about the Law In the first place he requires that Teachers by their Office shall rebuke those that are gainsayers with all long suffering and sobriety in the later that they avoid janglings about words that is contentious clamorous unprofitable Disputations and verball Discourse which tends not to edification either with Heretiques or others in the Church because they edifie none but rather confirm them in their sinnes 1007. Tit. 2. 15. Rebuke with all authority 1 Tim. 3. 3. A Bishop must be no striker Titus was gentle by nature therefore he is warned to rebuke with authority He inculcates to Timothy modesty and mildnesse that when he rebukes he should not strike but should rebuke diversly according to the diversity of mens faults offices ages degrees otherwise old men otherwise young men otherwise those that sinne of malice otherwise those that sinne of infirmity otherwise those that were ready to obey and otherwise those that were obstinate as there were in Crete many despisers of the Ministry The Epistle of St PAUL to PHILEMON HE intercedes for Onesimus who was runne from his Master Philemon and would have his Master receive him again 1008. Philem. v. 5. He had love and faith toward all the Saints Mark 16. 16. John 3. 16. Whosoever beleeveth in Christ shall be saved Philemon did testifie to all men by his works of love toward the Saints that he had a lively faith in Christ The Epistle to the HEBREWS is also thought to be St PAULS but his Name was left out least the Jews should be deterred from the reading of it HE describes the person of Christ according to his Divine and humane Nature and he confirms his Offices Priestly Kingly and Propheticall and exhorts the Jews to faith constancy and good works by the example of the Fathers 1009. Heb. 1. 3. Christ sate down at the right hand of the Majesty on high Acts 7. 55. Steven saw the son of man standing at the right hand To sit at the right hand is to have all Glory Majesty Kingdom and Power both in heaven and in earth The Lamb standing at Gods right hand which was slain for us and intercedes as a Priest on our behalf stands as Aaron stood with his Censer of old betwixt the living and the dead to turn away the wrath of God 1010. Heb. 2. 3. The Gospel was confirmed unto us by those that heard Christ Gal. 1. 12. I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ In the first place it is spoken of the Apostles who were with the Lord into which number Paul was taken after Christs resurrection and he was more confirmed after his admission communicating with them those things that he had learned by revelation from Christ 1011. Heb. 7. 19. The Law made nothing perfect James 1. 25. The perfect Law of liberty The first place is concerning the Ceremoniall Law which the Jews abused separating the Law from Grace and the Spirit of Christ and opposing the Law to the Gospel The later place is concerning the whole Doctrine divinely revealed comprehended in Gods Word which contains not only in writing Morall Precepts but also Promises concerning Christ of all which Christ is the soul recreating our souls by his Spirit and enlightning our eyes 1012. Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh to God must believe that he is Rom. 2. 6. God shall render to every man according to his deeds We must beleeve because faith is the means and the instrument of our Justification God shall render to every one according to his works because works are the outward testimoniall and mark of our Faith and Justification before God 1013. Heb. 11. 13. The Patriarchs all died not having received the promises ver 33. Obtained promises Acts 2. 39. The promise is made unto you The promise made to the Fathers was temporall concerning the possession of the Land of Canaan which Abraham Isaac and Jacob Act. 7. 5. obtain'd not by themselves but by their successours but the promise was spirituall concerning Christ to be sent and that by faith in Joh. 8. 56. him they should obtain eternall life so the Fathers obtained the promises because they saw Christ afar off and rejoyced that Christ should come they did not obtain the promises because he came not in their daies yet they beleeved he should come 1014. Heb. 12. 17. Esau found no place for repentance though he sought it carefully with tears Acts 2. 38. Repent for the remission of your sinnes Repentance if it be taken passively is referred to Esau's father whose minde could not be changed with his prayers that so he might revoke the blessing conferred upon Jacob but Gen. 27. 33. v. 45. take it actively concerning Esau's repentance and that was not serious but hypocriticall who intended to kill his brother The Canonicall Epistle of St JAMES HE warns them who boasted of their faith without works that they should shew their faith by their works in the Divine Law and flee from sinnes that are forbidden and embrace virtues that are commanded 1015. James 1. 5. If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God 1 Cor. 3. 18. If any man amongst you seemeth to be wise in this world let him become a fool that he may be wise The first place is concerning spirituall and heavenly wisdome the Authour whereof is God the later concerning vain earthly worldly wisdome and carnall which is foolishnesse with God 1016. James 1. 25. ch 2. 12. The perfect Law of liberty Gal. 4. 24. Which gendreth unto bondage In the former place not only the Morall Joh. 8. 36. Law according to which whosoever liveth is free but also the Doctrine of the Gospel whence true liberty results is to be understood in the later in respect of us and by accident it is called the Law of bondage 1017. James 2. 24. A man is justified by works and not by faith only Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law The sayings of the Apostles Paul and James Aug quest 76. are not repugnant one to the other the one saith that a man is justified by faith without works the other saith that faith is dead without works those works that go before faith are vain but he speaks of those works that follow faith Paul considers a man justified before God James a man justified before men Paul speaks of true internall faith which justifies in the sight of God James of the outward profession of faith historicall knowledge and the effects and testimonies of it The two Epistles of the Apostle St PETER THe former commemorates Gods benefits exhorts all men in generall to the duties of piety and honesty toward God themselves and their neighbours but in particular in their Domesticall Politique and Ecclesiasticall condition c. the later warns the faithfull that they proceed in godlinesse and fly from false teachers deriders and such as deny the
a mans faith and judgeth by the works as the effects of mens faith and life and condemns bad works for unbelief 822. Rom. 2. 13. The doers of the Law shall be justified Gal. 2. 16. For by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified Justification is attributed to the Law and to Works not simply but by supposition if any man can perfectly fulfill the works of the Law but no man can in this weaknesse perfectly fulfill the Law 823. Rom. 2. 14. The Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law ch 8. 7. The carnall minde is enmity to the Law of God for it is not subject to the Law of God The naturall Law convinceth the Gentiles the written Law the Jews The Apostle doth not in the former place affirm that all the Gentiles do fulfill the Law but indefinitely the things contained in the Law for he speaks of outward works and civil discipline which was honest amongst some Gentiles In the later by the name Carnall he understands unregenerate part and the corruption of nature 824. Rom. 2. 14. The Gentiles have not the Law 1 Joh. 3. 4. Sinne is the transgression of the Law The Gentiles indeed had not the Law published in writing by Moses but the naturall Law in the first Creation was printed in every man which we transgressed in Adam and so were made sinners Adam was saith Ambr. on Luke l. 7. and in him we were all Adam fell and in him all men fell 825. Rom. 2. 25. Circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the Law Gal. 5. 2. ch 6. 15. If you be circumcised Christ shall profit you nothing Externall circumcision in the Old Testament was a Sacrament upon condition of the Law fulfilled Under the New Testament as other Ceremonies it is mortall in the place of this came Baptism in former times it did profit the Fathers as a seal of the righteousnesse of faith after Christ came and the Gospel was planted it was taken away by the full plenty of spirituall Circumcision 826. Rom. 3. 2. The Jews exceed the Gentiles much every way ver 9. What then are we better then they no in no wise ch 10. 12. The Apostle speaks in the former place in respect of the Jews excellency from the Covenant of God who was pleased to bestow on the Jews the grace of his Covenant and his Law before the Gentiles were called in the later place he speaks of the Jews themselves who deserved no more favour at Gods hands then the Gentiles nor were they better then we and continuing in their unbelief they have lost their priviledges they were nothing to be preferred before the Gentiles but now we are all one in Christ and that prerogative is taken away Gal. 3. 28. 827. Rom. 3. 4. Every man is a lyar ch 9. 1. I say the truth in Christ I lye not Man as he is man corrupt is subject to lye but being regenerated and enlightened with the holy Ghost he embraceth truth as is manifest in Paul 828. Rom. 3. 8. We must not do evil that good may come ch 9 18. God bardening the wicked produceth that which is good In the former place is spoken of evil of sinne in the later of evil of punishment It is the singular goodnesse of God that he so over-rules sin that it may be converted to good as we see in Joseph 829. Rom. 3. 12. There is no man that doth good no not one John 13. 10. chap. 15. 3. You are clean through the word which I have spoken By nature by reason of inherent sinne we are all unclean by the grace of God in Christ we are cleansed and our hearts are purged 830. Rom. 3. 20. For by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight ch 2. 7. To them who continue by patience in well-doing shall he render glory and honour and eternal Life The first place shuts out all works from mans Justification not by fault of the Law but by accident that is by the fault of men In the later the Apostle urgeth works as necessary not by necessity of the cause to justifie but to be present Rem in him that is justified for works are nâ—â— cause of reigning but they are the way to the Kingdom 831. Rom. 3. 28. Faith is greater then charity 1 Cor. 13. 8. Charity then faith Faith is greater as it is the cause of charity and our victory by faith Christ dwelleth in our hearts we please God but charity without Exod. 3. 17. out faith is sinne Charity is said to be greater then faith or hope because it never fails but shall endure in our future state of perfection faith and hope then ceasing as to their actions but it is not greater in respect of Justification because charity doth not justifie Legally for in many things we offend all and it is not perfect nor Evangelically because in the Gospel the act of Justification is ascribed to Faith 832. Rom. 3. 25. God hath set forth Jesus Christ to be a propitiation John 18. 2. Judas delivered him to the Jews The Father delivered his Son out of love to us but Judas delivered Christ out of covetousnesse The Father for us and for our salvation Judas for thirty pieces of silver to his own destruction 833. Rom. 3. 28. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law James 2. 24. You see that by works a man is justified and not by faith only Paul doth not separate as to existency Gal. 5. 6. works from faith which works by love but the object of Justification before God James rejects faith which wants good works that is a dead faith of the devil v. 17 19. and attributes to works the declaration of Justification v. 21. yet he confirms a lively faith v. 22. by the example of Abraham Augustine saith that when the Apostle saith a man is justified by faith he doth it not that works should be despised because they follow the man justified they do not go before Justification 834. Rom. 3. 31. Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Heb. 7. 18. There is a disanulling of the Commandment going before through the weaknesse thereof The first place is of the Morall Law which faith confirmeth because Christ came to fulfill it and not to destroy it and the end of the Law is to bring us to Christ The later place is concerning the ceremoniall Law which is abrogated because the shadow was to give place to the substance 835. Rom 4. 7. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered Mat. 5. 2. Blessed are the poor in spirit the clean in heart the mercifull In the first place is spoken of the cause of blessednesse namely remission of sins and imputation of righteousnesse in the later of vertues which are the way to blessednesse 836. Rom. 4 15.
known the Father in him 756. Joh. 14. 12. He that believeth on me the works that I doe shall he doe also and greater chap. 3. 2. No man can doe those Miracles that thou doest Christ means not works of divine Creation Redemption or Sanctification but of his mission such Miracles as he wrought in the world such and greater then they were wrought by the Apostles whose shadows cured sick men as they passed by after Christs Ascension and the wonderful conversion of the Gentiles followed 757. Joh. 14. 13. chap. 16. 24. Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my Name that will I do Ask and you shall receive Jam. 4. 3. Ye ask and receive not We ought to ask in Christs Name in full confidence of his merits with true faith and without doubting spiritual or corporal blessings with exception of Gods will and our own salvation in all occasions and in all our prayers they that ask so receive and they that receive not ask amisse 758. Joh. 14. 23. If any man love me he will keep my words vers 23. The Word which ye hear is not mine The Word that Christ taught was his but not any invention of his but his Fathers Word which he was sent into the world to preach 759 Joh. 14. 23. And we will come unto him and make our abode with him Rom. 7. 20. Sin dwelleth in me vers 14. I am sold under sin The first place is concerning the inhabitation of the Sacred Trinity in the spiritual part of a regenerate man The latter is of the dwelling of sin in our carnal members 760. Joh. 15. 15. I call you not servants but friends Mat. 25. 21. Well done good servant The Disciples were Christs servants by right of creation redemption and vocation friends by right of adoption communication and patefaction Aug. tr 55. on John 761. Joh. 15. 15. All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 16. 12. I have yet many things to say unto you In the Scriptures some things are said to be full which are to be fulfilled in the former place Christ speakes concerning the knowledge of God and the perfect worship of Christians in it self in the latter concerning the understanding of this Word which the Disciples by reason of their rudenesse could not bear before they had received the holy Ghost nor did they understand it 762. Joh. 16. 13. The Spirit of Truth shall guide you into all Truth Gal. 2. 11. Peter erred after he had received the holy Ghost The Apostles were led into all truth in parts and degrees of it After they had received the holy Ghost they erred not in doctrine in writing or teaching but in life and conversation such was the errour of Peter which was to be reproved whilest he conversed amongst the Gentiles 763. Joh. 16. 24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name Mat. 6. 9. Luk. 11. 2. He had given them the form of Prayer before The Disciples did indeed pray before but not so plainly with a clear knowledge of Christs Office that their prayers should be heard for the Messias that was sent 764. Joh. 16. 26. I say not unto you that I will pray the Father for you Rom. 8. 26. He makes intercession for us Christ alone doth not pray for us but we also must come to the Father and in his Name at his command pray in full assurance which is necessary for our salvation 765. Joh. 17. 3. That they may know thee Father to be the only true God Act. 20. 28. The Son is God chap. 5. 4. The holy Ghost is God Onely here doth not exclude the Persons in the Divine Essence but creatures and Idols which are no gods 766. Joh. 18. 20. I speak openly to the world and in secret have I said nothing Mar. 9. 28. He taught his Disciples privately in the Desert In the first place he speaks of his doctrine which he brought from Heaven that he might reveal it to all men and teach it publickly and in the temple not in private corners In the latter place he taught privately explaining those things which he had taught publickly 767. Joh. 19. 9. Jesus answered not Pilate 1 Tim. 6. 13. Christ Jesus before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession To Pilates question first Christ did not answer because he stood before him to suffer and not to plead or excuse at length he gave testimony to the Truth in words and deeds for his passion and death were a sufficient testimony and sealing of his doctrine 768. Joh. 20. 1. Christ rose on the first day of the week Mat. 12. 40. The Son of Mâ—â— shall be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth untill the third day This is a Synecdochical computation of time for the least part of the day of the preparation is taken for a whole day and the beginning of the day after the Passeover or the Sabbath is taken also for a whole day Christ was three days in the grave but it was incompleatly three days so also he was two nights in the grave the night before being added to them 769. Joh. 20. 1. Mary Magdalen came early when it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher Mar. 16. 2. Very early they came to the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun When it was yet dark very early in the morning she went out of her house and the City waiting for the rest of the women with which afterwards she came to the Sepulcher at the Sun-rising 770. Joh. 20. 17. Touch me not Ver. 26. Reach hither thy finger Christ after the Resurrection would not be touched of Mary Magdalen who only sought him after a carnal way and thought of enjoying him no otherwise then she did formerly by his earthly presence amongst them But he commanded Thomas to touch him that his faith being confirmed he might be a more certain witnesse of Christs Resurrection The ACTS of the APOSTLES LVKE the Evangelist describes either in generall all the Acts of the Apostles or in speciall Peters Preachings Acts Visions Miracles Imprisonments the Conversion of Paul his Travels Disputations Miracles Bonds Imprisonments and the History of the Primitive Church after Christs Ascension from 26 years unto the 60 year from Christs Nativity 771. Acts 1. 1. Of all things that Jesus began both to do and teach Luke wrote John 21. 25. There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Luke in the first Book wrote of all things necessary for our salvation though not of all things but summarily concerning the conception of Jesus Christ his Nativity Life Passion Death Resurrection and Ascension into heaven August Christ did many things that are In John Tract 49. not written as John the Evangelist witnesseth but those things were chosen to be written which might suffice for the salvation
of Beleevers 772. Acts 1. 9. Whilst the Disciples beheld Christ was taken up and a cloud received him John 3. 13. No man hath ascended up into heaven but he that came down from heaven The body of Christ was taken up visibly on high where Christ was personally before according to his Divine nature 773. Acts 1. 15. The number of names together were about an hundred and twenty 1 Cor. 15. 6. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once The number of an hundred and twenty must be restrained to the faithfull there at Jerusalem the rest were out of this gathering in other places Luke by calling the brethren that were present sheweth that there were no women present at the Election of Matthias 774. Acts 1. 18. Judas purchased a field with the reward of iniquity Matth. 27. 3. He repented himself and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief Priests and Elders Judas purchased a field not actually but by purpose and event for he hoped with those silver pieces to buy a field he acquired the money It is Metonymia adjuncti and the price wherewith the Priests bought the field 775. Acts 2. 23. Jesus being delivered by the determinate counsell and foreknowledge of God by wicked hands you have crucified and slain John 19. 11. He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin The death of Christ is ascribed to God and men in divers respects God delivered him by his determinate counsell that he might procure life for us The Jews out of their diabolicall hate that they might blot out the memory of him 776. Acts 2. 33. Christ is exalted by the right hand of God John 17. 5. Christ was glorified with the Father before the world was The state of Christs humiliation and exaltation is in respect of right and profession Christ was as Mediator at the right hand of God also before his corporall Ascension but in respect of use after his Ascension 777. Acts 2. 36. God hath made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ Luke 2. 11. He is called Lord at his Nativity by the Angell Christ by right of his personall union was made Lord at his Nativity by possession and use in his Glorification declared to be so by his sitting at the right hand of God according to the rule Then a thing is said to be done when it is manifested to be done 778. Acts 2. 38. And be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost In the first place there is the command and fruit of Baptism but not the form Some by the Name Christ understand the three Persons the Father anointing the Son anointed and the holy Ghost the unction Also in the Name of Christ is in the doctrine faith knowledge and obligation of Christ 779. Acts 3. 2. And a man lame from his mothers womb they laid daily at the gate of the Temple to ask alms chap. 4. 34. neither was there any among them that lacked They that carried the lame man to the Beautifull Gate of the Temple were not of the number of those who beleeved in Christ nor the lame man himself before he was healed 780. Acts 4. 31. And when they had prayed they were all filled with the holy Ghost chap. 2. 4. In the Feast of Pentecost the holy Ghost sat upon every one of them before The first place is of the increase of gifts and their boldnesse and confidence to professe the Gospel that casting away all sorrow they were full of rejoycing and preached the Word of God freely against the threatnings and interdicts of the High priests 781. Acts 7. 38. Moses received in mount Sinai the lively Oracles 2 Cor. 3. 7. Paul cals the Law the ministration of death The words of the Law were words of life because the Law hath life in it self and leads us to Christ it is not the Ministration of death in it self but in respect of mens infirmities and our corrupt nature 782. Acts 7. 2. Men Brethren and Fathers hearken vers 52. Betrayers and murderers In the former place he doth civilly use those compellation to the Jews in the later he shews what the truth is according to the Gospel they were enemies but according to Election they are beloved for the Fathers sake Rom. 11. 28. 783. Acts 7. 51. You do alwaies resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did Rom. 9. 19. Who hath resisted his will To resist the holy Ghost is not to hear him in the Word of God so the Jews rejected grace proferred unto them and despised it revealed in the Word and so were the cause of their own damnation The Apostle speaks of Gods absolute will according to that he doth all things to which we must be subject 784. Acts 7. 59. Lord Jesus receive my spirit Luk. 16. 22. Lazarus was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosom All the godly and faithfull children of Abraham must commend their spirits into the hands of the Sonne of God who enlivens us there is that bosom and the soul of Abraham rests there 785. Acts 8. 1. And they were all scattered abroad throughout the region of Judah and Samaria except the Apostles Mark 16. 15. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel The beginning of the Apostles preaching was at Jerusalem where they suffered persecutions building a Church unto Christ before they went to other Nations 786. Acts 9. 6. Go into the City and there it shall be told thee what thou must do Gal. 1. 15. Paul was not called by man neither from men to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ Saul was taught by Ananias concerning the means of his conversion but not concerning the Articles of his faith Ananias was sent to baptize him and heal him but not to call him to be an Apostle 787. Acts 9. 7. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechlesse ch 26. 14. and when we were all fallen to the earth I heard a voice The companions of Saul were first cast down then they stood speechlesse nor could they go forward untill Saul also rose from the earth 788. Acts 9. 7. They heard a voice but they saw no man ch 26. 14. They that were with me saith Paul heard not the voice Hearing the sound of the voice they understand not the meaning of it so a voice coming to Christ from heaven the company that heard John 12. 29. it said it thundred 789. Acts 9. 8. They led Saul into Damascus Gal. 1. 17. He went into Arabia Paul after his conversion was first at Damascus then he went into Arabia and so returned again to Damascus 790. Acts 9. 15 Paul bare the Name of the Lord before the Gentiles the Kings and the children of Israel Gal. 1. 16. He was separated to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of Christ He was the ordinary Apostle
to the Gentiles but extraordinarily he might teach the Jews 1 Tim. 2. 7 also 791. Acts 10. 30. Four daies after the vision of Cornelius Peter came to Cesarea ver 19. The morrow after they that were sent from Cornelius came to Peter Cornelius the first day at three of the clock after noon sent his servants to Peter the second day they came to Peter the third day they came with Peter from Joppa and lay by the way that night the fourth day they returned to Cornelius at Cesarea 792. Acts 14. 22. We must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of God Heb. 6. 12. c. 11. 1 The Saints by faith and patience inherit the promises The condition of the faithfull is common through many tribulations to enter into the Kingdom of heaven from which some are freed by speciall priviledge for faith is the means of acquiring life eternall but tribulation is the way thither 793. Acts 15. 10. The Law is a yoke which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear 1 John 5. 3. His Commandments are not grievous The Law is a yoke in respect of perfect obedience for here that is impossible for us the Commandments are easie in respect of the imputation of Christs righteousnesse who fulfilled the Law for us in whom our sins are forgiven Rom. 6. 14. 794. Acts 15. 28. It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us that you abstain from blood and things strangled Luk. 16. 16. The Law and the Prophets were untill John That was a temporall command belonging to the Ceremoniall Law untill the weak in faith who were not fully instructed were better confirmed least their conscience should be troubled and offended 795. Acts 16. 3. Paul circumcised Timothy because of the Jews Gal. 2. 3. Titus being a Greek was not compelled to be circumcised Circumcision from the time of its institution untill Christs death was necessary because of Gods command for it was a Sacrament and a part of Gods worship After Christs death the Ceremony and use of it remained for some time untill the Jews were taught concerning the abrogation of the Law for it was needfull that the Synagogue should by degrees be buried with honour as the Ceremonies were by degrees set up Paul circumcised Timothy lest he should offend the weak but might win them to Christ he would not circumcise Titus after the Gospel was planted lest he should do wrong to Christian liberty 796. Acts 16. 6. They were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia Mat. 28. 19. Go and teach all Nations The time to preach the Word of God in Asia was not yet come and Paul and Silas were then sent to some other place to greater increase of the Gospel yet at last the Gospel was plentifully 1 Pet. 1. 21. preached there also 797. Acts 16. 18. Paul would not suffer the spirit of divination Phil. 1. 18. What then notwithstanding every way whither in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and I therein do rejoyce and will rejoyce Paul had great causes to cast out the spirit of divination because translating himself into an Angel of light he would have drawn the Apostolicall doctrine to be suspected as if they had been both as one and so they that beleeved the Apostles should beleeve the spirit of Divination that he might overthrow the Gospel 798. Acts 17. 28. In him we live and move and have our being this sentence is from Aratus the Heathen out of Menander 1 Cor. 15. 33. Evil communications corrupt good manners Tit. 1. 12. That the Cretians are liars evil beasts slow bellies is taken out of Epimerides and Callimachus Jerem gives the reason of this thing that they who were obstinate in their heathenish malice might be condemned out of their own Writers 799. Acts 18. 8. Paul baptized Crispus and Gaius and the house of Stephanus 1 Cor. 1. 17. Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel Christ sent all the Apostles to preach and to baptize yet because the ordinary way of preaching was better more hard and more necessary therefore he would have them apply themselves rather to this leaving baptizing to those that were inferiour to them Paul denyeth that he was sent to Baptize not simply but comparatively so God commanded not sacrificing but obedience because he will rather have this then that Jer. 7. 22. 800. Acts 18. 2 18. Priscilla and Aquila were with Paul at Corinth Rom. 16. 3. Writing from Corinth he salutes Priscilla and Aquila Paul when he was again at Corinth writing to Rome salutes amongst others Priscilla and Aquila who were then there 801. Acts 18. 18. Paul shaved his head at Cenchrea for he had a vow Gal. 5. 1. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage Some referre that vow and shaving to Aquila if Paul did that he did it therefore that he 1 Cor. 9. Act. 21. 26. might become all things to all men that he might win some that he might serve the time and not offend the Jews but promote the cause of the Gospel 802. Acts 19. 2. The Disciples said to Paul we have not heard whether there be any holy Ghost v. 4. They were baptized therefore they must know the holy Ghost In the first place he speaks of the extraordinary miraculous gifts of the holy Ghost otherwise they were taught concerning the person of the holy Ghost by John and they had received his common gifts conferred in Baptism 803. Acts 19. 3. Into Johns vers 5. They were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Baptisme in the first place is taken for the whole Ministry of John vers 5. there was no reiteration of Baptism but an approbation of Baptism conferred in the Name of Jesus by John which is understood to be done by laying on of hands 804. Acts 19. 13. Certain of the vagabond Jews exercists took upon them to call on the Name of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 12. 3. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost The Lord Jesus is so called either by the mouth only as by the exorcists or from the heart by the holy Ghost there are externall gifts of the holy Ghost and confession is reckoned amongst the common gifts so those that were possessed with the devil could say that Jesus was the Sonne of God but the gifts of regeneration are proper to Beleevers only 805. Acts 20. 9. Eutichus fallen asleep fell from the third loft and was taken up dead v. 10. his life is in him Paul speaks confidently whether the soul were in the young man or not so Christ said before he raised the maid she is not dead but sleepeth 806. Acts 20. 27. I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsell of God Rom. 11. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 6. Who hath known the minde of the Lord The counsell of God is either necessary
for our salvation which was hid before and now is revealed or not necessary secret ascribing to the revealed will of God 807. Acts 20. 35. It is more blessed to give then to receive Paul faith that these were the words of the Lord Jesus which are not found in the Evangelists Though the words be not found there in the same letters yet the sense of them is found in the words of Christ lend looking for nothing again Give and it shall be given to you for all Christs words and deeds are not set down but only those which suffice for true faith and our salvation 808. Acts 21. 4. The Disciples said to Paul that he should not go up to Jerusalem ch 20. 22. Now behold I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem saith Paul The Disciples by suggestion of the Spirit warned him of bonds and afflictions using also some perswasions of their own as they were moved with brotherly affection being ignorant that it was the will of God that Paul should go up thither which he had revealed to him after a singular manner 809 Acts 21. 9. Philip had four daughters virgins which did prophesie 1 Cor. 14. 34. Let your women keep silence in the Churches The first place is concerning private and extraordinary gifts the later of the publike Ministry and that which is ordinary used from which women are excluded 810. Acts 23. 3. Paul reviled Ananias the Highpriest 1 Cor. 6. 10. Revilers shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Reviling is either lawfull which riseth from zeal to Justice and hath the observation of the Law for its object that is just and honest so Peter reviled Ananias Simon Magus Paul Bar Jesus or Elymas and God all wicked men or unlawfull which proceeds from a wicked Act. 5. c. 8 c. 13. 10. desire and minde of revenge that Paul had not 811. Acts 23. 6. Paul cryed out in the conusell Men and brethren I am a Pharisee 1 Cor. 1. 12. He reproves and condemns denominations from men Paul amongst those that disagreed admits the denomination only for distinction sake and so thinking with the Pharisees he distingnisheth himself from the Sadducees So the faithfull Professors of the Gospel are called Christians but when the persons agree in Doctrine he forbids to preferre one before the other 812. Acts 25. 10. Paul will be judged at Caesars Judgement seat 1 Cor. 6. 1. Dare any of you go to Law before the unjust Civil Judicatures are to be had in honour the abuse of them is condemned and he admonisheth Christians that they should avoid contentions before unjust Judges lest so contending concerning small matters they should prostitute their sacred Religion 813. Acts 28. 28. Be it known therefore unto you that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles Matth. 15. 24. I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel The Gospel ought to be preached by the Apostles first to the Jews they not beleeving it came to the Gentiles So Christ preached to the Israelites before he gave command to his Disciples Go and teach all Nations Matth. 28. 19. St PAULS Epistle to the ROMANS IT may be said to be the Method of the holy Scripture in this are contained that which convinceth all both Jews and Gentiles of their sinnes it demonstrates Justification from sinne by the Grace of God by Redemption of Jesus Christ which we apprehend by faith and testifie by good Works as the fruits of our faith It was written in the year of Christ 55. and sent from Corinth 814. Rom. 1. 1. Paul a servant of Jesus Christ John 15. 15. I will not call you servants There are servants of sinne and servants of Righteousnesse Christ speaks of servants of sinne the Apostle was an Apostle of Righteousnesse either in respect of the common condition that he was freed by Christ from the power of Satan or of his Apostolicall office being placed in the sacred Ministry by a singular manner 815. Rom. 1. 2. The Gospel of God which he had promised before by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures chap. 16. 25. The Gospel was kept secret since the world began but is now manifested The Gospel is taken either largely as it signifies the doctrine of Glory concerning Christ revealed in the Word or strictly properly for the Gospel promised or fulfilled Metonymically when the name of the thing is given to the instrument or it is taken for the Ministry 816. Rom. 1. 13. I often times purposed to come unto you v. 13. But was let hitherto Paul purposing to go to Rome did not resist the will of God nor was it contrary but according to his will not absolutely but conditionally if God pleased the impediments he might have were Satan casting many hinderances in his way or sicknesse the planting of Churches or the like 817. Rom. 1. 18. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse chap. 2. 4. The goodnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance Justice doth not oppose the goodnesse of God punishing wicked men as they are wicked but goodnesse invites men to repentance deferring the punishments of the wicked not as they are wicked but as they are Gods creatures and he delights not in their destruction 818. Rom. 1. 26. He reckons up heathenish beastlinesse and Sodomy Eph. 5. 3. Fornication and all uncleannesse and filthinesse let it not be once named among you The Apostle commemorates the dissolute life of the Heathens to make us avoid it not to imitate it by disgracing it that so being terrified with that filthinesse we may escape the anger of God 819. Rom. 2. 1. Inexcusable thou art O man whosoever thou art that judgest chap. 13. 1. There is no power but of God The power of the Office is distinguished from the faults of the Person though in the Court of Conscience and before God we are sinners yet we are not in the Courts of Civil Justice and before men 820. Rom. 2. 6. God will render to every man according to his deeds vers 16. God will judge the secrets according to my Gospel In the former place is treated of the effect of faith that goes before retribution in the later of a necessary instrument God will condemn the wicked and Infidels according to the Law and acquit the beleevers according to the Gospel for he that believes shall be saved and both waies God will reward according to our works as they were done well or ill from faith Mark 16. 16. or infidelity 821. Rom. 2. 6. He shall render to every man according to his deeds ch 3. 28. ch 8. 3. We conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law To render is not only meant just retribution but free gift Behold I come quickly and my reward Rev. 22. 12. is with me to give to every man according as his work shall be This doctrine takes not away justice but confirms it because it respects works for