes of the whole worlde, that eyther hath bene,* 1.16 or hereafter shall be. For as Paule saith to the Hebrewes. VVith one oblation once made, he made perfite all that be sanctified.* 1.17 The Lambe must be eaten with bitter herbes, in signification that the receyuing of Christ by fayth, in this worlde is ioy∣ned with the bitternesse of Affliction and Trouble. For whosoeuer will liue holily in Christ Iesu shall suffer persecution.* 1.18 Nothing must be left of the lambe vntill the morning,* 1.19 to note that we must repent and beleeue in Christ, while we be in this life, and not

deferre the matter to another time. For Christ can not be beneficiall to them, that in this life doe not acknowledge him.* 1.20 The Paschall Lambe Must be eaten with vnleauened breade: to declare that the fayth of Christ may not be mixed eyther with the Sourenesse of error and false doctrine, or with cor∣ruption of Sinfull and wicked life, but altogither with truth and sinceritie. Therefore Christ gaue his Disciples warning That they should beware of the * leauen,* 1.21 that is, the corrupt doctrine of the Pha∣risies and Saduces.* 1.22 And saint Paule to the Corinth. Our passeouer is offered Christ Iesu. &c. Therfore let vs solemnize the feast, not in the leauen of malice and craftinesse, but in the vnleauened breade of sinceritie and truth. The loynes of them that eate the Passe∣ouer must be gyrded, as prepared to a iourney, in token that they that doe receyue Christ, must be as Pilgrimes in this life, and in readinesse to passe out of the Egypt of this world, into the land of pro∣mise our heauenlye Heritage.* 1.23 For we haue not here a Citie or place to dwell in, but we must looke alwayes to the heauenly Hierusalem that our Saui∣our hath purchased for vs.* 1.24 And therefore, Luk. 12. Christ warneth vs, That vve should haue our loines gyrded, and lampes in our handes, like vnto seruants, that are readie looking for their maister vvhen he vvil come. This feast of the Passeouer was ordeyned to be kept once euery yeare, not only, that the peo∣ple shoulde themselues call to remembrance their Deliuerie: but also by that occasion, from time to time instruct their youth, and teach them to vnder∣stande

Gods great goodnesse towarde them, and his Miraculous woorkes by hys myghtie hande wrought for them. Wherefore we also at the so∣lemnising of the memoriall of oure Passeouer should not onely ** 1.25 set forth the death and passion of Christ and the great mercies of GOD thereby brought vnto vs: but teach our youth and children also, that they may in like maner vnderstande the Benefit of our redemption in Christ, and the sweet comfort that riseth thereof.

And Pharao called vnto Moses and Aa∣ron by night saying,* 1.26 rise vp, &c.

Here is the effect of Gods mightie working for his people, and the fulfilling of his promise, that the obstinate and harde hearte of Pharao, which had set himselfe against Gods purpose, was nowe so broken, that he was not onely wylling to let the Israelites go, but also did Hasten them away to de∣part with speede: so that they could not haue time to prepare themselues eyther bread or meate for the iourney, in so much that they were faine to take their dowe before it was sowred, and carie it on their shoulders. And in remembrance of this fulfilling of their promise, and of their speedie de∣liuerāce, he willed them euer after to Solemnise the feast of vnleauened bread.

And the children of Israel did according to the saying of Moyses,* 1.27 &c.

In this place is to be obserued the fulfilling of

an other promise of God made not onely to Moses in the third Chapiter of this booke,* 1.28 but to Abraham also manye yeares before. Gene. 15. Knowe thou sayth God, that thy seede shall be a straunger in a lande that is not his, and the people therof shall keepe them vnder in bondage, and shall afflict them foure hundred yeares: but I will iudge that people, and af∣terwarde they shal depart with great substance. This promise is here fulfilled. For the Israelites depart with great Treasure, that they borrowed of the Egiptians. As touching the doubt howe the Israe∣lites might spoyle the Egiptians by borrowing their Iewels, and not minding to come againe, I haue spoken in the exposition of the thirde Chapiter. Vers. 21. 22.

And the children of Israel toke their iour∣ney from Ramesis to Sucoth,* 1.29 &c.

God had promised to Abraham, that he woulde multiply his seede as the starres of Heauen, which we see in this place also notablie fulfilled. Iacob entered into Egipt but with sixtie and sixe persons,* 1.30 and nowe although they liued in great seruitude and bondage many yeares, in so much that their men Children were slaine and murdered. yet they be nowe growen to this great number of men be∣side Children.

The dwelling of the children of Israel,* 1.31 while they dwelled in Egipt, &c.

This number of yeares is not to be accompted

from the entrance of Iacob into Egipt with his fa∣milie, for that was but two hundred and ten yeres: But the reckening must begin from that time that Abraham went into Egipt because of the Famine, and from the time that the Promise was made to him for the blessing of his seede.* 1.32 Gen. 15. This may appeare by the wordes of S. Paule. Gal. 3. This I say that the lawe, which beganne afterwarde beyonde 430. yeres, doth not disanull the testament, &c.

Whē Paule sayth. The law that was made afterward, he meaneth after the Promise made to Abraham, whereof he had spoken in the wordes immediatly before. So that from the promise made to Abra∣ham vnto the making of the lawe, was but little aboue .430. yeares, And then all that time can not be assigned to the dwelling of the children of Israel in Egipt after Iacob came thether. But because the seede of Abraham was so many yeares Pilgrimes in straunge landes, therefore is it so sayde in this place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Leuit. 23. a. 5. Num. 28. c. 16.
• * 1.2

  Heb. 11. f. 28.
• * 1.3

  Sap. 18. b. 5. 10
• * 1.4

  Exod. 11. a. 2
• * 1.5

  Vers. 1.
• * 1.6

  Mar. 14. c. 24 Luc. 22. b. 19. 1. Cor. 11. e. 24.
• * 1.7

  1. Cor. 5. c. 7.
• * 1.8

  Iohn. 1. d. 29.
• * 1.9

  Vers. 5.
• * 1.10

  1. Pet. 1. d. 19.
• * 1.11

  Vers. 5.
• * 1.12

  Heb. 2. d. 16.
• * 1.13

  Vers. 18.
• * 1.14

  Vers. 7.
• * 1.15

  Vers. 9.
• * 1.16

  Heb. 10. c. 14.
• * 1.17

  Vers. 8.
• * 1.18

  2. Tim. 3. c. 12.
• * 1.19

  Vers. 10.
• * 1.20

  Vers. 15.
• * 1.21

  Luc. 12. a. 1. Marc. 8. b. 15.
• * 1.22

  1. cor. 5. c. 8.
• * 1.23

  Heb. 13. c. 14.
• * 1.24

  Luc. 12. c. 35.
• * 1.25

  1. cor. 11. f. 26.
• * 1.26

  Vers. 31 &c.
• * 1.27

  Vers. 35. 36.
• * 1.28

  Exod. 3. a. 8. Gen. 15. c. 13 Act. 7. a. 6.
• * 1.29

  Vers. 37. 38.
• * 1.30

  Gen. 46. c. 26.
• * 1.31

  Vers. 40. 41.
• * 1.32

  Gen. 15. a. 4. Gal. 3. c. 17.